Chapter 89: Chapter 50: Revenge for Feuds, Retribution for Grudges
’She was an expert at drawing game characters, but this era had no computers or anime. *Sigh.* So much talent, all going to waste.’
She mulled it over for a long time. Everyone around her had already started to paint, yet she still hadn’t decided on a subject. Then she remembered Song Yexi’s admonition: she couldn’t just slack off, she had to aim for the top.
’At her skill level, even if she aimed for the top, her best effort probably couldn’t compare to the main female lead and the other high-status supporting characters.’
After some deliberation, Song Yunzhao finally began to paint.
’What she lacked in skill, she would make up for with a clever idea.’
In the distance, Song Qinghan stared at Song Yunzhao’s back, her eyes filled with a hint of glee. Others might not know, but she was well aware that Song Yunzhao’s painting skills were far from outstanding. ’So what if she managed to come to Qiushui Pavilion today? In the end, she’ll just be outshone by everyone else.’
At that thought, her brushstrokes felt a little lighter. ’At least *she* wouldn’t be the one coming in last.’
Time trickled by. Soon, some of the concubines began to finish. As more and more of them handed in their paintings, Song Yunzhao was also putting on the final touches. She carefully blended the last of her colors, applied them stroke by stroke, and then let out a long sigh of relief. She placed her brush on its stand and waited for the pigments to dry.
Taking the opportunity, she raised her head and glanced around. She realized only a dozen or so people had yet to submit their work. He Lan Yun, who had been in front of her, was also nowhere to be seen.
She submitted her painting, meeting Nanny Zhang’s strained smile with a gentle one of her own. She watched as Nanny Zhang’s expression grew even more rigid.
’My, my. Look how I’ve frightened the poor woman.’
Song Yunzhao left Qiushui Pavilion and quickly found Song Yexi. She sat down in the chair next to her, gazed out at the sparkling lake, and said with a smile, "The scenery here is truly wonderful. It would be even more beautiful in the summer, boating on the lake to admire the lotuses and do some fishing. And in autumn, we could eat fresh lotus seed pods."
Song Yexi was at a loss for words. ’How is she only thinking about food?’
"Aren’t you worried about the results?" Song Yexi asked.
"What’s the use of worrying? Besides, there are so many people here. With a face like mine, they’ll have to keep me for this round, at least." ’I haven’t made any mistakes, nor has anyone framed me. My reputation is good and I’m beautiful. It won’t be easy to eliminate me. I can definitely hang on for a while longer.’
Song Yexi was speechless. After a moment, she smiled. "You’re right."
Song Yunzhao smiled sweetly in return.
For a moment, Song Yexi was mesmerized by Yun Zhao’s smile. She said softly, "Yun Zhao, if you do end up staying in the palace, have you thought about what you’ll do?"
"No," Song Yunzhao replied bluntly. "There are so many concubines here from good families and with beautiful faces. The number of positions is limited; there’s no guarantee I’ll be chosen."
"That’s true," Song Yexi sighed softly. "If neither of us is chosen, our family will be terribly disappointed."
"Not necessarily. Our family just wanted us to give it a try. I’m sure they’ve prepared for the possibility that we won’t be chosen. Don’t overthink it, Ms. Xi. Let’s just take it one step at a time."
’How could she not be worried? Her father’s and third uncle’s careers had been fraught with setbacks, all because they had no one in court to support them. If things continued this way, it would only become more difficult for them to advance.’
’Song Yexi watched Song Yunzhao, who looked so carefree, as if she didn’t care at all whether she was chosen. She figured that, given Third Aunt’s attitude toward Yun Zhao, she probably never spoke to her about these family matters. And Third Uncle doted on Yun Zhao so much; he would never let her carry such a heavy burden.’
’At that thought, Song Yexi swallowed the words she was about to say. Never mind. If even Third Uncle hadn’t said anything, it certainly wasn’t her place to tell Yun Zhao what she should do.’
Soon, all the paintings had been submitted. The results wouldn’t be announced until the afternoon, so the concubines broke off into small groups to enjoy themselves around Qiushui Pavilion.
He Lan Yun dragged Song Yunzhao off to go boating. Song Yexi didn’t feel like going, so she remained on the shore to watch them.
Song Yunzhao and He Lan Yun sat in the boat. It wasn’t large, so they had to sit properly in the cabin, not daring to move around. A boatwoman slowly poled them across the water’s surface.
He Lan Yun glanced at Song Yunzhao, who was trailing her hand in the water with a look of pure contentment, and asked, "Are you not worried at all?"
"Of course I’m worried," Song Yunzhao replied.
He Lan Yun nearly rolled her eyes. "After the examinations on zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, it should be time for the final viewing."
Song Yunzhao paused. "That’s it? I thought there were supposed to be other talent showcases, too."
’She remembered the book mentioning a grand competition for skills like singing and dancing. Song Qinghan had a wonderful voice and stole the show when she performed.’
’And Fan Qingru from the Han State Duke Mansion, who was always so low-key, won first place with her dancing. Has that been cut?’
"Who told you that?" He Lan Yun asked, looking at Song Yunzhao in surprise.
Meeting He Lan Yun’s gaze, Song Yunzhao was momentarily at a loss for how to answer.
Their eyes met. Just then, another small boat shot out from the side, heading straight for them. Amidst Han Jinyi’s panicked cry, Song Yunzhao snatched up the boat’s other oar and thrust it violently into the water.
CRASH! The two small boats collided. Water splashed into the cabin, and their boat was thrown halfway on its side. He Lan Yun shrieked in terror. The oar in Song Yunzhao’s hand was useless; the momentum of the rocking water tipped their boat completely over. Everyone from both boats plunged into the lake.
Song Yunzhao grabbed He Lan Yun, who was starting to sink, while her other hand gripped the gunwale of the overturned boat. "I’ve got you! Don’t be scared, and don’t thrash around, or we’ll both end up as fish food! Stay still!"
Song Yunzhao’s shout stunned He Lan Yun into stillness. Song Yunzhao pulled her head above the surface, and He Lan Yun gasped for air, grabbing hold of the gunwale herself. Only then did she begin to relax.
Meanwhile, Han Jinyi had been rescued by her boatwoman and pulled aboard their boat. The other concubine with her, an unfamiliar face, was being held by the shoulders and pulled from the water by the same boatwoman. The girl was so terrified her screams were deafening, but a sharp yell from He Lan Yun finally snapped her out of her panic, allowing her to be fully rescued.
’The poor girl was so scared that tears streamed down her face, yet she didn’t dare to make a sound. How pitiful.’
Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi and asked, "Miss Han, what happened? Why did your boat crash into ours?"
Han Jinyi finally looked up at the sound of Song Yunzhao’s voice. After composing herself, she said, "I don’t know either. We were coming from deep among the lotus pads when another boat crashed into us."
Song Yunzhao and He Lan Yun were helped onto the small boat. He Lan Yun, her face pale, demanded, "Who hit you?"
Han Jinyi shook her head. "We didn’t see."
Song Yunzhao looked around. The lotus pond was dense with leaves. The plants in this area were particularly tall, some leaves rising high above the water, easily concealing a small boat.
She quickly recalled the layout of Kunlun Lake and immediately said to her boatwoman, "Row us over that way."
"What are you doing?" He Lan Yun asked. There was a strange look on Song Yunzhao’s face that made her inexplicably nervous.
"Getting even, of course," Song Yunzhao said, flashing a benevolent smile. "An eye for an eye."
