Wild Crimson Rose: Beloved Handyman Prince's Courtesan Wife Chapter 119

The Emperor who was sitting beside her flashed her a warm smile before he returned his gaze to his country's talents that were now standing with bowed heads . "The tournament is about to start, no need to stand on ceremony . Go line up . " He told them . They answered with a spirited "Yes!" before lining up on the right of the stadium in their respective numbers .

Jing Qie's contestants also gave their Imperial couple a bow after seeing their performance . Their reception was a bit more cold, with the Empress impassively looking at them and the Emperor giving a small pep talk before they were told to line up .

'How interesting . . . the couple from Xi Qi seem to be in harmony yet the pair from Jing Qie is so cold towards each other . . . Why is that, I wonder? Is it because Jing Qie is perceived as the loser so they are under too much pressure, causing a strain in their relationship? And with the addition of a power-hungry Noble Consort, they're on the edge of breaking off all cordiality? Hmhm . . . I do love to analyze things like this . . . perhaps a bit too much . ' Shen Tianyu chided herself that these things were none of her business and she sure didn't want to be pulled into their troubles . It was always fun to watch the drama unfold but it was never fun to actually be embroiled in the drama .

The Minister of Ceremonies did not do a speech this time but asked for some words from the two Emperors instead . This caused Shen Tianyu to nearly roll her eyes into the back of her head, but knowing that would be rude, she restrained herself and settled with clenching her hands into fists . Rong Jian, seeing her lose her patience so easily, smiled a little but turned back around quickly enough . He was standing at his position while Shen Tianyu had to stand at the very back, the Fifth place . When they were finally done with all the formalities, a battle drum sounded, signaling the start of the Tournament . The order of the first bout would be everyone fighting the person across from them, namely the people of the same number . And, in order to up the tension, the lower numbers, whose fights are perceived as less exciting, would go first . Some higher ranking servants moved among the lines to hand out the wooden swords that would be used for this tournament . They were the same ones used before in the Election Tournament .

Shen Tianyu stepped onto the stage where the Master of Ceremonies for this round was waiting, acting as the referee, along with the contestant from Xi Qi . The challenger from Xi Qi bowed at the waist in her direction, one hand covering a fist . "This humble one is Ke Qingyan of Xi Qi . May this humble one get your name?" He introduced himself loud enough to be heard throughout the stadium .

There was a murmur going through the back of the crowd when he had announced himself . The Ke clan of Xi Qi was, as expected, a powerful clan of politicians who have been in politics since near the founding of the kingdom . Though it is old and powerful, the do not abuse their power and continue to be righteous, so people say . Even though they have the power to rival the Prime Minister, instead, they have always maintained their position as the Minister of Works . Every generation have worked in the Ministry of Works or became Head Ministers of the department, helping to ease the burdens of the people further . Though they didn't win any wars or anything, there were quite well-liked by the people . It was somewhat surprising to see a son of such politicians here at a martial arts tournament .

Shen Tianyu copied his stance and also introduced herself . "This little one is Shen Tian, I am not affiliated with any clans or families . Please excuse me for being the Young Master's first opponent . " She even apologized for being his first opponent when she had no backing or support whatsoever .

"No no, not at all . You must have put in a lot of effort to get it this far, I am honored to be your opponent . " He responded as he raised from his bow . Shen Tianyu also rose from her bow . Without anymore perfunctory greeting, the referee started the match, signaling the battle drums to play .

Ke Qingyan immediately leapt back to create space between them . Shen Tianyu, on the other hand, didn't move and merely stared at him .

"Oi! Is this young lady too scared to move already?" Someone jeered from Xi Qi's side, most likely one of the challengers . Shen Tianyu didn't bother to give him her attention when she was in the middle fo a fight .

However, Rong Jian who was just sitting at the sides, had no such need to be careful . He immediately turned his head to glare at the jeering challenger with a murderous aura that did not fit someone his age . The heckler got scared and shut up at once, his head shrinking into his shoulders, trying to avoid Rong Jian's murderous glare .

Shen Tianyu felt the murderous glare behind her back that was directed at someone else and knew that he had her back, giving a faint, almost indiscernible smile . Ke Qingyan was still watching her for sudden movements, but deeming that she wasn't going to attack soon . He kicked off the stage first, lunging at her . Her calm stillness was not out of fear, he knew, and most likely the heckler knew also but just decided to shake her up a bit . Nonetheless, they could not stand around all day, waiting for the other to attack and since the other had no indication of making the first move, he had to .

Shen Tianyu was completely unfazed at the boy lunging at her, readying a deadly stab with his wooden sword . As he approached she still hasn't moved, making him doubt his earlier assumption that she wasn't afraid and that he would be getting an easy victory . Though, at the last second, she stepped aside to dodge his stab and counterattacked with a sword swing upwards of her own . Ke Qingyan, somewhat not expecting it, hurriedly dodged to the side, his sword held aloft, trying to block the strike if he dodged too late .

Chapter end