Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 502: A Difference of One Point

A bell chimed, and everyone returned to their places, looking at the worker who rang the bell and then following his gaze to President Lou Wanyuan on the stage.

In his hand, he held a slip of paper, and all knew that it bore the results of this competition, the honors that the contestants would receive.

President Lou Wanyuan seemed to deliver an impassioned summary of the event and expressed his deep gratitude to all participants because it was they who brought him so many statues, their earnest effort—regardless that it was for the reward.

And for that, he, Lou Wanyuan, was still grateful.

Therefore, he bowed deeply to everyone as a gesture of thanks.

"For the sake of fairness and impartiality, none of the masters knew to whom the various pieces belonged before judging was completed, so this result I hold in my hands was deliberated deeply and assigned by the most impartial eyes," proclaimed President Lou Wanyuan aloud.

"There’s nothing more to say, President Lou, just hurry and announce who took first place!" someone bellowed with a coarse voice, and then laughter followed in agreement.

President Lou Wanyuan wasn’t annoyed and said, "There’s no rush. Additionally, I want to emphasize that according to the competition rules, which were set in advance, regardless of ranking, I had planned to buy back all statues based on the price of the jade material. Besides, I organized this competition with the goal of commemorating my deceased wife. I hope, no matter what the ranking is, that everyone will not let feelings be hurt privately. Understand that it is through comparison and competition that we improve."

"Well said!"

Someone clapped their hands.

"Hurry up and tell us, my heart is like it’s being teased by a cat’s claws; it’s quite bothersome," Wen Jian muttered as he stared intently at the slip of paper in Lou Wanyuan’s hand.

Upon hearing this, Wufu chuckled with pursed lips.

"Shopkeeper San, many people have carved well in this competition, including Thousand Treasures Tower’s Barehanded Guanyin, which is indeed exquisite, as is Auspicious Pavilion’s Jade Pendant, and Vermilion and Jade Fill the Hall’s Maiden Statue. In my personal opinion, they are all excellent," Wufu said, trying to soften the blow in case of disappointment, "So this piece of mine, I’m afraid is..."

Before she could finish, Wen Jian glared at her, "Don’t you have anything more self-respecting than putting others on a pedestal while belittling yourself?"

Wufu was taken aback.

Alright, she would keep quiet.

"Uncle San has confidence in you too," Congrui passed over a plate of pine nuts, making excuses for his third uncle.

Wufu shrugged, showing she wasn’t offended.

As for the results, President Lou let Prefect Li announce them—perhaps it was to offer everyone some comfort. Therefore, apart from first place for one person, second place was shared by two, and third place by three, with all others receiving an excellence award, complete with a reward.

Wufu propped her chin up and chuckled lightly; such a result seemed like handing out cabbages, was President Lou trying to avoid offending anyone?

"I better not be among those with an excellence award," Wen Jian mumbled continuously.

Prefect Li read out only the names of those receiving an excellence award but did not mention their scores. Perhaps this was also to spare everyone’s feelings as, in the end, they were all excellence awards, so there was no need to mention scores.

The remaining six establishments were all anxiety-ridden, and Wufu quickly heard Jin Yu’s Jade Pendant announced in the list of third-place winners and gave him a wave of congratulations.

"Regarding first place and second place, this official felt a bit emotional when I saw their scores, because there was only a difference of one point," said Prefect Li with a smile.

One point difference.

This established the position of first and second place; all eyes fell on Hundred Treasures Silver Building, Vermilion and Jade Fill the Hall, and Thousand Treasures Tower, since only these few had yet to be announced.