Upon receiving the signal for the halftime break, everyone instinctively gathered around the Wolf-Sheep game area.
"Qing'er, I never knew you were so amazing. Have you played the Wolf-Sheep game before?" Jiang Liuyun asked excitedly.
Lin Shi'an was also very curious about this.
Lin Zhiqing nodded lightly: "I usually study it when I'm bored in the courtyard. Today, I was just lucky to stumble upon it."
As soon as she finished speaking, someone immediately said: "I told you so, she just got lucky. Otherwise, how could she have won?"
As soon as these words were uttered, Jiang Liuyun quickly pinpointed the person's location, his displeasure clearly visible in his eyes.
That person immediately became nervous: "I... I didn't say anything."
Jiang Liuyun nodded in satisfaction, as if saying "That's more like it."
Lin Zhiqing, however, didn't care about their sarcastic remarks. After roughly explaining her logical deductions from the game she had just played, she then asked about the situation of the others.
Jiang Liuyun had drawn the military tactics exercise, which was naturally not difficult for him as a military general.
Lin Shi'an was lucky and drew martial arts, which he excelled at.
However, the martial arts competition was a arena battle, and Lin Shi'an was besieged by several people and unfortunately defeated.
Lin Zhiqing immediately knew this must be Princess Pingning's doing, but she didn't expose it, after all, there were many people here.
"What about Lu Huai? What did he draw?" She decisively changed the subject.
Jiang Liuyun poured Lin Zhiqing a cup of tea: "He's lucky, he drew arithmetic."
Lin Zhiqing waved her hand, indicating she wasn't thirsty. Arithmetic was Lu Huai's strong suit.
However, this person was always elusive, not even visible during the halftime break.
"Do you know what the next round will be?" Lin Zhiqing began to inquire about the news.
Jiang Liuyun shook his head: "The competition is different every year, but it's always quite unexpected."
Lin Zhiqing didn't need Jiang Liuyun to explain this; she had heard a lot from Aunt Mu.
Last year was flower arrangement, and the year before was makeup artistry.
Lin Zhiqing discovered that the focus of this final round of competition was still on the noble ladies. It was almost like an assessment.
Lin Zhiqing disliked such assessments. A hundred flowers blooming was certainly beautiful, but if the purpose of the assessment was to increase their leverage in marriage through rankings, then the noble ladies present all became tools.
As thoughts swirled, the time it took to drink a cup of tea quickly passed.
Lin Zhiqing, Jiang Liuyun, and others who won first place in various games were called out.
Originally, there were ten slots, but Lu Huai and Jiang Liuyun both took first place, and since they were partners, only nine people remained in the end.
Princess Pingning was also among these nine.
Once everyone was present, the previously bustling small garden was cleared out.
It wasn't until one maid after another emerged from both sides, carrying trays, that everyone realized this was the content of the second round of the competition.
Lin Zhiqing quickly focused her attention on the items on the trays.
On them were fabrics, all kinds of fabrics.
There was smooth floating brocade, and shimmering fish-shadow gauze. Other nameless fabrics were countless, truly dazzling.
"What does this mean? Are they trying to make us sew clothes?" Jiang Liuyun looked at his calloused hands and quickly shook his head: "I can't do needlework."
"Not needlework." Lu Huai pinched his chin, deep in thought: "When I came earlier, I saw many tailors, they seemed to be on standby."
"Then these fabrics are..." Lin Shi'an was still puzzled.
"This should be to test our taste in clothing." Lin Zhiqing, with her sharp eyes, saw the ink and brushes held by the maids in the back row.
Aside from designing clothes, Lin Zhiqing couldn't think of any other use for paper and brushes.
"Taste? I think Qing'er looks good in anything." Jiang Liuyun showed a foolish smile on his face.
To be honest, Lin Zhiqing's clothes could only be described as "unmistakable," but not particularly outstanding.
Lin Zhiqing clearly saw Lu Huai roll his eyes, and Lin Shi'an turned his head, unable to bear looking. She chuckled awkwardly.
Princess Pingning, not far from these few, didn't miss Jiang Liuyun's words. Her face showed no reaction, but the hand in her sleeve clenched tightly.
"As expected of the best children in my Shengjing, today has truly opened my eyes." The old lady, supported by Miss Hua, stood up and, as usual, said a few polite words.
"My granddaughter grew up in Bianliang. Today's second round of the competition was inspired by her."
"Bianliang's silk is the best silk in the entire Grand Dynasty. Not only in Shengjing, but it's also highly sought after in several neighboring countries."
"However, Nannan said that Bianliang's ready-made clothing styles are numerous, even surpassing those of Shengjing."
"As a native of Shengjing, I cannot agree with this. Everyone, show your skills today and let my granddaughter have a good look at the clothes of our Shengjing!"
As soon as the old lady finished speaking, Miss Hua shook her arm and said softly, "Grandmother, if you say that today, I'll become the public enemy of Shengjing."
"Now you know fear, don't you!" The old lady joked with Miss Hua, and the previously tense atmosphere was dispersed by their playful banter.
Everyone laughed. The young ladies of Shengjing were indeed spurred on by these words.
Lin Zhiqing looked at the intimate grandmother and granddaughter, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
Before, she was all alone. After coming to this world, although she had a large family, she was excluded from it.
This pure grandparent-grandchild affection was something she had never witnessed.
After a period of teasing, the嬷嬷 (nanny) by the old lady's side began to explain the rules:
"For this competition, the young lady specifically brought back many high-quality fabrics from Bianliang. Young masters and ladies will have the time it takes for one stick of incense to choose."
"The old lady has invited the best tailors in Shengjing this time. After choosing your fabrics, tell the tailors the design you desire."
"Two hours later, the maids will wear the finished garments and display them one by one. The old lady and the other ladies will vote based on their preferences, and the champion will be decided!"
"We hope all young masters and ladies will do their best, so that the young lady can see our Shengjing's attire!"
As soon as the nanny finished speaking, the maid lit a stick of incense, signifying that the competition had begun!
Upon hearing the rules, the first thing that came to Lin Zhiqing's mind was the dress-up games she used to play.
Who doesn't love beautiful clothes?
"I don't have any research on these. Do you have any ideas?" Lin Shi'an nervously fiddled with his jade pendant, looking at the pile of fabrics in front of him, but not moving.
Not just him, but Jiang Liuyun and several other men on the field all looked helpless, not knowing where to start.
Lu Huai, however, naturally stepped forward and began choosing.
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