Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 495: Praise for the Opponent

As President Lou’s emotionally charged eulogy came to a close, a bell rang, formally initiating the competition. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

There were only ten businesses participating in this sculpture contest, all renowned jewelers and Silver Houses within Nanyue, among which the most prominent were Hundred Treasures Silver Building and Thousand Treasures Tower. There was also the highly reputed Auspicious Pavilion, although it started from a lower base compared to Hundred Treasures Silver Building. Aside from these, there were other shops, all with well-known names.

The piece positioned to the left had its red silk cover carefully pulled away by a worker, revealing its true form—it was none other than a Barehanded Guanyin sculpture, but the Guanyin bore the likeness of Madam Lou, with eyebrows that looked exceptionally compassionate and gentle.

Wufu glanced over the various seats, his gaze falling on Yu Zhen’s face, and he snorted lightly, "Really hit the jackpot, didn’t he?"

The arrangement of the works also mattered, especially in a competition. Being placed at the very front meant that the judges would see it first and naturally pay more attention, but as they moved on, they would likely experience some aesthetic fatigue and be influenced by their initial impressions.

For instance, if the first sculpture they saw was a Barehanded Guanyin, then what would happen when they saw two or three more Guanyins afterward, if they were somewhat similar? Wouldn’t they leave a less distinctive impression?

That’s why Wufu said he hit the jackpot.

"What is it?" Wen Congrui heard Wufu’s muttering and turned to ask.

"That’s from Thousand Treasures Tower," Wufu gestured with his lips towards that direction.

Wen Congrui looked over, observing Yu Zhen’s excitement, which was so obvious he could hardly go unnoticed, and said, "Let’s see what the judges think."

Wufu naturally understood and focused his attention on the stage, watching as each judge took the stage and even picked up prepared magnifying glasses to inspect the details, prompting him to whistle softly in amazement.

Goodness, what kind of world was this, that they even had magnifying glasses? He had heard that some families possessed small clocks; perhaps they even had Western goods here?

Wufu remembered seeing some imported goods in the provincial capital and quickly rid himself of his country-bumpkin expression, concentrating on the Barehanded Guanyin sculpture.

Although he was at a distance, the overall view was still clear. It was carved from top-quality mutton fat jade, whose translucency was visible to the naked eye. The Guanyin’s sculpture conveyed a kind and merciful demeanor, fulfilling the expectations for Guanyin’s face, and the hands of the Guanyin were extremely slender and detailed.

They say it is more difficult to draw hands than faces, as hands often serve as a second expression in figure sculpting. It’s tough enough to draw, let alone carve, right?

Moreover, whether it’s the hands of Guanyin or a lady’s hands, they are conventionally required to be as slim as tender scallions. Yu Zhen’s Guanyin satisfied such a standard.

"This Yu Zhen truly has some skills," Wufu acknowledged with genuine praise.

Good is good, bad is bad; she would not deny the merits of her competition’s work out of bias, insisting it was poor when it was clearly well-crafted.

There’s always someone better; she never regarded herself as the best in the world.

As for Yu Zhen, his character might not be the best, but for all anyone knew, he could have put in diligent effort. Seeing it now, he appeared to live up to Lin Gonyun’s reputation.

"Do you think highly of him?" Wen Congrui scrutinized the Guanyin, his eyebrows creasing slightly as he too noticed that Yu Zhen’s Guanyin was well-carved.

Wufu nibbled gently on a piece of candied fruit, saying, "The carving is indeed good. However, as for President Lou’s extra points, I’m afraid he might not receive many."

"Oh?"

Wufu noticed Madam Lou’s expression. Although it was one of astonishment, there was a slight frown on her forehead.

"Guanyin is compassionate, and to compare one to Guanyin is a form of reverence." Wen Congrui offered a different perspective. "Just like many people like to use the kind and virtuous faces of women to carve as Guanyin, symbolizing goodness, compassion, and purity. President Lou, I would think, would be pleased to see this."

Wufu smiled: "But Madam Lou is a mortal, and mortals, do they dare to blaspheme Guanyin?"

Wen Congrui was taken aback.