Luo Qing Luan hadn't finished what she was saying, when Zhuang Yulan already interrupted her and spoke with a slight ridicule. "That reply letter clearly asked Miss Yuchi to provide guidance. Wasn't this in fact a challenge? Miss Luo, since you already spoke, and you've already prepared for several days, why are you using all sorts of excuses when we invited you to compose a poem?"

"She obviously looks down on us. After all, we're not the kind of talented young lady that Miss Yuchi is, who can be a challenge for Miss Luo." Immediately, someone spoke out sourly.

Everyone increasingly became more discontented with Luo Qing Luan's attitude. Each and everyone of them wagging their tongues while looking at her with gazes brimming with hostility.

Luo Qing Luan still said nothing. Why would she explain the truth when these people wouldn't believe her instead?

Was it so strange not to be able to compose poetry?

She'd never wanted to cause trouble, yet these people clearly had nothing to do after filling their stomachs, so they looked for her. Very likely, without properly slapping their faces, these people truly would take her to be alone and easy to bully.

Just at this time, a drawn out voice belonging to a palace eunuch called out loudly. "Her Highness the Empress arrives——"

The multitude of women were startled and promptly faced ahead, bowing with respect. "Greetings Your Highness the Empress."

Tonight, as before, Empress Wang was poised and noble, smiling cheerfully, beautiful thick hair bedecked with jewels, displaying the mother of a country's posture to the utmost, not the least bit inferior to the former empress. Her very long dress was arranged on the ground, appearing like layers upon layers of clouds, as soft as cotton. She was supported by Imperial Consort Song. A group of palace maids followed behind her as she slowly stepped towards the seat in the middle.

"Everyone, rise."

Her gentle voice sounded as Empress Wang sat down, eyes carrying a smiling expression as she took a glance at everyone. Only after everyone returned to their original position did she speak. "Today is the Mid-autumn festival again, a night of reunion difficult to come by. His Majesty is at the Soaring Dragon Palace enjoying the night with a group of officials, so he won't be coming here. We can play on our own. Everyone should enjoy themselves to their heart's content tonight."

Everyone replied extremely deferentially. "Your Highness is right."

Empress Wang pursed her lips and smiled. "There's no need to be so reserved. Isn't there also a poetry gathering tonight? Has our talented young ladies arrived? I'd already heard at an earlier time that Marquis of Xuan Ping's daughter's talent is outstanding and is a rare beauty in our Western Chu."

As she spoke, she looked all around. As expected, a young lady immediately gracefully stepped out and walked towards the center while paying her respects. "Yuchi Lianqing greets Your Highness."

"Are you the duchess of Yiyang? Hurry and come over to my side. Let me take a good look at you." Empress Wang's eyes shined while her smile widened even more.

Everyone, including Luo Qing Luan, also simultaneously turned to look at that young lady. They only saw a fifteen to sixteen year old with a face which still revealed some childishness. However, that unruffled bearing and the tranquil elegance which was displayed on her entire body made her steadiness somewhat more impressive. An exquisite nose and small mouth, vermillion lips like delicate petals. Crystal earrings hung down and swayed gently on by the side of her face brushed with a very thin layer of cosmetics. Sparkling and translucent, their twinkling, flickering brilliance made her entire person seem even more like a goddess who descended upon the mundane world.

Indeed not bad. No wonder she carried the title of Western Chu's number one beauty. Luo Qing Luan smiled faintly, but she just had that kind of feeling, that's all. After all, she wasn't a man. No matter how much more beautiful a woman was, she would still just observe them like that. It was even less likely for her to be envious of another's person's appearance.

It's just that, whether this Miss Yuchi was in fact a talent like the rumours and furthermore was gentle, refined, and kindhearted was left to be seen.

Light muslin swaying gently, Yuchi Lianqing raised her head slightly and replied gently. "Yes."

After she spoke, she walked lightly like swaying lotuses, every frown and every smile, every move permeated with an other worldly loftiness which couldn't help but make everyone feel inferior and self-conscious. When she finally sat by Empress Wang's side, the smiling expression on her face became even more gentle and agreeable, birthing and even more favorable impression in everyone's hearts.

"Indeed. What a beautiful young person. I wonder if you've been promised already?" Imperial Consort Song also smiled as she looked upon her.

"Responding to Imperial Consort. No." Yuchi Lianqing's voice sounded softly, somewhat bashful.

"Then that's wonderful!" Imperial Consort Song immediately looked at Empress Wang and said, "Elder sister is so blessed. Doesn't His Majesty want to look for a consort for His Highness the Crown Prince? I feel that the duchess of Yiyang is very fitting! Not only is she the number one beauty, moreover, the fame of her talents spreads far and wide. She's indeed a choice candidate for the position of Crown Prince Consort. If my Huang'er hasn't already......sigh, I just want to strive on Older Sister's behalf."

Empress Wang smiled while Yuchi Lianqing was a faceful of bashfulness, lowering her head without speaking.

After chatting for a bit, Imperial Consort Song continued. "Elder Sister since everyone has arrived, how about we start tonight's poetry meeting? I also would like to listen to all of these young ladies' works. This year's compositions should be even better than last year's."

Nodding their heads, everyone's eyes shined with eagerness to try. Empress Wang replied. "Then good. We celebrate the Mid-autumn Festival every year. This year's rules are also about the same as last year's. Besides the reward that His Majesty and I will bestow upon the top three winners, each and everyone else who presents an unusually outstanding piece of writing, or a work of art that's new and refreshing will also be rewarded."

For the many women participating in the Full Moon Feast, their main goal was precisely to obtain this placement.

Previous years were nothing much. Although they could obtain the honor of His Majesty and Her Highness' reward, it's still merely some material possessions. As far as precious high born ladies like them who lacked nothing were concerned, those were merely a bit of reputation, that's all.

However, it's different this year. Once they entered Her Highness' sights, or maybe His Majesty fancied their composition, then that could possibly become the position of Crown Prince Consort. In fact, this had to do with their lifetime of happiness as well as their family's glory. Everyone was of the same mind as their spirits burned with fervor.

"For this year's moon praising poems, I wonder who should be the first to start?"

Empress Wang had just finished speaking when she looked for something among the crowd. "That's right. Has the second Miss Luo from the General's Mansion arrived? Where is she?"