“If I win, your state of Qi must cede ten cities and refrain from attacking our country for the next twenty years. But if you win, our country will not only hand over the Regent to you but also give Qi ten cities. How about that?”

Lin Yuxin spoke casually to Jun Chenxi, as if this was not a major matter at all.

The moment she said this, both Jun Chenxi and Qu Shubai’s expressions changed. Did this woman know something?

Before either of them could speak, the surrounding ministers had already erupted in protest.

“Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! If we lose, that would be ten cities lost!”
“Exactly! Your Majesty, please reconsider! Such a national matter cannot be used as a mere wager!”
“Your Majesty, if we lose, where will our country’s dignity be?!”

Voices of discontent filled the hall—none of them approved of the bet.

Lin Yuxin rolled her eyes but remained silent.

【If I asked you all to go, none of you would dare! Now that I stepped forward, you won’t stop whining. A bunch of cowards! Fine, go ahead and argue. I won’t care anymore! Anyway, I’m just a woman. If I don’t compete, no one will blame me, right?】

The Emperor: …That makes so much sense. He also wanted to slack off, but he couldn’t!

“Enough! Do you all think this is a marketplace? Since my beloved ministers have so many opinions, then speak up! If you have a better plan, say it now.”

The Emperor, already having a headache, decided to throw the issue back to his ministers. If they had objections, they could come up with a solution themselves.

“Uh…”

The ministers who had been arguing fiercely just moments ago suddenly fell silent.

What could they do?

If they went up against the tiger, they would either get mauled to death or have to deal with the consequences of a land concession.

Either way, it was a thankless and dangerous task.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you all talking? Weren’t you all so righteous just now? Hmph! You are truly my ‘beloved ministers’! The moment trouble comes, you all shrink back.”

The Emperor was fuming as he looked at them—a bunch of useless officials.

Then he turned to Lin Yuxin, his expression softening slightly, and asked,

“Lin Yuxin, is it? How confident are you?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I was seventy percent confident just now. But now? Not so sure anymore!”

Lin Yuxin shamelessly played the fool.

“Hmph! Do you know what happened to the last person who tried to be clever in front of me? Their grave is already covered in weeds.”

The Emperor deliberately tried to intimidate her.

“Then I have no choice.”

Lin Yuxin shrugged nonchalantly.

“Are you still going to compete or not?”

Jun Chenxi impatiently asked.

The Emperor knew there was no turning back now, so he seriously said to Lin Yuxin,

“Go ahead. I accept your wager. No matter the outcome, I will honor it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Hearing the Emperor’s approval, Lin Yuxin was delighted. With the Emperor backing her up, what was there to fear? She could just have fun!

“Princess, do you accept my proposal?”

Lin Yuxin turned to Jun Chenxi and asked.

“I accept your wager.”

Jun Chenxi was convinced that Lin Yuxin couldn’t possibly tame the tiger.

Even in Qi, it would take her days to tame a tiger, often getting injured in the process.

If not for the fact that she had trained this tiger before, she wouldn’t be so confident.

But Lin Yuxin? A pampered noble lady? How could she possibly tame it in such a short time?

“Alright. So as long as I tame it, I win? Or is there a time limit?”

Lin Yuxin asked.

“We will have a set time. Whoever tames the tiger within that period wins.”

Jun Chenxi looked at Lin Yuxin with disdain. How dare she try to take my man? She’ll see soon enough.

Lin Yuxin had no idea that Jun Chenxi saw her as a love rival simply because Li Xiaocheng had glanced at her.

If she knew, she would definitely cry out in injustice—more unjust than Dou E’s fate!

“Fine!”

Lin Yuxin agreed.

The Emperor then ordered for the tiger to be brought to the palace square, heavily guarded by soldiers. Meanwhile, everyone watched from inside the hall.

“Yuxin!”

Zhao Hanya anxiously grabbed Lin Yuxin’s hand as she prepared to step outside.

“Mother, don’t worry. Your daughter will be fine!”

“Be careful!”

Zhao Hanya knew there was no turning back now.

Her eyes reddened as she reluctantly let go of Lin Yuxin’s hand and watched her walk out of the hall.

“What a disgrace! It’d be better if she just died.”

Lin Xiongan muttered.

Zhao Hanya turned sharply, glaring at him with hatred.

Lin Xiongan shuddered, feeling a chill down his spine, and quickly shut his mouth.

Cowardly fool! Zhao Hanya ignored the scum and focused on the scene outside.

Her three sons were also anxious, but there was nothing they could do.

This was a matter of national diplomacy and territorial disputes—far beyond their control.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaocheng wasn’t too worried.

This woman was full of surprises, and he was curious to see how she would handle this situation.

Besides, he had already made preparations.

The Qi envoys wouldn’t be able to stir up trouble.

But to use him as a wager? They really don’t respect him, the Regent.

Li Xiaocheng tightened his grip on his wine cup, gritting his teeth. That little brat—she’s getting bolder.

He turned his gaze to the square outside.

Inside the hall, everyone harbored their own thoughts.

Lin Yuxin knew none of this.

She was already standing in the middle of the square with Jun Chenxi, facing the caged tiger.

Even before it was released, they could already hear the fierce roars of the South China tiger.

“Roar!”

“Let’s begin!”

Jun Chenxi glanced at Lin Yuxin with disdain before signaling to the handlers.

The tiger trainers from Qi swiftly opened the cage door and retreated.

“Roar!”

Sensing its freedom, the South China tiger leaped out.

Spotting the two humans before it, memories of its capture surged in its mind. It was enraged—damn humans!

“Roar!”

The tiger charged at them ferociously.

Jun Chenxi immediately drew the whip from her waist and, instead of retreating, rushed toward the tiger.

Lin Yuxin blinked. Is this how you tame a tiger? Using brute force?

Wasn’t Jun Chenxi supposed to be a cold, calculating beauty? Why does she seem more like a fool? Using force only works if you’re strong enough!

Still, Lin Yuxin wasn’t in a hurry.

She sat cross-legged on the ground, resting her chin in her hands, watching Jun Chenxi’s attempt with amusement.

Jun Chenxi cracked her whip, striking the tiger’s back.

But this only enraged the beast further. Ignoring its wound, the tiger lunged at her with its jaws wide open.

【Wow! That tiger’s mouth is huge! If it bites her, she’ll become a headless corpse!】

Realizing the danger, Jun Chenxi hastily retreated, barely dodging in time.

But before she could steady herself, the tiger pounced again.