With this wonderful episode, the following comments on poems and paintings seemed calm and peaceful.

Changping Gōngzhǔ and Su Ying judged and selected the three best poems and paintings. Jiang Rongyue’s poems and paintings were among them, and Jiang Shi’s poems and paintings were also selected.

Ling Jingshu looked at Jiang’s paintings carefully and praised them with a smile: “My tangsao uses novel colors, and exquisite composition, and the lotus painting is unique and refreshing.”

Before Jiang Shi got married, she was also a lady famous for her talent. Hearing this, she smiled and said: “I haven’t written for a long time, and I’m already rusty. Don’t praise me, or I’ll blush if you praise me again.”

Ling Jingyan’s poems and paintings were not bad, but unfortunately, there were so many masters here today, and it was hard to stand out without something special. Fortunately, Ling Jingshu made a big splash, and Jiang Shi also gained a lot. Ling Jingyan was in a low mood for less than half a moment, and then she became happy again and whispered a few words to Jiang.

“Dàsǎo, I like the vase with the painting of a beauty. Can you pick that vase later?” The vase was slender and graceful, with a painting of a beauty holding an umbrella.

Jiang Shi followed Ling Jingyan’s gaze and nodded in agreement. As a result, Ling Jingyan was in a better mood.

Ling Jingshu saw this and couldn’t help but laugh secretly.

Ling Jingyan was so lucky to have such a gentle and generous dàsǎo.

Changping Gōngzhǔ laughed: “Today, I have the honor to appreciate the exquisite poems and paintings of you all, and I am really happy. Third Miss Jiang and the other three can take one from here as a prize. As for the others, I will also give them small gifts when they leave.”

Even the small gifts mentioned by Changping Gōngzhǔ were naturally not bad.

With such a generous hand, everyone couldn’t help but flatter.

Changping Gōngzhǔ enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, and her delicate and charming face was full of spring breeze.

Ling Jingshu was also among them, suppressing the overwhelming hatred in her heart bit by bit to the deepest part of her heart, with a perfect smile on her face.

Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ was probably the most depressed and annoyed person at the lotus viewing banquet today. After such a big embarrassment before, she was too embarrassed to make a fuss even if she was arrogant and willful.

After that, the palace maids came forward one by one to pack up the poems and paintings.

These paintings could be taken away when everyone left.

Changping Gōngzhǔ suddenly smiled and looked at Ling Jingshu: “Ninth Miss Ling, the lotus painting you made today is very much to my liking. If Ninth Miss Ling is willing to give this painting to me, I will definitely give you a generous gift.”

Ling Jingshu hurriedly stood up and said with a smile: “It is my honor to be favored by Her Royal Highness the Gōngzhǔ. How dare I ask for any generous gifts.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ admired Ling Jingshu’s appropriate response, smiled, and gently asked Ling Jingshu to sit down.

Although Changping Gōngzhǔ didn’t say anything else, everyone present knew that Ninth Miss Ling, with her superb poetry and painting and her smart and delicate mind, had already caught the eye of Changping Gōngzhǔ.

From today on, there was going to be one more person in this circle of noble ladies.

…

At noon, the lotus viewing banquet ended and everyone said goodbye one by one.

Jiang Shi really picked the beauty vase that Ling Jingyan liked, Ling Jingyan got a box of silk flowers from the palace, and Ling Jingshu gained the most. Changping Gōngzhǔ asked for her poetry and paintings. Then she gave her a set of the best four treasures of the study.

Hu brush, Hui ink, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstone, especially the inkstone, which was the most valuable.

After being busy for most of the day, Changping Gōngzhǔ was obviously a little tired and did not see the guests off in person. The eunuch saw the guests off.

Jiang Rongyue and Jiang Shi were walking together and were closest to Ling Jingshu. She smiled sweetly at Ling Jingshu and said, “Ninth Miss Ling, when my tángjiě comes back to visit, don’t forget to come along.”

Ling Jingshu would not refuse the kindness of others, and she responded with a smile.

When they were near the door, Su Ying, who was walking in front, slowed down her pace intentionally or unintentionally.

When Ling Jingshu and her group came over, Su Ying turned around and called out with a smile, “Ninth Miss Ling, please stay for a moment.”

Ling Jingshu stopped and said, “I wonder if Second Miss Su has any advice for me?”

“I don’t deserve to advise you. I just have a few presumptuous words to say.”

Su Ying’s voice was soft and pleasant. Her eyes were clear and friendly: “Today, I am fortunate to meet Ninth Miss Ling at the Lotus Appreciation Banquet. I just feel that you and I are very compatible, so I hope to make friends with you. Let’s visit each other often in the future.”

There was indeed such a thing as a first impression between people.

For example, the first time she saw Fúmǐn Jùnzhǔ, Ling Jingshu felt disgusted from the bottom of her heart.

But today, Su Ying left a very good first impression on her.

“Miss Su’s words really touched my heart.” Ling Jingshu responded with a friendly smile: “I also think that you and I are very predestined. Thank you for not giving up. If you are willing to make friends with me, how can I not be willing.”

Su Ying laughed: “Why are you getting more and more polite? Let’s not say these polite words. In a few days, it will be my coming-of-age day. I will send an invitation to the Ling family at that time. I hope you will come as promised.”

For a young girl in the boudoir, the coming-of-age day was very important. It symbolized that the girl had grown up and could talk about marriage.

Even ordinary people would hold a coming-of-age ceremony for their daughters. For noble ladies, the coming-of-age ceremony was even more important and grand.

Su Ying took the initiative to invite Ling Jingshu to attend her coming-of-age ceremony, obviously treating Ling Jingshu as someone worthy of being friends with.

Ling Jingshu agreed without hesitation: “Okay, I will definitely come then.”

Su Ying pursed her lips and smiled: “Then it’s a deal.”

After that, she nodded politely to everyone, then turned and left.

…

The graceful and charming figure quickly disappeared in front of everyone.

Ling Jingyan couldn’t help but sigh: “I have heard of the reputation of Second Miss Su as the most talented woman in the capital. Seeing her today, she is even better than the reputation.”

All talented women were bound to be a little arrogant. This Second Miss Su was humble and polite, very friendly, and made people feel like spring breeze.

Even the most picky people had to admit that Second Miss Su was indeed a famous lady with both virtue and talent.

Ling Jingshu also praised another girl sincerely: “Yes, Second Miss Su is indeed very outstanding.”

Jiang Rongyue felt a little unhappy when she heard them praising Su Ying.

She was also a person who couldn’t hide her thoughts. When her mood fluctuated, her face inevitably showed a little.

Ling Jingshu noticed the change in Jiang Rongyue’s expression from the corner of her eyes, and immediately changed the subject: “I came to the banquet today and not only met Second Miss Su but also Third Miss Jiang, who is straightforward, cute, and lively. It’s really my good luck.”

This sounded really pleasing to the ear.

Jiang Rongyue’s eyes curved, and she smiled playfully and happily: “In fact, I am only two months younger than Sister Su. After her coming-of-age ceremony, it will soon be my turn. Don’t forget to come and visit us when the time comes.”

… (To be continued)