Eunuchs from the palace carefully carried in three pots of flowers.
As soon as the flowers were placed in the sun, someone looked over in surprise.
Princess Luoyao was the first to rise and walked up to the flowers. She explained to everyone, "There were originally five peonies when they were transported. But unfortunately, the journey was long and the weather in the capital is cold. Only these three survived!"
Everyone followed Princess Luoyao and looked at the three peonies in surprise.
The young woman in a light - yellow dress who had just stood beside Shen Miao and joined in slandering Shen Li was none other than Ling Wei, the daughter of Minister Ling of the Ministry of War.
Now, recognizing that one of the three peonies was the Wei Purple variety, she couldn't help exclaiming in surprise, "I never thought I'd get to see a Wei Purple! This is such a rare variety!"
Some other young ladies also recognized the Wei Purple and said, "I once read in a book that when the Wei Purple is in full bloom, its flowers are in the shape of a lotus, a rich purple all over, large and plump. This must be it!"
At this time, Princess Luoyao also stepped forward to explain, "This pot of flower is indeed the Wei Purple!"
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help showing delighted expressions and praising, "The Wei Purple is a precious flower variety. It's already rare to see one, and it's even rarer to see one in such full bloom!"
"We're really in for a treat!"
"We should thank the princesses for this!"
Everyone gathered around the flower and showered it with praise.
Even Shen Li was quite amazed when she saw the flower. The peony's flowering period is usually in late April. It was only early March now. Moreover, the peony's flowering period is only about a month. To be able to cultivate a blooming peony at this time was truly remarkable.
Moreover, there was a thousand - mile distance between Southern Fujian and the capital. Even if one rode a fast horse, it would take about half a month to get here.
They must have spent a great deal of manpower and financial resources on these peonies!
With these three peonies, Princess Luoyao was surely the winner today!
Although the Spring Banquet was ostensibly an occasion for the princesses to invite young ladies from noble families to enjoy flowers and drink tea, it was actually a competition.
It was common for the young ladies to compose poems and show off their talents. Although the princesses didn't have to do so, there was also a comparison among them.
Spring was the season when all flowers bloomed. Since it was a flower - viewing event, there had to be worthy flowers. But ordinary flowers were not suitable for such a grand occasion.
Even though there were many precious flower varieties in the imperial garden, seeing the same ones every year was rather monotonous.
So the princesses would rack their brains to find rare flowers and plants to display at the Spring Banquet for everyone to appreciate.
Although there were no rules about ranking, there was always an implicit order of better or worse.
As far as Shen Li knew, Princess Luoyao had outshone the others in the past three years, and it seemed this year would be no different.
After admiring the Wei Purple, everyone turned their attention to the other two pots of peonies.
One of them was a bright yellow peony, the Imperial Robe Yellow, which was famous for its color resembling that of the emperor's robe.
Yellow peonies were rare, so everyone observed it carefully, and the praise never stopped.
But Shen Li turned her eyes to the other pot of peony. It was as white as snow, with layers of petals forming a spherical shape. Its buds drooped slightly. In this colorful imperial garden, it seemed like an outsider.
It was neither as eye - catching as the Wei Purple nor as noble and elegant as the Imperial Robe Yellow. But somehow, this Snow Pagoda stood there like a beautiful woman in white, low - key and full of charm.
After everyone had admired the three peonies, they couldn't help exclaiming, "The peony truly deserves the title of the king of flowers!"
Ling Wei glanced at Princess Luoyao's beaming face and flattered, "Yes, the peony is the king of flowers, and the Wei Purple is known as the queen of flowers!"
"It's just like the current Empress, outshining all the others!"
The flattery in her words was obvious, and everyone present knew it well.
Princess Luoyao smiled and said, "The Wei Purple is indeed famous all over the world!"
As soon as she said this, everyone present thought for a moment. Princess Luoyao's words implied that the Empress was the mother of the nation and well - known far and wide.
Princess Yajing watched the faces of those flattering around her and felt furious. She was just a 14 - or 15 - year - old girl. As a princess, she had lived a life of luxury since childhood. Now that her dignity had been undermined, although she had tried hard to hold back her anger, her dissatisfaction still showed on her face.
Some people noticed Princess Yajing's unpleasant expression. Afraid of getting into trouble, they wisely shut up and didn't dare to speak anymore.
But there were still some people who only wanted to please the other two princesses born of the Empress and kept on flattering.
Ling Wei had won Princess Luoyao's favor with her clever words just now. She was so proud that she didn't notice Princess Yajing's changing expression.
"Looking at all these flowers now, they seem to have lost their spring colors compared to this pot of Wei Purple!"
"Humph! Even though the Wei Purple is good, do all the other flowers have to stop blooming because of it?" Princess Yajing could no longer bear her dissatisfaction. She was a princess after all. When had she ever been trampled on by a minister's daughter?
"Different people like different flowers! Although the Wei Purple is good, not everyone likes it. This princess likes that Snow Pagoda the most!"
"This... Your servant..." Ling Wei was so blocked by Princess Yajing that she couldn't say a word.
Shen Miao bowed gracefully to Princess Yajing and said, "Your Highness is quite right. This is a time when all flowers compete for spring, each relying on its own strength. It's indeed inappropriate to deprive other flowers of the right to bloom just because of one Wei Purple."
Seeing Princess Yajing's gradually softening expression, she continued, "Moreover, this Snow Pagoda is as white as snow. It's especially unique among all these flowers. Your servant also likes this one the most!"
Princess Yajing beamed again because of Shen Miao's words. Although her mother was a noble concubine and had a deep relationship with her father, she couldn't be the Empress. This difference in status had always made Princess Yajing feel inferior to Princess Luoyao.
That's why she hated it when people said in front of her that the Wei Purple was the queen of flowers and all other flowers were inferior to it.
"You have the same taste as this princess. You don't give up the beauty of the whole garden for just one flower!"
Princess Luoning watched Princess Yajing's proud face. Although she didn't understand whether they were arguing about the flowers or something else, she just didn't like seeing Yajing so proud.
"This princess thinks that my elder sister's Wei Purple is the best! Better than all the other flowers!"
Princess Luoning was still young. Her tone at this moment was like a jealous child arguing. Everyone present thought the little princess was cute and couldn't help laughing.
Although Princess Yajing was also laughing, her words were full of disdain, "That's because you haven't seen other flowers. That's why you only focus on what's in front of you. I advise my younger sister to read more books and gain more knowledge!"
"Stop skipping classes and running around all day, making the Empress worried!"
Hearing this, everyone dared not say a word.
It was not for them to interrupt when two princesses were quarreling!