"Yes," Emperor Zhaojing nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Princess Huaiyin looked somewhat sullen. Looking at the girl who stood calmly in the center of the arena, she couldn't help but say, "Princess Qingqing can't even speak properly, yet she has already outshone everyone with her skills. How can the young ladies from the noble families possibly perform now?"
Her words caused the noble ladies who were writing poems and painting to feel awkward, unsure whether to put their brushes down or not.
Seeing this, Rong Qingqing glanced at Princess Huaiyin. Princess Huaiyin's words were clearly meant to provoke her hatred and make her enemies.
Moreover, in order to deal with her, they didn't care at all whether those noble ladies would lose face.
Of course, those noble ladies dared not blame Princess Huaiyin, but they would take their anger out on her because of it.
As soon as she thought this, she clearly felt several unfriendly gazes falling on her.
She paused, then said with a look of fear, "Princess Huaiyin, please don't belittle me. I can only pick up scraps from others. If you really want me to compose poems or paint, I have absolutely no way of doing so. The only reason I can recite this poem is because I happened to have read a few books. How can I compare to the many talents of the ladies here?"
Her words were quite humble, and the noble ladies' expressions softened upon hearing them. This Rong Qingqing was nothing special; was she just picking up scraps? It was good that she knew her place.
Princess Huaiyin did not expect that Rong Qingqing would not be complacent or proud because of what she said, but instead would not hesitate to harm herself.
She glanced at the noble ladies present and saw that, because of Rong Qingqing's words, their previous hostility and jealousy had changed, and their expressions had softened.
It seems she did underestimate Rong Qingqing.
They thought she was just a pretty face with no substance, but they never expected that she was actually quite clever.
Her quick wit reminded her of the Lan family from the past.
Her fingers, gripping the wine glass, suddenly tightened.
She sneered inwardly, her gaze suddenly falling on Shangguan Yanran. She said with a smile, "I've noticed that Princess Qingqing and Miss Yanran have been inseparable since they entered the palace. They must have a very close relationship. Now that Princess Qingqing has recited the poem and even received praise from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, Miss Yanran must not be outdone."
When Rong Qingqing saw that her attempts to sow discord between her and the other young ladies had failed, she turned her attention to her relationship with Yanran, and a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
Shangguan Yanran wasn't stupid, and she naturally realized that Princess Huaiyin's words were meant to sow discord. She remained seated and sighed, "Princess, you think too highly of me. As everyone knows, I am unlearned and incompetent, unlike you, Qingqing, who can recite two poems. I can't recite a single one."
Princess Huaiyin's expression softened. "Miss Yanran is far too modest."
Having said that, she knew she couldn't say anything more, lest it arouse suspicion from her brother and mother.
Rong Qingqing sat back down and, concealed by her sleeve, gave Shangguan Yanran a high five.
Shangguan Yanran was not as ignorant and incompetent as she claimed, but on this occasion, she did not want to stand out or become a pawn used by Princess Huaiyin to ridicule Rong Qingqing.
The two exchanged a knowing smile and went back to eating.
This interlude passed quickly, and in the audience, the young ladies from various households continued to showcase their talents.
Clearly, these young ladies had come prepared. Their poems and paintings were exquisite, and Rong Qingqing and Shangguan Yanran watched with great interest. However, Xie Jingrun sat in his chair with his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.
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