NFBE Chapter 181 Knowing Very Little
Chapter 181 Knowing Very Little
Everyone knows that Princess Yongning and His Majesty have always been on good terms, and His Majesty values this younger sister very much.
When it comes to gift-giving, one cannot go beyond the Empress and the four concubines, nor can one be too envious, so there are not many things to choose from.
Everyone racked their brains to think of a suitable gift.
For a time, although the atmosphere at the banquet was lively, there was a subtle tension and a delicate sense of competition.
Chu Qingyin remained silent, quietly watching everyone express their opinions.
At this moment, Li Die, who had not spoken until now, suddenly spoke up, her timid voice carrying a hint of deliberate coquettishness: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, although I have not been in the palace for long, I would like to do my part."
"I have heard that Princess Yongning is fond of poetry. I am somewhat literate and would like to compose a poem myself, embroider it on a brocade handkerchief, and send it as a congratulatory gift. Would that be acceptable?"
A fleeting hint of displeasure crossed Empress Wang's eyes, but she quickly regained her smile and said, "Consort Li is very kind, but poetry requires profound knowledge and learning. Don't make a fool of yourself and ruin the dignity of the palace."
Li Die's expression changed slightly; she bit her lip, her eyes filled with grievance.
Before entering the palace, she was already well-known in the capital and was the foremost of the Four Great Talented Women. As for poetry, she was certainly not lacking.
Seeing this, Pei Yuanling spoke up calmly: "Since Lady Li has such intentions, why not give it a try? If the poem is well-written, it will be a beautiful story."
Upon hearing this, Consort Li immediately beamed with joy and playfully scolded the emperor.
Chu Qingyin watched this scene without changing her expression.
He was completely oblivious to everything else, focusing solely on drinking his wine.
"Consort Qiao, what do you think of this gift?"
Pei Yuanling's gaze swept over her, his tone relaxed, even somewhat indifferent.
Chu Qingyin pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "It's a small gift but carries great sentiment; I'm sure Princess Yongning will like it."
Pei Yuanling narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to catch a different emotion in her expression.
But Chu Qingyin's eyes were clear, with only the reflection of the wine in the glass shimmering slightly.
Empress Wang seized the opportunity and immediately steered the conversation toward Chu Qingyin: "Consort Qiao has always been thoughtful and meticulous. Have you decided what to send her?"
Chu Qingyin's heart stirred, and she slowly stood up, saying, "This concubine does not know what Princess Yongning likes. However, since the princess has married far away from home, she often misses her homeland. This concubine would like to ask the court painters to paint a landscape of Daqing, so that the princess can often see the mountains and rivers of her hometown in a foreign land and soothe her homesickness."
A hint of surprise flashed in Pei Yuanling's eyes; he hadn't expected Chu Qingyin to propose such an ingenious congratulatory gift.
Just as he was about to praise the other party for her thoughtfulness, he suddenly stopped himself and said in a deep voice, "Consort Qiao is very thoughtful."
Empress Wang sat to the side, and seeing the two of them so distant, a strange emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.
Since everything had already been agreed upon, the matter was considered closed, and whether others gave her gifts was none of her business.
The banquet continued. Chu Qingyin drank a little wine and felt hot. She stood up and bowed to the Empress: "Your Majesty, I am a little drunk and would like to leave the table to sober up."
"Go,"
Empress Wang looked at her with a kind smile and waved her hand gently.
Chu Qingyin bowed again and withdrew, without glancing at Pei Yuanling, who was standing beside her, the entire time.
After leaving that pavilion, the sounds of string and wind instruments gradually faded away.
Chu Qingyin walked slowly along the winding path. A gentle breeze, carrying a slight coolness, dispelled the gloom in her heart.
She strolled towards a tranquil lakeside.
Sunlight spills across the lake, creating shimmering waves that resemble countless tiny silver flakes.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with His Majesty today? Why is he praising Consort Li, who imitates you in everything, right in front of you...?"
Xianglan saw her mistress leave the table alone and assumed that she was saddened by His Majesty's actions.
Chu Qingyin shook her head, her expression completely calm. "If he likes it, then let him be. After all, he is the emperor."
She was just too foolish in her past life.
She was so devoted to him that she completely forgot that before being her husband, he was also the emperor, the one with supreme power.
"Your Majesty, please don't be too sad."
Xianglan followed closely behind her mistress, whispering comforting words: "That Consort Li is just imitating others poorly. Once the novelty wears off, His Majesty will surely remember your kindness."
A gentle breeze caressed my face, and the sound of cicadas filled the air.
Chu Qingyin gazed at the rolling lotus leaves, her eyes trembling slightly, and stray hairs at her temples fluttering in the wind.
Whether he remembers his good deeds or not is no longer important.
Besides, since today's events were Empress Wang's scheme and he didn't care, why should she be the one to spoil the mood?
At some point, Lu Zhiheng also left the banquet.
Standing not far away beside the artificial hill, I gazed at the figure by the lake who seemed to be wallowing in self-pity.
His slender fingertips slowly touched his thin lips, and the image of the woman's light, fleeting kiss flashed through his mind, causing his gaze to momentarily drift.
"Could it be that Consort Qiao is also that kind of self-pitying, resentful woman in the palace, unable to bear seeing His Majesty being affectionate with others?"
He stepped to Chu Qingyin's side, his voice clear and melodious.
When Xianglan saw him, she immediately felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy.
He instinctively wanted to stand in front of his master, but Chu Qingyin raised her hand to stop him.
Chu Qingyin turned slightly to the side and saw the man's extremely handsome face.
Perhaps it was the dazzling sunlight, but his narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and his thin lips curved into a slight smile, revealing a touch of inexplicable elegance.
"What makes you say that, Lord Lu? His Majesty's affections with whichever beauty he chooses are his own business, and have nothing to do with me."
Chu Qingyin subconsciously took a few steps back, creating some distance between herself and the other person, fearing that he might do something out of line again.
Lu Zhiheng raised an eyebrow slightly, "But in this harem, the concubines are always vying for favor, so it is truly unexpected that Consort Qiao is so indifferent."
His gaze fell on Chu Qingyin, with a hint of inquiry in it.
Chu Qingyin scoffed lightly, her eyebrows raised, showing no sign of worry. "Lord Lu is busy with court affairs all day long, so he probably knows very little about the affairs of the inner palace. If you have to worry about everything in this deep palace, wouldn't you just be asking for trouble?"
Knowing very little?
Upon hearing her words, Lu Zhiheng subconsciously touched the bridge of his nose.
He even knows where Pei Yuanling stayed at night and how many times he called for water. Does that mean he knows too little about him?
"Enough, there's no point in talking to you about this. Lord Lu, you should hurry back to avoid causing trouble here."
After Chu Qingyin finished speaking, she turned to leave.
Lu Zhiheng stepped forward and blocked her path.
"Is Consort Qiao in such a hurry to get rid of me because she's afraid that if she stays with me any longer, something bad will happen?"
Lu Zhiheng's eyes held a hint of provocation.
Chu Qingyin stopped in her tracks, looked up and stared directly at Lu Zhiheng, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes: "Lord Lu, please have some self-respect! I am a concubine in the harem. Aren't you afraid of His Majesty's wrath for your persistent harassment?"
"Blame me?"
Lu Zhiheng, however, didn't seem to care and chuckled lightly: "Does Consort Qiao think His Majesty still has the mind to care about these things?"
The banquet in the pavilion was filled with music and revelry. Pei Yuanling had just acquired a beautiful woman and was too busy doting on her to care about an old flame who had left the banquet.