Princess Pingning's target was clearly Jiang Liuyun, and Lin Zhiqing was merely caught in the crossfire.
Just the title of "fiancé" brought her so much trouble; Lin Zhiqing was truly speechless.
She quickly caught up with the main group and walked to the waterside pavilion, then began to observe her surroundings.
Aside from various exotic flowers and plants, the most prominent features were some specially designated areas.
Aunt Mu had told her earlier that the highlight of this Spring Banquet should be the competition for the prize. This prize was likely a relatively rare but not particularly precious item.
For this group of wealthy and noble young masters and ladies, what the prize was didn't matter. The important thing was that winning the first prize could bring fame within Shengjing's elite circles, which would greatly benefit their own marriage prospects and family reputation.
The emperor's current favorite concubine had won the Spring Banquet's first prize in previous years.
Lin Zhiqing had no interest in the top position. She focused her attention on the people.
The seating arrangements in the waterside pavilion were better than those in the waterside pavilion earlier. Five people sat at the head table. Two men and three women.
Miss Hua, upon entering, immediately threw herself into the embrace of the elderly lady in the center.
The elderly lady wore a lake-blue outer robe, adorned with a cloud-patterned shoulder wrap embroidered with intertwined orchids, looking dignified and graceful. She showed no signs of being over fifty.
She hugged Miss Hua tightly, continuously calling her "sweetheart."
This should be the Grand Academician's wife. Aunt Mu had told Lin Zhiqing that Miss Hua was the apple of the Grand Academician couple's eye.
Because Miss Hua's mother was the Grand Academician couple's only legitimate daughter, who married far away to Bianliang and became engrossed in nature.
The two elderly people poured much affection onto Miss Hua.
Lin Zhiqing merely glanced, but was noticed by the Grand Academician's wife.
Her gaze was sharp. When she caught Lin Zhiqing's gaze on her, she took the initiative, sizing up Lin Zhiqing from head to toe.
Lin Zhiqing smiled slightly and bowed from a distance.
The elderly lady did not respond, withdrawing her gaze and looking at her granddaughter: "Nannan, is that the Lin family's girl?"
Miss Hua nodded, not forgetting to wave at Lin Zhiqing: "If it weren't for her, I wouldn't know how serious my illness would be."
"Nannan, Shengjing lacks all kinds of people." The elderly lady pinched Miss Hua's cheek dotingly: "But what it least lacks are women who deceive."
"Grandmother, we truly met by chance," Miss Hua said, shaking the elderly lady's arm and pouting.
The elderly lady said no more, but she had her own calculations in mind, and her gaze towards Lin Zhiqing held a faint hint of disgust.
Lin Zhiqing didn't pay too much attention to the elderly lady. After observing for a while, she found some issues.
The noble ladies who came today chose their partners quite interestingly.
Most indeed invited men they had a good impression of or had interacted with to attend together. A small portion partnered with their own male relatives from the same clan.
Such a partnership was quite safe. It provided an opportunity to compete for the prize and also informed others that they were not yet married.
She herself and Lin Shi'an also belonged to this type of pairing.
However, she had no intention of clinging to power and wealth. Lin Shi'an was merely the optimal solution for various situations.
But in the eyes of those unaware of the truth, Lin Zhiqing, who ignored a readily available fiancé, was probably harboring ill intentions.
Such uninformed people, of course, included the Grand Academician's wife and several other high-ranking officials' wives.
Who knew how long it had been when Princess Pingning and Jiang Liuyun's figures finally appeared in the waterside pavilion.
And Princess Pingning's cheeks were like rosy clouds, delicate and dewy.
Upon seeing this, everyone looked at Lin Zhiqing with meaningful glances. Even Miss Hua frowned, feeling that something was amiss.
Lin Shi'an frowned, while Lu Huai raised an eyebrow.
Lin Zhiqing, however, acted as if nothing had happened, simply quietly sipping her tea.
Jiang Liuyun didn't notice the strange atmosphere and quickly walked over to Lin Zhiqing, speaking to her softly.
The shy and demure Princess's smile instantly vanished. She pursed her lips and stood still, the hand holding her fan trembling slightly.
Having just watched a good show, the elderly lady's wrinkled lips twitched, then she waved to Princess Pingning: "Pingning, I haven't seen you for a long time, come here and chat with this old woman."
Princess Pingning then suppressed her emotions, forced a smile, and walked forward.
Seeing the elderly lady and Princess Pingning chatting happily, everyone tactfully avoided mentioning what had just happened.
Lin Zhiqing knew in her heart that she had become the center of everyone's gossip. She didn't speak to Jiang Liuyun either, but instead stared intently in Princess Pingning's direction.
She had just seen strong anger and disgust in Princess Pingning's eyes.
Such people usually lacked reason and were prone to "retaliation" through words or actions against others.
As the competition for the prize was about to begin, Lin Zhiqing noticed Princess Pingning occasionally looking at her while talking to the elderly lady. She knew that they would not let her off in today's prize competition.
Sure enough, just as others were eager to take the stage, the elderly lady suddenly spoke:
"Why doesn't the Lin family's girl play along with everyone?"
Jiang Liuyun looked at Lin Zhiqing with a worried expression. Lin Zhiqing calmly stood up and bowed: "To reply to the elderly lady, Zhiqing is foolish and would rather not make a fool of herself in front of everyone."
She spoke from the heart. After all, like the original owner, she was truly clueless about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
"My dear sister, you speak too seriously." Princess Pingning's voice was gentle. "It's merely joining in the fun. I heard from Miss Hua that you earned two hundred taels of silver from her. Today's prize is worth even more than silver."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes immediately changed.
Two hundred taels of silver?
There were very few people who dared to make such a big demand from the Imperial Academy's residence. And how could a dignified official's daughter value money so much?
Lin Zhiqing narrowed her eyes: "Princess is mistaken. Miss Hua must have told you the whole story. If you speak like this, without beginning or end, others might even think I extorted her."
The Princess was startled. She hadn't expected Lin Zhiqing to directly confront her with this question.
A woman doing business? It was truly scandalous.
This was the Princess's thought, but Lin Zhiqing's face showed no fear.
"Please don't misunderstand, everyone. Miss Lin treated my illness, and I paid her for her services. This is only natural." Miss Hua jumped out of the elderly lady's embrace. She had also heard the hostility in Princess Pingning's words.
Lin Zhiqing smiled. "Precisely."
The elderly lady subtly pulled Miss Hua back. "Miss Lin is indeed quick-witted, just like your mother."
"Speaking of your mother, her konghou playing back then is still unforgettable. I wonder if this old woman will be fortunate enough to see you win first place today."
Too much!
These words were truly too heavy.
However, since the elderly lady had spoken, it meant Lin Zhiqing couldn't refuse and had to participate in the competition.
Since that was the case, she might as well use this opportunity to find a living advertisement for her future medical clinic. This way, she would be one step closer to her goal of making big money.
If she truly won first place, that would indeed be a happy ending for all.
Even if she didn't win first place, she wouldn't lose anything substantial.
With the Grand Academician's wife as her guarantor, even Lin Congli couldn't say anything.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing bowed slightly: "Since the elderly lady has spoken so, Zhiqing respectfully obeys."
"However, I have one condition."
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