chapter 82

After a few swing dance performances, it was already the period of Wu. And the Hanshi banquet began. Although all the food was cold, the imperial chefs were able to make delicious dishes.

As Zhuang Laoyan ate, she appreciated the beauty sitting on the swing and playing a flute. Such a sound proved melodious. Even Zhuang Laoyan, who wasn’t someone who really liked flute music, couldn’t help but listen attentively. On the contrary, the others present seemed to find it a common occurrence; not once did they glance at the flute musician. 　　

They had pretty much grown used to such sights, sounds, and experiences. This kind of little scene truly could not be considered anything special in their eyes. Zhuang Laoyan picked up her wine goblet for a light sip. In such a setting, one’s position was as important as one’s life.

“Does Xianrong Zhao like this song?” said the empress all of a sudden. She smiled as she looked at Zhuang Laoyan. “This is a musician raised by the palace. You are a master of the palace. If you like her, you can summon her to your residence to perform for you.”

“This concubine found the song graceful to the extreme, and could not help but fall into a daze. This concubine has allowed Your Majesty to witness a joke.” Zhuang Laoyan set down her wine goblet, smiling at the empress in a respectful manner.

“This song is called Countless Drunken Flowers. The melody is indeed mellow and graceful. You entered the palace late, so you are unaware of this, but in the past, Consort Rou had sung this song, incomparable in its beauty. Although this flute version is splendid, it cannot compare to how Consort Rou had sung it in the past.” The empress glanced at the emperor. “They say no one can in the palace can match Consort Rou in singing skill. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Consort Rou’s voice is truly incomparable in the world.” Feng Jin seemed to not have noticed the hidden meaning in the empress’ words. “It’s not just Xianrong Zhao. We haven’t heard Consort Rou sing in a long time as well.”

Consort Rou rose to her feet. Smiled with much difficulty. “Thanking Your Majesty the empress for the praise. This concubine is afraid due to this.”

Due to borrowing some servants from Xihe Palace recently, she had received the emperor’s cold shoulder. Now, although the empress was talking about her like she was a songstress, at least she was bringing her to the emperor’s attention. As such, Consort Rou was not sure whether she should be angry or happy at this moment.

Feng Jin looked at her lovable and timid appearance. And he no longer spoke about her. He pointed to two dishes before him. “We remember that Noble Consort Shu likes sweet things. Give this dish to her. Xianrong Zhao likes to eat this dish of Golden Green Silver Flower. Give this to her.”

The so-called Golden Green Silver Flower was in reality a dish of green peppers and century eggs. After rising to her feet and thanking the emperor for the favor, she picked up a piece and ate it. She did not attempt to look refined as she did.

On the other hand, Noble Consort Shu was more refined than her. Recently, the emperor had reprimanded Xiuyi Su because of Zhuang Laoyan. Noble Consort Shu was Xiuyi Su’s cousin from the father’s side, and her family had once reported Zhuang Laoyan’s eldest brother for misconduct. No matter how the two women seemed on the surface, they had long since not gotten along within.

The two were the most favored in the harem. No one dared to offend them, thus, they watched with indifference as the two fought.

After Noble Consort Shu had another taste, she once again smiled softly before standing. “It truly is delicious. This concubine thanks Your Majesty.”

“If Beloved Concubine is fond of it, then have some more.” A mild smile spread across Feng Jin’s face. He shifted his gaze, watching as Zhuang Laoyan already ate three to four pieces. Then he said, “Xianrong Zhao, although the Golden Jade Silver Flower is delicious, your injury hasn’t completely healed yet. You should not be too gluttonous.”

Glancing rather reluctantly at the green peppers and century eggs, Zhuang Laoyan lifted her head and looked at the emperor. Stood and saluted him. However, her voice seemed softer than when she had thanked him for the favor as she said, “Yes, Your Majesty. This concubine has lost manners.”

Feng Jin had wanted to say more. But after seeing her pale face, courtesy of the excessive blood loss caused by her injury, Feng Jin only shook his head helplessly in the end. “Your body is still weak, so you don’t need to salute too much. Quickly sit back down.”

“Thanking Your Majesty.” Zhuang Laoyan sat down conveniently. She ignored the envious and hateful gazes of the imperial concubines all around. Sliding her index finger slowly along the base of her wine goblet, she suddenly raised her head. And she just happened to catch Noble Consort Shu looking at her.

Zhuang Laoyan smiled in a faint manner toward Noble Consort Shu. Then she lifted her wine goblet, taking a sip without hurry. Their gazes met. After that, the two looked away from one another.

“Your Majesty, it’s bright and sunny today. Once we finish our meals, how about we all participate in making a painting reflecting the radiance of spring? That should add more refinement and elegance to the mood, no?” said Noble Consort Shu, smiling beautifully at the emperor.

Feng Jin nodded. “Today is indeed a rare day with good weather. Reciting poetry and painting with you beloved concubines could be considered sneaking a half-day’s worth of leisure.”

Everyone knew that Noble Consort Shu wanted to embarrass Xianrong Zhao. After all, in this imperial harem, who didn’t know that Xianrong Zhao had poor drawing skills? Even the emperor had called her drawings ugly.

At this moment, everyone turned to look at Xianrong Zhao, yet only saw her eating in a calm manner. She didn’t seem angry at all, causing many to sigh with emotion. Contrary to what one might expect, this Xianrong Zhao could keep her composure.

When the masters finished eating, the palace servants had already prepared the chairs, tables, writing brushes, paper, and ink stones. There were also many types of painting brushes and paints just waiting for these masters to choose.

People said that one’s painting resembled oneself. As such, in the hearts of people, those skilled in painting must be pure and holy, akin to immortals. Most of the imperial concubines came from influential families, and naturally studied the four arts. Even if they did not master these arts, they at least understood them well enough to be proficient.

Those imperial concubines with more humble births naturally weren’t as talented in those arts. Thus, whether or not they painted wasn’t important to them. Among all the imperial concubines, the only ones with status and couldn’t draw well were Noble Imperial Concubine Yan and Xianrong Zhao.

Noble Imperial Concubine Yan’s birth wasn’t that good. Xianrong Zhao’s birth was decent, yet she still wasn’t good at painting. Therefore, many people were waiting to watch this joke.

But Zhuang Laoyan didn’t care what the others thought. She picked up a brush and started to draw on the silk parchment, completely different from people’s impression of her in the past.

Noble Consort Shu swept her gaze past Zhuang Laoyan. Lowered her head with an insincere smile. Then she carefully drew a magnolia.

As the emperor, Feng Jin merely treated the four arts as a pastime. For this reason, he wasn’t engrossed in this activity. He drew a simple mountain. After drawing a half-bloomed orchid next to the mountain, he left it at that.

Not long after the emperor had finished drawing, the imperial concubines naturally stopped drawing in succession, looking at each other.

The empress’ painting conformed with the norms of her status: a tree peony, honorable and impressive. It went to show that she hailed from an influential family. Feng Jin praised it a little, before going to see the drawings of the other imperial concubines.

Noble Consort Shu was a favored imperial concubine whose favor was unshakeable and towered over others’. Apart from her skill in dance, she was also talented in the four arts.

Zhuang Laoyan set down her brush. Looked at the crowd of imperial concubines currying favor with Noble Consort Shu, a trace of a smile on her lips.

When Noble Imperial Concubine Jiang looked at Zhuang Laoyan’s painting, a trace of astonishment showed in her eyes. Then she smiled at once. “Your Highness’ painting caused one to gasp in surprise.”

“I only hope it doesn’t give others a laugh.” A smile bloomed on her lips. Sometimes, the women of the imperial harem mustn’t treat themselves as a water basin, exposing everything right away. To make others feel the so-called pleasantly surprised, the other party must not have any expectations of one, right?

The emperor made his way in front of Zhuang Laoyan’s table. Originally, he didn’t have much expectations for her drawing, yet when he caught sight of it, surprise collided with him. On the silk parchment were only a branch of crabapple blossoms, a rock, and a butterfly. To the side, which was devoid of any colors, was a poem by Ouyang Xiu. Although the skill in painting was far inferior to Consort Ning’s, it carried an unspeakable implication.

Don’t support theft; read this at sleepchaser’s wordpress.

“The flowers of this year are more beautiful than the last. What a pity that the flowers of next year will be even more beautiful. But which years are similar?” recited Feng Jin slowly. Then he glanced profoundly at Zhuang Laoyan. Immediately smiled. “Although Beloved Concubine’s skill in painting cannot be regarded as the best, the meaning behind your painting is rare. Hopefully next year, your skill in painting will improve.”

“This concubine knows that my painting skills are inferior to others’, and is merely displaying one’s might before an expert.” A smile spread across Zhuang Laoyan’s lips.

Noble Consort Shu, who sat at the side, felt somewhat upset. So what if the emperor specially mentioned the next year? Could it be that because of Zhuang Laoyan’s ridiculous poem, the emperor would promise her a “next year” of favor?

Was this Zhuang Laoyan’s provocation toward her in the past, the “no flower can bloom a hundred days?”

The empress was very happy to see Noble Consort Shu lose face. In a flash, she said, “This palace thinks Xianrong Zhao’s painting is fresh, clean, and pleasant. It seems bright when looking at it. It’s clear that Xianrong Zhao didn’t try hard enough when drawing on the lanterns back then.”

“Your Majesty is praising this concubine too much. This concubine likes drawing things chubby. Moreover, since my skill was not presentable, this concubine drew a chubby pig on the palace lantern back then.” Zhuang Laoyan smiled lightly. “This concubine has let everyone witness a joke.”

“Xianrong Zhao truly is good at hiding your skills,” said Noble Consort Shu, smiling lightly as well. “If it wasn’t for everyone drawing together today, perhaps even His Majesty would be unaware of your skill.”

“Your Highness is too serious. This concubine doesn’t dare to dirty His Majesty’s eyes with this shameful painting.” Zhuang Laoyan looked at the emperor. “This concubine isn’t someone fond of painting. His Majesty naturally has not seen those of this concubine.”

“These words are true.” Feng Jin lifted his head. Faced Noble Consort Shu. “From what We can see, she is the type of person who would sit when allowed to sit, not stand. Painting is too difficult for her.”

The smile on Noble Consort Shu’s face dimmed. “But does Your Majesty like Younger Sister Zhao’s lazy appearance?”

Feng Jin smiled. He did not continue on that line of conversation, turning around to make for Consort Ning’s direction.

Everyone naturally went forward, following him. And they only saw bamboo drawn on Consort Ning’s silk parchment. She had only drawn a few strokes, yet was able to capture the distinct character and shape of bamboo. Even Zhuang Laoyan, an amateur, was able to tell that Consort Ning’s skill was superior to that of most women.

Of course, everyone praised her. Noble Consort Shu said, “Our paintings cannot compare to Consort Ning’s. I remember that two years ago, Consort Ning imitated Gu Kaizhi’s ‘Ode on Goddess Luo.’ And it looked exactly like the original. Perhaps only the reincarnation of Gu Kaizhi would have such an imitation skill. Other than the original painter, others won’t be able to tell the difference.”

“Your Highness the noble consort is praising me too much. This concubine merely has too much idle time typically, and only imitates for fun. How could this concubine be that amazing?” Consort Ning smiled. Her expression seemed unenthusiastic, without a trace of pride in her work.

“Consort Ning shouldn’t be this modest.” Then Noble Consort Shu paused, before suddenly saying, “If this hadn’t been mentioned, this concubine would have almost forgotten one thing. Your Majesty, since Consort Ning is the best at painting and the best at imitating paintings, how about we have her look at the peacock painting and decide who in fact copied and tried to frame Xianrong Zhao?”

The case against Xianrong Zhao had started one month ago. The emperor and empress had already tacitly agreed that someone had tried to frame Xianrong Zhao. Why did Noble Consort Shu mention this? Could it be that she believed Xianrong Zhao had not been framed? Or was there another reason?

Feng Jin’s brows twitched. Then he turned to face Noble Consort Shu again. He tapped his index finger lightly onto the table Consort Ning had used. He saw Consort Ning respectfully set down the painting brush in her hand due to his movement. Following that, he withdrew his hand. He said to her, “Now that Noble Consort Shu mentioned this, We want you to have a look. Empress, have someone bring forth the peacock tail painting.” A pause. “After all, We and Xianrong Zhao set kites on that day, and We personally cut the strings of those kites.”

Once these words had left the emperor’s lips, the expressions of the people around changed a shade. Didn’t these words of the emperor mean that the person who had looked for the kites couldn’t be Xianrong Zhao? After all, would Xianrong Zhao be so stupid to retrieve the things the emperor had personally released?

Then why had the emperor stayed silent before?

The imperial concubines who had taken the opportunity to humiliate Zhuang Laoyan in the past all felt afraid now, their complexions gradually turning pale. The imperial garden that had formerly been bustling with excitement grew silent.

Never had Zhuang Laoyan expected the emperor to say these words. Her eyelids twitched, gaze remaining on Consort Ning’s bamboo painting.