A figure dressed in an elegant white robe with blue borders walked out of the curtain. Her movement carried grace, and her height was tall enough to compete with men.
Her robe covered the entirety of her body, and not a single trace of her skin was visible. Her face was hidden behind a translucent white veil, and only a pair of emerald green eyes was visible.
All the maids bowed their heads in respect as the woman walked forward towards the centre of the stage. The moment she reached the designated spot, the music stopped.
"There's no hurry. Take your time and decide on a suitable groom of your liking," Master Ru encouraged.
The woman nodded as her laser-like gaze observed every individual present in the courtyard.
While this was happening, Yi Chen had a frown on his face. It was just now that he got to know that people who had their faces covered, their numbers weren't visible to him.
'At least I gained something from this visit,' Yi Chen thought and observed Miss Yu, whose gaze was still scouring through the entire group of men.
Sounds of swallowing could be heard from the men, and anxiety felt tangible in that moment to all of them. The worst hit was, of course, Tansen, who was shaking from fear.
Miss Yu's gaze intensified all of a sudden as if she had made a decision. The next moment, her hand reached for her veil and removed it.
The expression of all the men gathered turned disgusted, but they still did their best not to outrightly show it on their faces.
Seeing this familiar expression on all their faces, Miss Yu's mood dulled. All of her being wanted to get off the stage, but not wanting to tarnish the family's reputation, she firmly stood on that stage and observed everyone's expression.
At that moment, someone caught her eye. The expression he carried on his face was unlike what she had ever seen from another man.
'Why…' She couldn't help but ask herself as the man's expression, which carried only admiration, didn't make any sense to her. She was confused, but at the same time, a tiny trace of hope started forming in her heart.
The next moment, her hand pointed towards the man.
"Him, I choose him." Miss Yuri said.
Tracing her finger with their gaze, everyone saw Tan Sen's figure, which was standing there in shock.
"You, come out of the line and tell your name," Master Ru pointed towards Tan Sen and told him to come out.
With a feeling as if his world was shattering, Tan Sen dragged himself a few steps ahead and called out his name.
"Tan Sen!"
Seeing his lonely figure, all men pitied them, but along with that, they were also relieved that they weren't the ones who were chosen.
'It's all fate, brother. Weak people like us can only accept our fate in this world,' Yi Chen thought as he prayed for Tan Sen's well-being.
Master Ru was about to say something, but was interrupted all of a sudden.
"Not him! The man standing to his left with short hair," Miss Yu clarified.
Hearing this, everyone's attention shifted in surprise towards Yi Chen, who himself was more surprised than anyone present here.
'Wait…what?' Yi Chen thought as he looked towards Tansen, who was looking towards him with eyes brimming with tears and a grateful expression on his face.
'Don't look at me like that! I don't want to save you!' Yi Chen exclaimed in his mind.
Mister Ru once again asked her daughter for confirmation, as he too found it odd that his daughter would choose someone like Yi Chen.
"Are you sure it's him, Yu'er?"
"Yes, Father. I like that man and want him to be my husband," Miss Yu replied and turned to look at Yi Chen with a favourable expression and smiled at him a little before leaving the stage.
A few moments earlier.
'Looks like she's about to make her decision,' Yi Chen thought when he saw that Miss Yu's gaze was finally still.
He couldn't help but look at Tan Sen with pity. The man truly looked handsome enough to make women fight for him, and no matter what he did, it was a given that he was going to be selected as the suitable groom today.
Gasp!
It was at that moment that he heard a deep gasp from Tan Sen as a horrified expression took over his face.
Yi Chen's gaze then followed Tan Sen's and went towards the stage.
Miss Yu had removed her veil all of a sudden, and the burnt side of her face was visible for everyone to see.
However, what caught Yi Chen's attention was not that but the number hovering over her head.
14
It was just an average number, and many present here had it, but what caught Yi Chen's attention was not exactly the number but its colour.
Unlike the normal white translucent colour, which all the numbers were shown with until now, the one on top of Miss Yu's head was emitting a blinding golden colour, which evoked a feeling of awe in the minds of the viewers.
Yi Chen had a similar reaction as he looked at her with awe and admiration on his face as the number above her pulsated with golden light.
As luck would have it, Miss Yu, too, looked at Yi Chen's figure at that exact moment, which led to the present situation.
"No! No! No! This has to be a lie…" Yi Chen vividly remembered Miss Yu's grotesque smile as she left the stage, and cold sweat appeared on his back.
"You, step forward and speak your name." Master Ru's words resonated in Yi Chen's ears and once again confirmed that this wasn't a nightmare but a reality.
"Y-Yi Chen!" Yi Chen stepped forward and forced out his name while trying hard to stop himself from breaking down in front of the crowd.
Master Ru observed Yi Chen from top to down and a frown appeared on his face. He wasn't satisfied with his daughter's selection at all, but remembering her bright expression as she left the stage, he decided to respect her decision.
"Guards, guide everyone outside the residence," Master Ru gazed towards Yi Chen and said, "As for you, come walk with me."
The moment Master Ru finished his words, his figure disappeared from the stage, and he was now standing right next to Yi Chen.
Yi Chen couldn't help but open his mouth in shock and amazement when he saw this.
Cough Cough
Satisfied with Yi Chen's reaction, Master Ru coughed a few times to bring him out of his stupor and took him for a walk.