The one speaking was Princess Rongya from Prince Gong’s residence. She had beautiful features and a gentle temperament, her gaze drifting to the black-robed young man on the Qingsong Boat.

Another lady chimed in: “Exactly so. I wonder who will take home the rabbit lantern this year.”

Princess Rongya smiled: “Since that’s the case, let me start things off by painting a picture.”

The surrounding noble ladies all voiced their agreement. A maid brought over inkstick and rice paper. Princess Rongya was actually quite talented. Knowing she certainly couldn’t compete with Jiang Susu today, she took an alternative approach. Painting would only take a moment. Soon the maid slowly unrolled the rice paper, and Princess Rongya set down her brush: “I’ve made a fool of myself.”

Her painting depicted a spring plum blossom scene – a tree trunk in snowy ground, covered by thick snow so that nothing could be seen clearly, yet two butterflies lingered there. They must have been attracted by the fragrance of plum blossoms hidden beneath the snow.

The painting technique wasn’t particularly remarkable, but the artistic conception was outstanding and the composition clever. As soon as the scroll was unrolled, it earned sounds of praise from everyone. A flash of pride crossed Princess Rongya’s face, and she secretly glanced at the black-robed young man on the neighboring boat, only to discover that he was merely drinking tea with his head lowered, not sparing even a glance in this direction. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed.

On the Qingsong Boat, the Fifth Prince propped his chin on his hand and said to Xuan Li: “Princess Rongya’s painting is quite interesting. She seems to have a lovely temperament too.” These words appeared inexplicable, but actually carried a hint of probing. Princess Rongya was Prince Gong’s precious daughter. If she gained Princess Rongya’s favor, Prince Gong would certainly become a force not to be underestimated.

Xuan Li smiled faintly and shook his head: “Is that so? I find the painting somewhat frivolous.”

The Fifth Prince narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully: “Eighth Brother’s standards have always been high.”

Just as this finished, the surroundings fell silent again. In previous years, noble ladies would all volunteer to showcase themselves. Because of Jiang Susu’s presence, it wasn’t about competing for first place, but if they could seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves, it would be an excellent transaction. This year, however, because of the presence of the Eighth Prince and Prince Jinying – one an untouchable imperial prince, the other an extremely aloof princely noble, both exceptionally outstanding – the noble ladies seemed shy and not one took the initiative to speak.

Jiang Ruan was still observing from the sidelines when she heard a timid voice beside her: “Since Princess Rongya has started us off, let me go next.”

The speaker was Xu Ruoxi. Hearing her words, everyone at the table except Jiang Ruan showed surprised expressions. Xu Ruoxi was usually aloof and proud, having no interest in these competitions for fame and profit that seemed like circus performances. Why would she take the initiative to make such a suggestion today?

Only Jiang Ruan’s eyes flashed with understanding. Xu Ruoxi’s current appearance must mean she harbored admiration for Prince Jinying Xiao Shao in her heart. Women always hoped to show their best side before their beloved. No matter how aloof Xu Ruoxi usually was, before someone she liked, she was just an ordinary girl. Thinking of this, Jiang Ruan felt some admiration for Xu Ruoxi. Not all women had the courage to set aside their pride before their beloved, willing to bloom for him alone.

Xu Ruoxi’s behavior also surprised the surrounding noble ladies. They were all regular guests on the Linglang Boat. In previous years, Xu Ruoxi had not participated, so this year’s sudden involvement seemed strange to everyone.

Princess Rongya’s smile paused before she said: “What would Miss Xu like to compete in?”

There were no set rules for the talent display. The men on the Qingsong Boat had no interest in the rabbit lantern, so such competitions only took place among the women. The noble ladies on the Linglang Boat performed what they were best at, and whoever received the most praise from everyone on the Qingsong Boat would win.

Xu Ruoxi’s face flushed red, clearly uncomfortable, yet she tried her best to maintain her cold-as-ice expression: “Since it’s a festival, I’ll just write some calligraphy.”

Xu Ruoxi was the daughter of the Hanlin Academy Chancellor, from a legitimate scholarly family, having been immersed in the influence of books since childhood. Her calligraphy was quite good. She was still young now, and when the maid brought rice paper and wolf-hair brush, she began writing almost without hesitation.

Calligraphy abhors hesitation. She wrote like flowing clouds and water, her expression extremely focused. Xu Ruoxi herself was born a beautiful young lady, but usually her excessive aloofness made people overlook her features. At this moment, wholeheartedly immersed in the world of writing, she had lost that hardness, her features showing only gentleness, actually possessing a special kind of soft beauty.

Quite a few people on the Qingsong Boat had already noticed her, and some young masters said: “Truly talented and beautiful, from a scholarly family!”

When Xu Ruoxi set down her brush, the maid displayed her completed calligraphy before everyone. It was simply the character “福” (fortune), yet written with grand and rounded strokes, indescribably ancient and upright. They say one’s character can be seen through their handwriting. Having suffered at the Eighth Prince’s hands in her previous life, Jiang Ruan no longer believed this saying, but seeing this piece of calligraphy, she couldn’t help but silently praise it.

Though the writing was somewhat rigid, it was upright and grand, immediately conveying righteous integrity. Xu Ruoxi was indeed like this character – someone who dared to love and hate.

Everyone present was literate and naturally understood whether Xu Ruoxi’s writing was good or not. They all applauded and praised her. Zhao Jin said: “Ruoxi’s calligraphy has improved again. Looking around, in this entire capital, I think only the Eighth Prince’s calligraphy could compare with it.”

“What kind of talk is that?” Dong Ying’er said with a smile: “Our Ruoxi is a woman, and the Eighth Prince is a man. For a man to compete with a woman, wouldn’t the Eighth Prince be taking advantage?”

Everyone laughed again. Amid the chorus of praise, Xu Ruoxi secretly glanced at the Qingsong Boat again, then immediately frowned, her eyes growing dim.

Jiang Ruan observed this. Just as in her previous life, Prince Jinying was the dream lover of women throughout the Great Jin Dynasty, but unfortunately Xiao Shao was an unromantic blockhead, and countless devoted hearts were misdirected.

Xu Ruoxi returned to her seat. Her behavior had already caught the attention of many young masters on the Qingsong Boat, but after returning to her seat, she remained gloomy and ignored those admiring gazes, pointlessly disappointing much goodwill.

After Xu Ruoxi, another noble lady asked with a giggle who should go next, but with Princess Rongya and Xu Ruoxi’s excellent examples preceding them, no one was willing to be the one who would embarrass themselves afterward.

In the silence, a careful voice spoke up: “Second Sister, don’t you play the qin extremely well? Why don’t you play something? Dan’niang really wants to hear you play the seven-stringed qin.”

Jiang Ruan’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked toward the speaker. Jiang Dan was looking anxiously at her own clothes corner, seeming somewhat afraid, yet she had ultimately said those words.

Sitting beside her, Jiang Susu looked at Jiang Dan with some surprise, then blushed slightly: “Dan’niang, how could I know how to play any seven-stringed qin?” Her eyes sparkled with unease, truly moving like a startled deer.