Shen Li gave a faint smile and remained silent.
She had actually mistaken the Snow Pagoda in the painting for herself!
In her previous life, she had always been low - key and never fought for anything, yet she still incurred Shen Miao's crazy jealousy and revenge!
In this life, then, she would fight and seize!
Princess Luoyao, who had come back to her senses, seemed to be explaining why she had been in a daze just now. "I just got a bit lost in thought looking at this painting!"
Then, with a brilliant smile, she said loudly, "I think Miss Shen's painting today is truly excellent!"
Princess Luoning clapped her hands and suggested, "Well, why don't we just name Miss Shen the winner of today's competition?"
As soon as Princess Luoning said this, everyone was shocked. Although Shen Li's painting was indeed novel today, in the current evaluation of paintings, the more detailed and vivid they were, the better they were considered.
But Shen Li's painting did not meet the current judging criteria.
Immediately, someone said dissatisfiedly, "Even though her painting technique is novel, if she wins the top prize today, many of us will feel unfair!"
As soon as this was said, someone immediately echoed, "There are still two paintings we haven't seen. Moreover, Miss He, who will be next, is always very good at painting. It's really hard to convince everyone if we just decide that Shen Li has won without even looking at the rest!"
As soon as this person finished speaking, He Yimeng, who had recited two poems on the spot after Shen Li explained her painting, said, "Miss Shen's painting technique is novel and her skills are outstanding. I, Yimeng, am truly inferior!"
He Yimeng's words meant she was admitting defeat!
Such magnanimity made Shen Li think more highly of her.
Princess Luoyao took the lead and led everyone to look at the painting by the seventh young lady. This one also depicted the spring scene of the banquet, but perhaps due to the short time, it was obvious that this painting was just mediocre and not at all wonderful.
"Now it seems that among the paintings, Miss Shen's is the most outstanding!"
"Among the poems just written, there are also a few very good ones. Now let's all evaluate them together!"
Everyone moved back to the pavilion. The table was filled with the poems everyone had just written, and they all stepped forward to discuss.
Shen Miao nervously clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She was confident in herself, and just now everyone had given good comments on her poems. The call for her to win the top prize among these poems was the highest!
If nothing unexpected happened, today should have been the day when she stole the show and Shen Li lost face!
But now, Shen Li had actually become a stumbling - block for her!
Princess Heyuan glared angrily at Shen Miao and whispered complainingly, "Didn't you say that Shen Li had never learned anything and that she wouldn't be able to write a poem in today's competition and would surely make a fool of herself? But now, I haven't seen her making a fool of herself. Instead, I've seen that she has caught the eye of the Fifth Princess!"
Shen Miao suppressed her annoyance and explained to Princess Heyuan, "Shen Li really hadn't learned painting before! But I don't know how, today she can paint!
"I guess she secretly learned it behind our backs! Just listening to her words, it seems she has been learning for three years, and no one in our family knew! This shows that she has a deep - seated mind!"
Princess Heyuan snorted, as if agreeing with her words. But she didn't want to see Shen Li stealing the show, so she vented her anger on Shen Miao. "Anyway, you two are sisters. How could there be such a big gap between you? Now Shen Li is stealing the show and riding on high. Everyone only has eyes for her. What are you, Shen Miao? Humph!"
Princess Heyuan watched Shen Miao, who was clearly burning with anger but still had to swallow her pride and didn't dare to refute her. For no reason, she felt that most of her pent - up anger had dissipated.
Shen Miao tightly clenched her fists and showed a sinister smile like a wolf. While everyone's attention was in the pavilion, she turned and walked in another direction.
Unlike Princesses Luoyao and Luoning, who were very interested in today's banquet competition, Princess Yajing was uninterested. It was always like this every year. It was really boring.
Accompanied by her maid, Princess Yajing was teasing a bird in a secluded pavilion in the imperial garden.
It was a green - feathered parrot, specially sent by her elder brother, Xiao Hanzhi, to amuse her.
After three years of training, it could now say a few auspicious words.
Ruxue, the top - ranked maid beside Princess Yajing, was teasing it with bird food. When the parrot saw the food, it flapped its wings and skillfully shouted loudly, "May the Princess enjoy eternal peace! May the Princess enjoy eternal peace!"
"Princess, look. This parrot is so spiritual. It always pays its respects as soon as it sees you!" Ruxue had served Princess Yajing for many years. Of course, she knew that the princess was in a bad mood now, so she deliberately said something to make her happy.
Princess Yajing slightly lifted her eyelids and said boredly, "This animal doesn't see me at all! It clearly sees the food! It's really greedy!"
Just as Ruxue was about to say something, Princess Yajing suddenly put her finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet!
After watching a young girl in a pink dress sneak away alone, Princess Yajing turned around and asked her maid, "Who was that just now?"
As the personal maid of the princess, while the princess might forget some things, Ruxue had to remember everything clearly. After just a moment of thought, she said, "She's one of the young ladies participating in today's banquet. When the princess said you liked that pot of Snow Pagoda just now, she even stood up to agree with you! But I don't know which family's daughter she is."
"Oh, no wonder. She looks a bit familiar."
"However, shouldn't they still be evaluating the poems at this moment? Why did this young lady come here? The path she just took leads to the place where we were admiring the flowers."
Princess Yajing smiled slyly and suddenly became interested. "Who cares what she's going there for? Anyway, she's not lost! Come on! Let's follow her and see. Maybe we'll see something interesting!"
When she was almost there, Shen Miao stopped, tidied up her slightly disheveled dress because of walking too fast, and then calmly continued walking.
Because of the princess's banquet today, there were seven or eight maids left in the imperial garden, but they were all at a distance.
The three blooming peonies were now quietly staying in place. Shen Miao observed for a while and determined that only two maids could see the position of these three pots of flowers.
After waiting for a while, she saw a maid covering her stomach and running away in a hurry.
Shen Miao cheered herself up in her heart. There was only one left. Just wait a little longer! Just wait!
Sure enough, after a while, a maid of obviously higher status walked over and talked to the remaining maid. Then the original maid left with her.
Shen Miao cheered in her heart, "Heaven is helping me!" She quickened her steps, walked up to the three peonies, picked up a cup of tea that the maid hadn't taken away on the table, and poured it forcefully at the roots of the peonies.
The tea was still a bit hot and quickly disappeared after seeping into the soil of the flower pot.
After pouring hot water on the other two peonies, Shen Miao clapped her hands in satisfaction. The task was accomplished, and she was about to leave. Unexpectedly, as soon as she turned around, she saw someone standing behind her.