251 Wrong
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
The carriage swayed gently as they continued moving forward.
"How interesting!" Gu Yanfei sighed faintly. The smile on her face deepened, and her eyes seemed to be teasing, sighing, and knowing. "It's really a waste that you didn't go out today."
With that, she leaned lazily against the carriage and ignored Gu Yunrong.
The carriage fell silent again, except for the sound of the wheels outside and the commotion on the street.
Neither of them spoke again.
Gu Yunrong's slender fingers gripped the handkerchief in her hand as she quietly sized up Gu Yanfei, who was leaning against the carriage with her eyes closed.
Gu Yanfei's black hair was only tied up in the simplest way. She was wearing a snow-green dark-patterned hat with an elegant five-colored moon dress. There was only a plum blossom jade hairpin and a camellia silk flower in her bun, and a pair of plum blossoms on her ears.
Apart from that, there was no other jewelry around her, but she was as elegant as the moon.
She had clearly grown up in the countryside of Huaibei, but to Gu Yunrong, she didn't look like it at all.
Her bearing was clear, carefree, and not vulgar at all.
She had a straightforward personality and was neither servile nor overbearing. Her words and actions were unrestrained, and she had a noble character. Even when interacting with a noble lady like Wei Jiaoniang, she was magnanimous.
Gu Yanfei wasn't like an ordinary country girl at all.
She had hidden her true self too well!
Gu Yunrong stared at Gu Yanfei, her fingers slowly curling around the handkerchief between her fingers, circle after circle. Her thoughts spun, and her eyes darted around.
Ever since her background was revealed, Gu Yunrong had always felt that she owed Gu Yanfei.
Even though Madam Gu had told her time and again that all of this wasn't her fault, when she thought about how she had lived a luxurious life in the Marquis Mansion for the past 10 years while Gu Yanfei had suffered in Huaibei, Gu Yunrong always felt guilty. Therefore, she tried her best to make it up to Gu YanfeI.
But now Gu Yunrong realized that she was wrong.
Gu Yanfei had lived well for the past 14 years, which is why she had developed her current willful personality.
However, she always pretended that Gu Yunrong owed her.
Her schemes couldn't be underestimated.
Gu Yunrong's eyes narrowed slightly, and a thoughtful glint flashed in them. It quickly faded, and she regained her composure.
Gu Yanfei's long eyelashes fluttered, and she suddenly opened her eyes to meet Gu Yunrong's scrutinizing gaze. Her eyes were half-closed as she smiled.
This smile was lazy, unruly, casual, and elegant.
Gu Yunrong also pursed her lips and smiled. The dimples on her cheeks deepened, and her heart was as clear as water.
She knew she was wrong.
She shouldn't have been prejudiced, and she certainly shouldn't have been unguarded. One had to be wary of others.
In the quiet carriage, it was calm and peaceful, as if there was an undercurrent surging.
The carriage of the Marquis Mansion traveled smoothly. After turning several corners on the streets of the capital and driving for nearly half an hour, a maidservant respectfully announced that they had arrived at the palace.
With this shout, the carriage gradually slowed down and finally stopped beside the stele in front of the palace gate.
Madam Wang, Gu Yanfei, and Gu Yunrong alighted from the carriage.
Outside, the sky darkened a little more. Dark clouds covered the top of the palace door in layers.
The doors of the three palaces ahead were wide open. The tall, majestic city platform was like a mountain range, with heavy eaves, yellow tiles, and red walls.
The women entered the palace through the Xihua Gate. The entrance was dignified and solemn. On both sides stood a row of imperial guards in bronze helmets and iron armor. All of them had dignified expressions and emitted an aura that prevented strangers from entering.
A young eunuch in his teens was already waiting outside the Xihua Gate with two palace maids. He welcomed them with a smile and greeted the Wang family.
'Marquis Madam, Third Lady Gu, I've been ordered by the Empress Dowager to wait for you here. This way, please." The little eunuch brushed past Gu Yanfei and politely extended his hand to lead the way.
With the pedestal of the Dingyuan Marquis Household, it was naturally impossible for them to take a palanquin. They had to walk all the way from the palace gate to the Shou'an Palace. They couldn't take the main entrance in the middle and had to enter the palace through the side door.
They had only taken a few steps when sporadic snowflakes fell from the sky.
The little eunuch was quick-witted. He immediately took a tung oil umbrella from the palace maid and said to Gu Yunrong with a smile, "Third Lady Gu, it's snowing. Be careful not to catch a cold."
He solicitously held an umbrella for Gu Yunrong himself.
'Third Lady Gu, I have a hand stove here." Another palace maid handed Gu Yunrong a small hand stove with a smile..
252 Wrong
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Madam Wang was the matriarch of the Dingyuan Marquis Household. Even if the Dingyuan Marquis Household wasn't as good as before, they still had three to five chances to enter the palace a year. Usually, these palace servants were arrogant and indifferent, and their attitude was a world of difference from today.
"Thank you for your trouble," Madam Wang said to the palace servants with a smile. She turned around and reminded Gu Yunrong meaningfully, "Rong'er, you have to remember the grace of the Empress Dowager."
Madam Wang didn't mention Kang Wang at all, but everyone knew that the reason why the people in the Shou'an Palace treated Gu Yunrong differently was because of him.
Everyone in the palace knew that Gu Yunrong was the apple of Kang Wang's eye and would definitely be the future Princess Consort Kang. Therefore, these palace servants, who usually trampled on the weak, naturally didn't mind lowering themselves to express goodwill to Gu Yunrong.
"I understand." Gu Yunrong nodded with a smile. Her eyes were sparkling like a little girl's.
She put the small flower basket-shaped hand stove in her sleeve and glanced at Gu Yanfei from the corner of her eye, wanting to see if there was envy and discomfort in Gu Yanfei's eyes.
However, what she met was a pair of clear almond-shaped eyes.
Gu Yanfei was still as casual and comfortable as ever. She calmly scanned the people and things around her.
Her eyes were casual, relaxed, poised. There was no deliberate calmness, no reluctance not to look in her direction, and no envy.
It was as if the jade building in front of her was as ordinary to her as a leaf on the road.
There was a different kind of indifference to the world in her eyes.
After passing through the side door of the Xihua Gate, they saw a few palace servants carrying a palanquin towards them.
The little eunuch holding the umbrella for Gu Yunrong's eyes lit up and he smiled until his eyes narrowed. He raised his voice excitedly and said, "Third Lady Gu, His Highness must have arranged a palanquin for you. His Highness really knows how to dote on you."
Empress Dowager Yuan hadn't arranged a palanquin for Gu Yunrong, so this palanquin was clearly arranged by Kang Wang.
The little eunuch and the two palace maids exchanged glances. They looked at Gu Yunrong with even more respect and eagerness.
Gu Yunrong thought so too. Her cheeks were flushed, and her red lips curled up slightly. Her heart felt like it had been filled with honey.
"Your Highness has thought it through. He's really considerate," Madam Wang said happily, looking proud and elated.
Everyone surrounded Gu Yunrong like stars surrounding the moon, ignoring Gu Yanfei.
However, when the palanquin was lifted in front of Gu Yunrong, it didn't stop. Instead, it passed her like a gust of wind.
Madam Wang frowned slightly and was about to speak when she saw the palanquin being carried to Gu Yanfei.
A pale and beardless middle-aged eunuch bowed to Gu Yanfei with a smile and said respectfully in a sharp voice, "Second Lady Gu, please get in the palanquin. It's snowing and slippery today, so it's not easy to walk."
After the palace servants carrying the palanquin lowered it, they also bowed to Gu Yanfei in unison.
Gu Yanfei blinked in confusion.
Everyone else present watched this scene in dumbfounded silence.
A strong, bone-chilling wind blew past. The umbrella rustled in the snow and almost flew out of the little eunuch's hand.
The young eunuch hurriedly grabbed the handle of the umbrella and sized up the middle -aged eunuch with a strange gaze.
Madam Wang almost thought that these palace servants were referring to Second Miss Gu as Third Miss Gu and wanted to say something but hesitated.
Even Gu Yunrong's expression changed slightly at this moment. Her cheeks flushed red, and embarrassment, shock, and discomfort flashed across her face, but she immediately returned to normal.
In the space of a few words, the snowfall grew heavier. Snowflakes pelted the roof of the palanquin and made rustling sounds.
Although Gu Yanfei didn't feel tired from walking, she didn't like her shoes being wet from the snow.
'Thank you, eunuch." Gu Yanfei thanked him generously. She didn't ask further or push him away. Under everyone's complicated gazes, she sat in the palanquin.
It was a single- seater palanquin. Obviously, no one else had a share.
Madam Wang had also recovered from her initial shock. Her expression was much calmer as she politely invited the little eunuch with the umbrella to lead the way so that the Empress Dowager wouldn't have to wait for too long.
She was shocked and couldn't help but guess who had arranged a palanquin for Gu Yanfei. This was the palace, after all.
The group walked in the direction of the Shou'an Palace.
Madam Wang and Gu Yunrong walked in front. Gu Yanfei's palanquin was 10 feet behind and followed behind them.
Madam Wang had to use almost all her strength to not turn around.
Maintaining her elegance as the matriarch, she faced the snow and wind as she passed through palace gates and walked along palace roads before finally arriving at Shou'an Palace.
Gu Yanfei's sedan stopped at the entrance of the Shou'an Palace with them.
The palace servants at the entrance of the Shou'an Palace simultaneously cast their gazes on the palanquin. All of them couldn't hide their shock as the same question appeared in their minds. Who was this girl?
As soon as Madam Wang and the others arrived, the palace maid in charge of the Shou'an Palace personally brought people to welcome them.
The palace maid in charge had been in the palace for many years, so she naturally recognized the noble ladies and Gu Yunrong. She smiled and bowed to the two of them. 'Marquis Madam, Third Lady Gu, please come in."
'And this lady, please."
The palace maid looked past Madam Wang to the girl who had just alighted from the palanquin at the back. The smile on her face was just right as she pondered her identity.
Since this girl was brought here by the Dingyuan Maquis Household's matriarch, she was most likely from the Gu family.. But why had she come over in a palanquin?
253 Joyous Event
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
In the palace, without the blessings of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, even nobles like princess consorts and princesses had to walk obediently.
The group walked up the white marble steps and entered the main hall through the main door, then headed in the direction of the east side hall.
The palace maid in charge had a smile on her face the entire time. Her footsteps were neither fast nor slow as she said tentatively to Gu Yanfei, "You look unfamiliar. This is your first time entering the palace, right?"
"Indeed." Gu Yanfei nodded with a smile and didn't say another word. She pretended not to understand the other party's probing.
When Madam Wang heard this, she clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly. She had thousands of questions in her heart and felt as uncomfortable as if she was being scratched by a cat. However, this wasn't the place to question Gu Yanfei.
After passing through two more curtains, Madam Wang and Gu Yanfei followed the palace maid to a warm pavilion.
The room was filled with a thick sandalwood scent that curled away. The golden brick floor under their feet was mirror-like, and an ornate carpet stretched all the way to a pair of black embroidered shoes embroidered with a golden phoenix.
Empress Dowager Yuan, who was wearing a red sandalwood ball with longevity patterns, sat upright on the kang bed. She had a graceful bearing and was charming.
In the warm pavilion, there were also many young ladies sitting on both sides. They were dressed in fragrant clothes and looked gorgeous.
Wei Jiaoniang was among them.
She had already changed into a new set of clothes. She was wearing a peach-colored silk dress with begonia branches and a water-red threaded dress. Her black hair was tied into a lily bun, and she wore a golden phoenix with a ruby in it.
Wei Jiaoniang was so bored that she could not sit still anymore. She secretly tilted her head and yawned, causing the three strings of tassels on the rocking stick to sway slightly.
When she turned around, she saw Gu Yanfei, who had followed Madam Wang in. She was instantly energized, and her sleepiness disappeared. Her eyes even sparkled.
Yanfei, you're here too! Wei Jiaoniang quickly winked at Gu Yanfei with her left eye.
Gu Yanfei and Wei Jiaoniang exchanged tacit glances.
Madam Wang brought Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunrong to the front to greet Empress Dowager Yuan. Empress Dowager Guan drank her tea elegantly with a calm expression. She couldn't be said to be warm or cold. She only said simply, "No need to stand on ceremony." When her gaze landed on Gu Yanfei, there was a hint of scrutiny.
An old granny leaned over and whispered something into Empress Dowager Yuan's ear. The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes darkening as she glanced at Gu Yanfei.
Empress Dowager Yuan didn't give her a seat, so Madam Wang could only stand there, not daring to move or glance around. She looked respectful and dignified.
Soon, Empress Dowager Yuan put down the pink enamel tea cup in her hand and stroked the edge of her sleeve. She said indifferently to Madam Wang, "Marquis Madam Dingyuan, Kang Wang and your daughter's marriage has been delayed for a long time."
Of course, she was referring to Gu Yunrong.
Madam Wang's heart skipped a beat. Afraid that something would happen, she quickly put on a serious expression and listened to the Empress Dowager's instructions.
"Your daughter is almost of age. The marriage has been arranged for after the new year," Empress Dowager Yuan said unhurriedly. Her expression was calm, and there was a hint of noble superiority in her words.
Madam Wang was overjoyed. She quickly bent her knees and bowed to Empress Dowager Yuan. "As you command."
Madam Wang wasn't stupid, and she could tell that Empress Dowager Yuan didn't look happy when she said this. However, no matter what, it was fine as long as this marriage could succeed.
Over the past few months, nothing had gone well for the family, and they had been plagued by bad luck. Now, there was finally a happy occasion that could sweep away the bad luck brought by Gu Yanfei's return.
Gu Yunrong, who was standing beside Madam Wang, also knelt down and thanked her in a neither servile nor overbearing manner. "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager."
There was a faint smile between her lips. Her movements were elegant and generous, and her bearing was excellent. She was like a lotus, natural and without the slightest bit of the pettyness of a woman from a noble family.
Seeing this, even Empress Dowager Yuan, who didn't like her, nodded secretly.
Empress Dowager Yuan instructed the old granny, "Lead the Duchess of Dingyuan to the west hall and sit down."
She didn't mention Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunrong. It was obvious that she planned to keep these two girls in the warm pavilion.
When Madam Wang first entered the warm pavilion, she noticed that the other noble ladies weren't around and that only those girls were left here. The Empress Dowager must have other motives.
Madam Wang was very tactful and immediately excused herself, following the old granny to the west hall.
Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunrong were given seats by Empress Dowager Yuan.
As soon as Madam Wang left, two more families came. As usual, the elders were casually sent away by Empress Dowager Yuan, leaving only Lu Qin and Yu Chaoyun.
The palace maids of Shou'an Palace trained all the girls and quickly served tea to them. The fragrance of green tea spread with the heat.
The girls summoned by the Empress Dowager today were either noble ladies or from noble families. They often met at banquets in various prefectures and knew each other.
They didn't dare to be impudent in front of the Empress Dowager and greeted each other with a smile.
"Your Majesty," Yu Chaoyun said, neither servile nor overbearing, "I heard that this high-grade green tea is a tribute. After tasting it today, it's indeed fragrant and refreshing. I'm really lucky to be able to try it."
Seeing Yu Chaoyun again, Gu Yanfei was very calm. She only glanced at her indifferently and lowered her head to drink tea.
Empress Dowager Yuan smiled kindly and instructed the palace maid in charge to give her a jar of green tea. She smiled and said, "You young ladies are so energetic. You're full of vitality, and each of you is like a flower. I'm happy to see you, my dears."
"Come, tell me what you like and are good at."
Yu Chaoyun was the first to answer. "Your Majesty, I usually like to play the zither.
She didn't say much else. She was generous and appropriately maintained the aura of a noblewoman.
Immediately after, the other girls beside her answered. Some said that they liked to play chess, some said that they loved to copy scriptures, and some said that they were good at playing the flute and the zither... When it was Wei Jiaoniang's turn, she said with a smile,
'Tm good at fighting."
The surroundings fell silent.
The girls from the aristocratic families didn't think much of it and felt that Wei Jiaoniang was really vulgar and rude. Lu Qin, who was sitting beside her, almost laughed out loud. She tried her best to cover her mouth and suppress her laughter.
"Pfft!'
A crisp laugh suddenly sounded between the girls, especially loud in the quiet, warm pavilion.
Everyone's gazes surged towards Gu Yanfei. They saw that her black eyes were bright. When she smiled, it was like spring flowers blooming—beautiful and unrestrained.
Empress Dowager Yuan, who was drinking tea, almost choked. Her lips pursed, and a look of displeasure flashed across her eyes.
Wei Jiaoniang's answer sounded like she was patronizing her.
Empress Dowager Yuan glanced at Wei Jiaoniang and suppressed her displeasure. She didn't flare up and said indifferently, in a lecturing tone, 'Jiaoniang, a girl has to be virtuous, dignified, gentle, and quiet. You're already of age. Don't talk about fighting and killing all day."
Faced with Empress Dowager Yuan's reprimand, Wei Jiaoniang wasn't afraid, nor was she uncomfortable at all. She smiled and said, "Emperor Taizu said that women might not be inferior to men. The Eldest Princess Feng Yang also led an army and galloped on the battlefield, making illustrious contributions to our cause."
The Eldest Princess Feng Yang was the eldest sister of the previous Emperor. She had once led a 100,000-strong army to pacify the three northeastern prefectures and made unparalleled contributions to the Great Jin.
Most of the noble ladies from noble military families admired her. They couldn't help but look fascinated and smile.
The Wei family had transcendent status in the Great Jin Dynasty. Not only did the current Duke, Wei Rong, have an important army, but he was also Kang Wang's cousin. As the legitimate daughter of the Wei family, Wei Jiaoniang naturally had an extraordinary status.
She was probably the only one who dared speak to the Empress Dowager in such a dismissive manner.
Empress Dowager Yuan choked for a moment. Her lips pursed even tighter, and a shadow flashed across her eyes.
The Eldest Princess Feng Yang was the eldest sister of the previous Emperor. She had a fiery personality and was valiant and heroic. Although she was a woman, she was even more decisive than a man. She stood tall in the royal court with her outstanding military achievements.
Back then, when the late Emperor decided to make her the Empress, the Eldest Princess Feng Yang objected greatly. In a fit of anger, she even whipped her and the late Emperor.
Now that she thought about it, Empress Dowager Yuan couldn't help but be afraid.
Her slightly dark gaze swept past Wei Jiaoniang and landed on Gu Yanfei. She stared at her for a while before asking, "1 remember that you're the Second
Lady of the Gu family, right? What are you good at?"
"Fortune -telling," Gu Yanfei replied seriously, with a sincere expression.
"Pfft!" Wei Jiaoniang laughed happily. Her laughter was as clear as a bell as she looked at Gu Yanfei and smiled.
She was good at fighting, and Gu Yanfei was good at fortune-telling. The two of them were really compatible!
'Smash!"
Empress Dowager Yuan slammed her palm on the coffee table and frowned slightly. The anger she had suppressed until now was released at this moment.
Empress Dowager Yuan would still tolerate Wei Jiaoniang for fear of Imperial Duke Wei, but not Gu Yanfei.
'How dare you!" Empress Dowager Yuan said coldly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was dignified. "You dare to be so disrespectful in front of me.'
The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs all lowered their heads in silence.
Gu Yanfei looked at Empress Dowager Yuan and smiled without saying anything. Her lips curled into a faint smile.
She had always been honest. Why did no one believe her?!
" Gu Yunrong frowned slightly, feeling that she couldn't see through Gu Yanfei.
Gu Yanfei wasn't stupid. No, she was a smart person.
Every time she played some tricks at home, she had a motive. So why was she doing this today?
Most of the others could tell that the Empress Dowager was venting her anger on the Second Lady of the Gu family.
Or perhaps...
The Empress Dowager was using this as an excuse.
Yu Chaoyun recalled that the Eldest Prince had treated Gu Yanfei differently that day and looked at her meaningfully.
There was a moment of silence in the warm pavilion. The white jade incense burner in the corner quietly exhaled a trace of sandalwood, quiet and cold.
'Since you say you're good at fortune -telling," Empress Dowager Yuan sneered and casually stroked her sleeve, her voice turning colder. "Then read my fortune."
254 Concubine
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Gu Yanfei subconsciously touched the compass hidden in her sleeve, but she immediately remembered that her compass was broken. She regretfully stopped and could only stroke her sleeve.
"Empress Dowager, may I ask what you want me to calculate?" Gu Yanfei stared into Empress Dowager Yuan's eyes and smiled.
Empress Dowager Yuan met Gu Yanfei's eyes steadily. A graceful and noble smile appeared on her face, but her eyes were cold.
Her right hand gently rubbed against a small gilded stove. Her fair and tender fingers were well-maintained, as delicate and flawless as an 18-year-old girl's.
After a long silence, Empress Dowager Yuan said, "Then… how about you calculate how the Emperor's dragon body is?"
Her voice was neutral, neither angry nor angry. It was impossible to tell if she was happy or angry.
After this sentence, everyone fell silent.
The atmosphere suddenly tensed, and even the sound of breathing seemed to quieten.
Wei Jiaoniang and Lu Qin frowned and exchanged glances.
This was undoubtedly a trap.
Everyone in the capital knew that the Emperor was weak and sickly. He would fall sick every three to five days. From time to time, the imperial physician would take his pulse, and the smell of medicine in the bedroom was so strong that it wouldn't go away. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that it smelled like a medicine jar.
However, if Gu Yanfei really answered like this, what did it have to do with whether she knew how to read fortunes?!
It was obvious that the Empress Dowager would definitely not be satisfied. She could even take the opportunity to accuse Gu Yanfei of playing with her.
"Let me calculate…" Gu Yanfei raised her right hand calmly and pinched her knuckles twice.
This simple action carried a hint of mystery.
When her thumb touched her middle finger, the casual smile on her lips froze…
Everyone's gaze fell on her beautiful and slender fingers, and no one noticed her momentary loss of composure.
Gu Yanfei retracted her hand, and her wide sleeve fell like butterfly wings. A stream of light flashed across her eyes, and she smiled.
She turned her head to the side and smiled at Empress Dowager Yuan, who was on the kang bed. She said in relief, "The heavens have blessed the dynasty. The sun, moon, mountains, and rivers will always exist."
"His Majesty is healthy."
Empress Dowager Yuan's smile froze.
Not only Empress Dowager Yuan, but the others around her also didn't expect Gu Yanfei to answer like this and were stunned again.
The surroundings were even quieter, and even the rustling of the snow hitting the glass window outside could be heard.
After a moment of shock, Empress Dowager Yuan smiled again, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Her back remained straight.
She raised her chin slightly and reprimanded her arrogantly, "Second Lady Gu, do you know that talking nonsense in front of me is a crime of deception?
Empress Dowager Yuan talked slowly, and every word was laced with the invisible pressure of a superior.
These few words were like a knife placed high on Gu Yanfei's neck. Even if she didn't want Gu Yanfei's life, she could still cut off a piece of her flesh.
Yu Chaoyun elegantly stroked her sleeve. A faint fragrance wafted out of the fragrant ball hidden in her sleeve.
When she received the Empress Dowager's oral order, Aunt had carefully analyzed the Empress Dowager's intentions with her and reminded her.
Aunt said that the Empress Dowager must have summoned them to the palace to choose a consort for the Eldest Prince.
Aunt also said that she had asked her to come to the capital from Yuzhou for the position of the Eldest Princess Consort. She instructed her to be neither servile nor overbearing in front of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager wouldn't casually choose the Eldest Princess Consort..
Thinking of this, Yu Chaoyun turned to look at Gu Yanfei, who was sitting diagonally opposite her. Her eyes were like a deep spring that was very cold. There was no doubt that the Eldest Prince treated Gu Yanfei differently.
And she could never be the prince's secondary consort!
Yu Chaoyun's fingers gently rubbed the fragrant ball hidden in her sleeve. The burning spices in the fragrant ball warmed her cold fingertips bit by bit.
Gu Yanfei seemed to be straightforward, but she was actually scheming.
The Empress Dowager represented Kang Wang. It was impossible for her to coexist peacefully with the Emperor and his son.
Gu Yanfei was clearly deliberately causing trouble to please the Emperor!
Yu Chaoyun pursed her lips, her expression calm as she sat there without saying a word.
In just a few breaths, the warm atmosphere became even more tense. The temperature, which was originally as warm as spring, suddenly dropped, as if a knife-like cold wind blew through the window.
Meeting Empress Dowager Yuan's threatening gaze, Gu Yanfei smiled. Her eyes were as clear as water as she asked gently, "Don't you believe me, Empress Dowager?
Empress Dowager Yuan's expression darkened.. When had she ever said that she didn't believe her?!
255 Concubine
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
"It's simple." Gu Yanfei nimbly snapped her fingers and suggested "kindly", "Empress Dowager, if you don't believe me, you can call an imperial physician to ask."
Gu Yanfei smiled.
Empress Dowager Yuan's graceful face instantly darkened.
This girl had put her in a tough spot with just a few words. If she really called an imperial physician to ask about the Emperor's dragon body now, it would mean she "didn't believe" that the Emperor's dragon body was healthy.
"…" Empress Dowager Yuan's eyes were uncertain, and the veins on her forehead throbbed. She still sat upright, and an extremely fierce aura emitted from her body, causing the palace maids serving her to lower their heads timidly.
Lu Qin secretly gave Gu Yanfei a thumbs up.
Wei Jiaoniang eagerly handed Gu Yanfei the second pot of tea that the palace maid had just served.
Gu Yanfei calmly took the teacup and drank the tea. She even had the time to size up the scenery outside the window. Her sharp eyes saw a black cat chasing a white cat over the wall in the snow. Its movements were agile and fast as it flashed past.
Ever since she received the second merit from the heavens before the new year, her eyes had become sharper and more sensitive than those of ordinary people. Otherwise, she would probably not have been able to see the two cats clearly.
Gu Yanfei's lips curved into a smile. She was in a good mood.
All sound in the warm pavilion disappeared and spread silently.
Empress Dowager Yuan picked up the teacup in silence and sipped the hot tea. Her appearance was still calm, but her fingers tightened slightly on the lid, and her fingertips were white.
Since she had already said this, if she insisted on pursuing Gu Yanfei's matter, it would make her look like a petty Empress Dowager who insisted on arguing with a subject.
Moreover, once word got out, outsiders wouldn't care if Gu Yanfei's calculations were accurate. They would only speculate and attack that, as the Empress Dowager, she couldn't wait for the Emperor to be ill!
This girl was simply despicable!
Recalling the last time she was at Prince Jing's Manor and how Gu Yanfei had used her to break free from her engagement with Fang Mingfeng, Empress Dowager Yuan hated Gu Yanfei even more.
When the cat outside the window was gone, Gu Yanfei retracted her gaze and pretended that she wasn't distracted just now. She asked nonchalantly, "I wonder if Empress Dowager Yuan thinks I'm accurate?"
No one expected Gu Yanfei to say this. When Empress Dowager Yuan placed the teacup on the coffee table, the sound of the teacup hitting the coffee table wasn't loud, but it made everyone tremble in fear and fixate their gazes on her.
Empress Dowager Yuan smiled again.
Only this time, her smile had a hint of a fake smile.
"Good prediction."
Empress Dowager Yuan slowly squeezed out these words from between her teeth.
The palace maid in charge at the side swallowed silently. She could clearly feel the Empress Dowager's suppressed anger.
The last time the Empress Dowager was so angry was on the day the Eldest Prince returned to the capital. The Shou'an Palace had been covered in dark clouds for a few days.
The palace maid in charge composed herself. When she looked at Gu Yanfei again, her gaze became even more complicated.
Was Second Lady Gu just fighting for a moment, or was she trying to force the Empress Dowager to admit that she had calculated it accurately so that the Empress Dowager wouldn't settle scores with her in the future?
There was another moment of silence in the warm pavilion. There was an indescribable awkwardness, causing several of the girls to become ill at ease.
Empress Dowager Yuan looked unhappy. Even if she was smiling, she was no longer in a good mood. She asked Lu Qin perfunctorily, "Ah Qin, I remember your grandmother saying that you're good at chess and often play chess with your grandfather."
Lu Qin wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, straightened her face, and answered obediently, "Your Majesty, Grandma is overpraising me. I'm just accompanying Grandpa to relieve his boredom."
'You're quite humble, child," Empress Dowager Yuan said indifferently.
After that, there was no more commotion.
Empress Dowager Yuan asked about the preferences of the girls and casually dismissed them. 'Tm tired. Liu Xia, bring them to the imperial garden."
Liu Xia was the palace maid-in-charge. She hurriedly bowed and accepted the order.
In a few moments, the girls rose and excused themselves. In twos and threes, they walked around a six-panel screen and headed out, talking and laughing.
Without these young ladies, this warm pavilion immediately seemed much wider and more spacious.
Empress Dowager Yuan stared at Gu Yanfei's back After a while, she lowered her voice and said, 'Did the Eldest Prince arrange the carriage?
'Yes," the old granny whispered back.
Empress Dowager Yuan was just asking casually.
It was so obvious that there was no need to even guess.
Empress Dowager Yuan couldn't help but recall what her son had said to her half a month ago...
Back then, she was also skeptical. She felt that how could the Eldest Prince take a fancy to such a wild girl? Having wandered outside for more than ten years, this girl didn't have any shocking talent, nor did she know how to deal with people. The Gu family wasn't like the Wei family who had a father and ancestor who could support the family. After all, the Dingyuan Marquis Household was no longer like the time when the Marquis of Dingyuan, Gu Ce, was still around...
However, from the way Chu Yi had put in so much effort for this girl today, she could tell he was sincere.
Empress Dowager Yuan smiled and said sarcastically, "Is this all our Eldest Prince has his eyes on?
As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes, and a cold glint flashed across them.
Both princes had been seduced by the Gu family's ladies!
The old granny had been by Empress Dowager Yuan's side for decades, so she could naturally tell that there was a hidden meaning in her words. She pretended not to know and smiled apologetically. "I'm thinking that she can be just a concubine, so it's fine as long as she's good-looking."
There was a moment of silence. The chatter and laughter of the girls in front of them gradually faded away, leaving only the faint smell of sandalwood lingering in the house.
'You're right." Empress Dowager Yuan chuckled. Her fingertips softened as she stroked her cuffs, and her pinly curled slightly.
Indeed, Gu Yanfei's appearance was outstanding, and her face was also top-notch in the capital.
Unfortunately, she only had such a beautiful face.
Having her as a concubine?
256 Taken a Fancy
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Empress Dowager Yuan's deep gaze passed through the translucent screen in front of her, and she looked at the curtain on the other side.
The brocade curtain that led to the outside had already fallen and swayed gently. All the young ladies had gone out, resulting in an empty and especially quiet warm pavilion.
Empress Dowager Yuan's red and full lips curled up even more. A cold glint flashed across her eyes as she nodded slightly.
"With the Gu family's family background and the fact that she has no parents, she's suitable to be the Eldest Prince's concubine."
"The Eldest Princess Consort should still be someone from an aristocratic family, lest outsiders think that I've mistreated the Eldest Prince."
"How could that be!" The old granny praised with a smile. "You've always doted on the Eldest Prince and even specially went to the trouble of choosing a noble lady from an aristocratic family to be his main consort."
"The Eldest Prince will definitely understand your efforts."
As she spoke, she took a pot of new tea from the palace maid and respectfully handed it to Empress Dowager Yuan.
Empress Dowager Yuan slowly brushed away a few floating leaves that were floating in the tea soup with the lid of the tea. The corners of her lips curled up into a faint smile as she sighed. "Who asked the Emperor to never have an heir? I can only work harder."
"In the blink of an eye, the Eldest Prince is already 18 years old. He's an adult now. It's time for him to start a family."
These words were dignified, and the old granny responded repeatedly.
Empress Dowager Yuan took a sip of tea and put down the steaming teacup. She said, "Granny He, what do you think of those girls just now? Please give me a detailed explanation."
Madam Yuan smiled behind her. Her tone was easy-going, and there was a hint of casualness between her eyebrows.
When the Empress Dowager said this, Granny He didn't dare to really look into it. She replied humbly, "I think all these girls are top-notch. They look good and have a good bearing. My eyes have been blessed."
"I'm old and blind, so I'm not as discerning as you, Empress Dowager Yuan. The ones you choose must be dragons and phoenixes among others!"
Granny He took the opportunity to flatter Empress Dowager Yuan again.
Empress Dowager Yuan didn't really count on Granny He to begin with. She continued, "I think the daughter of the Yu family isn't bad. She's dignified and quiet, and her words are appropriate. Be it her talent, family background, bearing, or looks, she's extraordinary."
'The daughter of the Zhang family isn't bad either. She's gentle, elegant, and knows everything. "
'Also, the girl from the Fan family is a well-educated and kind girl.
Empress Dowager Yuan praised three to four girls from aristocratic families.
Granny He, who was at the side, nodded repeatedly and praised all these girls.
The master and servant echoed each other and spoke frankly.
At the side, a thin green-robed eunuch silently walked towards the incense burner in the corner with a wooden box. He paused for a moment before walking to the incense burner as if nothing had happened.
The green-robed eunuch had his back to Empress Dowager Yuan and frowned tightly.
The Yu family in Yuzhou was indeed an aristocratic family that had been passed down for more than 200 years. It also had some reputation locally, but it was no longer as glamorous as the previous dynasty. Now, the entire family relies on the British government to barely maintain some dignity.
Moreover, Yu Chaoyun wasn't even the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch.
Moreover, the Zhang family of Qingzhou has been declining all these years. The descendants of the family were self-confident in their aristocratic families, and all of them weren't good at literature or martial arts. Only Zhang Dun was placed in an important position by the previous Emperor and was appointed as an official in Yan Province. Now that Zhang Dun was old, he had already submitted a letter to the Emperor last year to retire. The Zhang family had no successor...
There was no need to mention the Fan family. The next generation probably didn't even have the right to stand in the throne room.
The Empress Dowager had really chosen some "good" families for the Eldest Prince!
Thinking of this, a dark emotion flashed across the eyes of the green-robed eunuch. His hand trembled, and a portion of the sandalwood incense in his hand was cut off and fell to the ground.
Behind him, Empress Dowager Yuan was still commenting, "...The Third Lady of the Liu family is also smart and likes painting and calligraphy. She can get along with the Eldest Prince."
"And..."
Empress Dowager Yuan's subsequent words could no longer be heard by the green-robed eunuch. His thoughts couldn't help but turn back to the Gu family's daughter that the Empress Dowager had mentioned at the beginning, and he chewed carefully.
Although the Empress Dowager and Granny He didn't say it directly, but their words clearly meant that the Eldest Prince had taken a fancy to the Gu family's daughter.
There were two Miss Gu present today, but it was naturally not the Third Lady
Gu that Kang Wang had taken a fancy to. Then, it must be the other Second Lady Gu.
Thinking of this, the green-robed eunuch's heart couldn't help but thump twice.
257 Taken a Fancy
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Thinking back to the exchange between Gu Yanfei and Empress Dowager Yuan just now, he immediately felt something else.
The green-robed eunuch's eyes lit up. He thought to himself that he had to quickly report to the Emperor. The Emperor had been looking forward to it for so many years, and he would definitely be happy.
The green-robed eunuch smiled until his eyes narrowed. He nimbly took out another plate of sandalwood and replaced the lingering incense in the incense burner.
Another wisp of smoke curled up and interlaced with the original sandalwood. The fragrance in the air was stronger.
After the green-robed eunuch closed the lid of the incense burner, he quietly retreated from the warm pavilion.
After walking out of the Shou'an Palace, the green-robed eunuch happened to see the girls walking out of the palace gate. He couldn't help but search for Gu Yanfei. He thought to himself, 'Second Lady Gu is too thinly dressed. I have to get someone to place two more charcoal pots in the Tinglan Water Pavilion.'
The girls shivered in the vast snowstorm. Although the wind was bone-chilling, several of them felt relieved.
Not everyone was as fearless of the Empress Dowager as Wei Jiaoniang and the others. A few girls had been so nervous that they didn't even know how to relax their limbs.
"Ladies, this way, please." The palace maid, Liu Shuang, led the way for the girls. They walked along the limestone road towards the imperial garden in the northeast.
These people were still clearly separated. Noble families were nobles, but aristocratic families were aristocratic families.
The snow seemed to be gradually thinning. Snowflakes floated in the air like catkins, making the surroundings hazy, as if a thick fog was filling the air.
Looking up, she could see that the bright yellow glazed tiles of the roof were already covered in a thin layer of snow.
Several girls who were afraid of the cold cowered under their thick cloaks, eager to hide their entire bodies.
Wei Jiaoniang was in high spirits and wasn't afraid of the snow at all. Her cheeks were flushed red.
"Yanfei." Wei Jiaoniang held Gu Yanfei's left arm intimately and whispered into her ear, "Do you know why the Empress Dowager called us here?" Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).com
Wei Jiaoniang was just trying to start a conversation and didn't really want Gu Yanfei to answer anything. She continued, "Fortunately, you're here. Otherwise, I would have had to think of a way to call you into the palace."
She lowered her voice extremely low, and her warm breath almost blew into Gu Yanfei's ear.
"…" Gu Yanfei tilted her face and blinked in confusion.
Why did she call her into the palace?
Was it to watch the show?!
As she thought about it, Gu Yanfei's eyes were bright.
Lu Qin watched as they leaned their heads against each other and whispered to each other. She held Gu Yanfei's right arm with one hand and leaned over to listen.
She also had a stomach full of doubts.
The Empress Dowager was really too strange today. First, she urgently summoned them to the palace, and now, she was sending them to tour the imperial garden on a snowy day. It was simply ridiculous!
Wei Jiaoniang looked around, afraid that someone would eavesdrop.
The howling snow around them became the most natural barrier instead. There was no one within ten feet of them.
As if she was a thief, Wei Jiaoniang whispered, "My mother told me that the Empress Dowager is choosing a princess consort for the Eldest Prince."
"I see." Lu Qin gently clapped her hands.
Thinking back to Empress Dowager Yuan's questions in the warm pavilion, Lu Qin came to a realization.
Imperial Duchess Wei knew that her daughter was a straightforward person, so she specially analyzed the current situation and Empress Dowager Yuan's thoughts with her in the carriage. She was afraid that her daughter would be accidentally plotted against by the Empress Dowager.
'My mother said that the Eldest Prince and Kang Wang are about the same age, only two or three years apart. They're both at the age of marriage."
"If the Empress Dowager casually says that she wants to arrange a marriage for the Eldest Prince, it'll inevitably cause gossip. Now that Kang Wang's marriage is set, the Empress Dowager can use the excuse that she can't care about one thing and lose another to get the Emperor to set up the Eldest Prince's marriage."
Empress Dowager Yuan was determined to let Kang Wang take over, so she naturally wouldn't find a powerful Yue family for the Eldest Prince. She would definitely dig a hole for him, just like how she had made things difficult for Gu Yanfei in the warm pavilion just now!
Thinking of what had just happened, Wei Jiaoniang looked at Gu Yanfei with pity, as if she was looking at a beautiful flower that had almost been destroyed.
"Heh, the Emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuch is."
The Emperor would naturally worry about the Eldest Prince's marriage. There was no need for the Empress Dowager to interfere!
Wei Jiaoniang held the umbrella in one hand and Gu Yanfei's hand in the other. She promised seriously, "Don't worry, Yanfei. I'll help you."
The Eldest Prince and her Yanfei were the most compatible. She would definitely not let others intercept them.
She had said that she would help Yanfei!
"I'll help you too." Lu Qin held Gu Yanfei's right arm and patted her chest happily.
Lu Qin and Wei Jiaoniang had been friends for more than ten years, so she immediately understood. She exchanged a smart look with her, meaning that she understood everything!
Gu Yanfei, who was sandwiched between the two of them, only understood half of it. Empress Dowager Yuan wanted to choose a princess consort for Chu Yi, and she would definitely not choose well.
But why were they all helping her?
The snow around them fluctuated, and a few snowflakes drifted under the umbrella.
Before Gu Yanfei could figure it out, Wei Jiaoniang exhaled a white breath from her lips and blew the snow away. She sneered mockingly and said, "My mother also said that the Empress Dowager probably likes me and wants me to be Kang Wang's secondary consort.'
Really?! Lu Qin's eyes widened as if she had been struck by lightning, and her jaw almost dropped.
Her next thought was: Was the Empress Dowager crazy?!
"Hmph." Wei Jiaoniang curled her lips and snorted softly. She said proudly to the two of them, "Dream on!'
She enunciated each word, her cheeks puffing.
It was also because she knew Empress Dowager Yuan's thoughts that she had rebuked the Empress Dowager so mercilessly in the warm pavilion just now.. She didn't want to be someone's concubine!
258 Playing the Zither
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
This time, Gu Yanfei was certain that she understood.
"I'll help you!" Gu Yanfei said with a smile, her lips curling into a confident smile.
A few strands of messy hair were blown against her jade-like face by the cold wind, making her look elegant and imposing.
Wei Jiaoniang and Lu Qin looked at each other again. The two of them almost burst out laughing at the same time.
The two of them leaned intimately on Gu Yanfei's shoulder, making Gu Yanfei deeply feel what it meant to have two women on each side.
Several eyes around them looked at the three of them.
As they chatted and laughed, the group arrived at the imperial garden.
The palace maid, Liu Shuang, brought the girls to a three-room water pavilion by the lake.
The Tinglan Water Pavilion had been decorated in advance. The room was filled with incense, and there was a wool carpet on the ground. There was a zither table, tables, chairs, desks, chessboard, and so on. There were a few snow-white charcoal pots burning inside, and the temperature was suitable.
As soon as the frozen girls entered, they felt as if they had come back to life and took off their cloaks.
"Jiaoniang!"
Wei Jiaoniang, Gu Yanfei, and the others had just walked to the entrance of the water pavilion when a girl in green waved happily at Wei Jiaoniang.
Wei Jiaoniang put away the umbrella and handed it to a palace maid beside her. She turned around and whispered to Gu Yanfei, "The Eldest Prince will definitely come later."
She even imitated Gu Yanfei and made a divination gesture, as if to say that she had just calculated it.,
Gu Yanfei and Lu Qin were amused by her. Their laughter was loud as they crossed the threshold together.
In the water pavilion, most of the girls had already taken their seats. There was still a clear distinction between the nobles and the aristocratic families. The noble ladies sat in the east, and the women from the aristocratic families sat in the west.
Behind a rosewood-inlaid shell piano table against the west wall, a dignified and beautiful girl from an aristocratic family sat elegantly. She placed her hands on the strings and first tested the music. Then, her slender fingers plucked the strings and played "High Mountains and Flowing Water".
High mountains and flowing water meet bosom friends.
Playing "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was naturally to wait for a soulmate.
Wei Jiaoniang signaled Gu Yanfei and Lu Qin to look at the girl playing the piano with her eyes and whispered, "They must have received the news. Otherwise, why would they be playing the piano in the middle of winter?"
As they spoke, they arrived in front of the lady in green. Wei Jiaoniang asked with a smile, "What are we playing?
'Let's play hide-and- seek," a lady in green suggested.
Lu Qin immediately rejected it without thinking. "How can we play in such a small place? It's snowing outside.'
As she spoke, she pushed open a window and looked out at the lake outside the water pavilion. The clear water sparkled in the snow.
'Let's feed the fish." Lu Qin's eyes darted around as she suggested with a smile, "1 heard that there are many gold and silver-scaled koi in this lake. Their entire bodies are covered in golden or silver scales. They're extremely beautiful." Lu Qin excitedly called the palace maid to get the fish food.
Wei Jiaonang pointed at Lu Qin's forehead and told Gu Yanfei with a smile,
'Yanfei, Ah Qin is just too lazy to move because of the cold weather."
Lu Qin stuck out her tongue playfully and winked at Gu Yanfei, not embarrassed at all.
The two boxes of fish food were quickly served. The girls fed the fish, admired them, ate snacks, and chatted and laughed.
At the door, a middle-aged eunuch with a pale face and a beard instructed a few palace maids to pour tea and water. From time to time, he would add fruits and snacks to the plate while he looked out from time to time.
After a while, a little eunuch finally arrived late with a tray.
The middle-aged eunuch took the tray and personally carried over the white porcelain jug and several wine glasses.
The tip of Wei Jiaoniang's nose twitched as she smelled the hint of alcohol in the air. She blurted out, "Jade Flower Dew."
As she spoke, Wei Jiaoniang stroked her chin with a thoughtful expression.
Other than attending the palace banquet, foreign ministers and women like them were not allowed to drink casually. They were afraid that they would be disrespectful in front of the emperor. This was the rule, so the palace servants wouldn't casually serve wine.
Wei Jiaoniang narrowed her eyes and sized up the palace servant who was serving wine. Her imagination ran wild. Could this be some kind of scheme?
In an instant, all the scenes about palace battles that Wei Jiaoniang had seen appeared in her mind.
However, in the next moment, Gu Yanfei raised her eyebrows and said to the middle-aged eunuch, "It's you.."
259 Playing the Zither
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
"It's me." The middle-aged eunuch was a little flattered and hurriedly said, "My surname is He."
Eunuch He was the eunuch who had brought the palanquin to Xihua Gate to pick up Gu Yanfei.
Eunuch He said respectfully, "The Eldest Prince gave this Jade Flower Dew to Second Lady Gu."
He obediently brought the pot of wine to the table and nimbly poured Gu Yanfei a glass of wine.
"It's really the Jade Flower Dew. Jiaoniang, your nose is still so sharp," Lu Qin praised in surprise. She tacitly exchanged a look with Wei Jiaoniang, meaning that the Eldest Prince was really considerate.
"Of course." Wei Jiaoniang touched her nose smugly and blinked her right eye.
Wei Jiaoniang's grandfather, Imperial Duke Wei, liked good wine. Although her mother's alcohol tolerance was average, she had a sharp nose. As long as it was a drink she had drunk before, she would know it with a sniff.
The wine in the white porcelain cup was a faint amber color, crystal clear, and fragrant.
Gu Yanfei narrowed her eyes and tasted the clear wine fragrance. She recalled that she had casually mentioned to Chu Yi once that she wanted to try the Jade Flower Dew. She had forgotten about it, but she didn't expect him to still remember it.
"Eunuch He, thank the Eldest Prince for me," Gu Yanfei said to Eunuch He generously with a smile.
Eunuch He smiled and left with the empty tray. He thought to himself, 'Second Miss Gu seems to like to eat candied plums, especially since she ate a few more carved plum balls than the others. I have to get someone to get more.'
"Want a glass?" Gu Yanfei smiled and poured a glass of wine for Wei Jiaoniang, Lu Qin, and the other three girls at the same table.
As the wine poured down from the mouth of the pot, the fragrance of the wine filled the air. The pleasant fragrance of the wine dispersed the sweet incense around it.
Wei Jiaoniang and Lu Qin were the first to raise their glasses. The other two girls were also nonchalant and held their glasses one after another. Only one girl in pink was a little hesitant, thinking that it was inappropriate to drink in the palace.
Wei Jiaoniang took a sip of wine and savored it carefully. "Lingzhi, honey, wolfberries, and…"
She tilted her face and focused on the taste in her mouth. She couldn't help but think that there was an indescribable taste in the wine.
"Shaoyao." A smiling voice sounded in Wei Jiaoniang's ear.
Wei Jiaoniang's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly nodded. "It's Shaoyao."
"Yanfei, your tongue is better than mine!"
Lu Qin continued, "With this Shaoyao, this Jade Flower Dew will be fragrant but not surfeiting. It will be mellow, elegant, long-lasting, and sweet."
"Good wine, really good wine!"
The girls praised with exultation.
Crisp and lively laughter floated clearly in the water pavilion, adding some vitality to the cold winter.
"How noisy!"
On the west side of the water pavilion, a yellow-robed girl sitting by the zither table spoke coldly, not hiding the displeasure on her face.
"I can't even admire the zither properly." The other girl in blue also frowned and looked at Gu Yanfei, Wei Jiaoniang, and the others. Her red lips pursed tightly as she snorted coldly. "Don't make a ruckus in the palace!"
The melodious sound of the zither continued. The girl in purple who was playing the zither stroked the zither with her fingers and focused on the strings with a frown.
The other girls from the aristocratic families also nodded in agreement and thought to themselves, 'These noble ladies are really rude and can't be elegant.'
The noisy commotion swept away their good mood of listening to the zither and admiring the snow.
Only Yu Chaoyun's expression didn't change. She rubbed the fragrant ball in her sleeve with the gesture of stroking her sleeve and reminded her indifferently, 'They might be planning to do what they did last time in Upper Forest Garden..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the others present instantly changed. They couldn't help but recall that day outside the hunting ground, Wei Jiaoniang and the others had deliberately used gongs and drums to disturb the zither music.
At that time, she had even accidentally caused the string to break when she was playing the zither. It was really despicable! Miss Zeng, who was dressed in yellow, stroked her fingers gently. Her fingertips recalled the pain of the broken string that day.
Miss Zeng repeatedly stroked her trembling fingertips. She bit her lower lip and squeezed out four words. "You're going too far."
In the end, didn't Wei Jiaoniang only dare to be so arrogant because of Imperial Duke Wei's support?
'Miss Yu is right. They must have done it on purpose!" The girl in blue lowered her voice and barely maintained the demeanor of a daughter of an aristocratic family.
The girl in purple who was playing the zither naturally heard their conversation. Her fingers trembled, and the zither music became chaotic.
She frowned tightly and simply pressed down on the strings. The music stopped abruptly.
There was a moment's silence. The laughter from the right seemed to have become more piercing.
"I think..." Yu Chaoyun said again. The two words attracted the gazes of the women from aristocratic families.
Yu Chaoyun continued unhurriedly, "Why don't we play the zither and compete with them?"
Playing the zither and competing?
The women from the aristocratic families were stunned and looked at each other.
This was a tradition of the Great Jin Dynasty.
It was rumored that during Emperor Taizu's reign, he often visited the people incognito and observed the situation.
One year, when Emperor Taizu went down to Yangzhou, he happened to encounter a pleasure boat on the Qinhuai River. The two sides quarreled over making way for each other. Two large ships blocked the river, making it difficult for other ships to sail.
Seeing that there was a peerless beauty on the pleasure boat and hearing that the beauty was the number one talent in Yangzhou, Hua Qingrong, and that her zither skills were outstanding, Emperor Taizu suggested playing the zither with her. Whoever lost would have to give in.
Hua Qingrong accepted the challenge. After the song, Emperor Taizu sighed and said, "This song should only exist in the heavens. How many times can we hear it in the mortal world?" He sighed and admitted defeat without even playing it.
Emperor Taizu had the heart to cherish talent and beauty. Unfortunately, King
Xiang is willing, but the Goddess has no desire. Hua Qingrong tactfully rejected Emperor Taizu's kindness and spent her life studying the zither. Later on, she became famous around the world.
Since then, the women of the Great Jin Dynasty had the tradition of playing the zither.
The zither competition wasn't about "inspiration", but "talent' .
Miss Zeng raised her eyebrows and glanced sideways at Wei Jiaoniang and the others. She said with a hint of mockery, "They know how to play the zither?"
'How can the light of a firefly compete with the brilliance of the sun and moon!" The purple-robed girl replied with a faint smile. She casually plucked a zither string in an elegant posture, her slender fingers like orchids and jade.
The girls from the other aristocratic families also revealed the same mocking and disdain on their faces.
It was said that these noble ladies could pull a bow on a horse and carry a saber after dismounting. With their thick hands and feet, even if they learned the zither for a few days, they would only be half a bucket of water!
They should beat gongs and drums instead!
260 Accepting the Challenge
Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
"Sister Zhao, you're right. How can the light of a firefly compete with the light of the sun and moon!" Yu Chaoyun covered her mouth and chuckled. She looked at everyone meaningfully. "However, this flower needs green leaves to complement it."
Her last sentence made the hearts of the girls from the aristocratic families stir.
They had originally wanted to show their faces in front of the Eldest Prince today. Only by having someone to contrast them could their zither skills be extraordinary.
Yu Chaoyun took in the changes in everyone's expressions and said with some emotion, "The Great Jin Dynasty has just been established for 51 years. It's like flowers blooming and thriving day by day."
"Since ancient times, the founding of the country has relied on military generals and civil officials to govern the country."
"Therefore, martial arts were respected before literature was emphasized. It has always been like this in all dynasties."
The previous emperors of various dynasties wanted the country to continue to prosper, but in the end, they still had to rely on civil officials to govern the country. This was something that every emperor knew very well. That was why the previous emperor had resisted the objections and supported the aristocratic families again. Ever since the current Emperor ascended the throne, he has been trying to rope in those humble civil officials.
The direction of the Emperor's heart would definitely affect the atmosphere of the entire Great Jin Dynasty. These nobles still respected martial arts now, but they would soon become close to their aristocratic families and learn the Six Arts of the Gentleman, advocating the path of elegance.
Looking back on history, no dynasty has ever broken this rule.
Hearing Yu Chaoyun's words, Miss Zeng, Miss Zhao, and the other daughters of the aristocratic families were very pleased. The depression in their hearts was swept away, and their eyes lit up as they straightened their backs.
There was a sense of superiority and pride in their eyes.
A hundred-year-old aristocratic family. Even if the country changed dynasties, only their aristocratic family would stand tall!
Their aristocratic families were flowers, and these so-called nobles' ancestors either farmed, herded sheep, killed pigs, or sold meat. There was no lack of merchants and blacksmiths. They weren't presentable at all and were just green leaves to their aristocratic families.
"Well said, Sister Yu." Miss Zeng clapped her hands in high spirits.
The corners of Yu Chaoyun's lips curled up slightly, and she held a dignified and gentle smile. It was as if even the curve of her lips had been carefully calculated and practiced countless times.
She continued meaningfully, "Now that the Eldest Princess Feng Yang is still around, when she…"
She didn't continue, but her unfinished words were obvious.
No matter how glorious the Eldest Princess Feng Yang was, she was no match for time. She was already past her 60s and was old and weak. She probably only had a few years left...
Miss Zeng pursed her lips slightly and said in a slightly arrogant manner, 'These noble ladies usually dance with swords and sabers. All of them talk about the Eldest Princess Feng Yang and say that they use her as a role model. Ha, they're simply using chicken feathers as arrows.'
As she spoke, Miss Zeng deliberately glanced at Wei Jiaoniang, almost naming her by name.
The girls from the aristocratic families exchanged glances again. They carefully pondered over Yu Chaoyun's words just now and felt that what she said made more and more sense.
The Great Jin Dynasty ruled the country with literature. Their aristocratic families were the mainstays of the royal court. In the near future, the role models of the women in the Great Jin Dynasty would only be the daughters of their aristocratic families.
A green leaf was a green leaf. She should let these vulgar noble ladies reveal their true colors in front of the Eldest Prince. She should let the Eldest Prince understand that people like Wei Jiaoniang and Gu Yanfei weren't qualified to be the Eldest Princess Consort!
Miss Zeng raised her orchid fingers and stroked her sleeves. She stood up calmly and said with a smile, "Let me throw bricks to attract jade today." A faint smile appeared on her lips, full of confidence and deep meaning.
"I'll go with you." Miss Zhao hurriedly stood up.
Under everyone's gaze, the two of them leisurely walked towards the east side of the water pavilion until they arrived in front of Wei Jiaoniang.
Wei Jiaoniang, who was sitting by the window, was leisurely drinking wine and feeding fish. Occasionally, she would talk to Gu Yanfei and pretend not to see anything.
Miss Zeng looked at everyone and said in a clear voice, "Miss Wei, Miss Lu, Miss Gu... It's rare for everyone to sit together. Miss Yu also brought a famous zither, 'Spring Thunder'. Why don't we play the zither to liven things up?
" Wei Jiaoniang raised her head and downed the wine in her cup in one gulp, completely ignoring her.
Who would want to play the zither with them? Foll𝑜w current novℯls on nov𝒆lb((in).com
Miss Zeng seemed to have guessed Wei Jiaoniang's reaction long ago. She continued in a jovial tone, "1 heard Miss Wei mention the Eldest Princess Feng Yang in Shou'an Palace just now. The Eldest Princess's elegance is truly admirable to us juniors."
"I heard that not only is the Eldest Princess skilled in martial arts, but her zither skills are also extraordinary. When she was young, she once took the head of a general in Beishen City among tens of thousands of soldiers. It was as if she was taking something out of her bag. Then, she played a song that shook the mountains and rivers and defeated the enemy without fighting.."