When she saw Leng Ruo Li seated beside the Empress Dowager, jealousy consumed her, and she cast a sinister gaze towards Leng Ruo Li, who sat to the Empress Dowager's left.
Immediately, Qin Xi Xue conceived a plan. Why not use Ye Mei Qian and Shen Yue Jia as pawns to embarrass Leng Ruo Li, or diminish her standing in the eyes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?
Thus, Qin Xi Xue cast a meaningful glance at Shen Yue Jia, who sat beside her, and then looked towards Leng Ruo Li on the viewing platform.
Initially, Shen Yue Jia did not grasp Qin Xi Xue's intent, but as Qin Xi Xue’s gaze shifted to Leng Ruo Li, she instantly understood.
Qin Xi Xue wanted her to cause trouble for Leng Ruo Li.
"Consort Leng," Shen Yue Jia deliberately announced for all to hear, "I've heard that not only is your medical skill exceptional, but your wisdom is profound, and your culinary talent rivals that of the imperial chefs. I imagine composing poetry and painting would also come easily to you."
"Then I shall have to disappoint Second Miss Shen. This consort neither composes poetry nor paints," Leng Ruo Li replied, readily discerning Shen Yue Jia's ulterior motives.
"Consort Leng, aren't you being too modest? The entire capital is abuzz with your deeds. They say you possess extraordinary medical skills, as well as both literary and martial prowess. You are..." Shen Yue Jia deliberately continued.
"Indeed, Consort Leng. We have all, almost everyone, participated in this poetry and painting competition. Only you and Princess Qing Ling are observing from the viewing platform," Ye Mei Qian quickly chimed in. She, too, was intensely jealous of Leng Ruo Li's favor with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and desperately wished to see Leng Ruo Li embarrassed before them.
"Miss Ye speaks the truth. Consort Leng, Princess Qing Ling, please come down and join us. See, Consort Shou is even participating," Shen Yue Jia urged.
Upon hearing Shen Yue Jia and Ye Mei Qian, the crowd began to stir and clamor.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Leng Jin Yu, and Jun Mo Han all wore darkened expressions.
While Leng Ruo Li's medical skills were indeed excellent, and her martial prowess was now considerable, coupled with her exquisite culinary talent, they had never witnessed her write poetry or paint. Therefore, they felt she was not proficient in such areas.
"Miss Ye, Consort Leng has already stated she does not write poetry or paint. Are you insisting she does, perhaps hoping to see her embarrassed?" the Empress Dowager asked, displeased.
"Your Majesty Empress Dowager, Consort Leng is naturally gifted. Composing poetry and painting are hardly insurmountable tasks for her," Shen Yue Jia boldly retorted, seemingly unafraid.
The onlookers gasped, especially Shen Yue Jia's parents.
Did this girl not see the darkened expressions of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Jun Mo Han, and Leng Jin Yu?
She dared to contradict the Empress Dowager, and here she was, provoking Leng Ruo Li, who was universally acknowledged in the capital as a favored individual by the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
At that moment, the Empress Dowager’s aura turned icy as she fixed her sharp gaze upon Shen Yue Jia.
"You..."
As the Empress Dowager uttered the word "you," Leng Ruo Li gently patted her hand.
"Empress Dowager, please do not be angry. Since Second Sister Shen and Miss Ye wish for your granddaughter-in-law to participate in the poetry competition, then Li'er shall participate," Leng Ruo Li said with a smile.
"Alas, but you..."
The Empress Dowager sighed, unsure what else to say, as she herself didn't know if Leng Ruo Li was skilled in poetry or painting.
Subsequently, Leng Ruo Li addressed the crowd, "Since Second Miss Shen and Miss Ye have so graciously invited this consort to participate in the poetry and painting competition, I shall offer my humble attempt."
Leng Ruo Li quickly descended the platform and sat at a small table, picking up a brush and pondering for several minutes.
The crowd watched her, secretly amused. This Leng Ruo Li truly couldn't write poetry. A significant portion of the incense stick had already burned down. Even if she could write, she wouldn't have time to contemplate. She was bound to be embarrassed shortly.
The Emperor, seated at the head, also began to worry about Leng Ruo Li’s state. The incense stick was nearly burnt out, and only then did Leng Ruo Li begin to write her poem with bold, flowing strokes.
"Han'er, does this girl Li'er truly know how to compose poetry?" the Emperor asked, his brows furrowed with concern.
"Father, there's no need to worry. Since Li'er dared to accept the invitation, she must have the confidence not to lose too badly," Jun Mo Han replied. He was less worried now, knowing his consort well. She wouldn't undertake anything without at least a seventy percent chance of success.
"That is good! This Second Miss Shen and that Miss Ye, one is the daughter of Shen Zhi Ang, the Minister of Justice, and the other is the daughter of Ye Yi Heng, the Minister of Rites, correct?" the Emperor confirmed, looking at Jun Mo Han.
"Yes, Father!" Jun Mo Han answered calmly. He inwardly offered his condolences to Shen Zhi Ang and Ye Yi Heng, as their daughters had provoked his Li'er and incurred the Emperor’s and Empress Dowager’s displeasure. Their families were surely in for trouble.
...
The incense stick soon burned out.
Eunuch Li immediately struck a bronze plate, signaling all the women participating in the poetry writing to put down their brushes. Grand Tutor Xia instructed several senior scholars to promptly collect the scrolls for evaluation on the main platform.
Four poems were quickly identified as relatively outstanding.
"Grand Tutor Xia, these four poems are the most exceptional from the poetry competition," one of the scholars respectfully handed his scrolls to Grand Tutor Xia.
Grand Tutor Xia received the scrolls and carefully reviewed the first poem.
"Mm, this poem, 'Record of Summer' by Consort Shou, has precise, exquisite words and phrases. It adheres to the rhyme scheme and flows melodically. It is quite good," Grand Tutor Xia commented seriously.
He then passed Consort Shou's poem to the Emperor, who read it and nodded in satisfaction. The Emperor thought that the daughter-in-law of his eldest son, who came from a humble background, truly possessed literary talent, far surpassing many young ladies from prominent families present.
Next, Grand Tutor Xia meticulously reviewed two more poems.
One was Ye Mei Qian's "Poem of Summer Solstice." This poem possessed logic and narrative coherence, and was well-written. After Grand Tutor Xia’s critique, he handed the scroll to the Emperor, who merely uttered a simple "Good" in response.
The next was Qin Xi Xue's "Curious Delights of Summer."
Dragonflies skim the water, never resting,
Golden beetles circle trees, seeking a mate.
Nature's creations hold so much wonder,
Hands clasped, gazing afar, joyful and carefree.
After reading it, Grand Tutor Xia nodded repeatedly in approval. "Your Majesty, this is a masterful composition, possessing both mood and imagery," Grand Tutor Xia praised profusely.
Qin Xi Xue, seated below the viewing platform, was immensely pleased by Grand Tutor Xia’s praise, confident that she would secure the first prize in the poetry competition. Even Prime Minister Qin Zhi Hong wore a beaming smile.
Just then, Grand Tutor Xia began reading another poem, "Summer Pavilion."
As he finished, everyone was stunned.