Chapter 2330: National Ceremony

rvive hardships!" Guihua said repeatedly, then turned her head back to look at Yang Ruqing, and instructed her: "Fatty, listen to your aunt's advice, don't do foolish things for that heartless kid fro...There, Mrs. Lin was surrounded by people and came to the main seat, giving an opening speech.

Yang Ruqing's understanding is that everyone is welcome to attend this poetry meeting. All those who come here are talented and exceptional...

Then, among the crowd, all those former aloof, refined, noble, and cold ladies all changed their smiles.

They all crowded around Madam Lin, vying for her attention, showering her with flattery.

Of course, Han Ruyi was among them.

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Mrs. Lin raised her hand, and silence fell around her.

Then, with a smile, she announced in a loud voice: "This year's poetry meeting is now officially open. Next, please let Mrs. Li host for everyone."

After Mrs. Lin had finished speaking, she got up from her seat and moved to the side.

A rather plump middle-aged lady of good bearing took the place where Mrs. Lin had been standing earlier and began to announce the rules for the poetry competition to the young ladies who had come to attend.

Here, Muzi Chuan lowered his voice to Yang Ruohui and said, "This Madam Li is the wife of the Minister. It is said that when she was a young unmarried woman, just like Madam Lin, she was a talented woman."

Yang Ruqing nodded.

These noble ladies' lives and upbringing are quite different from those of peasant girls.

However, people living in different circles have different pleasures.

The daughters of wealthy families run through the fields, going up the mountain in spring to pick mushrooms and wildflowers. They watch their chicks grow day by day and experience the joy of finding the first egg from the nest. These aristocratic young ladies could never understand such pleasures.

So, in a nutshell, all beings are equal, and happiness is equal.

“Let’s begin.” Mu Zichuan said again.

Yang Ruoqing's thoughts were pulled back, her gaze turned to that side, just in time to hear Mrs. Li's last few words.

“Today is the 15th day of the second lunar month, the Lantern Festival has passed a month, and in a few days will be the vernal equinox.”

As is well known, Chun Feng Nai is one of the twenty-four solar terms. It falls in mid-February, when day and night are equal in length and the weather is mild, with neither heat nor cold being dominant.

The Spring Equinox is dedicated to the sun, while the Autumnal Equinox is dedicated to the moon. These are the grand ceremonies of the nation.

“In farming, one year's plan hinges on spring. It is also an excellent time for plowing and sowing.”

"Well then, for this first poetry competition today, our theme is "Ode to Spring." Ladies participating in the poetry meeting, please have a cup of tea to gather your thoughts. When you've had an idea, raise your hand and let me know. Let's begin!"

...All the young ladies began to ponder deeply...

Soon, someone began to compose poetry. Only to hear Li's wife say: "Good, the speed of Miss Han from Taishifu is really fast. Come, please recite her new work for us, Miss Han."

Here, Yang Ruoheng also raised her head to look in that direction. She saw Han Ruyi getting up gracefully.

She first crossed her hands at her waist and gave a slight curtsy to the other young ladies present.

"May I have the honor to present myself"

She replied with a humble look, then cleared her throat and began to recite her poem:

>

Spring enters the riverside grass, flowers bloom on the pavilion over the water.

The peach blossoms do not understand the intoxication, the spring breeze a cup of wine.

The setting sun is beyond the mountains, and there's no sign of spring's return.

When Han Ruyi finished reading, Lady Li's face broke into a look of undisguised approval.

"Miss Han's poem is truly good. What do you think, Madam Lin" Li asked, turning to address Mrs. Lin who had already taken her seat.

Lin's face was thoughtful, as if she were savoring Han Ruyi's poetry.

Upon hearing this, her gaze fell on Han Ruyi, and her eyes were full of approval.

"What a good line, 'Peach blossoms know not intoxication,' it's as if I saw the prosperity of springtime during a spring outing. Right now, I already feel a few points of yearning..."

Mrs. Lin said.

Han Ruyi was very happy to hear this praise, and she happily sat back down.

>

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Then, more and more young ladies recited their poems one after another for everyone to hear.

Yang Ruqing and Mu Zichuan were also listening.

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At first, she pricked up her ears and listened with relish. But after hearing it too much, she got tired of it.

Why is that

These ladies' poems, read over and over again, are either feigned melancholy or feigned profundity.

Flowers, wine, spring arrived, joy. Spring departed, sorrow...

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Get outta here!

Looking at Mu Zichuan again, Yang Ruoqing also saw some impatience on his face.

Apparently, these young ladies' poems were not to his taste.

After this round of poems was finished, Madam Li and Madam Lin began to evaluate each young lady's poem.

Finally, Mrs. Lin announced that the winner of the first round was: "Miss Han Ruyi from the Taishi Mansion."

Mrs. Lin clapped her hands first, followed by Mrs. Li.

The other ladies present, out of courtesy, couldn't help but smile and clap in praise.

And those young masters present, their fiery gazes were fixed upon Han Ruyi.

Han Ruyi rose again, smiling and accepting the various gazes from the crowd. A faint blush appeared on her face.

“Thank you, sisters, for your kindness.” Han Ruoyi said.

Mrs. Lin raised her hand and said, "The poems you have written are truly exceptional. I am a person who speaks my mind honestly. I will not show any favoritism to the young ladies present today because of their family background. If I did, it would undermine the purity of the poetry gathering and render it meaningless."

"Mrs. Lin speaks truly!" Han Ruyi was the first to agree.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized that I had just won first place. I'd been too quick to please and the flattery was too obvious.

She blushed and closed her mouth.

Mrs. Lin continued, "Since Songchun has come to a successful conclusion, we shall begin the next round..."

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"Mrs. Lin, please wait a moment."

Han Ruyi spoke again.

Mrs. Lin looked at Han Ruyi with a hint of surprise. It wasn't a pleasant feeling to have her words cut off like that.

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Han Ruyi was a little anxious and didn't notice the slight displeasure that flashed in Mrs. Lin's eyes. She continued, "Mrs. Lin, after that round just now, I felt a bit uneasy about being first place."

"What do you mean" asked Madam Lin.

Han Ruyi then turned her gaze to Yang Ruqing, who was beside Mu Zichuan and had begun eating pastries to pass the time.

Yang Ruqing was just taking another bite of the remaining piece of sweet osmanthus cake, when she suddenly felt like something was on her body.

This is the gaze from all directions.

She couldn't help but raise her head, and she realized that she, who was sitting farthest away, had suddenly become the focus of everyone's attention.

She glanced at Mu Zichuan, who was also beside her with a look of astonishment, and smiled and asked, "What's the situation Why are you all looking at me Did I eat so well"

The jest made Mu Ziquan unable to help but chuckle.

Also, the other ladies present couldn't help but wrinkle their noses in disgust at this.

All eyes that looked at Yang Ruqing were filled with disdain.

To speak so vulgarly, like a starving ghost, how could such a woman be worthy of sitting beside Master Mu

>ngxian didn't decline either, nodded his head, and sat there continuing to talk with Luo Fengtang.While Yang Ruqing sat with Ju'er, whispering to each other.Xiao Juan was tired and disheartened after...