Path of the Lilies

53. The Competition

After departing from her house, Ye Ai Xia headed outside. This time, the guards didn't stop her because they knew that she would participate in the competition. If they tried to hinder her path, they would have to face the consequences.

Walking to the gate, Ye Ai Xia could see that there were a lot of people there. Most of them were women, but some men were present. It seemed that the Spring and Youth Pill succeeded in attracting numerous female participants. Well, what would one expect from a pill that can help restore one's youth?

Ye Ai Xia stopped right in front of the gate as numerous pairs of eyes were looking at her. She has gotten used to their stares. Many were looking at her with astonishment while others with lust or envy. As one of the most beautiful women in the capital, she knew how common this treatment was.

"I can see that you still love to show off, Ye Ai Xia," the familiar voice entered her ears.

Ye Ai Xia glanced to the side where she could see a dark yellow haired woman standing not far from her. The majestic bright red color of her clothes made her look quite eye catching among the crowd as the woman sneered.

"So it's you, Su Lian," Ye Ai Xia remarked indifferently. "Don't you think it's unwise for an old woman like you to wear such bright color?"

Su Lian's face darkened the moment she heard the word 'old.' In the entire world, the word that women hated the most was old and that would certainly include Su Lian. "I might have grown older, but I don't look old at all."

"Really? With all those wrinkles on your face, I'll wonder what other people will say," Ye Ai Xia replied sarcastically. In front of Su Lian, she dared to talk however she wished. After all, their clashes have been known since a long time ago.

"You-!"

"Senior Sister, I think it's unwise to quarrel with someone like her," the woman from behind Su Lian warned. The woman had a similar hair color, which was dark yellow. However, this woman looked far more beautiful when compared with Su Lian and looked far more refined in her manner.

"Su Daji," Ye Ai Xia murmured. This woman was one of the concubines that Wei Shang has. Although Su Daji herself has great talent, her son, Wei Liao, was rather lacking.

Su Lian furrowed her brows. "Indeed, this is not the place for us to start our quarrel. I'm going to defeat you in the competition, Ye Ai Xia."

"I'm afraid you're not qualified," Ye Ai Xia laughed freely. Her eyes landed on Su Daji. It would be a different case for this woman as she knew herself that Su Daji also specialized in speed and the two of them have similar rank right now. If they compete with speed, no one can say for sure who would win.

Su Daji smiled sweetly. "His Highness has come. The competition will soon start, so you better prepare yourself, Ye Ai Xia."

Ye Ai Xia nodded her head. "Many thanks for your reminder."

As the two Su left, Ye Ai Xia turned her head to the direction of the imperial family. Her eyes glinted with maliciousness when she saw them. Her hatred towards them was on par or even much more when compared with her hatred of Wei Shang.

If not for the Imperial Family, she would never succumb to this horrible fate.

Closing her eyes, Ye Ai Xia calmed her heart. Whatever happened would happen. She would just focus on the competition and do what she could.

...

Wei Family Residence

In the small courtyard, Ye Jiao smiled brightly when she realized that the time was up. The rice dumplings had been cooked perfectly. Slowly, she picked them out of the pot and placed them on the table.

"Can I take one?" Mu Xin asked with interest. She wanted to compare the two rice dumplings.

"Sure, just take one," Ye Jiao nodded her head as she picked up one for herself. Opening up the twine, she could see the perfectly made rice dumplings. Slowly, she ate them and savored the sweet taste.

"It's really good," Mu Xin commented.

"Yes, it's delicious!"

The two girls chatted as they ate the rice dumplings. Mu Xin only brought a few of them, so now her basket was empty. She glanced at Wang Jun.

"Jun Ge, carry us out of this place."

Wang Jun blinked several times. "Miss, it's going to be hard hiding the presence of three people at once even with the treasure that your father lends to me. It'll be safer if I take you out one by one."

"Why bother?" Mu Xin crossed her arm in annoyance. "Those people are only here to watch over Madam Ye Ai Xia and not Ye Jiao. There's no way they're still around here when she has left."

Wang Jun smiled bitterly. It was easy for Mu Xin to say that, but he knew better. There were still some of them left to watch over the residence. It might not be directed straight to Ye Jiao, but it wouldn't be easy for him to get out unnoticed if he brought two girls with him at once.

Seeing their hopeful gazes, he sighed to himself. "Fine, get on."

"Yes! You're the best, Jun Ge."

"Thank you, Jun Ge."

"Save your praise for later," Wang Jun said jokingly before he departed with the two of them out of the residence. Within minutes, the three of them reached the wall, at the border of the city.

Slowly and carefully, Wang Jun put the two girls down as they inched closer to the wall, trying to see what was down there. Seeing numerous Eon Energy Masters running around, their eyes sparkled with interest.

"This is the first time I see numerous Eon Energy Masters using their power all at once," Mu Xin exclaimed in surprise.

"Me too."

"What kind of race is this, Jun Ge?"

Wang Jun turned his head to see the two girls. He smiled kindly. "This is the race to circle the city once. But it's not just an ordinary circling the entire city as there are numerous obstacles that they placed. First of all, you have to be careful with the beasts surroundings the capital city. Secondly, there might be some traps that they prepared."

"Traps?" Ye Jiao's interest was piqued up.

"Yes, there might be some traps. This part of the wall is for the beginning of the race. If you want to see the end, it's over there, but I doubt that there's anyone who has reached the finish line this quickly," Wang Jun recalled that the race had just started around an hour ago. Considering the traps and beasts, even the fastest person might need two hours to circle the city if they used their power as rank 3 moderately.

"We can try to walk over there while talking," Ye Jiao suggested. For the two of them, the distance was quite long. The time they needed to head to the other wall might be the same time needed for the Eon Energy Masters to reach the finish line.

"That's a great idea," Mu Xin agreed without much thought.

Ye Jiao grinned. "Then, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"