448: Chapter 448 Ungrateful

The audience members had long been staring blankly, because the clothes these female workers were wearing... they had never seen them before!

They were each dressed in form-fitting white shirts, black pleated skirts below, and were wearing high heels.

Although, considering the conservative values of this world, the skirts went past their knees and they wore stockings underneath.

But for the people of the Tianwu Continent, it was still far too sexy!

This group of women from Zuihua Pavilion were amateur brewers, but they were definitely "professionally trained" when it came to dancing; following the musical accompaniment, they just had to sway a little to get into the groove.

In fact, with this attire, it didn't really matter what kind of dance they performed.

The men watched, mesmerized, while the women watched with blushing faces and racing hearts.

"This performance is thrilling!"

"A tiny Xinghua Village with so many beauties—it truly is a blessed land on earth!"

"After all, it's a place that produces immortals; the water and soil here nourish people!"

"It's a pity that Zaner isn't here. I really want to see Zaner wearing this outfit..."

"You're delusional! Miss Zaner is so pure and shy; she blushes just from people looking at her, how could she possibly get up there and dance?"

The scene was exceptionally lively; everyone had shaken off their sleepiness, and the atmosphere was pushed directly to a new climax.

After the intermission, the audience watched with great interest as the other wineries took the stage one after another to compete.

The first round ended; out of dozens of contestants, only twelve made it to the second round.

Su Wansha stepped onto the stage again at this moment and said with a smile:

"Everyone, the second round will determine the final outcome."

"To ensure fairness, we will select twenty on-site judges from the audience by drawing lots!"

"If the tip of the lot is red, that means good fortune is upon you—you've been selected!"

"You will join the five main judges in voting on the wines of the twelve wineries."

"The three wineries that receive the most votes will be the top three of the first Wine Festival!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the scene immediately erupted in excitement!

Twenty spots—it wasn't a huge number, but it wasn't small either.

Everyone was eager to try, all wanting to go up on stage and participate.

Being able to vote alongside the current Prime Minister, the head of the Daoist sect, and the great scholars of the age was something that could bring honor to one's ancestors!

Soon, female workers in black and white uniforms arrived at the audience seating area, carrying ballot boxes and letting everyone draw lots row by row.

When it was Emperor Hong's turn, he hesitated for a moment, then drew a bamboo lot with a sullen face.

The tip of the bamboo lot was, shockingly, red!?

"Sir... you..."

Zheng Yangwei's face turned green. How could they be so unlucky? Out of hundreds of people, they had to be one of the twenty selected?

Now, were they really going to have to go up on stage?

Regardless of whether their identity was exposed, it would be extremely dangerous!

Emperor Hong looked arrogant. "Since it is heaven's will, let us go up and meet them."

Zheng Yangwei's eyes flickered; he seemed to understand something and nodded.

Before long, the twenty audience judges who had drawn the red lots walked onto the stage.

Zhu Ming, Marquis Xie Shang, Master Li Jingyi, and the others couldn't help but look shocked and conflicted when they saw Emperor Hong dressed as a wealthy merchant.

Although they had guessed that Emperor Hong might have come, they really hadn't expected him to stay in the audience seats the whole time!

And Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong actually dared to come and support Lin Xiao like this?

This old man was really going all out!

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong acted as if he didn't recognize Emperor Hong; he was slightly tipsy, his face glowing, and he appeared calm and at ease.

Seeing Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong's attitude, the others dared not speak up; after all, if they "recognized" Emperor Hong in public, the situation would become very awkward.

It was better to just treat Emperor Hong as a wealthy merchant who looked a bit distinctive and gloss over it.

"Husband, were the lots rigged?"

Seeing Emperor Hong go up on stage, Xiao Qingxuan was curious about how her husband had managed it.

Lin Xiao smiled. "The lots weren't rigged, but the people... I made some arrangements."

Xiao Qingxuan took a look and discovered that the one who had let Emperor Hong draw the lot was none other than Yu'er, one of Hua Nongying's subordinates.

The woman suddenly understood; this female assassin from the brothel was skilled at entertaining guests, so naturally, she was also an expert at cheating.

However, even without Yu'er, Lin Xiao would have found another way to get Emperor Hong on stage.

"Wife, the rest is up to you." Lin Xiao winked.

Xiao Qingxuan smiled, pursing her lips, and stood up to walk out.

Seeing this, Su Wansha silently stepped aside.

The audience members watched curiously as the Princess of Zhenbei walked onto the stage.

Many people whispered to each other, marveling at how the Princess was truly peerlessly beautiful and stunning enough to topple kingdoms.

Xiao Qingxuan smiled at the crowd. "Everyone, the Prince of Zhenbei is very happy today to have so many wine lovers come to Xinghua Village to make friends through wine."

"Regardless of today's outcome, it will go down in history. As the Princess of Zhenbei, I, on behalf of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion, thank you all for your support."

Xiao Qingxuan curtsied gracefully, and the audience members hurriedly replied that it was nothing, or loudly cheered.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Hua Nongying, who was on the side, arranged for a few female workers to bring up a tray of wine.

"I offer this wine from the first round to the judges on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei!"

Xiao Qingxuan said, picking up a glass of wine.

Emperor Hong and the other twenty-five people picked up their own wine glasses.

Everyone's faces were full of joy; they felt very honored, as having the Princess of Zhenbei offer a toast was a tremendous privilege.

The onlookers below were very envious.

Only the group of old men on stage who had recognized Emperor Hong had expressions that were indescribable.

"Everyone, I will finish my drink first as a sign of respect!"

Xiao Qingxuan raised her glass to the group and drained it in one gulp.

The twenty-plus people repeatedly said "A toast to the Prince, a toast to the Princess," and then happily drank the wine in their glasses.

After drinking, they very politely bowed their heads to show humility.

Emperor Hong stood in place, but he gripped his wine glass tightly, as if petrified, and did not move.

Soon, several judges nearby noticed that this "brother" was acting strange.

"Hey! The Princess has offered a toast! Don't just stand there!"

"Brother, don't be stunned! No matter how beautiful the Princess is, she isn't someone we can just stare at forever!"

A few well-meaning people thought Emperor Hong was captivated by Xiao Qingxuan's beauty.

Xiao Qingxuan looked at Emperor Hong with an "innocent" expression. "This judge, why aren't you drinking? Do you have some dissatisfaction with me, or with the Prince?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhu Ming, Marquis Xie Shang, and the others all gasped.

The Prince of Zhenbei and his wife were truly ruthless!

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong's eyes were cold; he had spent his whole life hoping for an Li-clan Emperor to kneel before the descendants of the Xiao clan.

Although today's scene was somewhat unexpected, he enjoyed it very much.

"Haha! This guy is stunned by looking at the Princess!"

"Old man, can't you show a little dignity?"

"Outrageous! The Princess is offering a toast—what a great honor, and he is so ungrateful!"

The scene was filled with curses.

Emperor Hong was grinding his teeth so hard they were almost breaking. He had thought that going on stage would just be about judging wine, which would be quite refined.

But he hadn't expected there to be this part!?

They wanted him, the majestic Emperor of the Great Gan, to bow his head and thank a fallen empress, the Princess of Zhenbei!?

The key was that these rebellious subjects, Zhu Ming and Marquis Xie Shang, were actually watching the show!?

Fine, you all disregard the loyalty between monarch and subject, and none of you treat me as an Emperor... then, don't blame me for being ruthless!!

Emperor Hong wore an arrogant expression, sneered, and directly threw the wine glass in his hand onto the ground!

"Clang!!"

As the wine spilled all over the ground, the air in the scene dropped to freezing point!!