Male superiority and female superiority: forced love

All the unmarried ladies present were eager to try it out.

Cai Zhiyuan patted his daughter's hand, signaling her to get ready to go on stage.

But Cai Lei had no interest in Jiang Wenzhou at all. Instead, she was very fond of Prince Beiyue who was sitting next to him. She kept shouting in her heart: He is so handsome, I really want to sleep with him!

"Leilei, self-awareness is the most important thing. Instead of chasing after something illusory, it's better to focus on the present." Cai Zhiyuan knew his daughter's thoughts. Her eyes hadn't moved away since Lu Yinnian appeared. But so what? Was she still fantasizing about marrying far away in Beiyue?

Cai Lei glanced at her father, twisted her fingers and muttered softly, "Then why do you let me go up?" She felt that her father should say this to herself while holding a mirror.

The temperature around her body dropped noticeably. She couldn't help but turn her head, meeting her father's stern gaze squarely. Subconsciously, she pursed her lips and said unconvincedly, "Father, Princess Qinghe was so close to His Highness, and he didn't even bother to pay any attention to her. Do you think I can handle this?" She shrank her head and quickly straightened it.

Cai Zhiyuan felt a sudden heart attack when he heard this. He raised his trembling fingers, then slowly put them down.

If the clan truly couldn't find anyone who looked like him, why would they pin all their hopes on their daughter? After a moment's contemplation, he said earnestly, "Over ten years of studying hard, just to become a phoenix... a flying swan. Dad only has you, so go up and show yourselves, and make Dad proud! Besides... if you don't go up, how will the person you like notice you? The important thing is to participate."

Participation is the key?

Cai Lei stared at her father with her beautiful eyes wide open, trying to see through him. But then she changed her mind and realized she wouldn't be liked by that person. So, she decided to just listen to her father and focus on participating. She nodded.

Liu Dongxiang listened to their conversation silently and slowly lowered her head.

Her family background, looks, and academic performance were all unmatched by Cai Lei's. Perhaps the only thing she could compare to was her height. If even Cai Lei wasn't sure, what else could she compare to? Not as good as... Forget it...

"Dongxiang, look and see if that is Cao Ranyue, the daughter of Duke Cao?" At this moment, Liu Ze'an nudged her arm and asked.

Cao Ranyue?

This name caught the attention of the three golden flowers.

A young woman in a lotus-colored dress stood up, lifted her skirt slightly, walked to the center of the hall, and saluted Emperor Yong, saying, "Your Majesty, your servant Cao Ranyue pays respects to you."

Jiang Chenfeng knew this noble lady. She had previously painted a landscape painting at a New Year's Eve gathering. With just a few strokes, the ink flowed elegantly, the artistic conception profound. He also heard that she played the guqin very well. She was a rare talent, though her appearance was a little plain, which was a pity.

Cao Ranyue's appearance killed the chances of most of the noble ladies present to make a name for themselves.

They had not expected that the most talented girl from Songshan Academy would play in the first round. They were so angry that their teeth were itching and their faces darkened.

Many of his colleagues looked at Duke Cao with great dissatisfaction, thinking that he had no martial ethics and was too ruthless.

Duke Cao didn't want to either. After all, his daughter wasn't very pretty. If those beautiful ladies got there first, what good would it do for his daughter, no matter how talented she was?

Why are you all so hesitant? Why not just move faster? What's there to be dissatisfied about?

Thinking of this, they all glared back with sharp eyes.

At this time, Liu Dongxiang had completely pretended to be dead, and no matter how her father hinted, she refused to go on stage.

Cai Lei received another encouraging look from her father, and helplessly, she had to stand up and walk forward with heavy steps.

Everyone sighed, even Emperor Dayong was stunned.

After she introduced herself, everyone understood. She was the daughter of Mr. Cai, the principal of Songshan Academy, the foremost scholar of Dayong. Cai Zhiyuan held the honorary title of Grand Secretary in the Imperial Academy. Furthermore, his prestige within Dayong was comparable to that of the Duke of Cao.

"What are you two going to compete in?" Jiang Chenfeng became interested and asked with a smile on his face.

Everyone pricked up their ears, waiting for what was to come.

When Ruan Chuyin saw her friend come on stage, she immediately put down her chopsticks and instantly became energetic.

Jiang Wenzhou looked at her joyful little face, a touch of fondness in his eyes that he himself hadn't noticed. However, this detail was clearly captured by Princess Yong'an, who was sitting diagonally across from him.

Jiang Yunzi raised her eyebrows slightly, took the orange slices handed to her by her husband with a smile, and her mind began to turn.

This brother had always been disapproving of her and her strictness. Twice before, she had been on the verge of success, only to have him intervene and ruin the plan. This had irritated her so much that she didn't even want to talk to him for a while.

Now Jiang Wenzhou has had thoughts that he shouldn’t have had, so don’t even think about obstructing her in the future.

The thought of the Dali Temple Shaoqing's pretty, innocent face and powerful physique immediately stirred in her body. Her beautiful eyes scanned the hall, but she still couldn't see the man. She wanted to see how long this Lord Yan would hide from her.

At this time, Yan Yan was holding a red plum in his mouth and squatting in a corner outside the temple waiting for the moon to "set".

I was struggling with this for a long time, but I still didn't have the courage to step in. Jiang Yunzi had stripped me naked and tied me to the couch twice, and every time I thought about it, it was like a nightmare.

He couldn't understand what it was about him that attracted her so much? What could have caused this legitimate princess to pursue him so relentlessly? She had six handsome men around her, not to mention a delicate "little white flower" in the mansion. Seven men serving her alone, yet she wasn't satisfied. To describe her as fierce and ferocious was an understatement.

"Master Yan, Minister Yan invites you in." A palace servant walked up to him for the eighth time holding a lantern and reported.

"I know, I know. I'll be there in a moment." He still waved his hand impatiently to get rid of the person.

But this time the palace attendant did not turn around and leave as before. Instead, he continued slowly, "Minister Yan said that if you don't go in now, you won't have to get on the carriage later."

What do you mean? You won't even let me into the house?

Yan Yan's ears suddenly pricked up, and he stood up after being stunned for two seconds.

The atmosphere in the hall was heated, with discussions rising and falling like a tide. While everyone's attention was focused on the two noble ladies in the center of the hall, he quietly slipped in through a side door.

Wang Yumei and Liu Dongxiang looked at the man who suddenly appeared at the next table in shock, with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

Master Lan Yin, one of the four beauties of Liangcheng, has finally appeared!

The expression of the Minister of Personnel Yan An eased slightly, and he pointed specifically at Cao Ranyue who was standing in the hall.

What do you mean?

Yan Yan was startled by his father's action before he even sat down properly. Could it be that he was thinking... ?

She suddenly turned her head to look in the direction he pointed, blinked twice, lowered her head, picked up the jade chopsticks and started eating silently.

Yan An's mouth froze, and he moved his lips, holding back what he wanted to say next.

Cao Ranyue's performance at the New Year's Eve party had left a deep impression on him, and at that time, he had begun to think about marrying Cao Guogong. Since the child didn't like it, then... let's wait and see.

Yan Yan had tried his best to reduce his presence, but he was still fixed on someone's fiery gaze, which made him feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

Jiang Yunzi stared at the dark blue figure in the distance, the possessiveness in her eyes revealed without any concealment, which made the two servants beside her shiver all over.

They knew too well what this look meant, and secretly cast a sympathetic glance towards Yan Yan.

"Your Majesty, we have decided to compete in painting." Cao Ranyue's sweet voice rose in the hall, attracting everyone's attention.

Cai Lei nodded slightly. The most important thing was to participate, so nothing else mattered.

Jiang Chenfeng laughed heartily and came up with a question himself, named "Koi".