"Your Majesty really has a way," said Concubine Yi with a coquettish smile. Despite her age, her adoring expression lent her a touch of girlish shyness. "Let them compete on their own merits. That way, there'll be no room for complaints of bias."
Feng Jingyang immediately pouted in protest. "But Father, I'm a man. How can I compete with Miss Bai Di?"
"Then let the third prince take your place."
As if he had anticipated this, Feng Jingyang retorted without hesitation, "If Third Brother steps in, he outshines me in calligraphy, painting, horseback riding, and archery. Isn't it obvious that I'll have to hand over the jade pendant to them?"
His blatant admission of inadequacy left Concubine Zhao seething with rage. "You good-for-nothing..."
"Your Highness, do you really want this jade pendant?" Zheng Yan interrupted Concubine Zhao and turned to Feng Jingyang with a serious look.
Irritated by the question, Feng Jingyang snapped, "Do I look like I'm joking?"
"If Your Highness truly desires it," Zheng Yan said, her gaze fixed on Bai Di, "then allow me to compete with Miss Bai on your behalf."
This announcement took Bai Zheng by surprise. She stared at Zheng Yan in disbelief.
Zheng Yan was still wearing the light blue hibiscus brocade dress that Princess Yunxi had once sneered at. But instead of the anger she had shown before, she exuded an air of dignity that was impossible to hide.
For the first time, Bai Zheng took a good look at Zheng Yan. She noticed that a corner of the gauze on Zheng Yan's waist was slightly wrinkled, as if it had been twisted in a fit of anger and then carefully smoothed out, but not completely restored.
Bai Zheng suddenly remembered that this dress was a gift from Feng Jingyang, as he had given her the same one just yesterday.
She finally understood. Zheng Yan had cherished this dress because it was from Feng Jingyang. Even though she had been ridiculed by Princess Yunxi at the palace gate, she had refused to change out of it.
Bai Zheng couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for this stubborn and headstrong girl. In this web of intrigue, everyone had their own agenda, except for Zheng Yan, who had offered her heart wholeheartedly, only to be exploited and hurt by Feng Jingyang again and again.
Feng Jingyang's surprise was fleeting. He quickly regained his composure and waved her off impatiently. "What do you know? Don't make a fool of me."
Zheng Yan was clearly taken aback by his blunt dismissal. Her face paled, and she bit her lip for a moment before whispering, "Your Highness, I'm proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and dance."
Princess Pingyang tugged at Zheng Yan's sleeve, trying to get her to sit down. But Zheng Yan remained standing stubbornly, her eyes fixed on Feng Jingyang.
Everyone watched the scene unfold with bated breath, their eyes darting between Zheng Yan and Feng Jingyang.
No one noticed that Bai Di, with her head slightly bowed, looked a little flustered.
Yes, it was during a visit to the Marquis of Gaochang's mansion that Bai Di had seen Zheng Yan in a drunken stupor, dancing a beautiful sword routine under the cherry blossom tree. It was the most elegant swordplay she had ever seen.
After that, she had begged her father and Feng Jingxuan to teach her, but no one could replicate the grace and power of that drunken girl.
While others were unaware of Zheng Yan's skills, Bai Di knew them all too well. Despite her arrogant and willful nature, Zheng Yan was the only daughter of the Marquis of Gaochang and Princess Pingyang. She had been trained in various arts since childhood and was both literate and martial.
Even though Bai Di considered herself talented, she knew that she stood little chance against Zheng Yan.
"Miss Bai, what do you think?" Zheng Yan asked, sensing Bai Di's hesitation.
"Can you really compete with Di'er?" Feng Jingyang interjected anxiously. "If you lose my jade pendant..."
Zheng Yan cut him off. Her eyes were red, but her gaze was unwavering. "Your Highness, I'll do whatever it takes to get the jade pendant for you. Your Highness... Fourth Brother... For you, I can do it."
Feng Jingyang was taken aback by her determination. He suddenly remembered the way she had negotiated with him about taking Su Muxiao as a concubine. There had been a quiet strength in her that he had never seen before.
Without thinking, he nodded.
Bai Di bit her lip, looking troubled. "This... this doesn't seem right..."
Of course, she couldn't admit that she was no match for Zheng Yan. Instead, she looked to Feng Jingxuan for help.
Feng Jingxuan, unaware of the situation, thought that Bai Di didn't want to bully Zheng Yan. He patted her on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Since Fourth Brother and Miss Zheng have agreed, Di'er, you should compete with her. Miss Zheng, let's make it clear that the loser must accept defeat."
Hearing this, Bai Di's heart sank. But Zheng Yan just smiled and said, "Of course. What shall we compete in?"
There was no turning back now. Bai Di had to compete, whether she liked it or not.
She tilted her head as if in thought, her eyes flickering towards Bai Sheng.
Bai Sheng was sitting calmly in her seat, a faint smile on her lips. One hand rested on her waist, while the other reached up to brush her hair. Under Bai Di's gaze, she gently removed a jade hairpin adorned with pearls.
A bright smile spread across Bai Di's face. She turned to Zheng Yan and said, "Since there are so many people here today, let's skip the quiet activities like poetry, calligraphy, and chess. How about something more lively? One person plays the zither while the other dances. What do you think?"
"Sure," Zheng Yan replied without hesitation, her eyes shining like water.
"Only, my clothes are a bit tight. They're not very suitable for dancing..."
Zheng Yan stepped forward with a smile. "Then you play the zither, and I'll dance."
Hearing this, Bai Zheng couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Bai Di's zither skills had been widely praised by almost all the young gentlemen at the matchmaking banquet in the Marquis of Gaochang's mansion. Now she was repeating the same trick. How predictable.
But as Bai Zheng looked into Bai Di's deep, unfathomable eyes, a sense of unease crept over her.
She had a feeling that Bai Di's suggestion for Zheng Yan to dance was not without ulterior motives.