"You good-for-nothing! I shouldn't have listened to you at all!" Song Yulin shot a venomous look at Yun Ni. Unwilling to let Yun Xi off so easily, she rolled her eyes and suddenly came up with an idea.
Watching Yun Xi and Yu Xueming, who were about to step down after receiving the queen's praise, she suddenly shouted, "Wait! What's the fun in just competing in talents?"
"I've heard that the Princess of Yongning is smart and wise. I'm sure her literary talent must be excellent too. How about you and Xueming compose a poem on the spot so that we can all admire your brilliance?"
Hearing this, the queen frowned slightly and looked at Song Yulin coldly.
She remembered that the girl was the daughter of the Minister of Rites and had some relation to her sister - in - law. Her sister - in - law had also mentioned this girl to her occasionally.
Originally, she had planned to make this girl a concubine of the crown prince after the selection of the crown princess. But thinking of Song Yulin's previous behavior and instigation, she was extremely disappointed in this girl.
Now seeing Song Yulin speak rashly again, a hint of annoyance welled up in her heart!
Her eyes inadvertently glanced at the emperor sitting beside her, who was openly flirting with the beauty in his arms regardless of the presence of everyone. The queen clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Just as she was about to take her anger out on Song Yulin, she heard the princess dowager say, "Sister - in - law, since we have plenty of time today, why not give them a chance. It's just a single poem. It won't take much time."
You know, Yu Xueming was named the most talented woman in the capital not because of her outstanding dancing skills, but because of her excellent literary talent. She could recite poems at the age of three and was familiar with Feng, Ya, and Song at six, having the content of The Book of Songs memorized by heart. Her poetry - writing skills were effortless.
Just at the beginning of last year, Yu Xueming founded a poetry club called Jihua Poetry Society, inviting the young ladies from the girls' academy to join. She compiled the poems they wrote into a poetry collection, which was well - received in the market.
Yu Xueming was after all the beloved disciple of the princess dowager. The princess dowager couldn't bear to see her reputation being overshadowed just now, so she spoke up to help.
How could the queen not guess the princess dowager's intention? But she didn't want to disappoint her either. So she restrained her anger and nodded.
"All right. Let the theme be 'Spring'. Let them show their talents as they like."
Then, thinking that this might be unfair to the other women, the queen added, "Everyone else can also participate. All of you here will be the judges. The winner will get a prize!"
Saying this, she quietly gave an order to the maid beside her. Soon, the maid came over with a red - wood and gold - painted tray. On it was a jade ruyi of pure green color, obviously a top - grade item!
Everyone was immediately intrigued. The princess dowager silently gave Yu Xueming a look, signaling her to seize the opportunity.
Yu Xueming nodded gratefully at the princess dowager. Her previous unwillingness was replaced by confidence.
"Yun Xi, you go first," Yu Xueming said with a gentle smile, showing her modesty.
But Yun Xi shook her head with a smile.
"You go first. I haven't thought of anything yet."
As soon as Yun Xi said this, there were a few sneers from the audience. Led by Song Yulin, she snorted and said, "It would be strange if she could come up with something! She only became a princess because of some petty tricks and luck that she got from who knows how many lifetimes of good deeds. Writing poems requires real talent!"
"No wonder she wants Xueming to go first. Maybe she wants to copy Xueming's poem?"
"Haha, it's really possible!"
These people were all members of the poetry club. One after another, they burst into laughter, openly mocking Yun Xi. Zhen Bao was so angry that she almost jumped up!
She didn't even care about arguing. She immediately quietly ran towards the men's seating area, wanting her two brothers to help or find a poetry collection somewhere to help Yun Xi out!
Hearing the ridicule, a hint of pride flashed across Yu Xueming's eyes.
Her eyes passed over the crowd and landed on Qi Rong, who was drinking alone in the men's seating area. She made a silent decision in her heart. Then she said clearly, "The gentle rain is like suet, about to wet the clothes. The green leaves lean on the branches in the spring of February."
The speed at which she composed the poem was astonishing!
And the artistic conception in it was delicate and gentle, like a painting in a poem and a poem in a painting. Everyone thought that as expected, she was the daughter of the grand tutor!
After Yu Xueming's poem, no one could compete with her. Even though a few others composed poems, their works were mediocre and far inferior.
Finally, everyone's eyes fell on Yun Xi again. Outside the venue, Zhen Bao was shaking her fifth brother's neck anxiously: "Think quickly!"
Zhen Bao's fifth brother was so dizzy from being shaken by his sister that he coughed violently. He helplessly patted his sister's hand and said hoarsely, "Let go quickly. I'm almost choked to death by you."
Seeing that her fifth brother was useless, Zhen Bao turned her eyes to her fourth brother. Her fourth brother quickly got up and ran away: "I need to go to the toilet!"
After saying that, he disappeared in a flash, using the excuse of going to the toilet to escape!
Just when Zhen Bao thought her sister was going to make a fool of herself, Yun Xi slowly spoke up.
"A thousand miles of ice and snow delay the arrival of spring. All things revive and the swallows return to their nests."
The momentum was magnificent, and the artistic conception immediately rose to a higher level!
Spring is the most important season of the year.
Spring always gives people hope, representing the end of darkness and the beginning of all vitality.
This immediately made people think of the snow disaster in the Liuguo last winter. The ice and snow covered a thousand miles, and the common people were displaced and suffering. There was hardly any sign of vitality. The word "hate" was used just right!
The court reacted in time and immediately sent the King of Xian and court officials to the northwest to relieve the disaster. They quickly pacified the disaster and prevented the spread of the plague.
That was why there was the revival of all things and the prosperous and peaceful era now. "The swallows return" meant everything returned to normal!
"Well done, Princess of Yongning!" The emperor was the first to stand up and clap. Feeling that his achievements were once again praised, he looked at the princess he had personally conferred with new respect!
Since the emperor took the lead, the people below naturally echoed. The men present also sighed in admiration.
"This poem is amazing! Although the poem of the most talented woman is also good, in terms of artistic conception, it's far behind!"
"Yes. Miss Yu lost because her pattern is too narrow. It has a feeling of a petite and gentle woman, just a poem for women."
"I think that after today, the title of the most talented woman may change hands!"
The men spoke bluntly without being as euphemistic as the women. Their words made Yu Xueming's face turn pale, and she clenched her fists tightly.
Saying that her pattern was narrow? Saying that her vision was short - sighted?
Don't forget how these people used to flatter her on weekdays and treat her like a star in the sky!
Because of Yun Xi, her lifelong reputation was completely ruined!
Unable to bear the ridicule any longer, Yu Xueming was so ashamed and angry that she immediately walked towards the stage. But she walked too fast and stumbled. Fortunately, Yun Xi beside her caught her.
"Don't pretend to be kind!" Yu Xueming shook off Yun Xi's hand, and her eyes glaring at Yun Xi seemed to hide two ice knives!
Yun Xi shrugged her shoulders, looking innocent.
She didn't expect Yu Xueming to be so unable to accept defeat. She was already angry and had completely forgotten her usual elegant demeanor.
"Good job, Yun Xi!" Zhen Bao clapped her hands and laughed, feeling proud.
The queen also nodded with a smile and motioned for the maid to present the jade ruyi. However, at this moment, the emperor stepped forward quickly, blocked the maid, and took the jade ruyi from the maid's hand himself.
Under everyone's shocked gazes, he walked towards Yun Xi step by step, with a burning light in his eyes.