When Lan Xinong was about to instruct her maid to invite Qiao Zhao, Zhu Yán stopped her: “It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to invite her ourselves.”

“Hmm?” Lan Xinong raised her eyebrows high, showing some confusion.

Zhu Yán sighed inwardly.

Lan Xinong was the granddaughter of the current Chief Minister and had probably never suffered any grievances, so naturally, she hadn’t learned what was called social etiquette.

She explained: “This is a banquet hosted by Princess Mu. If we privately invite her, Third Miss Li would inevitably feel awkward when she arrives. It would be best for the Princess to extend the invitation personally.”

Lan Xinong was quite straightforward in such matters. Upon hearing Zhu Yán’s explanation, she immediately stood up: “I’ll go speak to Princess Mu.”

Since the dance performance required some time to prepare, Princess Mu was feeling anxious. When a maid told her that Miss Lan wanted to see her about something, she excused herself to Princess Xijiang and rose to leave.

“What matter does Miss Lan have?” Facing Lan Xinong, even though she held the noble rank of Princess, her attitude was quite gentle.

“In the upcoming competitions, we can only win, not lose.”

Princess Mu gave a dry laugh: “Yes, indeed.”

She also knew they could only win and not lose, otherwise they would lose tremendous face. But why was Miss Lan telling her this?

The talent competitions were all performed by young ladies—surely she couldn’t expect a Princess to go up there and dance around?

“We need to invite someone to help us.” Saying this, Lan Xinong felt somewhat embarrassed.

It was all because Su Luoyi and Zhu Yán had lost their courage first. If they had dared to claim they were unmatched in literature and chess, why would they need to invite someone else?

Princess Mu was slightly stunned: “Who does Miss Lan want to invite to help?”

“It’s not me inviting, it’s us.” Lan Xinong corrected the Princess’s words, “We want to invite Third Miss from the Li family, the Hanlin Academy Editor’s household, to help us.”

“Third Miss Li?” A flash of surprise quickly passed through Princess Mu’s eyes, “Marquis Guanjun’s fiancée?”

Lan Xinong was impatient with Princess Mu’s questioning and said coolly: “If Your Highness doesn’t send someone to invite her soon, I’m afraid it will be too late. It’s best of five rounds, and we cannot afford to lose a single one of the remaining three matches.”

“Very well, I’ll send someone to invite her.” Princess Mu suppressed her inner astonishment and agreed.

Since the young ladies of the Fushan Society had said so, she naturally did not need to object; otherwise, if they lost in the end, all the blame would be pushed onto her, which wouldn’t be good.

At that moment, Qiao Zhao was curled up in her room, taking a nap.

Probably because she was at the age of rapid growth, Qiao Zhao had recently increased her appetite and often felt drowsy.

“The Princess is inviting me to attend a banquet?” Upon hearing A’Zhu’s report that someone from Prince Mu’s residence had come, Qiao Zhao hurriedly dressed and went to the flower hall.

Ever since her engagement to Shao Mingyuan, Qiao Zhao’s status had risen considerably in people’s eyes, so Princess Mu had specifically sent her trusted steward nanny.

Seeing Qiao Zhao now, the steward nanny discreetly looked her over and couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.

Although this Third Miss Li was properly dressed and her manners and etiquette were impeccable, she couldn’t escape her sharp eyes.

Third Miss Li had just woken up.

Tsk tsk, at this time of day, a grown young lady was still sleeping—how improper.

Could such a young lady outshine those noble ladies from Xijiang? She had her doubts.

Regardless of her inner thoughts, the steward nanny’s task was to bring the person back.

“Third Miss, you absolutely must come. Our Princess and the young ladies of the Fushan Society are all counting on you.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhao felt something was amiss, but didn’t show it on her face, saying gently: “Could Nanny explain more clearly?”

The steward nanny immediately explained the whole situation from beginning to end, showing particular indignation when speaking of Princess Xijiang’s contempt for Great Liang.

“Very well, I’ll go with Nanny right away.” Qiao Zhao agreed without hesitation.

If it were merely the usual comparisons between young ladies, she would have no interest, but since it involved a dispute between two nations and concerned Great Liang’s honor, as a member of Great Liang, she naturally couldn’t shirk her duty.

When Qiao Zhao arrived, the second competition was nearing its end.

Although there were certainly outstanding dancers among the Great Liang noble ladies, they still lost to the Xijiang noble lady who had obviously undergone long-term training.

Having lost two rounds in a row, the madams and noble ladies on Great Liang’s side were becoming restless.

They had always taken pride in the fact that the Xijiang people learned Great Liang culture in these areas and should regard Great Liang as their teacher, but when had their proudly held skills been surpassed by the other side?

This was not only unacceptable but also quite humiliating.

It was in this depressing atmosphere that Qiao Zhao quietly took a seat beside Zhu Yán and the others.

“Miss Li, you’ve finally arrived!” Zhu Yán smiled and pulled Qiao Zhao to sit down, carefully explaining the current situation to her.

In the earlier arrow-throwing competition, we had three rounds with one tie and two losses, so we lost the first match. In the current dance competition, the first two rounds were one win and one loss, and this third round looks like we’re going to lose. There are still three more competitions ahead, and if we lose even one more, we’re finished.”

Qiao Zhao nodded to indicate she understood and turned her gaze to the center of the venue.

In the center, the Xijiang noble lady threw her water sleeves high up and concluded her performance with a rather difficult backward leap.

After a suffocating silence, Princess Mu lightly applauded, wearing a forced smile: “The noble lady from your country danced exceptionally well.”

“The Princess will have to drink again.” Princess Xijiang said with a beaming smile.

Princess Mu held her wine cup and smiled, draining it in one gulp.

Princess Xijiang covered her mouth and laughed: “I wonder about the Princess’s alcohol tolerance—there are still three more competitions ahead.”

Princess Mu’s smile stiffened at the corners, and a surge of anger rose from the bottom of her heart.

Princess Xijiang was simply too arrogant!

“Perhaps there won’t be a need to drink later.” Princess Mu said coolly.

Princess Xijiang laughed heartily, her bell-like laughter falling on the ears of the Great Liang noble ladies and madams present, sounding unbearably grating.

“Well then, let’s continue drawing lots.” Princess Xijiang completely ignored those gazes that seemed ready to kill her, saying with a bright smile.

The flower lot fell, with the character “qin” (zither) written on it.

The Great Liang noble ladies breathed a sigh of relief, all looking toward Xu Jinghong.

Xu Jinghong’s zither skills were famously good among the noble ladies.

Xu Jinghong raised her eyelids and was about to stand when Princess Xijiang stood up first: “How about this—I have some knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. For the remaining three matches, I’ll handle them all myself. The Princess may have the noble ladies of your country nominate one person to compete with me. Of course, if there’s no suitable candidate, anyone may try.”

As soon as she said this, the entire venue erupted.

Princess Xijiang was essentially challenging all the noble ladies of Great Liang single-handedly.

If Great Liang couldn’t produce such a person to meet the challenge, even if they barely won the remaining three rounds, it would be a hollow victory. If they lost, they would lose both dignity and face completely.

“Miss Xu, are you up for it?” Kou Zimo, sitting beside Xu Jinghong, asked softly.

“Speaking purely of zither skills, I fear no one.”

The implication was that she couldn’t say the same about other things.

“Third Miss Li, how are your zither skills?” Zhu Yán asked in a low voice.

She had never heard that Miss Li could play the zither.

Qiao Zhao glanced at Zhu Yán and the others: “Did you all invite me here because of the Xijiang people’s challenge?”

The group nodded.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Since you sisters think so highly of me, I certainly won’t disappoint you.”