Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 491

When Wufu arrived at the merchants’ association, there were already quite a few people there, not to compete, but to watch the competition.

Considering her outstanding performance yesterday, she had become quite famous; many greeted her upon seeing her, and Wufu was not arrogant, returning each greeting with a smile.

"... This morning is for submitting the representative pieces, which will be entered anonymously to ensure fairness," Shopkeeper Lin whispered to Wufu.

"Who are the judges?" asked Wufu, nodding to others as she inquired.

"President Lou, Master Guang Hui from Puning Temple, the master jade carver Zhang Zhongming, Master Gong Jingyi, and the Prefect—a total of five people," Shopkeeper Lin provided all the information he knew.

"Is this Prefect the one who got my Chicken Blood Seal?" Wufu stopped in her tracks.

Shopkeeper Lin nodded with a smile, "Yes, that’s him. Prefect Li is so obsessed with jade that no one knows how much jade ended up being quietly sent his way yesterday."

Wufu made a sound of realization, and after thinking for a moment, she understood.

Merchants were not to be compared with an official’s family; even though officials and merchants were intertwined, officials came first, absolutely overpowering the merchants.

And what savvy merchant wouldn’t cater to the well-known preferences of such an official?

Wufu said with a smile, "Well, that’s quite a coincidence."

"Lord Li heard your name yesterday and knew you were competing. If nothing unexpected happens, he should want to meet you today," Shopkeeper Lin said, obviously proud to be associated with her.

"Is that so? Then let’s meet," Wufu said.

Shopkeeper Lin’s smile stiffened a bit, finding her tone a bit too arrogant!

But she had the talent to back it up.

"It’s a pity all pieces are submitted anonymously for the competition; otherwise, based on the Jade Seal you carved for him, you could have scored some points with him," Shopkeeper Lin said regretfully.

But Wufu saw it differently, "It’s better this way, to avoid any backdoor deals and not to favor acquaintances."

"So please rest assured, lady, all our judges are fair and just," Shopkeeper Lin hurriedly reassured her.

Wufu nodded.

In the midst of their conversation, they had arrived at the Treasure Collection Point and, as fate would have it, Wufu bumped into her old rival, Yu Zhen.

"Craftmaster Yu, good morning," Wufu said with a slight bow and a smile. "Did the great craftsman not sleep well last night? There’s such a deep ’silkworm’ under your eyes."

She pointed at his eyelid.

"Lady Fu seems to be in fine spirits," replied Yu Zhen grumpily. "Considering you’re a young lady, it really doesn’t seem proper for you to stare so blatantly at an old man like me, does it?"

His implication was that Wufu was shameless, ignoring the boundaries between men and women.

"As Craftmaster Yu has rightfully referred to himself as ’an old man,’ I, lacking in many virtues, do have one—respect for my elders. My admiration for Craftmaster Yu is as endless as the river’s flow..." Wufu blinked innocently, her flattery soaring to the skies.

Muffled laughter rippled through the crowd around them.

Yu Zhen failed to gain an advantage and huffed, "Sharp-tongued!" He didn’t bother with her further, handing over his name plaque to the person at the Treasure Collection Point and passed over the box covered with red silk. After giving a few careful instructions, he brushed past Wufu and left.

Wufu didn’t mind and handed over her name plaque, gesturing for Su Luo to submit the box.

"Shopkeeper Lin, are you sure no one will sabotage the process from the inside?" Wufu’s voice wasn’t too loud, but it was enough for the staff at the Treasure Collection Point to hear, staring at her angrily as a result.

"President Lou has ordered personal supervision. There won’t be any of the issues you’re worried about, so please feel assured," the person replied in annoyance.

Wufu apologized with a grin, then left.