Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 555 - 286: Unavoidable_2

Chapter 555: Chapter 286: Unavoidable_2

A girl sitting at the end of the right side spoke these words, and her voice had scarcely faded when a few laughs echoed through the room.

Qian Yixiu’s face flushed with anger. She hadn’t provoked or offended anyone, so why was this unfamiliar girl picking a fight with her for no apparent reason?

The Eldest Princess chuckled helplessly and chided, "You girl, your tongue is too sharp," and then added, "Fengyang, this is all because you spoil her too much."

A middle-aged woman dressed in palace finery laughed and said, "I’m just following the Imperial Aunt’s example—I spoil the children too."

This prompted laughter from everyone.

Suddenly, a red figure fluttered over from a side room; she grabbed Qian Yixiu’s hand and exclaimed with a laugh, "Sister Qian, is that really you? Do you still remember me?"

It was Liang Jinyu, Uncle Liang’s younger sister. She was a bit younger than Qian Yixiu, but was half a head taller. Dainty and enchanting, she was a rare beauty to behold.

Qian Yixiu was also moved by her enthusiasm and, holding her hand, she laughed and said, "It’s Sister Liang, long time no see."

Liang Jinyu laughed and said, "Come on, let’s go outside and catch up."

The young lady who had spoken earlier stood up, pulling Liang Jinyu along and saying, "Sister Yuyu, we just agreed to go see the plum blossoms together."

Another middle-aged beautiful lady came from the side room—Grandma Liang. She laughed and said, "Yuyu, don’t be naughty, go play in the Plum Grove with Sister Susu."

Liang Jinyu pouted as she was led away by Sister Susu and another young girl.

Lady Fu, supporting Lady Wu, exited the main room with Qian Yixiu and then whispered to her, "Yixiu, don’t take it to heart; that Luo Susu and her grandmother, the Eldest Princess Fengyang, are both arrogant, domineering, and lacking in any real talent."

Qian Yixiu smiled and said, "Aunt Fu, don’t worry, I won’t stoop to their level."

Lady Fu nodded, smiling, "Rest assured, leave your nurse with me, and we will go to the side chamber for tea. You go enjoy yourself in the Plum Grove; your Cousin Tong and Cousin Ting are there too, perhaps even think about writing a poem."

Since it was cold in winter and hands were often stiff, there were many who composed poems at the plum viewing feast, while very few engaged in calligraphy or painting. Knowing that Qian Yixiu had beautiful handwriting, Lady Fu had thus suggested she write a poem.

Qian Yixiu nodded and, accompanied by Blue Bead, left the courtyard. She wasn’t really interested in composing any poems. If it was about showcasing one’s talent, she was content with calligraphy or painting, but poetry—she could only write doggerel. She also didn’t want to plagiarize; writing one good poem might lead others to expect another, and to keep up the charade would be exhausting. Besides, she didn’t have a vast collection of Tang or Song poems in her repertoire.

It was better to follow her father’s directions: to keep a low profile and not outshine the so-called talented women.

The snow outside had stopped, and the sun had come out. Although the winter sun wasn’t very warm, its radiant light still brought a bit of warmth.

In about a quarter of an hour, she arrived at the Plum Grove. The grove was vast; thousands of winter plum trees blossomed against the wind, their beauty stunning, their elegance unparalleled, their fragrance intoxicating.

In the Plum Grove, girls in vibrant attire gathered in groups, admiring the plum blossoms with bursts of delicate laughter. They seemed to be guessing what character would be selected for today’s poetry gathering.

The Eldest Princess, concerned that some poets might prepare their work at home with help before presenting it at the plum viewing feast, thereby compromising fairness, had established a rule that on the day of the feast, a specific character would be designated, and the poems composed had to include it to be considered valid.

Qian Yixiu didn’t join the crowd but took Blue Bead to a quieter area instead.

Deeper inside the Plum Grove, pale yellow winter plums were scattered sparsely, the edge of the grove not visible at a glance. The golden sunlight glinted over the petite flowers, lending a warm touch to the pure and sparkling blossoms...

As she was lost in admiration of the winter plums, she began to hear the voices of a group of girls drawing near, and it seemed the discussion again centered around her.

One of them said, "...Princess Jingchang, you didn’t see that country bumpkin with her pinched voice and affected way of walking, yet she still managed to win over the Eldest Princess and..." The speaker hesitated to mention the Former Consort, considering that Princess Jingchang was the granddaughter of the Former Imperial Consort, and then continued, "...win the favor of the Eldest Princess."

Another voice chimed in, "Sister Wong, the ambition of that country girl is something else—how else would she dare to set her sights on General Liang? If she can charm the Eldest Princess, perhaps she really could end up captivating General Liang."

That was the voice of Luo Susu.

A disdainful voice scoffed, "Captivate General Liang? She’s not even worthy."

Then came a familiar voice—it was Liang Jinyu—who said, "That’s not true, Sister Qian isn’t interested in my brother." She wanted to make clear that it was actually her brother who was interested in someone else, but she held back from saying it.