The old lady heard this, narrowed her drooping eyelids, then smiled subtly: "Bold! How dare a Lin family member be so disrespectful?! You still dare to make conditions with me?"
The Grand Academician had assisted three generations of monarchs and was a famously pure official. At least among those attending the flower viewing party today, no one had dared to negotiate with the Grand Academician's wife, not even Princess Pingning, who had to show her respect.
But Lin Zhiqing was an exception. She said in a clear voice: "My elder uncle repeatedly instructed me before I came, teaching me to exercise self-restraint and adhere to propriety, so as not to trouble the Imperial Academy."
"Zhiqing originally had no intention of participating, but if the old lady insists, I am willing to try."
"Soon, I will open a medical clinic. I ask the old lady to grace me with a plaque, to bring me good fortune."
As soon as Lin Zhiqing said this, the crowd instantly erupted.
"A medical clinic? A dignified young lady actually wants to open a medical clinic? How can she say such shameless words?"
"She really is a low-born commoner. She truly doesn't understand the rules. A young lady should stay in the courtyard and learn the Three Obediences and Four Virtues!"
"One is corrupted by what one associates with. Lin Zhiqing is just like Lu Nanyue. She doesn't want to be a proper young lady and runs off to do business."
"With a father like that, what good can she be?"
Everyone discussed heatedly. Lin Shi'an's baby face completely darkened. He couldn't stand to hear anyone slander the Lin family: "Zhiqing, this isn't the Lin family. You mustn't be so presumptuous!"
Endure? Take a step back, and the more you think, the angrier you get!
Lin Zhiqing shook her head: "Cousin, it's not me who's slandering the Lin family, it's them."
Her gaze was stubborn: "What's wrong with a woman doing business? Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are skills, so isn't medical art too?"
"When the granaries are full, the people know propriety; when food and clothing are sufficient, the people know honor and shame."
"I ask everyone to answer me: if there were no people doing business, where would your food, clothing, housing, and transportation come from?"
"Qing'er, don't talk nonsense." Jiang Liuyun's lips twitched downwards. He didn't seem to agree with Lin Zhiqing's actions: "You're too impulsive. Hurry up and apologize to the old lady."
Lin Zhiqing's words, inside and out, all boiled down to one thing: she wanted to open a medical clinic.
And today was on the Imperial Academy's territory. Her unruly words and actions were undoubtedly challenging the old lady's authority.
But Lin Zhiqing knew that if she didn't make things clear now, whether she opened a medical clinic or started other businesses in the future, someone would always jump out to challenge her.
She had never attended such banquets, but she knew instinctively that those who disliked her would definitely gossip about her in front of the old lady.
Perhaps sensing Lin Zhiqing's thoughts, or perhaps simply not caring, Lu Huai said nothing, merely playing with the jade abacus in his hand.
The old lady sat steadily on the high platform, raising her eyelids. Though her smile was broad, there was no hint of mirth in her eyes: "Lin Zhiqing, you stinky brat who's still wet behind the ears, what makes you think you can cause trouble in my Imperial Academy? If not for Nannan inviting you here, you wouldn't even have the chance to stand before me."
Miss Hua pursed her lips and gently tugged her sleeve: "Grandmother, Miss Lin's medical skills are excellent. It's just a plaque. Please grant it to her."
Seemingly not expecting her granddaughter to speak up for Lin Zhiqing, the old lady patted Miss Hua's hand soothingly:
"The Lin family women have always been alluring. You've also been bewitched by her. I've hosted the Spring Banquet for so many years without a single hitch, and now I'm being challenged by such a stinky brat?"
'Medical skills? What good are medical skills, no matter how good they are? It's not a proper path.'
Princess Pingning looked at Jiang Liuyun's worried gaze towards Lin Zhiqing, and the fire in her heart flared:
"The old lady is absolutely right. A young lady should focus on music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and household management. Why waste time on such useless matters?"
These words hit the nail on the head. Most of the people present thought the same way.
Seeing the mocking gazes of those around them, Jiang Liuyun grew anxious. He clasped his hands and stepped forward: "Old lady, Qing'er is pure of heart. What she said was not her true intention. Please bear with her."
The old lady took a deep breath: "Young Master Jiang, you are a good man, but your father is mistaken for marrying you to such a person of questionable character."
"If you are angry, today I will inform Consort Xian to preside over the matter and annul your engagement. There are plenty of young ladies in Shengjing waiting for you to choose from."
The phrase "questionable character" effectively branded Lin Zhiqing with shame. The surrounding people echoed in agreement, all saying that Lin Zhiqing was not worthy of Jiang Liuyun.
Although she was at the center of the storm, Lin Zhiqing's mood wasn't too bad. Opportunities to annul an engagement were rare, and a ready-made one was presented before her. But would it really be that smooth?
Princess Pingning, by the old lady's side, was especially agitated. Her face flushed red, and she looked at Jiang Liuyun with affectionate eyes.
Under everyone's gaze, Jiang Liuyun swept aside his robes and knelt on the ground: "Thank you for your concern, old lady, but no one can compare to Qing'er. I will not annul our engagement!"
As soon as he said this, the crowd was in an uproar.
Lin Shi'an breathed a sigh of relief, but Lu Huai frowned slightly.
Jiang Liuyun was usually straightforward, but saying such things in this setting would likely make all the young ladies in Shengjing view Lin Zhiqing as an eyesore and a thorn in their side.
Sure enough, the first to express dissatisfaction was Princess Pingning. Her hand, pointing at Lin Zhiqing, trembled slightly:
"Young Master Jiang's words are truly laughable. Lin Zhiqing is just a pretty face. There are countless people better than her in Shengjing."
"I've long heard that Lin Zhiqing is promiscuous and unchaste. Now that I see it, she truly has her ways!"
"Princess, watch your words!" Lin Zhiqing stepped forward past Jiang Liuyun: "I know you dislike me, but please don't slander me."
"Young Master Jiang and I are bound by an engagement. You open and close your mouth slandering my innocence. Are you perhaps trying to use this opportunity to eliminate me and take my place?"
Suddenly having her true intentions exposed, the Princess froze, unable to speak for a long time.
The old lady rubbed the back of her withered hand, her chest rising and falling: "Presumptuous! How utterly rude! Someone like you still dreams of winning first place? Dream on!"
Anyone with eyes could see that the old lady was utterly disgusted with Lin Zhiqing.
Even Lu Huai looked at Lin Zhiqing more closely.
But Lin Zhiqing ignored Jiang Liuyun's dissuasion. Instead, she bowed respectfully to the old lady: "Old lady, Zhiqing has no other intention. I merely seek fairness."
"If I win first place, what will you do?"
The old lady had expected Lin Zhiqing to beg for mercy, but she never imagined she would still be so defiant:
"A person needs a face, a tree needs bark. Lin Zhiqing, do you know what you're saying? The most outstanding women in Shengjing are all here. What makes you think you can contend for first place?"
"Of course I know what I'm saying." Lin Zhiqing maintained her smile, not wanting to say more: "When do we start?"
The old lady took a deep breath, and it seemed even more wrinkles appeared on her face: "If you win first place, this old woman will crawl to your Lin family to personally deliver the plaque!"
"Besides that, an additional five hundred taels of silver as a congratulatory gift!" Miss Hua seized the opportunity to add. Her parents were merchants, and in her view, there was nothing wrong with doing business.
Moreover, she was a grateful person.
Lin Zhiqing's dolls were indeed very helpful in treating her skin's severe thirst. This was Lin Zhiqing's deserved reward.
She hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise. Lin Zhiqing quickly calculated in her mind. If she could get five hundred taels of silver, she could put finding a shop on the agenda!
Thinking of this, she curved her lips. "It's a deal."
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