The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 78: The Loser Must Be Punished

Ouyang Zhenzhu gave her a mysterious look. "You’ll see in a bit."

Zhi Wan nodded and didn’t press further.

"What did the Commandery Princess say to you just now?" Lu Jinglan, who had fallen a few steps behind, hadn’t overheard the conversation between Xuanyuan Jing and Zhi Wan. Seeing Xuanyuan Jing go inside, she now stepped forward to ask.

"Nothing much." Zhi Wan shook her head.

The guests who had come to celebrate Xuanyuan Jing’s birthday today were all noble ladies from the Capital.

When Zhi Wan’s group entered, the garden was already bustling with activity.

People were gathered in small groups.

Some were playing the zither and composing poetry, while others were playing chess.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

After greeting the young ladies they knew one by one, Zhi Wan, Ouyang Zhenzhu, and the others began to stroll through the garden.

The garden of Prince Gao Yang Mansion was immense, filled with water pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and flowing streams—a dazzling sight to behold.

After making a round, they returned to the water pavilion, where someone called out joyfully, "Jinglan, when did you get back?"

The voice sounded familiar to Zhi Wan. Just as she was about to look up, she heard Ouyang Zhenzhu beside her say with great disgust, "It’s Wang Yanran again!"

Wang Yanran?

Zhi Wan looked up and saw a woman in white strolling toward them. It was none other than Wang Yanran, whom she had met before at the Fu family’s flower appreciation banquet.

’So she knows Lu Jinglan? And from the sound of it, they’re very close.’

Sure enough, Lu Jinglan looked delighted to see Wang Yanran. She walked a few steps to meet her, smiling. "I returned a few days ago."

"Then why didn’t you send someone to let me know?" Wang Yanran asked, feigning annoyance.

Lu Jinglan laughed. "I was planning to visit you in a couple of days. I didn’t expect to run into you here today."

Wang Yanran took her hand, and they were about to walk off when Lu Jinglan made an introduction. "Yanran, these are my two nieces from the Duke Dingguo Mansion, Zhi Wan and Lu Lan. Come and greet Miss Wang."

Ouyang Zhenzhu, who had been pulling Zhi Wan’s hand to leave, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. She whispered in Zhi Wan’s ear, "Why is she using the tone of an elder? And why should the two of you be the ones to greet Wang Yanran? You’re all of the same generation."

Lu Lan had already stepped forward. "Greetings, Miss Wang."

Zhi Wan remained where she was, simply nodding at Wang Yanran. "We meet again, Miss Wang."

By now, Wang Yanran had noticed her, and her expression was a little strange. "So it’s Miss Zhi."

Lu Jinglan was surprised. "You two know each other?"

"How could I not? Though we only met once at the Fu family’s flower appreciation banquet, Miss Zhi’s presence is truly unforgettable," Wang Yanran praised, but there was no smile on her face.

"She’s mocking you," Ouyang Zhenzhu whispered in Zhi Wan’s ear.

"I can tell." Zhi Wan nodded, glancing at Wang Yanran with some surprise.

Back at the Fu family’s banquet, Wang Yanran had been somewhat hostile toward her, but had later dropped it.

’Why is she so hostile again now that we’ve met a second time?’

She suppressed her confusion and ignored the sting in Wang Yanran’s words. Looking at Lu Jinglan, she said, "Since you and Miss Wang are old acquaintances, Aunt Jinglan, you two can chat. Zhenzhu and I will go for a walk elsewhere."

"Miss Zhi, it’s rare for us to meet. Why don’t you join us?" Wang Yanran took two steps forward, blocking their path. "We were just about to compose some poetry. I’ve long heard of your brilliant literary talent, Miss Zhi. You mustn’t be stingy with your guidance."

Her words were modest, but her attitude was forceful, as if she was determined to make Zhi Wan stay.

Zhi Wan paused. ’Is she deliberately putting me on a pedestal, hoping to see me make a fool of myself?’

"Alright," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Wang Yanran was taken aback. She clearly hadn’t expected Zhi Wan to agree without the slightest hesitation.

’Isn’t she an orphan? She probably can’t even read properly, so how could she possibly compose poetry? But she isn’t showing any sign of backing down. Could it be that she’s just putting on a brave face?’ Wang Yanran wondered.

"Wan’er, Yanran’s talent is renowned throughout the Capital City. Are you sure you want to..." Lu Jinglan looked worried, her words trailing off.

Zhi Wan glanced at her. "Are you worried I’ll make a fool of myself, Aunt Jinglan? I wouldn’t dare claim to have ’brilliant literary talent,’ but I think I’m capable of composing a couple of poems. Miss Wang, after you!"

Wang Yanran shot her a disdainful look. ’I’ll make sure she’s utterly humiliated in a moment,’ she thought.

She snorted, flicked her sleeves, and strode into the water pavilion.

Hearing that the two were going to have a poetry competition, Xuanyuan Jing’s interest was immediately piqued.

She had invited Zhi Wan today precisely to cause trouble for her over the loss of face she had suffered at the gates of the Duke Dingguo Mansion last time.

But she hadn’t expected Lu Zhan to come as well.

Moreover, Lu Zhan had warned her in the front courtyard just moments ago.

She didn’t want to have a complete falling out with Lu Zhan, so she could only let Zhi Wan off the hook for the time being.

But she never imagined that Zhi Wan would be so reckless as to challenge Wang Yanran to a poetry duel.

Wang Yanran was a famous talented woman in the Capital. For a mere slip of a girl like Zhi Wan to compete against her in poetry was simply courting humiliation.

She could already picture the scene of Zhi Wan’s defeat and mockery by everyone, and she eagerly entered the water pavilion as well.

When she entered, a set of ink, brushes, paper, and an inkstone had already been laid out on a table in the water pavilion.

Zhi Wan and Wang Yanran each stood behind a table, their heads bowed as they wrote.

After a short while, both had finished writing and set down their brushes.

Xuanyuan Jing quickly spoke up. "Wait. This Commandery Princess will say a few words first."

All eyes turned to her.

Xuanyuan Jing shot Zhi Wan a malicious glance. "The winner will be rewarded with a ruby head ornament from me. But the loser..."

The crowd held their breath, watching her.

A ruby head ornament was quite a generous prize.

Needless to say, the prize was sure to fall into Wang Yanran’s hands.

After all, her talent was renowned. How could an obscure nobody like Zhi Wan possibly compare?

"The loser must get on her knees and bark like a dog!" Xuanyuan Jing finished her sentence, her gaze fixed on Zhi Wan, as if certain she would lose.

Hearing this, even the most oblivious person could tell that Xuanyuan Jing was targeting Zhi Wan.

Everyone began to snicker, looking at Zhi Wan with strange expressions.

Ouyang Zhenzhu spoke out indignantly, "Commandery Princess, composing poetry is supposed to be an elegant affair. What you are doing is undignified and beneath your status. It is also unfair to the loser."

"Ouyang Zhenzhu, why are you in such a hurry? Have you already decided that Zhi Wan will be the one to lose?" a noble lady standing beside Wang Yanran said with a laugh, covering her mouth.

"You!" Ouyang Zhenzhu was furious and about to rush forward, but Zhi Wan grabbed her hand.

She glanced at Xuanyuan Jing’s determined expression, fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "It’s alright, Zhenzhu. Winning and losing are trivial matters. If I lose, I will accept the punishment."

Ouyang Zhenzhu said anxiously, "But..."

"Even Miss Zhi herself isn’t bothered by it, so why are you making a fuss?" Xuanyuan Jing interrupted her. "Besides, this is the Prince Gao Yang Mansion. Who would dare to object to a decision made by this Commandery Princess?"

Seeing the situation, Nanny Fang, fearing that Zhi Wan would be at a disadvantage, quietly slipped away.

Wang Yanran looked at Zhi Wan with a radiant smile. "If I were to lose, I would also willingly accept the punishment."

"Wang Yanran, you go first. Recite the poem you wrote," Xuanyuan Jing urged, unable to wait to see Zhi Wan defeated and humiliated.

Wang Yanran picked up her paper and smiled. "Today is the Commandery Princess’s birthday, so Miss Zhi and I agreed that we would each compose a poem on that theme." With that, she began to recite: "Colorful dances fill the hall with new delight. On this day each year, a birth we celebrate. Verdant, fragrant mists enshroud the clear dawn, as crimson enters peach blossoms to charm the late spring. We must drink deeply and not hesitate; the cooling cup of nine radiances is warmed once more. In a paradise like this, one hardly ages, forever embracing song and music, drunk among the grotto clouds."

The moment her voice fell, all the noble ladies burst into applause. "What a wonderful poem! Truly worthy of Talented Woman Wang!"

Xuanyuan Jing was also delighted. She gave Wang Yanran an appreciative look, then turned her gaze to Zhi Wan, rubbing her hands in glee, almost wishing she could recite the poem for her. "It’s your turn! Hurry up and read your poem!"