Volume 12
Chapter 12: Saint Lu Never Cheats
“You with the surname Lu, what is this attitude?” Zhu Xi asked coldly.
“What attitude?”
“Look at this pathetic state of yours! I let you participate in the husband selection, not for you to come here and be so carefree! Look how well-prepared they are! And you, you just came here wearing jeans. What do you think this is? A children’s game of house?” Zhu Xi’s fine eyebrows stood on end. “If it weren’t for… this first round would have eliminated you!”
“How was I supposed to know this first round of competition would be in this format?” Lu Li was a little annoyed after being scolded by Zhu Xi.
“Are you blaming me? Blaming me for not giving you the questions in advance? Why don’t you ask them how they knew the test was on the six arts of a gentleman?” Zhu Xi’s tone was ice-cold. “The matter of selecting a husband for me has been in the works for three years. If you had just paid a little more attention, gone and checked the notices that were sent out before, you would have known that the test questions for the talent selection were ‘propriety, music, archery, horsemanship, writing, and mathematics.’ You with the surname Lu, in your heart, how much importance do you actually place on this matter? Do you think I, Zhu Xi, am willing to joke about my own lifelong matter, to be a stepping stone for you?”
A basin of cold water was poured over Lu Li’s heart. He wasn’t angry, but rather shocked to realize his own negligence of Zhu Xi’s feelings. Zhu Xi was using the husband selection to protect him, but as Zhu Xi had said, he had truly thought it was just a formality, that no one would take it seriously… But how could he be so shameless? This was clearly Zhu Xi’s first and perhaps only time seeking a husband in this life!
He had originally wanted to talk to Zhu Xi privately about some crucial matters, but seeing that Zhu Xi was now in a fit of rage, he knew it wasn’t a good time, so he softened his stance. “It’s my fault. This won’t happen a second time.”
Zhu Xi’s anger did not subside. “Get out. The horsemanship test is the day after tomorrow. If you’re so sloppy again, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance!”
…
Being kicked out of the hall by Zhu Xi, Lu Li was still a little dazed. Although Zhu Xi had lost her temper with him today, he knew in his heart that Zhu Xi had been a little too tolerant of him, so tolerant that he, Lu Li, was a little at a loss. Lu Li knew that the world had many misunderstandings about him, always saying his stomach was weak and that he loved to live off women. If he couldn’t even win this open and aboveboard competition and had to rely on Zhu Xi’s favoritism, then he, Lu Li, would truly have solidified his reputation as a man who lived off women.
After he returned to the hotel, he began to look up the competition of the six arts of a gentleman. After the establishment of the constitutional monarchy, a trend of revivalism arose in Shenzhou’s upper society, and this competition of the six arts was also dug out from the corner of history and used as a threshold for marrying into a family. So-called propriety tested the suitor’s mental outlook, speech and behavior, and understanding of the upper-class social situation. So-called music competed in vocal music and composition, and in recent years, electronic music had also been introduced, which could be considered keeping up with the times. So-called archery competed in the use of firearms. So-called horsemanship competed in the art of riding. So-called writing competed in poetry, essays, calligraphy, and painting. So-called mathematics competed in logical thinking and rational calculation. These six arts were derived from the Rites of Zhou of the old era, yet they were completely different. The competition of the six arts was, in essence, a test of the suitor’s obedience, learning ability, and ability to withstand pressure.
Lu Li knew nothing about these so-called six arts. He had never even ridden a horse. To stand out in the horsemanship test the day after tomorrow…
He had a bit of a headache.
Just then, Zhu Qiao slipped over from next door. Seeing Lu Li pressing his head in front of the computer, she asked with concern, “Gege, did you go see Sister Xi today? What did she say?”
“I wasn’t very lucky today. I made your Sister Xi angry,” Lu Li said with a bitter smile. “Little Qiao, do you know how to make your Sister Xi calm down?”
“Mm… I’m not too sure… But, I guess, as long as you do what Sister Xi has arranged for you, she naturally won’t be angry.” Zhu Qiao tapped her chin with her finger. “Sister Xi is the type who values results over the process. As long as you give a good result in the end, she won’t blame you.”
A good result… Isn’t that just winning the competition of the six arts? Lu Li gave a bitter smile. “Then Little Qiao, do you know any quick methods for learning to ride a horse?”
“A quick method?” Zhu Qiao smiled embarrassedly. “Gege, I’ve never seen a horse…”
Right. Lu Li shook his head. He had been desperate and had turned to the wrong person, asking the so-inexperienced Little Qiao. Just as he was frowning, Zhu Qiao sat on his lap with a grin and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Gege, I’ll teach you how to ride a horse. In return, will you take me out to play tomorrow, okay? I saw some little kids outside the window today, pushing an iron hoop and running around. I want to play that too!”
Pushing an iron hoop? An image appeared in Lu Li’s mind. Were there still kids playing that now? Perhaps this was the difference of the Capital City?
Lu Li knew that a quick method for learning to ride a horse simply didn’t exist. Instead of being so anxious, he might as well agree to Little Qiao’s request and see what strange method this girl had.
Lu Li smiled and pinched Little Qiao’s nose. “Alright, I promise you. I’ll take you to push an iron hoop tomorrow.”
Little Qiao giggled, her head rubbing back and forth against his neck. “You’re so good, gege. Hehe.” The little girl’s way of expressing affection was very simple—it was physical contact. The beautiful young girl’s body rubbing against Lu Li at close range made him feel a little restless. “Little Qiao, you’re too close.”
“Am I?”
Lu Li pushed this girl with no sense of boundaries away. “Then how are you planning to teach me how to ride a horse?”
“It’s very simple. I’ll know just by looking.”
Look? Lu Li’s heart skipped a beat.
He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he felt Little Qiao’s eyes light up in an instant, as if they were electrified. The next second, she let out a breath, her smile briefly fading. “Gege, are you riding a horse the day after tomorrow? When the time comes, you can just choose horse number 6…”
Lu Li’s mouth fell open. He suddenly realized he had never told Zhu Qiao that he was participating in the horsemanship test the day after tomorrow.
Little Qiao… who on earth are you?
“Is it enough to just choose horse number 6?”
“Mm-hmm, as long as you choose number 6, it will definitely be fine.” Zhu Qiao’s smile became brilliant again. “Gege, you promised to play with me tomorrow. You can’t go back on your word.”
“Little Qiao.”
“Mm?”
“Tell me the truth, gege. Is there a price for this so-called ‘seeing’ of yours?” Lu Li asked seriously.
Zhu Qiao was stunned, stammering for a long time. “How could there be a price? I’ve always done it this way… Gege, can you not be so serious…”
Lu Li was half-believing, half-doubting. He didn’t want to scare the naive Zhu Qiao with a stern face, so he smiled slightly. “If there is a price, Little Qiao, you must never go and see for me again, understand? Companionship is already far more precious than any opportunity.”
Zhu Qiao nodded, her voice a little choked with tears. “You’re so good to me, gege…” Lu Li was suddenly hugged by her. That pair of large white rabbits, which were extremely mismatched with her naivety, bumped against his chest, making his breath catch for a moment. He didn’t quite understand what there was to cry about. Or was it that Little Qiao’s tear ducts were just naturally lower than others’?
