The Emperor was not anxious, but the eunuchs were worried to death! ^[1]The proverb “皇帝不急，急死太监” (huáng dì bù jí, jí sǐ tài jiàn) translates to “The emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is worried to death.” This … Continue reading

This sentence was really true.

Seeing that Ling Jingshu was still so slow, Ling Jingyan wanted to grab the pen in her hand and paint and write poems for her.

Speaking of which, although the two were cousins, they had not been close for so many years. One lived in the capital for a long time, and the other lived in Dingzhou, and they had never been in contact. Ling Jingyan only knew that Ling Jingshu was good at growing peonies, but she knew nothing about her level of poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

Seeing Ling Jingyan’s anxious scratching look, Ling Jingshu couldn’t help but laugh, and stopped joking. She concentrated on picking up the pen and writing.

The tip of the pen fell lightly on the soft snow-white rice paper, leaving a deep or shallow ink mark.

There was not a hint of hesitation, nor the slightest bit of doubt.

With a plan in mind, it was done in one fell swoop.

In just a cup of tea, the lotus painting was ready. Then she picked up the pen to write a poem, and it was also done in one go!

Ling Jingyan, who was standing by, was already stunned, her eyes wide open, her mouth unconsciously opened wide: “Ah, Ah Shu, you actually finished the painting so quickly?!”

Ling Jingshu smiled at Ling Jingyan: “Yan tangjie, there is not much time left. You still have a lot left!”

After being reminded by Ling Jingshu, Ling Jingyan suddenly woke up, had no time to speak, and immediately lowered her head to get busy.

Everyone present was paying attention to the movements on this side, and they were all amazed to see Ling Jingshu painting and writing poems in such a short time.

Regardless of the poem or painting, the speed and calmness alone were better than that of Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ.

It was a pity that they were a little far away, and they couldn’t see how Ling Jingshu was painting even if they stretched their necks.

Seeing that the time was almost up, most people had not finished their paintings and calligraphy, and they were busy painting and writing poems with their heads down, and no one left the table to watch.

…

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ, who was lowering her head to polish the draft, kept her ears erect. When she heard that Ling Jingshu had finished the poem and painting, she was shocked. She was surprised and her pen trembled.

Damn it!

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ looked at the little bit of ink, and the anger in her heart almost burst out of her nose. But it was useless to be depressed and annoyed at this time. She could only draw another lotus leaf to cover the ink.

Not only did it take time, but it also slightly affected the original pattern.

It was all the fault of that hateful and damnable Ling Jingshu! She had not been writing before, but suddenly she started writing, and she was faster when she painted! It was clear that she was deliberately disturbing her just now.

Painting and writing poems required calmness. Only when you were calm, could you write a good poem and painting. Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ was so angry and anxious that she couldn’t hold the pen steadily enough, and her pen strength seemed rough.

Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ sat beside Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ and looked at her coldly for a while. She reminded her lightly: “Fumin, you are too impatient.”

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ pursed her lips, and a trace of shame flashed in her eyes.

She knew she was too impatient! But emotions are something that can’t be controlled just by wanting to. The more she tried to calm herself down, the more her emotions became turbulent.

… Never mind! This is enough to beat that stinky girl!

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ put down her pen and took a quick look. Her painting of lotus can barely be considered a top-notch work. Ling Jingshu only took a cup of tea to finish the poem and painting. Could it be that she could be better than hers?

Thinking of this, Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ’s self-confidence surged again, and she raised her head proudly.

When she looked up, she met Ling Jingshu’s gaze.

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ pulled the corner of her lips provocatively.

Ling Jingshu smiled indifferently in return.

This smile was seen by Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ as a provocation!

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ’s anger surged up, and she sneered in her heart. You can still laugh now, but later you won’t even be able to cry!

…

“Time’s up!”

Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ announced, and all the girls stopped writing.

However, everyone’s attention was obviously on Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ and Ling Jingshu today. The winner had been decided, and someone had to jump into the lake to pick Lotus.

Will the winner be Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ or Ling Jingshu?

If Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ wins, Ling Jingshu won’t be able to hide. What if Ling Jingshu wins, will the arrogant Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ really jump into the lake?

The more everyone thought about it, the more excited they felt. It was exciting!

The originally ordinary lotus-viewing banquet suddenly became tense and exciting because of this episode.

Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ was obviously quite interested. She smiled and called Su Ying: “It’s easy for me to make mistakes when judging alone, and there is also the suspicion of shielding. Miss Su, come here and judge with me!”

Su Ying gladly agreed, “Since it is an order from Her Highness, I would be honored to accept.”

After all, Su Ying was just a teenage girl. She had no resistance to such exciting and interesting things.

Jiang Rongyue spoke out on behalf of the girls: “Your Highness, although we are not qualified to judge, we also want to appreciate the poems and paintings of Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ and Ninth Miss Ling together!”

Everyone agreed.

Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ raised her eyebrows and smiled: “Well since everyone is curious, come together. Let’s look at Fumin’s poems and paintings first, and then look at Ninth Miss Ling’s.”

Everyone quickly gathered around Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ and Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ.

Among them, there was Ling Jingshu.

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ glanced at Ling Jingshu, her eyes full of mockery: “Ninth Miss Ling, are you also coming to see my poems and paintings?”

Ling Jingshu smiled slightly: “It’s a rare opportunity to ask the Jùnzhǔ for advice, I naturally don’t want to miss it. If the Jùnzhǔ wants to see my poems and paintings later, you are also welcome.”

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ was choked and speechless.

When everyone gathered in front of her poems and paintings, praising them one by one, Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ’s face regained a proud smile.

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ was indeed qualified to be proud.

Her lotus appreciation painting was bright and eye-catching, a lotus pond, green lotus leaves covering the lake, and lotus flowers are graceful. The fragrance of lotus in the pond seems to hit you.

The poem was quite exquisite:

The gentle breeze stirs the purple leaves,
Light dew brushes the vermilion chambers.
The central pond turns green,
Awaiting my radiance to spread its red glow.

In just one hour, she completed such a poem and painting, which was enough to show the profound skills of Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ. She was definitely not a fool!

Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ commented pertinently: “It is an excellent work!”

Su Ying also smiled and said: “The Jùnzhǔ’s poem and painting are indeed brilliant.” After a pause, she said: “There is a slight flaw only in this place.”

The place where her slender finger pointed was the lotus leaf that was added because of the ink mark. An extra lotus leaf was not a big deal, but it slightly destroyed the original perfect composition.

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ also had to admire Su Ying’s vision: “Yes, this is to cover up the ink mark.”

“Flaws do not hide the jade.” Su Ying smiled and said: “I am just nitpicking. It is really difficult to have a perfect painting in this world.”

Ling Jingshu nodded secretly in her heart. Su Ying’s vision was accurate. The title of the first talented woman in the capital was not undeserved.

Next, it is Ling Jingshu’s turn.

(To be continued.)