Chapter 224 - 153:
At this moment, inside the Beast Fighting Arena, after a simple warm-up performance, the Beast Fighters quickly brought in a huge iron cage, inside which was a fierce black bear with tusks.
The Chief Eunuch standing side by side with the male guests flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand, slightly bowed, and asked with a smile, "I wonder if there are any warriors willing to come forward to subdue this beast?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the slightly noisy area where the male guests were suddenly fell silent.
Although it was long heard that Princess Duan Yang intended to choose a highly skilled husband for Princess Pingning, and had specially set up this estate to hold a beast-taming performance, no one expected that they would be asked to personally go down and fight the beast.
This is a beast!
One wrong move and blood could be shed, leading to death!
When no one stepped forward after a few moments, the eunuch added, "Gentlemen, do not worry. There are professional Beast Tamers watching, and numerous guards standing by at all times. It’s just like hunting in a paddock, there will be no life-threatening danger. If unsure, gentlemen can team up and enter together."
Princess Duan Yang sat at the head of the women’s side, and with a smile, she continued, "For those who perform outstandingly, a rose will be awarded and can be offered to the lady of your affection. If the lady is willing to accept, I will act as your matchmaker."
Behind her, two maids stepped forward holding a tray with freshly plucked roses.
The customs of the Great Khan are open, and although the barriers between men and women are not significant, over the years, events in the Capital under the guise of appreciating flowers or boating for ladies and gentlemen to view each other have been many. But such a public display of offering flowers to declare love, especially with the promise of matchmaking by the Eldest Princess herself, was unprecedented.
However, for Princess Duan Yang, the invitations from the Pei Family for today’s banquet were to those of not-so-different standings. If a few matches were made, it would indeed be a joyous event.
Once Princess Duan Yang spoke, many young gentlemen, having their hearts already set on someone present, began to stir.
All were scions of prominent families from the Capital; hunting in a paddock was no strange affair to them. Hearing that they could team up in the arena relieved them of any remaining hesitation.
Soon, five men stood up and bowed to Princess Duan Yang at the head seat, before entering the Beast Fighting Arena.
The performance now became truly exciting.
After all, even though the performances of the Beast Fighters, while bloody and terrifying, how could they match the thrill of people from the same status fighting for survival, especially with so many young women watching, potentially including those they were enamored with? Just thinking about it made their blood boil.
Xie Wanqing also sat up straight, looking into the arena with great interest.
Before getting married, she had accompanied her father and brother many times to Royal hunting grounds, most often tagging along by Lu Ziyuan’s side, witnessing countless times him hunting prey.
But such close-combat fighting, she had never seen before.
Despite Lu Ziyuan’s seemingly boundless arrogance, he was actually a calm person, never engaging in brute force competitions with beasts, and he wouldn’t even let her watch others’ excitement.
So, this was Xie Wanqing’s first time seeing such a performance; the five men in the arena were merely acquaintances to her, and they seemed to struggle. Despite being five against one, danger was still imminent.
As the black bear’s claw tore the clothing of two of them, exposing their bare torsos, many young women gasped and covered their mouths, blushing furiously.
Yet no one was willing to look away, as the situation had reached its most critical moment.
Sure enough, at the cost of two being disrobed, the other three seized the opportunity to encircle, a spear piercing the bear’s eye, causing it to howl in pain, stirring up a cloud of dust as it rolled over, and with another two blows, its paws were hacked off, soon breathing its last.
Cheers erupted from the watching stands.
The five men withdrew from the arena, and a maid approached them with a tray. They exchanged glances and whispered something to the maid, their eyes turning towards the young women.
The cheering among the young women suddenly quieted, many growing tense. Soon, following instructions, the maids carrying roses presented them, yet only one lady was willing to accept the flower offering.
Among them, Pei Yuxuan received two roses, Cao Yingying received one, as did the legitimate second daughter of the Marquis Liujiang Mansion, all of whom politely refused with a smile.
Nonetheless, it did connect into a match.
Even Princess Duan Yang praised it as a good match with a few sustained applauses.