I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 552: This is clearly cheating.

Fang Xiaoxiao watched Zhang Pangzi's departing figure, a sly smile creeping onto her lips.

She reached out and took the wooden box from the servant, casually handing it to Hongxiu beside her. Hongxiu was slightly taken aback, instinctively taking the box, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, but she still obediently stood aside.

Fang Xiaoxiao turned around, looking righteous and awe-inspiring, and looked at her "husbands" Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing and others. She cleared her throat and said, "Listen up, everyone. I'm not accepting bribes. Young Master Zhang said it's just a small token of my appreciation."

We can't refuse someone's kindness, otherwise it would hurt feelings, right?

Upon hearing this, Long Jinyan's eyes widened like copper bells, and he said loudly and bluntly, "Wife, this is clearly cheating!"

What kind of competition involves accepting gifts from other participants?

If word gets out, the reputation of our Lingxi Pavilion will be ruined!

His voice was loud and clear, and people around him couldn't help but cast strange glances at him.

Fang Xiaoxiao's face darkened instantly. She put her hands on her hips, glared fiercely at Long Jinyan, and was about to reprimand him for being tactless when Murong Changqing quickly stepped forward and stopped Long Jinyan.

Murong Changqing shook his head, a gentle smile on his face, and looked at Fang Xiaoxiao, saying, "Where did you cheat, my wife?"

This is clearly a manifestation of selflessness.

These things that Young Master Zhang gave us, our wife certainly won't keep for herself. Perhaps she'll use them as prizes for a competition, right, my wife?"

As he spoke, he winked at Fang Xiaoxiao.

Upon hearing Murong Changqing's words, Fang Xiaoxiao's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a satisfied smile. She nodded emphatically and said, "Changqing understands me best. I was just planning to use these things as prizes to reward the young masters who performed well in the competition."

"Long Jinyan, look at you! All you do is yell and scream; you have no manners at all."

Long Jinyan opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but seeing Fang Xiaoxiao and Murong Changqing singing in unison, and looking at the people around him trying not to laugh, he had no choice but to shut his mouth, his face showing a wronged expression.

Ouyang Tuoba and Zhou Wenjian stood to the side, one of them trying so hard not to laugh that his face turned red, while the other watched the scene speechlessly, shaking his head inwardly.

Just then, Wang Badan walked towards them in a nonchalant manner.

He was dressed in magnificent clothes, and the jade pendant at his waist swayed back and forth with his steps, making a crisp sound.

Wang Badan walked up to the crowd, and without saying a word, waved his hand. His men stepped forward, took out a stack of silver notes, and distributed them to the judges present with a smile.

With a confident smile, Wang Badan said, "Esteemed judges, this is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will all be kind to me during the competition."

I, Wang Badan, dare not boast of anything else, but I am confident that I will win first place in this competition and win the princess's heart.

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the silver note handed to her, raised her eyebrows slightly, and a playful smile appeared on her lips.

Before she could speak, Long Jinyan couldn't hold back any longer. He reached out and slapped the silver note away, shouting, "Young Master Wang, what are you doing?"

Our Lingxi Pavilion organizes competitions based on fairness and impartiality. If you have the ability, win based on your true skills and knowledge; don't try this trick!

Wang Badan was taken aback by Long Jinyan's actions, and the smile on his face instantly froze. He looked awkwardly at the people around him, then at Fang Xiaoxiao, not knowing what to do.

Fang Xiaoxiao's face darkened again. She glared at Long Jinyan fiercely, cursing him inwardly for ruining her plans, but said aloud, "Young Master Wang, I'm sorry, my husband just has a bit of a temper. Please don't mind him."

Okay, you go and prepare for the competition. We'll definitely score fairly.

Wang Badan breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Fang Xiaoxiao's words and quickly said, "Okay, Miss Fang, I'll go and prepare now."

After saying that, he hurriedly left with his men.

Fang Xiaoxiao watched Wang Badan's departing figure, then turned to look at Long Jinyan and said irritably, "Long Jinyan, if you keep causing trouble like this, see how I deal with you!"

Long Jinyan shrank back and muttered softly, "I was just trying to make the competition fair..."

But seeing Fang Xiaoxiao's unfriendly gaze, he obediently shut his mouth.

Those around couldn't help but laugh at the scene; the competition was already full of drama even before it officially started.

The competition officially began, and the Lingxi Pavilion was bustling with activity as all sorts of interesting things happened, making everyone laugh.

During the target shooting segment of the martial arts test, Wang Badan, the son of the Minister of Revenue, confidently stepped onto the field.

He was dressed in a brand-new, smart outfit, head held high, as if the championship was already his for the taking. However, when he drew his bow, all sorts of problems arose.

He used too much force, and the bowstring snapped against his hand, causing him to cry out in pain. He almost dropped the bow and arrow.

The audience was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.

Wang Badan blushed, looked around awkwardly, gritted his teeth, and picked up his bow and arrow again.

This time, he aimed at the bullseye and shot the arrow with all his might.

As a result, the arrow flew crookedly toward the pillar next to it and struck it with a "thud".

The audience laughed even harder, some even doubled over with laughter. Wang Badan, his face flushed, slunk off the stage.

In the poetry section of the written examination, Zhang Pangzi, the son of the Minister of Rites, displayed a torrent of inspiration.

He picked up a brush and wrote furiously on the rice paper, completing a poem in no time.

With a smug look on his face, Murong Changqing handed the poem to the judges. He took the manuscript, glanced at it, and immediately frowned.

It turned out that Zhang Pangzi, in his pursuit of speed, wrote in such a flamboyant and illegible manner that his handwriting was difficult to decipher.

Murong Changqing shook his head and said, "Young Master Zhang, your poem may be good, but your handwriting is really hard to compliment."

If you can't even see the words clearly, how can you judge the quality of poetry?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Pangzi's face showed annoyance, and he secretly regretted that he had been too hasty.

During the talent show segment, one young man claimed to be skilled in ventriloquism.

He walked onto the stage, cleared his throat, and began his performance.

He first imitated the sounds of various animals, such as roosters crowing, dogs barking, and birds chirping, and his imitations were so lifelike that the audience applauded and cheered.

Just when everyone thought his performance was about to end, he suddenly started imitating the sounds of thunder and rain.

He made a "rumbling" sound from his mouth, then imitated the "rustling" sound of raindrops falling, and even mimicked the sound of howling wind.

Just as everyone was engrossed in his performance, he suddenly sneezed loudly, startling everyone.

He then smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm so sorry, I got too into character and accidentally caught a cold."

The audience was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.