If it wasn't for the nanny beside the queen who came to invite her personally, Ling Qingwan would never have accepted the invitation. The queen never invited her anyway. As for the incident with Nanny Liu, it was probably because the rumors were too widespread, and the queen was afraid that people would think she was narrow-minded, so she just wanted to save face.
How could Ling Qingwan not see this thought
The Queen came out of Fengming Palace, and everyone stood up to salute. Today's palace banquet was completely different from the past, and the Queen introduced a brand new way of playing to everyone.
Men and women were separated into teams. Winter lotus blossomed luxuriantly in the imperial garden. Men rowed boats to pick lotuses. The one who picked the most lotuses within the agreed time won. After the men finished the competition, the women went on stage to perform their talents. The men selected the woman with the most outstanding talent and gave her the lotus in their hands. In the end, the woman who got the most lotuses won.
"Because there are so many noble ladies today, if we choose one by one, the young masters on the other side may be overwhelmed. Moreover, some are outstanding in talent and some are slightly inferior, so it is really unfair to compare one person alone. Therefore, I have an idea, that is, six people form a team, and the team with the most lotus flowers in the end will be considered the winner. What do you think?"
As soon as the queen finished speaking, the people present cheered and agreed with the queen's proposal.
Ling Qingwan chuckled.
This was not a palace banquet, this was a blind date meeting. If any man in the audience had someone in his heart, he would definitely give all the lotus flowers to his sweetheart.
The competition is fake, the queen's desire to bring people together is real.
At the Queen's command, the women around walked around and began to look for their teammates.
In order to win, apart from those with whom they have personal connections, these young ladies will definitely choose people with outstanding talents. Ling Qingwan knows that her talent is shallow, and she is not proficient in any of the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In addition, she comes from a rural background, so few people really look up to her, and no one will be with her. Ling Qingwan keeps a calm mind, which just saves her the trouble of performing on stage.
It's not that the Queen didn't hear the rumors outside. She invited her to the banquet to find a relative. It's unclear whether she disliked her and didn't want her to marry Song Zhiqing, or she wanted to sow discord between her and Wei Xun. In short, the Queen didn't have any good intentions. Ling Qingwan thought about it and prepared to sit there.
No one really cared about Ling Qingwan, but Ling Chuchu and An Yi were surrounded by people.
Ling Chuchu is the most talented lady in the capital. She is the best among all the noble ladies in terms of knowledge and talent. It is not surprising that everyone wants to be in the same team with her. As for An Yi, she is in a high position and has the most distinguished status among those invited to attend the banquet today. Even if she does nothing and just stands on the stage for a while, the number of lotus flowers delivered to her will only increase, not decrease.
Amid the noise all around, Ling Qingwan seemed to be out of the loop and out of tune with everyone.
"Is Wanwan in a bad mood?" Ling Xiao looked around not far away, his attention focused on Ling Qingwan.
"It looks like it, but it doesn't look like it." Tan Hongbo thought seriously. The main reason was that Ling Qingwan usually looked gentle and indifferent, and it was difficult for anyone to tell her sadness or joy.
Ling Xiao frowned. He was extremely worried about Ling Qingwan.
"It's just a coincidence that the Queen came up with this game. Wanwan has just returned and has not interacted with the noble ladies in Tokyo City. She is not like the others who have learned talents since childhood and have something to show for it. I wonder if Wanwan will be sad if no one chooses her."
The more Ling Xiao thought about it, the more anxious he became. He wished he could transform into a woman so he could be with Ling Qingwan and be in a group with her.
"An Yi is here." Tan Hongbo raised his head slightly to remind Ling Xiao.
After finally getting rid of everyone, An Yi happily ran to Ling Qingwan.
"The princess is not going to participate in the competition?" Ling Qingwan asked An Yi puzzledly.
"If I participate, I will definitely be the one who gets the most lotuses. There is no suspense at all. What's the fun in that?" An Yi said with a smile. "It's better to play with Wanwan."
As she spoke, An Yi took Ling Qingwan's arm affectionately.
The noble ladies present were all shocked when they saw this scene. Everyone wanted to get close to An Yi, but they never thought that Ling Qingwan had already secretly taken the lead and became friends with An Yi.
Ling Qingwan noticed the hostility in the eyes of the people around her, but her heart remained calm.
"An Yi, don't you want to go on stage and play?" The Queen walked up to the two of them.
An Yi repeated what she had just said to Ling Qingwan to the Queen. This was indeed reasonable and well-founded, so the Queen did not say much.
"What about Second Miss Ling? Is she also learning from the princess?" The Queen turned sideways and looked at Ling Qingwan.
Compared to the last flower viewing banquet, the Queen was more powerful in front of Ling Qingwan. Maybe at that time she just looked down on Ling Qingwan in her heart, but she didn't show it. As a result, her only precious son fell into Ling Qingwan's trap. The Queen felt uncomfortable when she looked at her again.
The Queen's call of "Princess" sounded extremely heavy, as if reminding Ling Qingwan to be aware of her own status and not to compare herself with An Yi in everything.
"My daughter is not very knowledgeable. She has lived in the countryside for many years and has learned only low-level things. She cannot compare with other young ladies, so I will not go on stage to embarrass myself." Ling Qingwan was modest. The queens thought the same of her.
"How can this be done?" The queen smiled gently, her eyes showing some kindness. "Since you have returned to the Marquis' Mansion, you are now a real royal daughter. If you compare yourself with a country girl everywhere, you will be ridiculed if you tell others about it. It's better to stand up straight and act generously, which will make people like you more."
The Queen spoke earnestly and taught Ling Qingwan. But Ling Qingwan just thought it was funny. In front of so many people, he openly and secretly belittled her and established a friendly image for himself.
No wonder after returning to the Marquis' Mansion from the flower-viewing banquet, Ling Xiao reminded her not to get too close to the Queen.
"You should be in the same team with the Shangshu family's daughter. I think they are still short of one person." The Queen glanced around and found a team for Ling Qingwan without asking for permission later.
Those people looked unhappy and thanked the queen reluctantly.
"Empress, Wanwan cannot go." An Yi said to the queen seriously. "Wanwan is the favorite of the Crown Prince and Brother Wei Xun. If you ask other men to comment on Wanwan today, it will damage their reputation."
"Besides, Brother Wei Xun is very fierce."
Just as Ling Qingwan was about to refuse, An Yi spoke for her first, and Ling Qingwan felt warm inside. Especially the last sentence she added, An Yi looked very cute in a serious tone.
Looking at the Queen again, her expression changed again and again. An Yi didn't understand, but Ling Qingwan knew very well in her heart that the Queen deliberately targeted her today, and it must be related to one of the Crown Prince Wei Xun. Unexpectedly, An Yi accidentally pointed out the words, and the Queen suppressed her resentment and didn't want to get angry.
If she wanted to cut off her relationship with Song Zhiqing, Ling Qingwan really wanted to tell the Queen that it was unnecessary.
After all, she looked down on Song Zhiqing at all.