Mi Ning trembled with rage at Su Qingxi’s provocative attitude.
Having served by Her Highness’s side for years, aside from Princess Anning, she had never seen anyone dare to show such disrespect toward Her Highness.
“You…”
Before Mi Ning could finish, Shen Zhaoli raised a hand to stop her.
Poetry and literature transcend origins, but…
“And what about you?”
“I accept your challenge, but what will you do if you lose?”
Su Qingxi was momentarily stunned, having never considered the possibility of losing.
“If I lose, I will accept whatever punishment Your Highness deems fit.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd couldn’t help but frown.
Such a statement was far too opportunistic.
Who didn’t know that Her Highness was always kind and benevolent? How could she impose severe punishment?
Shen Zhaoli rested her head on her hand, her delicate and beautiful fingers brushing through her hair, her clear voice carrying an air of authority.
“I am not an arbitrary person. If Miss Su loses, today’s actions will be dealt with according to the law and etiquette.”
On the high platform, everyone was surprised to hear this.
If judged by the law and etiquette, Su Qingxi’s actions today would carry no light penalty.
Su Qingxi, however, paid no mind and agreed without hesitation.
“As Your Highness says. But if I win, I ask that you grant me one request.”
“Please do not blame Qing… the Prime Minister anymore.”
Shen Zhaoli narrowed her eyes, a hint of coldness flickering in their depths.
Since when were her affairs open to others’ interference?
She had previously ignored Su Qingxi, thinking it unnecessary to lower herself, but it seemed some had mistaken her for an easy target.
“Miss Su is overstepping her bounds.”
An invisible pressure filled the air, causing Su Qingxi to lower her gaze.
She saw nothing wrong with her actions today. After all, if things went poorly, Qing Gui would still back her up.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Su Qingxi stepped onto the Poetry Dueling Platform and approached the desk prepared by the palace maids.
The moment she picked up the brush, her eyes suddenly brightened, and even the pettiness that seemed to surround her dissipated somewhat.
Su Qingxi focused for a moment before dipping the brush in ink.
The duel between Miss Su of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and Princess Changle was an extraordinary spectacle.
The crowd, forgetting about their own rewards, surged to the Poetry Dueling Platform and took their seats around it.
Seeing this, Grand Princess Shen Shuangyu ordered the guards to withdraw the barriers, leaving only a few to maintain order on the periphery.
This allowed everyone to see clearly.
The crowd watched Su Qingxi on the platform, murmuring among themselves.
Without exception, they all held an unfavorable view.
Su Qingxi, holding the brush in her hand, felt a mix of grievance and anger. She glanced up at Shen Zhaoli seated on the high platform, reigniting her fighting spirit.
She would not lose.
Taking a deep breath, Su Qingxi began writing on the rice paper.
Elegant, small regular script appeared on the paper, and in no time, she had composed a quatrain.
Seeing Su Qingxi put down the brush so quickly, the crowd was momentarily stunned.
“Does this Miss Su truly possess talent, or is she just giving up? How could she finish a poem so quickly?”
“I caught a glimpse just now. Although I didn’t see the content of the poem, Miss Su’s calligraphy is excellent. She must have some talent.”
“That makes sense. The Prime Minister achieved the top three honors in the imperial examinations and is immensely talented. Since he holds Miss Su in such high regard, she can’t be a fool.”
“There are many talented people, but few are as lacking in self-awareness as her.”
A handsome man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes leaned against a carved dragon pillar and sneered coldly.
Below the Poetry Dueling Platform, opinions varied among the crowd.
Su Qingxi pursed her red lips slightly and handed the poem in her hand to a palace maid beside her, who then passed it to the court poet for recitation.
As the court poet’s voice rose and fell with measured cadence, the content of Su Qingxi’s poem reached the ears of the crowd.
Bamboo sways gently, casting dappled shadows,
Even in humble places, it sings its own song.
It envies not the high branches that reach the phoenix palace,
With the gentle breeze, its integrity grows stronger.
…
The murmurs gradually faded, leaving only the voice of the court poet echoing.
The gazes directed at Su Qingxi shifted from initial disdain to growing admiration.
Among those seated on the Viewing Terrace were many talented individuals.
Numerous young masters from noble families cast appreciative glances at Su Qingxi, and some even couldn’t help but cheer loudly.
The noble ladies who had previously ignored Su Qingxi now regarded her with much kinder eyes.
No one had expected that a woman who appeared delicate and frail could compose a poem of such noble spirit.
Using poetry to express her aspirations, her ambition was pure and lofty.
Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Su Qingxi relaxed her tightly clenched hands, her entire body easing noticeably.
A faint smile graced her delicate face as she slowly raised her head to look at Shen Zhaoli.
“Princess Changle, it’s your turn now.”
The crowd’s gaze followed, settling on Shen Zhaoli atop the high platform.
“This Miss Su is remarkably talented. Even scholars on the honor roll might not dare claim they could compose such a poem. Can Princess Changle win?”
“Who knows? Although Princess Changle has long been renowned, she has been idle for years. It’s unclear what her current level is.”
“If Princess Changle loses, it would be a great embarrassment.”
In the crowd, Xie Yuheng couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Xi’er’s poetic talent is exceptional. Shen Zhaoli has long enjoyed a reputation, but her poetry is rarely seen. I fear it will be difficult for her to compose a better poem.
Xie Yuheng hesitated for a moment, about to speak, when he met Su Qingxi’s expectant gaze. His heart tightened instantly.
Forget it. It’s rare for Xi’er to be so happy.
As for Shen Zhaoli, as the eldest princess, she is still so impulsive.
Since she agreed to the poetry duel herself, she should bear the consequences if she loses.
It might temper her unstable temperament.
Shen Shuangyu looked at Shen Zhaoli, a trace of concern flickering in her gentle eyes.
“Li’er, this Su girl has some talent. If you find it difficult, there’s no need to force yourself. Your aunt will handle it for you.”
Shen Zhaoli chuckled lightly, her expression remaining calm and composed from beginning to end.
“Aunt, there’s no need to worry.”
A palace maid led Shen Zhaoli onto the Poetry Dueling Platform, presenting her with fine brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Shen Zhaoli merely glanced at them briefly before shifting her gaze away.
“No need for such trouble.”
Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Shen Zhaoli took a step toward Su Qingxi.
“What is Her Highness doing?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps she feels she can’t compose a better poem and has already decided to concede?”
Listening to the discussions below the platform, Su Qingxi couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.
Even if Princess Changle possesses unparalleled beauty and noble status, without talent, she is merely an empty shell.
“Princess Changle, I know you are angry because Qing Gui left you at the engagement banquet for my sake. It is all my fault.”
“If you concede, I will not press the matter further. I only hope Your Highness will stop causing trouble with Qing Gui.”
Shen Zhaoli paused in her steps and let out a derisive laugh, her gaze toward Su Qingxi turning somewhat inscrutable.
Causing trouble?
Does Su Qingxi dare to speak so presumptuously in front of her because she relies on Xie Yuheng’s favor?
Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and an imposing aura immediately emerged.
“Jade steps cast emerald shadows, blossoms heavy with morning dew.”
“Brush tips flow with cloud-like grace, ink seas stir with rising waves.”
With each step Shen Zhaoli took toward Su Qingxi, she recited a line of poetry.
Every word from her clear, melodious voice reached the ears of the crowd with perfect clarity.
“Not for gold-threaded robes esteemed, but for talent’s weight revered.”
“Grass and trees all bear affection, why distinguish noble from low?”
As her words fell, the crowd was stunned.
Wherever one looked, there was complete silence.
It took a long while before everyone regained their senses, looking at Shen Zhaoli with admiration and fervor.
This was Princess Changle, who at merely ten years old had stirred Yujing with a single poem.
Her literary talent astonishing the world was no empty boast.
Shen Zhaoli stopped about ten feet away from Su Qingxi, her clear, sharp gaze resting upon her.
“This character of ‘causing a stir’ is one I dare not claim. Miss Su, you are perhaps too hasty.”
Su Qingxi stared at Shen Zhaoli in disbelief, convinced that her own speed in composing poetry was already exceptionally fast.
But now…
“You… you actually composed a poem in fewer than seven steps!”