jdhmnovel Chapter 468 How embarrassing!
Chapter 468 How embarrassing!
Princess Jin, unwilling to let the Lan Ye Poetry Gathering become a place for Liu Zhilan to show off, interrupted everyone's conversation.
She steered the conversation back to the poetry gathering.
The people weren't stupid; they understood what the Princess of Jin meant and stopped talking about Liu Zhilan.
Liu Zhilan didn't say anything more.
She is not a person without a sense of propriety; she understands the principle of knowing when to stop while she's ahead.
The purpose of this trip has been achieved; thanks to these women, the news that she is about to marry into the Yun family will soon spread throughout Shengjing.
Liu Zhilan smiled gently, picked up the teacup beside her, and took a small sip.
The tea has a rich aroma, a slightly bitter taste upon first sip, but leaves a lingering sweet aftertaste.
Just like the days that followed.
Yu Wan gave Princess Jin a lot of advice, so this year's Lan Ye Poetry Gathering was different from usual.
It's still about writing poetry, but there are many more interesting ways to do it.
The park was bustling with activity for a time.
Princess Jin announced with a smile, "Today we'll try something new: a 'poetry relay.' I'll start with a line, and then everyone else will take turns. Not only must the lines rhyme, but the meaning must also flow smoothly. Anyone who can't continue has to perform a talent show..."
Everyone was excited and eager to try.
Yu Wan watched from the side and felt that her treatment was now almost the same as that of the emperor.
No wonder everyone wants to be emperor. It's such a feast for the eyes to see all these beautiful and talented girls showcasing their skills.
Just as things were getting lively, a maidservant hurried over to Princess Jin's side and whispered a few words to her.
Princess Jin's expression changed slightly, her heart filled with doubt and unease.
Why is he here?
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Princess Jin looked up and saw Yun Shang, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, stride in from not far away, his posture upright and his demeanor extraordinary.
Princess Jin was stunned, not expecting him to arrive so quickly.
When everyone saw that Princess Jin was suddenly staring intently at the doorway, they looked over curiously and were stunned by what they saw.
Yun, Yun the Second Assistant?
The surroundings were quiet for a moment.
Yu Wan hadn't even swallowed the plum blossom cake she'd just eaten when she stared blankly at Yun Shang, who had suddenly appeared there.
How come he has time to come here?
After a moment of silence, someone exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Yun, what brings you here?"
As soon as he finished speaking, most people's eyes fell on Liu Zhilan.
Could the Second Grand Secretary have come for Liu Zhilan?
Looking at the man in the moon-white brocade robe not far away, Liu Zhilan felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
She had longed for this face day and night, and now she had finally seen it for the second time.
He was more captivating to her than she had imagined.
Liu Zhilan stared intently at Yun Shang.
Not far away, Yun Shang noticed Liu Zhilan's gaze and looked up at her.
His features were cold and aloof, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
When Liu Zhilan met his gaze, which was full of affection and expectation, Yun Shang merely glanced at her indifferently before looking away, as if she were nothing more than an inconspicuous corner of the entire garden.
Then, his gaze swept straight past everyone and landed precisely on Yu Wan, who was hiding in the corner.
When Yu Wan met his gaze, she quickly and discreetly waved to him.
Yun Shang's gaze paused, and he abruptly stopped himself from walking towards her.
Princess Jin, realizing what was happening, quickly got up and walked towards Yun Shang, asking with a smile, "Lord Yun, what brings you here? Is there something important?"
Yun Shang was going out of the city, which might take two or three days. He passed by Lan Ye Society on his way and remembered that Yu Wan was there today, so he decided to come in and take a look.
But judging from Yu Wan's expression just now, she clearly didn't want him to go over.
Yun Shang was a little unhappy, but he didn't want to upset Yu Wan.
Princess Jin felt a chill creep into her heart as the person in front of her grew colder after she had only asked one question.
Could it be that she said something wrong?
But she didn't say anything just now.
Princess Jin glanced discreetly in the direction of Liu Zhilan, then, after a moment's thought, asked, "Is the Vice Minister here to see Miss Liu?"
Yun Shang frowned upon hearing this. Seeing Yu Wan urging him to leave quickly, he became even more displeased and coldly said, "What Miss Liu? I don't know her."
After saying this, Yun Shang turned and left.
Everyone looked on in bewilderment, exchanging glances, their eyes involuntarily turning to Liu Zhilan.
Liu Zhilan's mind was entirely focused on Yun Shang, so she naturally didn't miss his cold "I don't know him."
The teacup she was holding almost slipped from her hand, and the scalding tea splashed onto her fingertips, but she was completely unaware.
The smile froze on his face.
She felt that the way people around her looked at her had changed.
Liu Zhilan bit her lower lip, her nails digging deep into her palm, trying to make her expression look normal.
Someone couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Miss Liu, wasn't it said that the Vice Minister intended to propose marriage to the Liu family? Why does the Vice Minister say he doesn't know you?"
"Yes, yes, wasn't it said that Lord Yun was interested in Miss Liu? How come I didn't see him even glance at her just now?"
Liu Zhilan's face was slightly pale, her hands tightly clasped together, and she forced a smile, "Lord Yun was so focused on official business that he didn't notice just now..."
Before Liu Zhilan could finish speaking, a soft sneer came from the crowd. Although the sound was not loud, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a stir among the crowd.
Liu Zhilan's face flushed red instantly, and she stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.
Seeing Liu Zhilan's predicament, Princess Jin felt a pang of pity. Unable to bear making her feel too embarrassed, she stepped forward and said softly, "Miss Liu is right. Lord Yun is busy with official duties. He must have come here for official business. He didn't seem to be listening to me when I spoke to him just now."
"Perhaps Lord Yun has simply taken the wrong path and stumbled in by mistake."
"Alright, alright, let's stop talking about Lord Yun. Everyone, let's focus on the poetry gathering. This poetry relay isn't over yet, and the champion of today's poetry gathering hasn't been chosen."
People gradually shifted their attention away from Liu Zhilan, but occasionally someone would still cast a probing glance at her.
The poetry gathering resumed, but Liu Zhilan seemed to have lost her soul, completely devoid of her previous enthusiasm.
When it was her turn to speak, she was slow to react several times, and when she finally managed to utter a sentence, it was incoherent and made everyone shake their heads.
According to the rules, she had to go on stage and perform her talent.
Liu Zhilan took a deep breath, forced herself to stand up, and played a tune on the guzheng.
But her anger and embarrassment completely distracted her; her fingering was chaotic, and the melody was utterly devoid of beauty. When the song ended, there was little applause from the audience, and she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
After finally making it to the end of the poetry gathering, Liu Zhilan left in a hurry without even finishing her farewell.
Watching her flee in disarray, Xizhu felt a surge of satisfaction and muttered to herself, "She was called out to show off, and now she's embarrassed herself!"
Yu Wan watched Liu Zhilan's departing figure, lost in thought.