CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: WHO IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL?

Tang Jiaojiao finished her provocation, and the first to stand up for Ye Qingrong was Prince Jin, Li Shu.

"Since you want to entertain the Princess, why don’t you do it yourself?" Prince Jin looked at Miss Tang with cold eyes, blatantly showing his bias.

But Tang Jiaojiao turned to the girl beside her and said, "See, some people don’t need to speak; their gaze and posture alone can make others stand up for them."

Tang Xiaobai glanced at Ye Qingrong.

The eyes, hmm...

Ye Qingrong had classic ’peach blossom eyes’, carrying a natural three-point smile, yet her gaze was extraordinarily clear, giving a pure yet alluring impression.

The posture...

The posture was quite dignified, her expression calm and serene, but her delicate frame made her seem especially innocent and pitiable.

Indeed, it’s easy to provoke a protective instinct in men, who would forcefully stand up for the beauty.

But the beauty didn’t seem to want to accept the favor.

Although Tang Jiaojiao didn’t speak loudly, she wasn’t exactly quiet either, and Ye Qingrong seemed to have heard her.

She lifted her eyes, a trace of a smile passing through them, and said, "Miss Tang has a point. As a newcomer, it’s my honor to entertain the princess."

Tang Jiaojiao lowered her head and whispered to her sister, "See, some people seize every opportunity to steal the spotlight, confident to outshine the first talented woman of the Capital City!"

Tang Xiaobai: ...

Can’t live without causing trouble, can you?

Ye Qingrong remained calm and looked peacefully at Yan Jingjing, who was painting in the pavilion: "May I borrow your brushes and inks for painting?"

Yan Jingjing slammed the brush in her hand down with a "snap," saying coldly, "The brushes and inks are the Princess’s." Perhaps she believed Tang Jiaojiao’s mischievous words, as she didn’t give Ye Qingrong a good look.

Ye Qingrong lived up to her female lead role; her composure was far better than the two malicious supporting ladies. She remained unfazed and walked lightly towards the pavilion.

At this moment, Tang Jiaojiao spoke again: "Miss Yan is best at painting figures of ladies, why doesn’t Miss Ye paint one as well? How about painting the most beautiful lady of today’s feast? What does the Princess think?"

Seemingly suggesting a painting subject, yet not a single word was directed at Ye Qingrong, with her tone and demeanor vividly portraying a malicious supporting lady who disregards others.

Tang Xiaobai was even a bit in awe.

"Jiaojiao is right." Pingyang Princess reflexively nodded cheerfully, only to shiver as Li Shu’s icy gaze swept over her.

Just as she was struggling on whether to retract her words, Ye Qingrong already agreed: "Sure, just as Miss Tang suggested!"

Tang Jiaojiao then looked at Ye Qingrong.

Seeing her smiling, composed demeanor, Miss Tang, who tried to make things difficult, felt slightly offended.

Miss Tang furrowed her brows, whispering to her sister, "I want to see her..."

Tang Xiaobai was also curious, as everyone present was curious about whom Ye Qingrong would paint.

In such situations, it’s usually polite to compliment the hostess.

Yet Ye Qingrong herself was an exceedingly beautiful woman, and complimenting another’s beauty would seem insincere and might even spark jealousy.

She couldn’t paint Pingyang Princess, and it was unlikely she’d be so arrogant as to paint herself. Perhaps she would paint Tang Jiaojiao, as they were the only two with the highest appearance in the room.

But couldn’t she?

Tang Jiaojiao was so obviously targeting her, yet to paint Tang Jiaojiao, wouldn’t that be losing face?

So who would she paint?

Everyone watched as Ye Qingrong adjusted the paints, raised her sleeves, poised her arm, and without hesitation, her brush danced with elegance.

Tang Xiaobai instinctively craned her neck, itching to rush forward for a closer look.

Painting required time, so the scene returned to lively chatting and drinking, though everyone occasionally glanced at Ye Qingrong painting in the pavilion, and the conversation topics likely often returned to this Jiangnan girl newly arrived in the capital.

Tonight’s feast still divided men and women with embroidered screens, but they weren’t soundproofed, so when Tang Jiaojiao troubled Ye Qingrong earlier, Li Shu reacted quickly.

The pavilion for painting was in the middle, visible to both male and female guests.

When Ye Qingrong entered the pavilion, there were even audibly amazed gasps from the male guests.

One could imagine how many scholarly hearts the female lead captured tonight.

Tang Xiaobai watched Ye Qingrong intently, distracted from eating the delicious dishes served.

Her expectant look irritated Tang Jiaojiao, who casually picked up the cup in front of her and poured it into her mouth: "Your eyes are about to fall out!"

Caught off guard, a sip went down Tang Xiaobai’s throat, surprising her with its sweet cherry flavor.

"What’s this drink? Why is it different from mine?" Not satisfied with just one sip, Tang Xiaobai reached for Tang Jiaojiao’s tray.

Ancient drinks came in diverse forms, all called ’drink’, including fruit drinks, tea, and various herbal drinks, much like modern times, obtainable with enough wealth.

But Pingyang Princess’s drinks might have been court secrets, so Tang Xiaobai was intrigued.

However, just as she reached out, her sister mercilessly slapped her hand away.

Tang Jiaojiao moved the jug slightly further, sternly saying, "This is wine!"

She hadn’t noticed earlier and accidentally gave her sister half a cup of cherry brew.

Luckily, it was just half a cup.

"Do you feel dizzy?" Tang Jiaojiao watched her eyes and asked.

Tang Xiaobai shook her head.

The wine must have been low in alcohol since it only tasted sweet.

Relieved, Tang Jiaojiao seriously instructed, "No more drinking!"

Tang Xiaobai nodded, replying, "Sister should drink less too." After all, they were underage.

Tang Jiaojiao gave no reply.

"It’s done!" At this moment, someone called out softly.

What was done? Tang Xiaobai, holding her head, felt puzzled.

"Let’s have a look!" Pingyang Princess instructed.

The princess’s maidservant walked briskly through the banquet towards the pavilion.

So, the painting was finished...

The maid looked at the painting table and gasped in surprise, then quickly picked up Ye Qingrong’s painting and headed towards Pingyang Princess.

As she passed Tang Xiaobai, the maid glanced aside, smiling slightly at her.

Why look at me? Tang Xiaobai yawned.

Pingyang Princess’s laughter rang out: "So it’s our Xiao Bai that’s been painted..."

What?

Tang Xiaobai’s mind cleared slightly, just in time to hear Ye Qingrong say with a smile: "Everyone has their own beauty. I find Second Miss Tang charmingly naive and naturally adorable. What do you think, Miss Tang?"

Oh dear...

Tang Xiaobai held her face.

Too adept with words...

...

"Ha! Smooth-talker!"

Miss Tang, never caring for flattery, despised such smooth-talking behavior, and upon getting in the carriage, angrily slapped the seat.

"That Ye’s really slippery, knowing exactly who she can’t offend, so she placates you, a child—" Her gaze suddenly fell on Tang Xiaobai’s face, seeing what seemed like a smile, she frowned, displeased, "You didn’t get taken by her false kindness, did you?"