Wang Qinglin thought that even if Wang Qingyao knew some poems, she had only crammed them in at the last minute and would eventually be exposed after a few rounds.
To her surprise, Wang Qingyao, who herself was struggling, seemed to effortlessly recite poems they had never heard before, in various styles, leaving everyone in awe.
"Last night, the rain was sparse and the wind was strong, and deep sleep did not dispel the lingering wine. I asked the one who rolled up the curtain, but she said the crabapples were still the same. Do you know, do you know? It should be that the green has grown fat and the red has withered."
"Clouds imagine clothes, flowers imagine faces, the spring breeze brushes the balustrade, and the dew is rich. If not seen on the jade mountain, one would meet them under the moon on the jade terrace."
"A pot of wine among the flowers, I drink alone without a companion. Raising my cup to invite the bright moon, I become three with my shadow."
"Spring sleep, I am unaware of the dawn, everywhere I hear the chirping of birds. The sound of wind and rain last night, how many flowers have fallen."
"You must dislike the clogs leaving imprints on the moss, ten knocks on the wooden gate, and nine times it remains unopened. The spring scenery fills the garden and cannot be contained, a branch of red apricot peeks over the wall."
By the end, the scholars in the bamboo garden had all given up, no longer interested in the poetry contest, and kept asking who the authors of these poems were.
Wang Qingyao repeated her earlier statement: "They are all recluses who are unwilling to reveal their names."
"Then where did Miss Wang Er read these poems?"
"If I have the chance, I would also like to read them."
"Yes, yes, if we could meet them, it would be a blessing for three lifetimes."
Wang Qingyao chuckled, then looked at Xiao Yun, winking and nudging him with her eyes.
Xiao Yun naturally took over the conversation, "She read them at my place. They are all precious manuscripts that I bought at a high price."
Everyone fell silent, their expressions filled with regret.
Without a doubt, Wang Qingyao had stolen the show in this "flying flower" game. When Xiao Yun finally awarded her the prize, no one objected, and even if they did, they dared not voice it.
Wang Qingyao dangled the jade pendant in her hand and said happily to Xiao Yun, "Doesn't this mean 'keeping the profits within one's own circle'?"
Xiao Yun curved his lips and chuckled.
A few girls were surprised by Wang Qingyao's bold remark and couldn't help but stare at her.
Wang Qinglin snorted coldly and said hatefully, "Shameless." She then turned to lecture Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu, "When you are outside, always remember that your every word and deed represents the Wang family's reputation. You must never let others think you are frivolous or undignified."
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu nodded obediently and said, "Yes."
Wang Qinglin's voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for the girls around her to hear.
Wang Qingyao did not hear the words "shameless," but she clearly heard the subsequent lecture.
Fang Yuan frowned and cast a displeased glance at Wang Qinglin.
However, Wang Qinglin had not named anyone, and confronting her now would make it seem as if they had truly done something wrong.
Wang Qingyao smiled slightly, walked over, and said to Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu, "Eldest Sister is right. You must remember, especially to keep your distance from men to whom you are betrothed. Don't do something as cheap as stealing someone else's man."
Wang Qingyao's words brought a burning blush to Wang Qinglin's face as she was reminded of the past.
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu dared not say a word, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Wang Qinglin glared furiously at Wang Qingyao, but Wang Qingyao was not afraid. She smiled and met her gaze, "Eldest Sister, don't you agree?"
The surrounding girls watched with amusement.
Wang Qingzhen gently tugged at Wang Qinglin's sleeve and stammered, "Eldest Sister... Father... Father said, you can't write two 'Wang' characters with just one stroke..."
Wang Qinglin finally managed to suppress her anger, gritted her teeth, and said, "Second Sister is right."
She flicked her sleeve and left, with Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu quickly following.
Fang Yuan looked at Wang Qingyao with admiration, "Yao Yao Jie, I truly envy you. You dare to confront anything head-on, unlike me, who always overthinks."
Although she was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion, she had been taught since childhood to prioritize the family's honor, and even her arguments were not fully satisfying.
Wang Qingyao tilted her chin, "What are you afraid of? The Prince will take responsibility if anything happens."
Xiao Yun, unexpectedly named, felt a warmth in his heart. "You have such confidence in me."
Wang Qingyao walked to his side, gently tugged his little finger, and said coquettishly, "Then will you take responsibility for me?"
Thanks to the teachings of a Douyin influencer, Wang Qingyao, who had been single her entire life until her late twenties, was a natural at acting cute, her voice soft and sweet, her eyes as gentle as water.
Xiao Yun could not resist. He looked very pleased, with smiles in his eyes and on his lips.
Wang Qingyao then said seriously, "We are engaged. Husband and wife are like birds of a feather, no, husband and wife are one body. We share glory and suffer losses together."
They were not yet married, yet she kept referring to them as husband and wife. Even the most carefree Xiao Yun couldn't help but feel shy at this moment.
"Ahem," he said, his face flushed, "Of course, I will take responsibility for you."
Fang Yuan covered her eyes, "Oh dear, I can't bear to watch."
Xiao Yun had wanted to speak with Wang Qingyao alone for a long time, but Fang Yuan was always with her, so he never found an opportunity. It wasn't until the banquet ended and the families left the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion that he stopped Wang Qingyao in front of her carriage.
"Old Madam, I have something to say to Miss Wang Er. I will take her home later."
Old Madam Wang was delighted, "These two children, their affection is so good."
Bai Shi echoed with a forced smile.
Getting into the Xiao family's carriage, Wang Qingyao yawned and asked, "What is it?"
"Two things," Xiao Yun said. "The first is," he gently scanned her injured hand, "In the future, don't rush out to save me if I'm in danger. I know you care about me, but I have hidden guards with me, and I'll be fine."
"But they didn't come out today..."
"I told them not to come out..." Xiao Yun's voice lowered, "Speaking of which, your injury today was my fault. If I had let the hidden guards act sooner, you wouldn't have been hurt."
Wang Qingyao waved her hand dismissively, "It has nothing to do with you. It was all Huang Shi's scheme. Besides, it's just a small injury, it's not a big deal."
A smile of indifference was on her face, but Xiao Yun knew she had been scared. Her face had turned pale, and he had seen it all.
"The second thing," Xiao Yun said, "Where did you get those poems from? I've never heard of any of them."
He had been stunned at the time.
Fortunately, she hadn't claimed to have written them herself, otherwise, he would have started doubting again.
Wang Qingyao hadn't expected Xiao Yun to still be concerned about this matter! She blinked her eyes, swallowed, and spun a tale in the direction that interested Xiao Yun, "Ever since I discovered my strong intuition, I've often had strange dreams. These poems are what I heard in my dreams. Do you think I might be sensing another world in my dreams?"
Xiao Yun, having read many strange tales, believed her and fell into thought, "It's possible. Ah, if you have any more strange dreams in the future, write them down for me to see."
Wang Qingyao nodded.
Xiao Yun suddenly added, "Wouldn't it be profitable to compile those poems into a collection and sell them?"