The Eight Talented Women

  Although her mind was racing, Yuanni still stood up respectfully and just as she was about to respond, a blue-clad eunuch entered the hall from outside, bowed to Yun Xiang, and then said: "Princess, the guests outside have all arrived. The prince requests that you bring the young ladies over."

  Yun Jie Rong smiled and said, "It seems everyone is here. Let's go out, ladies." As the crowd nodded in agreement, Yun Jie Rong pulled Yuan Yi's hand and asked, "From the moment I saw Fourth Miss, I felt a deep connection. Why don't you stay by my side?"

  How could he possibly save face for her? He had no choice but to withstand the gaze of everyone, smile and nod, "It's fortunate that Princess Cheng Rui doesn't mind that my daughter is clumsy and untalented."

  Yun Jie Rong glanced at her, smiled but didn't speak, and led a group of people out of the pavilion, through the long corridor with railings, to a garden with a sign that read "Tian Ran Yuan". Inside, it was planted full of peach blossoms. It was just the right season for flowers, red, pink, white, all clustered on the trees, and as soon as the breeze blew, petals fell to the ground. The group of women in bright clothes walked under the trees, with petals flying everywhere, looking like goddesses from heaven.

  The crowd followed Yun Jie Rong into a pavilion with towering eaves and jade railings, next to which was a lake with rippling waves, moored a luxurious and majestic painted barge. On the opposite side of the lake stood another pavilion, where figures were vaguely visible, apparently male guests.

  When everyone sat down, Yun Jie explained: "The men are composing poems over there, we just need to listen here. If any of the young ladies feel inspired and want to compose poems or paint, that would be even better." As she spoke, she pointed to the Eight Immortals table in the pavilion, where high-quality Xuan paper and ink had already been laid out.

  Everyone present is a carefully nurtured young lady from each family, with such a good opportunity, how can they miss it, all of them are eager to try. Just then, a burst of applause came from the opposite side, and soon a servant outside the pavilion sang: "Report to the princess, just now the famous talented scholar Zhang Zhongxi, Mr. Zhang, recited a poem, which said: 'A thousand branches with dewy beauty, where does it reflect the red glow? In the warm breeze of the immortal spring, in the harmonious water country. The flowing oriole should be seen falling, the dancing butterfly doesn't know emptiness. I want to ask for painting, branch by branch with bamboo clusters.'"

  Yun Jie Rong savored it carefully several times, repeatedly saying it was good. At this time, a woman wearing a pale pink embroidered silver red satin long dress stood up, who was Qin Ru Jing, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Works. She said to Yun Jie Rong: "I'm not good at composing poetry, but I have a decent hand for calligraphy, so I'll take the liberty of copying this poem for everyone to appreciate."

  Having obtained permission, she unfolded the rice paper, picked up a brush dipped in tribute ink, and with a slight movement of her wrist, rows of beautiful, elegant small characters appeared on the paper. She put down the brush, bowed to Yun Xiang Rong, and returned to her seat with a smile.

  With her taking the lead, the other girls were no longer restrained, each vying to paint and compose poetry, with their own unique charm. Among them, the most outstanding ones turned out to be Qin Rujing and Yuan Hua, who had composed a poem earlier.

  "Does Fourth Miss seem uninterested in this?" Yun Jie Rong asked with a smile, turning to Yuan Yi who had been quiet the whole time, after evaluating everyone's calligraphy.

  She gazed down, pondering the attitude of Rui Wangfei, seemingly close to her yet repeatedly pushing her into the limelight. However, based on her experience in judging people, she couldn't discern any malicious intent, and could only furrow her brow inwardly.

  "Originally wanted to hide and be lazy, didn't expect to be discovered by the princess, just that the minister's daughter is not good at composing poetry, so she painted a picture instead." Seeing everyone's gaze concentrated on her body, Yuan Yi smiled lightly, got up and rolled up her sleeves, pressed down the rice paper, took a glance at the peach blossoms outside the pavilion, and started painting.

  It wasn't even half a time, Yuan Yi put down his pen and said to Yun Xiang Rong, "Your humble servant has made a fool of himself."

  Everyone gathered around and took a closer look, all with an air of mystery on their faces.