Seeing Yan Ningshuang's hesitation, Pei Zhiyan added leisurely, "If both of you give the same answer, the one who gives the correct answer first wins."
Ren Yaoqi was about to speak when Yan Ningshuang quickly interrupted him and said, "It will probably take more than a month."
Pei Zhiyan remained silent and looked at Ren Yaoqi again.
Ren Yaoqi said, "They can't reach Yuyang anymore. The Yinchuan County Chronicles record that a large-scale plague broke out near Dazhou and Lizhou in the late spring of the 22nd year of Guangyuan. Minchuan County and Yuyang County were both severely affected. Nine out of ten houses were empty, and it was difficult to see a living person."
Pei Zhiyan laughed, nodded, and said "not bad." Then, ignoring the nanny beside him who was winking at him, he stood up and left.
The color drained from Yan Ningshuang's face quickly. She couldn't believe she had lost to Ren Yaoqi. Faint laughter could be heard from the audience, and Yan Ningshuang felt like it was mocking her. The words she had spoken to Ren Yaoqi at the beginning were now like a slap in her face.
Ren Yaoqi saw Yan Ningshuang seemed distracted, so he didn't say anything to her and returned to his seat. The ten ladies from the imperial court had all appeared one by one. Although many ladies from Yanbei had yet to appear, everyone knew that the highlight of this year's Thousand Gold Banquet was over.
Ren Yaoqi practically single-handedly defeated the ten ladies sent by the Empress Dowager, achieving a stunning victory that not only brought honor to the Yanbei Palace but also made the other ladies of Yanbei proud. Ren Yaoqi's success was a resounding success, making her a household name in Yanbei. Although many envied her, the vast majority of Yanbei residents preferred her victory over Yan Ningshuang and the others.
The princess was in a good mood today, and after a few polite words, she prepared to leave. After a short break after lunch, the Qianjin Banquet would continue, but Ren Yaoqi's mission was successfully completed. She breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped down from the stage.
The princess couldn't help but smile and praise, "Today's victory is truly beautiful."
Xiao Jinglin also said, "I thought those people carefully selected by the Queen Mother were so powerful."
Ren Yaoqi felt a little embarrassed, remembering that Xiao Jinglin had hidden a bowl from the girl before, and couldn't help but ask, "Can you do magic?"
Xiao Jinglin curled the corners of his mouth: "What kind of trick is that? It's just quick movements."
Ren Yaoqi asked curiously, "Then where did you hide the girl's bowl?" The girl was so angry that she started crying.
Xiao Jinglin coughed lightly, leaned over and whispered, "When I waved my sleeve, my hand loosened and the bowl fell on my shoe. Then I hid it under my skirt."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help laughing out loud, and Xiao Jinglin felt a little embarrassed by her laughter.
They were originally going to go back to Lanyue Pavilion with the princess to have lunch, but as soon as they got back to Lanyue Pavilion, Concubine Yun's maid came over. Concubine Yun invited Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin to have lunch at her Feiwu Pavilion.
After Concubine Yun's men left, Xiao Jinglin looked at Ren Yaoqi and frowned. "Why don't you stay here? I'll go over by myself. I'll just say you're not feeling well." Xiao Jinglin had seen this before. Concubine Yun didn't like Ren Yaoqi, especially after what happened yesterday. Who knew if her grandmother would take her anger out on Ren Yaoqi?
Ren Yaoqi knew that Concubine Yun disliked her, so she wasn't sure why she'd invited her over for dinner. But Concubine Yun was an elder, after all, and one who had a problem with her. Ren Yaoqi didn't want to disobey her too much. After all, there wasn't much conflict between them, nor was there a conflict of interest. If they could get along harmoniously, they should, but if they couldn't, they couldn't be hostile.
Ren Yaoqi thought about it and decided to ask the princess.
The princess thought for a moment and said, "Since the princess dowager asked you to come over for dinner, you should go."
Seeing the princess said so, Ren Yaoqi changed her clothes and went to Feiwu Pavilion with Xiao Jinglin.
Concubine Yun was still sitting on the Luohan bed in the second room, her face still cold. When Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin came forward to pay their respects to her, she nodded and asked them to sit down.
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