FBC -Chapter 290 Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage

The Yong Prince’s Mansion’s top female steward, Zhou Zhilan, was renowned throughout Southern Xinjiang.

Not only was she pretty and highly skilled in martial arts, but the public notice even declared that the Yong Prince’s Mansion would prepare a ten-li red bridal procession for her marriage.

In other words—whoever married her would instantly soar up the social ladder.

More than a hundred people had already officially registered, and many more who arrived late and hadn’t registered yet were squeezing the registration booth until it was packed tight with bodies.

Before dawn, Zhou Zhilan had already been dragged out of bed by the maids to get dressed up, with Gu Hua overseeing everything from the side.

Only after fussing for nearly an hour did Gu Hua finally feel satisfied.

When the two went to have breakfast in the Old Madam’s courtyard, they amazed everyone present.

Wang Linyi was the first to gasp, “Heavens—this is Steward Zhou? I thought a fairy had descended from the heavens!”

Zhou Zhilan, always carefree and straightforward, had never been praised like this and immediately blushed bright red.

She spun around to leave. “I said no makeup! I’ve never worn makeup!”

Gu Hua hurried to pull her back but failed to catch her hand. “Dong Hua, quick—go stop her—”

Before she could finish, Mu Junyan strode over—just finished with morning training. Behind him was Zhou Chunyu.

Mu Junyan halted, perfectly blocking Zhou Zhilan’s path.

Zhou Zhilan didn’t dare lift her head; she could also feel Zhou Chunyu’s gaze on her.

She kept her head down and saluted Mu Junyan. “Greetings, my lord.”

“Zhilan? Looking this pretty? Before, when you didn’t dress up, men were already lining up at our gate. Now that you did—aren’t they going to trample the Prince’s Mansion doorstep flat?”

Zhou Zhilan blushed even harder and stomped. “My lord is teasing me! It’s all Madam’s doing!”

Mu Junyan laughed loudly. “My wife is a great beauty—of course she’s good at beautifying others. But well, you need a good foundation to start with.”

He then turned to look at a dazed Zhou Chunyu. “Steward Zhou, with a sister this good-looking, of course men will line up to marry her, don’t you think?”

Zhou Zhilan secretly peeked at her brother.

His usually smooth, diplomatic face was stiff as a wooden plank.

He nodded slowly. “Y-yes…”

Gu Hua shot her husband a glance and quietly gave him a thumbs-up.

She stepped forward and deliberately said, “Sister Zhilan has worked herself to the bone for the Prince’s Mansion. She has no time to dress up or care for herself. Now that she finally wants to find a good man to marry and live a sweet, peaceful life, I must help her choose only the best husband.”

Mu Junyan chimed in, playing along, “Mm, I heard several young generals of the Mu Army have also signed up. A talented woman like Zhilan is in high demand.”

Zhou Chunyu stared at Zhou Zhilan without blinking.

Gu Hua saw this and thought, Good—there’s hope.

She immediately fanned the fire. “Honestly, a woman of Zhilan’s status doesn’t need something like a martial arts tournament for marriage. What if the winner is big and brutish, ugly as a troll? Steward Zhou, as her elder brother, you aren’t worried at all?”

Zhou Chunyu froze and murmured, “Rules are rules, and…”

Zhou Zhilan lowered her eyes, anger burning in her chest.

He truly didn’t care about her.

She suddenly lifted her head and smiled brilliantly. “Exactly! My brother said it—rules are rules. Even if the winner looks like a crooked melon or cracked jujube, as long as he wins, he can marry me! I accept!”

When Zhou Chunyu saw the hurt behind her smile and her reddened eyes, his heart shattered into pieces.

It hurt so much he couldn’t stay.

“My lord, I still have matters to attend to. I will leave first.”

He practically fled.

Zhou Zhilan’s tears fell instantly.

Gu Hua became angry and glared at Mu Junyan. “How can he be such a coward!”

Mu Junyan raised his hands innocently. “Well, I’m not.”

Gu Hua was frustrated. She had hoped to nudge Zhou Chunyu into admitting his feelings—so they wouldn’t have to go through with the tournament at all.

Who knew he would still run.

Poor Zhilan.

Gu Hua hugged her and patted her back gently. “It’s alright. Sister Zhilan deserves the best man.”

Soon, Zhou Zhilan wiped her tears. “Dong Qing, help me fix my makeup.”

She pulled Dong Qing away, leaving Gu Hua watching her back with aching heart.

Mu Junyan took Gu Hua’s hand. “Come, let’s eat.”

Gu Hua looked up at him. “Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt both of them? They could have just continued like this—being siblings was fine. Now that I pushed them, I don’t know how it’ll end.”

Mu Junyan wrapped an arm around her. “Don’t worry. When the boat reaches the bridge, it’ll straighten itself. If fate is real, they can’t escape it. If it isn’t… then it’s better they go their separate ways.”

Gu Hua thought about it—he seemed right.

If Zhou Chunyu cared more about his pride than Zhilan’s lifelong happiness, then better let a better man cherish her.

Women—so long as they’re cherished, they’ll be happy.

“I’m not eating. I’m going to stay with Sister Zhilan and support her.”

Gu Hua slipped out of his arms and ran off.

“Hey—you can’t skip breakfast!” Mu Junyan tried to chase after her.

“No matter. Send breakfast to them.”

The Old Madam walked out smiling, a maid carrying a food box beside her.

“Hurry and take it to them. Today’s martial arts tournament will probably take the whole day.”

Mu Junyan sighed. “Good thing I married Gu Hua early—otherwise this trouble might’ve landed on me.”

The martial arts tournament stage was set up in a huge square just inside the east gate of Juzhou City. A large platform was built, wrapped in red silk, with golden railings and colorful drapery—festive and grand.

Gu Hua held Zhou Zhilan’s hand as they stepped onto the stage. The participants and crowds below immediately grew excited.

“So this is the Yong Prince Mansion’s female steward? I thought she’d be some fierce old woman—she’s gorgeous!”

“Right? Bro, you better work hard if you want to win her!”

“Obviously!”

“Miss Zhou is kind and gentle—she often helps people with Madam Mu.”

“Exactly. Forget the generous dowry—even her capability alone will bring prosperity to her future home.”

“That’s right.”

Zhou Zhilan, under countless gazes for the first time, felt shy.

She had never been stared at by so many young men—all eyes blazing as if she were some prized delicacy.

Her cheeks turned red; she even looked a bit like a bashful maiden.

Gu Hua raised her voice, “Today is Sister Zhilan’s joyful day. I hope all participants compete sincerely. Anyone with ill intent—don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“Rest assured, Madam!”

“Beautiful, kind, capable—whoever marries Miss Zhou should burn incense in gratitude!”

“Yes!”

Several handsome young men waved at Zhou Zhilan.

“Miss Zhou—it’s me! Remember? We fought battles together!”

“Me too—Miss Zhou, look here!”

Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilan looked over—indeed, familiar faces.

A few promising young generals of the Mu Army, all smiling widely and waving frantically.

Zhou Zhilan blushed all the way down her neck.

She turned and stomped her foot. “So embarrassing!”

Gu Hua laughed and turned her back around, whispering, “You’re capable of being shy? It’s too late to retreat now—ask everyone if they’ll allow it?”

“No!”

“Right, right! No backing out—you must compete!”

“She’s right—the rules are set, you can’t break them!”

“Exactly!”

“Don’t worry, Miss Zhou. If any ugly brute dares come up, I’ll beat him off the platform.”

“Get lost! You are the ugly brute!”

The crowd grew rowdy.

Chi Yu and the others quickly stepped in to restore order.

Gu Hua stepped forward with Zhou Zhilan. “Before the tournament begins, I have an announcement.”

She looked at Zhou Zhilan. “Sister Zhilan and I have long been like sisters. Today, before everyone, I will formally become sworn sisters with her.”

A wave of cheers erupted.

Zhou Zhilan stared in shock.

Calling each other sisters casually was one thing—but publicly swearing sisterhood was completely different.

Gu Hua held her hand. “Are you willing to be my elder sister?”

Zhou Zhilan’s eyes turned misty. “I am.”

Soon, Dong Hua and the others set up the table, and the two performed the full ritual of sworn sisterhood.

The drums for the tournament rolled loudly, and a big burly man leapt onto the stage first. He bowed to Zhou Zhilan.

“Miss Zhou, I have admired you for long. I may not be refined, but I have no parents to tend to, no siblings to care for. If you marry me—”

“Get lost!”

A shout cut him off as a dark figure vaulted onto the stage, kicking the burly man stumbling backward.

Thunderous applause erupted below.

The newcomer was tall and broad. He pointed at the burly contestant.

“Stop babbling. Fight first—talk later!”