CHAPTER 750: CHAPTER 750: RIDING THE TIGER, DIFFICULT TO DISMOUNT

Kong Yinyin, who had never hit a single arrow, could not distinguish between experts, and simply stood by silently, listening.

Xiao Jizi and the others bowed their heads in silence, Xiao Jizi’s heart thrilled with excitement. He knew at a glance that his master was about to set a trap, so he cooperated by appearing worried and distressed, adding realism to his act.

After they agreed on the terms, everyone placed their stakes and began the game. The Young Eunuch distributed eight arrows to each person. Consort Fang Pin and Lian Hua aimed at the same target, while Changzai Zhou and Beauty Zhao aimed at another. After a single round, the total number of arrows in each target was counted; the side with more arrows would win.

As the game started, Consort Fang Pin took the first shot and hit the target. Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou followed in order, also successfully hitting the target. When it was Lian Hua’s turn, she looked left and right, her eyes rolling around. To the onlookers, it appeared she was nervous about missing, and they all began to comfort and encourage her:

"Sister Lian, don’t be afraid. Even if you perform poorly, I’m here. Although I can’t compare to Consort De’s perfect aim, I used to be quite good. Just go ahead and shoot, and enjoy yourself."

"Exactly, those who are new to this game just need to shoot a few more times to get the hang of it. Don’t think we all hit the target because that’s all down to luck. After a few attempts, when luck runs out, it’s hard to tell."

"Don’t feel pressured. We are here to have fun; being happy is what matters most."

Lian Hua felt rather embarrassed; she had only wanted to learn by watching and choosing whether to hit based on the situation. Now that everyone was so kindly comforting her, it really put her in a tight spot. Well, if that was the case, then so be it.

She furrowed her brows and held the arrow, gesturing with it for a while before finally making her shot. The arrow flew diagonally toward the mouth of the target and just as it seemed about to fly past, the arrow’s tip grazed the edge of the pot, swirled around, and narrowly landed inside.

Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou felt relieved, knowing that it was by luck she had succeeded, and that her skills were indeed lacking.

With a smile exchanged between them, they intentionally lost, allowing the others to win a couple of rounds.

The first two rounds were fine. They knew they were deliberately losing; Consort Fang Pin and Lian Hua scored one fewer arrow than them. According to the earlier agreement to give away two points, Consort Fang Pin and Lian Hua could claim one point. After two rounds, it was always Lian Hua and Consort Fang Pin who won, just as planned. They lost gracefully without making it obvious they were throwing the game, so as not to dampen the mood.

However, when they no longer intentionally missed, planning to fairly win some rounds, they sensed something was amiss. The situation had slipped out of their control. Consort Fang Pin and Lian Hua were either scoring only one less than them, tying with them, or scoring just one more. The score was nearly even either way.

Every time Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou were about to win by one more arrow, Lian Hua would always manage to narrowly get her arrow into the pot by the end. Thus, as per the initial agreement to give away two points, it was always Lian Hua and Consort Fang Pin who won.

Gradually, more concubines gathered around to watch, the crowd growing as both those preparing to leave the palace and those staying came. Seeing the one-sided wins, many began to cheer for Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou, frustratingly close to winning each time, they were visibly anxious and almost wished they could join in themselves.

Those who wanted to gain favor with Lian Hua initially kept a clear head, but slowly lost their composure. Deep down, many were somewhat dissatisfied with Lian Hua being the sole favorite, influenced by the Noble Consort to dislike Lian Hua. But due to circumstances, they had concealed their true feelings, and now, caught up in the atmosphere, joined those cheering for Beauty Zhao.

Later, only Kong Yinyin and Xiao Jizi were left cheering for Lian Hua and Concubine Fang Pin.

On one side, the winners were brilliant, yet the cheers were sparse, with only a few people clapping desperately; on the other side, the losers were embarrassingly bad, yet many felt encouraged and fired up.

Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou had continuously lost and were unsettled; the bracelets, strings of beads, and rings on their hands had been lost, and they even began to remove their waist accessories, thinking that the other was throwing the game. They were secretly anxious, urging the other to give their full effort both overtly and covertly.

Beauty Zhao feigned relaxation and laughed, "Little Sister Zhou, we should really give it our all now, if we keep losing, we’ll soon be too ashamed to face anyone." Her voice was notably sharper than usual.

Changzai Zhou caressed her face and responded with a laugh, "Indeed, we can’t let Sister Fang and Elder Sister Lian win even our dresses."

Both were excellent at the game of pitch-pot and had never lost so disgracefully. Now, they hadn’t won a single game, losing face and pride alike.

Both laughed and claimed they must win at least once, as not winning a single game was too humiliating. They were confident the other understood and affirmed they hadn’t thrown the game, yet the result of the next game was the same.

As they lost more of their jewelry, they gradually lost their usual composure. Their anger flared, and seeing the increasing disappointment in the faces around them, combined with the marginal losses each game, seemed to stem merely from bad luck. Thus, they bared their teeth and continued playing, like gamblers, the more they lost, the more they wanted to win, thinking maybe next game Lian Hua and Concubine Fang wouldn’t be so lucky.

Each time they won a game, Lian Hua and the people around her cheered, creating a unique bustle.

She held her belly, counting the golden melon seeds and winnings with a grin so wide she couldn’t close her mouth, resembling a villain in triumph. Seeing her made others seethe with anger, with the on-looking concubines wishing they could enter the game themselves and suppress her arrogant aura.

Someone, distressed by the scene, muttered through clenched teeth, "If it were me, I certainly wouldn’t have lost that badly. I don’t even understand why Sister Zhao and Little Sister Zhou keep losing like this, why they keep giving away points each round. If not for that, it wouldn’t look so bad, and some people are really thick-skinned to comfortably accept those points..." They only dared to indirectly criticize, without naming anyone.

Another person couldn’t stand Lian Hua’s arrogance and added bitterly after hearing this, "She’s just relying on Consort Fang Pin’s generosity and others’ decency. I really don’t know what..." They didn’t dare finish the phrase "how proud she ought to be."

These comments echoed everyone’s sentiments. Someone had a stroke of inspiration and unreservedly voiced support for Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou, pointing out that it was somewhat unfair for them to give away points every game, which perhaps made their victory less honorable.

Lian Hua, having benefitted from the situation, didn’t mind the cold remarks. Observing everyone’s reactions, she tactfully suggested, "That’s right, perhaps Beauty and Attendant needn’t give us points anymore, let’s play on equal terms."

She tossed the golden melon seeds in her hand and shook her newly-won prizes, adding, "If not for Sister Fang, I alone could definitely not have won so much. With my mediocre and shaky skills, it’s just that heaven favored me, and I had some good luck. I guess I might have lost it all after a few more rounds."

The crowd largely agreed, acknowledging that Beauty Lian, at least, possessed some self-awareness!