Anyone would feel uncomfortable being stared at so rudely for so long, and Jiang Yuqing was no exception.
She looked at Jing Rushi with a half-smile and said, "I am! May I ask this lady's honorable surname?"
Jing Rushi was extremely arrogant as she said, "My surname is Jing, Jing Rushi. My grandfather is Prince Canghe." Oh, I see. This must be the person that Granny and Second Jade specifically circled in the registry yesterday.
That county lord who only had a fancy title but not even a fiefdom, what an arrogant young lady.
This county lord without even a title, who liked to put on the airs of royalty, and was always fond of being in the limelight.
She could always be found at all kinds of gatherings and poetry meetings in the capital. Relying on some shallow learning, she showed off everywhere, and was quite an oddball.
And now this oddball had come looking for her. This was really not a good thing!
She started to carefully recall in her mind, rummaging through her memories, but could not find any connection she had with this person.
"Oh, I know now. The county lord must be Jing Rushi!" Dumpling nodded her head, and suddenly looked at her curiously, "We are both county lords, so sister should call me by my title Linghui."
"Sister, what's your title?" Dumpling had just finished speaking when the room broke out in muffled laughter.
Since the founding of Da Xia, the imperial family had few offspring.
The previous generations of emperors had all been only children. It was not until the current Emperor Jing that there were finally two princes, one of whom was disabled.
There were even rumors among the common people that it was karmic retribution for the ancestors of the imperial family killing too many people, which affected their descendants.
Some also said that the imperial family was cursed, but in any case, it was a fact that the imperial lineage was declining.
With no uncles or brothers for three generations of emperors, there were naturally no princes or princesses.
The only prince was from an old clan uncle who was about to come of age.
Although his family was flourishing, unfortunately none of them amounted to much.
Seeing that his family was not living well, the Emperor took care of them out of kinship. He wanted to give them an idle position to support themselves.
But when he looked around, he did not see anyone suitable. Finally, having no choice, he gave Jing Rushi, the eldest granddaughter of the main branch, the title of county lord. She was known as County Lord Jing.
Everyone knew that this County Lord Jing did not even have a fiefdom, let alone land or property.
Therefore, although she held the title of county lord from the imperial clan, her status compared to the real county lord Jiang Yuqing was vastly different.
It was precisely because of this that County Lord Jing greatly resented the newly appeared country bumpkin Jiang Yuqing.
She felt that Jiang Yuqing was just a country bumpkin, so how could she gain so much imperial favor and become more prominent than a woman of the imperial clan like herself.
Two days ago, when Jing Rushi heard that Jiang Yuqing was quite favored in the palace, she also wanted to enter the palace.
Who would have thought that the token she submitted was rejected by the Jiaofang Palace. She naturally blamed this on Jiang Yuqing as well.
So today she came specifically to make trouble for Jiang Yuqing, but unexpectedly Jiang Yuqing turned the tables on her.
Jing Rushi's face immediately turned gloomy as she angrily said, "Humph! So what if you have a title? What's so impressive about that!"
Dumpling smiled and said, "Indeed it's not impressive, just that my rank is higher than yours, my salary is higher than yours, and I also have land and property, that's all."
She paused, her gaze fixed steadily on Jing Rushi's livid face, enunciating each word clearly: "According to protocol, shouldn't Sister Jing give me the proper obeisance first?"
"You!" Not only Jing Rushi, but all the noble ladies present were stunned.
They had been so focused on watching the show that they forgot this little girl, despite her age, was still a genuine second-rank county lord. Among the ladies present, none of them outranked her in status.
Not to mention them, even many of their fathers would have to pay obeisance to this little county lord.
Once they realized this, the ladies' faces flushed red as they got up to salute Jiang Yuqing, "Your humble servants pay our respects to County Lord Linghui."
Jing Rushi's face, which was not very pretty to begin with, had turned pitch black.
Seeing everyone standing up to salute, she also could not overtly defy etiquette. Gritting her teeth, she hastily bowed briefly before moving to sit in an empty seat farther inside without saying another word.
Jiang Yuqing sneered coldly in her heart.
You don't have what it takes to lord over this county lord!
The corner of Jiang Yuqing's mouth quirked up slightly again as she picked up her teacup, the picture of breezy tranquility.
Inside the Spirit Realm, Bai Xiaoshi said with a pained look, "Aiya, what's wrong with these young ladies nowadays, actually taking the initiative to provoke a black-hearted villain like you.
Tsk tsk, that was a double kill just now. I wonder if there'll be a triple kill."
"Bai Xiaoshi, mind your words! What do you mean black-hearted! If you describe this noble lord like that, she'll hold a little grudge against you!"
"Go ahead and hold it. You're already a black-hearted little loli, yet you still don't let people say it."
The broad-minded noble lord decided not to quibble with the loud-mouthed artifact spirit.
The happenings here were quickly reported without missing a single detail to Princess Ronghua.
Princess Ronghua laughed and said, "She really is interesting. It's just a pity she's a little young..." As for her unfinished implication, those present understood.
Princess Ronghua put down her teacup and said, "Almost everyone has arrived, let's go as well! In springtime, we should be appreciating flowers and gazing at these girls even more beautiful than the blossoms."
"There!"
As Princess Ronghua arrived, the ladies in the room unanimously stood up to salute. The Princess casually waved for everyone to rise.
She lowered her head to find the smallest girl in the crowd and beckoned to Jiang Yuqing, smiling, "Little one, come over!"
Jiang Yuqing revealed a sweet smile and happily walked over, saluting, "Greetings, Princess!"
Princess Ronghua bent down to carefully look over Jiang Yuqing. She saw this child had delicate features and was made up like a beautiful jade carving. Especially the red lotus between her brows. It was a vibrant red color, yet it oddly exuded a touch of sanctity.
It was like Guanyin sitting on her lotus seat, making people involuntarily want to - worship her. She could not help sighing in admiration, "She really is an outstanding and remarkable child! The title Linghui suits you very well!"
"Mm hmm!" Dumpling nodded vigorously, with an expression as if she completely agreed.
Princess Ronghua had no daughters or granddaughters. At this moment, she only felt this little girl was extremely cute.
After all, a child is a child. Even if her words were a bit sharp, she was still a child.
Her previous sharpness was most likely just for self protection.
"Good child, my garden's peonies happen to be in full bloom. Would you be willing to join me to appreciate them?"
"I'd love to, I like flowers."
"That's good then!" Princess Ronghua finally could not resist and stroked Jiang Yuqing's little head, personally leading her by the hand towards the peony garden.
The noble ladies following behind hurried to catch up.
Princess Ronghua really loved peonies. This peony garden covered at least ten acres. It collected famous varieties from all over.
There was the fragrant and magnificent "Flower King" Yao Yellow; the repeatedly layered purple-red petals of the "Wei Zi" Flower Queen; the peach-blossom like Zhao Pink "Child's Face" clustered in blooms. And others like Bean Green, Er Qiao, Imperial Concubine Yellow, everything you could want.
It was truly a myriad of poses and limitless vibrant colors, floral fragrances drifting as spring filled this land.
For a time, everyone was enraptured by the scenic beauty before their eyes, full of praise.
Jing Rushi suddenly said, "With such a beautiful sight, if we don't compose a poem, wouldn't that be letting this wonderful scene go to waste? Why don't we take peonies as our theme, with everyone composing one poem each? How about that?"
As she spoke, she provocatively glared at Jiang Yuqing.
Her proposal immediately gained the approval of most of the ladies.
When they came today, their elders at home had more or less subtly hinted at something to them. None of them were stupid, naturally understanding one of the purposes of today's outing.
This was a good opportunity to display their literary talents. If they could catch Princess Ronghua's eye, then marrying into the Princess's household would of course be best. Even if that did not happen, they could still leave the Princess with a good impression.
As long as news of their talent spread, they would not lack decent marriage prospects.
Seeing everyone in high spirits, Princess Ronghua readily nodded in agreement.
She immediately had someone bring writing brushes and ink to the pavilion by the peony garden.
The ladies hurried over to the pavilion, psyched up and raring to go display their talents in hopes of gaining fame and success.
Jiang Yuqing was not interested in such things. She simply asked to be excused from Princess Ronghua and Mrs. Yu, then continued strolling along the garden path to appreciate flowers with Second Jade and Nanny Yan.
The small figure turned around several flower bushes and quickly disappeared into the sea of flowers.
Princess Jiang Yuqing walked in the sea of flowers for about half a shichen (2 hours) and was really thirsty, so she finally returned to the flower viewing pavilion. She took the tea from the table and drank it in big gulps. After drinking it all, she began to peel the loquats on the table and ate them with great satisfaction.
She glanced around and saw that Prince Ronghua and Mrs. Yu were not there. She figured they must have left for something urgent.
By now the young ladies had also nearly finished writing their poems. They were appreciating and reading each other’s works, thinking of asking Princess Ronghua to judge for them later.
However, Jing Rushi did not intend to let Jiang Yuqing off easily. Seeing her so carefree, her eyes turned around as she came up with a scheme and said loudly, "Sister Linghui, we have all finished writing our poems, just missing yours!"
In an instant, everyone in the flower viewing pavilion looked towards Jing Rushi.
They thought to themselves that she really lacked common sense to be so blatantly targeting a 3-year-old like this. Even if she won, what could she achieve other than the disgrace of bullying a child?
One of the young ladies could no longer stand to listen and frowned, "Ms. Jing, stop it! Princess Linghui is only 3 years old. When I was 3, I did not even know any words!"
Jing Rushi glanced contemptuously at the girl and said arrogantly, "You people from the military governor’s residence can’t even read the Three Character Classic by the age of 10, let alone know words at 3!"
This was her way of insulting the military governor’s residence for being unsophisticated people without literary skills.
The girl was so angry she was speechless. Somewhat angrily, she retorted, "Of course we can’t compare with Ms. Jing’s refined upbringing, even bullying a 3-year-old child without shame. Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughing stock?"
Jing Rushi was furious with embarrassment from the girl's straight words that she was bullying a child. She immediately bit back, "What’s it to you how I choose to bully people? If you're so capable, why don't you help her write instead? It looks like other than her, you haven't finished either!"
"You..." The girl was indeed lacking in literary skills. She was poked in her sore spot, and her face instantly flushed red, partly from anger and partly from shame.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuqing went forward and pulled the young lady behind her. The corners of her slightly upturned lips stared straight at Jing Rushi with an inexplicable smile.
"Isn’t it just being able to write a few sour poems that you’re so smug about? If you want me to compose a poem, that can be arranged too. At least it needs to be somewhat interesting!"
"What do you mean by interesting?" Jing Rushi naturally did not want to miss the opportunity to humiliate Jiang Yuqing, and she immediately took the bait.
Jiang Yuqing looked at the expensive jewelry worth a fortune on her and slowly said, "How about all the jewelry we’re wearing?
At that time, we’ll invite Princess Ronghua and all the older sisters present to be the judges.
If your poem is better than mine, I’ll give you all the jewelry I’m wearing, plus 1,000 taels of silver.
If your poem is not as good, same for you, all the jewelry you’re wearing will be mine. Do you dare?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Jing Rushi did not believe that she could write poetry at all. She only thought that she was pretending. She was determined to make her look bad.
Since the situation had already reached this point, it would be impolite for the rest of them to try to dissuade any further. So they had someone go invite Princess Ronghua.
When Princess Ronghua heard about this ridiculous event, she frowned deeply. "How can the Canghe Prince Residence act so uncultured? A grown woman bullying a 3-year-old child, how is she not ashamed?"
Princess Ronghua’s close servant said, "The Canghe Prince Residence has declined in prestige over generations and they barely have a reputation left.
There are many people in the family, and the men have no abilities. They rely on the prince, the stipend, and the output from their fiefs to stay alive. They are no better off than a wealthy landlord.
Among the descendants, only her daughter still has the nominal title of a princess, which gives her some salary per month. Naturally, they have to pamper and indulge her, so after some time she has become this arrogant."
Everyone sighed when hearing this.
Mrs. Yu worriedly said, "To think this little princess also has a temper. But she’s still too young, I’m afraid she will fall short against Jing Rushi."
Princess Ronghua shook her head and said, "Not necessarily. We never judge heroes by their age."
Anyone capable of getting the emperor, empress, crown prince, and chief eunuch of the palace to be her backers could not be a simple person. Not to mention, she also has the Qing Prefecture Marquis Mansion and the entire Bianque Valley behind her.
Who knows if she played a part in the Mu'en Marquis Residence incident back then, even if it was their own fault.
Some people are just born clever and cunning like a demon.
As the mother and daughter spoke, they soon arrived at the peony garden flower viewing pavilion.
The girls all bowed in greeting.
Princess Ronghua had a smile all over her face. "I heard that you made a bet among yourselves? Why don't We add to your interest?"
As she spoke, servants brought over a jadeite headpiece, obviously of extraordinary worth just by its luster alone.
"Thank you Princess!" the two girls said in unison.
Princess Ronghua waved her hand. "Since that is the case, with one incense stick as your limit, you may begin!"
As soon as Princess Ronghua finished speaking, Jing Rushi ordered her maidservant to spread paper and pen. Shaking her brush, she started writing quickly. After a while, she finished a poem, and wrote a second one in succession. It was probably premeditated.
When she nearly finished her second poem, Jiang Yuqing was still leisuringly eating fruit.
Feeling a bit hungry, she helped herself to the good loquats, which were large and sweet.
She did not know which place this early ripening variant was from. Taking advantage while no one was looking, she threw a few seeds into her spirit space and asked Bai Xiaoshi to plant them for her.
Before long, there would be more loquats than she could eat.
The girls immediately started whispering among themselves, "Could Princess Linghui not know how to write?"
Another said, "She’s so little. Even if she can’t write, that’s not embarrassing. At most it would be a small financial loss. My scholar father also only barely recognized a few simple words when he was three."
"You’re right!"
Jing Rushi naturally did not care for such talk, thinking she already had victory in hand. The higher her mouth tilted up, the more complacent she felt. Upon finishing, she put down her brush, blew the ink dry, and turned to Princess Ronghua with satisfaction and said, “Your Highness, I have finished writing.”
Raising her head arrogantly, she was as proud as a hen who had just laid eggs, waiting for her owner's praise, lacking only a few chirping sounds.
Princess Ronghua was in no hurry to look at her poem. She gently turned to Jiang Yuqing and said, “Linghui, have you thought it over?”
Jiang Yuqing nodded, mouth stuffed full like a little animal stealing food, extremely cute.
Hearing the Princess’s words, she quickly swallowed the last bit of fruit in her mouth, used a handkerchief to wipe her lips, and said, “Princess, my hands are too small and can’t yet hold a brush. Could I get someone else to write for me while I recite?”
The special tiny writing brushes custom-made for her by her father were still in his study in the Qingbo Pavilion.
“Of course!”
The young lady from the military governor’s residence who had spoken up for Jiang Yuqing earlier voluntarily stepped forward to help her write.
Jiang Yuqing gratefully thanked her. She felt this older sister was very nice with proper moral values.
They quickly spread paper and pen. Jiang Yuqing then shamelessly recited several famous poems she memorized in the past about peonies from books.
“Number one, ‘Appreciating Peonies,’ Wisteria blooms in our courtyard, when the flowers open it stirs up Beijing City...”
“Number two, ‘Peonies,’ What person does not love... breaking through the morning glow...”
After chanting, Jiang Yuqing scratched her head and asked with her head tilted, “Is this enough? If not, I’ll think of a few more.”
Suddenly, silence filled the pavilion.
After a long while, Princess Ronghua started clapping and could not help loudly exclaiming, “Wonderful! That was truly a wonderful poem. In all Our years, this is the first time We have witnessed what spectacular and dazzling talent is! Linghui, you fully deserve this.”
Bun nervously laughed dryly a few times and said humbly, “Just lucky! This wasn’t written by me either, I read it from a book. I don’t know how to write poetry yet.”
Princess Ronghua said, “Even if you didn’t write it yourself, being able to memorize so much at your age can be considered a rare accomplishment.”
Princess Ronghua’s words had settled this matter.
At this time, Jing Rushi’s face was pale as a ghost. Even if she did not want to admit it, she knew she had lost. Thoroughly lost. Yet someone ruthlessly added, “What about Ms. Jing’s poem? May we also take a look?”
A swift hand took her poem and read it aloud at once.
Originally her talent was mediocre to start with, so her poem was nothing special. Compared to Jiang Yuqing's wonderful recitation, it now looked like trash.
The scene immediately erupted into laughter. It was basically pushing Jing Rushi onto the high platform to be publicly humiliation by discrediting her arrogance.
Her face was like a chameleon, blue, white and red, trembling voice: "Don't bully people too much."
The young lady from the general's mansion who was writing for Jiang Yuqing said: "Who bullied people first in the end, everyone watched from beginning to end. Do you want us to help the county chief recall."
There is a saying, when the wall falls, everyone pushes.
Some young ladies from rich families also echoed: "I see, it's just a bad loser.
Obviously you picked the fight first, now that you lost, you say people bullied too much. County chief, this is only allowing the prefectural official to set fires, not allowing the commoners to light lamps!"
"That's right! That's right!" Among these noblewomen, there were also quite a few who were dissatisfied with Jing Rushi. Always putting on the stinky shelf of imperial clan's offspring, who cares.
The father of the county chief of Linghui is a proper top scholar official Jiang Houye, with unmatched knowledge.
While the Prince Residence of Canghe are just a group who only know eating, drinking and having fun. She still has the nerve to look down on others.
Now, swinging the big knife in front of Guan Gong, losing face thoroughly.
To tell the truth, their fathers and brothers are also doing quite well in the court. They had been yielding to her before, not that they didn't dare offend her, just unwilling to provoke such an idiot to add troubles.
This time, seeing someone could discipline her, they naturally attacked her one after another.
Jing Rushi finally couldn't help crying out "wa". She left with her maids. But Jiang Yuqing stopped her: "Wait, didn't County Chief Jing forget our bet!"
"You!" Jing Rushi looked hesitantly at the jewelry on her body. These were already the best and most valuable she had.
If given to the bitch, she probably wouldn't be able to afford it afterwards.
But if not given, she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to raise her head in the capital afterwards. She was caught in a dilemma for a while.
Seeing her looked difficult, Jiang Yuqing sneered coldly: "Is County Chief Jing unwilling to give it?
It is said that County Chief Jing is open-minded. Now it seems that your breadth of mind is like mine, a 3-year-old child.
Forget it, I don't lack these things anyway!" She shook her head very disappointedly.
Jing Rushi was provoked by her words. She wiped her tears fiercely and said, "Who said I won't give it!"
After saying that, she tore off all the jewelry on her head and body angrily as if venting her anger, and threw it hard on the ground after tearing it off! "Here you go! Let's go!"
Jiang Yuqing looked coldly at the scattered gem debris on the ground. The broken jade splashed all over the floor.
She said loudly to Er Yu: "Pick up the jade beads and jade clappers, have someone repair them and sell them. Donate all the money earned to the Mercy Hall in the west of the city."
Jing Rushi, who had just walked away, was stunned at first when she heard this, then she covered her face and ran away crying.
For a while, everyone looked at each other.
In Princess Ronghua's eyes, this little quarrel was not even a drizzle.
She asked someone to bring the peony flower over and appreciated it greatly, "Your performance today really opened this princess's eyes. Tell this princess, what did you grow up eating to be so smart?"
Jiang Yuqing smiled awkwardly. Of course she couldn't say it was because she had lived two lifetimes. She told a half-truth: "I just grew up eating meals. Maybe it's because I have smart parents?
My mother said that when I was still in her belly, my father would often talk to me through my mother's belly, and teach me to read.
After I was born, whenever my father was home, he would hold me while reading. Maybe that's how I became smart?"
As soon as she said this, the noble ladies in the waterside pavilion were in an uproar. Even Princess Ronghua and Mrs. Yu looked a little envious.
Which woman doesn't want a gentle and considerate husband who cares for the family? Lady Jiang is really lucky!
These noble ladies even developed some admiration, hoping to meet such a talented, gentle and considerate husband in the future.
Princess Ronghua was lost in thought, then she stroked Jiang Yuqing's little head, and said complicatedly: "Good child, you are a lucky one."
On the excuse of tiredness, she left Tianhua Pavilion with her palace maids. After she left, Mrs. Yu also left to prepare for the luncheon.
