Xiao Jingxi smiled upon hearing this and said, "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Besides, this is just a dragon boat race. Winning has its joys, and losing has its joys too."
Pei Zhiyan raised his eyebrows when he heard this, as if he was thinking about something.
Ren Yaoqi also heard their conversation. She glanced at Xiao Jingxi, and something in her heart moved. She once again surveyed the scene on the river. After a moment's pause, she picked up her brush and began writing on the rice paper. When she finished, she folded the paper.
Xiao Jingxi looked at her and asked softly, "What's the bet?"
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote a few words on another piece of paper.
Xiao Jingxi took a look and saw that it was written "Spring Outing in Xishan". He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and asked curiously: "I have never heard of this painting. I wonder who created it?"
Ren Yaoqi pursed his lips and smiled, then wrote the author's name on the paper again. Xiao Jingxi took a look and saw that it was "Ren Shimin", so the second son of the Xiao family was very smart and kept silent, lest the fact that he didn't even know about his father-in-law's masterpiece be spread out, which would have disastrous consequences.
At this time, Xu Wanli's wife and Pei Zhiyan had also finished writing. Xu Wanli's bet was a Huangshi seal in his collection, and Mrs. Xu's bet was a famous inkstone. Pei Zhiyan's bet was somewhat similar to Ren Yaoqi's, and it was his own copy of "Qingre Tie".
Ren Shimin's paintings were already quite famous, and since they weren't widely available, they were hard to come by, so using them as a bet was quite impressive. Pei Zhiyan had been famous for a long time, and his calligraphy was incredibly valuable, so no one had any objections to the bet.
The sound of drums had already been heard outside. When the King of Yanbei sounded the opening gong, the shouts and noise outside swept in with overwhelming force, so lively that it made people's eardrums vibrate.
It was bustling outside, but the people on the pleasure boat seemed to be relaxing.
Pei Zhiyan had just been chatting with Xiao Jingxi about tea. Xu Wanli took a sip from the tea bowl and nodded, saying, "It's good tea, and the water is good too, but the tea-making skills are a little lacking."
Madam Xu laughed and said, "You have very discerning tastes! But when it comes to the art of brewing tea, there are several experts here."
Xu Wanli laughed heartily: "Madam, what you said is exactly what I want."
Mrs. Xu was a little puzzled: "What did I say?"
Xu Wanli glanced at Pei Zhiyan and pretended to be surprised, "Madam, don't you mean to drink tea brewed by Jinyan herself? After all, it has been many years since you have had it."
Madam Xu immediately spat at him and said, "Jinyan is a guest. How can you ask a guest to make tea?"
Xu Wanli shook his head with some regret.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "If you don't mind, sir, please let me brew it."
She and Xiao Jingxi were the only younger generation present, so she couldn't possibly order the Second Young Master Xiao to make tea, could she? Ren Yaoqi took the initiative to step forward.
Mrs. Xu smiled and said, "I was just about to say that there are always newcomers and newcomers. My student's craftsmanship is no worse than Jinyan and Jingxi's." Mrs. Xu said with a proud tone.
Pei Zhiyan glanced at Ren Yaoqi and said, "Oh? Are you serious?"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, who smiled and nodded. Ren Yaoqi then stood up and went to the tea room, smiling as he said, "I'm your student, so naturally you think I'm good in everything."
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