132 flowers cast a shadow, each occupying spring (middle)

  Year after year, sharing the spring breeze.

  On a warm spring day, looking at the Manchu and Han noblewomen with their unique styles, Yunzhu suddenly thought of these few lines: No one can take away anyone's charm, for a single flower cannot make a spring.

  The location may be different, but attending such a gathering with a different mindset and perspective. The angle of scrutiny is more nuanced, and the unique charm of each noblewoman is felt more vividly. At first, they spoke politely and elegantly in front of the various madams, but as they saw the madams' gentle attitude and distance from them, they gradually relaxed their reserve, like flower buds blooming on a spring day, fresh and delicate.

  This process can reveal a lot of things, such as mentality, upbringing, and demeanor.

  Among these people, Ulana Nara is absolutely the most beautiful. She wore a water-red cloud brocade cheongsam with wide pink edges on the front placket, cuffs and hem, embroidered with water-red silk embroidery of twisted lotus patterns. On her head, she wore a gold-plated hairpin with two peach-colored pom-poms, and on her ears, she wore golden filigree jade butterfly earrings. Her hands were adorned with a pair of white jade bangles. She was truly a combination of beauty, elegance, and nobility. Standing next to her, the other women couldn't help but lose their luster.

  However, not all the girls were suppressed by her aura. Like Nala Fuerana, the daughter of University Scholar Charlanga, she was one who had not yet spoken to Yunzhu but couldn't help but like this little girl a bit. The little girl's appearance was only average, but she had an extremely moving smile, and when she smiled, it seemed as if she contained the purest and most beautiful things in the world, with some unspeakable ease and joy... People who spoke to her, even if they were worried before, would slowly calm down after a while and turn their anger into joy.

  Another Xiu Nu, Guwalgiya Xinrong, was born into the first-class aristocratic family of Wen Bina. She fully lives up to the saying "Guwalgiya clan produces beautiful women". She looks exceptionally delicate and charming. If Ulanara Nara Yicheng is a majestic and noble chrysanthemum, then she is an elegant and refined lotus fairy who blooms in the wind and dew.

  She thought she was dignified, but the arrogance of being superior to others often appeared in her words and eyes, especially when dealing with Han military flags' noble women - several Han military flags' beautiful women were invited this time.

  There are two more from the Han military flag, one is Deng's family, with a subtle and elegant temperament, although her appearance may not be stunning, but that subtle and refined quality also makes it difficult for people to ignore; another is Zhang's family, whose bright and beautiful complexion seems to outshine even today's sunshine.

  Other noble ladies are mostly plain in appearance and do not compare to the above few, but their demeanor is also elegant and refined, warm and approachable, not to mention they have other talents waiting to be showcased.

  In the end, a woman who is qualified to receive "flower cards" must have a good family background, appearance, temperament... and various talents. Except for one or two outstanding ones, the rest cannot be too bad. Otherwise, if a woman with a good family background and beautiful appearance but no brains comes along, the host of the flower meeting will also be ridiculed for having no vision.

  "Ladies who are able to attend the Spring Festival held by our Wangfu, it's a rare fate, we have prepared several activities that girls like...". At the beginning of the gathering, Wangfu's lady said a few words of gratitude and briefly introduced what activities were prepared for everyone. Then let the girls act on their own, and those who came later would be received by others again.

  Everyone knows that the imperial concubines hold a flower festival every year, and they also find their own friends to join in the projects they are interested in, striving to show their own elegance and talent.

  Even if you don't know each other, introduce yourselves and exchange a few words to become friends. As they are all from prestigious families, it's rare for them to be shy or reserved like ordinary housewives.

  Nala, the lively and playful daughter of Princess Wulanara, was playing a game of "flowing cups" with several other noblewomen by the creek in front of the pavilion. However, she was distracted and not paying attention. Borjigit Sarenla nudged her and said: "It's your turn!"

  "Oh." Flana withdrew her gaze, selected a bamboo-carved cup from the many cups of various materials, poured in half a cup of peach blossom wine, covered it with something, and placed the wine cup into the flowing stream...

  "Great! Success!" Flanna jumped up, her smile even brighter, and the gentle Princess Yiqin, who was watching all this, also had a pleased smile on her face. Princess Yiqin asked: "Have you chosen her?"

  "With a carefree and pure heart, yet not reckless, living with her shouldn't bring too much sorrow." Princess Yi Qin slightly lowered her head and asked in return, "What do you think, Twelfth Sister?"

  Ruiqin Wang Fu Jin had long been aware of Hong Zhen's thoughts, although she didn't know if he had forgotten that youthful and innocent feeling in recent years. She felt that finding someone with a completely different appearance and temperament from Yunzhu would also be good for Hong Zhen, so she said: "That's right."

  She can receive the "Spring Festival" flower card she sent out, and all aspects of her condition will not be too bad.

  "Ah, what great luck! Huixian, you're next!" Borjigit Sarin exclaimed. She was thirteen years old this year, her father being the infantry commander Azitu. If she weren't still young, she would have qualified to be a noble consort. The Consort of Prince Yi thought she wasn't bad either, just a bit too young.

  Deng Huixian picked up a rhinoceros horn cup, poured half a cup of wine and carefully placed the cup into the spring water. As a result, the cup flowed with the water halfway and tilted over. She was stunned for a moment, and sighed: "I admit defeat."

  "I heard you're quite the literary talent, so I'll have you compose a poem about flowers. The subject matter is easy enough - just choose any flower from this garden." Gua Erjia Xinrong said, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes. No matter whether it was looks or background, Deng Shi wasn't her match. Her match... Her gaze swept over Wu Lan Na La Ni Mengyi, who was painting on the other side, and a thread of jealousy flashed through. "This game has gone on long enough, why don't we go take a look at the poetry and paintings?"

  "Alright."

  "Go on, what are you staring at?" Bortei asked Sorina curiously, having noticed that she had been gazing out for some time.

  "I'm watching the Fourth Imperial Concubine, she's really beautiful," said Flana.

  She was dressed in a bright red cheongsam with lotus patterns, which set off her smooth and lustrous skin. In the sunlight, it seemed as if she had applied a layer of light, fresh and tender like a white orchid blooming on a jade branch, as if one could squeeze out juice from her skin. The ruby-encrusted golden hairpin in the shape of a curved snake, the uniquely-shaped snake-like golden earrings with inlaid gemstones, and the coiled snake-like golden bangle on her wrist all added an air of elegance and nobility to her gentle and refined demeanor that was impossible to ignore!

  She had never seen a woman wear red flags so elegantly, and gold jewelry so expensively yet tastefully! Thinking of this, she couldn't help but glance at Ula Nara with some sympathy. Ni Mengyao was also extremely beautiful, only seemingly lacking something compared to the Fourth Mistress.

  "But what I admire most is the performance of the four concubines a few years ago when the earthquake occurred in Beijing. It's really glorious for us women." Perhaps it's that kind of calm and composed demeanor, like Mount Tai collapsing in front of them without changing their expression. It's not something that can be cultivated, but rather something innate. Born with nobility, it's not just about one's birth, but a kind of aura that emanates from the soul, transcending all living things.

  Sa Ren nodded with a hint of sadness: "I heard that the fourth Fu Jin is also good at riding and shooting, I wonder if that Ula Nara Ni Meng Yi is also formidable. Hmm, the flag dress on the fourth Fu Jin's body is made of satin, could it be that she deliberately wore it to provoke someone?"

  People from a big clan like hers who are skilled in archery won't be bad, but to be like the Fourth Madame, legendary with one bow and three arrows... that's unlikely. Besides, looking at what she's wearing, Furana curled her lip, "She chose to wear water-red clothes herself, shouldn't mind this."

  Ce Fu Jin cannot wear bright red or crimson, and satin is not a fabric that Ce Fu Jin can use.

  And with the fourth wife having everything, who would she use to stimulate? Not to mention that the fourth brother loved the fourth wife dearly, and they had a son and daughter, both of whom were well-behaved. The fourth wife was not inferior to Ula Nara in terms of family background, talent, or ability. As for her appearance, each had their own strengths, although she secretly preferred the fourth wife's style.

  Yunzhu never thought that she would become the idol of an ancient imperial concubine, and she was chatting with Zhuang's close friend, Princess Fuhui, about the letters from several new princesses. They talked about two princesses who were both pregnant at the same time, one month along, and they were both surprised and delighted: "Getting married at the same time and getting pregnant at the same time, this is just too coincidental!"

  "It's true." Princess Zhuang smiled, "I came to the Prince's mansion today also because I knew that your sister-in-law had the materials you gave her on prenatal care and childcare, so I thought I'd borrow them and copy a set to send to Duan Rou."

  "Alright, I also have some things, and when the time comes, I'll ask Sixteen Auntie to send them over with yours."

  ……

  The two of them chatted for a long time, and when they heard the sound of quarreling coming from not far away, Zhuang's wife suddenly remembered that her other goal had not been achieved yet. She smiled and said: "We've sat here for a while, shall we go take a look?"

  Cloud pearl jaw first.

  "What's wrong?" The atmosphere is a bit awkward.

  Standing on the periphery, Zhuang Qinfu's wife asked as soon as she opened her mouth. A noble lady next to her didn't know who they were at first, and when she reacted, she was startled and quickly explained the cause of the matter.

  Originally, Deng Huixian was playing "Qu Shui Liu Shang" when her luck was not good, and the peach blossom wine spilled into the spring water. She acknowledged the penalty and wrote a poem about peach blossoms, which everyone thought was quite good. However, several other noblewomen were not convinced and refused to give in. At that moment, a woman named Huang Xiuyun pointed to a painting of "Spring Garden Peach Blossom" by Wu Lanna, which was barely hanging on the wall, and said: "If you have the ability, then compose another poem about peach blossoms! Wu Lanna's sister's painting is not something that just any poem can match. Good paintings and good poems complement each other."

  Are all the flower festivals held similarly, so are the ways to make things difficult for people also similar? Zhuang Qinqin Wang Fujin is used to seeing it, but Yunzhu has a strange feeling at this time. After all, she was once the protagonist of such an event.

  Several people in the scene continued -

  "You said you'd compose a poem, and you really did. I almost thought we'd arrive at the multiple-choice section with just a blink of an eye." Gual Jia Xinrong sneered.

  It's so poisonous! Flana and Saren hurriedly bit their lips, afraid that they would laugh out loud if they weren't careful.

  Huang Xiuyun's face turned red, and she didn't want to argue with her on this matter. "I just think that her peach blossom poem doesn't deserve so much praise from everyone. I thought that if she has real talent, she can compose another one for us to see. Since you don't agree, I won't force it." After finishing speaking, she also calmed down, as there was no need to argue over such a meaningless victory or defeat in this situation.

  Her decision was correct, and the two imperial consorts, Consort Rong and Consort Yi, also walked over. The crowd parted to let them through, and only then did they notice Imperial Noble Consort Zhuang and Yunzhu standing behind them. In her heart, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious - had she made any improper moves just now?!

  The hostess, Madame Wang, smiled and asked, "What's going on?"

  Gua Er Jia Xin Rong said: "Nothing, we were just discussing the painting of Ula Nara's sister, this peony flower is missing a poem to match."

  Yunzhu looked over, it turned out to be Wulana. The painting on Niermeng's clothes was a hanging silk hibiscus, with flowers drooping like pearls and unfolding like silk, the color as light as rouge dotting the dawn sky, elegant and beautiful, the spring colors of the entire garden became its accompaniment, becoming a faint pink shadow.

  "It's indeed well-painted." said the Queen Mother. Ha Tang is a noble flower, and this Ula Nara lady doesn't know whether it's intentional or unintentional...

  At this time, Ulanara suddenly spoke up, "The poetic talent of the Fourth Imperial Concubine is also famous. The chrysanthemum poem in the Zhuang Sheng Wang Fu is still a popular work among many young women today. Why don't we ask the Fourth Imperial Concubine to join in on the fun today?" As she spoke, she handed over the brush dipped in ink.

  Does she think that only the Fourth Lady is worthy of being her painting and poetry subject? These words and actions not only made Huang Xiuyun feel deeply embarrassed, but also flashed a hint of displeasure in the eyes of Deng Huixian and Gua'erjia Xinrong.