She hadn't been unable to heal her face, she simply hadn't felt the need to.
Xiao Shaozi, surprised by the host's proactive attitude towards missions, asked in disbelief, "First, first find Qiao Shan?"
"Yes, is there a problem?" Qiao Ci asked, confused. Why was the dog so full of questions today?
"Hehe, no, Host is the best!" It was wonderful that the host was taking the initiative to complete missions, and Xiao Shaozi cheered.
Seeing the demoness leave the ruined temple, the beggars silently prayed that she wouldn't return!
*
The annual poetry appreciation gathering.
Dan Rong, following her father's instructions, brought Dan Qing out to see the world and to help him find some talented young women.
This year's poetry appreciation gathering was held at the Junyue Restaurant.
As Dan Qing and Dan Rong entered the restaurant, they caused a stir.
"The First Princess is here. Could the person of unparalleled beauty beside her be the current young prince?"
"Truly as beautiful as an immortal, gentle as jade, with an otherworldly aura."
"Suddenly, even the top scholars seem ordinary. The young prince is the true epitome of celestial beauty."
"Are you tired of living? How dare you compare the young prince to such a commoner!"
Qiao Shan, who had been waiting at the Junyue Restaurant to make a stunning debut, heard this and looked towards the entrance with interest, eager to see the most beautiful man in her writings.
Upon seeing Dan Qing, with his cool, unworldly demeanor and exquisite handsomeness, she was utterly captivated.
As expected, he was the most beautiful man in her writings. Just looking at him was enough to uplift the spirits.
However, his expression didn't quite match his soft and adorable character. Could he be troubled by something today?
His furrowed brows pained Qiao Shan. To win a smile from the beauty, she immediately pushed open the private room door and announced loudly, "There is a beauty in Dan country, peerless and unique. One glance can conquer a city, another can conquer a nation. Know not if it is the city or the nation that is conquered, a beauty is indeed hard to find."
"A good poem! Well said, 'One glance can conquer a city, another can conquer a nation!'"
"Peerless and unique, it truly suits our young prince's image. A good poem!"
"So good at flattery. Everyone knows she used to chase after the young prince all the time. I thought she had finally given up, but it seems she hasn't."
"But her poems are indeed exceptional, perhaps they will be passed down through the ages."
Ignoring the mixed reactions from the surroundings, Qiao Shan slowly stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, First Princess, greetings, Young Prince. The Young Prince has become even more elegant and refined. I was so taken by your divine appearance that I couldn't help but compose a poem on the spot, dedicated to this beauty, and to apologize for my past impudence."
Dan Rong was also impressed by her poem, especially since it was written for her brother. She said happily, "Qiao Shan, after three days, one should look at someone with new eyes. You are no longer the foolish sycophant you used to be. Hahaha, keep it up, I have high hopes for you."
Upon hearing her recite the poem, Dan Qing's displeasure intensified.
Qiao Ci had once written this poem for him when they practiced calligraphy. Except for changing "North" to "Dan Country," it was exactly the same.
He recalled A Ci saying it was written by a man named Li. Why had it now become this infatuated woman's impromptu creation?
To avoid wrongly accusing her, Dan Qing lightly opened his lips and asked, "Wouldn't it be better to change 'Dan Country' to 'North'?"
Qiao Shan froze for a moment upon hearing this, then quickly recovered, "The Young Prince speaks wisely. Then, from now on, it shall be 'In the North, there is a beauty, peerless and unique.'"
Dan Qing certainly didn't miss the flicker of surprise in her eyes. He surmised that she had probably seen the poem somewhere and shamelessly passed it off as her own work, which was truly laughable.
Qiao Shan's heart was filled with uncertainty. She wondered if he genuinely knew this poem or if it was a coincidence.
However, Dan Qing gave her no chance, flicking his sleeve and walking further in, his voice lightly drifting through the hall, "Cleverness only serves itself."
Seeing that Qiao Shan had upset her brother, Dan Rong's expression darkened. She said coldly, "Stop playing games and step aside."
Then, she cheerfully called out to Dan Qing, "Dan Qing, dear brother, slow down, wait for your sister."
Qiao Shan's face showed a moment of displeasure. Dan Qing was not at all close to his "mother." Why had she given him the role of a pampered darling?
However, she was in a novel now, where imperial power reigned supreme, and she couldn't act as freely as she could with her own characters when she was the author.
This was truly infuriating!
Didn't others who transmigrated into their own novels always flourish? After all, they were the creators of everyone here! Shouldn't they have a natural affinity for her?
She would definitely remember this Dan Qing! She would take back all the honor and beauty she had bestowed upon him. We'll see how this plays out!
Following Dan Qing into the reserved private room, she gave him a thumbs-up, "Brother, your literary talent is remarkable. Changing just two words managed to stump that Qiao Shan!"
Dan Qing knew his sister loved to joke around and said helplessly, "Imperial Sister, please don't tease me."
"Hehe, Father-Consort has given me instructions to find a gentle and considerate wife for you as soon as possible. You should also put in some effort. As long as you like someone, Imperial Sister will immediately pack her up and deliver her to your palace!"
Dan Qing offered no opinion on Dan Rong's words. He merely said, "Imperial Sister, hurry and go play with your friends. I'll just have some tea here by myself."
"Then I'm off to play. If you need anything, just have a guard fetch me. I'll lend you Lan Yan for a few days another time. You behave and look for a future wife, okay?"
With that, Dan Rong skipped away gleefully.
Dan Qing shook his head with a smile, but a moment later his eyes filled with disappointment. Was this the price of not being able to have it all?
In losing his family affection, he had gained A Ci.
In losing A Ci, his family affection had returned.
Truly, fate played tricks on people.
He had returned, but where was she...
According to the information provided by Xiao Shaozi, Qiao Ci, without even changing out of her beggar's disguise, bustled into the tea house.
At this moment, the poetry gathering was in full swing.
The theme was the moon, and impromptu poems were to be composed.
The renowned talented woman, Ling Xiaofei, had just finished a poem when Qiao Shan impatiently stepped forward.
Whether anyone else mattered or not, as long as she could outshine the top talented woman, she would be completely victorious.
Qiao Shan feigned deep thought for a moment, then cleared her throat and began, "When did the bright moon first appear? I raise my wine to ask the blue sky. I wonder in the celestial palaces, what year is this evening. I wish to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade mansions and crystalline towers, for the heights are too cold. To dance..."
Dan Qing's expression in the private room tightened. Qiao Ci had also shown him this poem before. Since he was lacking in poetic talent, she had used others' poems for him to study.
This Qiao Shan had been a simpleton before, so how could she know poems that even Qiao Ci knew?
Just then, a clear yet sweetly feminine voice interrupted Qiao Shan's smugness and reached his ears.
"Hahaha, well said, well said!! Let me guess, next will be:
Dancing with clear shadows, how does it compare to the mortal realm?
Turning the vermilion pavilion, low in the ornate chamber, shining on the sleepless. Should there be no resentment, why is it always full when we are apart? People have joys and sorrows, partings and reunions; the moon waxes and wanes. This has always been difficult to perfect. May we live long, and share the moon's beauty across a thousand miles?
The voice continued, "Is this a recitation competition or an original improvisation? Someone is plagiarizing the poems of the great poet Su. I am here to report it. I wonder if there is any reward?"