"These daughters of officials are too useless. They can't even compare to that little hussy Jiang Yao."
Seeing Jiang Yao steal the spotlight, Madam Bo was so angry she vomited blood and hated Jiang Yao even more.
Ultimately, she wouldn't have looked up to the lady from the teahouse and the young ladies and gentlemen from the waterside pavilion who came today in the past.
She used to associate with ladies from noble families, but because the Earl's family had a bad reputation, when she sent people to invite them, they all made excuses and didn't come.
The ladies didn't come, and naturally their children didn't come either.
Some of their children are quite remarkable; I've heard that one of them has been vying with Jiang Yao for the title of the most talented woman.
It's just a shame that not a single one of them came!
Madam Bo was filled with resentment, staring at Jiang Yao's face with venom.
"It's all that slut's fault for seducing Lingyu and ruining the reputation of our Earl's Mansion. Otherwise, how could those ladies not have come?"
"For me, a lady of high rank, to associate with the wives of officials of the fourth or fifth rank is utterly shameful."
The aunt stormed off, sleeves twirling.
"Miss, the young master has arrived."
Just as the tea was almost finished, Jiang Shuwan finally heard good news.
She immediately led Qingxing out of the tea room and met Pei Lingyu, whom she had urged and invited three times, in a corner of the garden.
The young minister's face remained as indifferent as ever.
Today was a day off from school, and Pei Lingyu and several classmates were studying the final shaping stage of chalk when Jiang Shuwan sent someone to invite him to some poetry gathering.
He wasn't particularly interested in the poetry gathering, except that Jiang Shuwan had helped Madam Pei with her health last time.
He hasn't repaid this favor yet.
Since Jiang Shuwan had invited him, he couldn't very well refuse, so he took some time out of his busy schedule to come to the Earl's residence.
"lady."
"My husband."
The two exchanged polite greetings as usual before Jiang Shuwan pointed to Jia Qingzhou, who was surrounded by people in the Linshui Pavilion, and said, "Please, Your Highness, help me test his poetic talent and learning."
Pei Yanzhi: "..."
Qingxing: "..."
There was a moment of silence in the air.
Qingxing was completely dumbfounded. She tugged at Jiang Shuwan's sleeve and said, "Miss, why are you so blunt? You and the young master are husband and wife."
Qingxing nearly fainted.
What kind of wife would suggest to her husband that he try out another man's talent? That's incredibly audacious, especially since the man is unmarried. There's a difference between men and women; at least say you're trying to help Miss Sun.
Without mentioning anything, he directly instructed the crown prince.
What is the Crown Prince supposed to think about this?
Pei Yanzhi was indeed taken aback by Jiang Shuwan's bold words.
He glanced at Jia Qingzhou, then at Jiang Shuwan, a moment of bewilderment on his face.
However, he was much calmer than Qingxing had imagined. "Grandmother was in good health last time thanks to you, so I should help you. However, I am not good at poetry. If you don't mind, I will go right away."
He was straightforward and didn't try to refuse, but the way he said it...
Oh, Mom!
You have no expertise in poetry?
If I hadn't lived an extra ten years in my previous life and known that you are a master of both poetry and painting, I would have been fooled by your sincere appearance.
Jiang Shuwan glanced at Pei Yanzhi and felt that this young boss really liked to hide his talents.
However, it is also clear that Pei Yanzhi does not have much interest in poetry and painting. Otherwise, if he liked poetry and painting, he would not have had his poems and paintings published only after he became the Grand Secretary, so that people would know of his amazing talent.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Go now, I'll wait for you."
Pei Yanzhi nodded and led the servant to the Linshui Pavilion.
"Cousin, what brings you here?"
Jiang Yao had just composed a poem that outshone all the daughters of officials in the room. Pei Lingyu was enjoying everyone's attention when she saw Pei Yanzhi, and her scalp nearly exploded.
Since the beginning of the new year, the Marquis's mansion has sent people to urge him to go to school, ensuring that he has no chance to skip school.
He now wishes he could hide whenever he sees anyone from the Marquis's residence, let alone Pei Yanzhi, a scholar who is highly regarded by his teachers and a genius who passed the imperial examination at the age of ten.
His wife constantly compares him to Pei Yanzhi, so he really doesn't want to be around Pei Yanzhi.
But why did Pei Yanzhi come to the Earl's residence?
Today is a day off...
Are they going to regulate his days off too?
Pei Lingyu's handsome face completely fell down.
"In a while, the Imperial Academy will have some spots for students to travel and study abroad. My grandmother values this very much and asked me to test you to see how confident you are."
"Ah, study abroad spots are so precious, how am I supposed to get one!"
The old lady thinks too highly of him.
Pei Lingyu looked miserable. Studying abroad meant traveling around, and he wanted to go too.
But there are hundreds of students in the Imperial Academy, and only about twenty spots are available for study tours. How could he possibly get one?
On the other side, the crowd, who had been frozen in shock upon seeing Pei Yanzhi, finally came to their senses.
"The heir apparent? Is he the heir apparent of the Marquis of Wenyuan's mansion?"
"Your Highness, I have an article here. Please take a look at it for me."
"Your Highness, you are one of the few who entered the Imperial Academy through your own abilities. Could you share your study tips with us?"
Pei Yanzhi was instantly surrounded by a crowd of young men, all vying to speak with him.
"Your Highness, I have a question about the Great Learning that I would like to ask you."
"Your Highness, this is a poem I just wrote. Please take a look."
Pei Yanzhi was an absolute celebrity in the capital. Not only did he come from a good family, but he was also one of the few people from a noble family who managed to pass the imperial academy entrance exam on his own merit.
It would be a blessing for them to receive his guidance and instruction.
Thinking this, all the young gentlemen rushed towards Pei Yanzhi with their own poems and lyrics. Pei Yanzhi welcomed them all and discussed literature and knowledge with them one by one.
He reviewed all the poems and essays they had written that afternoon, especially Jia Qingzhou, who not only commented on his poetic talent but also took the opportunity to test his knowledge.
"Why has Prince Pei come?"
Looking at Pei Yanzhi in the waterside pavilion, Madam Jia felt a sudden unease. Aunt Chen, standing beside her, craned her neck and asked in confusion, "Yes, I didn't hear that Madam invited him before."
Both of them were somewhat restless, staring intently at the other side.
As time went by and nothing happened, I felt relieved.
As the sun set, the poetry gathering came to an end, and the ladies left together.
Madam Jia also got up to take her leave.
"Madam Sun, it's late tonight. I'll bring my son to visit you again tomorrow, how about that?"
Bringing Jia Qingzhou to formally visit the door signifies the engagement and marriage arrangements.
"Thank you, Madam Jia, but my family has been very busy lately and I'm afraid I won't have the time."
Madam Jia and Aunt Chen were both taken aback.
"What!"
"You don't want to!"
Madam Jia and Aunt Chen looked at Madam Sun in disbelief.
After all, in their eyes, Jia Qingzhou's performance today was beyond question, quite outstanding, and more than enough to match the Sun family.
The marriage between the Jia and Sun families can be considered a done deal.
Madam Sun refused...
"Sister, have you lost your mind?!" Aunt Chen was furious.
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