Upon hearing this news, my heart skipped a beat, like a fawn fluttering in my stomach. Without giving it much thought, I hurried to the corner gate. Sure enough, Jiang Yan was standing there quietly in his casual clothes, a food box in hand. The tips of his ears were slightly red, a lovely touch in the sunlight. "I heard you were having a hard time rehearsing, so I bought some osmanthus cakes," he whispered, his voice as gentle and melodious as a spring breeze.
I took the box and gently opened it. Twelve candied cakes were neatly arranged inside, each meticulously shaped like a phoenix, so lifelike they looked as if they were about to take flight. I couldn't help but pick one up, the icing lightly dabbing against my fingertips, a delicate and sweet sensation. "I've read Jiang Zhuangyuan's poem," I looked up at him, a smile in my eyes.
A hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes, and he asked eagerly, "How?"
"Not as sweet as sugar cakes." I couldn't help laughing out loud. Seeing his expression instantly fall, I quickly added, "But it's a hundred times better than Liu's snacks."
Jiang Yan was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. The bamboo flute at his waist swayed gently with his laughter, emitting a clear and pleasant sound. "Then I will only send you sweets and cakes from now on, and no longer write poems." He suddenly leaned in, his voice lowered to a whisper, "On the day of the birthday banquet, I'll wait for you in the audience."
Watching him walk away, I clutched the candy cake tightly in my hand, my heart filled with sweetness and warmth. It was as if all the hard work of rehearsal had transformed into sweet honey at that moment. Mo Zhu came over at some point and said with a mischievous smile, "Miss, look at the way Jiang Zhuangyuan looks at you. He's even more charming than the candy cake!"
Blushing, I turned back to my room, only to find my eldest sister holding a golden hairpin, carefully examining it under the light. "This phoenix hairpin will perfectly match your dance costume. If Liu dares to do anything naughty, I'll let her know why the flowers are so red!" Her eyes were filled with determination and resolve. The golden hairpin gleamed dazzlingly under the light, like a sword of protection she had prepared for me.
Outside the window, moonlight streamed softly across the courtyard's crabapple blossoms, casting a faint shimmer on their petals, creating a dreamlike wonderland. I gently touched the ruby on the golden hairpin, its warm touch conveying Jiang Yan's promise and my elder sister's care. Suddenly, I eagerly anticipated the birthday banquet. Liu and Lin Wanyue wanted to steal the spotlight? Then let them see what true talent and fame that resonate throughout the capital look like. Let them witness the elegance and power of our poetry club. At this moment of both anticipation and challenge, I know that with the companionship of my family and sisters, and Jiang Yan's support, no matter what challenges lie ahead, I will be fearless and bravely embrace this grand occasion.
As the birthday banquet approached, each rehearsal day was filled with anticipation and tension. The sisters in the poetry club, like closely connected stars, centered around the performance of "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix," meticulously polishing every detail. The specially crafted teapot, after repeated adjustments, had finally become so effective that the tea flowing from its spout could precisely create beautiful calligraphy on paper. The parrot, meticulously trained by Miss Zhang, became increasingly adept at flying, carrying a manuscript of poetry in its beak. Each test flight elicited cheers from the sisters.
While her eldest sister remained unforgiving in her words, her actions never faltered. Not only did she meticulously select accessories that perfectly complemented the costumes, she also personally supervised rehearsals, meticulously scrutinizing every detail, from the precise movements to the precise expressions. Her keen eye, like an eagle's, instantly spotted even the slightest flaw, patiently guiding us toward improvement. Under her rigorous standards, the entire performance became ever more refined, like a meticulously crafted work of art.
Not to be outdone, the young marquis volunteered to take on the role of "guard," stationed daily around the rehearsal space, vigilantly observing any movement, fearing Liu and the others would disrupt the rehearsal. His serious demeanor, wooden sword in hand, was like a loyal guard, safeguarding our rehearsals. At the slightest sign of trouble, he would instantly become alert, his nervous demeanor often making us laugh.
Jiang Yan, like warm sunshine, always shines upon me. Every day, he sends me various snacks and small gifts, sometimes a box of sweet cakes, sometimes a bouquet of beautiful flowers, each gift filled with his care and love. The notes he sends are always filled with words of encouragement, words that nourish my weary heart like a gentle spring breeze. "You've been through a hard rehearsal today. May these cakes dispel your fatigue," "Seeing you strive for your dream makes me even more convinced that your brilliance is unmatched." Words like these constantly bring me a sense of sweetness and strength amidst the arduous rehearsals.
During the final rehearsal before the birthday banquet, everything went nearly perfectly. When the parrot, bearing the manuscript, gracefully flew onto the stage amidst the expectant crowd and placed it precisely in the designated spot, the sisters embraced and wept with joy. In that moment, all the hard work and sweat turned to tears of joy, and we could already imagine the captivating scene at the birthday banquet.
On this peaceful and beautiful night, I sat alone by the window, gazing at the bright moon outside, my thoughts drifting far. I recalled the grievances and frustrations of my past life, the days of being ignored and ridiculed. And now, accompanied by my family, sisters, and Jiang Yan, I was about to stand on the stage at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet and showcase my talents. I knew this was more than just a performance; it was a farewell to the past and a hope for the future. I vowed to everyone that I, Su Jinli, could not eclipse the brilliance of the Liu family. That birthday banquet would surely be a brilliant turning point in my life, and I would write my own glorious chapter with my strength.
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