Princess Changping glanced at Commandery Princess Fumin with a pointed look and said, “Since it was only a few words of squabbling, let us just let it go!”
There was no need to bring it up today — best not to spoil everyone’s mood.
Once Princess Changping had spoken, Commandery Princess Fumin dared not continue speaking so recklessly and shamelessly. She shot Ling Jingshu one fierce, withering glare, then sulkily withdrew her gaze.
Ling Jingshu smiled at Princess Changping with grateful warmth. “Many thanks to Your Highness for upholding justice on behalf of us sisters.”
Princess Changping smiled casually. “A trifling matter — not worth mentioning.” Then, with a smile toward the assembled guests, she said, “Everyone, please follow this Princess to the third floor of the viewing pavilion. It is the finest spot from which to admire the lotus blossoms.”
All the young ladies agreed at once.
The viewing pavilion had three floors in total. The lowest floor was spacious enough to accommodate thirty or forty people; the second and third floors were somewhat smaller, each able to seat around twenty.
Approximately ten guests had come to the banquet today. The handmaids were all left on the second floor. A few palace maids assigned to play music, however, followed the party up to the third floor.
Through the exquisitely carved lattice railings, the beautiful scenery of the lake spread out in full, unobstructed view. Sheer white gauze curtains hung softly down, and the floor was covered with a spotlessly white, plush carpet. Upon the carpet stood red sandalwood tables and chairs, and each table was set with an assortment of fresh fruits and pastries — just the right amount for two people to share.
The first and second floors of the viewing pavilion were also rather elegant, but compared to the opulence of the third floor, they fell far short.
Princess Changping clearly held banquets here often, for she stepped onto the pristine white carpet without a second thought and took the seat of honor. Commandery Princess Fumin settled naturally into the seat beside her.
The Jiang women — Jiang Rongyue and her mother — shared a table together, while Ling Jingshu and Ling Jingyan sat together at the table tucked into the furthest corner.
“A’Shu,” Ling Jingyan murmured in a lowered voice, “this kind of carpet comes from beyond the northern frontier — it is extraordinarily expensive. Our family has one too, but Mother keeps it locked away in the storeroom!”
Yet Princess Changping had spread it out across the floor, and in all likelihood would simply discard it after a single use. It was truly extravagant and wasteful — enough to leave one speechless.
Ling Jingshu raised her eyes and glanced from afar at Princess Changping, who was smiling with brilliant radiance. Just as quickly, she lowered her gaze again and said lightly, “With a status as noble as Her Highness the Princess’s, there is no fine thing under heaven that she is not entitled to enjoy.”
Ling Jingyan startled and looked at Ling Jingshu with a strange expression.
That sort of remark. It truly did not sound like something she would say.
Ling Jingshu raised her head with a composed expression and smiled at Ling Jingyan. “Stop staring blankly. There are so many delicious fresh fruits on the table — aren’t you going to try some?”
It was the height of summer, and the weather was somewhat sultry. However, the viewing pavilion stood at the center of the lake, and the breeze that swept across the water in gusts made one feel refreshed and at ease. Most of the fruits on the table were rare for this season as well.
Ling Jingyan had only to glance at them before her cravings were stirred. Quite naturally, she cast all her lingering questions to the back of her mind, picked up a piece of fruit, and began to eat.
The palace maids seated nearby struck up the instruments in their hands and began to play. Whatever melody it was, it was rather lively and pleasant to the ear.
Everyone enjoyed some fruits and pastries, sipped tea, and exchanged light, idle conversation. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful.
Princess Changping lightly clapped her hands, and the music ceased.
Princess Changping said with a bright smile, “Everyone, since today’s gathering is a lotus-viewing banquet, the lotus flower naturally ought to be our central theme. This entire lake of lotus blossoms and lotus leaves sways gracefully in the breeze — a sight of surpassing beauty. Let us each observe the lotuses at our leisure, then display our individual talents. What does everyone think about composing a poem or painting a picture?”
For gatherings among young ladies of distinguished families, the emphasis was on refined elegance. Drinking and playing drinking games were of course unsuitable, and appreciating song and dance was too commonplace. The suggestion of composing poems and paintings suited everyone’s wishes perfectly.
Su Ying smiled and replied, “Your Highness’s suggestion is excellent. May I ask whether there is a time limit? And for the poetry and paintings — will there be a judge? If the winner is chosen, will there be a prize?”
Princess Changping smiled and answered each question in turn: “Whether one composes poetry or paints, rushing leads to poor results — so there is no need to hurry. Let us set one hour as the time limit. As for the judge, this Princess will be shameless enough to take on that role. If a poem is well composed or a painting is well executed, today one may take away any single item from the viewing pavilion as the prize.”
The furnishings within the viewing pavilion were lavishly exquisite, even the vases displayed on the tables being rare and precious objects of uncommon quality.
Of course, those qualified to attend the banquet were all daughters of prominent families — they would hardly set their sights on any prize. The whole point was simply to enjoy themselves.
Jiang Rongyue was the first to smile and clap her hands in delight. “Your Highness is so generous — in that case, we shall not stand on ceremony today!”
Everyone laughed and chimed in their agreement.
“The one to claim the top honor today — without even competing, everyone already knows it must be Second Miss Su.”
The young lady seated beside Su Ying covered her smile with her hand and said, “Second Miss Su’s poetry and painting are both without equal. In the capital, if she were to claim second place, no one would dare claim first. With Second Miss Su here today, what chance do any of the rest of us stand?”
This teasing remark was half earnest, half playful, and unavoidably carried just a trace of sour envy.
Su Ying had apparently grown accustomed to such praises and modestly deflected with a few words: “Fourth Miss Li flatters me too generously. There is always someone more skilled beyond one’s sight. Though I have some attainments in poetry and painting, I would never presume to call myself first.”
Jiang Rongyue smiled and picked up the thread of conversation: “Su elder sister, now you are being far too modest. With you here, any competition among the rest of us would indeed be rather pointless. In my view, you should simply withdraw from the contest today and serve as a judge alongside Her Highness the Princess — that would be best.”
This suggestion clearly met with the approval of everyone present.
Su Ying acquiesced, half-declining and half-agreeing.
Deep within, Ling Jingshu felt a flash of surprise.
When Jiang Rongyue spoke to Su Ying, her tone was quite casual — the manner of two people clearly well acquainted. Yet whether there was genuine warmth between them was hard to say; there was rather a faint air of one testing the other for superiority…
The young ladies all began to rack their brains, sinking deep into thought.
The palace maids deftly cleared the tables and, in an orderly fashion, set out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Ling Jingyan and Ling Jingshu were no exception — before them on the table appeared a stack of pristine white rice paper, paints for painting, an inkstone and ink stick for writing, and brushes of various sizes. Every item was of the finest quality.
Most of the distinguished young ladies present had read widely and were skilled in calligraphy and painting. Even those less proficient could at least take up a brush and produce a lotus painting without difficulty.
Ling Jingyan gazed out into the distance, carefully observing the scene for quite some time before finally lifting her brush.
Those who were slightly slower also picked up their brushes within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. An hour was neither short nor long — to paint a lotus picture and inscribe a poem on it was no small challenge.
Ling Jingshu, however, continued to sit quietly without touching her brush, her gaze resting upon the surface of the lake.
Ling Jingyan, busy sketching out her initial draft, looked up — and was startled to find that Ling Jingshu’s paper remained completely blank. “A’Shu, half the time has already passed — why haven’t you started yet?”
If she kept on like this, there would truly be no time left.
Ling Jingshu gave a light smile and was just about to speak when a scornful, mocking laugh rang out: “If you are too ashamed to pick up the brush, then concede early — spare yourself the humiliation of making a spectacle of yourself later.”