CHAPTER 87: THE FLOWER GOD’S REWARD

Just because Yue Mingxuan felt unimpressed didn’t mean others agreed.

The emperor’s promise of half a royal sedan chair made more than half the people present turn red with jealousy.

They ignored the most important condition that’s they had to win the title of Flower God first.

And Yue Mingxuan with no skills in music, chess, painting, calligraphy, poetry, or singing, looked like the least likely person to win.

He tossed a fruit into his mouth and continued eating.

If he couldn’t get gold, eating more fruit wasn’t bad either.

Ancient fruits were natural and free from pollution.

In modern times, this kind of fruit would be categorized as special supply that ordinary people couldn’t afford them.

If he ate enough, maybe it would be worth at least a gram of gold.

Thinking like this, Yue Mingxuan kept stuffing fruit into his mouth while watching Rong Yuelin’s spear dance.

Next to him, Rong Tieshan watched Yue Mingxuan eating the fruits as if they were his enemies.

A wave of tenderness rose in his heart.

He pushed his own plate of fruit toward Yue Mingxuan and even signaled the palace maids to bring him another plate.

So full... Yue Mingxuan groaned while holding his stomach in a very ungraceful way and leaning back on the soft chair.

At least his hard work eating fruit meant the trip to the festival wasn’t wasted.

Shang Qinghua saw Yue Mingxuan’s behavior and let out a cold "hmph" through his nose.

After that, his gaze didn’t drift toward him again.

Behind Yue Mingxuan, Sui He had already turned her head away in resignation.

She didn’t know if Yue Mingxuan could become the Flower God, but becoming a bottomless food bucket was absolutely not a problem.

Rong Yuelin’s spear dance ended quickly and the emperor praised her politely out of duty, then told her to step down.

A moment later, a palace servant led Yue Mingxuan to the competition platform on the east side.

Rong Yuelin stood on the west platform.

According to the rules of previous years, the people could throw the silk flowers in their hands toward the one they believed should be the Flower God.

Whoever received the most silk flowers would be chosen as this year’s Flower God.

The silk flowers themselves were specially produced by the Beirong Interior Bureau, making them almost impossible to copy.

Very soon, both Yue Mingxuan and Rong Yuelin had mountains of silk flowers piling up in front of them.

At first glance, Rong Yuelin seemed to have a few more votes than Yue Mingxuan.

At that moment, Shang Qinghua walked gracefully to the front of Yue Mingxuan’s platform.

His presence instantly attracted the attention of more than half the people there, even Yue Mingxuan’s pile of silk flowers grew noticeably because of the commotion.

Before long, the lively voting came to an end.

Yue Mingxuan looked at the silk flower mountain in front of him and suddenly felt like a big star.

I guess I really do have some artistic talent. I just danced casually and so many people voted for me, he thought to himself.

Soon, the palace servant announced the final count: Yue Mingxuan won over Rong Yuelin by the tiny difference of just one silk flower. He earned the title of Flower God for this year’s Shanshi Festival.

After hearing this, Yue Mingxuan almost couldn’t believe his ears.

He even suspected that Beirong Kingdom had some strange plot, which was why they allowed him to beat Rong Yuelin. But he had no time to think further, the palace servants quickly invited him onto the platform.

While kneeling before the emperor’s feet, Yue Mingxuan felt excited and full of expectation.

No matter what, the prize alone could be exchanged for ten thousand taels of gold.

He happily imagined himself setting up an auction.

Maybe he could even sell it for more.

Moments later, the palace servant brought the prize forward.

Yue Mingxuan opened the box and saw a very plain looking jade hairpin.

The workmanship was rough and the material look ordinary.

It looked like something sold that was at a roadside stall.

Is the Sword Forge Villa trying to fool people?

Yue Mingxuan took the box with a gloomy expression.

If such a hairpin could really sell for ten thousand taels of gold, then he might as well buy twenty of them on the street and become rich.

"Fifth Prince, this hairpin is called Moon Bracing Sun Hairpin," the palace servant said with special care as he handed him the box. "This jade hairpin was made by seven of the top ten craftsmen of the Sword Forge Villa. They spent many nights carving the white cloud jade. Only after endless polishing did they obtain a single piece of jade core, which became this hairpin."

When Y Mingxuan heard this, he couldn’t help feeling a bit interested.

He took the hairpin from the box and noticed it was much heavier than a normal one.

It’s also feels warm when he touch it.

As he traced the jade surface, he felt a tiny bump. Curious, he pressed it lightly.

The hairpin suddenly opened in his hand.

A moment later, it reassembled itself into a miniature moon and sun.

Seeing this, Yue Mingxuan finally understood why someone would be willing to pay ten thousand taels of gold for it.

The material was so precious and the craftsmanship also unbelievable.

Thinking about selling it suddenly made him feel reluctant.

"Well?" the emperor asked casually while watching his reaction. "Fifth Prince, does this hairpin suit your title as the Flower God?"

Yue Mingxuan thought for a moment, then answered honestly, "In reply to Your Majesty, this hairpin is indeed looked beautiful, but in my eyes, it is still not as good as gold."

When Yue Mingxuan said that, a sharp glint flashed through the emperor’s eyes.

"Oh? This hairpin is the dream of every girl and Ger in the world. It represents the highest honor of the Four Kingdoms’ Flower God. Yet you think it is not as good as common gold and silver? What is your reason?"