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  Back at the Ding residence, Ting Ruo hadn't put in the effort to learn guqin, and with Meng Xiangyu present, Ting Ruo couldn't even compare to a decorative piece of embroidery.

  If she didn't play, the Ding family would lose face. Although a gentle smile hung on her face, her palms were sweating. Mrs. Li said, "Miss Ting, don't you want to perform?"

  It's better to admit it frankly than to face this dilemma all the time. Ding Rou made up her mind and walked lightly to the front of the ladies, curtsying, "It's not that I don't want to, but I can't, I'm not good at music."

  "Hiss."

  Faintly audible was the sound of gasps, and two young ladies' faces revealed disdain. Just now, they had quietly inquired and found out that the granddaughter brought out by Old Madame Ding of the Ding Manor was born out of wedlock. No matter how well she dressed, it was hard to conceal her humble origins as a concubine's daughter. The young ladies inside were all legitimate daughters, and before they came, they had learned that Li Madame, the best sister of Shengyang King's elderly madame, would be visiting the Zhou Manor today. To get praised by Li Madame in front of Shengyang King's elderly madame was worth more than hearing others praise her a hundred times.

  The ladies present all showed their best side, hiding their weaknesses and shortcomings. Some were charming and coquettish, some elegant and gentle, while others were clever and quick-witted. In short, no one would openly criticize anyone else's flaws, not just for the sake of Prince Qi Heng, but also to save face.

  Ding Rou smiled in the face of disdain and contempt, her smile even more radiant than before, standing elegantly in front of everyone, as if she wasn't exposing her own shortcomings, with a calm and composed demeanor. Mrs. Li lowered her head to take a sip of tea, Ding Rou carefully noticed that her hand holding the teacup was trembling slightly, her fingers also exerting great force, as if suppressing something. Ding Rou spoke softly: "It's not that Mother didn't teach me, it's just that I have little natural talent for the guqin. Just now, when I heard Miss Meng play the guqin, the sound lingered in my mind for three days, a heavenly music, I admire her greatly."

  "Fourth sister is being polite."

  Miss Meng smiled, she was one of the few people who had never underestimated Ding Rou. Mrs. Li suddenly asked: "What can you do?"

  "I'm stupid, my mother once said that I only have a filial heart to use, other things are mostly ordinary, and my talent is average."

  The elegance of Ding Yu's gathering is not visible here. I remember that the Empress Dowager Taizu ordered the creation of a piano, although it was an unusual instrument, but it did not spread in the Great Qin Dynasty because ancient people could not appreciate piano performances. Not all good things from modern times can be popular in ancient times. Playing a piece would be shocked as a heavenly person, and the appreciation is different.

  As for poetry and songs, unless it's pirated, Ting Ruo is far inferior to the young ladies by several streets. /bTing Ruo does remember some that can be used, but with Taizu Emperor in front, who knows if they've been used before? The disadvantage of coming later.

  Ding Ruo is not self-deprecating, she has a filial heart that can be used, and the clever ladies present should understand why Grandmother brought her along. It's because Ding Ruo herself doesn't have high innate talent, not because the Ding family's upbringing is problematic or that they mistreated their concubine-born daughter. Speaking of which, living life in circles is not as difficult for Ding Ruo as one would imagine, it's just a bit unpleasant. Having a foundation and capital allows her to live the life she wants, but for now, it's just another struggle.

  "Filial piety and honesty, neither arrogant nor humble, raised a good granddaughter."

  Mrs. Li nodded in approval of Ding Ruo, and Mrs. Tai said with a smile: "It's not worth it, she's really like my eldest daughter-in-law said, what I pity is her filial piety."

  "Filial piety and sincerity are the foundation of being human, it's not easy to achieve these two things." Mrs. Li lowered her eyelids, her fingers seemed to be tracing the tea cup, and when she lifted her head again, Ding Rou found that she had returned to normal, "I heard Miss Meng still paints well?"

  Ding Ruo automatically retreated back to the side of Old Madam, sitting behind her. Old Madam occasionally glanced at her with a smile in her eyes, clearly very satisfied with Ding Ruo's performance just now. Ding Ruo carefully selected a few plump dried fruits and handed them to Old Madam, softly saying: "Grandmother's stomach isn't feeling well, eating some sour and sweet things will make you feel more comfortable, but don't eat too much."

  Madam Li's smile grew thicker, and the young lady from the Ding family was determined to leave a good impression in front of Madam Li. Only then could she notice her preferences. The Ding family was not worthy of being matched with the Shenyang Wangfu, and Ting Ruo was just a concubine-born daughter. This self-awareness was even more precious. Madam Li had some thoughts, if Ting Ruo were to be remembered as the eldest son's daughter-in-law, it would be extremely beneficial for both the Ding family and Ting Ruo's future.

  The old lady looked kind and gentle, but in her younger years she had many means at her disposal. Otherwise, how could Old Master Ding have only one concubine who was just a decoration? In which wealthy household did no one die in the backyard? The old lady simply died after a brief moment of thought.

  Miss Meng smiled humbly and said, "I don't dare show my ugliness in front of you."

  "As it happens, she painted a plum blossom in the snow a few days ago. I had someone bring it over to show everyone. They all praised her and offered some suggestions, which were more helpful than her usual diligent practice. She was so determined to finish the painting that she stayed up half the night, refusing to listen to anyone's advice."

  Mrs. Meng spoke to me about Miss Meng's hardships in painting, saying that she had suffered from staying up late and catching colds. Ting Ruo listened on the side, not knowing anything else, but just hearing that Miss Meng had endured hardships for the sake of painting, which ordinary people would think was diligent, but it's unlikely that Princess Xinyang would approve of Miss Meng. To become the princess of Xinyang, skills like piano, chess, calligraphy and painting are merely a way to cultivate one's emotions, as the struggle for the throne is about to begin, and the Xinyang Palace is under scrutiny from all sides, what is needed is a steady and composed princess who can grasp the situation.

  Although Ding Ruo had never seen the Queen Mother of Xinyang, she inferred from the handwriting of the Taizu Empress that the Queen Mother was no weaker than the Taizu Empress. Miss Meng had a foundation in painting, so did the Queen Mother like to paint too? Ding Ruo curiously raised her eyes to look at the two maids unfolding the Snow Plum Blossom scroll, and couldn't help but admire the beautiful Snow Plum Blossom picture, with plum blossoms clustering together, white snow shining brightly, having a strong artistic charm, with a poem written in the top left corner...

  Ding Ruo's eyes widened, if she wasn't mistaken, it seemed to be from "Dream of the Red Chamber". Subconsciously, she glanced at Miss Meng, was she also a transmigrator? Lady Li praised: "The painting is well done, and the calligraphy is good too. The font seems to be imitated from the handwriting of Empress Dowager Cixi's letter. This poem, was it given by Empress Dowager Cixi to the Imperial Consort during her time?"

  How could I forget the imperial couple who loved piracy the most? If Miss Meng's handwriting is imitated from the Empress of Taizu, looking at a single font, the Empress of Taizu is much better than the Emperor of Taizu. Her handwriting is not something that can be seen overnight, it's a physical memory that has been practiced for a long time. Or was the Empress of Taizu originally an intellectual woman in modern times? Ding Rou found herself becoming more and more interested in the Empress of Taizu. Was the figure she saw at Luofeng Mountain the Empress of Taizu?

  Because of the crossing, Ding Ruo believed in the sayings of ghosts and gods. If it was really her spirit that had not dispersed, what did she come to see herself do? Ding Ruo remembered very clearly that she smiled at herself, and smiled with a warmth and kindness that didn't seem like looking at an old acquaintance. After careful consideration, there was still a hint of difference - what was it? Ding Ruo threw away the nonsense in her mind, probably because she had been too engrossed in reading the letters of Empress Dowager Zhen. Empress Dowager Zhen had walked out of her life, although she was betrayed by Emperor Taizu, but she didn't need anyone's sympathy or pity.

  She finally confined the Taizu Emperor, understanding the grudges between them. Her thoughts had a successor - Xinyang Wang Taifei. The influence of their master-disciple relationship on the Great Qin Dynasty still exists today, even if that stud male betrayed his wife, but the policies left by the Taizu Emperor also run through the Great Qin he personally established.

  With a soft and gentle smile, she also has her own path to follow. Feeling a gaze, Ding Rou returned to her senses, searching for who was looking at her, but couldn't find anyone. Maybe it was just her imagination. Today, Ding Rou was completely overshadowed by Miss Meng, not just her, all the young ladies in the house who were trying to make a name for themselves were suppressed by Miss Meng's unparalleled talent. The more they dressed up and showed off their talents, the more they highlighted Miss Meng's unmatched abilities.

  Miss Meng is modest and courteous, although she has a high talent, but she won't give people the impression of being arrogant and proud. When discussing painting with Mrs. Li or talking about poetry, books, and etiquette with other ladies, her tone is soft and elegant, making listeners feel convinced and comfortable.

  Ding Rou's admiring gaze was fixed on Miss Meng, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for her talent. However, after hearing Miss Meng speak, Ding Rou didn't dare to make any further judgments. A young lady from a noble family, carefully nurtured and educated, how could she be foolish in important matters? After the Empress Dowager's guidance, Miss Meng let go of her stubbornness about the painting, and perhaps she would become a qualified queen consort.

  In the midst of laughter and conversation, the atmosphere was lively. Ding Rou saw a flash of disappointment in Mrs. Ta's eyes, and understood that she had come to the Zhou residence not to see Miss Meng, but to let the Ding family re-enter the circle. However, it seemed that today was a mistake, as Miss Meng and Mrs. Li were the main characters.

  Ding Rou moved the embroidered pillow and whispered to Tai Fu Ren, "Grandmother, socializing and chatting can bring people closer together. If you see Meng Tai Fu more often, your relationship will become even more intimate."

  Madam Meng pursed her lips, and Ding Rou's words of praise for Miss Meng were sincere. Miss Meng was close to Ding Rou, and Madam Meng also looked at Ding Rou with a higher regard. This kind of flattering the host was something Ding Rou was very familiar with. After all, Madam Meng was an elder, and it wouldn't be good for her to lose face. However, Ding Rou had no constraints due to his low status, and he spoke and acted in a very smooth manner. By the time they were about to part ways, Miss Meng and Ding Rou's relationship had already become quite good. The younger generation was close, so how could the relationship between the older generation be any worse?

  Madam Wang and Madam Meng had been close for some time, they had a good relationship before, but in recent years due to Madam Wang not often going out of the house, it had become somewhat distant. They easily chatted happily, Madam Meng hinted in her words that she would invite Madam Wang again, the date was set after the 15th, and Madam Wang promised to attend.

  Just as Ding Ruo was about to take her leave, she saw the maid whisper something in the ear of Madam Meng's second daughter-in-law. Her face turned ugly and a spark of anger flashed at the bottom of her eyes, making her entire face look slightly ferocious and losing that gentle elegance.

  Ding Rou remembered that she was the niece of Mrs. Meng, and had married the second son of Mrs. Meng. Her husband had just been transferred back to Beijing last month, but Ding Rou recalled that Miss Meng had mentioned that she was not feeling well and had stayed behind to take care of Mrs. Meng, sending two concubines to attend to her husband instead.

  Ding Rou put on her big hat, supporting Mrs. Meng as they were about to leave the house, when she heard a teacup fall behind her. Mrs. Meng slapped the table and said: "Good-for-nothing! Get that unfilial son here, he's already blocking the entrance of the Zhou residence, and has ruined the reputation of the Zhou family."

  Ding Rou looked at Tai Fu Ren, was something big happening? Blocked at the door, so Meng Tai Fei didn't care about the guests not leaving yet, going out of the gate to see, it's better to cut off the messy situation quickly.

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