Upon hearing the words "violates public morals," Lin Zhiqing frowned.
The ruqun was light and thin. Considering the current situation of the Great Sheng, she had already added several layers of lining to the floor-length skirt. If even this was considered a violation of public morals, it was truly nitpicking.
She looked at the scholar who had spoken:
"Sir, why is it that a man wearing thin clothes is considered graceful, but a woman wearing thin clothes is considered to violate public morals?" Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but speak.
The scholar didn't expect Lin Zhiqing to question him. Seeing everyone's gazes turn towards him, he couldn't help but puff out his chest:
"Men and women are naturally different. If a woman wears thin clothes, she will inevitably attract covetous glances and bring disaster."
These words, on the surface, seemed to be concerned about women, but inwardly, they attributed the reason for women being harmed to their attire.
"Everyone has the right to appreciate and pursue beauty. What you should question are those who cannot control themselves, not what one wears?" Lin Zhiqing's gaze was sharp.
Jiang Liuyun and Lu Huai, not far away, were momentarily stunned.
Even the Old Madam on the viewing stand had a momentary lapse.
So similar, too similar!
Miss Hua was somewhat surprised, not expecting Lin Zhiqing to be able to say such a thing.
She frowned and looked at the scholar: "Everyone knows my family runs a business. To be honest, I asked Grandmother to set up this competition because I wanted to select outstanding garments to be made back in Bianliang."
"Miss Lin's set of clothing is very beautiful. I will take it upon myself to buy the blueprint for this ruqun and have it produced in Bianliang."
"If the people of Shengjing City find this ruqun to violate public morals, then the ruqun will not be sold in Shengjing City."
After she finished speaking, she glared at the scholar.
Lin Zhiqing was a bit surprised, but she immediately looked at the Old Madam.
From their previous interactions, this Old Madam was quite rigid. She wondered if she was aware of what Miss Hua had just said.
But surprisingly, the Old Madam only hesitated for a moment before nodding.
This somewhat surprised the Mammy who had always been by her side.
The Old Madam's eyes softened. She knew her granddaughter was out of place in Shengjing City.
Of course, the Scholar's Residence was too.
Bianliang is good, Bianliang is good!
The Old Madam knew her granddaughter was like her daughter, fond of new things, but this was out of place in Shengjing.
Within such a limited space, she could only do her best to satisfy her granddaughter's exposure to new things.
This garment competition was born out of this.
"Thank you, Grandmother!" Miss Hua's smile was radiant. She turned and began asking Lin Zhiqing, "What do you think?"
Lin Zhiqing was naturally willing. She gently nodded: "Miss Hua's words are feasible. Another day, I will host a banquet at my home. I hope Miss Hua will grace me with her presence."
Doing business was not something that could be decided by merely speaking. It definitely involved drawing up a formal contract.
The current occasion was not suitable.
Miss Hua was not foolish and readily agreed.
Just as the two reached a consensus, a faint female voice from the crowd spoke: "Miss Hua, can ruqun truly not be sold in Shengjing City?"
At her voice, other women also looked at Miss Hua with expectant eyes.
Miss Hua glanced at the scholar, then rolled her eyes. "I'd like to sell them, but aren't I afraid of people gossiping behind my back?"
Everyone understood. After hearing this, they repeatedly guaranteed they wouldn't, and all glared at the scholar.
Such immense psychological pressure made the scholar somewhat unable to bear it. He feigned illness and left the banquet.
Only then did Miss Hua promise that the ruqun would definitely be sold in Shengjing City.
After this experience, Lin Zhiqing truly felt that Miss Hua was a straightforward person.
After she finished her presentation and was about to leave the stage, a sudden, abrupt female voice rang out:
"Foul, Lin Zhiqing committed a foul!"
Lin Zhiqing's footsteps faltered. She looked in the direction of the voice. Princess Pingning had, at some point, walked to Jiang Liuyun's side.
"Princess, Qing'er did not commit a foul. What makes you say that?" Jiang Liuyun's face was serious.
Princess Pingning lowered her voice: "Young Master Jiang, everyone saw Lin Zhiqing take a large pile of mesh fabric, but this mesh fabric was not used in the garment at all."
"She chose the fabric but didn't use it. What is this if not a foul?"
She looked at the others, clearly inciting everyone to take her side.
Prompted by her, everyone did recall that Lin Zhiqing had chosen the inexpensive mesh fabric when selecting materials.
But this mesh fabric indeed wasn't used in the ruqun.
"But the rules didn't state that mesh fabric had to be used," Jiang Liuyun couldn't help but argue.
Lu Huai glanced at Lin Zhiqing but said nothing.
However, several other contestants who had also entered the second round were somewhat displeased.
"I used all the fabric I took."
"If she just takes it and doesn't use it, is she planning to take it back to the Lin family? Has the Lin family fallen to such a state?"
"Everyone else used theirs, why should she be special?"
The voices of opposition grew from a few to dozens.
Seeing her goal achieved, Princess Pingning triumphantly glanced at Lin Zhiqing, then looked at the Old Madam.
The meaning in her eyes was clear: "I implore the Old Madam to disqualify Lin Zhiqing from the competition, to show fairness."
"I implore the Old Madam to disqualify Lin Zhiqing from the competition, to show fairness!" Several noble ladies accompanying Princess Pingning exchanged glances and knelt down.
The Old Madam glanced at her granddaughter. She knew in her heart that her granddaughter liked Lin Zhiqing.
But she also knew that Princess Pingning would not give up today without getting a satisfactory answer.
Moreover, everyone else used the materials they took, so Lin Zhiqing's actions were indeed at fault.
Thinking of this, she tapped her cane. The Mammy by her side understood and stepped forward:
"Princess Pingning is indeed right. The Scholar's Residence has always emphasized fairness and justice. Miss Lin's actions were indeed improper."
"Given the circumstances, please, Miss Lin, step aside and withdraw..."
"Wait." Just as the Mammy was about to announce her withdrawal from the competition, Lin Zhiqing interrupted her.
If she withdrew, she wouldn't get the top position. Without the top position, she couldn't get the Old Madam's help. Without the Old Madam's help, her earning money would be hindered.
That would certainly not do.
Lin Zhiqing looked at the objectors, led by Princess Pingning: "If I produce a garment made of mesh fabric, would it then not be considered a violation?"
Princess Pingning glanced at the ruqun on her, convinced that she couldn't conjure mesh fabric out of thin air, so she quickly nodded: "That is natural."
"As a princess, your words should not be taken back, should they?" Lin Zhiqing's lips curved.
In front of so many people, Princess Pingning quickly replied: "That is natural."
Having obtained this statement, Lin Zhiqing opened her mouth towards the entrance:
"Cousin, come out."
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