Mrs. Wang was naturally pleased, her smile brimming with pride as she stole a brief look at Mrs. Zhuang. Mrs. Zhuang, feeling greatly disrespected but unable to do anything about it, was about to speak when Mrs. Li chimed in with laughter, "However, let's stick to the matter at hand, although I seem to have deviated. In my view, why not send the best and most disappointing poems from both parties to the master at the mansion for critique? What do the ladies think?"
In every grand family household, there are always two or three masters well-versed in poetry and classics. By making such a suggestion, Mrs. Li cleverly kicked the ball back into play without offending anyone.
