Standing by the railing of the lotus viewing platform were Hongli, Hongzhou, and Mingyu.

Hongli and Hongzhou chatted idly, occasionally exchanging a few words with Mingyu. Although the group wasn't particularly lively, their time together felt very natural.

Xueying had been observing the scene for a long time when she turned her head and found Hongli chatting familiarly with Mingyu a dozen steps away from her.

Xueying pursed her lips and walked over there.

Her maid, A'luo, followed her and they walked together to Hongli.

When Mingyu saw Xueying approaching, her smile faded, and she didn't want to look at her.

Xueying first bowed to Hongli and Hongzhou.

"Xueying greets the two princes," Xueying said with a graceful curtsy.

The two returned the gift to her.

Xueying then looked at Mingyu and gave her a polite bow. Mingyu didn't want to pay attention to her, but she wanted to maintain her good manners, so she returned the bow.

Looking at the lotus flowers below, Xueying asked Hongli, "I wonder if Fourth Prince has seen any lotus flowers that he likes?"

Hongli said, "We're still looking."

Xueying nodded and said a few more words, but Hongli's replies were lukewarm, making things very awkward. Mingyu watched from the side, a cold smile creeping onto her face.

Hongzhou felt awkward standing with them. After thinking about how to lighten the mood, he said, "Enjoying flowers like this is rather monotonous and boring. Why don't we compose some poems?"

Mingyu nodded. "Write a poem? Not bad. What's the theme?"

Hongzhou pointed to a lotus pond and said, "Lotus flowers."

Hongli pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "Very well, that's quite elegant."

Mingyu and Hongli have both agreed, leaving only Xueying.

Mingyu glanced down at Xueying, her eyes filled with disdain, seemingly not considering Xueying a rival. Xueying readily agreed, "I'm happy to oblige."

The princes had been taught by masters since childhood, and the Fourth Prince valued their studies highly. They had always been devoted to poetry and literature. Mingyu and Xueying had also studied at a girls' school, so composing poetry was not difficult for them.

Writing poetry is not difficult, but writing it well is quite difficult.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Hongzhou smiled and said, "Since I brought it up first, then I'll go first!"

He looked down at the lotus flowers, pondered for a moment, and said, "The lotus grows in a secluded spring, its beauty enhanced by the morning sun. Autumn flowers emerge from the green water, and dense leaves are shrouded in blue mist."

Xueying and Mingyu had maintained a calm expression until they heard this line of poetry, at which point they revealed appreciative smiles.

Upon hearing this, Hongli praised him highly, patted Hongzhou on the shoulder, and said, "Fifth brother's learning has improved recently. If Father Emperor hears this, he will surely be pleased."

Hongzhou chuckled and said modestly, "I'm just showing off my little skills in front of Fourth Brother. Fourth Brother, please recite a poem so that your younger brother can learn from it."

Hongli said, "Then I will speak my mind."

His gaze fell upon the lotus blossoms. Hongli was handsome, his profile both gentle and resolute, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. His voice was clear and resonant, immediately drawing their attention: "The lotus blossoms open at dawn, their beautiful faces smiling in adornment. The western birds, painted in the style of the Kalavinka, fly in pairs to the pond morning and evening."

After he finished reading, the smiles on their faces grew wider, and they praised Hongli as before. Hongzhou said repeatedly, "Younger brother is not very talented and should learn more from Fourth Brother in the future."

Xueying savored Hongli's poem, and even silently memorized the poem he had just mentioned.