Chapter 53 V2 : Competition (1/2)

Not too long later, Old Mistress Zhuang invited everyone to the center of the garden to have a tour as they enjoy the flowers. At the beginning of May, the flowers in the garden flourished, displaying a grand scene. From near or far, the view was splendid, and the fragrance carried by the breeze was absolutely enchanting. With the buzzing bees and beautiful butterflies, the garden was full of life. The Zhuang family had many different flowers, each gorgeous and vibrant in color. Walking leisurely around and admiring the flowerings pleasantly, the atmosphere was great as everyone spoke with laughter and joy.

When the tour came to an end, Old Mistress Zhuang smiled to invite everyone back to their seat.

Earlier on, a few servants were already preparing the seats under a pagoda tree. Arranged neatly on the high table, the desserts, fruits, and tea were all of an exquisite quality. At a side, the different flowers were displayed at different heights in the blue and white porcelain vase for them to be admired.

Resting on the seats while enjoying the tea and gossiping among one another was the most pleasant thing that could be done.

Of course, having each family’s Young Missy duel against each other in poetry was not a bad idea too.

To start off, Old Mistress Zhuang brought Tang Yuzhen to her side. The crowd praised as she was introduced for they knew that Old Mistress Zhuang fancied her and would like to have her married as her daughter-in-law. Now, their heads turned to look at the Shi family’s daughter-in-law this time around. Once the crowd was back to their seats, they glanced at each other with a smile.

Sure enough, after a few words, Old Mistress Zhuang laughed, “A reputable flower without a good poetry to accompany it doesn’t do it any justice. Forget us old ladies, the missies here should be educated enough in poetry. So why not use that knowledge to put colors into these flowers? Missies, you must not refuse oh! And sisters, what do you think?”

The crowd praised the suggestion. Whose family, as a mother, wouldn’t want their daughters or daughter-in-laws to try to overwhelm the others and claim that they had done the best in raising them. Losing before a fight was not an option!

Old Mistress Zhuang laughed again, “I have yet with me another proposal. There are many reputable flowers in the garden, exhausting the missies too much isn’t fun at all. So why don’t, of the ten flowers or so, each missy writes a poetry or two about their chosen flower? Of course, Sang Wan is but a talented woman from a literary family, so doing each flower is a must! Sang Wan, what do you think?”

With that, she smiled and added, “It’s not that I wish to deliberately make it difficult for you, but I just want to take this opportunity to showcase your knowledge in front of everyone else, and also know the difference between a daughter from a literary family and our own!”

Wang Shi listened and remained quiet as she turned her head to look at Sang Wan.

Sang Wan, however, was calm. Just making poetry was nothing difficult for her. Besides, even though the ladies present were not entirely illiterate, they had limited knowledge. So long as she could come up with them, it was enough. It did not matter whether they were good or bad.

Moreover, since Old Mistress Zhuang had already suggested it, she could not refuse or Wang Shi would become unhappy.

Sang Wan smiled slightly at Wang Shi, indicating to her not to worry.

Wang Shi straightened herself and laughed, “Since Old Mistress Zhuang has already suggested so, then it shall be accepted! But if Sang Wan doesn’t do well, you all mustn’t laugh!” smiling, she added, “Having only Sang Wan doing so many is hardly justifiable. Why don’t we invite Miss Tang to do so too, what do you think?”

Tang Yuzhen gently got up and bowed to the crowd before smiling subtly, “If so, then Yuzhen shall gladly accept the challenge!” Smoothly, she gave a quick response.

“Good, good! Miss Tang truly is quick to respond!” Mistress Zhuang eagerly praised as she grinned and clap.

Seeing that a lively battle was about to occur, the crowd were curious as to who would lose and who would win at the very end. As such, they all praised the contest.

And so, Old Mistress Zhuang whispered to a maidservant and the maidservant went as ordered. Immediately, there were servants who came and distributed paper, brushes, and ink. Another servant held onto a blue patterned white vase, in it were twelve different flowers.

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Old Mistress Zhuang then ordered for someone to carry a tray up to her. On the tray was a square box half the size of the tray. Opening it up, Old Mistress Zhuang took out the content and showed it to everyone that was present. With a smile, she explained, “This is a perfume obtained from the West, something more expensive than even gold itself. Today, the prize shall be this! Whoever does well today shall walk away with this bottle of perfume!”

The bottle was only three inches long, and made entirely in the West. The gold screw cap with more strips of gold on the top, and a cherry red coral stone which was fixed onto the cap. Under the brilliant sun, the bottle was extremely beautiful.

The crowd were all amazed and praised Old Mistress Zhuang for being generous!

Even with money, purchasing a Western perfume was a difficult feat. And even more so for such a beautifully made glass bottle. The cherry red coral stone on the cap, on its own, was already worth more than a thousand silver.

“This is nothing!” Old Mistress Zhuang laughed. “This exquisite item is a much better fit for our young missies. For us old ladies, this is utterlya useless item!”

The crowd laughed and commented that such words can only be spoken by families with large business like the Zhuang family.

Wang Shi’s heart slightly stiffened. For Old Mistress Zhuang to be willing to take out such a rare Western perfume as the prize, she must be determined to win. Hopefully, Sang Wan would be a good opponent!