As there was to be a competition with valuable prizes, Chu Nian'an even had paper and writing brushes fetched.
The solemn attitude and serene atmosphere even attracted the curiosity of some men.
Chu Heyao tossed back a cup of wine. "Ziyan, your new wife is probably going to lose. It's a pity about those Dongzhu pearls."
An Xingzhi had made a name for herself in the capital city when she was twelve. Her grandfather was an imperial tutor, and influenced by her family's learning, her talent was no less than that of a man.
Even among the scholars today, there were still those who chanted the poem An Xingzhi had written a few years ago: "The small building pities the autumn's sad chill; alone in the evening wind and rain I go."
As for Ning Yuwang, if it weren't for her marriage to Yan Zhao, there would only be rumors of her stunning beauty, but never any word of her astonishing talent.
Yan Zhao wasn't completely confident either, but he knew a bit about Ning Yuwang's tricks. She wasn't a person without preparation.
He only replied calmly, "We can afford to lose!"
In the middle of the flower pavilion, on the round table, a stick of incense was lit.
"You only have the time it takes for this stick of incense to compose a poem. Cousin-in-law and Xingzhi, get ready."
The others in the flower pavilion had all moved outside, for fear of disturbing the two of them.
Seeing Yan Zhao standing beside Chu Heyao, Chu Nian'an stuck out her tongue. "Cousin Zhao, do you think highly of Xingzhi?"
She deliberately didn't ask about Ning Yuwang.
Yan Zhao shook his head. "I have faith in my wife."
Here it comes again!
Chu Nian'an scolded herself for being self - deprecating. She had just been shown a wave of affection by her cousin before the morning class.
She simply shut up and walked towards her twin brother, Chu Heye.
"Third brother, who do you think will win?"
"Xingzhi and I grew up together. Naturally, I'm on her side."
Chu Heye didn't think highly of Ning Yuwang. He was only a bit interested in her appearance. He looked at An Xingzhi intently. This was the woman he had been longing to marry.
With her family background, power, talent, and looks, only by getting her could he gain all the support from the An family.
As they were chatting, An Xingzhi, who had been deep in thought, finally moved. She picked up the writing brush and started to write. Her posture was gentle and graceful, presenting a pleasant sight.
On the other hand, Ning Yuwang, standing opposite her, actually had the mood to pour herself a drink. She tilted her head back and took a sip, revealing her slender and fair neck, instantly attracting most people's attention.
It had to be said that Prince Yan Zhao and his princess consort were truly a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
Every frown and smile of theirs attracted people's involuntary gazes.
Because of Yan Zhao's bad reputation, people didn't dare to look directly at him, so their eyes fell more on Ning Yuwang.
Suddenly, a cold aura seemed to spread. Everyone felt as if a chilling air was surrounding them. When they looked at Yan Zhao again, his face was clearly cold and angry. Only then did they shrink back their gazes timidly.
After An Xingzhi finished writing, she gently blew on the ink. By now, most of the incense on the round table had burned away.
She then looked at Ning Yuwang, who hadn't put pen to paper yet, and said with a smile, "The time is almost up. If the princess consort still can't do it, why not just admit defeat?"
Ning Yuwang gently put down the wine cup. "Mind your own business."
An Xingzhi's smile immediately froze. She steadied her expression and walked out first. "I'm showing off my mediocrity."
Chu Heye opened his fan. "Dancing lightly under the moon over the imperial city tower; singing to the April wind among the peach blossoms. Good, extremely good!"
These two lines were truly wonderful, gentle and melodious.
He looked at An Xingzhi appreciatively. Receiving her shy glance in return, he continued to read, "Listening to the falling flowers in the high - rise all night; in the deep alley tomorrow, fragrance will be everywhere."
"Xingzhi truly deserves the title of the most talented girl."
Chu Nian'an clapped her hands. "The Dongzhu pearls must be yours."
She was very happy. If An Xingzhi won the written test, as her best friend, she might even get one of the pearls.
"Miss An truly lives up to her reputation as a talented girl!"
"Beautiful and talented. This is truly the most charming young lady of the Chu Dynasty!"
It seemed that everyone was praising An Xingzhi and had forgotten about Ning Yuwang, who was still writing rapidly in the flower pavilion.
She had started writing before Chu Heye read An Xingzhi's poem, but at that time, everyone's attention was on An Xingzhi, so they ignored her.
Only Yan Zhao's eyes were fixed on Ning Yuwang.
Unlike An Xingzhi's delicate and gentle manner, Ning Yuwang's movements were bold and unrestrained, with a kind of natural freedom.
A gentle smile curved Yan Zhao's lips. Yes, she had always been a bold and unrestrained woman.
The incense burned out. It was as if Chu Nian'an had just remembered Ning Yuwang. She skipped over to stand behind Ning Yuwang. "Cousin - in - law, your..."
But she stopped halfway. She stood there, stunned.
"Princess, can't the princess consort come up with a poem?"
Song Yiran was impatient. She rushed forward eagerly. "I said it before. How could she know how to compose a poem! She was just pretending..."
When her eyes fell on Ning Yuwang's poem, she opened her mouth and then closed it. She couldn't continue.
An Xingzhi was also extremely curious, but she restrained her impulse. She even pretended to be generous and spoke up for Ning Yuwang. "Maybe the time was too short. It's understandable that the princess consort didn't come up with anything. After all, this is her first time participating."
If the time was too short, she had already composed a poem when half of the incense had burned.
If Ning Yuwang still couldn't write, it could only mean that she had little knowledge, making herself a laughingstock.
Hiding the meaning of belittling Ning Yuwang, An Xingzhi was determined to win the prize on the table. But she didn't notice Chu Nian'an's anxious eye - signals.
Chu Heyao had little patience. "I saw my sister - in - law start writing. What on earth did she write to surprise you all like this?"
He rushed forward in a hurry, still holding a wine flask in his hand. After just two glances, he burst into laughter. "Good! Good! Sister - in - law's poem is the best!"
The words "the best" were like a slap in the face for An Xingzhi.
What was even more embarrassing was that Chu Heyao took out a stack of shop deeds from his bosom. "I'm a vulgar person, cousin. I really can't offer you anything worthy of you. Take all these. From now on, you won't lack anything in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation."
Ning Yuwang looked at Yan Zhao. After the latter nodded slightly, she took them. "Cousin, your gift is too generous. If you're free someday, come to the prince's mansion. My husband and I will also prepare a great gift for you."
An Xingzhi couldn't wait any longer. She lifted her skirt and walked into the flower pavilion. Chu Heye, who had just praised An Xingzhi, couldn't help but follow her.
Before the two of them could get close, Chu Heyao took a sip of wine and read out loudly, "Sober, I sit in front of the flowers; drunk, I sleep under the moon. Who would like to grow old in the company of wine and the moon? I'd rather fight on the battlefield!"
"Good! Which man of our Chu Dynasty would like to grow old in the company of wine and the moon? If given the chance, we will surely fight the barbarians on the battlefield!"
As a prince, he couldn't go to the battlefield himself, but he had had a dream of being a general since childhood!
He wanted to be like Yan Zhao's father, a great general who could defend the people of Chu.
If An Xingzhi was like gentle flowing water, then Ning Yuwang was like a vast and mighty ocean.
Her poem wasn't about the petty emotions of a young girl, but about the great righteousness of the country and the world.
Moreover, her calligraphy was different from An Xingzhi's delicate small - regular script. It was an unrestrained cursive script, smooth and domineering.
Chu Heyao really liked it and even asked for this poem. Ning Yuwang naturally agreed.
In this written test, it was already clear who was better.
Even Chu Heye found it hard to find fault with Ning Yuwang's poem. This poem was truly outstanding. Even he, deep in his heart, had a hidden ambition.
"Xingzhi, you lost."
Chu Nian'an said cautiously. An Xingzhi had always been a proud young lady, her talent well - known in the capital.
But today, she had been outshone by Ning Yuwang. She couldn't even maintain her facial expression.
She even regretted why she had pretended to be generous and said that Ning Yuwang couldn't write a poem.
She never thought that Ning Yuwang would turn the tables. Now, she was the one who had become a laughingstock.