Heaven truly favors me.
Liu Yunyan watched the scene unfold with excitement.
Inside the magnificent palace, the atmosphere was so tense it felt like water could freeze.
Jiang Shuwan frowned, feeling somewhat annoyed.
She thought to herself, "Calligraphy isn't something you can learn so easily. It takes seven or eight years of hard work to be able to write well."
Having come to this era, I have absolutely no interest in putting in the effort for this.
She was lazy by nature and had no interest in this. She always felt that she had put in so much effort but gained so little. Wouldn't it be better to use this free time to do something else?
Besides, I have so many things to do right now, I don't have any free time!
But now, how to refuse the invitation to hire a tutor has become a thorny problem.
After all, Li Yuyan was much more shrewd than before. She spoke gently and said that she had not been a good host and that inviting a tutor was her way of apologizing.
This sounded so reasonable that even Consort Gao, who came to mediate, looked embarrassed and didn't know how to refuse.
So we need to find a clever excuse.
You said you'd find it yourself?
Wouldn't that be digging a hole for myself? If Li Yuyan asks me how my studies are going later, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
Or should we suggest that Pei Yanzhi teach?
Anyway, if he doesn't learn well, we'll just shift the blame onto him and say he's too busy to teach...
Hmph, what use is a man if he won't take the blame for you at a time like this!
Moreover, Li Yuyan's targeting of him was originally caused by Pei Yanzhi's male good looks.
If he doesn't take the blame, who will?
Just as Jiang Shuwan was about to speak, Jiang Yao, who was sitting in the seat behind her, suddenly stood up.
"Your Majesty, Princess, I have something to say."
"..." Li Yuyan frowned, she had a bad feeling.
Although she was very much looking forward to Jiang Yao's "performance" before the banquet started.
She even invited Jiang Yao because she knew that Jiang Yao and Jiang Shuwan didn't get along.
I'm looking forward to Jiang Yao ruthlessly beating Jiang Shuwan at the banquet.
However, the banquet had progressed to this point.
She didn't want Jiang Yao to say a single word.
Well, how should I put it?
According to the information she found, this Jiang Yao is a violent and simple-minded idiot.
However, looking at Jiang Yao now, she felt a strange sense of fear rising in her heart.
It's not that she, the dignified Princess of Nan'an, would be afraid of a powerless little aunt.
Rather, it is.
She realized that she couldn't understand Jiang Yao.
She had no idea which side she was on.
This is an uncontrollable woman.
To avoid any unforeseen complications, it's best to keep her quiet!
Thinking about it, Li Yuyan glanced at Yao Zhijie with displeasure.
When she arrived at Xuemei, why would she listen to Yao Zhijie and invite Jiang Yao, this living Bodhisattva, to come?
She doesn't play by the rules. Without her, Jiang Shuwan would have lost face and been kicked out long ago!
"No need, there's nothing more to say, it's decided then..."
Li Yuyan flatly rejected Jiang Yao.
"No need for that, let her talk."
At this moment, Consort Gao spoke up.
Once she opened her mouth, Li Yuyan could only force herself to shut up.
Consort Gao looked at Jiang Yao with curiosity, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Jiang Yao can make ice and write poetry, so she was actually quite surprised that Jiang Yao would say something so earth-shattering.
"To be honest, I am quite curious. We are all sisters, so how come the younger sister's poetry is so amazing and unparalleled in the capital, while the older sister seems more composed, so how come she is not good at poetry?"
"Yeah, what strange sisters."
"Could it be that the younger sister is favored while the older sister is neglected?"
"Ha, how could my sister marry into a marquis's family if she wasn't favored? I heard that when Jiang Shuwan got married, the Jiang family used most of their wealth as dowry. Is that considered being unfavored?"
"Then why are the sisters so different?"
Upon hearing Consort Gao's words, everyone in the hall began to discuss amongst themselves, the clamor buzzing like countless flies in Jiang Yao's ears.
Jiang Yao took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision. With a determined look on her face, she spoke loudly.
"Actually, my handwriting is terrible too!"
"..."
Everyone was taken aback and looked at Jiang Yao with a puzzled expression.
Is Jiang Yao's handwriting bad?
They didn't know that; they had only heard of her writing poetry before.
But why are you exposing your shortcomings at this time?
Everyone looked at Jiang Yao with suspicion, but Jiang Yao ignored their gazes and directly ordered a palace maid to bring over the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone that had been placed on Jiang Shuwan's table.
He picked up his pen and silently recited the poem he had written before.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the grotesque, maggot-like handwriting, their mouths agape in shock, utterly silent.
Liu Yunyan was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out.
Throughout history, talented men and women who excelled in poetry, even if their calligraphy wasn't superb, was still elegant and skillful, demonstrating considerable expertise in both calligraphy and painting.
A talented woman like Jiang Yao, who was famous in the capital for her poetry but wrote in a caterpillar-like handwriting, is a first, not only in this dynasty but also in the long history.
"Heavens..."
"What's wrong with the Jiang sisters? Their handwriting is just awful..."
The crowd couldn't help but gasp in surprise, and Jiang Yao's face flushed slightly, but her expression remained calm and composed.
Hmph, anyway, she's just like Jiang Shuwan, she can't stand the hardship of practicing calligraphy, whatever, let her despise me if she wants!
She's the most talented woman in the Great Jing Dynasty, so what does it matter if her handwriting isn't good!
Thinking of this, Jiang Yao felt even more courageous. She raised her head and stood tall, staring firmly at Consort Gao and Li Yuyan.
"Although my Jiang family is the first generation to become officials, we cannot compare with the noble families who enjoy wealth and honor. However, my father has always been strict with us sisters and spared no effort or money in educating us."
“My father taught me according to my aptitude. When I was young, I liked poetry, so he hired a famous teacher to teach me. I didn’t like practicing calligraphy, but my father never forced me. He said that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I have a skill to rely on, which is already a blessing from heaven. How can I expect everything to be perfect?”
"My eldest sister is the same. She has little interest in poetry, but she has extraordinary talent in business. She is also exceptionally intelligent. I imagine many of you here know a little about this."
"..."
Jiang Yao's words plunged everyone into a brief silence.
Many of Jiang Shuwan's current businesses are not publicly disclosed; for example, the glass industry is currently registered under General Sun's name.
There's also the sugar beet industry, which begins large-scale planting in the spring, and sugar mills.
These things are unknown to most people.
However, the wealth she has revealed in her businesses is already unimaginable to many people.
For example, Donglai Street was built on such a grand scale, bringing together the most luxurious items in the capital, and her shop had those incredibly rare perfumes with ridiculously high prices.
Not only these noble ladies, but even His Majesty in the palace knew about it and even ordered some to be purchased and sent to Consort Li, who had recently gained favor.
This shows how popular these things are.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com