PNB Chapter 550: The Daughter of Prince Rong Seeks a Husband
Chapter 550: The Daughter of Prince Rong Seeks a Husband
The next day, as dawn broke, golden light shone on the streets and alleys of the capital.
The Lingxi Pavilion shone brightly in the morning sun.
Fang Xiaoxiao was dressed in a bright scarlet outfit, her clothes fluttering in the wind, and a dark brocade belt tied around her waist, which made her look even more heroic and dashing.
Hongxiu, dressed in a bright green silk dress, looked fresh and elegant. The two stood side by side at the entrance of Lingxi Pavilion, like two blooming flowers, attracting everyone's attention.
Fang Xiaoxiao stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes bright and confident. She cleared her throat, and then her clear and loud voice rang out like a bell, echoing through the street: "Fellow villagers, don't miss this opportunity!"
Today, Lingxi Pavilion is holding a grand literary and martial arts contest to find a husband. Princess Li Wan'er, daughter of Prince Rong, is talented, beautiful, gentle and virtuous, and she is looking for her ideal husband here!
Whether you are a scholar of letters or a warrior of martial prowess, a poet or a skilled martial artist, you have a chance to win the heart of a beautiful woman!
Not to be outdone, Hongxiu smiled sweetly, waved the flyers in her hand, and said loudly, "Everyone come quickly! Participating in the competition will not only allow you to meet the princess, but also give you generous prizes!"
Furthermore, Lingxi Pavilion has prepared a variety of delicious medicinal dishes and fragrant teas for everyone to enjoy!
The two men's promotional voices rose and fell, like an invisible force that quickly attracted pedestrians on the street.
Passersby who were originally in a hurry stopped and looked curiously in the direction of Lingxi Pavilion.
Before long, a crowd began to gather, growing larger and larger until the entrance to Lingxi Pavilion was completely blocked.
"Is it really the Prince Rong's daughter's marriage proposal? This is a rare opportunity!"
"I've heard that the princess is incredibly beautiful. If I could marry her, I would be the luckiest person in the world!"
"Let's go in and take a look. Maybe I'll have a chance!"
Amidst the crowd, murmurs rose and fell, and everyone's faces beamed with excitement and anticipation.
As time went on, some prominent and powerful young men also arrived.
Zhang Pangzi, son of the Minister of Rites, was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and wore a jade crown. He was elegant and rode a tall white horse slowly towards them, followed by a group of attendants, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Wang Badan, the son of the Minister of Revenue, rode in a lavishly decorated carriage drawn by four glossy horses, their wheels rolling and dust billowing.
Wang Badan wore a purple robe with a gold belt around his waist, inlaid with many sparkling gems.
He stepped down from the carriage, slightly raising his chin, a hint of arrogance in his eyes.
Besides them, there were many other young men, all dressed smartly and with an air of grandeur. They arrived at Lingxi Pavilion one after another, some on horseback and some in sedan chairs.
The entire street suddenly became bustling with activity, teeming with people, as if a grand celebration was about to begin.
Upon entering Lingxi Pavilion, the first thing that catches the eye is the spacious and bright lobby, with smooth marble floors that shimmer in the sunlight.
In the very center of the hall, a tall stage was erected, and above the stage hung a huge plaque with the four large golden characters “Wenwu Zhaoqin” (文武招亲), which was particularly eye-catching.
The stage was decorated with exquisite silks and flowers.
The silk comes in a variety of colors, including bright red, soft pink, and elegant blue. They are cleverly woven into various patterns, such as flowers, butterflies, and auspicious clouds, giving people a gorgeous yet warm feeling.
The flowers exuded a fragrant aroma, including delicate peonies, pure lilies, and elegant orchids. They were placed in various corners of the stage, adding a touch of vitality to the entire event.
On both sides of the stage, rows of neat tables and chairs were arranged. The tables and chairs were made of fine wood and carved with exquisite patterns.
Various delicious medicinal dishes and fragrant teas were laid out on the table, their aroma filling the air and making one's mouth water.
Behind the lobby, there is a rest area with exquisite calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. The paintings depict landscapes, flowers and birds, and figures, and each one is lifelike, showcasing a high level of artistry.
In the middle of the rest area, there are several soft sofas and coffee tables, with brightly colored cushions on the sofas, making people feel comfortable and relaxed.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Hongxiu looked at the lively scene before them, their hearts filled with joy and anticipation.
They knew that Lingxi Pavilion was destined to become the focus of the capital today, and that this civil and military marriage contest would bring Li Wan'er new hope and happiness.
The Lingxi Pavilion was bustling with activity, with everyone's eyes fixed on the stage.
Fang Xiaoxiao stood tall and proud in the center of the stage, dressed in a gorgeous yet heroic outfit.
She slightly raised her chin, her eyes bright and confident, and scanned the dense crowd below the stage. Then she raised her hands and made a downward gesture, signaling everyone to be quiet.
The once noisy Lingxi Pavilion fell silent instantly, with only the soft breathing of people and the occasional rustling of clothes being heard.
Fang Xiaoxiao cleared her throat, and her clear, melodious yet dignified voice echoed throughout the large pavilion: "Gentlemen, distinguished guests, today our Lingxi Pavilion is holding this literary and martial arts marriage contest to find a suitable husband for our Prince Rong's daughter, Princess Li Wan'er."
I imagine many of you are still unfamiliar with the competition process, so let me explain it to you in detail.
She paused, her eyes shining brightly, and continued, "The main battlefields of this competition are divided into two categories: one is the martial arts test, and the other is the literary test."
Let's start with the martial arts test, which consists of three parts.
At this point, Fang Xiaoxiao pointed to one side of the stage. Everyone looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a row of archery targets there. The targets were marked with different numbers of rings, which were clearly visible under the sunlight.
"The first event is the target shooting competition," Fang Xiaoxiao's voice came clearly. "Each young master must use a bow and arrow to hit the bullseye from a specified distance, and the score will be judged based on the number of rings hit."
This will not only test everyone's arm strength, but also their eyesight and composure. The young men in the audience nodded slightly, seemingly quite confident about this part of the competition.
Some frowned, their faces showing worry.
"The second part is the stone weight competition."
Fang Xiaoxiao continued her introduction, and as she finished speaking, several workers carried several heavy stone locks of different sizes onto the stage.
The stone lock has a smooth surface with a bluish-black luster, and looks quite heavy.
"The young masters need to choose stone weights of appropriate weight according to their own abilities. Within the specified time, whoever lifts them the most times will have a better score."
This is undoubtedly a tremendous test of everyone's strength and endurance.
"As for the third part, it is the comparison of weapons."
Fang Xiaoxiao's voice rang out again. On the weapon rack on the side of the stage, various weapons such as knives, spears, halberds and daggers were neatly arranged, gleaming coldly under the lights.
"Esteemed gentlemen, you may choose any weapon to demonstrate your martial arts skills. The judges will score your performance based on the sophistication, power, and fluidity of your moves."