Just as the atmosphere between the two reached a stalemate, the nanny beside the Old Madam spoke up: "County Princess, the Old Madam has already sent someone to verify. Miss Lin indeed used sappanwood to dye the gauze."
"This is not constrained by the rules, and Miss Lin did not violate any regulations."
No one questioned her words, because everyone knew this represented the Old Madam's wishes.
County Princess Pingning's heart sank to rock bottom, yet a sliver of hope remained. It wasn't the last moment yet, and no one knew who the champion would be.
However, the scene was truly becoming quite unsightly.
Miss Hua's eyes darted between Lin Zhiqing and County Princess Pingning, finally choosing to ask about the finished garment:
"Miss Lin, why... why is the style of this garment so unique?"
It wasn't surprising she was curious. The dyed gauze was incredibly beautiful, and when draped over an underskirt, it gave a feeling of flowing elegance and solemnity.
Unlike a ruqun, this gauze, though inexpensive, seemed unsuitable for daily wear when made into a garment. Instead, it appeared perfect for banquets or other important occasions.
Lin Zhiqing smoothed the wrinkles on the gauze: "Miss Hua, this garment is called a 'wedding dress' (hunsha). It can be worn for marriage ceremonies, and also for important occasions on regular days."
"I once heard some intriguing anecdotes from my mother, and I modified this 'wedding dress' based on the images my mother described from memory."
"From the looks of it, the effect is quite good."
It was more than just good!
Everyone present began to praise it profusely.
"This wedding dress is boldly colored, uses simple materials, yet the sewing technique is precise. I've never seen anything like it."
"Who said Miss Lin was stupid? I'd be the first to disagree. How could someone who can produce such a garment be stupid?"
"But can this kind of dress really be worn out? I just find it awkward no matter how I look at it."
The few scattered comments about it being "awkward" were quickly drowned out by the chorus of praise.
Seeing this, Lin Shi'an, who had been highly nervous, finally let out a sigh of relief.
He admitted that at first glance, when he saw this "wedding dress" that hadn't been fully assembled, his heart had sunk.
He had never seen a garment made of gauze, so he had been constantly uneasy.
But he hadn't expected the finished product to be so stunning.
To put it more plainly, Lin Zhiqing had made the gauze look like something ordinary people couldn't afford to wear.
This was something Lin Shi'an inwardly admitted he could not have done himself.
"Lin Zhiqing, you did very well." As he was about to step down, he gave a dry compliment, then quickened his pace.
Lin Zhiqing was slightly taken aback when she heard this, then smiled.
But the smile didn't reach her eyes.
She knew very well that Lin Shi'an was being pleasant to her only because she had performed well.
If she had disgraced the Lin family, his attitude today would surely have taken a 180-degree turn.
Fortunately, she had kept a trick up her sleeve and hadn't brought out the wedding dress first. Presenting an unfamiliar item as the first garment would definitely have been difficult for everyone to accept.
Lin Zhiqing cast aside distracting thoughts, focusing only on one thing: the position of champion.
There were still two people left to present after her. She touched her ruqun and slowly exited the stage.
Jiang Liuyun's gaze followed that excessively slender figure. He himself didn't even notice the smile in his eyes.
Lu Huai glanced at him, then turned and walked out of the crowd.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Liuyun reacted.
Lu Huai shrugged: "The victor is already clear. No need to waste any more time."
After speaking, he left the garden without looking back.
His words were not without reason. With Lin Zhiqing's perfect performance, the garments of the last two people seemed rather unremarkable.
Once everyone had finished their presentations, the atmosphere in the garden had significantly changed.
Looking at the "blooming flowers" throughout the courtyard, the Old Madam's mood brightened considerably.
She discussed in a low voice with those beside her for a while. Just as she picked up her teacup, Miss Hua couldn't help but urge her:
"Grandma, just tell me, who won the champion title?"
"Was it Miss Lin or the County Princess? Or perhaps Young Master Jiang and Young Master Lu?"
The Old Madam took a sip of tea foam and gently tapped Miss Hua's hand: "You little mischief-maker, waiting a moment won't hurt you!"
The two bantered back and forth with a few playful words, then finally got to the main topic.
"This year's Spring Banquet is even more exciting than previous years. Our Shengjing City has indeed produced many talented individuals. Bring forth today's prize." With a wave of the Old Madam's hand, someone immediately came up with a tray.
When the red cloth covering the tray was lifted, a filigree ruby headpiece with intertwined branches immediately appeared before everyone's eyes.
County Princess Pingning stared at the ruby headpiece, her eyes filled with longing.
She had many headpieces, but none won from a Spring Banquet.
Many years ago, her sister won the champion title, raising her own value, and entered the palace as a concubine.
Now, she only wanted to win the champion title to discuss her marriage with Jiang Liuyun with her father.
It was precisely because he had Lin Zhiqing as a fiancée that County Princess Pingning needed this leverage.
Thinking of this, her gaze towards Lin Zhiqing was filled with deep hostility.
Lin Zhiqing, however, had no mind to pay attention to County Princess Pingning. All her attention was on the headpiece.
Even though she wasn't particularly interested in jewelry, she found the ruby headpiece truly beautiful.
With just a glance, she could tell that the material of the rubies was extraordinary. The entire headpiece was made from a single rough stone, and the carving was extremely delicate.
Even in her original world, such craftsmanship would be very rare.
Moreover, if she could win this headpiece, she would gain the Old Madam's support to open a psychology clinic (xīnlǐ xuéyī guǎn) and also earn money.
The thought of being much closer to her goal made Lin Zhiqing happy from the bottom of her heart.
With the prize already presented, everyone couldn't help but start guessing who would win the champion title.
"It must be County Princess Pingning. Did you see? That 'Moon Shadow Gauze' was so ethereal, making the County Princess look like a fairy from the heavens."
"I actually think Lin Zhiqing's ruqun was prettier. The red is festive and grand, much better than that sickly beauty who looks like she'd fall over with a push."
"What kind of taste do you all have? Don't you think Young Master Jiang and Young Master Lu's garment was better? That 'raccoon cat' was simply too lifelike."
"I support County Princess Pingning. Her sister once won the champion title, so she definitely won't be far behind."
...
Hearing that more people supported her, County Princess Pingning smiled provocatively at Lin Zhiqing.
Just the descendant of a criminal, daring to contend with her, overestimating herself...
County Princess Pingning fixed her gaze on the Old Madam's face, hoping to hear her own name spoken.
How could the Old Madam not feel those tense and eager gazes? She confirmed with the others beside her with a look, then, under everyone's eager anticipation, she spoke:
"This Spring Banquet has truly been more splendid than in previous years, an eye-opener for me. You all don't care for superfluous remarks, so I, an old woman, will speak plainly."
"The champion of this Spring Banquet shall be—"
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