Chapter 220: and translation of chapter title

"Junior sister, just go; we've seen your looks before, you're top-notch in the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, let alone in this tiny Xiliang City."

"Junior sister, the disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect fear nothing; the throne of Xiliang City's First Beauty belongs to none but you!"

……

Several disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect who came with Ling Qingwu spoke up one after another.

Ye Huanhuan listened, her whole body tensed up, and cold sweat kept breaking out on her back.

Gu Huanghou heard the commotion here and secretly thought it was a good chance to embarrass Ye Qingran. She then leisurely said, "My Palace almost forgot—today is the Mid-Autumn banquet, also the annual day for voting the First Beauty; everyone, please enthusiastically participate!"

Although the title of First Beauty is a great honor in Xiliang City, the women present all have self-awareness. Ye Huanhuan is already more beautiful than the vast majority of them, not to mention the insurmountable mountain that is Ye Qingran.

It's not that they're clueless; would they eagerly go up just to be abused by the two of them?

Thus, only two people ended up participating in the First Beauty selection.

One was Ye Qingran, who volunteered; the other was Ye Huanhuan, who was forced to join.

Ye Huanhuan was practically pushed forward by everyone. In everyone's eyes, as the top genius of Xiliang City, she was the only hope of defeating Ye Qingran!

Ye Qingran walked to the open space in the center of Yuhua Yuan with light steps, calm and composed. Ye Huanhuan, meanwhile, moved at a turtle's pace, wishing to stretch that short distance into an eternity.

Feeling the gazes from all directions, she tightened her cloak and veil, confirming nothing was exposed, then let out a slight sigh of relief.

At this moment, she could only hope that Ye Qingran's face beneath the veil would be even more hideous than hers; then she would still have a sliver of a chance!

"Junior sister, keep going—you're sure to win!"

"Imperial sister-in-law, crush Ye Qingran!"

"Huanhuan, you can definitely do it!"

……

These words that usually flattered her vanity now sounded especially grating; each sentence made her heart ache.

Like treading on thin ice, trembling with fear.

"Sister, you go first!" Ye Huanhuan said with a calculating mind.

Letting Ye Qingran go first would give her the initiative.

Ye Qingran smiled and declined, saying, "You go first instead."

Ye Yu stared at Ye Qingran's grim expression. Since he and Ye Qingran had severed their father-daughter relationship, he had lost all hope in her. In the contest between Ye Huanhuan and Ye Qingran—even if it were only about looks—he wanted Ye Huanhuan to win. Seeing Ye Qingran refuse to lift her veil first, Ye Yu couldn't help but shout, "Ye Qingran, can't you yield to your sister?"

Ye Qingran fixed Ye Yu with a stare, the corner of her mouth twitching, "Lord Ye, what capacity are you speaking to me in?! As a father? I recall we've cut ties. If you're speaking as an outsider, aren't you meddling too much?"

Ye Qingran's words, each like a pearl, made Ye Yu quite angry.

You rebellious girl!

Lord Ye, you ought to think before you speak!

Upon hearing Ye Qingran say that, everyone's eyes lit up with interest.

They had long heard the news of Ye Qingran and Ye Yu severing ties; they had thought it was merely a father-daughter quarrel, but hadn't expected it to be true.

Hearing the murmuring gossip around him, Ye Yu flew into a rage, regretting bitterly that he hadn't killed her when she was still an infant.

He snorted softly, "Sure enough, an ungrateful white-eyed wolf!" His voice was low, not heard by Ye Qingran.

At that moment, a male disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect stood up and, pointing and gesturing arrogantly, said to Ye Qingran, "You, listen to my junior sister and start first!"

His nostrils flared to the sky, utterly conceited.

As if he were ordering the household servants to work.

"Are the disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect so bored they must meddle in such things?" Seeing the disciple's slightly changed expression, she continued, "But on what grounds?"

The disciple sneered, "On what grounds? Just because I am a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect!" A person from a small country ought to obey and follow the orders of their formidable Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples!

"The Xuan Yuan Sword Sect sure puts on a grand show!" Ye Qingran's tone gave no hint of emotion, but she then laughed broadly, saying, "However, since you all are guests who have come from afar, letting you have your way once is no problem."

That one sentence contrasted the arrogant, overbearing image of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples with her own magnanimous, modest demeanor and that of the Donglin Country's people.

It made the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples look utterly unpresentable!

For a moment, it made the faces of several Xuan Yuan Sword Sect disciples turn ugly.

Ling Qingwu's gaze coldly swept over Ye Qingran—her peerless beauty, fair as snow surpassing frost, a pair of eyes that seemed to exude an icy hue.

The Donglin Emperor, meanwhile, revealed a satisfied smile.

The Xuan Yuan Sword Sect is indeed strong, but for its disciples to behave so arrogantly even in Donglin Country truly calls for crushing their prestige.

One must say, Ye Qingran did well, making this sovereign of a nation feel pleased and relieved!

"Ye Qingran, hurry up and lift your veil!" Mu Qingrou urged. She could hardly wait to see Ye Qingran's ugly appearance.

She was certain that, given Ye Qingran's temperament, there must be something disgusting on her face; otherwise she wouldn't wear a veil so lightly.

"They say the Ye Family's eldest miss is Xiliang City's First Beauty; I, a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, want to see just how breathtakingly beautiful she is!" the female disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect said with a cold smile, though deep down she didn't really believe it.

What beauty could a small country possibly produce?

"Don't get your hopes up. After all, how could anyone be more beautiful than our senior sister Qingwu? Her looks rank among the very best even in the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, where beauties are as common as clouds!"

……

Hearing their words, Ling Qingwu's lips curled slightly; her expression remained the aloof, otherworldly beauty that, to outsiders, seemed like a celestial being one could admire from afar but never approach.

"Sister Ran, are you sure? Today really isn't appropriate…" Xia Zhimeng smiled inwardly while voicing disapproval; even Ling Shaoyang not far away began to suspect, wondering if his master had truly been disfigured.

On the contrary, Lord Ling beside him sat calmly, stroking his beard, smiling with wisdom and mystery.

Because of Xia Zhimeng's words, everyone's curiosity grew even stronger.

Under countless gazes, Ye Qingran slowly lifted her veil, revealing her peerless face to all.

At that moment, the moonlight was rich, the surrounding lights blazing, intertwining with that jade-like countenance, making it seem almost unreal.

That face: towering cloud-like hairdo, delicate arched brows; vermilion lips bright without, teeth white within, clear eyes gazing kindly. Flawless, every detail exquisitely carved, as if favored by creation itself.

She stood there, graceful as a startled swan, agile as a swimming dragon; like thin clouds veiling the moon, like flowing winds returning snow.

Like a moonlit fairy, like a dark-night spirit, peerlessly beautiful, radiantly splendid!

If one must say there is any imperfection, it is the red dot on her face, as if bitten by a mosquito. But in the brilliant lights, it can almost be ignored!

Today's palace banquet differs from the previous gatherings attended by the younger generation; many elders have come today, all of them important figures. They have only heard of Ye Qingran's deeds during this period, but have never seen her in person.

Upon seeing her today, one knows that the rumors about her during this time are not false!

At least her appearance is truly capable of toppling kingdoms and cities; looking around the gathering, no one can surpass her!