"Miss Lin, I never imagined you were actually the legendary one..." At this point, she stopped speaking.
"The silent, unfeeling Miss?" Lin Zhiqing chuckled, taking over the conversation.
Miss Hua awkwardly took a sip of tea: "I'm just like this, please don't take offense. You're not quite like what those people say. I really didn't connect the two Lin Zhiqing together."
She spoke with an open and natural expression, clearly speaking the truth.
"No matter." Lin Zhiqing glanced subtly at those who were secretly observing her. "Three men make a tiger. Just be yourself."
Princess Pingning, who was at the same table, also nodded in agreement upon hearing this: "Rumors cannot be fully believed. Although Miss Lin did some foolish things before, she's different now."
As she spoke, she skillfully prepared a cup of tea and placed it in front of Lin Zhiqing.
The others, seeing this, thought of the rumors circulating in Shengjing recently about Lin Zhiqing harming her elder cousin. Their eyes flickered, and they began to whisper among themselves in small groups.
"The Princess's tea preparation skills are excellent. My grandfather even instructed me to learn from her. You should try it." Miss Hua, completely unaware of the underlying subtleties, enthusiastically invited Lin Zhiqing to taste it.
Looking at the Princess, whose eyes were pulled downwards and whose smile didn't reach her eyes, Lin Zhiqing unhurriedly picked up the teacup and took a sip: "The taste is indeed good. The Princess's skill is even a bit better than the maid who specifically prepares tea for my elder cousin."
Upon hearing this, Princess Pingning's face stiffened, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
But Miss Hua didn't notice anything amiss and nodded in agreement: "The Princess is the most skillful and clever. No maid in the Imperial Academy's residence has such skill."
"Indeed." Lin Zhiqing chuckled softly, then said no more.
Seeing Princess Pingning so angry she was almost spitting blood, yet still forcing herself to remain composed, Lin Zhiqing felt a sense of vindication.
Princess Pingning had subtly brought up the matter of tea preparation just now, no doubt intending to remind those present of the recent rumors surrounding herself.
Lin Zhiqing's compliment on the Princess's tea preparation skills, on the surface, praised her, but by comparing her to a maid, it was hardly a kind remark.
She originally didn't want to offend the Princess, but ever since the others noticed her arrival, the Princess had been subtly fanning the flames, trying to drive her away or make her look foolish.
Constantly tolerating would only make the Princess more audacious.
Lin Zhiqing had already thought of a fallback plan. Anyway, she had the reputation of being a "silent, unfeeling Miss." A simple word or act of feigned ignorance would resolve the situation.
She hadn't expected Miss Hua to agree with her, bringing the Imperial Academy's people into the conversation. This made it difficult for the Princess to act out.
There were many intelligent people present. Having witnessed such a good show, they were afraid of getting into trouble. They bowed their heads, drank their tea, and silently pondered Lin Zhiqing's performance today.
Miss Hua, however, seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere and continued to chat cheerfully with Lin Zhiqing and the Princess.
Lin Zhiqing was unpretentious. She laughed when appropriate, and replied when necessary, handling the situation with ease.
The Princess, on the other hand, had a somewhat forced smile, only occasionally answering a word or two.
In such a situation, everyone present tacitly agreed that Lin Zhiqing's performance was more graceful.
Of course, no one dared to say this aloud.
Only Miss Hua's voice remained in the entire waterside pavilion. Fortunately, this awkward atmosphere didn't last long.
A maid from the Imperial Academy informed Miss Hua and led everyone to the pavilion in the center of the lake.
Even with Lin Zhiqing mentally prepared, she was still taken aback by the Imperial Academy's extravagant and "inhuman" display.
Miss Hua curled her lips: "All the flowers and plants on this island were brought by me from Bianliang."
"Miss Hua's generosity is remarkable, and the scenery is also beautiful. At a glance, I even see several kinds of flowers and plants I've never seen before." Princess Pingning used her compliments to subtly point out several rare flower and plant names.
This was clearly a display of her knowledge.
Everyone, seeing this, cooperated perfectly and praised Princess Pingning.
Lin Zhiqing, walking at the edge of the group, also saw a few very special chrysanthemums.
After walking a few steps with the group, she heard a group of men talking loudly.
In an instant, the cheeks of the female guests present flushed.
Not long after, a group of impeccably dressed young masters came from the other end.
Lin Zhiqing immediately saw Jiang Liuyun and Lu Huai. Their looks were indeed outstanding.
Although both brought partners, many young ladies still cast their gazes towards them.
Miss Hua stepped forward and chatted with the leading man. The two groups then walked together towards the lakeside pavilion.
By this time, the male and female partners who had arrived together naturally reunited.
Lin Zhiqing got a headache just thinking about Jiang Liuyun and Lu Huai. She deliberately lagged behind.
Lin Shi'an showed no intention of looking for Lin Zhiqing, happily chatting with Lu Huai. Jiang Liuyun, however, abandoned his "partner" and walked towards the back.
Princess Pingning, seeing this, her eyes flickered, and she also slowed her pace.
The one thing Lin Zhiqing wanted to avoid the most still happened.
"Qing'er." Jiang Liuyun walked beside her, gently calling out, "I just heard there was some commotion on your side. Are you alright?"
Lin Zhiqing had expected him to question why she hadn't chosen him as her partner, but he asked nothing of the sort.
This made Lin Zhiqing feel a little more at ease. "I'm fine, just some trivial matters."
"If you like that prize, I'll definitely help you get it," he said in a low voice, his eyes sparkling.
More than the prize, Lin Zhiqing cared about something else: "How did you end up teaming with Lu Huai?"
"The invitations to the Spring Banquet are limited, only issued to female guests. I couldn't get one," Jiang Liuyun scratched his nose. "Lu Huai had one, from Miss Lu, so I shamelessly came with him."
"I'm always worried about you alone." He said this, and secretly took out a brocade box:
"You're dressed very specially today. If you add this, you'll look even better."
It was a rectangular box, likely containing a hair ornament or something similar.
"This is too valuable, I can't accept it." Lin Zhiqing waved her hand to refuse without thinking.
Jiang Liuyun scratched his head, just about to say something, when he heard Princess Pingning's voice:
"Young Master Jiang, I accidentally dropped my brocade fan. Could you please help me find it?"
Jiang Liuyun paused, having no choice but to put the brocade box away. "Qing'er, please go ahead. I'll be right there."
Lin Zhiqing nodded, walking past the two.
As she passed Princess Pingning, she subtly turned her head and saw the fan, deliberately dropped, in the flower bed.
Seemingly sensing Lin Zhiqing's gaze, Princess Pingning smiled faintly. "I'm just borrowing Young Master Jiang for a moment. Miss Lin, please don't be petty."
Hmm... such a pure green tea flavor.
"The Princess is indeed skilled in tea ceremonies, and she emits a faint fragrance of West Lake Longjing tea." Lin Zhiqing said indifferently, then walked forward on her own.
Leaving Princess Pingning standing there, bewildered.
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