Chapter 642: 266 Beauties of the Capital (Part 3)_2
Miss Nan Shuang looked at An Ning treating Guan Qiong as if she were looking at a fool. Everyone had already said it wasn’t scriptural texts, yet this lady had to add another comnt, truly foolish indeed.
Seeing this, Lu Yanfan smiled and explained, “‘The Book of Changes,’ also known as ‘Book of Changes,’ is one of the Five Classics among the Four Books and Five Classics.”
An Ning’s face turned instantly red, and she glared fiercely at Yueyao. If it weren’t for Lian Yueyao, she wouldn’t have embarrassed herself. The feud between them was unknowingly ford just like that.
Pin Lan looked at Yueyao and said, “Elder Sister Lian, may I have this piece of writing to take ho? I’m sure my brother would love it.”
Yueyao promptly refused, “Sorry, Miss Shen. I am not very satisfied with this piece of writing; I cannot give it away.” She was not planning to give away any writing or paintings.
Yueyao’s words were simply provoking enmity. Saying such things about writing which she wasn’t satisfied with, then what kind of writing would satisfy her indeed!
Pin Lan was naïve and didn’t think too much. If previously Yueyao had won by tricks, writing was sothing one couldn’t trick, and Pin Lan admired Yueyao a lot; she always respected those with learning, “Elder Sister Lian, then next ti you must give a good piece of writing.”
Yueyao smiled and did not respond to Pin Lan’s words.
An Ning suggested Yueyao compose a poem with Mu Qinglian, but Yueyao admitted defeat directly, “I am not well-versed in poetry and haven’t spent ti learning it, so I’ll refrain from making a fool of myself.” Yueyao had a strong foundation, and if it really ca to a competition, she definitely wouldn’t perform worse than Mu Qinglian; she just didn’t want to excel in everything. Being too perfect could induce jealousy. Imperfection made one seem more real.
Lu Yanfan comnted with a laugh from the side, “Even if Young Sister Lian isn’t proficient in poetry, based solely on her performance just now, she is undoubtedly a talented lady.”
Among the young ladies present, there were nine who had started to practice calligraphy as soon as they knew how, and had personal experience, so they understood all too well how difficult it was to write a good hand, and mastering three styles was sothing not just anyone could achieve. Most of the young ladies here had already been impressed by Yueyao.
However, Guan Qiong was not convinced and said, “If knowing three styles of writing makes one a talented lady, then the streets of the Capital City must be filled with talented ladies walking about.”
The usually silent Mingzhu got upset upon hearing this, “Easy for you to say. You show us writing three styles as beautifully. Don’t talk about three; you can’t produce even one.”
Yet An Ning said, “A talented lady must excel not only in scholarship but also in embroidery and cooking. Sister Qinglian is proficient in everything.” An Ning did not wish for Yueyao to bear the title of a talented lady.
Mingzhu raised her voice, “Yueyao’s needlework was guided by a great master, and her cooking skills are no less excellent. The Apricot Flower Cake she makes tastes better than those made by our estate’s chefs.”
Princess Wanhe smoothed things over with a smile, “I think the person most qualified to give an opinion is Miss Qinglian. Miss Qinglian, do you think Miss Yueyao deserves the title of a talented lady?” The Princess Wanhe actually thought Yueyao deserved the title of a talented lady herself; not to ntion anything else, just from the two paintings, one could see who was superior. Yueyao’s painting skills were far superior to Mu Qinglian’s, and it was evident from earlier events that Yueyao’s knowledge was extensive. If such a person couldn’t be called a talented lady, then no one dared to claim that title.
The reason Princess Wanhe didn’t give her own comnt and let Mu Qinglian comnt was that she knew with Mu Qinglian’s temperant, she would surely agree. Princess Wanhe didn’t dislike Mu Qinglian because they had previous disputes, but rather she felt Mu Qinglian was insincere. Mu Qinglian appeared humble and generous, kind and gentle, but Princess Wanhe knew Mu Qinglian was not a person who tolerated others.
Mu Qinglian felt like throwing up blood internally, yet her face still bore a pleasant smile as she spoke, “Miss Lian has remarkable talent; she indeed deserves the na of a talented lady.”
Princess Wanhe obviously didn’t want to let Mu Qinglian off so easily and asked with a smiling face, “Then Miss Mu, between you and Miss Lian, who is superior and who is inferior?” Making Mu Qinglian yield was sothing Princess Wanhe found very pleasing.
Mu Qinglian’s expression stiffened.
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Mu Qinglian’s eyes, but her face still carried a smile. At this mont, she couldn’t avoid responding, “Miss Lian’s painting transcends the mundane; I am indeed inferior in that respect.” Yueyao’s paintings were of Buddha, naturally transcending the mundane.
Yueyao did not want to provoke enmity; she had no wish to befriend Mu Qinglian, but she also didn’t want to offend her. Smiling, she spoke, “These are just clever techniques I used, incomparable to Miss Mu. I know my own weaknesses. I can’t be as tactful as Miss Mu; my disposition is too straightforward to befriend those I don’t like. Even if reborn, changing this weakness isn’t sothing I can just decide to do. What I can do now is try to foster good relationships and avoid conflicts.”
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