Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Then, the Empress Dowager looked at Su Qianrou and asked, "Why are you not in the Imperial Garden?"

"Your Majesty, this is my first time entering the palace. I was so captivated by the scenery that I lost sight of myself and wandered off. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"If Your Majesty wants to blame someone, then blame your son. It was because I insisted on chatting with Qianrou that we missed the appointed time. It has nothing to do with Qianrou."

"You two seem to have a good relationship."

Chang Le thought to herself, "This is my future sister-in-law. I must make sure we get along well beforehand. Besides, it's rare for my brother to have someone he likes. As his sister, I must protect her." She said, "We hit it off immediately and felt like we had known each other for a long time. If it weren't for the fact that she had to attend the flower viewing banquet, I would have loved to take her back to the princess's residence and talk all night long."

"That's how much you like her."

"Qian Rou is a very good person, and she knows a lot. I like her very much. So, Mother, could you please let her get up first?" Chang Le thought to herself, "If she keeps kneeling like this, her knees will be ruined. Then my brother will come after me."

"Get up".

"Thank you, Empress Dowager Xie."

"Give the princess a seat."

Before long, palace servants brought over a table and chairs and placed them next to the Empress Dowager.

"Qianrou, sit with me."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. Please sit below me."

"I was hoping to chat with you a little longer. In that case, when the opportunity arises, I will invite you to the Princess's residence so we can talk again."

"it is good".

Afterwards, Su Qianrou returned to her seat and sat down.

Sitting behind her, Su Huaizhu couldn't help but say, "Third sister is really lucky. On her first visit to the palace, she gained the favor of Princess Chang Le."

"I hadn't thought about it before, but now that my second sister has said that, I also feel that I'm really lucky."

Su Huaizhu was so angry that her face turned green, but she couldn't say anything, so she felt very frustrated and gripped her sleeves tightly.

Yang Shanshan happened to be sitting to Su Qianrou's right, so she leaned slightly to the side and asked with concern, "Cousin, are you alright?"

Su Qianrou looked at her, thought for a long time but couldn't remember who she was, so she asked, "You are...?"

"It's normal that my cousin doesn't recognize me, since we've never met before. Today is our first meeting. Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Yang Shanshan, and I am..."

Upon hearing her name, Su Qianrou remembered, "You are my aunt's daughter."

The aunt Su Qianrou mentioned was Su Jing'an's younger sister, Su Lianyi, born of the same mother.

However, the siblings had not seen each other for more than ten years. Firstly, Su Jing'an was working in Yangzhou, and secondly, the man Su Lianyi was marrying was a martial arts champion. The old Marquis did not agree to the marriage at first, but she insisted on marrying him, even if the old Marquis wanted to sever ties with her, she did not hesitate.

After getting married, she went to the border with her husband and stayed there for seventeen years until she returned at the beginning of this year.

"Thank you for speaking up for me earlier."

"Of course, you have no idea. Before I entered the palace, my mother repeatedly told me to take good care of you."

"In a few days, I will personally visit my aunt to thank her."

"My mother would be so happy if she knew," Yang Shanshan thought, eager to go back and tell her mother the good news.

"Miss Qin".

"Your subject is here."

"I've heard that you are exceptionally talented and eloquent, a rare gem among women. Why don't you compose a poem today and let me see it?"

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is too kind to me; I am unworthy of such praise."

"We have all witnessed Sister Qin's talent, so please don't be modest."

"Yes, yes, I still remember the poem Miss Qin wrote last time."

"Miss Qin, are you unwilling?" the Empress Dowager asked casually, but her tone left no room for refusal.

"This humble woman dares not, it is my honor, and I am naturally willing."

"That's good."

Su Qianrou didn't know who Qin Zhenzhen was, but she felt that the white clothes Qin Zhenzhen wore gave her a quiet and elegant feeling, making people want to take a second look.

Yang Shanshan, who was standing next to her, explained, "You probably don't know who she is. She is the third young lady of the Duke of Ming's mansion, Qin Zhenzhen."

The Duke of Ming's family was the Empress Dowager's maternal family, and also the in-laws of Prince Min.

Su Qianrou nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Just now, Sister Li mentioned that she likes camellias, so I will write a poem on the theme of camellias. I hope Sister Li won't mind."

Li Nan was taken aback when she heard her mention him, and then said impatiently, "What does this have to do with me? Don't drag me into this."

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to lighten the mood, I didn't mean to upset Sister Li, I'm really sorry."

Yang Shanshan couldn't help but lean close to Su Qianrou's ear and say, "Cousin, let me tell you, you have to stay away from Qin Zhenzhen from now on. Don't be fooled by her appearance. She looks pure and approachable, but in reality, she's a wolf in sheep's clothing and has no good intentions."

Su Qianrou could also see that, so she replied, "Okay."

Yang Shanshan was relieved.

"If you want to write poetry, then write poetry. Why all this nonsense?" Li Nanyi had always disliked Qin Zhenzhen, and given their similar social status, she was never polite when speaking to her.

Qin Zhenzhen's hands clenched involuntarily, as if she was restraining something, while she maintained her usual smile.

The Empress Dowager pretended not to hear Li Nanyi's words and said, "Miss Qin, let's begin."

"Yes," Qin Zhenzhen thought for a moment, then said, "It is as if a woman in heavy makeup emerges from a crimson veil, her light shining through the morning glow, her fragrance carrying the beauty of spring, like a true red flower that lasts forever."

Upon hearing this poem, the ladies present applauded and cheered.

"A good poem."

"As expected of Miss Qin, you are indeed amazing."

"Sister Qin is amazing."

Seeing this, Su Qianrou had no choice but to clap along, otherwise she would seem too out of place.

"Miss Qin truly lives up to her reputation."

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. I have made a fool of myself."

"Miss Qin is too modest," the Empress Dowager said, then looked at the crowd and asked, "I wonder if anyone would like to come out and have a match with Miss Qin?"

The audience fell silent instantly, all bowing their heads and remaining quiet.

"What? You are all young ladies carefully nurtured by your respective families, yet you can't even compose poetry?"

No one in the audience stood up.

"Sisters, please don't be shy. If you know how, feel free to come out. It's no problem," Qin Zhenzhen said, feigning generosity.

“Sister, didn’t you write a poem when we were in Yangzhou? It received unanimous praise and was later widely circulated. Why don’t you give it a try?” Su Wanshan’s voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone present to hear.

Su Qianrou glanced at her, and how could she not know what she was up to? She wanted to embarrass her, but unfortunately, her wishful thinking was wrong. "Sister is joking. How can I compare to Miss Qin?"