Chapter Twenty-Four: Unable to Enjoy the Blessings of a Beauty

The Dining Pavilion was supported by seventy-two massive stone pillars, its main structure composed of polished stone blocks and sturdy wood. From the outside, it seemed unremarkable, but once inside, one couldn't help but admire the ingenuity of its designer; every piece of material had been used to its fullest, resulting in such a grand dining hall. Limited by the backward productivity of the Tang dynasty, the second-floor loft, though more elegant, could only rely primarily on wooden construction, lest the foundation be overburdened.

As a civil engineer in his previous life, Yu Lang lamented that it was fortunate Yangzhou rarely suffered from earthquakes or typhoons; otherwise, the building’s framework would be woefully inadequate in both seismic and wind resistance. Whether the academy had other means of evacuation, Yu Lang had no way of knowing.

Yu Lang received a set of bowl and chopsticks at the entrance and queued along with the crowd.

A slender youth approached him and spoke proactively, "How about we team up for the third round?"

Yu Lang knew the rules of the third round: scholars could choose to form pairs, taking turns to carry each other while running; the first three hundred pairs to complete ten laps would advance. The rule-makers intended to encourage cooperation and the selection of suitable partners—a kind of intelligence test in itself.

Yu Lang remarked, "Wouldn’t it be a loss for me to cooperate with you? You’re so slight; I doubt you could carry me far."

The slender youth grew anxious, "Don’t underestimate me! My lightness skill may not match Ma Youjian, the famed Flying Horse Swordsman, but among these thousand candidates, I rank in the top hundred! When I’m on your back, you’ll actually lighten your own weight and run faster!"

"Interesting," Yu Lang nodded lightly. "But I plan to complete the third round alone, so forgive me, brother. You’d best seek another partner."

Even the surrounding scholars were surprised. "Do you not understand the rules? Competing solo means carrying a stone weighing two shi—about one hundred and ten kilograms! How is that better than alternating with a partner?"

The slender youth looked disappointed. "I thought you were clever, but... Alas. My name is Dai Yang. Should you ever need me outside the academy, don’t hesitate to ask; fate has brought us together. Still, let me advise you: competing alone is highly disadvantageous. Most contestants are young and weigh less than two shi—you needn’t make things harder for yourself."

Yu Lang merely smiled.

The Dining Pavilion had ten meal windows for the scholars; soon it was Yu Lang’s turn. After collecting his food, he found a table and sat down.

Just as he was eating, Yang Yuhuan approached with her meal and sat across from him.

Yu Lang was so startled he sat up straight.

Yang Yuhuan gently explained, "No need to be nervous, Master Yu. I merely wish to speak with you."

Yu Lang, uneasy, settled back in his seat. "If you want to talk, just talk. Don’t smile at me; it’ll stir public outrage and I’ll be the one to suffer."

Yang Yuhuan was curious, "What do you mean by public outrage?"

"It means provoking everyone’s anger—here, it means arousing jealousy among the men."

"I see. Master Yu, you really are witty."

Yu Lang was sensitive to words. "Witty? So you’ve heard of me from others."

Yang Yuhuan intended to smile but, being earnest in her ways, kept a straight face as Yu Lang had requested, which lent her a unique charm. "I know Sister Xian’er and have heard from her about your dealings with Instructor Du, and your tale of Du Shiniang sinking the Treasure Chest in anger. I liked it very much. I’ve long admired your talent."

Du Fu, that shameless plagiarist, at least had the decency to credit him when retelling the story. Yu Lang smiled modestly (though shamelessly), "Storytelling is but a minor skill, hardly worth mentioning. To win a smile from a goddess like yourself is reward enough for me."

Yu Lang almost wanted to find a quiet place to vomit.

Yang Yuhuan again suppressed a smile, maintaining a peculiar composure. "Master Yu, no need for humility. Beyond admiring your talent, I also have a favor to ask."

"For the third round, I wish to pair with you."

Ah, please no, Yu Lang was in despair.

As soon as her words left her lips, the Dining Pavilion erupted—"What? That kid who got beaten yesterday is teaming up with Yang Yuhuan?"—"That scoundrel will have to carry Yang Yuhuan for ten laps, skin to skin?"

Seeing the commotion about to spiral out of control, Yu Lang swiftly refused, "Forgive me, sister, but I insist on competing alone."

Yang Yuhuan’s moist eyes glimmered with innocent autumn waves. "Master Yu, am I worth less than a mere stone to you?"

Yu Lang quickly protested, not daring to joke. He knew well she had only been sent out by Li Longji after being snatched from Prince Shou, and soon would return to the palace to become a consort—what if Li Longji came after him later?

Stealing the emperor’s woman was a death wish—absolutely not.

Yu Lang changed the subject. "Sister Yuhuan, I see your aura is seamless and your breathing long and steady; your cultivation must have reached the ‘Sea Voyager’ realm. This round shouldn’t trouble you."

Yang Yuhuan blushed modestly. "I fear my running posture won't be graceful." Indeed, she wished to pass the round elegantly, lying atop someone.

Yu Lang thought for a moment, then leaned close to whisper in her ear, "If you wish, I can share my little secret with you. Please keep it until before the third round."

Yang Yuhuan’s earlobes were naturally sensitive; his breath as he whispered sent a wave of weakness through her, a rosy blush blooming on her cheeks like a peony awaiting the touch of a lover. She nodded obediently.

At Yu Lang’s request, the two acted out a scene, pretending to part unhappily.

Just as Yu Lang reached the pavilion's exit, several burly scholars surrounded him. "We heard you turned down Yang Yuhuan’s invitation to team up?"

"Yeah, are you looking to squad up with us? I’m a master at Yasuo."

The fat leader turned and asked, "What’s he talking about? Ah, never mind. I’m here to say your decision was wise. Otherwise, you’d have been beaten up again today. Sister-in-law Yuhuan—she’s destined to be our boss’s woman!"

Yu Lang was stunned. "Boss? Which boss?"

The crowd parted, revealing a short man of about thirty wearing a robe embroidered with the words "Boss," his smile fierce and commanding.

"You’re smart, I like that. Still, I must break your arm to end Yuhuan’s longing for you."

Yu Lang disliked their arrogant attitude. Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Boss, do you know why out of three thousand scholars, Sister Yuhuan… our sister-in-law, favors me in particular?"

"It’s not because I’m handsome—am I as handsome as you? It’s because I’ve mastered a romantic manual, and know how to make girls happy. Let me teach you how to woo Sister-in-law Yuhuan."

He whispered a few words to the boss, who beamed broadly and nodded enthusiastically.

Thus Yu Lang extricated himself from the Dining Pavilion, having endured a most arduous meal. He believed that if the boss actually followed his advice in confessing to Yuhuan, he would vanish from the face of the earth the very next day. Li Longji had placed his beloved in the Xiyue Academy—could there not be spies watching?

The drumbeat ceased. The third round of the grand competition officially began!