jdhmnovel Chapter 185 A Competition and a Gamble
Chapter 185 A Competition and a Gamble
"What are you competing in?" Rong Wan'er sneered, "Do you know how to play the piano, chess, calligraphy, or painting?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.
Some people even laughed so hard that they couldn't bend their waists, and said sarcastically: "She was born and raised in Yinshan County. It's not easy for her to have enough food to survive. How can she have the time to learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting? Comparing this with her, it seems that we are bullying others by taking advantage of our power, right?"
Someone covered his mouth and said, "You can't compare farming with her! How can we do that?"
At this time, Yu Jiuer said excitedly: "I am an expert in farming. If you compare me with me, it would seem that I am not doing a fair job!"
"Hahaha..." Yu Jiuer's words caused another round of laughter.
Someone asked: "What are we competing for? Is this the end of it?"
Rong Wan'er had finally provoked trouble and of course she was not willing to give up.
The noble ladies had been coveting Prince Jing for a long time, so they were naturally unwilling to be beaten to the punch by a man from Yinshan.
So, they all looked at Concubine Duan and asked the person in charge of the tea-tasting banquet, Concubine Duan, to ask the questions.
"This..." Concubine Duan hesitated for a moment, her eyes sweeping towards Yu Jiuer and the other noble ladies.
She believed that Yu Jiuer would not lose. After all, a person who could pass the imperial examination and become a top scholar at the age of sixteen and govern Yinshan County so well must be no simple person.
She was afraid that Rong Wan'er and these noble ladies from aristocratic families would become arrogant and lose all their dowries and face.
If some people were criticized by ministers when they returned home, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble to Jun Mo.
It was not easy for Jun Mo to get to where she is today, so she had to be cautious at every step.
But faced with the constant instigation and urging of the noble ladies, Concubine Duan became a little anxious.
Rong Wan'er and the noble ladies couldn't wait to teach Yu Jiu'er a lesson, and shouted at her, "You're not really useless, are you scared?"
"Who's afraid?" Yu Jiuer raised her proud chin, first lowered her eyes to thank Shang Buhui, "Thank you, Sister Shang, for your sponsorship! If I lose, I will pay you back even if I have to sell myself!"
Without waiting for Shang Buhui to speak, he said to the group of noble ladies: "I accept this bet! I will compete with you!"
As soon as Yu Jiuer finished speaking, Butler Feng broke out in a sweat and whispered to Wei Zhengdao beside him:
"Deputy General Wei, this concubine Yu is really bold. Although her moisturizer can make more than fifty times the profit, it hasn't been sold yet, right? Where does she get the confidence from? I'm afraid she will lose everything in Prince Jing's Mansion!"
"Fifty times? You said those moisturizers she has been tinkering with these days have such high profits? Are you sure?" Wei Zheng had a look of disbelief on his face. He suddenly felt a little regretful. He should have asked Yutao to collect some rent for the shop. It was a huge loss!
Damn it! She took advantage of me again!
"Fifty times is still a conservative estimate. I bought all the materials. Don't I know that?" Butler Feng's eyes turned red with anxiety. He lowered his voice and whispered in Wei Zheng's ear,
"But Deputy General Wei, is this the point? The point is that she has not even earned the silver yet and yet she dared to speak so arrogantly and agree to the bet. The mansion does not have that much cash to pay her off!"
Wei Zheng snorted coldly: "She is so cunning, she will probably not lose, don't worry!"
Under pressure, Concubine Duan said, "In that case, instead of playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, or painting, or farming and weaving, why don't we compete in literature, martial arts, and talent? Best of three!"
"Good!" The ladies achieved their goals and all had proud looks on their faces.
Rong Wan'er said shamelessly: "I, Rong Wan'er, will represent all the sisters to compete with her!"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Duan was horrified and said hurriedly, "Wan'er, stop fooling around! These five hundred thousand taels of silver were collected by the daughters of various noble families. They should discuss and choose who to compete with Concubine Yu!"
She was really worried that in the end, her ignorant niece would lose everything and become the target of public criticism.
The daughter of Master Chen stepped forward and said, "Sister Rong, why don't we draw lots to fight? Anyway, any one of us is more than enough to defeat a Yinshan girl like her!"
The daughter of Lord Liu was more cautious. After all, she was betting her entire fortune today, so she said to the ladies, "Let's choose someone who is proficient in a certain event to compete! It's a sure win!"
Her words drew the contempt of the other noble ladies: "Is it worth it for you to be so timid when dealing with a Yinshan girl? You are really embarrassing for a noble lady from an aristocratic family!"
Yu Jiuer said arrogantly: "Whoever you are good at can be chosen, I will not lose anyway!"
"Hahaha..." As expected, her words caused everyone to burst into laughter again.
Some people were afraid that Concubine Duan would help Prince Jing's mansion, so they spoke up first: "Your Majesty, you can't be biased towards Prince Jing!"
Concubine Duan raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet: "Of course not! In this case, you ladies can choose someone to compete with Concubine Yu!
As for the referee, the male guests present will act as the referee. The male guests will vote with yellow flowers in their hands. The party with more yellow flowers will be the winner. The loser will fulfill the bet and pay the winner 500,000 taels of silver. "
"Okay!" Concubine Duan's words were agreed by everyone.
This tea-tasting banquet was the first banquet held by Prince Jing’s mansion.
Therefore, those who had wanted to enter Prince Jing’s Mansion to take a look at what was going on in the past, all seized the opportunity to come this time.
Especially the eldest prince, the third prince and the fifth prince, all came uninvited.
If the Second Prince's family had not been reported by Jun Mo and imprisoned, they probably would not have been left behind.
The royal family is also strange. They are fighting each other to the death in secret, but on the surface they still maintain brotherly friendship and respect.
Yu Jiuer, a concubine, made such a big fuss that the eldest prince sneered, "Fourth brother is too indulgent to the mischief of the concubines. If a concubine were in our prince's mansion, she wouldn't even have the right to go out and meet guests."
"She is the first woman of Prince Jing, and she gave birth to the emperor's grandson, so she naturally has this honor." The one who spoke was the prince of the Duke's Mansion. He stared at Yu Jiuer with a pair of scoundrel eyes and said with contempt,
"This country woman is so shameless that she wants to provoke a noble lady. Now we are going to see some fun!"
The son of the Dali Temple official sighed, "This little girl is so arrogant. I'm afraid that the Prince Jing's Mansion will be ruined by her!"
Jun Mo was displeased when he heard this, and said in a deep voice: "Are you so sure that my concubine will lose?"
"Fourth brother, it's really difficult for you to carry such a prodigal son into the palace!" The Third Prince put his hands on his hips, his tone full of sarcasm.
The others turned their heads away and dared not make fun of Jun Mo anymore, fearing that he would lose so badly that he would vent his anger on them.
Jun Mo snorted coldly: "In that case, how about I be the banker and we men place the bets? Let's play one round at a time and see who has the last laugh!"
His action drew approval from all the male guests.
Most people thought that Prince Jing was giving away money, so they took out all their silver to place bets on the spot.
Some people even hurriedly urged their servants to go home and get the banknotes.
Some young men from wealthy families who love gambling are even willing to empty their family property to take a gamble.
Isn't this obvious? You are using your numbers to bully the few and your power to oppress others!
This concubine is bound to lose!
If they don't gamble with the free money, they will feel guilty about it.
In the end, in addition to Jun Mo betting on Yu Jiuer to win, there were also people who supported Jun Mo's faction who didn't want to offend Prince Jing, so they forced a smile and followed him to bet a hundred taels.
Wei Zheng and the four guards knew Yu Jiuer's abilities very well. Even though they were busy with security work, it did not stop them from taking out all the silver they had and following Jun Mo to bet on Yu Jiuer to win.
Steward Feng sighed and said, "Under such circumstances, you are still able to stake so much silver to support the prince. You are truly the most loyal people around Prince Jing!"
Jian Yi gave Butler Feng a stupid look: How can money be related to loyalty? They are betting on money, okay?
The eldest prince and Jun Mo's brothers naturally would not go against the money, and all bet on the lady to win.
A competition and a big gamble thus began in Prince Jing's Mansion.
Not only the princes attended this banquet, but also the children and wives of the most prominent families in the capital.
If Yu Jiuer loses this time, she will not only lose the face of Prince Jing's Mansion, but also the face of the royal family. I'm afraid even the emperor will not forgive her.
Thinking of this, Rong Wan'er and the noble ladies from aristocratic families were secretly delighted.