nucmednet Chapter 344 The Crown Princess's Involuntary Actions
Chapter 344 The Crown Princess's Involuntary Actions
After the poem was finished, the entire room fell silent. Everyone was still immersed in Shi Wanxia's poem and could not come back to their senses for a long time.
A moment later, Mr. Yu Liu was the first to stand up, clapping and exclaiming, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Today's poetry gathering was truly worthwhile! It's truly admirable that a woman could compose such a brilliant and exquisite poem!"
Everyone then seemed to wake up from their daze, clapping and cheering, praising it endlessly.
Feeling inferior, many of them disregarded politeness and the proper separation between men and women, and surrounded Shi Wanxia.
"Lady Shi, you are a woman, yet you possess such extraordinary talent. No wonder His Majesty appointed you as a female official."
A young scholar said excitedly.
"We were too shallow. We hope that you will come more often in the future, sir. We are eager to hear the beautiful poems that come from your mouth," an older scholar said respectfully.
Shi Wanxia was a little embarrassed by everyone's enthusiasm. Her face flushed slightly, and she said modestly, "You flatter me. I am just a little literate and it was just a fluke."
In fact, she knew in her heart that she was also benefiting from being born late.
If she could find a way back, she wouldn't want to stay in this cannibalistic dynasty.
Not far from the crowd, Shen Yanzhou and Lin Chuying exchanged a smile.
How could Shen Yanzhou, with his exceptional intelligence, fail to appreciate that these three poems did not match the usual style of late summer?
It's likely that she drew inspiration from other people's works that she had read before.
But so what if it's borrowed? Of the three poems Miss Shi mentioned today, which one could these self-proclaimed cultured people have written?
Shen Yanzhou's gaze fell on Shi Wanxia, and his curiosity grew.
What is Shi's country like?
Are all the people there as intelligent and courageous as she is?
In his lifetime, would he be able to pay a visit? Even if he became a vassal state of her country, as long as the people of Cangling could live a life where they had enough to eat and wear, and everyone could afford to go to school, he would be willing to give up his position as crown prince.
After the poetry gathering, Shi Wanxia's poems quickly spread throughout the capital, causing a great stir.
Some marveled at her talent, some envied her achievements, and some began to question the source of her poems.
However, none of these voices could stop Shi Wanxia's progress.
The setting sun of late spring bathed the eaves of the Qinglian Poetry Society in a warm gold. Shi Wanxia, carrying her manuscripts, stepped out of the carved wooden door, her skirt brushing against the fallen crabapple petals on the stone steps.
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she saw two figures emerge from the corner of the corridor ahead—Shen Yanzhou, dressed in a black brocade robe, stood tall and straight, while the woman beside him wore a moon-white ruqun embroidered with gold thread lotus patterns; she was none other than Crown Princess Lin Chuying.
Shi Wanxia hurriedly curtsied, but Shen Yanzhou strode forward, the dark silver dragon embroidered on his sleeves appearing and disappearing in the twilight: "Sister Wanxia, may I call you that? You were truly amazing today!"
His gaze was intense, completely unlike his usual composure in the court; he seemed more like an excited young man.
Lin Chuying smiled and gently touched the pearl hairpin at her temple.
Having grown up in the Lin family since childhood, she was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. At this moment, however, she looked at Shi Wanxia with admiration in her eyes: "Sister Wanxia, you are so amazing! From today onwards, your reputation as a talented woman will be known throughout the world."
Before she could finish speaking, a pang of bitterness rose in her heart—if she hadn't been betrothed to the Crown Prince at the age of sixteen, she could have made her mark in the literary world.
Shi Wanxia's cheeks flushed from the couple's enthusiasm. The praise she had received at the poetry gathering had not yet subsided when she was rewarded by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
She felt her heart filled with warmth: "Your Highness, Your Majesty, you are joking."
"Well then, since I'm in such a good mood today, please come to my residence, and I'll show you what I can do!"
"Please don't call me Your Majesty anymore."
Lin Chuying reached out to support Shi Wanxia, her voice as gentle as spring water.
"My nickname is Zhenzhen, you can call me that in private. Does Sister Wanxia have a nickname?"
"Zhenzhen, no. But my nickname is Guoguo, you can call me that too."
Shi Wanxia smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples.
She remembered that back in modern times, the courtyard mother always called her that, and hearing it from Lin Chuying's mouth now, she felt a long-lost sense of warmth.
Shen Yanzhou watched the two chatting happily with great interest, then suddenly asked, "Guoguo said she wants to show off her skills, does that mean she's going to cook?"
“Exactly!” Shi Wanxia’s eyes lit up.
"I've learned two new dessert recipes, and I guarantee that Your Highness and Zhenzhen have never tasted them before."
She loved tinkering with food in modern times, and after coming to this world, she often thinks about creating new dishes using ancient ingredients.
The three walked along the bluestone street, and Shen Yanzhou deliberately slowed his pace to walk alongside them.
As they passed a silk shop, Lin Chuying suddenly stopped: "Guoguo, look at that moon-white silk. It would be perfect to match the pale yellow shawl you wore in the palace last time."
Shi Wanxia followed her gaze and saw the silk fluttering gently in the wind, which was indeed beautiful.
But thinking of the piles of rewards in the storeroom, she quickly shook her head: "Zhenzhen, I already have enough clothes. It's you who should wear something brighter, since your outfit is so plain."
Lin Chuying paused for a moment, then smiled wryly: "As the Crown Princess, one should always be more dignified."
She stroked the gold thread on her dress, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.
Aren't these luxurious clothes just shackles?
Shen Yanzhou seemed to sense the change in atmosphere and suddenly pointed to the sugar painting stall on the street: "Guoguo, how does the pastry you mentioned earlier compare to this sugar painting?"
"Of course, my desserts are better!"
Shi Wanxia became interested, "Once you've tasted it, you'll definitely rave about it."
As they spoke, they arrived at the Shi residence.
The mansion, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, may not be grand, but it is decorated with elegance.
Shuyun and Qinxin came forward to greet them, and were so surprised to see the Crown Prince and Crown Princess arrive that they almost dropped their teacups.
Shi Wanxia led the two straight to the kitchen, rolled up her sleeves, and began to get busy.
What she wants to make is a modified version of osmanthus cake and red bean paste dumplings.
Modern baking knowledge came in handy here. She directed the maids to sift flour and boil sugar, and soon the kitchen was filled with a sweet aroma.
Lin Chuying stood curiously to the side, watching Shi Wanxia cut the steamed osmanthus cake into delicate diamond shapes and sprinkle icing sugar on the small glutinous rice balls: "This method is novel; I've never seen it before."
“This is how it’s done back home,” Shi Wanxia said with a smile, but her eyes dimmed slightly.
She longed to return to the modern world, but she didn't know when she would find a way back.
Shen Yanzhou leaned against the door frame, watching Shi Wanxia's busy figure, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
This woman is both incredibly talented at poetry gatherings and cheerful in the kitchen, making her truly enigmatic yet irresistibly alluring.
When the desserts were served, Lin Chuying took a bite of the osmanthus cake and her eyes lit up immediately: "It melts in your mouth and has a faint osmanthus fragrance. It's really delicious!"
Shen Yanzhou also praised it highly, but he saw Shi Wanxia resting her chin on her hand, gazing absently at the sky outside the window.
He followed her gaze and saw that the sunset was like fire, dyeing half the sky with a magnificent color.
"What are you thinking about?" Shen Yanzhou asked softly.
Shi Wanxia snapped out of her reverie and shook her head: "It's nothing. I just feel so good to be with you all."
She genuinely liked the two people in front of her. Shen Yanzhou seemed carefree and irreverent, but in reality, he had the world on his mind.
Lin Chuying is dignified and gentle, yet she also possesses her own talent and struggles.
As night deepened, Shen Yanzhou and Lin Chuying got up to say goodbye.
Shi Wanxia saw them off to the door and watched their carriage disappear around the street corner before turning back to her residence.
Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, and Shi Wanxia gazed at the stars in the sky, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
She didn't know what the future held, but at least for now, she was no longer alone.