With that remarkable interlude behind them, the ensuing round of evaluating the remaining poetry and paintings proceeded in peaceful, unruffled calm.

Princess Changping and Su Ying served as judges and selected the three finest works of poetry and painting. Jiang Rongyue’s work was conspicuously among them, and the work by Jiang Rongyue’s mother was also chosen.

Ling Jingshu looked carefully at the elder Jiang woman’s painting and said with a smile, “Elder Cousin-in-law’s choice of color is distinctive, the composition skillfully arranged — this lotus painting has a character entirely its own, truly a refreshing sight.”

Before she married into the family, the elder Jiang woman had also been a young lady of note, celebrated for her talent. Hearing this, she gave a graceful smile. “I have not picked up a brush in a long while — my hands have grown rusty. You needn’t praise me like this; go on any further and I shall start to blush.”

Ling Jingyan’s poetry and painting were also reasonably fine — regrettably, today’s gathering was thick with talented figures, and without something truly distinctive to set her apart, it was difficult to stand out. Still, since Ling Jingshu had made such a brilliant showing, and the elder Jiang woman had also fared quite well, Ling Jingyan’s spirits, which had dipped for less than a quarter of an hour, rallied again, and she leaned toward the elder Jiang woman and murmured a few words.

“Elder Sister-in-law, I have my eye on that vase painted with a beauty — will you choose that one when the time comes?” The vase was tall and slender, painted with a scene of a beauty holding a parasol.

The elder Jiang woman followed the direction of Ling Jingyan’s gaze and nodded her agreement. With that, Ling Jingyan’s mood brightened even further.

Ling Jingshu watched all of this and could not help but silently laugh to herself.

Ling Jingyan truly was blessed — to have such a sister-in-law of gentle, generous temperament.

Princess Changping’s laughter rang out: “Today this Princess has had the great pleasure of admiring everyone’s exquisite poetry and paintings, and I am truly delighted. Third Miss Jiang and the other two may each choose one item from here as a prize. As for everyone else, this Princess also has small gifts to present upon your departure.”

What Princess Changping called “small gifts” would naturally be nothing to look down upon.

Such lavish generosity naturally prompted a round of warm compliments from all present.

Princess Changping evidently savored being the center of everyone’s admiring attention, and her exquisitely painted, alluring face was radiant with triumphant pleasure.

Ling Jingshu stood among them, pressing the boundless hatred surging within her heart down, down, deeper — into the furthest, darkest recesses — and arranged her face into a smile of precisely the right measure.

Commandery Princess Fumin was likely the most vexed and chagrined person at today’s lotus-viewing banquet. After making such a spectacle of herself earlier, even she, as willful as she was, no longer had the face to cause any further disturbance.

Afterward, the palace maids came forward one by one to collect the paintings and poems.

These works could be taken away when the guests departed.

Princess Changping suddenly turned to Ling Jingshu with a smile. “Ninth Miss Ling, the lotus painting you created today is very much to this Princess’s liking. If Ninth Miss Ling would be willing to present it as a gift to this Princess, I would certainly offer a generous gift in return.”

Ling Jingshu rose promptly and smiled. “To have drawn the favor of Your Highness the Princess is my honor — how could I dare ask for any gift in return?”

Princess Changping, quite pleased with Ling Jingshu’s composed and graceful response, gave a smile and gently indicated that she should take her seat.

Although Princess Changping said nothing further, everyone present understood clearly: this Ninth Miss Ling, through the excellence of her poetry and painting and the sharpness of her perceptive, agile mind, had entered Princess Changping’s notice.

In this circle of distinguished young ladies, from this day forward, there would be one more person to count among its ranks.

The hour of the Goat — mid-afternoon — arrived, and the lotus-viewing banquet drew to a close. The guests took their leave one by one.

The elder Jiang woman had indeed chosen the beauty-painted vase that Ling Jingyan had admired. Ling Jingyan herself received a set of palace silk flowers. Ling Jingshu’s gains were the greatest of all — Princess Changping had kept her painting, and in exchange presented her with a complete set of the finest scholar’s implements: a lake-style writing brush, Huizhou ink, Xuan paper, and an inkstone from Duan — with the inkstone in particular being the most precious of all.

Half a day’s worth of activity had left Princess Changping visibly tired, and she did not personally see her guests to the door. A group of palace maids and attendants were dispatched to escort the guests out on her behalf.

Jiang Rongyue walked alongside the elder Jiang woman, closest in proximity to Ling Jingshu, and flashed her a sweet smile. “Ninth Miss Ling, when elder cousin-sister comes to visit next time, you mustn’t forget to come along too.”

Goodwill extended from others was something Ling Jingshu had no cause to refuse — she accepted with a gracious smile.

As they neared the doorway, Su Ying, who had been walking ahead, intentionally or otherwise slowed her steps.

When Ling Jingshu and her party drew level with her, Su Ying turned around, smiled, and called out softly, “Ninth Miss Ling, please wait a moment.”

Ling Jingshu stopped. “I wonder if Second Miss Su has any instruction for me?”

“I would not presume to instruct you. I only have a few candid words that I feel compelled to say.”

Su Ying’s voice was soft and melodious, her gaze clear and warm with friendly sincerity: “Today I had the great fortune of making Ninth Miss Ling’s acquaintance at the lotus-viewing banquet. I find that you and I are greatly kindred in spirit, and it is my wish that we might become friends and see each other often.”

There was indeed such a thing as an immediate affinity between people.

For instance: the very first moment Ling Jingshu had laid eyes on Commandery Princess Fumin, she had felt an instinctive, bone-deep aversion from the depths of her heart.

Yet Su Ying had left a very good first impression on her today.

“Second Miss Su has spoken the very words that were in my heart.” Ling Jingshu returned a warm and friendly smile. “I too feel that you and I share a remarkable affinity. Since you so graciously do not think me unworthy of your friendship, how could I possibly have any objection?”

Su Ying gave a soft laugh. “The more we talk, the more polite and formal it becomes. Let us set aside all this ceremonial talk — there is no need for it.” She then continued, “Before long, it will be my coming-of-age ceremony. When the time comes, I will send an invitation to the Ling household — I hope you will honor the occasion by being present.”

For a young lady of marriageable age, the coming-of-age ceremony was a day of tremendous significance — marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood, signaling that she was ready for betrothal and marriage.

Even in ordinary families of commoners, a coming-of-age ceremony would be held for their daughters. For daughters of noble and distinguished families, the ceremony was all the more important and grand an affair.

Su Ying taking the initiative to invite Ling Jingshu to her own coming-of-age ceremony was a clear sign that she regarded Ling Jingshu as a friend worth cultivating.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ling Jingshu gave her agreement: “Very well — I will certainly be there.”

Su Ying pressed her lips into a smile. “Then it is settled.”

With that, she gave a polite nod to everyone and turned to leave.

Her graceful, captivating silhouette disappeared from everyone’s sight before long.

Ling Jingyan could not help but sigh: “I had long heard the reputation of Second Miss Su as the capital’s foremost talented young woman — seeing her in person today, she surpasses even her renown.”

As a rule, a talented young woman would carry herself with at least some degree of pride. Yet this Second Miss Su was gentle, courteous, and genuinely warm toward others — the very picture of grace that put one at ease like a spring breeze.

Even the most exacting of critics would have no choice but to acknowledge that Second Miss Su was a young lady of both outstanding talent and exemplary virtue.

Ling Jingshu gave voice to an earnest compliment — a rare thing when it came to another young woman: “Indeed. Second Miss Su is truly exceptional.”

Jiang Rongyue, listening as they praised Su Ying, felt a faint twinge of displeasure stir within her.

She was not particularly skilled at concealing her feelings either — the moment her emotions shifted, traces of it inevitably showed in her expression.

Ling Jingshu caught the change in Jiang Rongyue’s face from the corner of her eye, and immediately changed course: “Today, coming to the banquet, I not only made the acquaintance of Second Miss Su — I also made the acquaintance of Third Miss Jiang, with her bright, frank, and lively nature. That truly is my good fortune.”

Those words were genuinely pleasant to hear.

Jiang Rongyue’s eyes curved into a smile, her expression turning playful and cheerful. “Actually — I am only two months younger than Su elder sister. Once her coming-of-age ceremony has passed, mine will come around very soon after. At that point, don’t forget to come and pay a visit.”