On the fifteenth of the fourth month, the Liuliang Poetry Society held its winding stream banquet at the villa in the western suburbs. Jiang Wan sat by the clear stone creek, watching peach blossom petals drift on the water. With her wolf-hair brush, she lightly touched the rice paper, writing the eight characters: "The peach tree is young and elegant, its blossoms brilliant and vibrant." As Madam Xie passed by, she caught a glimpse of the calligraphy and smiled, "Miss Jiang, I fear this poem of yours shall overshadow all others here today."
"It is merely a piece composed for the occasion," Jiang Wan replied humbly, setting down her brush. As she looked up, however, she saw Jiang Rou hurrying over, accompanied by her maid, Feicui. Jiang Rou wore a goose-yellow pleated skirt today, and pinned in her hair was a magnolia hairpin identical to Jiang Wan's, though her expression was visibly flustered.
"Sister, you are indeed here," Jiang Rou said, bowing. Her eyes swept over the poetry drafts on the table. "I heard today’s theme is 'The Young Peach Tree.' I am untalented, but I, too, wish to present a humble offering."
Chapter 168