With a utterance, the phoenix-shaped ceremonial carriage led the way.
Five-colored dragon and phoenix flags fluttered in the wind, while a yellow dragon canopy moved slowly.
As everyone turned around, they saw Xiao Xiuning, dressed in auspicious attire, slowly walking out.
The light purple dress was embroidered with white butterflies and flowers, and a pale yellow embroidered gilded white magnolia bloomed at the neckline.
Under the moonlight, the jewels glittered without appearing vulgar in the slightest, and the brocade robes and embroidered jackets only accentuated Xiao Xiuning's extraordinary nobility.
Xiao Xiuning's beauty lies in her dignified, elegant, and noble demeanor; she is like a magnolia that is admired but unattainable.
Upon seeing this, everyone bowed and greeted him.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Ninth Princess."
Xiao Xiuning raised her jade-like arm and spoke softly.
"Please rise, everyone. This poetry gathering on the painted boat is to celebrate the literary scene of our Great Li with all of you scholars and literati. Please do not be so formal."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xiao Xiuning looked around and was shocked to see Lu Zhengping still embedded in the wooden wall. She couldn't help but frown.
"How can it be that the place where the poetry gathering is held is a place of elegance?"
Seeing this, Mr. Dongshan quickly stepped forward and explained the whole story to Xiao Xiuning.
Upon hearing that Lu Zhengping was driven by jealousy and wanted to harm someone, Xiao Xiuning said coldly.
"How can a student of the prestigious Dali Academy, bearing the weight of academic achievement, knowingly break the law?"
At this moment, Lu Yongping had already been pulled off the wooden wall by the guards.
When Lu Yongping, who had recovered from his shock, saw Xiao Xiuning, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness, I was just confused for a moment."
Lu Zhengping, kneeling on the ground, was filled with fear. He knew all about what had happened to the fifth young master of the Pei family.
If he offends this old lady, not only will he be at risk, but even his father's position will be in jeopardy.
Fortunately, Xiao Xiuning had just arrived and did not want to spoil the mood of everyone present, so she simply gave a cold reminder.
"In poetry competitions, the winner is determined by literary talent. As a person, you must learn to accept defeat when you lose. Do you understand?"
"The student understands."
Xiao Xiuning turned to look at Mr. Dongshan and asked.
"I am also curious. What kind of poetry could have earned such high praise from Mr. Dongshan? May I have a look?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Dongshan was taken aback at first, and then reluctantly took out the neatly folded Xuan paper from his sleeve.
"Please, Your Highness, take a look."
Xiao Xiuning slowly unfolded the Xuan paper, her red lips slightly parted, and she was amazed after just one glance.
"Great words, great words indeed."
"I wonder which young master wrote this poem? I would also like to see it."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Dongshan immediately looked in the direction where Mu Zian was.
However, at this moment, Mu Zian, Liu Rushi, and Ning Hongchen had already disappeared.
"Hey, where did that young master go?"
Upon hearing this, everyone began searching, but they couldn't find Mu Zi'an anywhere.
Upon seeing this, Mr. Dongshan immediately felt regretful.
"Such a famous line that has stood the test of time, I actually forgot to ask its name!"
Although Xiao Xiuning was slightly disappointed upon hearing this, she immediately offered words of comfort.
"Mr. Dongshan, there's no need for that. As long as he's still on this pleasure boat, we'll surely meet again. But then I'll have to trouble you to introduce me."
"How dare I? How dare I?"
At this moment, Mu Zi'an, along with the two women beside him, gracefully entered the second painted boat.
As the saying goes, "After accomplishing the task, one should leave without a trace, concealing one's merits and fame."
Xiao Xiuning liked the Shui Diao Ge Tou painting more and more as she looked at it.
Then, quite naturally, he folded the Xuan paper neatly, under Mr. Dongshan's expectant gaze.
Xiao Xiuning calmly and casually tucked it into her sleeve.
Upon seeing this, Mr. Dongshan was stunned and stood there. The first poem manuscript of all time that he had just obtained was gone.
Seeing this, several old friends nearby all wore expressions of schadenfreude.
Xiao Xiuning's appearance signaled the official start of this grand poetry gathering on the painted boat.
Just then, the sound of splashing water was heard.
A cry of surprise came from the shore.
"Look, it's Young Master Pei!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a beautifully decorated small boat cutting through the waves on the lake.
At the bow of the ship, a handsome young man stood proudly.
Dressed in white, she was more beautiful than snow, and her eyes shone like cold stars.
Screams suddenly erupted from the flower boats surrounding the painted barge.
"Young Master Pei!"
"Young Master Pei!"
......
The cheers were endless, and countless women were captivated by him.
The students on the painted boat all looked bitter when they saw Pei Shaoji.
His appearance was like a bright and dazzling sun in the dark night.
Everyone around him is enveloped by his radiance.
The small boat approached the painted barge and came to a steady stop.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Pei Shaoji, dressed in white, slowly boarded the painted boat.
Two familiar figures also boarded the ship with him.
It was Pei Jianzhi and Lu Yunxue, who had been silent for a long time.
Although Pei Jianzhi was only from a branch of the Pei family, he was the only member of the younger generation of the Pei family to hold military power.
Although they had just suffered a major defeat and were unfortunately captured by bandits.
However, since things are rare, the Pei family was still willing to give him another chance.
That's why Pei Shaoji brought him along on the pleasure boat tonight for the poetry gathering.
As for Lu Yunxue, it was just a side matter.
After all, Lu Yunxue is still the number one female marquis in Dali, and her title still carries some weight.
Looking at the lavish decorations on the painted boat, Lu Yunxue was deeply impressed.
Poetry gatherings have always been elegant occasions, and not everyone is qualified to attend, no matter how wealthy you are.
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