Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

As night deepened, Qu Lanci slowly left "Moyun Pavilion".

A gentle night breeze blew, and a smile still lingered on her lips, but her eyes appeared cold and complex.

The lights of Moyun Pavilion gradually disappeared behind her, and the darkness stretched her shadow long.

Not far from the street corner, three close friends—Chen Xue, Li Yao, and Su Wan—had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing her approach, the three of them quickly went up to chat.

"Lanci, it's been a long time." Chen Xue took her hand affectionately, but her eyes held a hint of curiosity.

How is the competition at Moyun Pavilion?

Quran smiled slightly, his gaze indifferent, as if he didn't care about the painting competition just now.

She said casually, "In a competition, friendship always comes first; winning or losing isn't important."

"Friendship first?" Li Yao chuckled upon hearing this, her tone slightly teasing.

"I heard that Gu Jinyan won a special nomination from the judges? That's no small matter."

Upon hearing Li Yao's words, Gu Lanci's smile faltered slightly, and she gently clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand, suppressing the jealousy in her heart.

She sighed nonchalantly, "It's just a trivial matter; she actually got the better deal."

Seeing this, Chen Xue already understood the situation.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Lan Ci, Jin Yan seems low-key, but he's actually very calculating. Could it be that he's planning to use this competition to gain the family's attention?"

"Don't let that little brat steal your thunder."

Upon hearing this, a shadow of gloom crossed Quran's eyes. He gritted his teeth and said softly, "She's just slightly better in skill. What's there to be proud of?"

She sneered, her tone tinged with disdain, "I'd like to see what she can do without that landscape painting."

Su Wan smiled and replied, "Lan Ci is right. It's just a competition. How much fame can she gain with just one painting?"

We can find a way to make sure she can never hold her head up in this industry again.

A resolute glint flashed in Quran's eyes as she approached the three.

He whispered, "I have a plan. Why don't we let this so-called 'artistic genius' show off her skills in front of everyone?"

She spoke slowly, her fingers tapping lightly on the teacup, as if plotting a scheme with hidden secrets.

Li Yao immediately understood and asked in a low voice, "Lan Ci, what brilliant plan do you have?"

Quran narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips: "At next month's Spring and Autumn Literary Gathering, all the major families will be present, and those noble scions love to show off their refined tastes."

At that time, we might as well set up a 'spontaneous painting' session.

Since Gu Jinyan has been praised for her superb skills, she should stop hiding them and show them off in public.

"When she makes a fool of herself, we'll add fuel to the fire."

The three nodded in agreement. Chen Xue smiled and said, "If Jin Yan hesitates even slightly when it comes to painting on the spot, he will be ridiculed for his lack of skill."

If she makes a mistake on the spot, she will ruin her reputation.

"Then, will you still be afraid of her gaining influence in aristocratic circles?"

Quran nodded, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

She said softly, "She has already gained a reputation at the Ink Rhyme Pavilion, so I will not let her shine at this literary gathering."

Her gaze swept into the distance, as if she had already planned every detail of this duel in her mind.

In the following days, Gu Lanci, Chen Xue, Li Yao, and Su Wan were all busy planning this matter in secret.

Li Yao suggested to her elders that an "impromptu painting" session be added to the Spring and Autumn Literary Gathering. On the surface, it was under the guise of "promoting exchanges among literati," but in reality, it was a trap set for Gu Jinyan.

Meanwhile, Gu Lanci used her family connections to subtly suggest that "Gu Jinyan was just lucky in the Moyunge competition," making people in the circle doubt her talent.

The Spring and Autumn Literary Gathering arrived as scheduled, and scions of prominent families in the capital attended in their finest attire.

In the elegant garden, scholars and literati gathered together, and the sounds of discussing poetry and painting filled the air.

When Gu Jinyan arrived, she sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat unusual. Many young talents were glancing at her with a mixture of scrutiny and anticipation.

Just as she was wondering, Li Yao stepped forward gracefully and bowed to her with a smile: "Sister Jinyan, I heard that you performed exceptionally well at the Moyun Pavilion. Today, this literary gathering has specially added an impromptu painting session."

Since your skills are so exquisite, sister, you must show us today!

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinyan sensed the abruptness of the matter, but he could not refuse, so he could only nod slightly.

Feigning composure, he said, "Since it is the arrangement of the literary gathering, I will naturally comply."

Something unexpected might happen today.

As the drums sounded, the impromptu painting session of the literary gathering officially began.

Gu Jinyan stood in front of the painting table and looked around. He saw Gu Lanci, Chen Xue, Li Yao, Su Wan and others standing not far away.

His face wore an undisguised smile, while his eyes revealed a hint of disdain.

She took a deep breath, held her breath, and told herself that she had to stay calm no matter what.

With her brush wielding the pen with the speed of the wind, she decided to paint an autumn water town scene. Gradually, the ink and brushstrokes outlined a tranquil lake surface on the paper, shimmering with light.

Small boats sway gently on the lake shore, and reeds in the distance sway in the wind, creating an elegant and tranquil scene.

However, just as she was concentrating on writing, she suddenly heard a few whispers from the side.

She overheard someone saying, "It seems that Gu Jinyan is nothing special. It took him a long time to paint this little bit of artistic conception. He really doesn't live up to his reputation."

The voice was soft and delicate, yet it precisely penetrated her ears, causing her a surge of irritation.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she became slightly distracted. The tip of her pen accidentally left an extra ink mark on the paper, disrupting the overall harmony.

Seeing this, Chen Xue and Li Yao, who were watching from the sidelines, secretly revealed smug smiles and exchanged a meaningful look.

Gu Jinyan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but that momentary imperfection had already made her painting slightly flawed.

She gripped her paintbrush slightly, trying to stay calm, and finally managed to finish the painting.

However, the surrounding discussions became increasingly noticeable.

Many of the prominent young men present today have already noticed the flaws in her paintings.

Just as she was about to put down her brush, Gu Lanci stepped forward slowly and said with feigned sigh, "Sister Jinyan, your painting has a unique charm. If it were a little more detailed, it would be even more perfect."

There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice, as if she were deliberately pointing out her shortcomings.

The surrounding audience echoed their sentiments and began to whisper among themselves.

Someone shook their head and said, "It seems that Miss Jinyan's reputation is indeed a bit overrated. Although this painting has artistic conception, it appears somewhat hasty."

Others, though not directly criticizing, could not hide their disappointment.

Gu Jinyan's expression changed slightly. Although he tried to remain calm, he felt a sense of frustration and helplessness.

Today's "impromptu painting" was actually a carefully designed scheme by the Quran, and I have clearly fallen into her trap.

After the match, Gu Lanci, Chen Xue, Li Yao, and Su Wan gathered together and smiled at each other.

Chen Xue lowered her voice and said, "Lan Ci, today's plan was truly brilliant. I'm afraid Gu Jinyan will find it difficult to maintain his position in the literary circle."

Quran sneered, his eyes filled with disdain and smugness: "Her so-called 'genius' is nothing but empty talk."

Today is merely to show her what a real competition is like.

A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. "She won the nomination for the Ink Rhyme Pavilion, and today she should pay the price."

A literary gathering rife with undercurrents has finally come to a close.

Although Gu Jinyan's reputation has not completely collapsed, it has never regained its former glory.

The Quran, meanwhile, continues to navigate the complexities of the world, cautiously and patiently awaiting the next opportunity.