Chapter 53: I Can Afford to Lose
Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but be shocked.
They all came from noble families and had been learning poetry, etiquette, music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood, because these were the capital for them to make a living in the future.
Whether one can marry into a good family depends not only on one's background but also on one's talent, so they will try their best to show themselves.
How can someone like Song Shiwei, who knows nothing and knows nothing, be qualified to sit here on an equal footing with them?
Wen Ruqing was the first to laugh out loud and said, "Miss Song is actually illiterate. How can you have the nerve to sit here and chant with us?"
Others around followed suit.
Song Shiwei was neither angry nor embarrassed. She asked, "May I ask, Miss Wen, why do you learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting?"
"Naturally..."
Wen Ruqing paused for a moment before saying, "Of course it's for self-cultivation."
"Isn't it to please men?"
Song Shiwei's sharp words tore off the hypocritical masks behind their noble status.
These words immediately changed the expressions of the ladies present.
Wen Ruqing slammed the table and said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense here.
You yourself know nothing, but you compare what we have learned with the behavior of prostitutes in brothels. This is really too much.
You are a crude person who was born in a merchant family and grew up in the countryside. Who gave you the guts to question us?"
"Miss Wen is wrong."
Song Shiwei refuted calmly: "What prostitutes learn is not to please men, but to survive."
She stood up, walked to the middle of the banquet, and said in a clear voice: "What if you were born in a merchant family, or grew up in the countryside?
Just because I am of humble origin, do you feel free to humiliate and trample on me?"
Qian Xueer saw that she was eloquent and her purpose was obvious.
She sneered and said, "Miss Song said so much, just because she doesn't want to show her talents and is looking for an excuse for her ignorance and lack of talent.
In fact, you don't have to be like this. If you don't want to do it, then don't do it. We won't laugh at you, so why do you have to say such harsh words? "
"I'm just afraid that your actions today will backfire."
Song Shiwei looked at Qian Xueer and said, "I heard that Miss Qian is best at music, and this has always been something you are proud of."
Qian Xueer raised her eyebrows: "Miss Song praised me, Xueer is unworthy of it."
Song Shiwei smiled and said meaningfully, "I hope Miss Qian will not regret her decision today."
She walked to the front of the banquet, bowed to the Marquis of Yongning and his wife, and said, "My Lord, Madam, please forgive Shi Wei for her rudeness."
Yongning Hou thought she was straightforward, so he said, "It's okay. Today, the palace has prepared songs and dances for everyone. Miss Song, just enjoy yourself. You don't have to pay attention to what they say."
Song Shiwei said: "If I really don't pay attention, I'm afraid that once this banquet is over, everyone in the capital will know that I, Song Shiwei, am illiterate and incompetent.
Even for the sake of the reputation of the Cheng En Marquis's Mansion, I cannot ignore it.
What's more, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has made a bet with His Royal Highness Prince Ling, so I can't be a coward."
"Oh?"
Yongning Hou looked at her with some surprise and asked, "Do you want to prove yourself?"
Song Shiwei shrugged: "Shiwei grew up in the countryside and really doesn't have any skills. She thinks she can't compare with the ladies present here.
But the bet has been made, and I don’t want to spoil everyone’s fun, so I can only do my best.”
"it is good."
Yongning Hou shouted at her, "Whatever you want to do, just do it."
"Thank you, Lord Marquis."
Song Shiwei knelt down and saluted, then walked up to the prince and said, "Your Highness, since we are betting, what's the point of just drinking? How about adding some spice to the bet?"
The prince raised his eyebrows, stared at Song Shiwei with interest and asked, "What do you want to add to the fun?"
Song Shiwei said: "It's very simple, take out the most valuable things you have today and use them as prizes.
If I win, these prizes will belong to me, and if I lose, the prizes of His Royal Highness Prince Ling and Prince Gu will belong to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"it is good!"
The prince agreed, then took off the jade pendant on his waist, which symbolized his noble status in the Eastern Palace, and placed it on the table.
Others also placed their valuables on the table as prizes.
At this moment, Xiao Jingheng spoke: "Miss Song, don't you think this is a bit unfair?
Why is it that if you win, all the prizes belong to you, but if you lose, my prizes go to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?
Then wouldn't this prince and Master Gu have nothing?"
Song Shiwei said, "How about when I win, you and Master Gu can pick any of these prizes?"
Xiao Jingheng choked and had to resign himself to throwing something from his arms onto the table.
Song Shiwei looked at the thing and her eyelids twitched.
This is……
The prince sitting opposite was also surprised when he saw the prize he took out, and then he couldn't hide his excitement and said: "Royal brother, am I seeing right? This is a tiger talisman. Do you really want to use it as a prize?"
Xiao Jingheng said: "This is the most valuable thing on me, don't worry, I can afford to lose it!"
Song Shiwei frowned, she really couldn't understand Xiao Jingheng more and more.
You have to know that this tiger talisman is his life-saving talisman, and it is the thing that the prince fears the most. Yet he just casually took it out as a prize.
Does he really believe she will win?
The prince narrowed his eyes and stared at Xiao Jingheng's tiger talisman as if he was determined to get it.
Qin Yueyao saw Xiao Jingheng taking out the tiger talisman for gambling, so she suggested, "Why don't we gamble as well to liven up the atmosphere."
She took off a phoenix butterfly-emerald plum blossom hairpin from her head and placed it on the table, saying, "I am betting on His Royal Highness Prince Ling."
The other noble ladies also took out their most valuable things as prizes.
Except for Qin Yueyao, the rest of the people were escorting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Seeing this, Gu Tinglan took off her favorite jade bracelet and said, "I'll join in the fun and bet on His Royal Highness Prince Ling."
Just because Song Shiwei gave her a painting of "Bank Reeds and Orchids", she had to give her this face.
Sun couldn't help but whispered, "Are you stupid? Your brother bet on His Royal Highness Prince Ling, so you should bet on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This way, you can keep one no matter you win or lose, right?"
Gu Tinglan said stubbornly: "I won't!"
Sun gave her a glare and followed her.
However, today's gambling game was played by young people, so she, Marquis Yongning and several ladies did not join in the fun.
The prize had been awarded, and everyone's eyes were on Song Shiwei.
Those who were besieging the Crown Prince were all waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Wen Ruqing couldn't wait to ask, "How do you want to bet?"
Song Shiwei said: "One game will decide the winner. I heard that Miss Qian's piano skills are outstanding and she is one of the best in the capital.
Since she suggested that I start, I will not overestimate my abilities and sing a song for you all.
If anyone here can defeat me, I lose!"