As dawn broke, the lotus pond in the Siye Mansion rippled with layers of shimmering, fish-belly-white light.
As the morning light gently falls upon the plum blossoms blooming by the window, it evokes a unique sense of tranquility and serenity.
But soon, this rare tranquility was ruthlessly shattered!
The sandalwood-colored curtains, hung by silver hooks, were pulled back by Su Sui, revealing a petite figure on the bed.
Qin threw off the quilt, revealing a girl sleeping sweetly in her undergarments.
She clicked her tongue in exasperation and said to Lingqi, "You girls are all so big-hearted!"
Today is the start of the Hundred Flowers Banquet. That girl from the old ancestral courtyard next door got up before dawn to get ready, bringing three or four different dance dresses. But you, my dear, are so carefree! The sun's already high in the sky, and you're still fast asleep!
“Madam, please calm down. Miss is…” Lingqi stammered, as if her tongue had been licked by a cat, “It’s because I practiced dancing too hard last night and went to bed too late, that’s why I woke up late!”
"I feel guilty for you saying that!"
Qin was annoyed; how dare she claim to have practiced dancing diligently!
These past few days, Yun'er has either been lounging on the chaise longue reading books or tending to the wilting iris by the door; she hasn't done anything serious.
It's all Lin'er's fault for spoiling her without any limits, which fueled her arrogant and fearless attitude, making her think that she could enter the semi-finals just by standing on the stage!
The dance instructors I hired for her are so bored at home that they come to me every day to repent.
Even the craftsmen, looking ashamed, asked, "Madam, could you... assign us some household chores? Otherwise, we'd feel really guilty taking this month's pay."
Qin was so angry that she held her throbbing forehead, feeling utterly exhausted.
What kind of mess is this?
As she spoke, the person on the bed mumbled something, then slowly turned over.
I was woken up by the cold!
Tianyun rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked Qin Shi cautiously, "Mother, could you please not use the blanket-lifting trick next time?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Qin almost laughed out of anger at the little monkey.
Not only are they unambitious, but they're also shameless!
※※※※
Tonghua Terrace.
This was originally the stage where Consort Yun, the most beloved concubine of the previous emperor, frequently came to watch operas during her lifetime.
The rear eaves were removed, turning it into an open-air dance platform. A wooden plaque with the words "Tonghua Platform" was hung in the center of the partition between the front and back stages.
During the reign of Emperor Suhui of the Liang Dynasty, Tonghua Terrace was officially requisitioned as the first dance arena for the "Hundred Flowers Banquet".
Tianyun followed closely behind Shangguan Jingyi's carriage as it left the mansion.
On the way to Tonghuatai, the crowds were bustling, and luxurious cars could be seen everywhere, all heading in the same direction.
The calls and shouts of roadside vendors also changed accordingly.
"Come and take a look! These Buddha amulets, blessed by eminent monks of Wanfo Temple, are only twenty coins each. Wearing them will bring you the Buddha's blessing, guaranteeing you a resounding victory in the first round of the Hundred Flowers Banquet!"
"Miss, I'm going to buy a Buddhist amulet. Please wait for me a moment." Lingqi ran over excitedly.
Wearing a Buddha amulet can provide some psychological comfort.
Tianyun lifted the curtain to see her excited back, a smile curving his lips, but he did not stop her.
Although I don't believe in these things, I don't want to refuse the girl's kindness.
A short while later, when she saw Lingqi, who was covered in amulets from head to toe, with seven or eight hooks on her little finger, looking like she had packed up the whole stall, walking back!
She was stunned...
Tianyun asked, "...Why did you buy so many?"
Lingqi peered out from among a pile of Buddha amulets with difficulty and answered her excitedly.
“Young lady! I’ve thought about it carefully. If I buy all the amulets, then Buddha will only need to bless you. I think that would greatly increase your chances of making it to the final round!”
"I just told the vendor my idea, and he immediately agreed with me and even praised me for being smart!"
Lingqi smiled broadly as she removed all the Buddhist amulets from her body. She then saw her young lady slowly turn her back and pound her chest.
After a long pause, she turned back with a helpless expression.
"He's right...you really are very smart..."
Lingqi was even happier to receive praise from her daughter!
※※※※
"Ladies participating in the competition, please line up in order and register here. Do not push, shove, or argue, otherwise you will be disqualified from attending the banquet."
The two elderly women were surnamed Tong and Hua, respectively.
Having previously served as governesses in the palace, they possessed a certain air of authority. Now, the two of them were in charge of maintaining order in the queue, loudly issuing warnings alongside the long line.
"If that girl in the pale yellow dress keeps touching me, this old woman will have to ask you to leave!"
Tianyun was in the middle of the line, with Xie Wuyun clinging to her from behind.
The midday sun was just right, and it wasn't cold, but after standing for a long time, my legs started to ache, and inevitably those pampered young ladies complained quietly.
At this moment, a carriage approached from afar. The two fine horses pulling the carriage were purebred white horses presented as tribute from the northern frontier. The dark curtains were embroidered with the character "Mu" in the shape of dragons and phoenixes using dark gold thread.
Mu Yaozhi slowly stepped off the carriage.
Her beautiful figure was hidden in her elegant black fox fur cloak. She slowly extended her jade-white hand and placed it on the wrist of the respectfully approaching Granny Tong.
Another carriage came up behind them, carrying only dance costumes.
Her haughty gaze never glanced in their direction, and she didn't need to wait in line at all; she was led directly into the garden by Granny Tong.
This is Mu Yaozhi, the only daughter of Mu Chengye, the most trusted and capable minister in His Majesty's court and the current Left Chancellor. She is also widely recognized throughout the capital as the most likely candidate to become the Second Prince's consort.
Only those who deserve such treatment!
The girls who were obediently queuing up could only stare enviously at her proud departure, but no one dared to utter the slightest complaint!
So she was Mu Yaozhi.
Hearing the girl in front of him, Shangguan Jingyi murmured softly, "Miss Mu is worlds apart from us..." It's a height that we can never reach in this lifetime.
Shangguan Jingyi lowered his eyes, a sneer curving his lips.
What a world of difference!
But he was just born into a good family.
Since I can't become her... then I'll cling to her and climb up. As long as I'm determined, I can always reach unexpected heights!
"Shangguan Jingyi, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family."
Finally, it was her turn. Shangguan Jingyi was overwhelmed by the title of the eldest daughter of the Siye Mansion.
She exclaimed joyfully, "Yes, it is!"
"Here is your license plate number. Please keep it safe."
"Thank you, sir." She took out a bulging purse from her sleeve pocket and secretly slipped it to him. "Take this and have some tea, sir."
She had inquired beforehand and learned that this gentleman was in charge of the roster, so bribing him was necessary.
The register clerk picked up the purse and shook it; the coins inside made a crisp clinking sound. He then pushed it back with a forced smile.
“Young lady, this is against the rules.”
The daughter of the Director of Studies uses copper coins to tip people; wouldn't people laugh at her if word got out?
Shangguan Jingyi blushed, but that was all the money she had left; the money her grandmother had given her had all been used to buy cosmetics.
She hadn't forgotten Shangguan Tianyun's teasing, so she specially chose waterproof face powder!
She sheepishly took back the money and went inside, not noticing that the gentleman had made any changes to the register.
Shangguan Jingyi's "Appearance" rating has been changed from "Good" to "Poor"!
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