Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 148 makes a dazzling debut.

The gambling house owner was not exaggerating; this year's Imperial Guard competition had indeed attracted unprecedented attention, with the stands packed with people.

The competition, which was usually only of military generals, is now attracting not only the high-ranking officials but also the young nobles and ladies who indulge in pleasure. If you look closely, you can see that curtains have been erected in front of the high platform, which means that the ladies of the harem have all come to the scene.

The Imperial Guards below were all in high spirits and performed like they were on steroids. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, and their chance to turn the tables was now!

If all else fails, being recruited as a retainer by some high-ranking official is better than being an unknown nobody.

A young master watched as the burly man on the stage wielded a spiked club weighing 180 pounds with great skill and gusto, and yawned with boredom.

"Where is Lady Shen? Why hasn't she come yet?" Could he be here to watch these martial artists show off their muscles?

"Don't rush. For families like ours, the minimum requirement for entering officialdom is the sixth rank, and for joining the army, it's the general. Shen Qingxi certainly can't compete with nobodies. We'll have to wait until the top ten are selected."

"This foreplay is taking too long. I'm going to take a nap. Call me when the others arrive."

He fell asleep instantly, his head lolling to the side and resting on his companion's shoulder, a soft snore filling the air.

"..."

Tang Zhou, who had just won the previous match, was passing by the stands when he overheard the two young noblemen's conversation. A surge of anger rose in his heart. Were the warriors of their Imperial Guards working so hard just to warm up a little lady?

Looking at the brothers on stage, putting on an even more energetic show than they would in front of the girls, I felt a strange sense of sadness. Ah, birth...

·

"I'm coming!"

"Where? Where?" The young master suddenly woke up with a start, drooling as he looked around.

As the young master predicted, when the top ten were determined, Shen Qing finally made a dazzling appearance under the spotlight.

A truly literal shine, leather with rivets, the first step to chic style.

Shen Qing was dressed in a bright red outfit, with cloud-patterned boots on her feet. Her clothes fluttered as she moved, just like a burning flame.

Her long, smooth, black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, with a few stray strands falling across her forehead and dancing in the wind. She strode confidently to the center of the field under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"Is she Shen San Niangzi?"

"Looking at her delicate appearance, I thought she was a big, burly shrew."

"This outfit is really beautiful. It's amazing how such gaudy and flamboyant colors like red and gold can be combined so harmoniously."

"Go back and have the embroiderers in the manor make me one too."

……

Shen Shi and Shen Che were naturally among the court officials. Regardless of whether their colleagues secretly observed or deliberately gossiped, the father and son remained unmoved.

Li Su was so angry that she suffered a migraine and had to stay home to recuperate. Qin Zhen naturally had to take care of her, which is why she was unable to come in person today.

Shen Qing overheard snippets of conversation and thought to herself, "Red and gold color schemes never go out of style. This is a replica of the costume worn by the female lead in a hit drama of the year, the kind that's been trending on social media for a whole day. But the beauty of this isn't limited to that. Just wait and see, everyone."

On the high throne, Emperor Yongxi frowned slightly and said to the Crown Prince who was accompanying him, "She has a good presence, but she looks no different from an ordinary noblewoman."

Que Jin smiled and said, "Appearances can be deceiving. Father, just wait and see."

Emperor Yongxi remained skeptical, hoping that Shen Qingxi might possess some real skills, otherwise the Crown Prince would lose face.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the captain below, who was acting as the referee, announce the rules of the competition.

"First match: Archery!"