Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

Shen Ningxue's eyes reddened with anger, and Chu Wan'er's dignified smile almost crumbled.

It took a lot of effort to force a smile back.

Speak up to smooth things over

"Everyone means well, let's not ruin the harmony."

Seeing this, the others stopped talking, and Chu Wan'er officially announced the start of the poetry competition.

In the first round, Jiang Yanche set the questions and selected three winners.

Then Jiang Xuan Yan will personally set a challenge, and the three of them will compete in another round. The final winner will win the jade pendant in Jiang Yan Che's hand.

Shen Ningzhu's eyes lit up, and she looked eager to try.

Jiang Xuan Yan was stunned, the veins on his scalp began to throb, and a bad premonition welled up in his heart.

"You don't want to participate too, do you?"

Shen Ningzhu raised an eyebrow. "What, no one said I can't participate, right?"

"Of course...but you..."

Jiang Xuan Yan wanted to say, "Don't you have any self-awareness? Everyone in the capital knows that she can barely read a few characters, and her reputation as an incompetent fool resounds throughout the city."

In this kind of situation, she can just enjoy the spectacle.

With him around, no one else dared to bully her. Why did she have to go out of her way to be a part of the fun?

He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on, but quickly came to a conclusion. "Oh well, it's a rare opportunity to get out here, so I hope you have fun."

Wherever she goes, she becomes the center of attention, and he is now bound to her for life.

It's unavoidable to lose face.

I just hope she'll show some mercy and not kill him too badly, I'll be thankful.

Jiang Yanche's task was for each person to compose a poem about lotus flowers.

Immediately, a noblewoman stepped forward and said, "The poem I composed is called 'Lotus Rhyme'."

The new lotus blossoms smile radiantly in the sunlight.

Green leaves stretch to the horizon.

The wind caresses her delicate form, and her fragrance lingers in the distance.

Clear ripples accompany our lingering dreams.

"I have made a fool of myself in this presentation. If there is anything inappropriate, I humbly request that everyone present offer their corrections."

A round of applause erupted from the audience.

"What a fine poem! As expected of the Grand Tutor's daughter, she was able to compose such beautiful verses so quickly. I truly admire her."

Next, another noble lady stood up and, just as eloquently, composed a poem that was in no way inferior to her.

"Ode to Lotus"

The fragrance of lotus blossoms wafts from the pond under the moonlight.

Her graceful figure danced in flowing robes.

A green skirt swayed in the gentle breeze.

Her rosy cheeks blushed shyly beside the night dew.

Her jade-like bones and icy skin were untouched by dust.

The fairy garden is a place of enduring beauty.

The butterflies, lingering, frequently glance at each other.

The poets composed splendid verses.

As expected, she was greeted with applause, which broadened Shen Ningzhu's horizons.

The ancients were indeed romantic when they wrote poetry, and these ladies from noble families, carefully cultivated by them, certainly had some talent.

Jiang Xuan Yan, who was standing next to her, noticed that she was deep in thought and said indifferently, "Everyone has their own ambitions. It doesn't matter if you're not good at this kind of pretentious thing."

Shen Ningzhu was stunned. She never expected that this scoundrel of a man would still have a human side and would actually try to persuade and comfort her.

While I was in disbelief, a sudden inspiration struck me.

"But I like that pendant and want to win it."

Jiang Xuanyan:......

"It's just a small jade pendant. Is my Crown Prince's residence lacking in such things?"

Oh no, the prince's face darkened again. His eyes were terrifying, giving Shen Ningzhu the feeling of being stared at by a wild beast.

But now that things had come to this point, she wouldn't allow herself to back down. This was a rare opportunity, and success or failure hinged on this moment.

"His Highness has treated me very well and has never shortchanged me. But Brother Yan, I really like that pendant."

"By the way, I heard that you have a similar one at home. Could you give it to me?"

Jiang Xuan Yan narrowed his long, narrow phoenix eyes slightly, a scrutinizing look in them.

Shen Ningzhu understood that the Crown Prince's suspicious nature had resurfaced.

Her breath hitched, and she subconsciously clenched her palms, trying to remain calm and not daring to let the other person notice anything amiss.

After staring at it for a long time, the other party finally looked away indifferently, "It's nothing rare. If you want it, just go find the steward."

Shen Ningzhu: That simple?

Very well, it seems I have no choice but to return to the Crown Prince's residence this time.

When the two turned their attention back to the field, many of the noble ladies had already finished composing their poems.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Shen Ningzhu and Shen Ningxue.

These two, one a country bumpkin and the other a good-for-nothing, presented the perfect opportunity to belittle and ridicule each other. However, with His Highness the Crown Prince present, Shen Ningzhu was not someone to be trifled with.

Therefore, everyone turned their attention to Shen Ningxue.

A noblewoman said with a charming laugh,

"It's Miss Shen's turn now. I wonder what kind of poem Miss Shen plans to compose?"

"Yes, now that Miss Li has mentioned it, the rest of us are really looking forward to it!"

Hmph, don't think they didn't see it. Just now, Shen Ningxue was drooling over His Highness Prince Chen.

From a distance, someone who didn't know better might think they were stray cats or dogs in heat, how shameless!

Did they really think that by climbing up to Princess Qingyi, they could become noble?

With her status and appearance, how dare she covet His Highness Prince Chen? She's like a toad on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it's disgusting.

"me……"

Shen Ningxue's face turned bright red with anxiety, and she stammered, unable to utter a single word.

"What? The daughter of a high-ranking official? Don't tell everyone that you can't even write a poem."

As soon as this was said, the whole room burst into laughter.

Only Shen Ningzhu's face slowly turned cold.

Who are these people referring to? They're openly talking about Shen Ningxue, but their eyes are intentionally or unintentionally glancing at her, their expressions full of provocation, and their words just now were also pointed at something.

This is because they are afraid of her and dare not directly attack her, but they really can't stand her and want to humiliate her.

So you took a detour and attacked from afar?

It's a pity, but even so, she won't let these people go.

"Ahem, Miss Li, right? You just said that everyone else has written poems, except for Shen Ningxue?"

"What? You can't see me, a grown woman, trembling here? Is that all you can see?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk,"

Shen Ningzhu shook her head with a regretful expression. She continued,

"Such big eyes, yet they're like light bulbs, good to look at but useless."

"Since that's the case, Jiang Yi, why don't you take her downstairs and remove her eyeballs? Keeping useless things in the way is just a nuisance; it's easier to remove them."

Jiang Yi, with a confused expression: ???

Miss Li was so frightened that she almost fainted, but her maidservant was quick-witted and caught her, saving her from danger.

“Shen Ningzhu, you...you dare? Don’t forget, you’re just a lowly village girl. If it weren’t for His Highness the Crown Prince, you wouldn’t even be qualified to enter the banquet hall.”

Don't forget, my father is the Minister of Rites. Today, you dare to punish me without cause. If my father finds out, he will definitely not let this go.

Jiang Yi: "Your Highness, this—"

"It's alright, just do as she says."

"Ah? Oh, yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

The man's sinister gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Miss Li's face.