CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 164: PALACE BANQUET (2) RECITING POEMS AND MAKING COUPLET_4

That is to say, if Ye Qichi cannot produce a poem today, she will become a laughingstock.

Xie Ruilin was delighted.

At this moment, she also put pen to paper and wrote down her own poem.

Her cursive script flowed like clouds and water.

The incense was about to burn out.

Xie Ruotong completed her own verse but ultimately found no opportunity, under the scrutiny of the public, to help Ye Qichi.

And it was also at the last moment.

Ye Qichi hurriedly scribbled her verse on the Xuan paper.

Her melancholy was not because she couldn’t produce a poem.

After all, there were so many ancient poems, she could easily borrow one.

What annoyed her was, why she had to write it herself.

The way she wrote it would surely make people laugh their teeth off.

At last, she still wrote it.

She tried her best to write it fairly, also because she had never used a brush before, to be exact, in the apocalypse, pens were basically unnecessary, as electronic technology could replace everything, so writing was truly difficult for her.

After she finished writing.

An incense stick burned down.

Zhao Mengyu instructed, "Present the young ladies’ cursive scripts."

"Yes, Imperial Concubine." The Palace Attendant beside Zhao Mengyu quickly collected everyone’s Xuan papers.

When she saw Ye Qichi’s.

Even the Palace Attendant shook her head.

Even if she could not read, she knew how ugly the writing was.

All the Xuan papers were collected and placed before Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu picked up the first one, signed by Xie Ruotong.

The handwriting was clear, and the strokes were generous.

Zhao Mengyu nodded and then read aloud, "A plum tree in front of the courtyard, buds ready to bloom, fears perhaps the silent snow, thus chooses the Winter Solstice festival."

After reading.

She gave a high affirmation, commenting, "Well done, though the lines are simple, they depict this scene and cleverly allude to the topic, harmonizing with today’s Winter Solstice feast."

Xie Ruotong, being praised, naturally stood up to bow and express her gratitude, "This servant thanks the Imperial Concubine for her appreciation."

"Indeed, as the Duke Mansion’s young lady, and the wife of our top scorer, your literary grace truly does not pale in comparison to others." Zhao Mengyu praised further.

After all, Song Yanqing was one of their own now.

So, praising Xie Ruotong greatly and giving face to Song Yanqing was natural.

Xie Ruotong expressed her thanks again.

Only then did she return to her seat under the direction of Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu put down Xie Ruotong’s Xuan paper and picked up others’.

She commented on each one by one.

Ye Qichi naturally understood.

Those associated with the ministers loyal to King Chu, Zhao Mengyu always gave higher evaluations, even to poems of the same quality.

At this moment.

Zhao Mengyu finally picked up Xie Ruiyao’s.

Looking at Xie Ruiyao’s inkwork.

Zhao Mengyu also smiled with relief.

Although initially unable to arrange her son to wed Bai Mowan, and lost a million military strength, Xie Ruiyao marrying Xiao Jinsen for two months indeed won her favor. This was much better than the tactfully proficient Bai Mowan, unlike Bai Mowan, who had a prideful bone and a lofty face. If not for the military power in her family, she would not have liked Bai Mowan as a daughter-in-law. Today, looking at Xie Ruiyao’s verse, her mood was indeed very good.

Xie Ruiyao indeed did not disappoint her.

She recited aloud Xie Ruiyao’s poem, "All things lack color, only the lone plum shows its fragrant face. Without enduring the bone-chilling cold, how could the fragrance come naturally?"

After reading it.

Zhao Mengyu even flipped over Xie Ruiyao’s running script to show everyone.

She said, "This is, so far, the best poem I’ve come across. Even the running script is stunning."

The running script featured, apart from beautiful text, a hand-drawn plum blossom.

The lifelike plum blossom on the Xuan paper further enhanced the artistic conception of the poem.

No wonder Zhao Mengyu was so delighted.

By showing Xie Ruiyao’s running script to everyone, it also signified her fairness and impartiality.

It wasn’t because Xie Ruiyao is the Princess that she would be partial to her.

But rather, Xie Ruiyao truly has outstanding talent.

Her poetry was excellent, and her painting was extremely beautiful.

Xie Ruiyao received such praise from Zhao Mengyu.

Hastily she stood to bow, "This daughter-in-law thanks mother-in-law for her appreciation."

"Get up," Zhao Mengyu said, "The daughters raised in Duke Mansion are indeed exceptional. I had previously heard that the elder princess was overflowing with talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Today, seeing the two young ladies from Duke Mansion has truly astonished me."

In saying so, Zhao Mengyu attributed the credit to Xiao Qinghui.

She also knew that the Emperor always held the elder princess in high esteem.

Of course, she would appeal to his tastes too.

"Indeed, grandmother often taught us sisters poetry, songs, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting," Xie Ruiyao wasn’t one to miss a beat, quickly chiming in.

After another round of compliments.

Xie Ruiyao then returned to her seat.

In the end.

Only Ye Qichi’s poems were left.

Xie Ruiyao didn’t believe that Ye Qichi could produce a poem better than hers.

She had thought about this poem for several days.

Every line was carefully pondered.

She didn’t believe that Ye Qichi could write better than her in just a short period of burning incense.

And other people’s poems were very simple and straightforward, also because of limited time, not having much time to revise, therefore her poetry could stand out.

Xie Ruiyao was inwardly pleased.

Also waiting for Zhao Mengyu to read Ye Qichi’s poem.

Zhao Mengyu put down Xie Ruiyao’s and picked up Ye Qichi’s.

As soon as she picked it up.

Her expression immediately changed.

This scribble-like writing made her lose all interest upon seeing it.

She originally thought she definitely had to target Ye Qichi.

She decisively couldn’t let the Princess overshadow the Princess.

Now, just one look at Ye Qichi’s brushwork.

She really didn’t need to deliberately target her.

She couldn’t even be bothered to look.

The displeasure was also evident on her face.

Everyone else also held their breath.

Not knowing why the Imperial Concubine suddenly looked displeased.

Not knowing.

Whether it was the Princess’s poem that offended the Imperial Concubine?!

Naturally, also afraid of involving the innocent.