Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Stunning BeautyAccompanied by Qin Tangyue’s recitation, everyone present stared at Sang Yan with disbelief.
Including He Ying.
He looked into Sang Yan’s eyes, as if they sparkled with starlight: "My Ah Yan is truly incredible!"
Eventually, the stall owner was the first to burst out laughing, bowing courteously to Sang Yan, "I had no idea the lady was so extraordinarily gifted."
He had been vending here for a long time and had never seen anyone able to devise such a challenging riddle.
"Too kind."
Sang Yan chuckled awkwardly, feeling somewhat guilty: How could it not be extraordinarily gifted? It was a famous poem, after all!
"I dare to ask, lady, which words in the poem form the riddle? Could you dispel this old man’s doubts?"
The stall owner, brimming with curiosity, was extremely eager to know.
Qin Tangyue, upon hearing the stall owner’s voice, also stealthily glanced towards Sang Yan.
She felt uncomfortable inside but couldn’t deny that she was incapable of composing such a poem, let alone guessing it?
Sang Yan pursed her lips in a smile and wrote down four words on the rice paper—"Xinwei’s Top Scholar."
The stall owner, after seeing the answer and thinking for a while, suddenly burst into laughter, "I never thought it would be these words, madam is perceptive, I am inferior in comparison. Today’s riddle champion is indeed you!"
He had noticed Sang Yan’s fondness for the Jade carving of the Cowherd and Weaver, personally lifting it, and handed it over, "This Jade carving is for both you and the gentleman, wishing you lasting togetherness. Later on, you can also take a ride on the flower boat, circling around Quanzhou City to enjoy the night views."
The stall owner was good with words.
He Ying was delighted, casually pulling out Silver coins from his purse and tossing them to the stall owner: "Reward."
He and Ah Yan were surely meant to last forever.
The stall owner, almost reflexively catching the Silver, was momentarily stunned; he had quite a reputation here, but usually, nobody gave him reward silver.
Observing the extraordinary demeanor of the man who gave the reward made people involuntarily respect him.
"Thank you, young master."
The stall owner bowed deeply in gratitude.
Sang Yan joyfully held the Jade carving, glancing indirectly at Qin Tangyue.
Qin Tangyue’s expression was indescribable, standing next to the girl in the lake-green skirt.
How could she not have guessed these four words!
The girl in the lake-green skirt examined Qin Tangyue’s expression carefully, deliberately provoking, "Yueyue, are you just going to admit defeat? You’re a talented woman, try harder, and who knows, you might snatch him away—"
She totally ignored Qin Tangyue’s feelings of losing the competition, showing no intention to comfort.
Especially when she spoke, her eyes danced with excitement, seemingly thrilled by Qin Tangyue’s public embarrassment.
She had seen it; whether Qin Tangyue won or not, that man would not spare her a second glance.
Qin Tangyue was really foolish to still engage in competition.
"No more competing."
Qin Tangyue’s eyes reddened, her confidence crushed like never before.
She didn’t want to stay here any longer.
Having tremendously embarrassed herself today, she felt as if every glance thrown her way was mocking, causing her extreme discomfort!
"Oh, come on, don’t leave—"
The girl in the lake-green skirt attempted to stop her.
A cold and clear female voice suddenly rang out: "Are you her handkerchief friend?"
Qin Tangyue turned at the sound, seeing the woman she had competed against approaching.
She held the Jade carving, and the divinely handsome man was following closely behind her, his hand purposely draped over her shoulder as if he was afraid she would get bumped or touched.
A man as dazzling as the summer sun, willingly guarding a woman such as her.
Qin Tangyue felt bitterness in her heart and tightly pressed her lips together, remaining silent.
The girl in the lake-green skirt scoffed, "Yes, I am Yueyue’s handkerchief friend, are you here to gloat? Our Yueyue is better than you, do you dare to compete again?"
"I wasn’t—"
Qin Tangyue became anxious, attempting to grab her hand, to stop her from provoking further.
But she intentionally pretended not to hear, completely ignoring Qin Tangyue’s current embarrassing predicament.
Sang Yan saw every interaction between the two and smirked behind her veil: She never expected this great beauty to be such a naive girl, easily manipulated by a so-called "handkerchief exchange."
"Miss Qin—"
Sang Yan couldn’t be bothered with the chattering girl and smiled at Qin Tangyue, "Possessing both intelligence and beauty is something all women desire, yet these alone are not enough. One also needs the ability to judge people."
After saying this, she grabbed He Ying and headed to the bow of the boat.
Her words had reached this point, whether Qin Tangyue understood or not was no longer her concern.
The champion of the night was already announced.
The owner asked the guests on deck to descend from the flower boat and with a shout, lifted the anchor.
The flower boat slowly moved forward with the current.
A cool sea breeze blew.
Sang Yan leaned in He Ying’s arms and within his dark eyes, she saw her veiled face.
Suddenly thinking of something, she took off her veil and handed it to He Ying with some suspicion, "Does it really look like a pheasant?"
She had been quite satisfied when she finished it!
She did not know if it was an illusion, but now, looking at the embroidered mandarin ducks on the veil, they increasingly resembled two pheasants.
"No more."
Angry, she raised her hand to throw it into the sea.
He Ying was quick, snatching it back, "Wasn’t it a gift for me?"
He frowned, unhappily stuffing the veil into his chest pocket, watching Sang Yan warily as if afraid she would try to snatch it.
Sang Yan burst into laughter, "It’s too ugly. I’ll learn more and embroider a new one for you some other day."
If the Palace Attendants found out one day that he carried a veil with pheasants, not only he but perhaps she would be embarrassed.
"No need. This one is perfect. As long as you embroidered it, I like it."
He Ying’s eyes glowed, flirting naturally.
Sang Yan was blushing and lowered her head, silently smiling. sea??h thё novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Qin Tangyue stood by the shore, still pondering Sang Yan’s words: What did she mean by one’s ability to judge people?
Did she mean—she was poor at judging people?
"Miss Qin, don’t be sad. If that man doesn’t appreciate you, we, your many admirers, are willing to accompany you if you wish."
The men on shore, seeing Qin Tangyue come down, rushed to extend invitations:
"I feel the same, Miss Qin, we can join you too."
"Miss Qin, I have admired you for a long time, please consider me."
"Miss Qin, I have booked Zuixian Building for tonight, may we gather?"
...
Those pleas of courtship were endless.
The normally polite sons of wealthy families and scholarly gentlemen were now desperately vying for the chance to spend Chinese Valentine’s Day with Qin Tangyue.
Qin Tangyue felt much better.
So what if that woman had won against her?
In terms of beauty, she, Qin Tangyue, was still the most beautiful in Quanzhou City.
As she thought this, suddenly a cry arose: "My heavens, look at that woman, truly breathtaking!"
Breathtaking?
Qin Tangyue heard it, frowning: She was standing right there, who could be more beautiful than her?
Everyone, including Qin Tangyue, looked out towards the sea.
On the slowly receding flower boat, a woman sat by the railing, slightly tilting her head as if whispering to her lover.
The dim yellow light of the lanterns shone on her fair skin, appearing enchanting and alluring.
Qin Tangyue’s gaze lowered to the woman’s attire, her face resembling a colorful palette.
Wasn’t that the woman she had just competed against?
Absurd!
She had actually thought that woman was plain!