Chapter 103 - 52 Comparison
Soon after, Mrs. Zhuang invited everyone to the garden to admire the flowers. It was the beginning of May, and the garden was in its full glory with all the flowers in bloom, presenting a magnificent tapestry of color far and wide; the intoxicating fragrance wafted on the breeze, and bees and butterflies fluttered about in lively fashion. The Zhuang family had many famous flowers, each one with a color that was vibrant and enchanting. As everyone roamed among them, taking pleasure in the sight, they chatted and laughed, their spirits very high.
After a while of touring around, Mrs. Zhuang smiled and asked everyone to take their seats again.
Maids and servants had already set up chairs and high tables under the tall purple locust tree, with tea, fruits, pastries, and exquisite snacks all available. Various beautiful flowers grown in blue-and-white porcelain pots were laid out in a staggered arrangement nearby.
Taking a break to sit down, everyone enjoyed the scenery and sipped tea while having leisurely conversations and sharing laughs, which was extremely comfortable and pleasant.
Of course, it wouldn’t be bad to have a contest among the young ladies in poetry, paintings, the zither, and writings.
From the start, Mrs. Zhuang kept Miss Tang Yuzhen by her side, introducing and praising her with a smile to everyone she met; everyone was well aware that Mrs. Zhuang likely had her eye on Miss Tang wishing to marry her into the family, which was why she was showing off. They then glanced at the daughter-in-law of the Shi family. After sitting down, they looked at each other and shared a knowing smile.
After a few words, as expected, Mrs. Zhuang chuckled and said, "With such famous flowers around, how could we not have good poetry? We old ladies can be excused, but which one of the young misses isn’t full of poetry and very talented? They must compose a few good poems to liven up the atmosphere! It would even add color to the garden’s famous flowers! None of the young misses should refuse, what does everyone think?"
All the ladies in attendance agreed. Every mother wanted to bring out her daughter or daughter-in-law for a contest to outshine the others, convinced that their own girl was raised to the standards of a reputable family, and surely they couldn’t concede defeat from the outset!
Mrs. Zhuang then smiled again and said, "I have another suggestion. There are many famous flowers in the garden, and it would be boring for the misses to write about all of them, so why not select about ten kinds of famous flowers and make flower tags for them, with each person composing one or two poems about them? Of course, Miss Wan, being a talented woman from a literary family, should compose one poem for each! Miss Wan, what do you think?"
While speaking, she added with a laugh: "I don’t mean to purposely make it difficult for you, I genuinely want to take this opportunity to let everyone broaden their horizons and see how the daughters of a literary family differ from those of us common folk!"
Mrs. Wang heard this without change in her expression, then turned to look at Sang Wan.