Chapter 51: Cheng Xi is Far Too Bold

The arena is surrounded by low walls on three sides and stretches a full thousand paces; the grounds are vast and tidy, facing the main hall directly, with drums rumbling and red flags fluttering.

Cheng Xi walked up to the Empress Dowager, where Yan Shengyu was also present, and the latter quietly gave her a wink.

Not only that, but many noble ladies were also present, bringing their daughters and crowding around the Empress Dowager, making for a very lively scene.

Seeing Cheng Xi approach, the crowd, which had been clamorous just a moment ago, instantly fell silent.

Because of the matter of the Yangqi Talisman, Cheng Xi had become famous, and by extension, both the Cheng Family and the Zhenguo Duke Mansion had been stirred up and gained some popularity.

Today, the Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion was also there; seeing Cheng Xi, her expression changed instantly, and she suppressed her anger, turning her head to the side.

"This commoner pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager beckoned to Cheng Xi, "Come here and keep me company for a chat."

Cheng Xi bowed to the Empress Dowager and sat beside Yan Shengyu, who leaned over and whispered to her, "Did you place a bet?"

"A bet?" Cheng Xi's clear eyes turned slightly, and she saw an attendant beside the Empress Dowager standing before a small table, upon which were placed two large, red, lacquer-filled placards.

One was inscribed with Tongtian Division.

The other was inscribed with Demon Suppression Pavilion.

Cheng Xi stepped forward.

The Empress Dowager tilted her head to look at her, "Cheng Xi, who do you think will win?"

The Empress Dowager was all smiles and benevolence, but Cheng Xi could see a hint of coldness in her gaze.

She tilted her head slightly, picked up a wooden tally, and without hesitation, placed it in front of the Tongtian Division placard.

Yan Shengyu's eyes went wide; my heavens, Cheng Xi was truly worthy of being someone who could block a charge from a Four-Eyed Demon Fox—this courage was simply too great!

There were only a scattering of one or two wooden tallies in front of the Tongtian Division placard, while there were over a dozen in front of the Demon Suppression Pavilion placard.

Just then, the Little Emperor arrived with his entourage and happened to see Yan Shengyu placing a wooden tally before the Tongtian Division placard; he took a quick step forward, picked up a wooden tally, and said, "I shall join in the fun as well."

Saying this, he placed the wooden tally next to Cheng Xi's.

A "hiss" sound was heard—it was unclear who had made it—and the atmosphere in the arena instantly froze.

The smile on the Empress Dowager's face became difficult to maintain, and just as she was about to speak, she heard Cheng Xi say, "Is Your Majesty also casting a vote of sentiment?"

"A vote of sentiment?" The Little Emperor was taken aback.

"Indeed." Cheng Xi smiled faintly, her gaze falling upon the Empress Dowager as she spoke slowly and gently, "The Demon Suppression Pavilion has great momentum and does not need me to add flowers to the brocade. The Tongtian Division is neglected; since it is a bet, I prefer to send charcoal in the snow and gamble on an underdog."

The Little Emperor looked at Cheng Xi deeply, then laughed, "You and I have thought of the same thing."

"Great minds think alike."

The Little Emperor laughed; heroes? He liked that word.

The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly, and she said with a smile, "You certainly have a mind of your own; if you win, you'll earn a large sum. If you lose, you are not allowed to cry in front of me."

The Little Emperor took his seat beside the Empress Dowager, and Cheng Xi returned to her own seat, smiling as she replied to the Empress Dowager's words, "This commoner still has some assets and can afford to lose. If I truly have no silver to fill this hole, I will have to be thick-skinned and ask the Empress Dowager to help me out first."

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily, "My silver is not easy to take."

"If the Empress Dowager dares to give it, this commoner dares to take it."

Those present listened to the exchange between the Empress Dowager and Cheng Xi, their expressions shifting uncertainly.

Cheng Xi was bargaining with the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager had actually agreed. The Empress Dowager had deliberately made things difficult for Cheng Xi, yet Cheng Xi was not intimidated.

These noble ladies truly could not understand how Cheng Xi could have such confidence.

Although the Little Emperor was young, the Regent had been teaching him earnestly, and he could hear the verbal sparring between Cheng Xi and the Empress Dowager, his hands gripped tightly together.

Was it he who had made Cheng Xi take a step back?

Thinking this, he raised his eyes to look at Cheng Xi.

It just so happened that Cheng Xi was looking at him too; the smile on her face remained calm and gentle, without the slightest unease or anxiety, and the Little Emperor suddenly remembered the way she had saved him in the hall that day.

She had been just as calm and composed when she dragged his life back from the hands of the King of Hell, unhurried and unperturbed from beginning to end.

He suddenly felt settled.

Those present were not fools; although they did not quite understand what Cheng Xi's confidence was based on, the fact that she could make the Empress Dowager and the Emperor value her so much meant she must have some capability.

Since they were unhappy, they had to find something happy to amuse themselves.

Everyone's gaze fell almost simultaneously upon the Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion.

The Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion had managed to throw away a duck that was already in her hand; not only had the person she once looked down upon turned into a Talisman Master, but she was also valued by the Empress Dowager and the Little Emperor—the Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion was likely regretting it so much her intestines were turning green.

The Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion sensed the schadenfreude in the eyes of the crowd and could barely maintain her expression; she suppressed her anger, trying her best not to show anything unusual, sitting there with her back stiff.

She only hoped now that her son had not yet returned to Jindu, for if he appeared here now, she did not know if he could bear it.

Cheng Xi had not even noticed the Madam of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion, as the Empress Dowager was asking her about the Yangqi Talisman.

She repeated the explanation she had given to Yan Yu, "... It was a token of gratitude. It was a coincidence that day; it just so happened that I encountered the Artifact Masters of the Tongtian Division crafting equipment. Since I knew of this type of talisman, there was no reason to keep it to myself.

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are generous to me, and the Tongtian Division is also an office of Tianshuo; if it is strong, then Tianshuo is strong. For the sake of the Imperial Court, I would do the same."

Yan Shengyu:...

Cheng Xi really knew how to speak; she watched with her own eyes as her aunt's previous dissatisfaction vanished.

She was biased toward the Tongtian Division, yet she could explain it this way?

Lesson learned, lesson learned.

The Little Emperor was also stunned; was this the Cheng Xi who Li Zhi'an said was not good with words?

Was there something wrong with his eyes? Was this what they called not being good with words?

Yan Shengyu secretly gave Cheng Xi a thumbs-up.

Cheng Xi:...

It wasn't quite like that; at least half of what she said was true. She just liked an environment where she could live in comfort, and she wouldn't let anyone disturb her enjoyment of life.

Whether it was the Demon Suppression Pavilion or the Tongtian Division, it was not to her benefit for one side to dominate.

Their state of delicate balance was, in fact, the best for her.

However, given that Yan Yu's personality was truly unlikable, she was still slightly more inclined toward the Tongtian Division.

But Yan Shengyu treated her very well, which also added points for Yan Yu, barely letting him out of the blacklist state.

Just then, the two teams on the field were fully prepared, cheers erupted suddenly, and everyone's gaze was drawn away.

"It's about to start!" Yan Shengyu said happily, "Cheng Xi, do you really think my brother will lose?"

"The field is like a battlefield, changing in an instant; it is too early to speak of winning or losing now," Cheng Xi said.

"What you say makes sense; although Chief of Tongtian has long held great prestige and possesses high-level strength, I still have to cheer for my brother!" Yan Shengyu waved the flag in her hand vigorously at Yan Yu.

In the moment Cheng Xi was stunned, a flag was stuffed into her hand by Yan Shengyu, so she followed suit and waved it a few times, her gaze colliding with Li Zhi'an's from afar.