Chapter 545: A Strange Mix-up, A Lucky Break
Chapter 545: Chapter 545: A Strange Mix-up, A Lucky Break
Shen Ningning immediately walked over. "How come it’s just you two? Where’s Ye Shangyi?"
Meng Wanning smiled. "Miss Ye was suddenly struck with inspiration. She’s set her sights on the Lamp King and said she wants to win it, so she just went into the book tower."
Ye Shangyi was probably among the hundred or so people Lu Shaoyuan had just seen.
Shen Ningning was quite surprised.
Ye Shangyi wasn’t exactly the most learned scholar in the Capital City, so competing for the Lamp King in the book tower would be a real struggle for her.
There were bound to be many brilliant scholars competing for the Lamp King tonight.
Sure enough, Ye Shangyi came out a moment later.
She looked dejected. "I couldn’t win it."
Lu Shaoyuan burst out laughing. "There were so many people, of course you couldn’t win."
But Ye Shangyi said, "I actually made it to the front, but someone else’s couplet was better than mine. I couldn’t come up with a better response, so I had to leave."
Xu Jingxi said nothing, only remarking, "It’s about time. Let’s go to the lakeside for the boat ride."
They hadn’t drawn lots yet.
The group headed back together. By the time they reached the lake, the maid was nearly at the front of the line, with only six pairs ahead of them.
Meng Wanning said, "The Princess has the highest status, so let the Princess draw first."
Shen Ningning pressed her lips together. ’She probably wants me to draw first to get me out of the way.’
She shook her head. "I’ll draw last. You all go first."
’Let’s see what other tricks Meng Wanning has up her sleeve.’
Qi Xiuwei took a step forward. "Then I’ll go first."
She figured it didn’t matter who she drew anyway.
As Qi Xiuwei reached her hand in and felt around, Lu Shaoyuan grew a little nervous.
’Please don’t let her draw me!’
When Qi Xiuwei pulled out a slip of paper, a hint of hidden anticipation appeared in Pei Yin’s gaze.
Shen Ningning craned her neck to look. "Huh! You drew my third brother!"
Ye Shangyi and Meng Wanning both looked over in surprise.
Especially Meng Wanning. ’I clearly placed the slip with Xu Jingxi’s name at the very bottom!’
’And I’d already conspired with the maid, telling her to pinch the slip with Xu Jingxi’s name and only let go when it was my turn.’
’How could Qi Xiuwei have drawn it?!’
Qi Xiuwei glanced apologetically at Ye Shangyi.
"I’m so sorry..."
Ye Shangyi quietly shook her head, indicating it was fine.
Xu Jingxi, however, was nonchalant. "I’ll be in your care later, Miss Qi."
Shen Ningning felt completely exasperated now.
’Meng Wanning’s plan failed, but now Ye Shangyi can’t be on the same boat as Third Brother either.’
’Thankfully, Ye Shangyi still has a chance.’
So Shen Ningning perked up. She watched Ye Shangyi go up to draw, and sure enough, she drew Pei Yin.
’Great. Just great. Now everything’s a mess.’
’I don’t even need to draw now. Since I’m last, Meng Wanning will definitely draw Lu Shaoyuan.’
Unexpectedly, Meng Wanning suddenly touched her hair. "Oh dear! I think I dropped a hairpin. I’m going to go look for it over there. Please excuse me for a moment."
She hurried away, leaving the maid no choice but to hand the sachet to Shen Ningning.
Lu Shaoyuan tutted. "Looks like we were fated to share a boat across the water."
Xu Jingxi furrowed his brow. ’Why do I get the feeling there’s a hidden meaning in his words?’
’That phrase, "a hundred years of fate to share a boat, a thousand years to share a pillow," is used to describe married couples.’
Ye Shangyi chimed in, "You should be happy, Lu Shaoyuan. Looks like you and Ningning only have a hundred years’ worth of fate. If you want a thousand, you’ll have to try a lot harder."
At her words, the light in Lu Shaoyuan’s eyes dimmed. "Isn’t a hundred years enough? I’m more than content with that!"
Shen Ningning gave a helpless smile. "Let’s go. Time for the boat ride."
The maid didn’t move, intending to wait for Meng Wanning to return.
Shen Ningning and Lu Shaoyuan boarded a boat and drifted across the lake, heading toward the brightly lit island in the center, where the Matchmaker Temple stood.
Now and then, fireworks bloomed across the sky, their dazzling splendor momentarily as bright as day.
Colorful lotus lanterns drifted on the lake’s surface, creating an exceptionally warm and romantic atmosphere.
Unfortunately, there was no romance in Shen Ningning’s eyes. Lu Shaoyuan, sitting opposite her, glanced at her several times, only to find the young lady leaning over with a curious expression, staring at the water.
"What are you looking at?"
"I was just thinking, there are usually lots of fish in this lake. Why can’t I see any now?"
Lu Shaoyuan was speechless.
He massaged his temples. ’It’s pitch black. It’d be a miracle if she *could* see any fish.’
’So, I’m even less interesting to her than the fish in the lake?’
Lu Shaoyuan felt the atmosphere was perfect. If he didn’t speak now, he might never get another chance.
"Shen Ningning, something’s been troubling me lately. My mother is always pressuring me to get married, and she..."
"Hey! Lu Shaoyuan, look quick!" Shen Ningning suddenly interrupted him, pointing at a boat not far away.
"Is that my third brother? Why is he on a boat heading back?" Shen Ningning was stunned.
Lu Shaoyuan looked closely, and sure enough, it was Xu Jingxi’s silhouette.
Their boat was behind those of Qi Xiuwei and Ye Shangyi. Xu Jingxi must have taken Qi Xiuwei to the island in the center of the lake, and was now taking a boat back to shore.
Lu Shaoyuan was thoroughly surprised.
"Your third brother... he couldn’t be going back to get Meng Wanning, could he? It’s over. Ye Shangyi definitely has no chance now."
Shen Ningning’s fine brows knitted. "No way!"
The boat reached the island shore. Qi Xiuwei and Ye Shangyi were standing together, with the former saying something comforting. Pei Yin stood silently to the side.
"Changyi!" Shen Ningning hurried over. "Why did my third brother go back?"
Ye Shangyi raised her red-rimmed eyes. "Ningning, I don’t think I need to ask anymore. He said he had to go back. I’m afraid he was worried about Miss Meng. If that’s the case, the question in my heart has been answered."
But Qi Xiuwei said, "Maybe not. Xu Jingxi just told me he had something to do and that we should go on ahead. What if he went to do something else?"
Shen Ningning quickly agreed. "Exactly! Let’s not overthink it. Let’s go get our fortunes told first."
Ye Shangyi nodded listlessly, her interest clearly gone.
The Matchmaker Hall was packed with worshippers, so crowded it was impossible to even squeeze inside.
Ye Shangyi had lost the desire to have her fortune told, and Shen Ningning had no interest either, so she just sat under a tree outside, keeping her company.
Qi Xiuwei decided to go into the hall to pay her respects, and Lu Shaoyuan followed. Pei Yin said to Shen Ningning, "I’ll go keep an eye on Second Young Master Lu, so he doesn’t get hurt in the crowd."
With that, he hurried after them.
Shen Ningning shook her head to herself. ’He’s obviously going to protect Xiao Wei. He’s just too stubborn to admit it.’
Ye Shangyi rested her cheek in her hand. "I’m so jealous of Xiuwei. At least Lord Pei is full of feeling; you can see all his emotions in his eyes."
Shen Ningning was amused by her words. "My third brother is too, he just doesn’t show it easily. Don’t worry, when we get back, I’ll help you sound him out!"
"Besides, it’s not like my third brother is the only good man in the world!"
Ye Shangyi laughed, feeling much better.
Just then, across the lake, several fireworks suddenly shot up from the book tower, accompanied by the CRACKLE and POP of firecrackers.
The fireworks were brilliant, and Shen Ningning and Ye Shangyi were both mesmerized.
The worshippers nearby stopped to discuss it—
"Oh my, what’s all the commotion over there?"
"You don’t know? Someone won the Lamp King, so the temple is setting off celebratory fireworks!"
"With so many talented scholars gathered tonight, the person who won the Lamp King must be extraordinary."