In the afternoon archery competition, Qin Shuying still did not participate.

After Lin Zilan’s incident at lunch, she followed her mother to take Lin Si home and never returned.

This was understandable—with Lin Si in such a condition, Madam Lin naturally had to return home, or else she would earn a reputation for not caring about her concubine-born daughter. Lin Zilan also had to leave.

Before departing, she repeatedly invited the three of them—Qin Shuying and the others—to visit more often when they had time. Qin Shuying agreed.

After they left, Qin Lulu and Qin Yue’s enthusiasm remained undiminished. Qin Yue could also shoot arrows and participated in the archery competition. Though she didn’t place in the top five, she achieved decent results and was very happy.

Once the archery results were announced, Madam Dong took the three of them home.

She wasn’t slow-witted. Over these past few days, including today’s lunch incident, she had begun to see the signs, so she didn’t want to linger at the princess’s residence, fearing trouble might arise.

The next day, everyone arrived at the princess’s residence at the appointed time. This time, according to the rules, the young women and young men would jointly decide on the competition events.

Both men and women gathered in the flower hall, discussing today’s activities.

Four women took the lead in discussions on the women’s side, led by Liang Qiong, daughter of Madam Liang. She had won first place in yesterday’s Peach Blossom Gathering, as well as first places in the calligraphy and painting assembly, horse racing, and archery competitions.

On the men’s side, since they hadn’t competed yesterday but served as judges instead, the judges remained in charge—also four people, including Liu Junqing among them.

Liang Qiong was fourteen years old this year. She had inherited her mother’s beauty and slender figure, making her very attractive.

She smiled charmingly and consulted with the other three women. Soon they came up with a proposal. She stepped forward from the crowd, bowed to the platform, and said, “Your Highness Princess, we few have discussed a method. This morning we’ll have pitchpot throwing, so both men and women can participate regardless of gender. In the afternoon, the young gentlemen will decide. Your Highness Princess, what do you think?”

Princess Yongjia said lazily, “Since you’ve already decided, follow your plan.”

Ziyuan, with a radiant expression, gave a few instructions to the maidservants behind her, who immediately went to arrange things.

“Yes.”

Liang Qiong withdrew with graceful bearing, her skin fair and face beautiful, drawing looks from many young men.

She was not only beautiful as a flower with lovely deportment, but also came from an illustrious family. Rarely, she was also outstanding in talent, charming and alluring, earning the title “Capital’s First Beauty.” She was the dream woman of many men.

However, considering that Madam Luo had an extraordinary relationship with Imperial Consort De, and the Fifth Prince still had no prince consort, it seemed Liang Qiong would likely become the Fifth Prince’s consort in the future. Therefore, while many harbored thoughts about her, few actually came to propose marriage.

Princess Yongjia turned her gaze toward Liu Junqing’s side and teased, “Scholar Liu, have you gentlemen decided?”

Liu Junqing bowed respectfully and said, “Your Highness, we students have also decided—this afternoon we’ll play riddle-guessing.”

Though he was about to enter the Hanlin Academy, since he hadn’t gone yet, he dared not call himself “subject” and used the general term “student” instead. Riddle-guessing was also a popular entertainment activity that both men and women could participate in.

Princess Yongjia hummed in acknowledgment and looked around. “Morning pitchpot throwing, afternoon riddle-guessing. Do you all have any other opinions?”

Since Princess Yongjia had already agreed, who would have objections?

The matter was thus settled. The princess’s residence staff moved quickly—they had already prepared the pitchpot equipment and were waiting outside the flower hall. At Princess Yongjia’s command, they immediately filed in and began setting up in the open space.

Pitchpot throwing wasn’t complicated, and the venue was soon ready. Under Liang Qiong’s direction, the noble ladies and young gentlemen were divided into groups. The noble ladies formed twenty-one groups total, with ten people per group, divided into seven sessions for competition.

The seven groups in each session would compete through multiple rounds, with the top three from the final three sessions competing in the ultimate contest.

Qin Shuying was assigned to the first group, in the same group as Liang Qiong.

“Well, well, isn’t this Seventh Miss Qin? Why aren’t you with Mu Tianxiang? What are you doing here with us?”

Suddenly, a provocative voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm.

Qin Shuying followed the voice and saw a girl about her own age with pretty features, but who spoke with a twisted mouth, giving people a feeling of arrogance and willfulness that ruined her original beauty.

This was Elder Luo’s legitimate granddaughter and Liang Qiong’s cousin, called Luo Jinniang.

The Mu Tianxiang that Luo Jinniang mentioned was the Mu family’s legitimate daughter and Imperial Concubine Kang’s maternal niece, also about the same age as herself, currently in another group.

Imperial Consort De and Imperial Concubine Kang were rivals, so naturally Luo Jinniang and Mu Tianxiang couldn’t get along.

Therefore, seeing that Qin Shuying had been favored by Princess Fu’an yesterday, though she wasn’t clear about what had happened behind the scenes, Luo Jinniang couldn’t help but mock her now.

Actually, since yesterday, Luo Jinniang had been giving her plenty of looks, but Qin Shuying had chosen to ignore them all. Now that the person had come directly before her to speak, Qin Shuying could no longer pretend not to see.

“Seventh Miss Luo, this is how Second Miss Liang just divided us.”

Qin Shuying showed no fear. After all, she was also Imperial Concubine Lian’s cousin from her maternal family, so her status wasn’t much inferior to Luo Jinniang’s.

Luo Jinniang immediately raised her eyebrows: “Are you complaining about my cousin now?”

The cousin she mentioned was naturally Liang Qiong. Liang Qiong was arranging things when she saw the dispute here and walked over, saying, “Cousin, what’s wrong?”

Luo Jinniang said huffily, “Cousin, how can she be in our group? She’s close friends with Mu Tianxiang!”

Qin Shuying frowned slightly. She hadn’t even spoken a word to Mu Tianxiang, yet they were supposedly close friends.

Liang Qiong didn’t think it mattered and said, “Enough, we’re all here to have fun together. Just enjoy yourselves.” She looked at Qin Shuying with a gentle expression and friendly smile: “Seventh Miss Qin, I apologize. My cousin has always been straightforward in speech. Please don’t mind her, Seventh Miss.”

She spoke amiably, and Qin Shuying replied, “I won’t.”

Liang Qiong took Luo Jinniang’s hand and lowered her voice: “Come on, help me look at the arrows. Today’s arrows are quite unique—Princess Imperial really thought of everything.”

Luo Jinniang glared hatefully at Qin Shuying, snorted, and only then followed Liang Qiong away.

Though it was just a small incident, it was enough to dampen one’s spirits.

Qin Shuying stood among the crowd with a cool expression, listening to everyone’s enthusiastic discussions while occasionally looking at the pitchpots and arrows.

Soon, everything was arranged. They selected hosts and shooting directors, then began competing according to pitchpot throwing etiquette.

There were no more incidents during the competition. Qin Shuying had no interest, so she only competed casually and was quickly eliminated. Liang Qiong wrote poetry well but was mediocre at pitchpot throwing and didn’t make it to the top three. However, Luo Jinniang came in first and could compete with people from other groups.

Mu Tianxiang and Qin Lulu also performed well, making it to the top three and competing with other groups.

Then came the final competition. After rounds of elimination, Luo Jinniang, Mu Tianxiang, and Qin Lulu all made it to the top seven, so today’s winners had emerged.