When Bai Mengying walked back to the center of the venue from Qiao Ziming's side, she looked somewhat lost and dejected.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Ziming also knew about what happened three years ago.

Why didn't we just kill Qiao Ziming back then?

If that were the case, she wouldn't be going through all this trouble now!

Thinking this with such resentment, he suddenly heard Pei Yuan's concerned voice.

"Princess, what's wrong?"

Bai Mengying snapped out of her daze and saw the worry on Pei Yuan's face. She shook her head slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Pei. I'm fine, just a little worried about Zimo..."

"I just hoped Zimo could regain his confidence, but I never expected..."

Although both sentences were only half-said, the unfinished words are more likely to leave room for imagination.

Pei Yuan looked at Bai Mengying with pity in his eyes, then glared at Qiao Ziming with resentment, feeling an urge to hit him.

Since you have wronged Miss Su, you should treat Princess Chang Le well.

However, Qiao Ziming vented his frustration on the princess.

That's not a real man!

Then he thought of Qiao Zixi, that vicious and insane woman.

It seems that there isn't a single good person in the Qiao family!

As the two were talking, the poetry auction had ended, and the painting competition was about to begin.

Bai Mengying smiled and looked at Pei Yuan, "Young Master Pei, would you like to participate?"

Pei Yuan looked at Xie Xuan, who was beaming with excitement, and slowly shook his head. "With Xie Xuan here, I would only be a supporting character if I went up."

But then Bai Mengying said meaningfully, "Originally, the Empress wanted to bestow a marriage upon Young Master Xie, but now it seems that she has made a mistake in matching the lovers."

Having said that, she looked as if she knew she had spoken out of turn, gave Pei Yuan an apologetic smile, and instead of asking about the details of Pei Yuan and Qiao Zixi's marriage, she continued walking towards the center of the venue.

Pei Yuan stood there, looking at the triumphant Xie Xuan, and clenched his fists. Although he knew that Xie Xuan was not to blame for his marriage to Qiao Zixi, he still felt uncomfortable again.

If Xie Xuan hadn't suddenly come to tell him that the Empress was going to bestow a marriage upon Qiao Zixi, he wouldn't be in this situation now, forced to marry a vicious woman with a disfigured face!

Xie Xuan on the stage was unaware of Pei Yuan's thoughts, because at that moment his mind was completely occupied by Su Muxi.

He wanted to give Su Muxi a surprise!

He needs to show Su Muxi his outstanding side!

Without Qiao Ziming's arrogant remarks, many people participated in the final competition.

Many women also went up on stage, including Shen Yaxin.

The literary gathering is held only once a year, and everyone, regardless of gender, wants to make an appearance and receive praise at the gathering.

This is the last chance, so everyone is putting in their best effort to showcase themselves.

After some deliberation, the two great scholars finally decided on the topic for the competition.

Create a painting with the theme of lake and mountain scenery.

Su Muxi stood below the stage, wary of her surroundings, with no interest in looking at Xie Xuan and Wei Yichen on the stage.

Just as she was about to find a place to sit down, a woman wearing a veil walked gracefully towards her.

“Miss Su, painting takes time to finish. I have a seat over there. If you don’t mind, you can sit with me at the same table.”

The woman had a soft voice, and her big, watery eyes were very endearing when she spoke.

Su Muxi recognized the person; it was this woman who had answered her earlier when she deliberately asked if this was the Bibo Pavilion literary gathering place.

"Then thank you very much, Miss."

Su Muxi thanked him and bowed, and the other party immediately returned the bow.

"My name is Mo Lanyan. My father is just a captain in the Imperial Guard."

Its voice was faint, like a mosquito's buzz, and it looked somewhat shy.

Su Muxi was surprised. Wasn't it said that only powerful and wealthy people could enter the Bibo Pavilion Literary Gathering?

However, Mo Lanyan's father was only a seventh-rank official.

If Mo Lanyan is talented, she has never been seen on stage during the five competitions.

So how did Mo Lanyan get in?

Mo Lanyan noticed Su Muxi's confusion and lowered her head slightly. "My father gave me to Young Master Zheng, and I came in with him today."

deliver?

Young Master Zheng?

Although Mo Lanyan didn't explain it clearly, Su Muxi felt that she must have understood.

"Is the Young Master Zheng you speak of Zheng Yi?"

"…Um."

Selling one's daughter for personal gain is not uncommon, so Su Muxi did not continue speaking.

If it were before, she might have felt some sympathy for Mo Lanyan.

But now, she can't.

Last time, she took pity on the little beggar and did good deeds, but she almost had her reputation ruined.

Now that she knows what Bai Mengying has prepared for her at this literary gathering, how could she possibly show kindness indiscriminately?

Although Mo Lanyan's appearance suggested she was unwilling to become Zheng Yi's concubine, who could really know for sure?

Among the daughters of minor officials, there are many ambitious ones. Some would rather be concubines to the sons of high-ranking officials than marry ordinary people.

Although Zheng Yi was a playboy, his father was a high-ranking official.

Even a seventh-rank official is needed before the prime minister's gate; perhaps Mo Lanyan is willing to accept this arrangement.

After the two sat down, Su Muxi could clearly feel Mo Lanyan scrutinizing her.

He turned his head to look at Mo Lanyan and asked in a low voice, "Miss Mo, what are you looking at?"

Mo Lanyan's ears turned red instantly, and she lowered her head shyly. She looked up at Su Muxi and saw that Su Muxi was not angry. She then whispered, "It's nothing. I just think Miss Su is actually quite pretty."

"...Then take another look."

Upon hearing this, Su Muxi turned her left cheek.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!