Cold-faced Empress

Fu Siying's anger subsided, and she comforted her father and mother: "Father, Mother, don't worry, the old lady feels just as ashamed as we do. I slapped Wei Lanling in front of the old lady just now, which can be considered as giving the old lady an explanation."

Prime Minister Fu and Lady Li were annoyed by this matter.

Fu Siying muttered under her breath, "It's all Wei Lanling's fault. Why did she have to try to get close to the old lady? She dared to try to get close to the old lady on their first meeting. Does she miss her grandmother that much?"

After saying that, he muttered to himself, "Aunt Wei has been childless for many years and has such a shrewish old woman named Wang to take care of. Does Grandmother Wei really dote on them and have a deep affection for them? Ha."

These words caused Prime Minister Fu and Lady Li to exchange a glance, both slightly surprised.

Siying's words are not without reason.

Fu Siying leaned closer to Madam Li: "Mother, Aunt Wei said that there is no one left in the Wei family? You should send someone to investigate privately. If you find that there are still people in the Wei family, Aunt Wei and my cousin will have a way out if they can no longer stay in the capital in the future."

Madam Li glanced at Prime Minister Fu again, and after a moment's thought, slowly nodded: "Alright, Mother will send someone to investigate."

……

As the sun rose higher, guests gradually arrived.

After leaving the guest room, Fu Siying took out two pieces of incense from the sachet at her waist, put them in Qingyin's hand, and whispered in her ear, "When no one is looking, light this incense in both my room and Wei Lanling's room."

"Yes."

Qingyin responded softly and quietly left when the number of guests increased and no one was paying attention to her.

On a high viewing platform, a gentle mountain breeze blew and the sun shone warmly. Sitting in the pavilion, Fu Siying watched with a bored expression as Fu Fangwei and the others played games together, amidst the respectful flattery of the young masters and ladies.

Besides his daughter Fu Fangrui, Third Uncle Fu Wen also has twin sons named Fu Yishui and Fu Yishan.

The two brothers clapped their hands, attracting everyone's attention.

"With such distinguished guests gathered here, it is only right that a hundred schools of thought contend and a hundred flowers bloom! To ensure that everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest, my brother and I have obtained permission from our elders to establish eight categories: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose. We invite you all to participate in the competition. The champion of each category will be awarded one hundred taels of silver as a reward, to encourage all talented young men and women to study diligently and make progress!"

The first place winner gets one hundred taels of silver?!

Wow, it's just a game, and the Fu family is willing to spend eight hundred taels of silver. That's really generous!

Yunzhi was very tempted: "Wow, one hundred taels? Sister, I want to go and have a contest too!"

Fu Siying waved her hand: "Go ahead, see which of your skills you have: playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or composing couplets."

"Hmph!" Yunzhi pouted, ignoring Fu Siying, and turned to join her close friends in the fun.

As for Rong Chen, who knows where he's socializing with Lang Junsong.

Standing not far from the pavilion, Wei Lanling pursed her lips and said resolutely, "Mother, I want to participate in the competition."

Mrs. Li was surprised: "What can you compete in?"

“It’s always fine to compare books and paintings,” Wei Lanling said, looking both ashamed and indignant. “We can’t just come all this way for nothing, only to be laughed at and humiliated by Fu Siying, can we?”

Mrs. Li held her daughter's hand tenderly: "Okay. But...should we go and tell your cousin?"

Without hesitation, Wei Lanling shook her head: "No! I don't want to be subservient to the Fu family anymore!"

"Hey."

When she saw Wei Lanling and Xiao Li walk past her toward the fighting arena, Fu Siying smiled.

Books and paintings?

Does Wei Lanling really think that her little skill is enough to stand out from the crowd?

If people hadn't been so considerate of her in her past life, would Wei Lanling have been worthy of winning both categories?

Qingyin returned after finishing her errands: "The incense has been lit."

"it is good."

Soon, this game-like competition, called "Battle of the Eight Categories," began. There were no restrictions on the categories each person could participate in; as long as time allowed, one person could register for all eight categories.