NOVPUBXu Zimo’s gaze landed on the high platform up ahead, and the area became slightly quieter when the middle-aged man in the green robe stepped onto it.
"The City Lord of Qin City has arrived, let’s quiet down and listen to what he has to say."
"Get ready, grab the embroidered ball."
City Lord Qin Feng took the stage, walking with vigor and authority, his brows carrying a hint of worry.
"The fact that everyone has gathered here, I assume, does not need to be spoken," Qin Feng said loudly.
"At that time, we will throw down ten embroidered balls. Whoever seizes an embroidered ball will come to this martial arts platform to compete.
Ten will battle, and my daughter will observe secretly, choosing the husband she prefers when the time comes."
"What does this mean? A battle of ten, and the outcome isn’t decisive, but Miss Qin gets to choose herself," someone in the crowd discussed.
"If that’s the case, we can participate too!"
People shouted excitedly.
Previously, some were afraid they were too weak, and going would be useless.
Unexpectedly, it wasn’t about choosing the strongest, but Miss Qin making the choice based on her own feelings.
People rubbed their hands together in anticipation, intently focusing on the martial arts platform.
They saw ten guards wearing red robes with decorative patterns step forward, each cradling a large embroidered ball in their arms.
"I declare the marriage recruitment assembly of the Qin Residence officially begins."
Following Qin Feng’s announcement, the ten embroidered balls were thrown high into the air.
The ten balls traced beautiful curves through the sky, each taking a different path, near and far, high and low.
"Grab them!" Along with roars, the crowd instantly went wild.
According to the rules set by Qin Feng beforehand, once a person had the embroidered ball in their hands, no one else was allowed to snatch it away.
Otherwise, if continuous snatching occurred, lives could be at risk and chaos would ensue throughout the city.
"I’ve grabbed one!" someone shouted in surprise and joy.
Seeing the ball secured in the person’s embrace, the others had to give up and scurry away to snatch other balls.
Xu Zimo was sitting on the second floor of the inn, drinking and watching the scramble below with interest.
Suddenly, a dash of bright red flew over from a distance.
The embroidered ball flew in from outside the second floor and landed directly on the table in front of Xu Zimo.
The entire second floor went silent, with people looking at Xu Zimo with interest.
No one here had vied for this ball, as those seated on the second floor were mostly spectators.
They either didn’t meet the age requirement, already had families, or didn’t want to get involved in the commotion.
"None of you want it?" Xu Zimo picked up the embroidered ball and asked with a smile.
"It should rightfully be yours, young master. Why not give it a try?" someone nearby said.
"Exactly, exactly, go on, quickly," the previously boisterous burly man shouted.
"Others are fighting for a chance and can’t get it. This is fate."
"That’s right, I heard that going to the Qin Residence not only makes you the son-in-law of the City Lord but also grants you a chance to enter Thundercloud Cave, a rare opportunity indeed!"
"Thundercloud Cave?" some people who didn’t know asked.
"Wasn’t there a decree by King Qin that only Qin family members can enter Thundercloud Cave? How could outsiders be allowed in?"
"How should I know? But marrying Miss Qin effectively makes you a member of the Qin family."
...…
Hearing the discussions from the people on the second floor of the inn, Xu Zimo fell into deep thought.
He wasn’t initially interested in going, but the mention of Thundercloud Cave piqued his interest.
Looking down, he saw that the other nine embroidered balls had almost all found their places.
Before he could say anything, he heard Qin Feng’s loud voice from the high platform, "All right, the ten who have grabbed the embroidered balls are invited to the stage." 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"Hurry up there, maybe Miss Qin will take a liking to you, and then you’ll be on the fast track to success," the people nearby were all jeering.
...…
When Xu Zimei and the other nine men arrived on the high platform, Qin Feng’s gaze swept over them with a hint of intimidating pressure.
After examining everyone, he simply waved his hand.
Accompanied by two maids, a woman in a pink long dress, walking with a graceful gait, slowly ascended the platform.
This woman had long hair that cascaded smoothly down her back, her face partially covered by a veil.
Her eyes, the only part visible outside, were sparkling and full of life.
A pink silk belt cinched her slender waist; it was just enough to grasp.
The woman calmly glanced at everyone and then sat down on a chair beside the high platform.
"Since you’ve snatched the embroidered ball, there’s no chance to back out now," Qin Feng said.
"Now you ten will duel in pairs until there’s only one person left standing."
"There’s one more thing I must clarify: if my daughter doesn’t fancy any of you, then we’ll have to throw the embroidered ball again, and you’ll be eliminated."
"Understood," everyone nodded and said.
"Choose your opponents yourselves," Qin Feng said.
"No need for such trouble," Xu Zimei said grandly, waving his hand, Spiritual Energy swirling in his palm, knocking the other nine men off the high platform.
"This," the audience below, who were excited for the show, were stunned, initially anticipating a fierce competition.
"You ambushed us; we hadn’t even started yet," said one of the people knocked off the platform, sounding rather unwilling to accept defeat.
"Do you really think you’re a match for me?" Xu Zimei said.
"If we start over, I won’t hold back, and it will be a fight to the death," he added.
Hearing this, the others fell silent.
Their initial indignation was merely to avoid losing face, but they knew they weren’t confident about a rematch.
"Shuang’er, what do you think?" Qin Feng turned his head to look at his daughter, Qin Shuang, and asked with a smile.
"Let’s go with him," Qin Shuang pointed at Xu Zimei and said with a melodious voice.
"Are you certain?" Qin Feng asked.
"Do I have another choice? Whether it’s ten men or a hundred, what difference does it make?" After saying this, Qin Shuang stood up and left.
"Don’t blame your father, my child; your father is doing this for your own good," Qin Feng took a deep breath, watching Qin Shuang’s retreating figure, and muttered to himself.
After speaking, he turned to look at the guards beside him and said, "Take care of this place. Bring the son-in-law back to the Qin Residence later."
After saying that, Qin Feng also left outright.
"Please follow us back to the Qin Residence, sir," a few guards approached Xu Zimei and said.
Watching everyone departing, the crowd, which had been enjoying the spectacle, seemed to wear strange expressions on their faces.
This was somewhat anticlimactic.
"I’ve heard that the Qin City Lord is very fond of his daughter; how can he be so hasty with this marriage arrangement?"
"Who knows, besides, it’s said that the Saint Heir of Great Chu and Miss Qin had a betrothal agreement since childhood; why would there suddenly be this matchmaking event?"
...
Xu Zimei didn’t hear the murmuring of the crowd as he followed the guards back to the Qin Residence.
The Qin Residence was vast in area with grandiose and imposing architecture.
No sooner had they stepped through the vermillion gates, an elder in a gray-yellow long robe approached them.
"You all may leave; I will take care of the new son-in-law," the elder instructed.
"Yes, Steward Long," the guards quickly departed.
"Sir, allow me to introduce myself. I am the chief steward of the Qin Residence," the elder said with a smile.
"You may call me Uncle Long; feel free to ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand."
