Chapter 183
Chapter 183
The voice was very pleasant. Ji Hanyi looked up at the sound and saw a woman in a pink-and-white high-collared gown patterned with ornate floral medallions. Her skin was as white as snow, her features refined and elegant. There was a faint aloofness about her, yet she was exceptionally beautiful.
Someone nearby introduced her as Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s grandniece, the Lady of the Commandery Mingchang. Ji Hanyi hurriedly curtsied to her, then went over to join her.
As soon as she approached, Sun Baoqiong linked arms with Ji Hanyi and, smiling, quietly introduced the other young ladies seated there one by one.
After listening and looking around, Ji Hanyi had a general idea of who they were. The young ladies seated here were either daughters of imperial relatives, noble ladies especially favored by Her Majesty the Empress, or noble ladies whose families were close to the Shen Family. Shen Suyi and Li Shuyu, whom Ji Hanyi had met at the last Shen Residence Poetry Gathering, were also seated nearby.
Ji Hanyi rose and greeted each of them in turn.
The Empress said to Ji Hanyi, “Baoqiong has read extensively since childhood and is the very model of learning and propriety. I imagine the two of you will have much to talk about later.”
Ji Hanyi hurriedly agreed.
As they spoke, the Empress ordered someone to bring in a pot of Yaotai Yufeng chrysanthemums in full bloom. She smiled and said, “These chrysanthemums are a rare variety Baoqiong’s father sent from Xuanzhou. Though it is not autumn, they are blooming beautifully. They are just the thing to lend a touch of elegance to this flower-viewing banquet.”
Then the Empress turned to Sun Baoqiong with a smile. “Baoqiong, since your father sent these flowers, why don’t you compose a poem for them?”
Sun Baoqiong rose with graceful composure, her smile gentle and serene. “Since Aunt thinks so highly of me, I shall offer my humble attempt. But none of you may laugh at me afterward.”
After a moment’s thought, she said, “I recall an old line: ‘Better to die upon the branch, still cradling one’s fragrance.’ Yet these chrysanthemums bloom in spring and have never seen frost, so that line seems a little too desolate for them.”
She took two steps, then smiled again. “Why not reverse its meaning?
“No autumn wind, yet still its hues are deep;
Through warmer days, its jade-bright blooms unfold.
Say not cold fragrance crowns the year’s end alone-
Why must this life await the coming frost?”
As Sun Baoqiong finished reciting, silence fell over the entire gathering.
Then a chorus of praise broke out.
Ji Hanyi looked up at Sun Baoqiong. The poem was indeed excellent and rich in imagery. Even if she had been asked to compose one, she might not have done any better.
Moreover, Sun Baoqiong carried herself with unruffled poise. Her eyes shone like stars, and her smile was dignified and proper. Everything about her embodied the bearing of a noble lady from a distinguished family.
Commandery Princess Fengning was the first to rise and praise her. “I have always said Sister Bao’s poetry is the finest under heaven.”
Commandery Princess Fengning was the Empress Dowager’s own granddaughter and the youngest daughter of Prince Qi, the younger brother of His Majesty the Emperor. Prince Qi had remained in his fief for years. Finding palace life somewhat lonely, the Empress Dowager had brought Commandery Princess Fengning to her side and raised her in the palace from childhood. Now that Sun Baoqiong had come to the palace and was also staying in the Empress Dowager’s residence, the two spent all their time together and had grown even closer.
As Commandery Princess Fengning spoke, she cast a sidelong glance at Ji Hanyi, who sat beside Sun Baoqiong. A hint of disdain showed in her eyes.
The others might not yet know who was betrothed to Marquis Shen, but two days ago, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had specially summoned Grand Princess Rongqing to the palace and questioned her about it in detail. Only then had she learned that it was Ji Hanyi. Not only had the Grand Princess adopted Ji Hanyi as her daughter, but Ji Hanyi had also become betrothed to Marquis Shen.
Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had originally brought Sister Bao to the palace with the intention of marrying her to Marquis Shen. Now that matters had taken such a turn, Commandery Princess Fengning wanted to vent her anger on Sister Bao’s behalf and humiliate Ji Hanyi in front of everyone.
Sun Baoqiong smiled at Commandery Princess Fengning. “You mustn’t say that. There are so many talented ladies here. Don’t praise me so highly that you make me a target.”
Commandery Princess Fengning was bold and outspoken by nature. She immediately laughed and said, “Whatever anyone else thinks, Sister Bao’s poetry is the best in my eyes.”
She glanced at Ji Hanyi, then added with a smile, “At the very least, it is better than that of certain people who only know how to exploit opportunities and have no genuine ability.”
Although she had heard the Grand Princess praise Ji Hanyi that day, in Commandery Princess Fengning’s eyes, Ji Hanyi’s success had been nothing more than opportunistic trickery and blind luck. What real ability could a divorced woman possibly possess, apart from her seductive, fox-like wiles?
Ji Hanyi could feel Commandery Princess Fengning’s gaze fixed on her. She remained seated with perfect poise, glancing over from the corner of her eye until their gazes met. The arrogance and disdain in the other woman’s eyes were barely concealed.
Ji Hanyi lowered her gaze.
Then she glanced at Sun Baoqiong beside her and began to understand.
They were both aligned with the Empress Dowager.
As she pondered this, someone else said with a smile, “It sounds as though the Commandery Princess has met someone like that before. Why not tell us the story and let us share in the amusement?”
Commandery Princess Fengning smiled. “I can tell you if you like, but you must treat it as nothing more than an amusing story. Don’t try to figure out who it was.”
Sun Baoqiong looked at Commandery Princess Fengning. “Better not.”
Commandery Princess Fengning laughed. “It’s only for a bit of fun. There’s no harm in telling it.”
Then she began. “The last time I attended a poetry gathering, a young lady from a scholarly family was there. Everyone assumed she would be excellent at composing verse, but do you know what she ended up doing? It was enough to make anyone laugh their head off.”
Their curiosity piqued, everyone asked, “What did she do?”
Ji Hanyi looked calmly at Commandery Princess Fengning.
Commandery Princess Fengning smiled and continued, “It would have been one thing if her poetry had merely been mediocre, but she even helped her younger sister cheat. Unfortunately, her sister proved useless. When she couldn’t answer a verse on her own, she burst into tears and ran away. It caused quite the scene.”
Shen Suyi, who was sitting nearby, stiffened slightly upon hearing this and looked toward Li Shuyu beside her.
Third Brother had specifically warned her not to spread word of the incident. Although she was close to Commandery Princess Fengning, she had never mentioned it. Li Shuyu was also close to Commandery Princess Fengning, however, so she must have been the one who told her.
Noticing Shen Suyi’s gaze, Li Shuyu smiled and leaned closer to whisper, “Sister, don’t be so softhearted. Why bother sparing the dignity of people like that?”
Shen Suyi pursed her lips without answering. Frowning, she said under her breath, “Don’t tell anyone else next time. Otherwise, people will start criticizing our poetry gathering for inviting that sort of person.”
Li Shuyu smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry. No one will invite people like that again.”
By then, someone in attendance had already exclaimed, “To think someone would do something so disgraceful to her family name!”
Li Shuyu chimed in, “If I were her, I would never dare show my face in public again.”
After speaking, she turned an amused gaze on Ji Hanyi. “Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Ji?”
Since Li Shuyu had deliberately singled out Ji Hanyi for the question, everyone turned to look at her again, their eyes filled with scrutiny.
Sun Baoqiong’s gaze also shifted toward Ji Hanyi, a flicker passing through her eyes.
As she studied Ji Hanyi’s beautiful profile, Sun Baoqiong narrowed her eyes slightly. She could not accept losing to a woman like this, no matter how beautiful Ji Hanyi might be.
Since childhood, Sun Baoqiong had been taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting by the finest tutors. A matron with an impeccable understanding of etiquette had trained her in every aspect of proper bearing. Her looks were no less striking than Ji Hanyi’s, and as for talent, Ji Hanyi was said to be nothing but an empty-headed fool. Worse still, she had already been divorced once. Yet Sun Baoqiong had somehow lost to such a woman.
Had she lost to someone she could sincerely acknowledge as superior, she would have accepted defeat and offered them her good wishes. But the Empress Dowager had clearly been on the verge of asking His Majesty the Emperor to decree a marriage between her and Marquis Shen. Then, at that critical moment, Ji Hanyi had appeared out of nowhere.
For the first time, Sun Baoqiong’s usually unshakable composure was beginning to slip.
She was not angry that Marquis Shen had no interest in her, for she had never expected their feelings to be mutual. But how could she accept that, in Marquis Shen’s eyes, she was somehow inferior to Ji Hanyi?
She had come to the capital to marry into the finest aristocratic family and wed the finest man. Shen Si was the man best suited to her, and she was his perfect match.
They were meant to be together.
But now, reality had dealt her a resounding slap in the face.
For once, a flicker of spiteful satisfaction rose within her. She wanted to see how Ji Hanyi would handle this.