Even if Princess Anping had the intention to favor Ye Anling, she couldn’t deny that Ye Chutang’s writing was exceptional.
Anyone with eyes could see who was superior.
As she looked at Ye Chutang’s faint, confident smile, she realized she had been played.
Out of all the flowers, Ye Chutang had deliberately chosen pomegranate blossoms—the same as hers—just to humiliate her!
"Miss Ye, you’ve truly hidden your talents. I must admit, I’m impressed!"
The moment these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in praise for Ye Chutang.
"Who knew Miss Ye possessed such literary brilliance? The rankings of the capital’s talented ladies must be revised."
"Just this calligraphy alone surpasses that of many noblewomen."
"Not just among women—even the First Young Master Song Jingning might not compare."
"Shouldn’t the title of the capital’s top talent be handed over now?"
All eyes turned to Ye Anling.
Her smile stiffened.
She couldn’t bring herself to praise Ye Chutang, nor could she belittle herself.
Kong Ru stepped in to mediate. "Whether it’s Chutang or Anling who claims the top spot, it’s an honor for the Minister’s Mansion."
A friendly noblewoman quickly chimed in.
"Indeed, having two accomplished daughters is a blessing, Madam Ye."
Once the flattery died down, Ye Chutang glanced at the prizes on the stone table.
"Princess, do these all belong to me now?"
Princess Anping reluctantly nodded. "Since Miss Ye has won, the prizes are yours."
Kong Ru instructed a maid to collect the rewards and deliver them to Ningchu Courtyard.
Watching Ye Chutang’s radiant smile, Princess Anping wished she could tear it off her face.
Unwilling to concede, she proposed another challenge—this time, musical instruments.
She refused to believe Ye Chutang was skilled at everything!
"Miss Ye, would you care for another round?"
Ye Chutang didn’t immediately agree. "What does Your Highness wish to compete in?"
The original host of this body had spent fifteen years in the countryside, knowing nothing beyond double-sided embroidery—not even basic literacy.
But Ye Chutang came from an ancient martial arts family. Alongside combat and medicine, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were compulsory studies.
No matter what Princess Anping chose, she wouldn’t fall far behind.
"Musical instruments. Do you dare, Miss Ye?"
Miss Liu, having been tutored by a master, had surpassed even her teacher—no one could best her in qin artistry!
Ye Chutang’s lips curved. "As long as the prize is worthwhile, I’ll take the challenge."
Seeing her confidence, Princess Anping felt a twinge of unease.
But she couldn’t back down now.
"Of course there’s a prize for the contest."
She removed a violet jade bangle from her wrist and placed it on the table.
Just as Ye Chutang reached for the golden hairpin in her hair, Shuangxi, a young eunuch serving under Eunuch De, arrived in the garden.
He hurried to Kong Ru’s side.
"Madam Ye, the Grand Eunuch has heard of Miss Ye’s exceptional calligraphy and wishes to see it—and her."
The bluntness of his words drew all eyes to Ye Chutang.
Some pitied her, others gloated.
Kong Ru turned to Ye Chutang. "Chutang, take your poem to show Eunuch De."
Ye Chutang had been waiting for this moment. "Of course."
Dan’er moved to follow, but Shuangxi blocked her.
"The Grand Eunuch wishes to see Miss Ye alone."
After reassuring Dan’er with a glance, Ye Chutang followed Shuangxi to the front courtyard.
The moment she appeared, every gaze locked onto her.
Qin Muyun glanced at Qi Yanzhou, whose expression remained icy, and marveled.
"Even knowing Eunuch De’s ill intentions, she remains unshaken. Miss Ye is truly extraordinary."
Qi Yanzhou shot him a look. "Thinking of playing the hero?"
"I’d love to, but the Qin family’s hundred lives rest on my shoulders. I can’t afford recklessness."
He nudged Qi Yanzhou.
"Prince Chen’s Mansion has no reason to fear Eunuch De. Why not step in?"
Qi Yanzhou countered, "How do you know she needs saving?"
Ye Chutang was skilled in martial arts and poisons—Eunuch De might not walk away unscathed.
"Without family to protect her, you’d leave a defenseless woman to fend for herself?"
Receiving no answer, Qin Muyun turned his attention back to Ye Chutang.
She had already presented her poem to Eunuch De.
The eunuch, past forty with a smooth, pale face, sat in the seat of honor.
Though not unattractive, his gaze felt like a venomous snake’s.
Ye Chutang curtsied. "This humble girl greets Eunuch De."
Having seen her portrait beforehand, he was even more captivated by her beauty in person.
"Look up."
She straightened and extended the poem toward him.
Eunuch De’s desire flared—she was far more stunning than the painting.
"Come closer."
Ye Chutang didn’t move.
Ye Jingchuan, fearing offense, urged, "Chutang, Eunuch De is summoning you."
"I heard. But why should I obey? A eunuch’s rank is third-tier—lower than yours, Father."
Silence fell.
Though factually correct, in the face of the emperor’s favorite, official rank meant little.
Ye Jingchuan paled. "Eunuch De, forgive her. Raised in the countryside, she’s unfamiliar with capital etiquette."
Eunuch De, bored of sycophants, found her defiance thrilling.
He smiled. "No matter. I admire Miss Ye’s candor."
His words made his intentions clear to all.
Then he approached her.
Qin Muyun cursed under his breath. "Disgusting eunuch, shameless!"
Qi Yanzhou shoved a pastry into his mouth. "Unless you want the Qin family slaughtered, shut up."
"Yanzhou, intervene. I can’t bear this!"
"Watch the show. Must you chatter?"
Qin Muyun frowned—was that excitement in his friend’s tone?
Ye Chutang stood unwavering as Eunuch De neared.
He merely took the poem from her hands.
"Exquisite verse, masterful calligraphy!"
If the varied scripts had been written separately, many could imitate them.
But the seamless flow of characters, without a single pause, revealed true skill.
He handed the paper to Shuangxi.
"Let everyone see. Who says women can’t rival men?"
Shuangxi presented it first to the Crown Prince.
Assuming Eunuch De was flattering Ye Chutang, the prince was stunned by the calligraphy’s brilliance.
"Miss Ye has synthesized the essence of every script—each stroke is a soaring dragon."
Murmurs of awe spread as the poem circulated.
By the time it reached Qi Yanzhou, Eunuch De asked, "Who taught Miss Ye calligraphy?"
Ye Chutang replied, "I taught myself."
The crowd fell silent.
What did that say about their expensive tutors?
Eunuch De pressed, "Might I request a sample of your work?"
"Ten taels of gold for one calligraphy piece. Eunuch De, I’ll write as many as you want."
The crowd fell silent.
How audacious! She actually dared to ask Eunuch De for money!
Eunuch De looked at Ye Chutang, her defiance radiating like thorns, and the smile on his lips deepened.
He couldn’t wait for the day he would pluck those thorns out, one by one.
With that, he removed the imperial green jade thumb ring from his finger and handed it to Ye Chutang.
"This humble servant carries no silver today. This ring is worth far more than ten taels. Will it suffice?"
Just as Ye Jingchuan was about to decline, Ye Chutang took the ring.
"I’m not losing out, so of course it’s acceptable!"
Then she turned to Ye Jingchuan, whose face had turned ashen.
"Father, have someone prepare the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone."
Ye Jingchuan glared at his daughter, who seemed determined to stir trouble, but with Eunuch De present, he had no choice but to comply.
As servants scrambled to prepare the tools, Ye Chutang asked, "What would Eunuch De like me to write? And in which script?"
"Anything from Lady Ye’s hand will suffice."
Ye Chutang lowered her eyes, a flicker of mischief passing through them.
"Very well!"
