After returning to the academy, Nian Jiaojiao thought she had escaped unscathed.
At this moment.
Nian Jiaojiao regarded the golden invitation on the table with the gravitas of facing a formidable enemy.
[For Nian Jiaojiao, the First Child Prodigy]
You are cordially invited to a banquet held at the Prince's Mansion gardens on the 3rd day of the 5th month, in the spring of Year 1157 of the Great Moon Dynasty, at the hour of You.
The wording was brief, but this "Prince's Mansion" was not just any prince's mansion.
The "Prince's Mansion" here referred to the estate of the Vice City Lord of Fengcheng.
"Jiaojiao..."
Tong Fu looked at her with concern.
Nian Jiaojiao comforted her:
"It's fine, don't worry, it's not some dragon's pool or tiger's den. Am I afraid of her?"
Not wanting Tong Fu to worry, Nian Jiaojiao feigned ease.
"Then... shall I accompany you?"
"It's alright, I'm fine!"
Nian Jiaojiao spoke the truth. Her martial skills were now quite good, and if she truly encountered any... danger, escaping would not be a problem.
"Then, alright."
Tong Fu nodded, but inwardly she had made up her mind that if the other party did not return tomorrow, she would go find her.
...
As dusk began to fall.
The Prince's Mansion.
The mansion's gardens were reserved for the enjoyment of the estate's masters. In her previous life, it would have been a miniature resort. Even Nian Jiaojiao, a modern person, marveled at it with surprise.
This banquet was grand. In the prime of spring, the entire garden was a riot of blossoms, dazzling the eyes.
And the people coming and going from the Prince's Mansion were as numerous as flowing water. Nian Jiaojiao was merely one unremarkable figure among them.
The only thing special was that Nian Jiaojiao, now possessing a beautiful appearance, attracted quite a few glances from young gentlemen along the way.
As there were no acquaintances within the Prince's Mansion, Nian Jiaojiao consciously found a quiet, secluded spot to sit.
The gentlemen who noticed her were too shy to approach, and the ladies had no interest in conversing with a stranger in plain attire. This suited Nian Jiaojiao perfectly, allowing her to enjoy the delicacies and scenery at her leisure.
After a while, most of the guests had arrived.
The Vice City Lord, along with her husband and children, made her appearance.
Along the way, the air was filled with the compliments of nobles and scholars from all walks of life. Only after the Vice City Lord was seated did these sounds gradually fade.
The Vice City Lord stood up first, her face beaming with ambition.
"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. I offer you this toast!"
Everyone quickly rose to reciprocate. To avoid appearing conspicuous, Nian Jiaojiao also stood up.
The Vice City Lord savored this scene of "one call, a hundred responses." She narrowed her eyes slightly, her somewhat plump, round face resembling a Maitreya Buddha.
Not long after everyone was seated, someone suggested that the young gentlemen present showcase their talents to entertain the guests.
And so, in the center of the garden, young gentlemen strove to display their talents and appearance.
The first gentleman to appear played the xiao with great skill.
The gentleman was fair-skinned and delicate, embodying the current aesthetic trend of the Great Moon Dynasty. The audience was not only listening to the xiao but also admiring a handsome man.
The second gentleman performed a dance.
This young man's dance steps were graceful, his sleeves fluttering. Nian Jiaojiao guessed it was a dance from the Great Moon, and although the dance performed by a man appeared somewhat effeminate, she had to admit it was pleasing to the eye.
The third presentation involved two gentlemen.
One sang a song adapted from a poem written by a great scholar of the Great Moon, while the other accompanied him on the qin, creating a unique charm.
...
After more than twenty young gentlemen had performed one after another, the show concluded.
Nian Jiaojiao watched with great interest, while Wang Zhilan, the Vice City Lord's daughter, sat above with little interest, growing restless.
In her opinion, what was so captivating about the performances of a group of young men? It was women who were more...
At this moment, the Vice City Lord spoke:
"Today, I have invited everyone here not only to admire the flowers but also to compose a poem related to flowers. Of course, for any poem that captures my fancy, there will be a generous reward!"
Nian Jiaojiao felt a touch of strangeness upon hearing this.
Why go to such great lengths for just one poem?
As Nian Jiaojiao pondered, the Vice City Lord provided the answer:
"Do you all perhaps wonder why you've been specifically invited to compose poems? After all, the Prince's Mansion has many retainers who are adept at poetry."
Everyone nodded, looking towards the Vice City Lord for her answer.
The Vice City Lord smiled slightly.
"This poem composition is not my request, but that of the Prefect... Now, everyone understands what I mean, don't you?"
[Prefect] Fengcheng was currently under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou. Qingzhou had 26 cities like Fengcheng, and the Prefect who governed Qingzhou was equivalent to a regional ruler. Of course, they only possessed the influence of a ruler, not the title.
Therefore, upon hearing the Vice City Lord's words, everyone's eyes lit up, and they eagerly pledged to do their utmost in their creative efforts.
Wang Zhilan could not help but say:
"Mother, since that is the case, why don't I compose one first to set the tone!"
"Be quiet! This has nothing to do with you!"
The Vice City Lord rebuked her unceremoniously.
Don't you know your own capabilities?
The Vice City Lord, somewhat disappointed, wondered why she only had this one beloved daughter.
If this matter was handled well, they would have a chance to compete with that person named Ying, and the position of City Lord would still be up for grabs!
A moment later, many scholars recited their "flower appreciation" poems to the Vice City Lord.
Although some poems were indeed good, the Vice City Lord remained unsatisfied.
Her retainers had already composed several poems of this caliber.
At this moment, the Vice City Lord seemed to recall something. She scanned the garden, and not finding the person she was looking for, she spoke formally:
"Is Nian Jiaojiao, the First Child Prodigy from the Full Moon Poetry Gathering, present?"
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
Even escape was impossible...
Nian Jiaojiao held no good feelings for this Vice City Lord. From the fact that her daughter could openly abduct civilian girls in broad daylight, it was evident that Wang Zhilan had been acting arrogantly in Fengcheng for a long time.
And her mother, the Vice City Lord, had always turned a blind eye.
She was the support behind Wang Zhilan's misdeeds.
And from what the Vice City Lord had said earlier, it was clear that the Vice City Lord herself would benefit the most from this poem composition.
Nian Jiaojiao did not want her to succeed.
Thus, she slowly stood up, walked out of the corner, and bowed to the Vice City Lord.
"Vice City Lord Wang, Nian Jiaojiao is here."
After observing Nian Jiaojiao, the Vice City Lord, though somewhat surprised, still praised her:
"First Child Prodigy Nian, your grace today surpasses that of the Full Moon Poetry Gathering! You truly live up to being the one who composed the Full Moon Masterpiece!"
It was at this moment that everyone present noticed this elegantly exceptional woman.
So this was the Nian Jiaojiao from the Full Moon Poetry Gathering...
Previously, these dignitaries had sent Nian Jiaojiao invitations, but since Nian Jiaojiao had never accepted, many people had not made the connection.
Upon learning that the lady before them was the Nian Jiaojiao of "Shui Diao Ge Tou," the hearts of the men present fluttered, and their gazes towards Nian Jiaojiao became more admiring.
However, the most excited person present was not these young gentlemen, but rather Wang Zhilan, who sat in the upper seat.