"My dear wife, my dear wife, body like a box, Qilin scissors, eight hairpins." He loudly recited the lantern riddle and smugly declared the answer, "It's a crab!"
After saying this, he glanced at Liang Luo beside him. Seeing her ashen face, he felt immensely pleased.
"Stop looking. The sooner you finish, the less embarrassing it will be!"
"Yes."
Wei Lanxuan was older than them, and in terms of power and status, she was the most respected. Since she had spoken, Liang Luo had nothing to say and immediately lowered her head to dismantle the lantern riddles.
On the other side, Feng Jinyao received "A lone star gazes south, a crescent moon rises."
This was a bit difficult. She wasn't very skilled at riddles. After furrowing her brow and pondering for a moment, she opened her eyes, picked up her brush, and quickly wrote down the character "Zhuang."
Xu Mingyue quickly guessed three more riddles. After writing down the answers, she casually glanced at the lantern riddles and answers in Feng Jinyao's hand.
Her eyes lit up, and she said to Feng Jinyao with some surprise, "Sister, you have such talent! Even I might not have been able to guess this riddle."
"Thank you, Sister Xu. You guessed four in a row, and I've only thought of one. You are still more capable."
"Alright, alright, we can exchange pleasantries later. Hurry up and guess. By then, everyone else will be finished," Bai Siruo said anxiously, then quickly stuffed the remaining riddles into their hands.
On the other side, Wei Lanxuan and Bai Sihan were guessing riddles at a similar pace. When it came to the last one, as their hands reached for the riddle simultaneously, Bai Sihan pretended to stumble and stagger. The riddle was then snatched by Wei Lanxuan.
"Spring days are short, one person is far away, in the heart of the lake, the moon is close."
Wei Lanxuan finished reciting the riddle but had no answer. What could it be?
She looked at Wen Liang, who also shook her head, unable to guess.
Seeing that Xu Mingyue had already begun writing her last answer, Liang Luo anxiously twisted her handkerchief. "No way, are they going to lose?"
Bai Sihan whispered in Wei Lanxuan's ear, "It's 'Erhu'."
"Right! How did I not think of that?" Wei Lanxuan's eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up her brush. Unfortunately, she was a little late. Xu Mingyue had finished writing before her, as everyone present could attest.
The legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of Zheng took the list of answers and matched them one by one. Soon, the winner was decided.
"Team Bai and Team Zi have both answered ten questions correctly. Team Red answered nine, and Team Yellow answered seven. However, Team Bai completed it first, so this lantern riddle competition is won by Team Bai."
The results were announced, and no one questioned them.
After all, Xu Mingyue's reputation as a talented woman was known throughout the Jin Dynasty. Losing to her was not shameful.
Wei Lanxuan's face showed a moment of embarrassment, but she quickly recovered and stepped forward to congratulate them.
"I've long heard my grandfather say that Minister Xu's talent is renowned throughout the Jin Dynasty. I didn't expect Miss Xu to be so capable as well. Lanxuan admires you and accepts the defeat wholeheartedly."
She admitted it generously, which improved Bai Siruo's impression of her.
Unlike Wen Yuwei and Liang Luo beside her, one stared at her like a fighting cock, and the other stared at Feng Jinyao like a venomous snake or a ferocious beast. One would think they had a deep-seated hatred for each other.
Xu Mingyue did not decline, nodding with a smile.
On other matters, she might have been more humble, but when it came to talent, she had a certain pride, as her foundation was indeed solid.
The first prize was handed to Bai Siruo. She raised her chin slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes as she looked at Liang Luo, as if to say, "Your skills are not high, yet you speak so confidently."
Liang Luo's face flushed with shame. She wanted to retort but was deterred by a glance from Wei Lanxuan.
"Since that's the case, we won't disturb you any further. We'll head to the banquet first. I heard the chef today was specially invited and makes excellent tea and meals. I'm quite looking forward to it."
"Sister Wei, you are too kind. Please go ahead." After saying this, Bai Siruo signaled her maid to lead them away, but her eyes were fixed on Bai Sihan, the threat in them unmistakable.
However, Wei Lanxuan acted as if she hadn't seen her anger and, surprisingly, pulled Bai Sihan along with her.
After giving Bai Siruo a triumphant smile, she turned back to her with a respectful demeanor.
Watching their retreating figures, Bai Siruo's teeth were almost ground to dust.
"This idiot, I knew she had ulterior motives. She's been dressing up so flamboyantly since this morning, and I didn't expect her to have this trick up her sleeve! Does she think she can climb the Wei family's high branch and become a Wei family daughter?"
"Cousin, be careful of what you say."
Feng Jinyao's voice was serious. She tugged at Bai Siruo's sleeve and gently shook her head, signaling her to stop talking.
"There are many people here, and you should control your temper," Xu Mingyue agreed.
With their persuasion, Bai Siruo had no choice but to give up.
Fortunately, winning this headpiece brought her some prestige, so she presented it to Xu Mingyue as a treasure.
"Although I don't like your future sister-in-law, I've heard that Young Master Liang is quite a good person. I offer this gift to wish you a long and happy marriage, a union of hearts."
Her eyes were full of teasing. Xu Mingyue chuckled, and the tense and serious atmosphere instantly dissipated.
A good person?
The Liang family had indeed put in a lot of effort into their reputation. Even Bai Siruo, who rarely went out, knew of his good name.
Feng Jinyao, however, let out a cold snort in her heart.
With such a sister and father, how could Young Master Liang be a good person?
If he were truly a good person, why would he break off an engagement and marry another! Causing the Xu family to lose face.
She genuinely befriended Xu Mingyue. Since that was the case, she naturally had to protect her from being harmed by such people. Breaking off the engagement was acceptable, but it had to be initiated by the Xu family.
As for that Young Master Liang, he naturally had a "good reputation" waiting for him!
With a plan in mind, she showed nothing on her face and said to the two, "Why don't we go over too? Otherwise, there might not be enough people at the banquet, and our aunts will be busy."
Bai Siruo nodded. She hadn't forgotten that it was her grandmother's birthday today, and she would settle scores with others later.
In the warm pavilion, a grand banquet was being held.
The news of Bai Laofuren's sixtieth birthday had even reached the Emperor, who specially sent his personal eunuch with a congratulatory gift: a white jade Ruyi scepter from the previous emperor's reign. At the same time, Bai Laofuren was conferred the title of a first-rank imperial lady, with the addition of "Huiming" before her name.
Thus, everyone began to address her as "Huiming Laofuren."
Such an honor was unparalleled in the Jin Dynasty. For a time, everyone congratulated the Bai family for gaining the Emperor's favor and adding new joy.
Only Feng Jinyao knew that this was merely a fleeting glory.
As glorious as it was today, as desolate it would be in the future.
Thinking of what Emperor Qi had done to the Bai family in her previous life, looking at the jade Ruyi scepter, it was truly blinding.
Suddenly, a burst of lively cheers drew a frown from Feng Jinyao.