Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

The princess still didn't believe Xie Qingli. She asked in a deep voice, "You said it was your poem. Can you read it in public?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Xie Qingli. Many people looked suspicious, especially those ladies who had already known Xie Qingli's identity. Who would believe it if they said that their daughter, who was well-dressed and carefully raised, was not as good as a village girl from a remote village?

Xie Qingli said calmly, "Your Highness, I am happy to answer your question!"

She paused slightly and read in a clear, melodious voice, "The cuckoos are busy in the north and south of the village, and the rice flowers are fragrant in front of and behind the village. Who knows the real news? They just mistake the south for the north."

This poem was written two years later by Lu Xiuzhan during his inspection in the countryside. The language is plain and without any fancy words.

Xie Qingli originally thought that the nobles of Dongling always liked articles with flourishes and ornateness. This plain and simple poem would not be too outstanding, nor would it be completely at the bottom. It was also in line with her rural origin. However, she never expected that it would catch the eye of Sang Jijiu.

"Good, good poem!" The Second Prince stood up excitedly and said loudly, "After listening to this poem, I also yearn for country life and want to be a farmer!"

Sang Jijiu also stroked his beard and laughed out loud, "I have the same idea."

The Second Prince and Sang Jijiu praised it with great joy, but many young ladies and gentlemen were unconvinced. This poem was far from the elegant poems they usually admired, so why was it voted the best?!

Xie Qingli hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "Sang Jijiu, this poem was not actually written by me. The real author is the teacher in the village..."

She was not very interested in poetry and was just doing it to get the job done today, but things had developed to this point and she didn't want to use other people's things to gain a reputation as a talented woman.

But she had barely finished her words when the eldest princess interrupted her harshly, sneering, "So it wasn't you who wrote it! You're deceiving the world and stealing the credit!"

Xie Qingli knelt on the ground with neither servility nor arrogance, and said in a gentle voice, "Your Highness, I pity you, your Excellency. You are so talented, yet no one appreciates your poem. Today, I am taking the opportunity of your Highness's banquet to present your poem to the world."

"I never intended to claim credit for anyone else's work, so I didn't sign my name. I know I was wrong, and I beg Your Highness the Princess to forgive me!"

There was a sudden murmur in the room. This Miss Xie must be a fool. If she didn't tell me, who would know who wrote this poem? That person was just a poor teacher. How could he dare to come to Shengjing City to confront her?

Sang Jijiu's face was filled with sorrow, and he said with deep sorrow, "In this world, there are always some talented people who are unlucky and have bad luck. Their fate is full of misfortunes, and in the end, their brilliant pearls are covered in dust and die in disgrace."

"Just like the gentleman you mentioned, such a great talent is buried in the countryside. What a pity! Please introduce him to me, and I will definitely make him my close friend..."

Xie Qingli's pupils shrank slightly. Sang Jijiu wanted to take this teacher she had just fabricated as his confidant? Absurd!

Her eyes flickered, her face showing sadness: "To be honest with you, Master Sang, it's been over a year since you passed away!"

Tears flowed from Xie Qingli's eyes, but he secretly said "Amitabha" in his heart. He felt sorry that he had killed another life in just a few words!

Upon hearing this, Sang Jijiu and the Second Prince both expressed regret.

The eldest princess wore a faintly mocking smile on her face and said calmly, "After all, this poem wasn't written by you, so you don't deserve to be the first in the women's category!"

Xie Qingli lowered her head slightly and said obediently, "Your Highness, the Princess is absolutely right. I have no intention of taking advantage of this. Please understand, Your Highness, the Princess!"

The eldest princess's smug smile froze on her face. Xie Qingli's attitude of admitting his mistake was so sincere, and Sang Jijiu and the second prince spoke up to defend him. In public, she could no longer make use of the situation to vent her anger, so she could only wave her hand in frustration to signal Xie Qingli to leave.

Xie Qingli bowed respectfully before standing up and returning to his seat.

The guests were talking about it all the time. Some people laughed at Xie Qingli and called him a fool, but some praised him for being able to resist the temptation of fame and fortune at such a young age, which was truly rare!

Over there, the eldest princess looked worried and said calmly, "Sang Jijiu, how should we handle this matter now? Should we move all the women's teams up one place?"

Sang Jiji stroked his beard and thought carefully. After a moment, he said softly, "If we follow Her Royal Highness's order, then this best poem didn't get a ranking. It's a bit unreasonable."

"If he is counted as first place in the men's category, the prize that was just awarded will have to change hands. This is reasonable, but not logical."

"If you still consider him the champion of the women's group, it's fine to ask that young lady to collect the prize money on your behalf and pass it on to that gentleman's family..."

The eldest princess looked gloomy. She naturally didn't want Xie Qingli to get the glass lotus lamp. She turned to look at the wife of Prince Zhong and asked softly, "What do you think, Zhen'er?"

Princess Zhong was impatient to continue arguing over a lamp and said softly, "Sang Jijiu is absolutely right!"

Chai Siye and Lord Mu also echoed.

The princess frowned, her nostrils flaring as she tried her best to suppress the rage in her heart. Why were these people so protective of that country girl? It was outrageous!

Just as her head was buzzing with anger, Feng Yingying suddenly cried out, "Princess, that beautiful jade on your necklace is gone!"

Her cry was so loud that everyone in the banquet hall heard it, and everyone focused their attention on Princess Dao Roujia.

Xie Qingyao stared at Feng Yingying with a mocking smile. Feng Yingying first framed her and then pretended to find that the jade was missing. This was enough to prove that the frame-up was planned by Feng Yingying. She really underestimated Feng Yingying, who usually pretended to be stupid!

The princess's face was gloomy, and she said in a cold voice, "That piece of jade was given by the emperor, it must not be lost. Go find it quickly!"

The maids in the entire banquet hall began to look for it with their heads down, and the guests also looked around and helped in the search.

The eldest princess secretly resented that everything went wrong at this year's chrysanthemum viewing banquet. First, the owner of Wangyue Villa changed, then Xie Qingli became a troublemaker, and finally, Roujia lost her favorite jade...

She turned to look at Roujia, but saw that Roujia did not look sad at all, but winked at her mischievously.

The princess was slightly shocked. Roujia did it on purpose. Who was she framing? Xie Qingli!

The eldest princess curled her lips slightly and asked in a clear voice: "Roujia, where have you been just now?"

Princess Roujia pretended to recall the past before saying, "I only accompanied Yingying to visit the young ladies at the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion."

The eldest princess nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Everyone go there to look for it."

All the maids immediately gathered around Xie Qingli and the others to search, but found nothing.

Princess Roujia frowned slightly and said loudly: "Mother, since we can't find it, someone must have stolen it deliberately. The things should still be hidden on their bodies. We should search them!"

Body search? The guests were shocked.

If they were really searched, no matter what the result was, the reputations of these girls in Jing'an Marquis's Mansion would be ruined...