Chapter 99 Poetry Contest

"Little Four, they are all looking at you. It seems that you have become famous!" The three sisters of the Sheng family went to Moxiangju hand in hand. When they entered the door, many people followed Molan's eyes. The

three sisters walked through the crowd. As they walked, they were dignified, their bodies were light and steady, their postures were graceful, and their steps were like flowing clouds, unhurried. Their skirts fluttered lightly, swaying in the wind, their steps and breath were in harmony, showing a gentle and elegant demeanor that made people forget the mundane.

As a few people walked by, they could still hear voices of praise coming from behind, "These must be the three beauties of the Sheng family, right? I heard that they were taught etiquette by a nanny from the palace. Seeing them today, they are indeed graceful and elegant!"

"I heard that the four daughters of the Sheng family are proficient in playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting and poetry. They are beautiful and intelligent, and have the talent to write poems!"

The three sisters stepped onto the wooden stairs carved with exquisite patterns and went upstairs, and the noisy voices downstairs were gradually blocked out.

"Fourth sister, this Moxiangju has poems and paintings by famous artists hanging on the staircase corridor. After staying here for a long time, I am almost infected by the scent of books and ink. No wonder Miss Han chose this place to hold a poetry meeting? This strong literary atmosphere makes me feel like I can compose a few lines of poetry." Minglan's voice was suppressed, for fear that others would hear it and make fun of her.

Molan smiled and glared at her, "Don't talk nonsense, be calm!"

The space upstairs was cleverly divided into a male guest area and a female guest area, separated by a carved screen in the middle, which not only maintained the privacy of each area, but also maintained the overall harmony. The ladies' area was decorated very elegantly. The light and elegant gauze curtains revealed a hazy beauty. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and ink. Minglan admired in her heart that the shopkeeper of Moxiangju was a tasteful one!

The arrival of the three sisters of the Sheng family instantly became the focus of everyone's attention. Among the three sisters, Minglan was the most beautiful, and Molan had the best temperament, as natural as an orchid. The ladies' area had already gathered many noble ladies and talented women. They gathered in twos and threes, whispering, drinking tea and discussing poetry, or playing the zither. Seeing the arrival of the three sisters of the Sheng family, many people cast friendly glances, but Minglan was quick to detect the unkindness of one of the glances.

"Molan, you are finally here. We were just worried that no one would appreciate this new poem!" A woman in a goose yellow dress, holding a scroll of poetry, walked towards Molan with a smile, her eyes full of expectation.

This is the youngest daughter of the Minister of Rites, Lu Jinxuan. Although she is also a concubine, she has been very talented since she was a child, so Minister Lu dotes on her. Because Minister of Rites Lu is Sheng Hong's superior, Molan has always been good friends with Lu Jinxuan. "Oh? Then I have to take a good look." Molan smiled slightly, took a few quick steps forward to take the poem, read it carefully, and nodded in praise from time to time, attracting the women around to gather around and appreciate it together, and the atmosphere became more heated.

Rulan and Minglan went to find a quiet seat to sit down. The two of them came to join in the excitement just to support Molan.

"There are so many people here today. I wonder if Xiao Si has the confidence to beat them?" Rulan looked at more and more talented women coming upstairs, and was a little worried about Molan.

"We have to believe in Fourth Sister. Fourth Sister's reputation as a "talented woman of Yongxu" is not exaggerated." Minglan is very confident in Molan. "Who is that person?" Minglan suddenly changed the subject and pointed to a young man who was looking at the female guest area at the stairs.

"He looks gentle and refined, like a humble gentleman. He must be a young man from a certain family to be able to come upstairs." Rulan looked in the direction of Minglan's finger and said.

"I think he seems to be looking at Fourth Sister." Minglan said uncertainly.

"Really?" Rulan was excited, "Could it be another young man who was attracted by Xiao Si's talent? He looks good!"

Minglan poked Rulan, "Be respectful to Fourth Sister outside. We are here to support her, not to spoil her."

"Got it, got it!" The two changed the subject, not noticing the admiration of a gorgeously dressed woman looking at the young man and her jealousy of Mo Lan.

The two sisters had just sat down when there was a commotion outside. Several noble ladies walked upstairs slowly. The two leading them were Princess Pingning and the other one was of noble character, but they had never seen them before. There were several other ladies and masters behind them, and they went to the third floor.

"It turns out to be the wife of Marquis Jingning. Her surname is Yu and her name is Wanqing. She was also the president of the White Lotus Poetry Society before. She is known as the "brow-sweeping talent". I didn't expect Miss Han to invite her out!" Minglan heard someone recognize the elegant lady.

"It is said that the wife of Marquis Jingning was originally the daughter of a fifth-rank official. Her family background was far from being good enough for the Marquis' Mansion. It was because of her reputation as the "brow-sweeping talent" that Marquis Jingning fell in love with her and insisted on marrying her. So she married into the Marquis' Mansion because of her talent." Another woman followed up, letting Rulan and Minglan hear it.

"Don't listen to her nonsense. It was Lady Yu's talent that moved Marquis Jingning, so Marquis Jingning took the initiative to ask for her hand in marriage. I have read Lady Yu's poetry collection, and I am far inferior to her. Her poems are full of the universe." Molan came over without knowing when.

"Does Fourth Sister admire Lady Yu very much?" Minglan asked.

"More than admiration, I have always been her follower..." Molan wanted to continue expressing her admiration for her idol, but was interrupted by the movement of the poetry meeting.

The appreciation officials have taken their seats, and the poetry meeting can officially begin.

In the first round, there is no limit to the subject matter. All women in Moxiangju who are interested in participating in the poetry meeting can participate. Just signal the maid to lead you into the compartment to write your poem.

Rulan Minglan had no intention of participating, so she waited for Molan to come back. Minglan felt that several eyes were looking at her. Minglan turned her head and saw the shadows behind the carved screen. Men were not allowed to attend this poetry meeting. The gentlemen in the men's guest area were either here to watch the excitement or to witness the birth of a talented woman. So when the poetry meeting started, they couldn't sit still and looked towards the women's guest area frequently. Minglan retracted her gaze and ignored it.

Molan came down from the upstairs with a noble lady in a light red robe with gold embroidery and phoenixes. I don't know what the noble lady said. Minglan saw Molan frowned, and the conversation between the two did not seem very pleasant.

Minglan went up to her and held Molan's arm. She asked Molan, but her eyes were fixed on the girl in fancy clothes. "Fourth sister, who is this?" Minglan noticed the unnatural look on the girl's face when she saw her face. When she heard her call Molan sister, the unnatural look turned into a fake smile. Minglan guessed that this person had a grudge against Molan.

"This is Miss Han. This poetry meeting was hosted by Miss Han." Molan introduced Miss Han and Minglan to her. Minglan did not miss the flash of disdain on her face. Minglan

looked at Miss Han's head full of pearls and jade, and remembered what Molan said about the wife of the Marquis of Zhennan having a reputation for being greedy for her daughter-in-law's dowry. She thought that this could all be bought with the dowry of Miss Han's sisters-in-law. When Miss Han saw Minglan staring at her headdress, she thought she was petty and had never seen the world... She walked away with contempt.

After Miss Han left, Molan patted Minglan, "You keep staring at her hairpin. Do you like it? I'll make you a more elegant one for your birthday."

Minglan was amused by Molan, "More elegant? Do you think her hair is too much of a jewel?"

"Everyone has their own preferences. I prefer simple and elegant." Molan didn't want to talk about other people's dress behind their backs, so she said evasively.

"I don't like her gold hairpin, but seeing her hair full of pearls and jade reminded me of Miss Han's sisters-in-law." Minglan didn't need to say much about the rest of the words, Molan understood it, and the two sisters laughed.

"You should stay away from her when you go back. I always feel that she is not kind to me." After laughing, Molan still warned her two sisters with concern.

Everyone finished writing poems and took them upstairs to be judged by several judges to see if they could enter the next round.

During this gap, the screens in the men's and women's areas were removed at some point. Minglan saw Miss Han walking straight towards the young man who had been looking at Molan before.

"Fourth sister, who is that gentleman? I think Miss Han seems to be familiar with him."

Molan took a look and said, "That is Wen Shuyu, the eldest son of the Wen Hanlin family, and Miss Han's fiancé."