The whole family travels through time and space, and the three of them struggle together

While Zhou Sisi was busy attending classes and Chen Xiuying was busy entertaining Queen Cao, the repair of the dam on Zhou Dajiang's side was also in full swing.

To avoid wasting resources, Zhou Dajiang didn't rebuild the entire embankment. Instead, he elevated the embankment in the low-risk areas with bluestone, taking into account the geographical location. The bluestones were connected using a mortise and tenon structure, with ingot nails inserted between them. Once connected, the gaps were sealed with concrete and cement.

At the same time, wooden piles were placed every meter in high-risk areas to enhance the embankment's flood resistance. Once the piles were driven, bluestone was laid using the same method, and then sealed with concrete and cement. Fortunately, the plum rain season had passed by the time of construction, so the cement dried completely within a few days.

In addition to the above, he also set up three flood outlets in high-risk areas. When the water level reaches a certain level, the water will automatically flow through the outlets into the Cao Canal, thus reducing the pressure on the dam.

While this approach may appear slower than previous repairs, it can significantly improve the embankment's stability and safety. Zhou Dajiang personally oversaw the repairs, paying close attention to every detail to ensure they were flawless.

Therefore, when they completed the repairs and returned to the capital, it was already mid-September.

During this period, Empress Cao safely passed the critical period in Zhou Mansion and moved back to Kunning Palace. After Zhihua's wound healed, she also returned to the palace from the small clinic.

Under Chen Xiuying's guidance, Datong Trading Company eventually developed a range of prescription lenses for myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. Furthermore, the company purchased a two-story shop to provide eye exams, corrections, and sales. Soon, men, women, and children with poor eyesight in Beijing flocked to the eyewear shop, known as "Mingmu."

Therefore, when Zhou Dajiang came back and saw Lao Zhuang, who had poor eyesight, wearing a pair of glasses to host a charity calligraphy and painting exhibition, he whispered to his wife: "After Lao Zhuang put on the glasses, he really looks like an old scholar. It's much more ridiculous than the way he used to squint to see things."

Chen Xiuying rolled her eyes at him. "You're the only one who talks too much. He can see clearly now. Be careful if he sees you and laughs at him, and then our daughter's painting is rejected. That would be a big loss."

It was a coincidence that when Zhou Dajiang and his party returned, they happened to catch the start of the charity calligraphy and painting exhibition organized by the Ministry of Rites at the request of Emperor Jiayou.

Prince Chen, Grand Secretary Xu and several famous Confucian scholars were invited to serve as judges. Except for Zhou Sisi's work, which was personally selected by the emperor, the works of others in the calligraphy and painting exhibition were selected through gifts.

To attract more talented individuals, the Emperor has proposed that all artists, regardless of their background or gender, who are skilled in calligraphy and painting, be invited to participate. All works awarded third prize or above will be auctioned, with one-third of the proceeds going to the artist. The remainder, after deducting expenses, will be used for reconstruction in the disaster area.

The emperor issued an edict, and knowledgeable people from all over the country signed up to participate. They were first selected by the local areas and then compiled by the Ministry of Rites. Finally, everyone gathered in the capital to share this visual feast.

Zhou Sisi's school, Huixin Girls' School, also called on students to actively participate. Because Zhou Sisi had already submitted her work under the pen name Little Red Riding Hood, she was not included in the girls' school's painting registration.

Zhuang Xinyan was overjoyed. Finally, she had one of her specialties surpass Zhou Sisi's. To celebrate, she even had her two followers, Jiang Duo and Gu Yuwen, show off in front of Zhou Sisi and the others. Because her grandfather was hosting this calligraphy and painting competition, she was confident she would achieve outstanding results.

This competition not only had the renowned Chen Wang, but also Xu Daxueshi and two contemporary Confucian scholars as judges. It could be said that all of Donghua's top scholars in calligraphy and painting were present. If Zhuang Xinyan could earn the judges' approval in this competition, she would be a truly talented woman!

To this end, Zhuang Xinyan practiced hard during this period, and finally submitted her most proud painting "Peony in Full Bloom" on the last day of exhibition registration.

On the day of the calligraphy and painting exhibition, the capital was bustling with activity. Everyone flocked to the venue with anticipation. Because the Women's School was closed that day, Zhou Sisi, Qi Xinrui, and her future sister-in-law, Yuan Youyou, also came with their families to view the exhibition.

The exhibition was held in a villa in the suburbs of Beijing. When everyone came in, they saw exquisite paintings displayed before them.

Zhuang Xinyan also came. She was wearing gorgeous clothes and arrived at the scene early, her eyes full of confidence.

Seeing the three of them coming over, he even taunted them, "Most of the works here are above the master level. How can you, who don't even have any works, understand them? Don't go in and get kicked out like a bumpkin!"

Zhou Sisi and Yuan Youyou simply ignored her mocking words and walked straight inside. Although Qi Xinrui paid attention to her, her words made Zhuang Xinyan's heart skip a beat. "Who said we don't have any works?"

Then, ignoring her, he walked with Zhou Sisi and Yuan Youyou to a work called "Harvest" and stopped. Although the work was signed "Little Red Riding Hood," she heard Qi Xinrui say, "Sisi, your painting is amazing!"

Following Qi Xinrui's lead, Zhuang Xinyan gazed at the painting titled "Harvest." Beneath a cerulean sky, the mountains stretched in the distance, and near by, a vast expanse of golden rice paddies. Within the paddies, farmers bent over to harvest rice, their faces brimming with the joy of the harvest. Behind them, a child gathered rice ears, accompanied by a dog holding one in its mouth. A few strands of hair clung to the child's beaming face, a gentle breeze caressing his cheeks.

Zhuang Xinyan's eyes widened in disbelief. She had never imagined that this painting was actually by Zhou Sisi.

At this point, the judges began to assess the paintings one by one. When they saw "Harvest," several of them expressed admiration. Chen Wang even declared that the painting possessed profound artistic conception and delicate brushwork, clearly the work of a master. Zhuang Xinyan eagerly awaited the judges' comments on her painting, "Peony in Full Bloom," but found they only glanced briefly and paid little attention.

She became more and more jealous. She originally thought that her "Peony in Full Bloom" would attract much attention, but now all the limelight has been stolen by this "Harvest"!

The results were quickly announced, and the first prize went to a grassroots artist whose painting, "One Hundred Streets," received widespread acclaim. The 18-meter-long work captured the bustle of a bustling street, capturing every detail with vivid lifelike detail. It was a well-deserved first place.

Zhou Sisi's "Harvest" won the second prize.

Zhuang Xinyan was in disbelief after hearing this and stood there blankly. You know, winning second prize is a great affirmation for a woman.

When Zhou Sisi went on stage to receive the award, the audience burst into applause. Zhuang Xinyan finally understood that true talent could not be concealed by a pen name, and that her excessive pride would only make others laugh.

Including this time, she had already lost to Zhou Sisi three times. No, four times. She had seen Zhou Sisi's dance before, and it was far beyond her reach.

Zhuang Xinyan walked out of the exhibition hall in frustration. Jiang Duo and Gu Yuwen also arrived and rushed forward to comfort her. She bit her lip, a hint of unwillingness flashing in her eyes. "I must work harder and beat her next time!"