26 Queen of the Hundred Flowers Competition

, crows rise up from the city walls, while on a painted screen golden partridges remain still. A thin mist of fragrance penetrates through the curtains, bringing sorrow to the Xie family’s pavilion. T...The Empress City Ode 26. Queen of the Hundred Flowers

26. Queen of the Hundred Flowers

"Very well, I will have to take a turn then," said Ye Li.

"Li'er..." Qin Zeng worriedly said, while Mu Tong and Hua Tianxiang also looked at Ye Li with concern. Ye Li winked at them and smiled gently before shaking her head. Seeing her smile was genuine rather than forced, Qin Zeng felt a little reassured. Thinking about it, her mother used to be the first literary talent in the capital city, while her grandfather is the leader of the upright scholars who uphold justice across the land. Even if she doesn't show it, surely she has learned everything that needs to be learned

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ye Li walked up to the table with ink and brush still in place and immediately started drawing on a high-quality piece of rice paper after thinking for just a moment.

On the higher platform, Feng Zhiyao watched the young girl in green who was bent over her work intently with interest. He nodded unconsciously. Yaoji glanced at him from beside him and said softly, "Feng San is very optimistic about Miss Ye San" Feng Zhiyao touched his nose and smiled, "Isn't she interesting At least she’s not as plain as the rumors make out." Just this calm attitude in face of such a large audience was enough to earn her a high opinion from Feng Zhiyao. Not to mention that Mo Xiuyao had just recently suffered a loss against her where he couldn’t even retaliate properly. Perhaps Yao will really marry a good empress consort.

The Marquis of Mu Yang’s heir seemed interested in their conversation, "Feng San knows Miss Ye San"

Feng Zhiyao shook his head, "Did you just get back to the capital She's going to be Empress Consort Ding."

"Mo Xiuyao" Mu Yang frowned. He had some acquaintance with Mo Xiuyao when he was young, but hadn’t seen him after that.

Feng Zhirao nodded and said, "That's right. What do you think"

Muyang raised an eyebrow and said, "Mo Jingli must be blind."

Yaogui couldn't help but chuckle lightly as she covered her mouth and said with a smile, "It seems that Feng San and Muyang are quite optimistic about Miss Ye San."

The two of them didn’t reply. Instead, they cast another glance at the Qingyi maiden who was still hurriedly writing away. Being from prestigious families themselves, they naturally understood each other’s thoughts. It wasn’t about looks or talent; it was just that compared to Ye Ying, Ye Li was more suitable as the matriarch of a large family or a princely household. They didn’t know whether Mo Jingli, who came from an imperial background, had been spoiled by the Empress Dowager and the Senior Imperial Consort, or if Ye Ying truly possessed exceptional abilities that went unnoticed.

The audience’s wait did not even last for an incense stick before Ye Li put down her brush. The Grand Princess ordered the attendants to bring over Ye Li’s work. As the xuan paper was taken off the table, everyone could vaguely make out that it seemed to be a peony painting. Qin Zeng and her companions also heaved a sigh of relief, regardless of whether they could win a ranking or not; being able to complete such an acceptable peony painting in such a short time meant that Ye Li wouldn’t disgrace herself. The paintings were first presented to the six judges on the reviewing platform. Upon seeing the painting, Senior Official Su Zhe frowned and looked up at the Qingyi maiden still standing by the table before lowering his head again to continue studying it for a while before passing it to the Minister of Civil Service Affairs Mo Jian beside him. Mo Jian also frowned as he occasionally glanced at Ye Li before finally handing it over to someone else.

The unusual reaction from the judges couldn’t help but make the ladies below scrutinize Ye Li, and they were curious about what her work was like.

When Feng Zhirao handed over the painting to a maidservant who then presented it to Princess Zhaoyang, the others had also reached a consensus. Senior Official Su Zhe announced, "Miss Ye Li from Minister of Household Affairs’ family ranks first in calligraphy and poetry, fourth in paintings."

"Aili!" Murong Ting called happily upon hearing the results. Others cast surprised glances at Ye Li as well. Ye Li performed a slight bow towards the people on stage before turning back to her seat. Murong Ting clapped her hand against Ye Li’s shoulder and said with a smile, "You were saying you couldn’t do it So you’re just being modest." Ye Li smiled bitterly and replied, "I only managed to take advantage of the situation." Hua Tianxiang beamed and said, "No matter what, we should still be happy. Congratulations, Aili." Qin Zeng nodded at her with a slight smile on her lips. Ye Li returned her with a smile.

Princess Qixia’s expression changed upon hearing Su Zhe’s announcement as she hurriedly walked over to Princess Zhaoyang’s side to see Ye Li’s painting, only raising her head after some time and giving Ye Li a look before turning away. The maidservants beside the princess handed down the painting for the ladies present to view in order to make everyone accept the change to the rankings due to Ye Li’s work. Even the maiden who had already won first place in poetry, also from an educated family, stood up with grace after viewing Ye Li’s artwork and said smilingly, "It is still a great honor to lose to the successor of Qingyun." Her upbringing and demeanor made people think even more highly of her. Murong Ting quickly unrolled the painting upon receiving it and shared it with her friends. Qin Zeng exclaimed in admiration as she remarked, "What wonderful poetry! The last petals fall before new blooms emerge,

The splendid name is called King of a Hundred Flowers.

Vying to be the unparalleled beauty in the world,

Standing alone with the finest fragrance among all people.”

Hua Tianxiang smiled and said, "The poem is good, as is your handwriting. Ahli, who did you learn this hand from I want to find a master too."

Ye Li smiled slightly, “When I was young, I met an old scholar surnamed Liu who gave me some calligraphy samples. After writing for so many years, I can finally appreciate it somewhat.” In her previous life, she started learning Liu’s style when she was six. Adding in this lifetime, it had been more than twenty years already. If she still could not recognize the characters then that would prove that she really did have a dull mind.

Qin Zheng was also passionate about calligraphy and painting, and envied her greatly, "You are so lucky! Li'er said you will give me your work too."

Ye Li nodded. “The original sample no longer exists, but I can write a copy for you.”

"Agreed then. I will wait for it."

"I want one too…" Hua Tianxiang and Mu Ying followed suit, and only after Ye Li promised to give each of them a set did the matter end.

"I also admit defeat!" Everyone else admitted to the judges' results, and even Princess Qixia, unwilling as she was, had no choice but to bite her lip in acceptance. Lady Changyong, the Senior Princess Yangzhao, sighed lightly when she saw how reluctantly Princess Qixia accepted the result and patted her shoulder comfortingly. Although it was only a short while since Princess Qixia arrived in Chu, her young age did not stop her from being proud.

"Since that is the case... then this year's Queen of the Hundred Flowers Contest goes to Miss Ye Sanyi of the Ministry of Households," Senior Official Su Zh哲, who was the elder statesman among those involved in the judging, announced the final result when everyone had no objections.

Feng Zhiyao laughed and followed up with a spring breeze smile, "Of course, if there are any challenges to this decision, feel free to challenge Miss Ye Sanyi. I'm sure she will be more than willing to accept the challenge, right" As Ye Li looked up, Feng Zhiyao winked at her from across the stage. Even though his behavior was somewhat frivolous, Ye Li could sense that he did not mean any ill-will.

At the urging of Qin Zheng and the others, Ye Li slowly climbed up to the high platform for this year's new Hundred Flowers Queen title. She personally received the prize from Lady Changyong – Beauty Preserving Pearls, Purple Jade Hairpins, Snow Sound Lutes – all objects that every beautiful woman dreamed of obtaining. Though she won the prizes by almost cheating, Ye Li felt no guilt or shame about it, nor was she overjoyed with her victory. Between losing face and cutting corners, she naturally chose the option that benefited her more.

"Miss Sanyi of the Ye family, I would never have thought Minister Ye had such a talented daughter," Lady Changyong looked at the young girl in the green robes before her, her expression somewhat lost as she gazed at Ye Li. "Your mother and I were on good terms back then; if you ever get free time, please come visit the princess's residence."

Ye Li smiled politely, "Thank you, Senior Princess Changyong. Being invited by Senior Princess is a blessing for me."

"Such a good child, go on," Lady Changyong sighed softly and said to Ye Li.

After bowing to the senior princess, Ye Li bowed lightly to each of the judges before turning around to leave with her prizes. saying, "Who told you he was one of the Xu family’s five sons" Han Mingxi thought about it for a moment but couldn't recall anyone telling him that. After some consideration, he lifted his head in re...