The twelve vermilion lacquered screens unfolded one after another, revealing the Moon-Viewing Terrace in the back garden.
On a nine-zhang square white jade platform, an octagonal pavilion with a pyramidal roof is covered with peacock blue glazed tiles.
The midday sun pierced through the triple layers of gauze curtains, leaving flowing diamond patterns on the floor tiles.
The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince sat calmly in the courtyard, leisurely sipping tea and chatting.
Qin Zhaoyue put her hands in her pockets and said, "Oh, you two sisters are quite composed. It seems you have everything under control."
The steward was ashamed; his lord had actually met with several talented women on his own, but the results... were not ideal.
Of course, this couldn't be mentioned to anyone else; one could only pretend not to hear it.
"Third sister, fourth sister."
The steward led the person to the pavilion, where they naturally exchanged greetings.
Princess Qin Zhaowan smiled and said, "You've come at the perfect time. Rest for a while, and we'll have dinner soon."
Qin Zhaoyue readily agreed, her smile sweet, "Okay."
After sitting for a while and drinking half a cup of iced beverage, the group moved to the main hall.
The presence of all six imperial heirs, along with four less important attendees, demonstrates the importance attached to this literary gathering.
Everyone knows exactly what's going on, and they all received instructions at home yesterday.
The two older princesses sat side by side at the head of the table, while the third princess sat to the left.
Then the left and right side cases are number six and nine, number seven and eight, separated by gender.
Qin Zhaoyue glanced around and saw that there were about thirty or forty seats below the hall, which represented all the "talented women" of Fengjing.
Of course, it's impossible for everyone to be outstanding; nobles, officials, scholars, and literati all need to be taken care of.
Before the imperial examination system was introduced, a woman's literary talent was limited to comparisons among women in their boudoirs or to increase her chances of marriage. Now, things are different.
If all these people in front of us were to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, it would probably usher in a new chapter of reform.
It's one thing if your family objects to your participation in the imperial examinations, but once you do participate...
Wouldn't you feel resentful if others passed the imperial examination while you didn't?
Would a concubine's daughter want to break free from the main wife's arranged marriage and make her own decisions?
After passing the imperial examination and entering officialdom, do you really neglect your family?
...
Once it starts, many things become uncontrollable, and the scope for maneuver increases significantly.
A quick glance caught sight of the sucker.
The skirt was a deep blue-green, and the cross-necked blouse made of plain silk was covered with a layer of frosty scroll patterns, which should be the embroidery made of silver silkworm silk.
The jade pendant hanging from the waist looks ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one can discover that the jade pendant is as thin as a cicada's wing and is carved with flying eaves and owl patterns.
The moon-white shawl appears plain and unpatterned, but it is actually made of light gauze, a tribute from the Southern Route of the Vermilion Bird, with the corners woven with two layers of warp and weft using a secret method.
Tsk... This is like meticulously applying a no-makeup makeup look for an hour.
Behind a straight man's comment "You look beautiful even without makeup" lies hard work and superb skills. Is it really that easy?
Zheng Huiyin put in a lot of effort this time, paying attention to every detail, but the overall color scheme is plain, and there is no sense of luxury at first glance.
Apart from the gold filigree and jeweled Kalavinka hairpin, there were no other hairpins or ornaments, which only highlighted the uniqueness of the hairpin.
According to Qin Zhaoyue's observation, quite a few eyes were being cast at Zheng Huiyin, both openly and secretly.
Tsk... Fourteen thousand taels, she got a good deal.
Before long, lunch was served.
After all, it was under the guise of a literary gathering, not a real dinner party; the main focus was on pastries.
Cold Toad Soup, Orchid Dew Fragrant Cake, Snowy Cloud Freshness, Ice Marrow Crispy Mountain, Seven-Return Green Essence, Exquisite Stone Oil...
Qin Zhaoyue's favorite phrase is "Autumn Sounds Shattered".
Hollow out fresh lotus pods, fill them with pounded mandarin fish paste and chopped water chestnuts, steam them until cooked, and then drizzle with crab broth.
One word: fresh, plus a crisp and tender texture... My sinful little hand reached out.
"Sixth sister, how could you steal mine!"
"Hey~~~ You're so young, eating too much will make you indigestion. Let me help you."
"don't want!"
The Third Princess, who had exhausted all her efforts: ...
She was so worried about writing that she couldn't sleep, and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. At this moment, she couldn't help but think of what Xiao Liu had said in the Imperial Study.
"Xiao Liu, I'll have the butler bring you another serving."
"Okay, thank you, Third Sister."
I'm full and satisfied!
Qin Zhaoyue held her belly and glanced around the hall.
Few people eat and drink as freely as she does; most eat elegantly, taking only a few bites, or appear preoccupied and distracted.
Just then, the Third Princess raised her cup, saying, "Please, everyone, drink this cup together."
Naturally, no one refused, and Qin Zhaoyue was quite cooperative.
After putting down their cups, everyone knew that the real show was about to begin.
"Do you all know why the old branches of the phoenix trees in Liuyuan Garden were cut off?" Princess Qin Zhaowan's voice was clear and melodious, like a bronze bell from the eaves.
The fourth daughter of the Wanmin Division's junior official rubbed the rim of the cup with her fingers, and her fingertips trembled slightly upon hearing this.
The hall was silent; she wasn't one to seek the limelight anyway.
However, remembering his father's instructions, he sighed almost imperceptibly and still chose to speak: "Old branches intertwined, I fear they will hinder new buds?"
“Yes,” Qin Zhaowan gave her an encouraging look, her wide sleeves brushing across the table to reveal a nine-section gold-inlaid jade bamboo-patterned bracelet on her wrist.
"Just like in the second year of Taiwei, the Empress Dowager cut down twelve century-old wisteria vines in the Southern Palace."
The vines entangled and killed three Bodhi trees from the Western Regions, only to discover that their roots had long been eaten away.
The people in the room remained unmoved and completely indifferent to this metaphor.
Qin Zhaowan wasn't disappointed; it was just a prelude. Her tone was light and flat.
"I heard some rumors two days ago..."
"In addition to Princess Shuofeng, His Majesty has also agreed to let the daughters of noble families from the border regions participate in the imperial examination this time."
"Would you like to hear what other people think of the women of Fengjing?"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
