RPAGF Chapter 142 Chance Encounter
Chapter 142 Chance Encounter
Just as they were chatting, a carriage slowly drove up from the opposite direction and stopped next to the poetry gathering venue.
"Xiaoyun, take this poem and hang it up." Inside the carriage, Ye Lingwei said to the maid beside her, then handed her a roll of paper.
The maid Xiaoyun reached out and took the poem from the carriage, then walked towards the direction where the poem was displayed.
"Elder sister, the poem you wrote this time is so exquisite that it will surely outshine those men."
The speaker was Ye Lingwei's second uncle's daughter, her cousin Ye Lingya, who was fourteen years old, two years younger than her.
Now, her youthful face is beginning to show beauty, with excellent features just like Ye Lingwei, but her bright eyes have a bit more shrewdness than Ye Lingwei's.
"Xiaoya, you must not be so presumptuous," Ye Lingwei replied.
Despite her humble words, she was actually happy and confident, believing that she was no less capable than others.
The maid returned hastily not long after leaving and quickly boarded the carriage.
Seeing the maid return in a hurry, Ye Lingwei couldn't help but ask, "Why are you back so soon? Did you finish what I asked you to do? Has that poem been hung up?"
“Miss, I haven’t reached the place where the poems are hung yet,” Xiaoyun replied with a troubled expression. “I just saw several princes standing there, so I hurriedly came back to tell them about it.”
Ye Lingwei was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and momentarily lost her composure. After hesitating for a moment, she hurriedly lifted the curtain and looked into the distance.
Sure enough, they were seen chatting not far away, and the King of Qin was also there.
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingya, who was standing to the side, couldn't resist her curiosity and peeked out to look in the direction Ye Lingwei was looking.
She hadn't seen these princes much before. She originally had the opportunity to attend the Winter Solstice Banquet, but she didn't go because she wasn't feeling well that day.
"Are those princes? They are truly handsome and extraordinary!" Ye Lingya exclaimed excitedly, turning to Ye Lingwei beside her and asking, "Big sister, which princes are they?"
Xiaoyun had accompanied Ye Lingwei to banquets before and knew a little about the identities of the princes. So, she introduced each prince to Ye Lingya.
Ye Lingwei lowered the carriage curtain and withdrew her gaze. She said to the maid beside her, "Xiaoyun, give me the scroll of poems from earlier. I'll take it myself."
The maid handed the scroll of poetry back to her. Ye Lingwei took the scroll and held it in front of her. She took a deep breath and calmed her slightly agitated thoughts.
"What do you think of my clothes and makeup today?" Ye Lingwei gently adjusted the ruby headdress on her head and asked the maid and Ye Lingya beside her.
“You look beautiful, Miss. You look beautiful every day,” Xiaoyun replied with a smile.
“Big sister looks good no matter what she wears, she’s naturally the most beautiful,” Ye Lingya replied with a smile. “Big sister, are you going over there? Can I go with you?”
"Okay." Ye Lingwei nodded, a happy smile on her face. Then, she lifted her skirt and slowly stepped down from the carriage, walking towards Xiao Han and the others.
She walked with light steps and graceful posture, each step elegant and composed, her demeanor proper. She arrived at the side of the princes at a leisurely pace.
Ye Lingya followed behind her, walking slowly with the same unhurried pace, exuding elegance in every gesture.
When they reached them, the two of them bowed to them together, "This commoner, Ye Lingwei (Ye Lingya), greets Your Highness Prince Rui, Rui..." But before they could finish speaking, Prince Rui interrupted them.
"No need for formalities. We are just out for a stroll and do not wish to be too conspicuous here. Please just call us Young Master and Madam."
Upon hearing what Prince Rui said, the two men nodded in understanding, then bowed slightly again to show their respect before straightening up.
Seeing this, Princess Rui was afraid of embarrassing the young ladies, so she smiled and took the initiative to greet them: "Did you two Miss Ye also hear that there was an event here, so you came here to take a look?"
Ye Lingya replied softly, "Madam, it's not like that. I heard there was a poetry appreciation event here today, and on a whim, I wrote a poem at home. I originally just wanted to hang it up here, but I never expected to meet you all here."
"Really?" Princess Rui's eyes flashed with curiosity. "I've long heard of Miss Ye's outstanding talent and reputation as a woman of exceptional ability. It's truly a pleasure to witness it for myself today!"
Ye Lingya quickly and modestly replied, "I dare not accept such praise. I am still too young and unlearned to be worthy of the title of talented woman. It was just something someone mentioned casually, which was then overheard and spread as a rumor."
"Miss Ye is too modest," Princess Rui said with a smile.
When King Xuan heard that she had written a poem, he recalled past events. He remembered that this Miss Ye had also written a very amazing poem before, which was ultimately matched by the seventh prince.
He immediately became interested and wanted to see what good poems she had written this time: "Miss Ye, could you please unfold your poems and let us take a look?"
Ye Lingwei nodded slightly and said gently, "Of course, if there is anything lacking, please give me some pointers."
After speaking, she slowly unfurled the scroll of poems in her hand and handed it to King Xuan.
King Xuan reached out and took it, then unfolded it and evaluated it along with the others.
Everyone who saw it praised it highly and gave it unanimous approval.
"Miss Ye is truly talented. Her poems are profound, blending emotion and scenery perfectly. Every line is a gem, a true treasure among poems!" After reading them, Prince Xuan was deeply moved and offered his comments on Ye Lingwei's poems.
"Sixth Master, you flatter me. I'm just showing off my limited skills before an expert. I really don't deserve the title of 'treasure'."
After replying to Prince Xuan, Ye Lingwei slowly turned around and looked at Xiao Han beside her. With a calm and gentle expression, she asked, "I have heard that Seventh Master's poetry is excellent. I wonder if you could give me some pointers on this poem?"
Xiao Han had just glanced at her poems and thought they were indeed well-written. His expression remained calm as he said in a light tone, "I only have a slight understanding of poetry and dare not offer guidance to others. Miss Ye's poems are very well written, just as Sixth Brother said."
Hearing Xiao Han's words, it was clear that Ye Lingwei was somewhat disappointed.
Seeing this, Prince Qi chimed in, "Let's hang up the poems we just wrote! That way, everyone can give us their feedback."
Ye Lingya stood quietly to the side, listening to their conversation and occasionally taking a good look at the princes.
With her eyes crinkling, she watched the crowd intently, and couldn't help but think that upon closer inspection, the princes' features appeared even more defined and handsome.
Everyone walked toward where the poems were hung, and as soon as they were hung, people stopped to look at them, commenting on and praising the poems they had written.
Some scholars at the scene recognized Ye Lingwei and came over to greet her: "Isn't this Miss Ye? It's an honor to have you here to write poetry today!"