jdhmnovel Chapter 466 Orchid Night Poetry Gathering
Chapter 466 Orchid Night Poetry Gathering
Yu Wan frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
She never expected that Li Qiumei was still harboring such thoughts.
I thought that Shen's attitude was clear enough at the time, and that the matter was over. I never expected that the mother and daughter would still have such wicked intentions.
"Li Qiumei is really audacious," Xizhu said, her face flushed with anger. "The old lady clearly had no intention of arranging for the master to take a concubine, so how dare they act in the master's name!"
Xizhu grew angrier the more she thought about it. "Master, this matter cannot be left like this!"
If this mother and daughter use the young master's name to act arrogantly and do immoral things, it will damage the Yun family's reputation and face.
Especially now that Yun Shang holds a high position, it would be another troublesome matter if others were to find fault with him.
Back at the manor, Yu Wan mentioned the Liu family's matter to Yun Shang that evening. Yun Shang didn't even raise an eyebrow after hearing it, and said indifferently, "I'll have someone resolve this tomorrow."
This is a trivial matter and not worth taking to heart.
Yu Wan knew that this was just a matter of a word for Yun Shang, but her eyes flickered slightly, and she leaned against him with bright, interested eyes.
“There’s a poetry gathering for the Lantern Festival in a couple of days. The third daughter of the Liu family has also received an invitation. I happen to have nothing to do, so I can go and take a look.”
Yun Shang looked down at Yu Wan and gently stroked her face with his fingertips. "Don't overthink it. If you're bored, you can join in the fun, but don't let yourself get wronged."
Yu Wan smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry, no one can bully me now."
"After all, I am the wife of the Vice Minister."
Suddenly remembering something, Yu Wan became serious and looked at Yun Shang with a solemn expression. "It seems that it's common for aristocratic families in Shengjing to have multiple wives and concubines. Yun Shang, do you want to take a concubine?"
Yun Shang was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected Yu Wan to suddenly ask such a question.
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind Yu Wan's ear, then looked down into her eyes. "Would you help me take a concubine?"
Yu Wan shook her head expressionlessly, "No."
She's not really bored and looking for trouble.
A hint of a smile appeared in Yun Shang's eyes. "Then I won't either."
Yu Wan tilted her head, as if trying to discern the truth from his expression.
A moment later, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a light smile: "I don't believe it. Which young master in Shengjing doesn't have three wives and four concubines? When you meet an even more alluring woman in the future, won't you be tempted?"
Yun Shang's eyes darkened slightly as he hugged Yu Wan tighter, gently resting his chin on the top of her head: "Others are others, and I am me."
Yu Wan was held tightly by him and did not say anything to refute or question him.
She didn't believe in men's promises; if men's oaths were effective, all men in the world would have died long ago.
The future is too long, and Yun Shang will reach even higher positions in the future. She is not sure if he will always remain faithful.
She only assured herself that if she ever truly drifted apart from Yun Shang, she would have the confidence to leave him without hesitation.
The Lan Night Lantern Festival Poetry Gathering was held two days later, and soon the day arrived.
This poetry gathering was organized by the Lanye Society in Shengjing City, and the invited guests were all talented women from Shengjing City.
Previously, the Empress would take the lead, but now that no Empress has been appointed, the Empress Dowager will temporarily take charge. This time, the Empress Dowager has asked the Princess Consort of Jin to be in charge of this poetry gathering.
The Lan Ye Society has a separate courtyard in Shengjing City where poetry gatherings are held. In winter, when the winter plum blossoms are in full bloom, Princess Jin has people set up seats under the plum trees so that the women attending the poetry gathering can appreciate the plum blossoms and compose poems at the same time.
Yu Wan planned to go and take a look because the Princess of Jin wanted to invite her to host this poetry gathering together.
It was such a coincidence that on the day she returned from Chunshui Pavilion, Madam Shen told her that the Princess Consort of Jin had left her a letter.
Princess Jin hopes that Yu Wan can help her organize this poetry gathering.
Yu Wan agreed, but made one request.
She doesn't show her face publicly.
She would help with anything the Princess Consort of Jin needed.
She sent a message to the Prince of Jin's residence and soon received a reply from the Princess of Jin.
Yu Wan didn't know why the Princess Consort of Jin would ask her for help, but considering that the Princess Consort of Jin had brought her a batch of goods for free, she couldn't bear to refuse her request.
On the day of the poetry gathering, Yu Wan dressed very casually and blended in with the group of women attending the gathering without attracting any attention.
Xizhu was a little puzzled and asked in a low voice, "Master, why are we being so secretive?"
Yu Wan was very excited, "Silly Xizhu, we're here to watch a show today. If Miss Liu sees me here today, do you think she'll still dare to mention Yunshang?"
Xizhu thought for a moment and shook her head, "Even if the son-in-law really wants to take Miss Liu as a concubine, in front of you, the mistress, a concubine wouldn't dare to be arrogant."
Unless she's an absolute idiot.
Yu Wan gave Xi Zhu an approving look, then looked around and said, "That's why you have to be in the crowd to see the real show."
Yu Wan was talking quietly with Xi Zhu when Princess Jin walked over not far away, surrounded by people.
Princess Jin appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features and a graceful, gentle demeanor befitting a woman from Jiangnan. She wore a long, royal blue dress embroidered with peonies, with a matching silk sash tied around her waist, which further accentuated her gentle and elegant bearing.
As soon as she stepped into the garden of the poetry gathering, she attracted many eyes.
When the women attending the poetry gathering saw the Princess of Jin, they all stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Greetings to the Princess Consort of Jin."
Princess Jin tightened her grip on the maid's arm, her voice sounding somewhat stiff, "We're all family, no need for such formalities."
In that instant, Yu Wan understood why the Princess Consort of Jin had invited her to join the poetry gathering.
Princess Jin didn't seem to be very good at handling such matters, but perhaps because the Empress Dowager had asked her to do it, she couldn't refuse and could only agree.
Being forced to take on a task that one is not good at naturally makes one feel uneasy.
Yu Wanchao beckoned to Xizhu and whispered a few instructions to her.
Xizhu glanced at the Princess Consort of Jin and nodded in agreement.
Princess Jin only said a few perfunctory words before announcing the start of the poetry gathering.
The first activity is a game of passing a flower while beating a drum. Whoever gets the flower must then spontaneously recite a line of poetry related to the Lantern Festival or winter plum blossoms.
The drumbeats quickened, and the crowd rapidly passed the flower balls in their hands, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.
The pom-pom spun rapidly through the crowd. Suddenly, the drumming stopped abruptly, and the pom-pom landed on a girl wearing a pale yellow silk skirt.
The girl was pretty, but there was a hint of arrogance in her eyes. She took the bouquet, stood up, and began to say: "The fragrance of plum blossoms lingers around the painted beams on the Lantern Festival, and the lanterns cast long, melodious shadows. Let us gather together to celebrate the arrival of spring, and may our dreams be filled with joy year after year."
As soon as the poem was uttered, the crowd fell silent for a moment, and then burst into a murmur of admiration.
"This poem is so well written; it brings the imagery of the Lantern Festival and the winter plum blossoms to life."
"Yes, as expected of Miss Liu San. I had long heard that Miss Liu San was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I thought it was an exaggeration, but I never expected it to be true."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wan raised her eyes and looked at the girl in the pale yellow dress.
So she is Liu Zhilan.