“Comprehensive Knowledge Quiz Competition? Father has never heard of such a thing. Where did Fang’er learn about this?”
“Oh? You haven’t even heard of this term? It must be called something different.” Lin Fang giggled. “This term is something Fang’er came up with herself. It’s just a competition of erudition. Fang’er has no other talents, but she has read a few miscellaneous books. If there were such an event, Fang’er could give it a try.”
Eldest Brother laughed. “Just say ‘erudition’—why make up such a strange phrase? A competition of erudition is just something scholars or wealthy families do for fun. For ordinary folks, filling their stomachs is already a struggle. How many of them can even read? Even those who do participate have to scrimp and save just to pay the registration fee. Some families even sell their children just to showcase their skills, hoping to land a good job or secure a favorable marriage.”
Lin Fang fell silent. It seemed her rebirth had been quite fortunate—not only was she free from worries about food and clothing, but her parents and brothers also doted on her endlessly.
Participants in the competition had to sign a waiver stating that if any accidents occurred, the organizers bore no responsibility—it was entirely their own choice. The competition had a peculiar rule: upon registration, participants were asked to choose between “Consent” and “Non-Consent.” Those who chose “Consent” voluntarily agreed to be snatched away, while those who chose “Non-Consent” had to pay extra silver. During the competition, their seats would be separated from the “Consent” group, and they were allowed to bring bodyguards.
After the competition ended, awards were given to the winners. But before the winners could even step off the stage, people would rush to snatch them—some to recruit skilled workers for their workshops, others to take them as concubines for their masters. The snatchers had already prepared their manpower beforehand, and once they grabbed someone, they would immediately stuff them into a sedan chair or carriage.
Since those who were snatched had consented, whether they were satisfied afterward or not, they had no choice but to accept their fate. At the very least, they could now live what they considered a better life. Even if they became concubines or servants, it was still better than toiling at home and enduring hunger. Who knows—they might even bring prosperity to their families. In other words, the snatching and the snatched were a matter of mutual willingness.
Unlike storytelling events, the best seats in the competition hall were the most expensive. Only the wealthy or noble could afford to watch the competition in person. Since seating was limited, no one could enter without paying, and even if they did, without a hefty sum, they’d be relegated to the back—or even left standing far away, unable to see clearly.
Lin Cui’e and Lin Juan naturally chose “Non-Consent.” The competitions they participated in were held on the Lin family’s turf, so there was little worry about mishaps. Still, to avoid accidental harm, several family heads would personally escort them on the day of the competition. Eldest Brother and Guicheng were responsible for protecting Lin Cui’e, while Madam Tong and Second Brother guarded Lin Juan. The security personnel maintaining order were also all from the Lin family’s own guards. Eldest Brother instructed that if chaos broke out, protecting the two young ladies was the top priority.
Lin Fang was genuinely impressed by Lin Wu’s ingenuity—he had woven thin vines into decorative braids to frame Lin Cui’e’s embroidered paintings, then strung all twelve pieces together with hemp thread, making them look like a picture book. As for Lin Juan’s kang screen frame, it broke from the traditional square shape, instead using bamboo strips to form a grid pattern, with a sturdy wooden board as the base. The protruding top of the frame was slightly carved, resembling something between a goat and not.
On the day of the competition, Li Cuimei initially didn’t want to bring Lin Fang along, but the girl’s curiosity was too strong. Unable to resist her daughter’s persistence, Li Cuimei relented, reasoning that since it was their own territory and they had reserved a private booth upstairs, any chaos would only affect those who had chosen “Consent”—their family would be safe.
Lin Fang was a little disappointed that she couldn’t get close to watch her aunt and third sister compete, but she understood. Even on their own turf, not everything could go perfectly. Besides, her mother was very confident in her aunt and third sister—attending was just to cheer them on from afar, as they had requested.
The competition was divided into preliminary rounds, initial rounds, semifinals, and finals. Lin Cui’e had signed up for a three-in-one event. After evaluation, it was decided she would first compete in calligraphy and painting, as those events were shorter. Once the calligraphy and painting finals concluded, the embroidery semifinals would begin, and Lin Cui’e would advance directly to that stage.
Over three hundred participants had signed up for embroidery, far too many to fit onstage at once, so they were divided into groups. The preliminary round tested only basic embroidery skills and lasted the time it took for one incense stick to burn. After several rounds, half were eliminated. The initial round lasted half a shichen (an hour), and participants were asked to embroider a flower of their choice. With so many contestants, the judges didn’t have time to explain each entry to the audience—they simply cut another half, leaving eighty competitors.
By the semifinals, seating was segregated—those who had chosen “Consent” sat on the west side, while the “Non-Consent” group sat on the east. To Lin Fang’s surprise, Zhong Meizhen was seated among the “Consent” group, wearing the pink knitted sweater her mother had gifted to Old Madam Zhong as a return present—the very one originally prepared for Lin Cui’e’s competition. However, Zhong Meizhen was taller and broader than Lin Cui’e, so the bat-winged sweater clung tightly to her body, losing its intended elegance and looking slightly too short.
Lin Fang couldn’t understand why Zhong Meizhen would choose “Consent.” Given her family’s status, she had no need to work for others or become a concubine. But Lin Fang, blessed as she was, couldn’t immediately grasp that most families prioritized sons over daughters. Few were like the Lin family, where daughters were so fiercely protected. In other households, even if daughters were pampered in daily life, when major decisions arose, sons took precedence—sometimes even at the cost of their daughters’ happiness, all for the sake of the sons’ futures.
Though the Zhong family had servants, it was mostly to maintain appearances. Since Zhong Meizhen’s father passed away, the family had been struggling. Zhong Dakui served in the military, but his rank was low, and his monthly earnings barely covered his own expenses—sometimes, he even had to rely on the family to cover social obligations. Zhong Meizhen wasn’t conventionally beautiful—she was tall, broad-featured, and lacked any remarkable skills. Families better off than hers wouldn’t take her as a wife, and those worse off were deemed unworthy by Old Madam Zhong. If a spectator—someone wealthy or noble—snatched her, it would be the Zhong family’s good fortune.
With so many participants and limited time, the organizers allotted only half a shichen for meals before the competition resumed.
The semifinals lasted two shichen, and with the judges’ commentary afterward, only one group could finish that day—the other would have to wait until the next morning. But according to Lin Fang’s internal clock, after lunch came naptime. No matter how reluctant she was, her young body couldn’t resist the call of sleep. As her mother carried her away, she consoled herself—at least her aunt and third sister had drawn lots for the second group, so she could still watch them tomorrow.
The snatchers also varied in influence. Those with weaker backing knew they stood no chance of grabbing the top winners, so as soon as the semifinals ended, they began targeting those who had made it that far. Even if they weren’t the best, semifinalists were still skilled enough to be worth cultivating. And of course, chaos always attracted troublemakers and those seeking revenge.
Since embroidery competitions were exclusively for women, there was no shortage of beauties. Shi Binhua, a notorious womanizer from a wealthy family, would never miss such a gathering. He had his servants pay for front-row seats in the main hall so he could get a closer look. Just before the event began, he saw the Lin family’s matriarch enter, followed by a maid carrying her ugly, chubby daughter. Remembering the humiliation he’d suffered the day before, Shi Binhua grew increasingly resentful. At lunch, he slipped out to summon the thugs his family kept on retainer.
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