Eunuch Ma went up to the attic and recounted how Pearl had gone to find the princess and what had happened in the main hall.

Xiao Jingzhao raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking to himself that places with lots of women are really troublesome.

"Your Majesty, this servant has already sent someone to deliver a message to the princess."

Seeing Xiao Jingzhao's furrowed brows, Eunuch Ma said again, "This servant believes that it is not appropriate for His Majesty to appear in front of the young ladies at this time."

Xiao Jingzhao's eyes darkened slightly. "I understand. Given Yonghe's past, things shouldn't turn out unpleasantly."

A short while later, Xiang Song returned.

When Xiao Jingzhao saw the corners of his mouth turn up, his brows immediately relaxed.

"Master, everything is going well."

Xiang Song paused and then said, "However, Miss Jiang will be implicated. Right now, she is being pulled into a musical contest in the hall. Miss Jiang has taken five hundred taels of silver notes, and she will donate all her winnings and losses to Ciyin Hall."

"Moon Lady is skilled in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, so there's no need to worry about that."

As for the large sum of money she donated, he can find an opportunity to make it up to her later.

Xiao Jingzhao turned to look at Eunuch Ma, "How much silver do you have on you?"

Eunuch Ma's hand instinctively reached for his waist, but when it touched his belt, he remembered that he didn't have the habit of carrying silver with him.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, this servant didn't bring any money."

Xiang Song immediately understood the Emperor's thoughts and quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, suggesting, "I didn't bring any money with me either, but I can borrow some from the palace's accounting office and pay it back later."

"Take out one thousand taels, and I'll make up the difference from my private treasury later."

Xiao Jingzhao said without thinking.

“Your Majesty, it would be more appropriate for this servant to go to the accounting office.” Eunuch Ma felt quite guilty for not being able to help.

If he had known earlier that the emperor needed money, he would have brought all the money he had saved over the years.

After Eunuch Ma left, Xiao Jingzhao asked Xiang Song to sit down and explain his next plan.

...

Princess Yonghe rushed back to the main hall upon receiving the news.

The hall was filled with melodious piano music as the competition was in full swing.

She stood at the entrance of the hall, listening to the sounds coming from inside.

Her maid asked curiously, "Why doesn't Your Highness go in and see for yourself?"

"Wait a little longer."

She trusted Sister Jiang's ability to handle things, and when she heard the thunderous applause after the song ended in the hall, she breathed a long sigh of relief.

Then a man's voice rang out, "Eight points, seven points, eight and a half points..."

Yonghe listened attentively for a long time.

It wasn't until someone announced the total score that she realized the young masters at the other end of the hall had also participated.

A short while later, the melodious sound of a zither filled the hall once again.

"Your Highness, what's wrong...?"

When Eunuch Ma brought over the silver notes, Princess Yonghe was standing in the entrance hall, listening intently.

"Manager Ma, what's this?" Yonghe asked, looking at the silver notes in his hand.

"Your Highness, this was sent by His Majesty to entertain everyone."

"His Majesty instructed me to bet on Miss Jiang to win with this silver note."

Yonghe said, "Let's wait until the piece is finished before going in. If we go in now, we'll disturb the person playing the piano."

"Your Highness is indeed very thoughtful." Eunuch Ma stood aside, waiting quietly.

A moment later, the music ended, and Princess Yonghe said to Eunuch Ma, "Eunuch Ma, please go in first, and I will follow later."

When Eunuch Ma appeared in the hall, the girls were not surprised.

They all secretly thought that the Emperor was indeed using this opportunity to test them.

Cui Yudie saw Eunuch Ma approaching with a stack of silver notes in his hand.

She didn't even bother arranging for the next young lady to play the piano, and quickly got up.

Just as she was about to curtsy to Eunuch Ma, she saw him walk to the other side and place a stack of silver notes on the tray in front of Jiang Shuyue.

"Eunuch Ma, this..."

Jiang Shuyue was not flattered, but she was a little surprised that the news spread so quickly.

“Miss Jiang’s musical skills are superb. His Majesty learned that you were raising funds for Ciyin Hall, so he specially sent me to deliver a thousand silver notes to help you do good deeds.”

The girls around him were practically staring in disbelief.

"What's going on? Why is the Emperor supporting her?"

"Could it be that Eunuch Ma has made a mistake?"

The girls whispered their doubts.

Cui Yudie's smile froze on her face, and her hand, which was about to bow, fell to her side.

She clenched her teeth. It wasn't enough that the Emperor had bestowed upon her the title of the best restaurant in the world; he also had to come and support her on such an occasion.

The Emperor ultimately recognized her abilities.

At this moment, Cui Yudie's sense of crisis surged up again.

You Xian'er's mouth remained open for a long time.

Seeing this, the maid behind her quickly poked her in the back.

Realizing she had lost her composure, she quickly lowered her head and picked up her teacup to hide her expression.

I really didn't check the almanac before going out; I lost my most valuable jewelry.

The emperor even sent people to cause trouble.

At this moment, You Xian'er began to doubt her life, wondering if her fate was actually working well with the Emperor.

Jiang Shuyue nodded slightly to Eunuch Ma, "Thank you for your support, Your Majesty. With these silver notes, it will be much easier for Her Highness to raise funds for Ciyin Hall."

In a single sentence, the Emperor's favor was shifted to Ciyin Hall and the Princess.

Eunuch Ma was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Yes, yes, Miss Jiang is right. With Her Highness the Princess helping Ciyin Hall, His Majesty is much more at ease."

After Eunuch Ma left, Princess Yonghe led several palace maids in.

As everyone was about to rise and pay their respects, Princess Yonghe raised her hand to stop them, saying, "Please continue, everyone. I heard that you all had a great time and didn't forget to help me raise funds for Ciyin Hall. I thank you all for that."

Yonghe and Jiang Shuyue exchanged a glance, then went straight to the head of the table and took their seats.

Jiang Shuyue said, "Princess, you've arrived just in time; it'll be over soon."

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