From below arose a wave of hushed whispers. Everyone had been certain that no fool would bet against Mu Lingzhu, yet remarkably, two such individuals had suddenly emerged.

Especially for those from the Mu family who were already seated below, a sense of irritation grew in their hearts.

Minister Mu, now seated in the position closest to the center of the arena, instinctively glanced toward the second floor after seeing someone bet on the empty pot.

Yet at that very moment, the silk curtains on the second floor had been lowered, and one could only vaguely make out a man and a woman sitting there, with nothing else visible.

“Hmph, absurd!” Minister Mu snorted coldly, then took a sip of tea, silently waiting for the competition to begin.

……

On the second floor, Mu Yunjin caught the flash of anger in Minister Mu’s eyes below. Her eyes curved slightly, filled with amusement.

“You seem to dislike more than just Mu Lingzhu,” came a detached voice beside her, tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows slightly, then unceremoniously picked up a piece of osmanthus cake from the table in front of her. She lifted her veil slightly and took a bite of the pastry.

…

…

“Hmm, it tastes good.”

To the side, Ding Xian stood there, his mouth twitching slightly, unconsciously glancing at his master, who had been completely ignored.

In his heart, he wondered where this strange woman had come from.

Just as he was about to remind Mu Yunjin to mind her manners, he saw her turn her head toward his master, her lips parting slightly. “You didn’t bet on Mu Lingzhu either just now. Do you also dislike the Mu family?”

Regarding the man before her, Mu Yunjin was rather curious. Around him were hidden quite a few guards, who kept her constantly vigilant, not daring to fully relax.

“It’s starting.”

The detached voice came from beside her. Mu Yunjin glanced at the person next to her from the corner of her eye, her gaze revealing a hint of disdain. Cold as ice and stiff as a block of wood.

If it weren’t for this second-floor location being excellent and inconspicuous, she wouldn’t have bothered with this person.

He was utterly boring.

Ding Xian very much wanted to throw this woman, who was particularly disrespectful to his master, down from the building, but his master seemed unbothered by her presence, so he didn’t dare act rashly.

It was truly strange—what play was his master performing today, actually allowing such a woman to sit here with him to watch the competition? It was unheard of.

……

Below, the arena was already filled with people. Mu Lingzhu stood in the very center, a gentle smile on her face, her eyes filled with pride and arrogance.

“For this Literary Battle Competition, the topic bestowed by His Majesty is ‘The Enlightened Ruler.’ Please proceed in order, each expressing your views. The last person remaining shall be this competition’s champion.”

As the elderly host of the Literary Battle finished speaking, the crowd below erupted into a clamor, a sea of noise.

On the second floor, when Mu Yunjin heard this topic, she sneered coldly, her fingers lightly tapping the table. Suddenly, she felt somewhat impatient.

She had expected some brilliant topic, but it turned out to be nothing more than a contest of who could flatter better!

She had truly overestimated this Literary Battle Competition.

However, she hadn’t come here today purely to watch the competition—she had important business to attend to.

With that thought, Mu Yunjin gave a mischievous smile and took out a small cloth bag she had prepared earlier from her sleeve, slowly untying it.

From inside, she removed a white pill and a slingshot.

This series of actions by Mu Yunjin fell completely within the sight of the man beside her, whose obsidian-like eyes moved slightly.

After mounting the pill onto the slingshot, Mu Yunjin gently pulled it back, raised the slingshot, and aimed at Mu Lingzhu’s position below, taking careful aim—

At that moment, on the first-floor arena, some of the scholars and literati who had come to participate were one by one describing their understanding of an ‘Enlightened Ruler.’ Just as it was about to be Mu Lingzhu’s turn to speak, no one noticed a small object flying out from behind the silk curtains on the second floor.

Mu Yunjin fired the white pill before Mu Lingzhu began to speak. The pill landed precisely on Mu Lingzhu, instantly transforming from a solid pill into a cloud of powder that sprayed all over her.

Mu Lingzhu, having listened to the previous person’s exposition, was just about to smile and speak when her brows suddenly furrowed into a knot. She began frantically scratching her face and neck. Seemingly not satisfied, she then tore down her meticulously arranged hair bun and vigorously scratched her scalp with both hands.

“Ah—”

“It’s so itchy—”

Mu Lingzhu cried out in alarm. Everyone below widened their eyes, watching this scene unfold. What was happening to the young lady of the Mu family?