Capital Rhapsody 26: The Leader of the Hundred Flowers

  The leader of the hundred flowers

  "Thus, Ye Li made a fool of herself."

  “Lì er……” Qin Zheng said worriedly, Mu Rong Ting and Hua Tian Xiang also looked at Ye Li with concern. Ye Li winked at her and smiled slightly, shaking her head. Seeing that her smile was not forced, Qin Zheng felt a little relieved. Thinking again, Lì er's mother was the number one talent in the capital city back then, and her maternal grandfather was the leader of the world's scholars. Even if she didn't show it normally, she should have learned everything she needed to know.

  Under everyone's gaze, Ye Li walked towards the desk that still had brushes and ink on it, and after a moment of contemplation, she picked up her brush and began to move on the high-quality rice paper.

  On the high platform, Feng Zhiyao was watching with interest the blue-clothed girl who was painting with her head down, and nodded unintentionally. Yaoji, sitting beside him, glanced at him and smiled softly: "Feng San thinks highly of Miss Ye San?" Feng Zhiyao rubbed his nose and smiled: "She's interesting, isn't she? At least not as mediocre as the rumors say." This attitude alone was enough to make Feng Zhiyao look up to her, let alone Mo Jingli had been left speechless by her a few days ago. Maybe Ah Yao would really marry a good queen this time.

  Marquis of Moyang's son seemed interested in their conversation as well, "Does Feng San know Miss Ye San?"

  Feng Zhi Yao shook her head, "You just returned to the capital, don't you know? The future Empress."

  "Mo Xiuyao?" Mu Yang furrowed his brow, he had some dealings with Mo Xiuyao when they were young, but after Mo Xiuyao got into trouble, they hadn't seen each other again.

  Phoenix nodded and said: "That's right. What do you think?"

  Mu Yang raised an eyebrow, "Mo Jing Lei's eyes have gone blind."

  Yao Ji couldn't help but laugh out loud, covering her mouth and smiling: "It seems that Feng San and Mu Gongzi both think highly of Ye San Miss."

  The two did not respond, but instead cast their gaze once again at the blue-clad girl who was writing rapidly. As they were both from noble families, they naturally understood each other's meaning. It had nothing to do with appearance or talent, it was just that compared to Ye Ying, Ye Li was more suitable to be the mistress of a large family or a royal palace. Nor did they know whether Mo Jingli, who came from a royal background, was spoiled by the empress dowager and the imperial concubine, or if this Ye Ying really had extraordinary abilities that were unknown to outsiders.

  Everyone's waiting was just a short while, and Ye Li had already stopped her brush. The Princess ordered the people around her to bring over Ye Li's work, and the rice paper left the table surface, with everyone vaguely seeing that it seemed to be a peony painting. Qin Zheng and the others also let out a slight sigh of relief, regardless of whether they could get a ranking or not, being able to complete a not-too-bad peony painting in such a short time meant that Ye Li wouldn't lose face. The painting was first presented to the six connoisseurs on the judging table. The first one to see the painting, Old Man Su Zhe, furrowed his brow, looked up at the still-standing green-clothed girl by the desk, then lowered his head and continued looking for a while before handing it over to the nearby Minister of Rites, Mo Jian. Mo Jian also furrowed his brow, occasionally looking up at Ye Li, and after a while handed it over to the person beside him.

  The unusual reaction of the judges made the girls in the audience couldn't help but keep looking at Ye Li, and wonder what kind of work Ye Li had created.

  Finally, after finishing reading the painting scroll, Feng Zhiyao handed it over to her maid beside her and presented it to Princess Chao Yang. The others also discussed and came up with a result. Su Zhe announced: "Miss Ye Li, daughter of the Minister of Revenue, ranked first in calligraphy, first in poetry, and fourth in painting."

  "Ah Rui!" Hearing the result, Mu Rongting joyfully exclaimed. The others also cast surprised glances at Ye Rui. Ye Rui slightly bowed and paid her respects to the people on stage before turning back to her seat. Mu Rongting patted her palm and laughed, "You said you weren't good enough, but it turns out you were hiding your true abilities." Ye Rui smiled wryly, "It was just a trick." Hua Tianxiang smiled, "No matter what, we should still be happy. Ah Rui, congratulations!" Qin Zheng pursed her lips and smiled as she nodded at her, and Ye Rui returned the smile.

  The Princess of Xiqing's expression changed instantly when she heard Su Zhe's words, and she couldn't help but walk to the side of the Grand Princess Zhao Yang to take a look at Ye Li's painting. After a while, she raised her head and looked at Ye Li with a complex expression without saying another word. The maid beside the Grand Princess handed down the scroll to let all the ladies present pass it around. After all, because of Ye Li's work, the ranking had changed, so everyone must be convinced. The young girl who originally won first place in poetry was also from a family of scholars and was very understanding. She smiled after looking at Ye Li's painting and said: "Losing to the descendant of Qingyun is still an honor." Her good upbringing and demeanor made people look up to her even more. Mu Rong Ting took the painting and quickly opened it to share with her friends, Qin Zheng exclaimed in surprise and praised: "Good poem. The remaining red has fallen, and the fragrance is just beginning to emerge...

  Her name is called the King of Hundred Flowers.

  Boastful of being the most beautiful and unparalleled in the world

  "The first fragrance of independence."

  Hu Tianxiang smiled and said: "The poem is good, the handwriting is also good. Ah Li, who did you learn this calligraphy from? I want to be your apprentice too."

  Ye Li smiled slightly, "When I was young, I met a Mr. Liu who gave me a post. After writing for so many years, I can finally read some of it." In her past life, she started learning the willow script at the age of six and had been practicing for over twenty years in total. If she still couldn't read it, then it would really only prove that she was stupid.

  Qin Zhen was also infatuated with calligraphy and painting, envying her to no end. "What good luck! Lian'er said it well, turn around and you must send me a copy of the invitation."

  Ye Li nodded, "The original post is gone, did I write it successfully?"

  "It's settled then. We'll be waiting for you."

  "I'll also..." Huatian Xiang and Murong Ting didn't fall behind either, Ye Li took over to send one share per person, only then was it considered complete.

  "I also admit defeat!" Everyone else acknowledged the judge's result, and Princess Zhenxia could only grit her teeth and accept it. Chancellor Zhangyang looked at Princess Zhenxia's unwilling appearance, let out a soft sigh, pulled her to his side, and comfortingly patted her. Princess Zhenxia had just arrived in Great Chu but was young and vigorous, unable to bear losing, this temperament didn't know whether it was good or bad.

  "Since that's the case, then...the champion of this year's Hundred Flowers Gathering is Miss Ye San from the Ministry of Revenue's residence." As no one had any objections, Old Master Su Zhe announced the final result of this year's competition on behalf of several judges.

  Feng Zhiyao smiled like a spring breeze and added, "Of course, if there's anyone who doesn't accept it, they can continue to challenge Ye San Miss. I'm sure Ye San Miss would be delighted to accept the challenge, wouldn't she?" Ye Lian raised her head and happened to see Feng Zhiyao winking at her. Although he looked frivolous, she could sense that he didn't have any malicious intentions.

  At the beginning of the new year, Ye Li stepped onto the high platform at a slow pace under the urging of Qin Zhen and others. She personally received this year's award from the hands of the Long Princess - the Zhu Yan Pearl, the Zi Yu Hairpin, and the Xue Yin Guqin that all beautiful women dreamed of possessing. As for winning the award in a way that could almost be considered cheating, Ye Li did not have any feelings of guilt or shame, nor did she feel particularly pleased with herself. Between losing face and gaining an advantage, she naturally chose the side that was more beneficial to herself.

  "Miss Ye San, I didn't expect Ye Shangshu to have such an outstanding daughter." The Empress Dowager looked at the young girl in front of her, gazing at Ye Li with a somewhat wistful expression. "In the past, this palace and your mother had some connections. If you have leisure time in the future, feel free to visit the Imperial Princess's residence."

  Ye Li smiled respectfully and said: "Thank you, Princess Chang. It is Ye Li's good fortune to be invited by Princess Chang."

  "Good child, go." The Empress Dowager sighed softly and said to Ye Li.

  Ye Li bowed to the princess and then turned around to slightly bow to the judges before turning around and leaving with the gift.