Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1676: Chapter 1676: Guess What?

Ming Hui looked at the tea house, “Can you tell me why we’re here now?”

Yu Wen replied, “Today, Mr. Wu has reserved this tea house for a competition. Let’s go in.”

Ming Hui thought about his younger uncle, wondering who would be the victim today.

Today, as the Hanlin Academy was on break, many people had been invited by Mr. Wu, including Zhuo Guyu and others.

Chang Xhong saw his niece arrive, “Come and sit here.”

Wu Shiheng smiled, “Magistrate Anhe.”

Ming Hui could not understand why even the future prince consort was aware of this!

Once everyone had arrived, Wu Shiheng took the stage, “Today, unlike the usual poetry contests, we’ll be playing a new game. Today’s focus is on defending the stage. Do you see the four platforms? Competitions last for a stick of incense, and the final will be between the four who successfully defend their platforms.”

The rules are simple; the defending person sets the challenge, and the topic is unlimited.

Wu Shiheng continued, “There are only four platforms in total. Who will go up first? Oh, I forgot to mention the prize—since I’m organizing the competition, it’s naturally provided by me: an authentic piece by Wang Zhixing.”

Upon hearing the reward, everyone was shocked. Mr. Wang was from the previous dynasty, and few of his works remain. A single painting of his is now worth at least five hundred taels!

Gu Sheng had been quiet all this time. He knew Mr. Wu loved entertainment, so today’s competition wasn’t unexpected; what surprised him was the prize this time!

Yu Wen remained silent; Ming Hui widened his eyes. Wasn’t that painting hanging in his Fourth Uncle’s study? After a closer look, he realized it definitely was his Fourth Uncle’s painting!

Ming Hui saw someone already getting on the platform, “Sister, should I go up and try?”

Yu Wen responded with a mysterious tone, “No rush, there will be opportunities to take the stage.”

Ming Hui didn’t think much of it, “Indeed, no rush. I’ll wait awhile.”

Yu Wen turned her head, “Mr. Gu, would you like to try?”

Gu Sheng did not like to stand out. He was even more low-profile after the New Year. Hearing the Magistrate’s question, he replied, “Does the Magistrate want this painting?”

Yu Wen said, “I do want it.”

Gu Sheng was silent for a moment, then softly replied, “Hmm.”

Ming Hui, “??”

Chang Xhong remained seated, unmoving. He knew this girl had calculated everything, and sooner or later, that painting would come back!

Yu Wen stopped speaking, watching the stage, observing that almost no one was coming down. As time passed, her peripheral vision caught Zhuo Guyu, knowing he’d go up.

Zhuo Guyu, known for being ostentatious in the capital, was easily trackable by those interested. He had a knack for calligraphy, known for imitating Mr. Wang’s style.

As time passed, Zhuo Guyu finally moved. Confident in himself and loving fame, he chose the middle platform. The middle platform was guarded by a young man from the Qie family, who had been defending for a while, making Zhuo Guyu choose the most challenging one.

In the private room upstairs, Zhulan watched the competition below, and then glanced at the young men and women on the second floor watching the excitement. These young masters in the capital knew how to have fun.

Downstairs, Yu Wen suddenly spoke up, “Brother, get ready.”

Ming Hui was momentarily stunned, “Huh?.”

Yu Wen’s eyes curved, “I’ll go challenge first.”

Saying this, Yu Wen got up and headed straight for Zhuo Guyu’s platform. The Qie family young man had already stepped down and asked in surprise, “Does the Magistrate also wish to challenge?”

Yu Wen smiled, “I indeed want to try.”

Zhuo Guyu’s face didn’t look pleased. Why did Magistrate Anhe come to challenge him? Did she look down on him? Or did she think she could surpass him?

The Qie family young man laughed, “Of course, anyone can try. Mr. Wu said anyone in the tea house could challenge.”

There were no gender restrictions, so the Magistrate challenging was not an issue. The issue was for Zhuo Guyu; if he won, it wasn’t honorable, and if he lost, it would be a big joke!

Yu Wen was inwardly grateful for her title. Without it, standing out would have caused no comments. The title brought her so much convenience.

Zhuo Guyu’s heart sank, “I voluntarily admit defeat.”

Yu Wen raised an eyebrow, “Does Master Zhuo despise women?”

Today, with not a few young misses in the tea house, he indeed underestimated women in his heart but couldn’t say it aloud, “No.”

Yu Wen extended her hand, “Then please, Master Zhuo, set the topic.”

Zhuo Guyu, not claiming to know Magistrate Anhe well, knew she wasn’t a showy person. Her coming to challenge him specifically surely meant something. He frowned, having never offended Magistrate Anhe, “I ask the Magistrate not to make it hard for me.”

Yu Wen thought to herself that she was indeed doing it deliberately. Birds of a feather flock together, no issues there. Moreover, the initial scheming was from the Duke of Yongan’s Residence. If Yu Yi intervened, she wouldn’t want to continue dealing with Ye Ying, so naturally, she would seek the source.

Zhuo Guyu saw everyone looking at him, his face reddening. Regardless of whether he chose to compete, he felt embarrassed.

Yu Wen remained silent until Zhuo Guyu’s face turned red before speaking, “Then I will have someone compete on my behalf.”

Zhuo Guyu’s expression relaxed slightly, “Who?”

Yu Wen signaled for Ming Hui to come over, Ming Hui, “…”

So this was the purpose for which his sister brought him here; from start to finish, she never intended to compete herself!

What could Ming Hui do but walk forward and say to Zhuo Guyu, “Master Zhuo, please.”

Zhuo Guyu looked deeply at Magistrate Anhe, while Yu Wen’s smile never changed, signaling Zhuo Guyu to present his challenge.

Zhuo Guyu didn’t underestimate Zhou Minghui, considering what challenge could stump Zhou Minghui.

Wu Shiheng whispered to Chang Xhong, “Can Ming Hui do it?”

Chang Xhong was unclear, “We’ll find out soon enough.”

Gu Sheng felt something amiss. From the moment Magistrate Anhe stood up to trouble Zhuo Guyu, he sensed an oddity. While he didn’t claim to know Magistrate Anhe well, he knew she disliked trouble. Today, she deliberately sought trouble, meaning Zhuo Guyu must have offended Magistrate Anhe.

Now, hearing the conversation between Mr. Wu and Mr. Zhou, Gu Sheng was more convinced of his hypothesis—today’s competition may well be a setup!

Gu Sheng was still pondering when the outcome had already been decided. Ming Hui cupped his hands and said, “Master Zhuo, thank you for letting me win.”

Zhuo Guyu had a stiff face, “Mr. Zhou, young and talented.”

Ming Hui thought, why choose such a problem? Opting for calculations, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the smiling Yu Wen Sister. Did Yu Wen Sister anticipate this?

Yu Wen gestured for Ming Hui to take the platform while she returned to her seat. It wasn’t that she predicted Zhuo Guyu would choose calculations; it was all due to her misleading actions. If the Qie family young man didn’t leave, she could have shown her scholarship, resulting in Zhuo Guyu overthinking.

From upstairs, Zhulan watched the spectacle, telling Qing Xue, “This girl is something else.”

Today’s scheme, calculated step by step, could be described as flawless.

Qing Xue was equally amazed; among the Misses of the Zhou family, the Fifth Miss was the one not to be trifled with. Her tactics were harsher than the Fourth Miss’s straightforward schemes.

Zhuo Guyu hadn’t left, not because he didn’t want to, but leaving directly would seem petty. Even if furious, he would wait until it was over.

Gu Sheng also got onto the stage, not to challenge Ming Hui. Ming Hui was quite good at calculations, continually setting math problems, maintaining the platform’s defense.

In the final competition among the four, Ming Hui was still lacking slightly and eventually lost, with Gu Sheng emerging victorious.

Wu Shiheng handed the painting to Gu Sheng, “Congratulations.”

Holding the painting, Gu Sheng searched for the Magistrate with his eyes but found that the Magistrate and Mr. Zhou had already left.

On the street, Zhuo Guyu saw Anhe and her group, quickly approached, looking at Anhe, “Have I offended the Magistrate?”

Yu Wen smiled with a curved mouth, “Take a guess.”

When Third Sister matures, she’ll know why!