The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 79 It should have been Zhiwan who suffered the humiliation.
Now, everyone's eyes were on Zhiwan.

Some sympathized, some gloated, and naturally, some worried about Zhiwan.

Lu Lan bit her lip, tugged at Lu Jinglan's sleeve, and said anxiously, "Auntie, what should we do? Sister Zhiwan will be kneeling down and barking like a dog in a little while..." But there was a hint of a smile in her eyes, that would be so funny.

Lu Jinglan was also very anxious and couldn't help but plead, "Princess, Zhiwan hasn't read many books, so it's perfectly normal for her to lose to Yanran. Could you please change the bet? Kneeling down and barking like a dog... that's too cruel to Zhiwan."

Ouyang Zhenzhu was naturally anxious as well, but upon hearing what the two were saying, she couldn't help but mutter, "They didn't help dissuade them earlier, but now they're pleading for them. What hypocrites!"

As expected, Xuanyuan Jing angrily said, "Didn't you all have no objections just now? And Zhiwan herself didn't object either, so why are you making a fuss?"

Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan both looked at Zhiwan with shame, "We tried our best..."

Zhiwan ignored them, picked up the poem she had written, and slowly recited: "I sincerely pray that the morning sun will bring warmth to spring, and my heartfelt wishes are expressed in these words. With literary and military talents, I draw up a blueprint for the future, and with elegant beauty and lofty aspirations, I am born in the warm spring of April, when relatives and friends present me with birthday gifts. Let us quickly light the birthday candles, and may your future be bright and promising."

The moment she finished speaking, the room fell silent.

This poem is quite well written, and its words convey beautiful wishes for the person's birthday, making it very appropriate for the occasion.

Xuan Yuanjing paused for a moment, then said, "This poem is not bad, but it is far inferior to the poems written by Wang Yanran."

Just as the others were about to chime in, a clear, cold voice rang out, "My little niece has always been uneducated and has hardly studied. How could she possibly know the quality of poetry? I think this poem is far superior to the one Wang Yanran wrote earlier!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanjing's expression changed, and the others were also startled.

Turning my head, I saw a graceful and noble young woman standing outside the waterside pavilion. I wondered how long she had been there.

“Auntie!” Xuan Yuanjing’s eyelids twitched and she knelt down.

"Greetings, Princess Chang Le!" The others also knelt down.

Zhiwan was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening and knelt down as well.

The person who arrived was Princess Chang Le, the youngest daughter of the current emperor.

Seeing that everyone had knelt down, she strolled leisurely into the waterside pavilion.

Then he picked up two sheets of poetry from the table and began to comment on them.

"Although the two poems sound equally good, I prefer the latter. This poem is a heartfelt blessing from the poet to the person celebrating their birthday." With that, she handed the two sheets of paper to Xuan Yuanjing. "What do you think, my little niece?"

Xuanyuan Jing was furious, but when she met her aunt's cold eyes, she could only suppress her anger. She chose the poem written by Zhiwan, gritted her teeth, and said unwillingly, "Niece... naturally has the same thoughts as her aunt."

"That's good. I'm very pleased. I haven't spoiled you in vain." Princess Chang Le's face was full of satisfaction. "Then I announce that this time it's..." She turned her head to look at Zhi Wan, "What's your name?"

“This humble woman is Zhiwan,” Zhiwan replied.

“Your surname is Zhi? That’s quite a unique surname.” Princess Chang Le nodded. “I hereby declare that in this poetry contest, Zhi Wan’s poem is the winner, and Wang Yanran’s poem is slightly inferior.”

Wang Yanran turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

Ouyang Zhenzhu was both surprised and delighted, and said while holding Zhiwan's hand, "You won."

Zhiwan looked somewhat bewildered.

She knew that her poem was no worse than Wang Yanran's, but with Xuan Yuanjing interfering, she was bound to lose. Even if she tried her best, she could only get a draw at best.

Unexpectedly, Princess Chang Le arrived and immediately declared her poem the winner.

The others also stared at her blankly.

Lu Jinglan frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Lu Lan's lowered eyes flashed with jealousy. Zhi Wan's luck was really good! Originally, it was a foregone conclusion that Zhi Wan would lose, but unexpectedly, the arrival of the Princess made her poem win.

"Princess Chang Le is wise and decisive, with keen insight. I admire her greatly!" Ouyang Zhenzhu praised.

Princess Chang Le glanced at her. "Do you need to tell me?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu wasn't afraid of her at all; instead, she chuckled.

"Get up, all of you." Princess Chang Le flicked her sleeve and sat down in the chair.

The others stood up.

"You, kneel down and bark like a dog," Princess Chang Le said casually, pointing at Wang Yanran, who was mingling in the crowd.

Wang Yanran's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, all traces of her previous smugness vanished. She stammered, "Your subject, Your subject..." before kneeling down with a thud, "Please, Your Highness, rescind your decree."

"Your Highness, please rescind your order." The noble lady in front knelt down, pleading for her.

Lu Jinglan quickly knelt down as well, "Your Highness, what the princess said just now was just a joke. Please forgive Yanran."

"Huh? I didn't place this bet. When Xuan Yuan Jing announced the bet, none of you objected. Why are you going back on your word now that you've lost?" Princess Chang Le looked at the three of them in surprise. "If Zhi Wan had lost today, you wouldn't have pleaded for her, you would have just been gloating, right?"

The three of them choked.

They would never plead for Zhiwan.

"Stop arguing. A bet's a bet. Now bark like a dog. I've never heard a living person bark like a dog before. It's your honor to offer your first time to me. Besides, it'll also add to the celebration of the princess's birthday." Princess Chang Le's tone was already a little impatient.

Immediately, a eunuch stepped forward and pressed Wang Yanran down.

Wang Yanran was originally determined to resist, but after the eunuch's methods, she turned ashen-faced and barked twice.

Ouyang Zhenzhu burst out laughing, "It actually sounds quite nice!"

Princess Chang Le waved her hand dismissively, "It sounds awful!"

The eunuch released Wang Yanran.

Wang Yanran lay on the ground, looking lifeless.

She has completely lost face and dignity today.

It should have been Zhiwan who was humiliated!

Thinking of this, she turned her head angrily and glared at Zhiwan.

"Why are you glaring at her? It was Xuanyuan Jing who proposed this bet, and you agreed to it before, didn't you? Besides, it was I who asked you to see her off! No wonder people say that you pick on the weak. You don't dare to offend me and Xuanyuan Jing, so you only dare to vent your anger on Zhiwan. You're such a coward!" Princess Chang Le said disdainfully.

Wang Yanran's face flushed red and then turned pale; she couldn't bear to stay any longer and ran out crying.

Princess Chang Le didn't care at all and said, "How can the princess's birthday be so gloomy? Play music!"

The musicians immediately began to play music.

Xuanyuan Jing was furious, but she didn't dare to lash out at her aunt.

"By the way, little niece, the loser has to kneel down and bark like a dog. As for the winner, didn't you promise a ruby ​​headdress as a prize? Why haven't you brought it out yet?" Princess Chang Le said slowly.

The poem in the text is a quote from "Birthday Celebration Poem".

(End of this chapter)