Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Floral Challenge

Although she did not know why he was helping her, being in a group with him would naturally guarantee victory and, more importantly, ensure that these famous scholars and beauties of Yangzhou would remember her name and talent.

However, she could not help but feel uneasy. Since waking up, she had not gained anything without careful calculation; suddenly receiving such a benefit without any scheming left her feeling unsettled, as if she were walking on air.

Seeing the others stepping up to draw lots, Shen Qingdai suppressed the restlessness in her mind and moved to follow suit.

Suddenly, Pei Jingzhu reached out and grasped her wrist, while his other hand rested gently on her shoulder. He whispered, "Let me."

Though the contact was fleeting, it was enough to startle Shen Qingdai, leaving her with no room to dwell on other thoughts.

The scholar who had prepared the slips grabbed one at random, opened it, glanced at it, and laughed, "It fits the scenery today quite well. Let us compose verses based on the word 'Snow.' Who drew the first and second lots?"

Shen Qingdai looked at Pei Jingzhu, signaling with her eyes: What number did we get?

Pei Jingzhu paused, then innocently opened his hand to reveal the lot before her. Shen Qingdai felt a darkness wash over her vision.

Pei Jingzhu had already pulled her to her feet. "We shall go."

Indeed, on the dark, lacquered wooden slip, the character "One" was written in precise, elegant strokes.

By the time she blinked, she and Pei Jingzhu were already standing before the other two. They were also dressed in the robes of the Huaiyang Academy, evidently formidable opponents.

Shen Qingdai took a quiet breath, whispering to herself, "Shen Qingdai, do not lose your nerve now. Answering incorrectly is a minor matter, but losing face is major. Come on, you can do this."

The man opposite spoke first: "The guest from Zhao wears a loose silk sash."

"The Wu hook sword shines with frost and snow," the other continued smoothly.

It was her turn. Shen Qingdai already had an answer in mind; she had come specifically to make a name for herself and naturally wanted to win the round as quickly as possible. Pei Jingzhu was so erudite that he should surely be able to handle the response.

Thinking this, Shen Qingdai tilted her head to look into Pei Jingzhu’s eyes and spoke softly, "The candles glow dimly in the deep, painted hall."

Pei Jingzhu frowned slightly, feeling a bit puzzled. She was so young; why would she choose such a melancholy, lifeless line of poetry?

Seeing his silence, Shen Qingdai nervously twisted the corner of her sleeve. Her gaze, fixed on Pei Jingzhu, gradually filled with vivid emotion, losing its former rigidity.

She thought to herself, *It's over, it's over. He couldn't possibly be unable to answer, could he? I should never have said that line.*

Just as she was spiraling into anxiety, she heard the most pleasant sound she had ever heard from Pei Jingzhu in her life.

"With graying temples, the remnant snow is a burden hard to bear."

Shen Qingdai opened her mouth slightly in surprise, staring blankly at his captivating face.

The silence lasted so long that the tips of Pei Jingzhu’s ears turned red. He bit his lip in discomfort, his cool, long eyelashes trembling to veil the confusion in his eyes. He reached out and tugged lightly at her sleeve, bringing her back to her senses.

She looked at the two opponents. One of them sighed and said helplessly, "Miss Shen and Brother Pei truly leave no room for us. Very well, I cannot match that. I concede. Let me paint a picture of tea being brewed by the hearth to add to the occasion."

The other simply bowed and went to the side to pick up a brush.

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Amidst the clamor, Shen Qingdai turned her head toward Pei Jingzhu. The young woman was beautiful, her nose slightly flushed from the cold, her eyes glistening with moisture.

He bowed his head slightly, his posture straight and jade-like, refined and gentle. The frost that usually seemed to shroud him appeared to melt away, revealing the spirit of a youthful scholar beneath.

As their eyes met, it felt as though the world belonged only to them. His gaze was filled with open appreciation and praise.

So was hers. Yet, beneath that appreciation lay deeper layers of manipulation and performance.

Shen Muqing jumped up in excitement, grabbing Pei Jingzhu’s leg with one hand and Shen Qingdai’s sleeve with the other. "Ah! Sister! You won! You won on the very first try!"

Shen Qingdai withdrew her gaze, gently pulling her hand away, smoothing her robes, and sitting down on the mat.

Pei Jingzhu looked down at Shen Muqing, then used a bit of force to lift him onto the mat before settling down himself. The next group had already begun their competition.

Seeing Shen Qingdai return to brewing tea as if nothing had happened, Pei Jingzhu watched Shen Muqing thoughtfully and asked, "Are you truly so happy just because your sister won?"

"Of course! From now on, I am the younger brother of the number one talented woman in Yangzhou—no, the entire Jiangnan!"

Shen Qingdai frowned slightly and disapproved, "Muqing! Do not speak such nonsense."

Shen Muqing stuck out his tongue but fell silent.

Pei Jingzhu pressed down on Shen Qingdai’s hand as she brewed the tea, his voice faint yet filled with an undeniable, forceful authority. "Miss Shen, the red plum blossoms are in full bloom today. Would you care to go take a look with me?"

His hand was freezing, cold enough to make her heart tremble.

A perfect smile remained on Shen Qingdai’s lips. Although she was puzzled, the offer was clearly to her advantage, so she did not hesitate. "That would be lovely. Please lead the way, Young Master Pei."

As they walked side by side through the snow, Shen Qingdai suddenly realized how tall he was; he easily cast a shadow over her.

Once they were far from the courtyard, Pei Jingzhu stopped and looked at her with hesitation, asking the question that had been on his mind: "Why... did you choose that line to answer?"

That line was not common; it was, in fact, quite rare. He did not believe she had just said it at random.

Shen Qingdai kept her mask on, smiling gently. "Why do you ask, Young Master Pei? That line just happened to cross my mind, so I said it. Is something wrong?"

Pei Jingzhu bit his lip, his cool eyes fixed on her. He shook his head slowly. "No. When you said that line, I felt the sorrow radiating from you."

Shen Qingdai stiffened. She looked at him in disbelief—she had hidden it so well, how could he possibly have...

"So, why did you say that line?" Pei Jingzhu hesitated, softening his expression, and whispered, "Do not misunderstand. It is just that I sensed a sorrow in you that mirrors my own."

Shen Qingdai knew he had his own hardships and stories, but even if they were on the same wavelength in this moment, she had no intention of confiding in him.

He was powerless and without status; even if she spoke ill of the Liu family, he could not provide any substantial help.

However, that did not stop her from using him. If he felt pity and sympathy for her, it might make it easier for her to maneuver within the literary circles of Yangzhou in the future.