The snow fell in a light drizzle for a full ten days before the sun finally came out. (Latest and fastest updates, free reading available.)
Pan Jinxuan had been obsessed with visiting Zhang Erniang lately. When Xuejing finally arrived, she couldn't wait to drag Shi Lan to Qingzhi Palace, where Zhang Wanyi lived.
Zhang Wanyi was talking to Zhang Erniang when she heard a palace maid report that people from Fengzao Palace had arrived. She was initially startled, but when she heard that the people were just two young ladies, she couldn't help but laugh and turned to Zhang Erniang, saying, "You certainly have good connections."
Zhang Erniang smiled slightly and said, "This is all thanks to my aunt's excellent teaching."
Zhang Wanyi laughed and said, "I'm just giving you a few pointers. If you're not cut out for it, even if I lecture you repeatedly, it won't work."
Zhang Erniang smiled but said nothing.
Zhang Wanyi ordered her maids to invite the two women up, said a few words to them, and then pushed Zhang Erniang out so that they could play together.
Pan Jinxuan had long admired Zhang Erniang's talent, and now that she had met her in person, her eyes lit up immediately. She grabbed Zhang Erniang and began to ask her for advice on those difficult and obscure poems and songs.
At first, Shi Lan could listen to some of what was being said, but as she listened, she became increasingly bored and got up to wander around the room.
Inside the room, a painting of bamboo forest and pastoral scenery and two calligraphy scrolls hung on the wall. Shi Lan slowly viewed them with an appreciative heart.
The servants, knowing that these two were relatives of the Imperial Concubine, tried to curry favor with them since they had the opportunity.
Pan Jinxuan kept her head down and eyes closed, only focused on talking to Zhang Erniang. Helpless, they had no choice but to turn their attention to Shi Lan.
Someone with a rudimentary understanding of literature noticed Shi Lan intently studying one of the calligraphic works and hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully and proudly presenting it as a treasure: "This was written by my second mistress."
Shi Lan raised an eyebrow. Having lived through many worlds, the only skill she could excel at among the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting was calligraphy. She had to thank her former sister, Shi Xi, for this. If it weren't for her daily supervision, she wouldn't have been able to develop such beautiful small regular script calligraphy, which was heavily influenced by the original owner's emotions at the time.
Looking at this calligraphy, the five characters "Ning Jing Yi Yi Yuan" appear square, but upon closer inspection, one can see the traces of time flowing by. Not to mention, the brushstrokes are powerful, the movements are smooth yet subtly sharp.
Zhang Erniang was just a child under ten years old, and she lived in the inner quarters year-round. So why did her writing have such sharpness, and how did she acquire such skill?
Shi Lan looked inquisitively at Zhang Erniang, whose chubby little face was still puffed up, as she earnestly discussed the ornate language of poetry with Pan Jinxuan. At the same time, she felt a great uproar in her heart and became wary.
There are indeed gifted people in this world, and Shi Lan has seen some, such as Shi Xi or Shi Rong, but most of them are not beyond a certain range. Although Zhang Erniang's behavior is no different from that of a child, her writing reveals clues.
Rather than saying she was exceptionally talented, Shi Lan preferred to believe that she was a time traveler or a reincarnated person.
As noon approached, Shi Lan, who had drunk a pot of tea and eaten two plates of snacks, finally couldn't bear it any longer and pulled Pan Jinxuan up, then asked to leave to Zhang Erniang, who was also engrossed in poetry.
The heated discussion was abruptly interrupted by Shi Lan's brute force, which showed no trace of scholarly refinement. Zhang Erniang was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her composure, exchanged a few pleasantries with Shi Lan with a smile, and saw the two out.
Back at Fengzao Palace, the Imperial Concubine naturally asked the two how their trip had gone.
Pan Jinxuan smiled and said she had benefited a lot. Shi Lan had some doubts, but in order to investigate further, she said something similar.
The imperial concubine was delighted to hear this.
Shi Lan then took the opportunity to say she wanted to go again. The Imperial Concubine had always doted on her, so how could she refuse? Besides, she knew that Shi Lan was a restless person. Zhang Erniang had become famous for her talent at a young age, and she hoped that Shi Lan could be influenced by her and perhaps gradually develop an interest in these things. Nowadays, the prevailing trend was to judge whether a woman was suitable for marriage based on her talent and reputation. She was also thinking of finding an outstanding man for her in a scholarly family in the future.
Little did Shi Lan know that before she had even grown her hair back, the Imperial Concubine was already eyeing her for a husband. Right now, she was wondering if Zhang Erniang would really do what she thought.
Pan Jinxuan was secretly delighted when the Imperial Concubine agreed.
She had loved literature since she was a child, but most of her sisters in the family were not interested in it. In the huge mansion, only her eldest brother, who had passed the imperial examination, could talk to her. Unfortunately, he took up a post last year and no longer had time to pay attention to her.
Today's exchange with Zhang Erniang was the happiest thing for her recently. However, being introverted by nature, even though she was overjoyed, she could only show a slightly flushed smile on her face.
At this moment, a palace maid came to report that the Emperor would be coming to have dinner with the Imperial Concubine later. The Imperial Concubine's eyebrows twitched slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
Shi Lan didn't want to meet the emperor, so she directly pulled Pan Jinxuan aside to take her leave.
The Imperial Concubine seemed to sense her thoughts and did not insist. She asked Yuxia to see them out and instructed Caixia to change her clothes.
After returning to the side hall, Pan Jinxuan discussed with Shi Lan when to go to Qingzhi Palace again.
Shi Lan became curious about Zhang Erniang and became much more enthusiastic about her suggestion. Seeing that they were in high spirits, Yu Xia said, "How about I invite Zhang Erniang over to play tomorrow?"
Pan Jinxuan's eyes lit up, but she blushed shyly a moment later.
Shi Lan thought about it and felt that she had just been there today, so going again would be too deliberate. Therefore, she agreed to Yu Xia's suggestion.
The next morning, the two had barely gotten up when they heard someone report that Zhang Erniang had come to visit.
Pan Jinxuan's face lit up with joy, and she happily ran to the door to greet them.
Shi Lan straightened her skirt and walked calmly to the door. As the curtain moved slightly, she revealed a pure smile that matched her age. She bowed to Zhang Erniang, who was holding Pan Jinxuan's arm, and said, "Sister Zhang, you've arrived. If you've been any later, my elder sister and I will have gone to Qingzhi Palace to find you."
Zhang Erniang smiled faintly, returned the greeting to Shi Lan, and then looked at Pan Jinxuan and said, "After you left yesterday, I looked through the poem you mentioned again and felt that there were some parts that were not mentioned."
Pan Jinxuan blinked and immediately remembered that it was the poem that Shi Lan had mentioned when she dragged her away. She quickly asked her where it was.
Zhang Erniang did not answer, but instead turned to look at Shi Lan.
Shi Lan quickly waved her hand and said, "You guys chat, don't mind me."
Zhang Erniang smiled apologetically, but Pan Jinxuan was anxious and pulled her to the desk next to her.
Shi Lan sat on the large kang bed by the window, reading a book idly, her eyes occasionally glancing at Zhang Erniang, who seemed to be having a heated discussion with Pan Jinxuan.
As afternoon approached, Yuxia came over to invite someone to have dinner with the Imperial Concubine. Seeing that Zhang Erniang was also there, she invited her to join them. Zhang Erniang smiled and declined, saying that she had already told her aunt that she would go back to have dinner with her. Yuxia was just being polite, so she didn't insist on keeping her.
Pan Jinxuan was somewhat reluctant to part with him, but she was shy by nature. Apart from talking more about poetry and songs, she was usually very gentle and would not force anyone to do anything against their will.
Seeing that her eyes were watery and she looked pitiful, Shi Lan asked Zhang Erniang to come again tomorrow.
Zhang Erniang had always loved poetry and enjoyed spending time with Pan Jinxuan. Moreover, she had always wanted to be close to both of them, so she naturally accepted Shi Lan's invitation.
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