Lin Zilan said in a low voice: “Sisters, the capital is full of talented women. I’m also here just to make up numbers and watch the excitement. I just heard them say that among the most talented women in the capital now, there are also those two princesses on the platform. I wonder if they’ll also participate?”

Fourth Miss Lin, who was standing beside them at the time, cast a disdainful look upon hearing this and said: “Aunt Ziyuan just said that after composing poetry, all names would be sealed. Sister, didn’t you hear?”

Lin Zilan smiled indifferently and said: “Sister’s words are mistaken. The princesses are exceptionally talented – whether their names are sealed or not, what difference does it make? According to sister’s words, the princesses’ reputation for talent is false. Sister should be careful with such words!”

Fourth Miss Lin’s small face flushed bright red. “You, you’re talking nonsense! That’s clearly not what I meant!”

Lin Zilan didn’t even look at her, only saying: “Whether sister meant it or not, sister knows clearly in her own heart.”

Having said this, maids began arranging their seating in the venue, so everyone dispersed to take their respective positions. Fourth Miss Lin looked at Lin Zilan with hatred in her eyes.

When Aunt Ziyuan spoke, everyone stood before their writing desks, waiting for the maids to successively bring the four treasures of the study – brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Many people had already begun racking their brains in thought.

Qin Shuying happened to share a writing desk with Fourth Miss Lin.

After the writing materials arrived, Qin Shuying thought briefly, and seeing that some young ladies around her had already begun to lift their brushes, she too lifted her brush and began writing.

Seeing this, Fourth Miss Lin curled her lips disdainfully but made no move herself, standing there lost in thought.

Qin Shuying wrote while dipping her brush in ink, quickly composing a poem praising peach blossoms.

She looked it over and set down her brush – it was conventional, neither particularly good nor bad.

If she had put more effort into it, she might not have been unable to write something better, but poetry required both mood and inspiration. This was already the best she could think of today.

Looking up, Fourth Miss Lin was still writing, but quite a few young ladies had already finished. Her own speed was only slightly above average – nothing eye-catching.

The two noble princesses on the platform were not participating in the competition with them. Princess Fuping calmly drank her tea, while Princess Fu’an was speaking with a maid.

Princess Yongjia smiled warmly while conversing with Madam Rong.

Since people were finishing one after another, those young ladies who couldn’t think of anything for the moment had to quickly piece something together to avoid being last.

Before long, Madam Rong said: “Today’s peach blossom poetry gathering shows that all you young ladies came prepared, with quick wit and flowing literary thoughts. You’ve all finished within the time it takes to burn one incense stick. Now, please seal your works properly after the ink has dried completely. Someone will come to collect them shortly. After collection, you need not remain so formal. The princesses have given permission for all young ladies and madams to enjoy yourselves freely. At the end of the si hour, the rankings and prizes will be announced here.”

The venue filled with rustling sounds as everyone began talking.

Qin Lulu fanned her paper with her hand, turned to Qin Shuying and said: “Seventh Sister, I noticed you wrote quite quickly just now.”

Qin Shuying smiled without answering.

Lin Zilan was at the writing desk to Qin Shuying’s left. She said: “Even if we place last today, it doesn’t matter. We came to broaden our horizons. When I was in Yunzhou, the wives and daughters of officials would occasionally hold flower-viewing gatherings where everyone would compose poetry and paint, all for enjoyment. Those with interest would also compile the poems into booklets that circulated only among the inner chambers for appreciation and amusement – quite interesting indeed.”

Qin Shuying deeply agreed and nodded with a smile. The daily lessons for young ladies in the inner chambers were numerous, yet their lives were dull and tasteless. This could be considered their most interesting pastime.

Fourth Miss Lin said coolly: “Then who was it just now, so afraid that the princesses might also compete on the same stage with us? Sister, being so inconsistent in word and deed might have been fine in that countryside place like Yunzhou, where everyone was ignorant and no one could see through you, still thinking you were a girl of orchid heart and sweet nature. But now in the capital, do you still think everyone is so easily fooled? Who hasn’t seen something of the world to be deceived by a few words?”

These words implicated even Qin Shuying and the other two, suggesting they had no worldly experience.

Qin Lulu had a straightforward nature. Although this was a conflict between the two sisters and she was merely caught in the crossfire, she had always been unable to tolerate such behavior. She wanted to retort but knew the occasion was inappropriate, so she glared at Fourth Miss Lin and endured it.

Qin Yue was also quite indignant. She too had just come to the capital from what was called “the countryside,” and though Fourth Miss Lin didn’t know this, she felt she had been insulted as well. However, she only bit her silver teeth and said nothing.

Lin Zilan looked at Fourth Miss Lin and said: “Fourth Sister, didn’t you say Fifth Miss Lu was your close friend? How is it that I see her over there but she hasn’t greeted you?”

Fourth Miss Lin didn’t know what was wrong, but suddenly deflated completely. Her expression remained angry, but she said nothing more.

Qin Lulu was somewhat startled, then let out a few light laughs.

So that Fifth Miss Lu was a legitimate daughter, while this Fourth Miss Lin was a concubine-born daughter. Usually, Fourth Miss Lin probably always used Fifth Miss Lu to save face, but Fifth Miss Lu clearly didn’t take her seriously.

Qin Yue looked at Lin Zilan with empathy – this young lady’s circumstances were so similar to her own, but unlike herself, she didn’t hesitate at all when it came time to fight back.

She was rather like Seventh Aunt in temperament.

Soon, someone came to collect the poetry compositions, and the group immediately quieted down.

After collection, Lin Zilan said to Qin Shuying: “Sister Shuying, the scenery in this garden is quite beautiful. Shall we take a leisurely stroll?”

Qin Shuying had no objection. There was still considerable time before the end of the si hour, and sitting idly would be boring, not to mention inevitably drawing commentary from others.

Qin Lulu and Qin Yue followed Qin Shuying’s lead, and the four of them walked together, following behind a group of young ladies as they prepared to withdraw.

Suddenly, they heard Aunt Ziyuan raise her voice: “Which one is Seventh Miss Qin from the Qin residence?”

All four were startled and turned around together.

“Seventh Miss Qin from the Qin residence, come forward to speak. Princess Fu’an summons you to speak.”

Qin Shuying paused. Qin Lulu couldn’t help but grasp her hand, saying worriedly: “Seventh Sister, this is…”

Qin Shuying shook her head. There was no time to explain to her, because Princess Fu’an had obviously already spotted her. A pair of bright eyes looked at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

She felt the coldness and hostility in Princess Fu’an’s eyes.

She had never had any interaction with Princess Fu’an – why was this happening?

Before she could think further, Aunt Ziyuan spoke again: “Seventh Miss Qin, please come forward to speak.”

Various looks – complex, envious – were cast upon Qin Shuying from all around.

Princess Fu’an was the daughter of Consort Kang and also the sister of the Seventh Prince.

Princess Fuping and Princess Fu’an were among the Emperor’s many daughters who had currently received fiefdoms. This showed how much they were favored by the Emperor.

What luck had this Qin Shuying encountered to gain Princess Fu’an’s favor?

It should be known that Princess Fuping and Princess Fu’an rarely left the palace, so people didn’t easily see them. Especially the young ladies from various families – it was even more rare for them to glimpse the princesses’ countenances.