Princess Yongjia and her two companions walked leisurely, covering quite a long distance before finally taking their seats in the place of honor. Qin Lulu felt that her knees were so bent they were beginning to ache.

“Everyone may rise!”

Princess Yongjia’s tone was calm, yet carried an innate dignity and authority.

The crowd rose in groups of twos and threes.

Princess Yongjia surveyed her surroundings before speaking: “In daily life, all you madams comfort the inner quarters, support your husbands and educate your children, allowing the court ministers of our Great Zhou to serve the nation with peace of mind. This princess has always wanted to grow closer to the madams and young ladies, but feared that a single summons might cause alarm and disturb everyone. Now that the weather has improved, this princess boldly invites everyone to gather. This is both to grow closer to the madams and to take the opportunity to create some liveliness. Speaking of it, everyone is doing me the honor by attending and giving this princess face, so let us not worry about distinctions between ruler and subject or too many formalities. Madams, please feel free to enjoy yourselves with your daughters.”

The princess’s amiable and humble manner somewhat surprised Qin Shuying.

The flower hall was truly too spacious. To ensure those in the back could hear clearly, a maid stood in the middle of the hall. As soon as Princess Yongjia finished speaking, the maid repeated her words to the crowd behind, so those in the back could also hear clearly.

However, Qin Shuying was standing quite far away and couldn’t see Princess Yongjia’s bearing clearly, nor could she make out her expressions.

Madam Luo, wife of the Marquis of Pingxi, said: “Then we shall boldly accept the princess’s gracious blessing.”

Princess Yongjia glanced faintly at Madam Luo, smiled slightly, and said nothing.

Ziyuan, Princess Yongjia’s capable personal maid, said: “Distinguished madams and young ladies, this Hairpin Flower Gathering will follow the usual format, lasting three days with two themes each day. The first day will be literary topics. The second day will be martial topics. The third day will be organized by groups that the distinguished guests elect themselves.”

The Hairpin Flower Gathering had always been conducted this way.

“Now, I announce the themes for the first and second days. The first day’s morning will be a poetry gathering, hosted by Madam Rong; the afternoon will be a calligraphy and painting gathering, hosted by Madam Ji. The second day’s morning will be horse racing, hosted by Madam Mo; the afternoon will be archery, hosted by Madam Liang. These four madams have prepared well in advance. Now please have all the young ladies come forward.”

The young ladies then moved forward following the maids’ guidance.

The madams took their previously arranged seats.

Qin Yue asked Qin Shuying in a low voice: “Seventh Aunt, who are Madam Rong, Madam Ji, and Madam Ma?”

Qin Shuying thought for a moment and said: “If I’m not mistaken, Madam Rong should be the daughter-in-law of Grand Secretary Rong. When she was still in her maiden chambers, she was renowned for her talent. Madam Ji should be the Madam Ji known as ‘Unparalleled in Calligraphy and Painting,’ who is now widowed. Madam Mo should be the wife of Duke Chu’s heir. Duke Chu’s heir is a military general, and though Madam Mo comes from a civil official family, since her husband is a military man, I’ve heard that Madam Mo herself is also quite capable at horseback riding and archery.”

Lin Zilan nodded: “Sister Shuying is correct. I had the same speculation.”

Qin Lulu then said: “Look, that must be Madam Rong.”

Everyone looked toward the high platform in front, and indeed, a gorgeously dressed young woman was walking onto the platform. After paying respects to the three princesses, she sat in the seat below them.

Qin Lulu said in a low voice: “When Madam Rong was still in her maiden chambers, she was called the Female Zhuge Liang. She married Grand Secretary Rong’s legitimate eldest son, and it’s been ten years now. But for some unknown reason, after giving birth to one daughter, she hasn’t had any more children.”

Qin Shuying lowered her eyes, concealing the expression in them.

She now read books daily. Previously, to maintain her health, she had read medical texts and historical books. Later, after organizing all of Qin Yongzhou’s books, her reading became more diverse, and she specifically memorized some genealogical records of great families.

Combined with having people under her command now who regularly brought her information, she had some understanding of the prominent families in the capital.

This Madam Rong had a lofty and proud temperament, but she had an unspeakable matter that most people probably wouldn’t dare believe.

After all the young ladies were seated, Madam Rong said: “For today’s poetry gathering, we’ll follow the old rules – compose according to the occasion, then seal everyone’s names, and finally have the poetry society judges vote by placing flowers to evaluate. Since we’re judging superiority and inferiority, there must be prizes. Today’s prizes won’t be announced for now, but if any distinguished guest wishes to add prizes on the spot, that’s also acceptable. Now, I have four topics prepared here. I’ll draw one.”

A maid came forward carrying a silver tray with red silk, and Madam Rong proceeded to draw.

The young ladies began chattering, and from their discussions, Qin Shuying and the others learned that in previous years, the prizes were either provided by Princess Yongjia, certain noble ladies, or even palace consorts adding to the excitement – it varied.

From where they now stood, they could clearly see the expressions of Princess Yongjia and the other two princesses. Qin Shuying carefully observed them.

Princess Yongjia’s expression was indifferent and languid, showing none of the joy one would expect from someone wanting to “create some liveliness.”

Princess Fuping smiled pleasantly, natural and composed, slowly sipping her tea.

Princess Fu’an’s large, bright eyes darted about.

There were many young ladies present today. Looking around, there were easily two to three hundred.

The Hairpin Flower Banquet made no distinction between legitimate and concubine-born daughters. All the young ladies who could enter were between eleven or twelve and fifteen years old, regardless of whether they were already betrothed. Therefore, there were quite a number of female family members from third-rank officials throughout the capital.

This didn’t even count those who were ill or those whose families were at odds with Princess Yongjia’s mansion.

Because the Hairpin Flower Banquet was so renowned, flower-viewing gatherings had also become popular among the families of officials below third rank. The flower-viewing gathering that Lu Changju was supposed to attend was one of these. Unfortunately, given what had happened to the Lu family, she was unable to participate.

“Seventh Sister, why is the topic peach blossoms again? Last year was also peach blossoms. I thought they surely wouldn’t draw the same topic this year, so I didn’t prepare much.”

While Qin Shuying was lost in thought, she heard Qin Lulu’s slightly worried voice.

Qin Shuying returned to attention.

She had come to participate in this Hairpin Flower Banquet for two reasons: first, because Dong Shi was in charge of the household, and since she was bringing the young ladies out, Qin Shuying followed along rather than be the odd one out. Second, she also wanted to come out and observe, to gain a better understanding of the situation.

She hadn’t planned to achieve anything at the Hairpin Flower Banquet. Moreover, though her own talent was quite good, compared to all these accomplished young ladies of the capital, she had no confidence in surpassing them.

Therefore, she was here today merely to make up the numbers.

“Fifth Sister needn’t worry. Let nature take its course,” Qin Shuying comforted her. She had some understanding of Qin Lulu’s talent, which was comparable to her own.

When it came to those tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies, Fifth Sister was truly among the elite of the capital’s young ladies.

Qin Shuying rarely felt mischievous, though she only thought this and didn’t voice it.

Now she and Qin Lulu had grown somewhat closer, but she kept this affection in her heart. With her own future uncertain, she dared not involve Qin Lulu.

Fortunately, Qin Lulu had a cheerful disposition. After sighing once, she no longer worried and instead furrowed her brow in contemplation.

Qin Yue stood steadily throughout, lips curved in a smile, neither talking much nor looking around.