Mo Li

"In that case, I shall make a fool of myself," Ye Li said with a smile.

"Li'er..." Qin Zheng called out worriedly, while Murong Ting and Hua Tianxiang also looked at Ye Li with concern. Ye Li blinked at her, smiling faintly and shaking her head. Seeing that her smile was not forced, Qin Zheng relaxed slightly. Then it occurred to her—Li'er's mother had once been the most talented woman in the capital, and her grandfather was the leader of the scholarly elite. Even if she usually kept a low profile, she must have learned everything she needed to know.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Ye Li walked toward the desk where the brush and ink were still laid out. After a brief moment of contemplation, she picked up the brush and began painting on the fine-quality rice paper.

On the high platform, Feng Zhiyao watched the young woman in green robes as she bent over her painting with interest, nodding slightly without realizing it. Yao Ji, seated beside him, glanced at him and chuckled softly, "Feng San seems quite taken with the Third Miss Ye?"

Feng Zhiyao rubbed his nose and grinned, "She's interesting, isn't she? At the very least, she's not as mediocre as the rumors suggest." Just her unflappable demeanor alone was enough to earn Feng Zhiyao's admiration, not to mention how Mo Jingli had recently suffered a silent defeat at her hands. Perhaps A Yao really was about to marry a remarkable princess consort.

The heir of Muyanghou, Mu Yang, also seemed intrigued by their conversation. "Feng San knows the Third Miss Ye?"

Feng Zhiyao shook his head. "You’ve just returned to the capital, so you wouldn’t know—she’s the future Princess Ding."

"Mo Xiuyao?" Mu Yang frowned. He had been somewhat acquainted with Mo Xiuyao in their youth, but they had not seen each other since the latter's accident.

Feng Zhiyao nodded. "Exactly. What do you think?"

Mu Yang raised an eyebrow. "Mo Jingli must be blind."

Yao Ji couldn’t help but laugh, covering her lips with her sleeve. "It seems both Feng San and Young Master Mu hold the Third Miss Ye in high regard."

Neither responded, instead turning their attention back to the young woman in green robes, who was swiftly wielding her brush. Coming from prestigious families themselves, they understood each other’s meaning implicitly. It wasn’t about beauty or talent—compared to Ye Ying, Ye Li was simply more suited to be the matriarch of a great family or a royal household. Whether Mo Jingli, born into the imperial family, had been spoiled by the Empress Dowager and the Dowager Consort or whether Ye Ying truly possessed extraordinary abilities unknown to outsiders was anyone’s guess.

The crowd had barely waited the time it took for an incense stick to burn before Ye Li set down her brush. Princess Zhaoyang instructed her attendants to bring over Ye Li’s work. As the rice paper was lifted from the desk, the audience caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a peony painting. Qin Zheng and the other two exhaled in relief—even if it didn’t win a top ranking, completing a decent peony painting in such a short time meant Ye Li wouldn’t be humiliated.

The painting was first presented to the six judges on the reviewing panel. The eldest among them, Su Zhe, frowned as he examined it, then looked up at the green-robed young woman still standing quietly by the desk. After studying it a while longer, he passed it to the Vice Minister of Personnel, Mo Jian, who also frowned and occasionally glanced up at Ye Li before finally handing it to the next person.

The judges’ unusual reactions made the young ladies below the stage scrutinize Ye Li with curiosity, wondering what her work could possibly look like.

When Feng Zhiyao, the last to review it, handed the scroll to a maid to present to Princess Zhaoyang, the other judges had already reached a consensus. Su Zhe announced the results:

"Ye Li, daughter of the Minister of Revenue, ranks first in calligraphy, first in poetry, and fourth in painting."A Li! Upon hearing the result, Murong Ting cried out joyfully. The others also cast surprised glances at Ye Li. Ye Li gave a slight curtsy to those on the stage before turning to return to her seat. Murong Ting playfully slapped her shoulder and laughed, "You said you weren't good, but you were just hiding your talents!" Ye Li smiled wryly, "It was just a fluke." Hua Tianxiang chimed in with a smile, "No matter what, you should be happy. Congratulations, A Li." Qin Zheng pressed her lips together and nodded at her with a smile, which Ye Li returned.

Upon hearing Su Zhe's words, Qixia Princess's expression changed instantly. Forgetting decorum, she hurried to Princess Zhaoyang's side to look at Ye Li's painting. After a long while, she raised her head and gave Ye Li a complicated glance before remaining silent. The maidservant beside the princess brought the painting down for the assembled young ladies to examine. After all, since Ye Li's work had altered the predetermined competition rankings, it was necessary to convince everyone. The young lady who had originally won first place in poetry, coming from a scholarly family, was very reasonable. After viewing Ye Li's painting, she stood up and said with a smile, "Losing to the descendant of Mr. Qingyun is an honorable defeat." Her good upbringing and grace earned her even more admiration. Murong Ting eagerly unfolded the painting to share with her friends. Qin Zheng gasped in admiration, "What a beautiful poem!"

"When the last of the red fades, it begins to bloom,

Its noble name is called the King of a Hundred Flowers.

Competing to be the unparalleled beauty under heaven,

Standing alone as the first fragrance in the world."

Hua Tianxiang laughed, "The poem is excellent, and so is the calligraphy. A Li, who taught you this handwriting? I want to learn too."

Ye Li smiled faintly, "When I was young, I met a teacher surnamed Liu who gave me a copybook. After writing for so many years, it's finally somewhat presentable." In her past life, she had started learning the Liu style at six, and combined with this life, she had practiced for over twenty years. If it still wasn't decent, it would truly prove her lack of talent.

Qin Zheng, who was also passionate about calligraphy and painting, was envious. "How lucky! A Li, you must promise to give me a copy of the copybook later."

Ye Li nodded, "The original is gone, but would my own writing do?"

"Deal! I'll be waiting."

"I want one too..." Hua Tianxiang and Murong Ting quickly joined in. Ye Li agreed to give each of them a copy before the matter was settled.

"I concede as well!" With everyone else accepting the judges' decision, Qixia Princess had no choice but to grit her teeth and admit defeat, however unwillingly. Princess Zhaoyang, observing Qixia's reluctance, sighed softly and pulled her close, patting her comfortingly. Qixia, newly arrived in Chu and full of youthful pride, found it hard to accept defeat—a temperament whose merits were yet to be seen.

"In that case... this year's Hundred Flowers Festival champion is the Third Miss Ye of the Minister of Revenue's household." Since no one had any objections, Elder Su Zhe announced the final results on behalf of the judges.

Feng Zhiyao added with a spring-like smile, "Of course, if anyone remains unconvinced, they may continue to challenge Miss Ye. I believe Miss Ye would be happy to accept. Isn't that so?" Ye Li looked up just in time to see Feng Zhiyao wink at her. Though his manner was playful, she could sense no malice in it.The newly crowned Flower Queen of the year, Ye Li, slowly ascended the high platform under Qin Zheng's urging. She personally received this year's prizes from the Princess: the coveted Beauty Pearl, Purple Jade Hairpin, and Snow Sound Zither - treasures all beautiful women dreamed of possessing. Having won through what could almost be considered cheating methods, Ye Li felt neither guilt nor pride. When forced to choose between humiliation and clever tactics, she would naturally opt for what benefited her most.

"Third Miss Ye, I never imagined Lord Ye had such an outstanding daughter," the Princess said, gazing at the green-robed maiden before her with a wistful expression. "Your mother and I shared some friendship in years past. Should you find leisure time, you're welcome to visit the Princess Manor."

Ye Li responded with perfectly measured courtesy, "Many thanks, Your Highness. To receive your invitation is truly an honor."

"Good child, you may go now," the Princess sighed softly.

After bowing to the Princess and offering a slight curtsey to the judges, Ye Li departed with her prizes in hand.