Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Zheng Luoqi didn't expect so many male leads to come; luckily, she arrived at the right time.

After a brief interlude, Zheng Luoqi said leisurely, "Shall we begin? I remember hearing about a competition just now?"

Lin Wanwan realized that she had just been about to compete with Chen Xianlin, and then looked at Chen Xianlin provocatively: "Have you chosen your music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

"Shu, how about we have a game of 'Flying Flowers'? Best of five? Dare to take it?" A barely perceptible smile flashed in Chen Xianlin's eyes.

"Alright, I'll take this challenge," Lin Wanwan said with a slight smile, showing no sign of backing down.

The "Flying Flower Order" game tests one's familiarity with poetry and one's responsiveness.

“How about we give each of the four gentlemen a word for the first question, and let Ruoyao set the last one?” Lin Wanwan suggested.

“Why not? Please,” Chen Xianlin gestured to Zheng Luoqi and the others to come up with a question.

Zheng Luoqi and the others looked at each other and decided that whoever arrived first would ask the question first.

Wen Yichuan didn't refuse any longer, "Then let's use the character 'plum' as the theme, starting with Miss Chen."

"The winter plum is most hateful, for it always blooms like last year's flower," Chen Xianlin said as soon as the question was posed.

"Early plum blossoms bloom on tall trees, reflecting the azure sky of Chu," Lin Wanwan continued.

Will the plum blossoms be in bloom before the beautiful window tomorrow?

"Remembering the plum blossoms on the western shore, I plucked a plum and sent it to the north bank of the river."

"Bamboo shadows and poems are slender, plum blossoms enter dreams with fragrance."

"The cold snow melts among the plum blossoms, and the spring breeze returns to the willows."

..............................

"I've heard the plum blossoms bloom early, but how does it compare to spring in the north?"

Lin Wanwan and Chen Xianlin went through more than ten rounds of matching. Chen Xianlin came up with the last sentence, and Lin Wanwan couldn't think of anything to say, so she stopped for a while.

Seeing this, Wen Yichuan said, "Miss Lin, if you can't answer, then Miss Chen wins this round."

Lin Wanwan thought for a while but couldn't come up with an answer, so Wen Yichuan said, "Miss Chen wins this round."

Lin Wanwan didn't give up and waited for the next question.

Xue Huaiyu then said, "Let's use orchids as the theme, Miss Lin, please."

This round started with Lin Wanwan.

"A secluded air stirs in the orchid-scented courtyard, a pristine whiteness fills the bamboo-filled room."

"Her glances left a radiant glow, her long sighs carried the fragrance of orchids."

"Wading across the river to gather lotus blossoms, amidst the fragrant grasses of the orchid-filled marshland."

"Orchid leaves flourish in spring, osmanthus blossoms shine bright in autumn."

........................

"The orchid grows in a secluded valley, unknown to anyone; a guest planted it in the eastern pavilion, leaving its fragrance for me."

The last sentence was written by Lin Wanwan. Lin Wanwan won this round. After winning a round, Lin Wanwan proudly raised her head and looked at Chen Xianlin, who sipped her tea without caring.

In this round, Ye Churan proposed a topic with the theme of "Autumn," signaling Chen Xianlin to begin.

"It can make the leaves fall in late autumn and the flowers bloom in February."

"Since ancient times, autumn has been associated with sorrow and desolation, but I say that autumn days surpass even spring mornings."

"Every tree is tinged with autumn colors, every mountain bathed in the glow of the setting sun."

"The cold mountains turn verdant, the autumn waters flow gently day by day."

..........................

"I often fear the arrival of autumn, when the leaves turn yellow and wither."

The last sentence ends with Chen Xianlin, indicating that Chen Xianlin has won this round.

When it was Zheng Luoqi's turn, she asked them to write an essay on the theme of "beauty".

"A beautiful woman rolls up the beaded curtain, sits deep within, her brows furrowed in thought."

"A beautiful woman, alluring and leisurely, picks mulberry leaves at a crossroads."

"Her temperament is as beautiful as an orchid, her talent as fragrant as a fairy."

"A handsome, amorous young man, the blossoming of youth is just around the corner."

......................................

"The beauty of Lin'ying dances at Baidi City, her enchanting dance captivating all who see her."

The last sentence is Lin Wanwan's, so the score is currently tied at two to two.

The last question was set by Chen Ruoyao, who used the character "flower" as the question.

"A pot of wine among the flowers, I drink alone, without a companion."

"When the Double Ninth Festival arrives, we will return to admire the chrysanthemums."

"Flowers fill the path at Huang Si Niang's house, thousands upon thousands of blossoms weigh down the branches."

"Riding a swift horse in the spring breeze, one can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day."

..................................

"The mountains and rivers seem to block the way, but then a village appears amidst the willows and flowers."

Chen Xianlin finished the last sentence, and she won the final round.

"Ms. Lin, how about it? You're a man of your word, so apologize." Chen Xianlin said to Lin Wanwan as soon as the match ended.

Lin Wanwan was furious, but she had indeed lost, and with so many people around, she couldn't deny it, so she could only accept her fate.

"I admit defeat this time, and I apologize. I shouldn't have been so rude."

After Lin Wanwan finished speaking, she felt embarrassed to stay there, so she left.

The other noble ladies also left, leaving only Zheng Luoqi, a few men, and Chen Xianlin in the pavilion. Zheng Luoqi clearly sensed that the other men had become more interested in Chen Xianlin.

Chen Xianlin bowed, indicating that she was also leaving, and walked straight out of the pavilion.

Only a few men remained in the pavilion. Zheng Luoqi, seeing that the female lead had left, felt there was no point in continuing, so he also got up and left.

So far, the male and female leads haven't made much of a splash, but the real show is yet to come.

The banquet gradually began, and many people were already taking their seats.

Zheng Luoqi had barely sat down when she saw Chen Xianlin, who had changed her clothes, take her seat. It has to be said that the female lead is indeed the female lead; she is truly beautiful. She was dressed simply in the pavilion earlier, but you could still tell that she was a natural beauty. Now that she's dressed up, she's even more stunning.

Chen Xianlin wasn't the only one noticed; Zheng Luoqi was too, and of course, the second male lead Ye Churan and the third male lead Wen Yichuan were also present.

Zheng Luoqi just felt that it was great to be able to watch the gossip up close like this.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!" the eunuch on the platform shouted.

Then a man dressed in imperial robes slowly walked over, followed by the Empress Dowager, a group of palace maids, eunuchs, and guards.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Empress Dowager!"

The crowd knelt down and bowed, saying in unison.

"Rise!" Xue Huaiyu gestured for everyone to take their seats.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The officials and their families took their seats.

Just then, dancers began to perform, and everyone started to eat while enjoying the show.

Just then, the Empress Dowager on the stage suddenly spoke up: "Isn't this song and dance a bit too monotonous?"

"Oh, what does Mother mean?"

"Today, all those young masters and ladies from official families have come here. Why not take this opportunity to give them a chance to shine and let them find their ideal husbands or ladies of their dreams? I'll act as a matchmaker for them today. What do you think, Your Majesty?" The Empress Dowager said to the Emperor with a smile.

The Emperor naturally knew that while the Empress Dowager claimed to be setting up matches for the sons and daughters of officials, her true intentions were another matter entirely.

"It's rare for the Empress Dowager to be in such high spirits, so how could I spoil her mood? Let's give the young ladies and gentlemen of the Imperial Family a chance!" the Emperor said.

"Guards, set up a venue for the Six Arts of Gentlemen and the Eight Elegances of Women. Just performing isn't very interesting. Let's set up a prize. I'll grant the prize one thing. Is there anyone who wants to volunteer?" Xue Huaiyu asked casually, his eyes sweeping over the crowd below the stage.

Zheng Yuxiang and Zheng Luoqi sat in the first seat to the left of the emperor. Zheng Yuxiang casually picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his lips. He calmly said, "Since no one else is going up, let my son Luoqi start!"