Her Majesty The Empress Has Made Her Debut In The Center Position [Ancient to Modern] - Chapter 26.2

The six of them exchanged glances and nodded emphatically.

As He Yumeng’s team approached, Ji Zhao and her group had already spotted them. They greeted each other like old acquaintances, skipping introductions. Ji Zhao immediately got to the point: “We’re Team 2, and we’ve had plenty of time to warm up.”

He Yumeng’s team hummed in acknowledgment.

Ji Zhao sensed their mood. “?”

Song Jiangjiang silently shrugged at her, indicating that she had tried her best to extend an olive branch of friendship, but the other team had completely ignored it. With such an uncooperative attitude, winning the competition would be difficult.

Ji Zhao pondered for a moment and guessed why they were upset. After a two-second pause, she announced, “The reward for the winning team this time is a hot pot dinner paid for by the production team, and we can stay overnight outside the camp. I’ll treat everyone to a five-star hotel.”

He Yumeng’s team’s eyes widened instantly.

But not everyone was swayed. “It’s just a five-star hotel! Who hasn’t stayed in one before?!”

Ji Zhao clarified, “A presidential suite.”

He Yumeng’s team froze, their jaws dropping.

“If there are no further questions,” Ji Zhao continued, “Yu Cheng will now analyze the situation for us.”

It wasn’t until Yu Cheng was already strategizing combat maneuvers based on the opponents’ physical condition, strength, and agility that He Yumeng’s team snapped out of their presidential suite fantasies. They exchanged glances, each seeing the frustration at their own lack of discipline reflected in the others’ eyes.

But they quickly forgave themselves: Come on! A presidential suite!

“…Any other questions?” Yu Cheng scanned the group, concluding her analysis. “Although blindfolding makes it harder, our hearing will be sharper. Each pair of shoes has a different friction, so their footsteps will be distinct. They’ll be easy to track.”

The ten contestants stared in bewilderment.

Does this game really require such a meticulous and difficult plan? Don’t the contestants on variety shows just guess blindly when the whistle blows?

Ji Zhao nodded with satisfaction. “You’ll lead the charge.”

“Of course,” Yu Cheng replied.

The ten contestants simultaneously sighed in relief.

He Yumeng whispered to Song Jiangjiang, who stood beside her, “Has Yu Cheng been practicing martial arts since elementary school? She can even pinpoint people by sound! Will she start flying around next?”

Song Jiangjiang: “……”

Turning away with a proud, aloof expression, she thought: Hmph! You ignored me back then, but now you can’t even reach my level!

He Yumeng: “……”

What a drama queen.

Qiao Yue, being the kindest, explained to He Yumeng, “Yu Cheng is really amazing. During training, she could tell who was stepping out of rhythm just by listening to the footsteps—without even looking.”

Shen Xin leaned over. “In short, we’re guaranteed to win this round. I’m definitely ordering spicy beef in the hot pot.”

Song Jiangjiang: “Tripe is the eternal king of hot pot!”

Zheng Dongqing: “Potatoes request permission to join the battle.”

 “I’ll choose fresh duck blood,” Qiao Yue said.

In the Great Qi Dynasty, hotpot was a famous imperial dish that Ji Zhao loved, the spicier the better. However, the Grand Tutor, who was strict with her diet, forbade her from eating too much greasy or spicy food, except during official banquets.

Many court officials, both civil and military, enjoyed hotpot. Ji Zhao often invited ministers to dine at the palace, finding any excuse to do so.

Yu Cheng, though rarely present at the palace, was the minister Ji Zhao most frequently invited to stay for a meal. The reason was simple: Ji Zhao felt Yu Cheng endured too much hardship on the border and deserved to enjoy good food.

Unfortunately, Yu Cheng couldn’t handle spicy food. Her pot was always clear and watery, a sight too painful to behold.

Before the match, Ji Zhao adjusted the ear tabs on her blindfold and declared solemnly, “I must have hotpot. This time, victory is mandatory; defeat is not an option.”

Yu Cheng puffed out her chest. “I will not fail this mission.”

The assistant director, serving as the host this time, stood casually before the camera—his face would later be censored with memes, and his voice altered. He announced, “Now, please welcome both teams to the competition arena.”

Twenty-four contestants  was divided into two teams entered the arena through separate entrances. One team wore fluorescent blue, the other fluorescent yellow. The trainees watching from the sidelines were instantly struck by the resemblance: “Is this… Ele.me versus Meituan?”

The assistant director cleared his throat. “Okay, now we invite Meituan—no, representatives from both teams to issue a pre-match threat to their opponents.”

Ji Zhao’s team sent out Yu Cheng.

The reason was simple: Yu Cheng had experienced countless battles, and pre-match trash talk was nothing new to her. Though her teammates couldn’t help but wonder what exactly these “countless battles” entailed, they unconditionally trusted Ji Zhaozhao’s judgment.

Yu Cheng stepped forward, taking the microphone from a staff member, her eyes gleaming. “You still have a chance to surrender now. Once you’re dead, it’s too late.”

Her teammates: “……”

The opposing team: “……”

It’s just a game! Why is death being dragged into this?!

The assistant director chuckled awkwardly. “Looks like Yu Cheng really wants to win. Is it because she’s craving hot pot?”

Yu Cheng: “Mm-hmm. Zhaozhao loves it.”

The assistant director: “……”

The trainees were speechless.

What dedication to selling herself!

Yu Cheng had practically died on stage, while over there, Fluorescent Blue had been huffing and puffing for ages before finally delivering a completely harmless line. The assistant director immediately instructed the trainees to put on their blindfolds and start the competition.

Ji Zhao put on her blindfold, and her vision went pitch black. She simply closed her eyes.

The whistle blew, and the competition began.

The observing trainees watched with calm detachment, their faces clearly showing they were there for the spectacle. The real competition hadn’t even started; the contestants were still familiarizing themselves with the arena. The actual fighting couldn’t possibly begin so soon, so everyone watched the competition while casually chatting.

“Which team do you think will win?” Chen Xingzi asked, folding a newspaper into a makeshift trash bag and pulling out some sunflower seeds. She cracked one open and said, “It’s definitely Zhaozhao’s team. Yu Cheng is worth two people by herself. I’m so jealous—she gets to go eat hot pot.”

Shen Yican politely declined the invitation to snack on camera, shaking her head. “What if there’s an upset?”

Pei Jia leaned in. “Absolutely not. I asked Boss Ji herself—Yu Cheng’s combat skills are off the charts. No one’s a match for her. Those twelve opponents on the other team? Tsk tsk tsk!”

Chen Xingzi offered her a sunflower seed. “Want to bet?”

 Shen Yican refused to take the bet. “Gambling’s illegal.”

Chen Xingzi shook her head regretfully, about to try to persuade her again, when suddenly a commotion erupted on the field. The trainee beside her let out a stream of curses. “That’s cheating!”

Chen Xingzi immediately looked up at the field.

Ji Zhaozhao and the others on Yu Cheng’s team were wandering around blindly, their leisurely pace making the waiting crowd anxious. Meanwhile, Yu Cheng had already charged ahead and somehow slipped into the opponents’ territory.

Moving at a speed that seemed like she’d activated a cheat code, she raised her hand, her index and middle fingers spread apart. Six name tags unfolded neatly like a fan, displayed dramatically for the cameras.

The trainees, still unaware they’d lost their name tags: “?”

“What just flew past?”

The assistant director: “!!!”

He had to go back and check the slow-motion replay!

The watching trainees: “!!!”

Did Yu Cheng just exploit a game-breaking glitch?!

While everyone was still stunned, Yu Cheng turned around and casually pinned the six name tags to the fence. As their eyes widened again, she took a slight step forward and darted out again.

Everyone: “!!!”

She’s coming back?!

Of course she’s coming back!

 The opposing team had twelve members, but Yu Cheng had only secured six. She had promised His Majesty that she would win, and this victory wasn’t to be a narrow or lucky win, but a fair and absolute triumph—a complete victory.

By now, the opponents had also reacted. Those who had lost their name tags shouted in frustration, while those who hadn’t darted around wildly. The field buzzed like a boiling hotpot, bubbling with tension. Yu Cheng tilted her head, her ears twitching as she struggled to pinpoint the sounds.

Seizing the opportunity, the Assistant Director rushed over. “Yu Cheng, this—this is seriously messing with the filming! Stay right here for ten minutes. Don’t move. We’ll let you go after that.”

Yu Cheng frowned. “That’s not fair.”

The Assistant Director wheedled. “The game’s being broadcast live. If you end it too quickly, your teammate—no, Ji Zhaozhao—will get zero screen time! Don’t worry, after ten minutes, I won’t stop you from slaughtering them.”

Yu Cheng’s lips moved slightly. “I’ll stay here for these ten minutes.”

The Assistant Director breathed a sigh of relief.

While the Assistant Director was negotiating with Yu Cheng, Qiao Yue, looking innocent, held Ji Zhao’s hand and gazed around in bewilderment. “What’s happening?”

Song Jiangjiang shouted across the field, “What’s wrong? Is their ground too hot for you?”

The captain of Team A was in a state of collapse. “How are you cheating? Weren’t we supposed to take our time, probe slowly, and compete with dignity?! Why is my name tag gone?!”

He Yumeng shouted back, “Who said we agreed to take our time?!”

The captain of Team B interjected, “Is that even the point?!”

Shao Ke panicked. “I don’t want to be the turtle anymore! I’m going to charge! I really am going to charge!”

Ding Yan casually rapped, “Coffee, are you charging or not?”

Ji Zhao lifted her chin.

Coffee?

She said, “Charge.”

Song Jiangjiang stepped forward. “Orders received! Sisters, charge!”

The moment she finished speaking, the eleven members charged toward the opposing team’s camp. The spectators were left in a daze. “Has World War III broken out?”

Ji Zhao was completely dragged out by Qiao Yue, who mewed like a harmless kitten, excitedly joining the fray. In an instant, she was caught. “Zhaozhao, save me!”

Ji Zhao’s expression hardened. She reached behind her back and grabbed the sinful little hand trying to tear off Qiao Yue’s name tag.

The owner of the sinful little hand scolded, “How dare you touch someone’s hand like that!”

Ji Zhao: “……?”

The owner of the sinful little hand: “You’re responsible now!”

Qiao Yue panicked. “Zhaozhao, she’s trying to extort me!”

 “Sure, I’ll take responsibility,” Ji Zhao said.

She slid her “sinful little hand” up the other girl’s arm, using the momentum to pull her into a hug. Caught off guard, the girl stumbled and fell against Ji Zhao’s shoulder. Before she could react, Ji Zhao reached behind her and grabbed the name tag.

“Chen Jiao!” Amid the girl’s screams, Ji Zhao tore off her name tag and shouted, “Get out of here!”

Chen Jiao—the owner of the Sinful Little Hand—froze. “H-how do you remember me? We’ve never even spoken! How did you recognize me just from my voice? Are you secretly—”

Ji Zhao clapped her hands, interrupting. “Drag her off.”

The match had barely begun—just three minutes in—and seven members of the opposing team had already been sent off. They could practically form their own group now.

He Yumeng and her teammates’ morale soared. They felt as if the “Hotpot President” trophy was waving at them, beckoning them closer. Excitedly, they advanced, ready to slaughter their opponents. “Hey, little dears, I’m coming to get you~~~”

The opposing team, now down to five members: “……”

Get lost! Don’t come any closer!

The surrounding trainees whispered among themselves. “Historians will call this battle the Ele.me vs. Meituan clash. In the brief struggle, Meituan’s elite Yu Cheng charged forward, scattering their ranks. Then…”

Just as the trainees had imagined, He Yumeng and her team believed victory was imminent. But reality proved them wrong.

With the opposing team outnumbered and their own forces intact, the next five minutes descended into chaos. The scene devolved into…

 “No, no! It’s me! Song Jiangjiang!”

“He Yumeng, do you have a crush on me? You’ve caught me five times already! You must really love me!”

“M-me! I’m your dear teammate!”

“What the heck? Where did these five hide? Did they already leave? Hello? Is anyone there? Don’t just stand there! I know you’re here!”

Yu Cheng stood quietly in place. Just as everyone thought she had fallen asleep, she suddenly spoke: “Shen Xin, eight o’clock. Song Jiangjiang, twelve o’clock. Zheng Dongqing, ten o’clock. He Yumeng, six o’clock. Two of them.”

He Yumeng: “?”

Why did she have two opponents?!

Although Yu Cheng’s instructions were precise, they were too concise for the trainees, who had grown up in civilized society and had never played violent games. Before they could react, their opponents had already changed direction.

As they ran, they shouted: “What are you doing?! It’s just a game! Are you so obsessed with hot pot that you have to fight and kill? How will we ever face each other again if we collaborate in the future?”

Undeterred, Yu Cheng repeated: “I’ll say it again.”

Yu Cheng listened for a while, quickly strategizing.

Song Jiangjiang and the others were still confused when Ji Zhao barked, “Attack!”

Her voice carried such authority that the four opponents sprang into action almost reflexively, scrambling around in a panic and clawing wildly. Amidst their desperate cries of “No!” “Leave me a way out!” and “Don’t let me ever run into you again!” the match came to an abrupt end.

“The Puppet Show” team won 12-0, a decisive victory.

Ji Zhao removed her blindfold and looked across the chaotic scene—her teammates and opponents still scattered on the field—to find Yu Cheng. Yu Cheng’s black blindfold, combined with her habitually impassive expression, made her look even more strikingly beautiful. But the blindfold itself was a joke, featuring a sideways-tilted, mischievous grin that made it look as ridiculous as possible.

Ji Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yu Cheng!”

Yu Cheng turned toward her, as if suddenly remembering. She removed the blindfold, and when the sudden brightness after the darkness made her instinctively close her eyes, she was already walking toward Ji Zhao.

But before she could reach her, she was swarmed by her teammates.

“Yu Cheng, you’re amazing!”

“Let’s be on the same team again next time! We’d be the best partners!”

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