Qiao Ci personally arranged their newly purchased bright and spacious residence. She prepared a room for Dan Qing according to his preferences, eagerly awaiting the end of the arena match today to bring her beloved husband home.
Although she wasn't sure what procedures would follow winning the competition, she believed in being prepared.
Little Spoon lay contentedly in the dog bed prepared for it by the servants, gnawing on a bone with its eyes blissfully narrowed.
Seeing Qiao Ci gazing at the room she had personally decorated with a silly grin, it teasingly remarked, "Host, your facial injury has healed, and I'm sure Dan Qing will be devoted to you. Why go to all this trouble? As the saying goes, love is enough to sustain one, even with just water. I never expected... Ah, my meat bone!"
Qiao Ci confiscated its meat bone and said with a strained smile, "If love is enough to sustain one, then why eat bones?"
Little Spoon smacked its lips, not daring to utter the words, "I wasn't talking about myself."
Alas, ever since it discovered Qiao Ci becoming more approachable, it found itself increasingly cheeky. It whimpered inwardly.
If it didn't speak its mind, it felt restless; if it did, it regretted it.
Wasn't it just asking for trouble?
To salvage its image, Qiao Ci dressed herself up elaborately, appearing soethereally beautiful and commandingly heroic.
She arrived at the arena just as the martial arts competition was about to begin.
Dan Qing noticed her the moment she arrived. It was impossible not to, given her striking red brocade robe!
Her high ponytail was secured by a fine jade crown, her features were bright and exceptionally beautiful, and her upright posture was both supple and strong. Especially her languid and noble aura, which added a significant touch of brilliance to her entire demeanor.
She was like a beacon, drawing everyone's gaze.
Xu Qingfeng was also present. Seeing Qiao Ci's face smooth as jade, the slight unease in his heart vanished. It now depended on her performance in the arena.
Observing his son's infatuated and proud expression, Xu Qingfeng sighed. He had yielded again and again. As long as Qiao Ci wasn't too much of a disappointment, he would subtly manipulate events to grant Dan Qing his wish.
He hoped Qiao Ci would be smart enough not to steal the spotlight too early, preferably being the last to enter, which would give him more room to maneuver.
Just as he thought this, he saw Qiao Ci stride onto the stage with great elegance.
As the saying goes, the bird that sticks its neck out gets shot. In this kind of attrition-style arena, being the first to enter was akin to seeking death.
After all, the ultimate winner was the one who emerged victorious at the end.
Xu Qingfeng frowned and couldn't help but say to Dan Qing beside him, "Does she really want to marry you? Her face has cleared up, but has her mind deteriorated?"
Dan Qing, having some understanding of Qiao Ci's skills, smiled faintly upon hearing this and replied, "Father, just watch how she will marry me."
Xu Qingfeng looked at his younger son speechlessly, wondering whether to tell him that love had blinded his eyes and made him foolish, or advise him to stay away from such a straightforward and inflexible woman.
Even the bravest women in Dan Country didn't dare claim they could last from the first round to the midpoint, let alone Qiao Ci, a woman no one had heard of.
In any case, Qiao Ci's move left Xu Qingfeng quite disappointed.
Qiao Shan's heart, seeing that Qiao Ci's face had not only recovered but was even more radiant, felt jealousy growing like wild grass.
Why had she given her such good looks in the first place? She was going to be infuriated to death!
Seeing Qiao Ci foolishly stepping onto the arena first, Qiao Shan couldn't help but sneer at her, thinking that while she was beautiful, she lacked a brain.
Although she had learned from Wen Renxue that Qiao Ci's martial arts were unfathomable, Qiao Shan remained dismissive. No matter how powerful she was, could she withstand hundreds or thousands of opponents?
When she was exhausted by the challengers, Qiao Shan would step forward to finish her off and, in front of her eyes, take away the person she wished to marry. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Seeing the most beautiful woman step onto the stage first, those who were itching for a fight became impatient. Knowing they likely couldn't last until the end, they figured it was acceptable to stomp on this pretty boy first to get noticed.
Thus, a rather sturdy woman with a dark, gruff face leaped onto the stage.
"I am the chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold. Drawn by the esteemed reputation of the young prince, I have come to challenge. Please, impart your wisdom!"
Little Spoon, seeing the burly woman, couldn't help but complain to Qiao Ci, "What a 'Black Wind Stronghold'! A black bear spirit has escaped. I'm learning so much!"
Qiao Ci's taut expression almost broke. She clasped her fists in a proper manner and said, "Qiao Ci. Let us begin."
The black bear spirit, or rather, the chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold, charged at Qiao Ci with a roar. Qiao Ci, considering her courage, gave her special treatment, fighting her for ten full rounds before kicking her off the stage.
The chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold knew Qiao Ci was going easy on her and cast a look of admiration at her. Truly a fierce woman of today!
Qiao Shan, seeing how easily the chieftain of Black Wind Stronghold was defeated, felt greatly disappointed.
Several more people stepped up consecutively, all defeated by Qiao Ci within three moves.
Qiao Shan could no longer sit still. If this continued, Qiao Ci would steal all the glory. Even if she lost in the end, her bravery would be praised by everyone.
However, she knew her martial arts skills were only good enough for surprise attacks. A direct confrontation would only result in utter humiliation.
But she absolutely could not let Qiao Ci continue to shine!
"I am Yan Zhi, the second princess of Zhuque Kingdom. I have come to offer my challenge."
At this moment, a beautiful woman in blue gracefully leaped onto the stage using her lightness skill and stood opposite Qiao Ci, addressing her politely.
Qiao Shan's eyes lit up. This Yan Zhi was a match for Qiao Ci, a formidable opponent. In the original novel, she had almost snatched the eldest prince away. She was quite cunning and possessed immense combat prowess.
This time, Qiao Ci would be severely wounded!
To win favor, Yan Zhi put on quite a show. As soon as the fight began, Qiao Ci kicked her flying to the outer edge of the crowd.
What a waste of time.
Qiao Ci was already impatient and ended it quickly for her.
Dan Qing couldn't help but want to stand up and cheer for Qiao Ci, but Xu Qingfeng, equally shocked, forcibly pulled him down, saying, "Behave yourself!"
Who wouldn't fall for such a heroic and extraordinary young lady?
Xu Qingfeng suddenly understood why his son had fallen in love with Qiao Ci at first sight. She was indeed a stunning and impressive young woman. It was his younger son's keen eye that had spotted her.
Dan Rong, standing nearby, jumped up!
"Father, this Qiao Ci is so fierce! I agree to this marriage! Ahhhhh! It's too exciting! That Yan Zhi used to tease and mock me quite a bit. Seeing her defeated in one move now is simply too satisfying!"
Xu Qingfeng looked at his daughter, who was acting like a monkey, and couldn't help but hold his forehead. This daughter resembled neither him nor the Empress. He wondered who she took after; she was truly a headache.
Dan Qing looked enviously at his elder sister. He wished he could cheer and encourage A'Ci like her, but Father was watching him so closely, he dared not and felt too inhibited.
Qiao Shan looked at Qiao Ci in disbelief. How could she be so powerful?
The people around, who had been eager to step up, now hesitated, wondering if they should still make fools of themselves.
Qiao Shan clenched the object in her hand and, as if resigned to her fate, walked onto the stage with a look of determined sacrifice.
Qiao Ci, your moment of glory must end!