Ouyang Yi smiled and said, "I originally wanted to pick one and give it to Miss Zhizhi."
Qiao Zhizhi remained expressionless and unmoved.
“It’s winter now. These flowers need the warmth of the soil underground and the moisture from the water to nourish them. We, the flower lovers, shouldn’t destroy a flower for the sake of momentary greed.”
Ouyang Yi was a little embarrassed and had no choice but to give up.
"Zhizhi is really sharp-tongued."
Qiao Lian'er also managed to extract the information she needed. There might be a deeper secret behind this matter, but Ouyang Yi would never reveal it.
In this way, he would seem superfluous to be around.
"Sister Zhizhi and I have some private conversation, and it's not convenient for any men to be present. Please, Young Master Ouyang, make yourselves at home," Qiao Lian'er said.
Ouyang Yi tactfully said, "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. Have fun, you two."
As he left, he glanced at Qiao Zhizhi one last time, seemingly reluctant to part with her.
Qiao Zhizhi frowned slightly. She felt that Ouyang Yi was a bit annoying.
He's so young, yet he exudes a greasy vibe.
She knew that Ouyang Yi absolutely disliked her; it was as if something had been implanted in his body, pushing him to do something.
In this way, these behaviors appear affected and pretentious.
But Ouyang Yi was just a stranger to her, and she didn't care about him at all.
Only the matters concerning the Sun and Lin families troubled her.
Even so, she did not lose her composure.
“Lian’er, I believe that Young Master Lin must have consulted his parents long ago, but the Lin family’s ideas are different from his.”
"So this is why the powerful families in the capital care so much about aristocratic families. Our Qiao family is no weakling either, yet they look down on us."
Qiao Lian'er pondered seriously: "Perhaps it's not a matter of whether or not a family is prestigious or not."
"I always feel there might be other reasons. Sister Zhizhi, let's wait a bit."
“Okay.” Qiao Zhizhi said, “I believe that people who are destined to be together will overcome countless obstacles and come together, while people who are not destined to be together will find it difficult to have a deeper connection in this life, even if they are often face to face.”
Among the Qiao family members, Qiao Lian'er likes Qiao Zhizhi the most because she is composed and can analyze things calmly, preventing herself from getting caught up in endless internal strife.
Moreover, Qiao Zhizhi has achieved something in art and is respected by others, which is already a fulfillment for her. She has a natural and accepting mindset and will not have too deep an obsession with men or marriage.
At the grand banquet, various song, dance, acrobatic, musical, and theatrical performances, as well as talent shows by young ladies and gentlemen from prominent families, continued until evening. The atmosphere was festive and lively.
Qiao Zhizhi was painting from beginning to end. In the end, she completed an oil painting that was half a zhang high and two zhang wide, which included everyone present. Of course, she used close-ups and blurred backgrounds, otherwise she would not have been able to finish the painting.
Everyone rose from their seats to gather around and admire the painting, praising it highly. Prince Heng was in a great mood and wanted to buy it.
Qiao Zhizhi only said it was to amuse everyone, and thanked them for not minding it, so she gave it to Prince Heng's mansion.
Prince Heng, of course, couldn't accept it for nothing, so he generously bestowed a box of jewels upon the prince.
The noble ladies and gentlemen gathered around the painting, trying to identify themselves in it, almost forgetting the delicacies and fine wines on the banquet table.
This impactful masterpiece is a feast for the eyes.
With so many people, and some trying to push forward, things got a bit chaotic.
Someone's hand slipped, and a large glass of wine was spilled onto the oil painting.
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