Mu Yun could hardly believe her eyes. Had their young lady actually won? She was so excited she didn't know where to put her hands. Finally, Zi Yan pulled her aside, helping her calm down.
The other young ladies watching the spectacle whispered amongst themselves, none of them having expected this outcome. Li Man'er had won, not only displaying exceptional poetic talent but also excellent calligraphy.
"Isn't this different from what they say outside?"
"Who knows? I'm seeing her for the first time today. I only heard that she had poor manners and was kept confined by her stepmother, unwilling to be let out."
Miss Huang's eyes widened. "If that's the case, doesn't that mean the stepmother is immoral?" Thinking of Li Zhao'er's attitude towards Li Man'er and all the things Madam Guo had said about her over the years, the crowd seemed to understand something.
"Since there are no more challengers, the winner of the first round is Li Man'er. This eight-treasure Ruyi hairpin is yours."
Princess Wuyou had the hairpin presented to Li Man'er, who then handed it to Zi Yan for safekeeping.
"Your Highness, this humble daughter is truly concerned about my grandmother. I implore you to grant me permission to leave early."
Princess Wuyou would have readily agreed, but Madam Qian interjected, "Young lady, there's no need to rush. You've come out for a rare occasion, so you must enjoy yourself to the fullest. As for the old madam, haven't your mother and second sister already returned home? With them there, what could you possibly be worried about? The poetry gathering has just begun, and only one round of poems has been composed. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Oh, here comes trouble.
"Madam Qian... is it?" Li Man'er's lips curved into a strange smile, as if she hadn't taken Madam Qian seriously at all.
Li Man'er's attitude instantly irked Madam Qian, but with Princess Wuyou present, she couldn't lash out.
"Perhaps I was inconsiderate, but Madam Qian is far more thoughtful. In that case, I wouldn't want to spoil everyone's mood. Let's continue!"
Li Man'er realized that Madam Qian wanted to retaliate for her daughter. Since she had won against the second Miss Qian in the first round, Madam Qian was clearly displeased, blaming her for stealing her daughter's thunder?
Who is to blame for lacking skill?
Madam Qian inwardly thought that Li Man'er was quite sensible. She subtly glanced at her daughter, who naturally nodded in understanding.
She would not lose again.
Princess Wuyou also smiled inwardly, but she wouldn't object. It was far more interesting to watch the drama unfold.
"Then let's continue!" Princess Wuyou ordered someone to collect Li Man'er's poem manuscript and returned to her seat.
Aunt Min took out a second scroll, unrolled it in front of the assembled ladies, displayed it, and then announced loudly, "The theme is 'Beauty.' This time, the prize is a bolt of Firefly Silk."
A maidservant replaced the incense, and the timer began.
"Writing about beauty?"
"Do you have any good lines?"
"Where would I find any good lines? But Princess Wuyou is incredibly generous to offer Firefly Silk as a prize."
"I want it so badly, but I can't write at all."
While others were still whispering, the second Miss Qian had already formulated her ideas. After a moment of thought, she walked directly to the desk and began to write. Li Man'er saw this and thought, "This girl is quite good at remembering; she didn't call out for an idea this time."
The other young ladies gathered around, curious to see what good poem Miss Qian could produce in such a short time.
"A beauty beyond the autumn water."
"When will she be mine again?"
"Not bad, it's written very well."
"Speak softly."
The second Miss Qian, completely undisturbed, soon put down her brush and presented the paper to Princess Wuyou for review.
A maidservant took Miss Qian's poem and delivered it to Princess Wuyou.
At this moment, another young lady stepped forward to write a poem, but the attention she received was less.
"Good, the calligraphy is delicate and graceful, showing considerable effort. This poem is acceptable. Second Miss Qian possesses great talent."
Delicate and graceful, acceptable.
The second Miss Qian bit her lip, swallowing her unwillingness. This was the best she could do after racking her brain and exerting all her effort.
Miss Huang's poem was also presented to Princess Wuyou. After reading it, the Princess merely commented, "The calligraphy is quite good," but offered no evaluation of the poem itself, clearly deeming it nonsensical.
Subsequently, several more young ladies presented their poems, but their compositions were also mediocre, not even reaching a standard of "respectably average."
Seeing this, Madam Qian couldn't help but feel a bit smug. These girls were no match for her daughter.
However...
Madam Qian glanced at Li Man'er, who was busy eating pastries, and approached her, asking, "First Miss Li, your poem just won first place. Why aren't you writing in this round?"
"Mother, why must you trouble Miss Li? Excellent works are often a matter of chance and do not occur all the time."
Their words had an unintended effect, drawing all eyes to Li Man'er. It was obvious to everyone that Madam Qian was trying to create an opportunity for her daughter. After the second Miss Qian lost the previous round, neither mother nor daughter was entirely satisfied.
Li Man'er sighed, brushed the pastry crumbs off her hands, and slowly took a sip of tea before saying, "Madam Qian, Miss Qian, we have no past grievances and no recent enmity. Why must you be so aggressive? If I don't write, there is a reason for it. If I were to write and win the Firefly Silk, it would cause Princess Wuyou difficulty, and everyone would be embarrassed."
Such arrogance!
Madam Qian, as the daughter of an official family, wouldn't resort to vulgar insults or understand such haughty behavior. However, she felt offended.
The second Miss Qian was even more speechless. "Miss Li, do you consider yourself the embodiment of the God of Literature? Are all the young ladies present inferior to you? In that case, why doesn't Miss Li write another poem? If you truly write better than I do, then I, Qian Fang Ruo, will never write poetry again."
Li Man'er stood up. "Second Miss Qian, you needn't go to such extremes. It's too absolute."
"You dare not?"
Princess Wuyou smiled without speaking. She was finding Li Man'er increasingly interesting.
"Why would I not dare? I merely wished to save you some face. Since you are determined to lose face yourself, you cannot blame me for being ruthless."
"You..." The second Miss Qian flicked her sleeve, eager to see what Li Man'er could possibly write.
Li Man'er pointed at Miss Huang and smiled, "The Princess just praised your calligraphy. I presume you wouldn't mind acting as my scribe, would you?"
Miss Huang was taken aback. "Scribe? Me?"
"I said, can you write for me?"
Miss Huang thought for a moment and then said, "Alright." She stood at the writing desk, dipped her brush in ink, and gestured for Li Man'er to begin whenever she was ready.
Li Man'er turned to Princess Wuyou and began to recite: "Her clothes resemble clouds, her face the flowers."
Miss Huang gasped and quickly began to write.
Her clothes resemble clouds, her face the flowers,
Spring breeze caresses the balustrades, dew glistens richly.
If not seen atop Mount Kunlun,
One would meet her beneath the moon on Mount Yao.
The entire assembly was stunned!