"Since we are going to compose poems, we should naturally select a champion. This jade pendant was a gift from His Majesty on my sixteenth birthday. It is my beloved possession. I will use it as the prize for this poetry gathering. I hope that everyone can display their talents and win this treasure."

Li Yuyan said with a smile. When she smiled, the flower decoration between her eyebrows bloomed like a red flower, which was inexplicably a little eerie.

"Thank you, Princess. We will do our utmost."

Everyone immediately rubbed their hands together, eager to receive something bestowed by His Majesty.

Moreover, this banquet gathers the most famous talented men and women in the capital. If one can outshine everyone at this banquet, one will naturally become famous far and wide.

Even the best wine needs advertising; everyone, regardless of gender, wants to be famous!

Moreover, some people came here specifically to watch this show.

After all, everyone knew that Li Yuyan was in love with Pei Yanzhi, and Li Yuyan had a volatile temper, but she kept quiet after entering the palace.

So that's where they were waiting for Jiang Shuwan.

Several men glanced at Jiang Shuwan with ill intent, then one by one they perked up and racked their brains to compose poems.

However, Li Yuyan had an indifferent expression on her face, and only glanced at Jiang Yao and Liu Yunyan.

According to Yao Zhijie's information, both of them were at odds with Jiang Shuwan, and both had the reputation of being the most talented women in the capital.

She's already set up the stage; it's time for them to go on stage.

Finally, it was Liu Yunyan's turn to compose a poem. After glancing at Jiang Yao and Jiang Shuwan beside her, Liu Yunyan stood up.

"In the cold winter, auspicious snowflakes flutter and dance, just like silver flowers dancing in the setting sun."

"Lightly covering the mountains and rivers adds a touch of elegance, quietly melting into the spring waters to nourish the fragrance."

"good!"

As soon as Liu Yunyan finished speaking, a handsome young man from a prominent family stood up and clapped his hands.

"Although Miss Liu's poem about snow describes the cold weather and the fluttering snowflakes, the following line, 'Lightly covering the mountains and rivers, adding a touch of elegance, quietly melting into the spring waters to nourish the fragrance,' reveals the simple and elegant charm of snow covering the mountains and rivers, as well as the cycle of snowmelt nourishing life."

"Such a beautiful artistic conception! No wonder she is the most talented woman in the capital! Absolutely wonderful!"

The man spoke with great enthusiasm, clearly holding Liu Quyan in high esteem.

His booming voice echoed in the hall, drawing cheers from the others.

"As expected of Miss Liu."

"A good poem, a good poem."

"We are ashamed of our inferiority."

Everyone bowed in admiration, clearly believing that Liu Yunyan had done the best so far.

Jiang Shuwan doesn't know much about poetry, but she does have basic literary knowledge.

After all, she had passed Chinese in elementary school, and with the explanation from that aristocratic young man, she carefully pondered Liu Yunyan's four lines of poetry and also thought that she had written them well.

However, that impassioned young man from a prominent family seemed to be the very kind of suitor Liu Yunyan would refuse—the eldest son of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Jiang Shuwan: "..."

This is true love!

She sighed, and Liu Yunyan glanced at the person before immediately looking away. A hurt expression flashed in the person's eyes, but he sat down gracefully again.

She doesn't get angry or ashamed when rejected, nor does she become disheartened when the other party is indifferent; she's a promising candidate.

Jiang Shuwan secretly memorized it, while on the other side, Jiang Yao also stood up confidently.

Upon seeing Jiang Yao's posture, Liu Yunyan immediately felt alarmed.

She had looked into Jiang Yao and knew that apart from "Spring Dawn," Jiang Yao's poems afterward were all mediocre, and even when she did produce a good one, none of them could compare to hers.

So confident now, could it be...?

"Several plum blossoms in the corner of the wall, blooming alone in the cold."

"I know from afar it is not snow, for there is a faint fragrance in the air."

Liu Yunyan's unease indeed turned into a nightmare. As soon as Wang Anshi recited his poem, the entire room fell silent, followed by a buzz of discussion.

"Blossoming alone in the cold..."

"It's not snow..."

"For there is a faint fragrance..."

In the end, all the discussions turned into admiration for Jiang Yao.

"As expected of the young master's wife."

"We lost."

Not only the noble lady, but also the talented young men from noble families who studied poetry and books every day on the other side bowed to Jiang Yao in admiration.

"Your sister-in-law is truly a genius."

"We are ashamed of our inferiority."

"First came 'Spring Dawn,' then came 'Plum Blossom.' My aunt is truly the most talented woman of our time, no! The most talented woman of the entire Jing Dynasty!"

"Yes, Madam Xiao is the most talented woman in Dajing!"

Everyone looked at Jiang Yao with admiration.

When Jiang Yao arrived, they did make fun of her, after all, Pei Lingyu's affair with prostitutes was already common knowledge throughout the city.

With the Earl's mansion having such a terrible reputation, how dare Jiang Yao go out?

In retrospect, they were being superficial.

The Earl's family was a mess. First, an old Earl became a Taoist priest, and then a young Earl frequented prostitutes.

The marriage between Jiang Yao and Pei Lingyu was also very undignified.

It's fair to say that the entire Earl's mansion has become a laughing stock in the capital, and Jiang Yao's reputation has suffered as a result.

However.

Her poetry is wonderful!

She truly deserves the title of the most talented woman in Dajing.

Even some men who genuinely loved poetry and books stared at Jiang Yao with fervent eyes.

"A woman who can compose such poems is no ordinary person."

"In my opinion, it must have been Pei Lingyu who used despicable means to seduce Miss Jiang. Otherwise, why would she be so blind as to fall for a man like Pei Lingyu, who is naturally dissolute and addicted to wine and women?"

"That's right, that's right, it must be Pei Lingyu's fault."

"I heard that Pei Lingyu has moved out of the Marquis's residence, and Miss Jiang has also returned to the Jiang residence. Could it be that they are getting a divorce?"

"Very well, a pearl cast before swine, divorce is the best course of action."

As the men spoke, their eyes were fixed on Jiang Yao with intense admiration, clearly showing that their admiration for her had reached its peak.

Some even plan to marry their ex-partners immediately after the divorce.

To have such a talented woman is to bring glory to one's ancestors.

Hearing these words, a hint of resentment flashed in Jiang Yao's eyes.

What's wrong with these people? How can they criticize her Yulang?

Yulang was bewitched by that vile woman, Xiaotaohong.

It's all Xiao Taohong's fault, it has nothing to do with Yulang.

She also said she wanted a divorce.

Just kidding, after Yulang Qiu's poem was circulated, many people said he was the number one talent in the capital.

Yulang is exceptionally intelligent, and with the imperial examinations just around the corner in February, she would be insane to ask for a divorce.

Honestly, how can you talk about them like that?

It seems she needs to reconcile with Yulang as soon as possible to quell the rumors.

She should go find Yulang after the banquet.

As Jiang Yao made this plan, she couldn't help but recall the words of praise she had received from those talented scholars and scions of prominent families, and a sense of pride welled up in her heart.

She tilted her head slightly, a confident and proud smile on her face, as if she were a goddess on high, enjoying the admiration and worship of everyone.

She glanced at the entire room out of the corner of her eye, looking triumphantly at everyone, with particular attention to Jiang Shuwan and Liu Yunyan.

That bitch Liu Yunyan! In my previous life, I was defeated by her and suffered a fate worse than death. Now, I am the high and mighty wife of the young master, yet she is struggling for the position of a lowly concubine.

In both circumstances, she came out on top.