Chapter 84: Banquet Competition for Prizes

"You...you guys..." Sun Ruyu was about to step forward to argue angrily, but Han Xinyin stopped her.

Han Xiyin wanted to embarrass Xu Nian today, not to have an argument with her.

"Ms. Xu, we had some unpleasantness before, and we can use this opportunity of today's flower viewing party to clear up this misunderstanding.

I heard that Miss Xu is very knowledgeable and talented, and her skills are so good that even the princess has praised her. It's rare that so many people are here today, why don't we come and learn from each other."

Xu Nian was really not in the mood to compete with these little girls, but Wang Pingting on the side was very unconvinced.

"Let's compete. How do you want to compete? You can use swords, spears, or halberds as you like."

Han Xiyin smiled and said, "What Miss Wang said is really interesting. Although we all know that you are the daughter of a military commander, there is no need to talk about swordplay and gunplay every day.

We women all value virtue, appearance, and speech, so why not have a competition today to see how good our skills are."

Wang Pingting laughed. What did she think it was? It turned out to be embroidery.

"What Miss Han said is quite interesting. We are not embroiderers, so what is the point of practicing such good embroidery?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xinyin reached out and took the tray from the maid's hand and lifted the red cloth on it.

Xu Nian and Wang Pingting looked over curiously, and when they saw what it was, their eyes widened in surprise.

Han Xiyin was very proud when he saw the surprised expressions on the two people's faces.

"This thing is called rope weaving. You two ladies may not have seen it before. This is the "Hundred Flowers in Competition" that I spent half an hour weaving. Why don't we compete today to see whose craftsmanship is better?"

Wang Pingting lowered her head and tried hard to restrain herself from laughing. She really didn't expect that what Han Xinyin took out was actually the rope weaving that Xu Nian had come up with. How was this different from giving away a head on the battlefield?

Xu Nian was only surprised for a moment and then an expression of understanding appeared on her face. She looked behind Han Xinyin, but did not see Shen Yan.

"Miss Han, I think you learned how to weave ropes from someone else. For Mrs. Han's sake, I would like to advise you to take the other girls back to their seats and attend the banquet. There is no need to argue with me. We have no grudges against each other, so why bother yourself?"

Han Xiyin didn't hear the admonition in these words. Instead, she thought that Xu Nian was going to back down. She said even more proudly, "Is Miss Xu afraid?"

It is said that good words cannot persuade a damned ghost, and Xu Nian has seen it today. Since Han Xiyin insisted on doing so, she did not say anything more, but signaled Han Xiyin to host the competition.

At the banquet, except for the ladies from each family, there were young boys and girls of similar age. When they heard that Miss Han was going to hold a competition, they all gathered around with great interest.

Even Luo Jinan, who had been indifferent to the matter, walked over and asked, "Since it is a competition, I wonder what the prizes are for the participants?"

When everyone saw that it was Prince Chang who was asking the question, they all agreed: There is no competition without a prize, and everyone who participates should pay a share.

Han Xinyin didn't want to be looked down upon, so after hesitating for a moment, she took off the jade pendant from her waist and placed it on the table.

"This jade pendant was personally awarded to my father by the Prince of Zhenbei for his contribution in disaster relief. My father gave it to me on New Year's Day. Today I will use it as a prize. If someone's rope weaving work can surpass mine, this prize will belong to that person."

After Han Xiyin finished speaking, everyone focused their attention on the jade pendant. Not only was it priceless, but it also represented a unique meaning.

Han Xiyin felt a little regretful when she saw everyone coveting the jade pendant. But she felt relieved when she remembered that Shen Yan had a hard time making up the story, and that the people on the scene might not be able to learn it quickly.

He regained his arrogant look and looked at Xu Nian and asked, "I wonder if Miss Han has any prizes to offer?"

Xu Nian smiled implicitly, took off a pearl hairpin from her hair and said, "Although this pearl hairpin is not as valuable as Miss Han's jade pendant, it is what I bought for myself after I earned my first money in Lingshan County. It means a lot to me, so I'll use it as a prize."

Han Xiyin's original intention to make fun of the shabby girl was stuck in her throat, and in the end she could only urge the other ladies to take out their own prizes.

"Clang" a jade pendant fell on the table, Luo Jinan said nonchalantly: "Since I have witnessed this competition, I will also add some prizes to you."

Several contestants blushed with excitement. If they could get the prince's jade pendant, wouldn't it be...

Seeing the prince like this, the young masters of various families nearby took out their best items as prizes, and soon the table was filled with them.

Luo Jin'an gently moved behind Xu Nian and said pitifully, "Nian Nian must win this competition, otherwise my jade pendant will fall into the hands of others, and what should I do if they fall for me?"

Xu Nian took a step forward and distanced himself from Luo Jinan, "She won't buy it."

"Since everyone is ready, let's start now. The time limit is half an hour. Everyone present will be the judge, and the one with the most support will win."

As Han Xiyin finished speaking, several maids came over with trays containing all the materials needed for rope weaving.

Xu Nian did not rush to take action, but was thinking about which pattern could both win and save Mrs. Han's face. Han Xinyin felt more at ease when she saw that Xu Nian was hesitant to take action.

Xu Nian suddenly had an idea and took out blue, gold and red threads and started to work. Han Xiyin originally didn't think much of the threads Xu Nian chose because of the single color, until she saw the nimble hands and quick movements, she began to take it seriously.

She once saw Shen Yan taking great pains to weave a flower, but in Xu Nian's hands it seemed as if the flower had bloomed from her palms.

The daughters of various families who had originally struggled to compete with Silk Thread were also attracted by the movement here at Xu Nian's place. They were curious about the various three-dimensional blue flowers. Many of the flowers here were ones they had never seen before.

When Xu Nian stopped, they thought the work was finished, but unexpectedly, they saw Xu Nian took off the pearl flowers on the bun, removed the pearls and weaved them on the pistil. The originally exquisite headdress became more noble.

"I wonder what you are making up, Miss Xu?"

Xu Nian looked at the young man who asked the question and put the rope in her hair. "This is a rope-braided headband. I named it Baihua Xianrui." Then Xu Nian put the headband on the tray and told the maid, "Please give this to Madam Han and tell her that the spring scenery in the garden is intoxicating and the peach blossoms are still smiling in the spring breeze."

"Good, good peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze."

"Ms. Xu is the undisputed leader of today."

“…”

Han Xiyin's face turned pale as she listened to the noises around her. How could this happen?