In August, Princess Hui'an hosted a flower-viewing banquet and specifically invited Su Jinshu to attend.

It was said that the princess really liked the hairstyles and makeup she did.

On the day of the banquet, the princess appeared and indeed amazed everyone. Some bold ones even started to inquire secretly.

The princess was pleased, not only rewarding Su Jinshu with gold and silver, but also letting her sit beside her.

I sat in my place watching her being sought after from all sides, occasionally receiving her proud and domineering glances.

"Princess, with such a beautiful scene, just drinking seems a bit dull. How about we play a game of passing flowers to the beat of drums?"

This was a new game, and all the ladies present were very interested.

Everyone urged her to quickly explain the rules of the game.

"It's simple, the princess will send a servant to the male guests to pick a flower, then we will pass the flowers in order with the beat of the drum. When the drum stops, whoever has the flower in hand will compose a poem. Three poems make a round, and then the three poems will be sent to the young gentlemen for evaluation. The winner can choose a reward provided by everyone."

After speaking, she was the first to throw the gemstone hairpin from her head onto the table.

Other interested ladies followed suit.

Seeing me not moving, Su Jinshu provoked me, "Sister, are you not joining? Are you scared?"

I nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, I'm so scared, you guys go ahead, I'll play the drum for you!"

She raised her head like a proud peacock, "Then I'll trouble you, sister."

The game began, and the male guests quickly brought a peony over. The ladies sat in a circle.

I took the drumstick and started to beat the drum.

In the first round, the flower ended up in the hands of a young lady from a military officer's family, and she blushed before managing to compose a poem.

In the second round, the flower fell into the hands of the prime minister's daughter, and in a moment, she composed a poem that earned everyone's praise.

Not getting the flower for two rounds, Su Jinshu became a bit anxious.

If she couldn't get the flower, she wouldn't be able to showcase her talent. Wouldn't her suggestion then be like making a wedding dress for someone else?

Pretending not to see, the first round of three poems was sent over, and indeed, the prime minister's daughter took the lead.

"Let's go again!"

Su Jinshu was not willing to give up.

The second round began, this time it was the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Personnel, and the princess who got the flowers.

As the third round was about to start, I was about to beat the drum, but Su Jinshu stopped me, "It's a bit too much to let sister keep playing the drum all the time, let the servant do it instead. Sister, come and join the game."

Tsk... she must think I'm deliberately not letting the flower fall into her hands.

Quite clever.