The banquet was almost over. Xu Yin had already eaten and put down his chopsticks. Madam Lu smiled and suggested: "There is wine, food, singing and dancing, but there is still something missing. All the ladies have read poetry and books."
, you are so versatile, why not take this opportunity to add some fun?"
Princess Dongjiang agreed with a smile: "What Mrs. Lu said is true. Just like Miss Xu San said, although you are all girls, you study poetry and essays and practice your talents diligently every day, which is no easier than their men. It's not as easy as today.
Just like how they hold a poetry meeting, let’s have a talent show as a bosom friend!”
Everyone must be secretly excited, the ladies who have been prepared for it.
It is said that the Crown Princess has been decided, but until the moment of announcement, there are always variables.
No matter what, it is always right to perform well, especially for those young ladies with unknown family backgrounds and no talent or reputation, this may be their best chance to get a good marriage.
At this time, a maid came in a hurry and said: "Princess Jin An. The young masters in front are making a drinking order, and they can't tell the winner. The prince specially ordered the servants to come over and ask the princess and ladies to judge. It's good to say
They were convinced.”
After saying this, the princess and several ladies laughed.
After laughing, the princess said: "What a coincidence, we have to give it a try. Ladies, what do you think we should do?"
Mrs. Lu suggested: "Since both sides have to compete, let's judge together."
She pointed to the lake in front of her. There was a pavilion on the edge, right across the water from the male guest.
"If we demonstrate it over there, they can hear it without being too offended. What do you think, Princess?"
Princess Dongjiang estimated the distance between the two sides and laughed: "It's very appropriate, so let's do it!"
The maids went back to resume their duties, and soon they brought several boxes of silk flowers and distributed them to everyone present.
The leader reported: "The prince said that since we are competing together, we should use the rules of the Poetry Society. Each person has three silk flowers, which can be given to the destined person. In the end, the one with the most flowers will win. What does the princess think?"
The princess nodded and smiled: "Very good. Just now we said we would hold a poetry meeting like theirs, isn't this what happened?"
The female relatives also laughed, especially the ladies, who glanced across the lake intentionally or unintentionally, eager to try.
——Whoever gets more flowers today will definitely be in the limelight. It would be better if Miss Xu becomes the Crown Princess. If not, then she will choose among them.
Soon, the male guest on the other side of the lake started, and a young man recited a poem. The maids sent the copied poems across the lake for everyone to judge. Several ladies threw their silk flowers into the pot.
, and then send it back to the other side.
The young man was very happy and bowed to express his gratitude. Seeing him stretching his neck to see clearly that he was presenting flowers, everyone at the table burst into laughter.
Immediately afterwards, a young lady volunteered to play a piece of music in the pavilion and received a few flowers.
As they came and went, the atmosphere gradually became lively and laughter continued.
On Xu Yin's side, the dishes were all served, and a few plates of snacks were placed. She took a few bites and then put them down in frustration.
I just said that Wangfu's dim sum was too sweet, so I couldn't bear to eat it in two bites, but after eating too much, I got tired of it.
Miss Cen San opposite saw her like this and couldn't help teasing her again: "Miss Xu San, why do you look so lethargic? Isn't it because you are worried about the competition? You are really worrying too much. You study poetry, calligraphy and painting on weekdays.
Yes, you can compare us with just a few of them, so what are you afraid of?"
Xu Yin glanced over and replied smoothly: "Yes, I can do anything I want. I'm just worried about you, Miss Cen San, so I can't play a game of backgammon on the spot, right?"
"You..." Miss Cen San twisted her nose in anger again. Her talents were mediocre and only Shuanglu was praised, but it was not her turn to laugh at her! She had found out clearly that when Xu San was in Nanyuan, he was
A dandy who fights cocks and lackeys all day long, talks about poetry, calligraphy and painting, a red horse riding and shooting... She probably knows how to ride and shoot, right?
"I have other talents, so you don't need to worry. Miss Xu San is so confident, so I'll just wait and see."
Xu Yin smiled and said: "You are right, I have prepared a talent that will definitely make you astonished."
Ha? Miss Cen San is both angry and happy. She really knows how to brag. When it comes to music, chess, calligraphy and painting, there are many talented women here. She only knows how to ride and shoot. Is it possible that she wants to perform throwing pot? There are many male guests who are good at it.
This is nothing but a joke.
She deliberately said loudly: "Did everyone hear it? Miss Xu San has prepared an astonishing talent. We have to wait and broaden our horizons."
As soon as he said this, all the eyes around him turned to him.
The princess smiled: "Oh? I wonder what Miss Xu San has prepared?"
Xu Yin gave it away: "Princess, please forgive me, I want to give you a surprise, but I can't say it yet."
Princess Dongjiang laughed and said: "Today we gather together, the most important thing is to have fun, there is no need to force anything else."
These words were a confession, and everyone responded solemnly.
Miss Cen San was so angry that her teeth itched. What a great opportunity to set her up, the princess even gave her a ladder. As soon as the Xu sisters came, the aunt really favored them.
Miss Wei Si on the side saw it and curled her lips.
What an idiot, what can Xu San have to deal with? She is not here for a blind date. The more she quarrels with her, the more gentle Miss Xu seems to be. Seeing how she whispered to persuade her sister, many ladies looked at her secretly.
nod.
However, it was good for her to make such a fuss, as it would draw the attention of the Xu sisters so that they would not pay attention to anything else.
"Who's next?"
Miss Wei Si pulled her thoughts back, stood up and said with a smile: "Princess, sisters, if you are not in a hurry, I want to be the first."
Princess Dongjiang was a little surprised: "Miss Wei Si took the initiative today. I would say that you are usually too humble and let others take the lead in everything. It's good to do this today. Your talents have always been top-notch, so you can show them what it means to be a woman."
Let me have my eyebrows."
Miss Wei Si responded, stood up and walked into the pavilion.
She was famous in the Dongjiang River. As soon as she walked past, people from the other side of the lake would look at her.
Miss Wei Si calmly asked the two maids to spread out the rice paper, dipped her pen in ink, and finished writing in one breath. Then she put down the pen, saluted everyone around her, and returned to her seat.
When the pen and ink were slightly dry, the maid unfolded it and found that there were only four words written on it: Peace is blessing.
The calligraphy is naturally very beautiful, and you can tell from the first glance that hard work has been put into it. Such writing skills, let alone these noble ladies, would be top-notch even among male guests.
However, on such a high-profile occasion, with everyone trying their best, she actually only wrote such a copybook. The content was ordinary and the form was ordinary. It was too low-key and did not show her talent at all.
Even Princess Dongjiang felt something was wrong and asked: "Miss Wei Si, do you only write this?"
Miss Wei Si stood up and reported with a smile: "Today's banquet, my daughter asked the prince from time to time when she saw the princess. She was very touched, so... let's pray for a blessing!"
Princess Dongjiang nodded and her eyes softened: "Good boy, I'm sorry for you."
When the copybook and these words reached the other side of the lake, someone sighed: "Miss Wei Si has such a sincere heart and her handwriting is good."
Someone who was close to the Wei family whispered in private: "You don't want to steal Miss Xu's limelight, right? After all, the prince is already..."
As soon as he glanced at him, everyone understood.
The Crown Prince has already taken a liking to Miss Xu. If someone else steals the limelight, wouldn't it be embarrassing for the Crown Prince? This Miss Wei Si is so sensible, which makes people feel both distressed and admired.
For a while, the silk flowers were thrown into the pot one by one, and soon they became a pile.
The maid held the pot in front of Li Wen. She thought it was just a formality like before, but unexpectedly he picked up one and threw it in.
Everyone who saw this scene was stunned. Huh? The Crown Prince gave flowers to Miss Wei Fourth? Is it possible that there are variables in the selection of the Crown Princess?