"The Prince has been so kind to Wanwan. It must be a blessing she cultivated in her past life."
The beautiful woman's eyes sparkled with charm and tenderness. She stood closely beside Nalan Xiao, and a glint flashed in her eyes.
"Ouch!" she suddenly cried out as her foot slipped, her body swaying as she nearly collapsed.
The man beside her swiftly reached out, grabbing her slender waist and pulling her into his arms. "Wanwan, be careful!"
His warm breath brushed against her pale neck, making Su Wanwan blush. Their posture was so intimate that they could hear each other's heartbeat.
Just then, she heard a commotion nearby. That idiot must've found an excuse to escape the poetry reading. How shameless! Claiming that the poem was her own? She probably knew she'd be exposed eventually and ran off in fear!
No matter. Now that she had both the fame and Prince Xiao in her grasp, she would take this chance to let that lovestruck fool taste utter defeat.
No—she would make sure that fool became the ultimate loser.
"Your Highness, how long do you intend to hold Wanwan like this?" she asked shyly from within his arms, her voice soft and sultry.
In the neighboring private room, Su Yiyi and Jiang Yunting exchanged bewildered glances.
Were the two in the next room… doing something indecent?
"Ahem, don't be sad, cousin. Yun Ting believes you deserve someone much better."
Jiang Yunting tried to comfort her, but Su Yiyi clapped her hands and cheerfully replied, "Well then, this marriage is as good as over! Be sure to congratulate your cousin when you return!"
"Cousin, you… really have forgotten him…" Forgotten Prince Xiao? For some reason, Jiang Yunting suddenly didn't want to bring up the past. Did that mean… he had a chance?
"Congratulations to Miss Su for winning the grand prize! The title of first place goes to Miss Su!" a cheerful voice rang out from outside.
Accompanied by Nalan Xiao, Su Wanwan slowly stepped into view, causing an immediate stir.
"Is that His Highness Prince Xiao?! He's actually… with Miss Su!"
"I can't imagine how many hearts will be broken tonight. What a pity. What a shame."
All eyes turned toward her. Su Wanwan lifted her chin slightly and accepted the admiration and envy with practiced ease.
She had always been destined for greatness. Standing at the Prince's side felt natural—as though she was the only one truly worthy of him.
"Master Bai has prepared a generous gift for Miss Su. I hope you will like it."
An elderly man brought out a beautifully crafted black iron box. It was so heavy that it made a dull thud when placed on the table. Countless guests peeked out from behind bamboo curtains, craning their necks with excitement and jealousy.
A golden key was handed to her.
Su Wanwan couldn't help glancing up at the handsome man beside her. Nalan Xiao gave her a gentle, reassuring smile.
"A treasure like this should belong to a beautiful woman. Wanwan, please open it yourself."
"Wanwan isn't worthy of such honor." With the prince beside her, how could she possibly claim all the glory alone?
"You are worthy."
Pfft—A stifled laugh came from one of the private rooms.
Su Wanwan immediately turned her attention toward Room No. 32—where Su Yiyi was.
That mad little idiot! Clearly jealous! But of course, with such a grand treasure on display, how could she not be? In this world, who else was as kind and generous as herself?
"Third Cousin, you…" Jiang Yunting looked at the girl clutching her stomach, trying not to laugh, utterly confused. What on earth was so funny?
"Cousin, don't you believe heaven has eyes?" Su Yiyi raised her hand solemnly to the sky. She swore she had no idea what the 'goose egg' prize actually was. And now that the real item was in her hands, all Su Wanwan got was—
Click.
The key opened the secret lock. Su Wanwan smiled gracefully as she lifted her hand with practiced elegance.
As though to build suspense, she slowly caressed the intricate carvings on the box. Everyone's eyes followed her movement, and the soft sound of gulping could be heard.
But the moment she opened the iron chest, her expression shifted.
Her smile stiffened. Her brows furrowed slightly. She looked at Nalan Xiao in confusion.
"Your Highness… this is…"
"What kind of treasure is it? Miss Su, please, let us see!"
"Yes, Miss Su! Please—just a glimpse!"
Eager voices echoed from all directions. No one noticed Su Wanwan's growing embarrassment. Nalan Xiao stepped forward and peered into the box.
Inside, resting quietly on a bed of silk… was a massive, gleaming emerald green cucumber.
Yes. A cucumber.
"Where is Master Bai? Was this a mistake?!"
The old man stepped up confidently. "No mistake. Master Bai personally placed the treasure inside this black iron chest."
Seeing the old man's utter conviction, Nalan Xiao said nothing more. Perhaps it wasn't an ordinary cucumber. Maybe there was a secret hidden within?
He reached inside, and in that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Everyone held their breath.
Then—Prince Xiao lifted the enormous cucumber from the box.
Thud!
A man fell out of his private booth in shock. Silence spread like wildfire.
This… this was the great treasure from Master Bai?!
How Su Yiyi held back her laughter was a mystery even to the heavens. Finally, she took a deep breath, and with a voice sweet and clear, said:
"Oh my! Isn't that the legendary Thousand-Year-Old Cucumber?"
"The Thousand-Year-Old… what?!"
"I've never heard of such a thing! It looks like a regular cucumber to me!"
When they noticed the Prince's face darkening rapidly, everyone scurried back into their rooms, afraid to say another word.
"I heard this cucumber grew on Mount Tianshan, absorbing the essence of the sun, the moon, heaven, and earth! It beautifies the skin, nourishes the yin, restores yang, and—most importantly—it's the sacred item every household must have when alone or traveling! Miss Su is truly blessed!"
Su Yiyi spoke so seriously and eloquently that even Jiang Yunting beside her began to waver. Could it really be that magical?
She glanced sideways at him and teased, "Cousin, do you want one too?"
"C-could I?"
The young lady gently patted his shoulder, her expression meaningful. "You can't use this cucumber."
"Who's spouting nonsense?!" Nalan Xiao snapped. If not for Master Bai's reputation, he would have crushed that cursed cucumber into paste right then and there.
"But didn't Your Highness just say a treasure like this belongs with a beautiful woman?" Su Yiyi responded innocently, watching the Prince's proud expression. What? Now he wanted to rush in and save that beauty? Hmph, does he even realize who he's up against?
Nalan Xiao looked at Su Wanwan and saw her utterly humiliated, her face red with shame and her eyes filled with helplessness.
He had initially assumed it might be some rare mineral—he never imagined Master Bai would humiliate him with a broken cucumber and make him the laughingstock of the entire gathering!
Su Wanwan's eyes shimmered with tears as she leaned toward him pitifully.
"Your Highness… please uphold justice for Wanwan…"
The handsome man felt completely stifled. No matter how he looked at it, Master Bai's behavior was nothing short of a blatant insult—to him, a Prince.