Chapter 192 Ghostly Drawings

Huo Lin steadily supported Jiang Huan, his brows furrowing as he watched her grimace.

He called out in a deep voice, "Wang Degui!"

Wang Degui entered in response and bowed to receive orders.

"Have Aunt Li come in to serve you," Huo Lin instructed, then added, "Have her go with Consort Zhuang to copy the scriptures. Take good care of her, and if anyone dares to neglect her, report it to me directly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan's eyes lit up.

She remembered this aunt very well.

Before she moved to Weiyang Palace, Consort Yu tried to make things difficult for her. It was this Aunt Li who, with a serious face, used palace rules to leave Consort Yu speechless and helped her out of the predicament.

That aura, that protectiveness, was like a ray of light for her at that time.

"Yes, this servant will go immediately." Wang Degui acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Soon, Aunt Li came in.

She kept her eyes straight ahead and bowed respectfully to Huo Lin and Jiang Huan.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty and Consort Zhuang."

"No need for formalities." Huo Lin nodded. "Has Wang Degui explained everything to you?"

"Yes." Aunt Li nodded immediately. "This old servant will certainly take good care of Consort Zhuang."

When Jiang Huan arrived with Aunt Li and Xiao Zhao after breakfast, the hall was already packed with people.

Consort Li sat regally in the head seat, dressed in magnificent palace attire, her makeup exquisite, slowly sipping her tea.

The other concubines sat behind long tables on both sides according to their rank.

Xuan paper was laid out in front of them, ink was ground, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of ink and perfume.

As soon as Jiang Huan entered, the previous conversation instantly ceased, and everyone's eyes were focused on her.

Consort Li also put down her teacup, raised her eyelids, and swept her gaze across Jiang Huan's face.

"Oh, Consort Zhuang has finally arrived! I thought you were too busy to remember such an important matter as copying scriptures for the Empress Dowager today."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire side hall.

Jiang Huan rolled her eyes inwardly. Here it comes, the sarcastic remarks may be late, but they've arrived.

She was about to say something to explain when Aunt Li stepped forward first and gave Consort Li a proper bow.

"Your Highness Consort Li, Consort Zhuang did not mean to be late. Last night His Majesty stayed at Weiyang Palace. Consort Zhuang was serving His Majesty and felt unwell this morning, which is why she was delayed for a while. Please forgive her, Your Highness."

As soon as Aunt Li said this, the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

In an instant, envious, jealous, and all sorts of mixed gazes focused on Jiang Huan again, even more intensely than before.

Consort Li's smile froze instantly, her hand holding the handkerchief tightened, and a shadow of gloom flashed in her eyes.

She didn't expect Huo Lin to send Aunt Li to follow them, and she certainly didn't expect Aunt Li to be so straightforward in revealing the reason.

All the difficult questions she had prepared stuck in her throat, leaving her choking quite a bit.

He Ling, who had been huddled on the sidelines, mustered up her courage this time and chimed in.

"Your Highness, Consort Li, Consort Zhuang has always respected the Empress Dowager the most. There must be a reason why she is late."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw He Ling sitting in the corner, carefully raising her hand like a student answering a question in class, her face flushed red.

[System! System! I spoke up! I spoke up for Consort Zhuang!]

Will Consort Li hold a grudge against me? How terrifying.

But Consort Zhuang looks so tired, and Consort Li is making things difficult for her. I have to step up.

"Consort Zhuang has helped me so many times, I must help her in return."

Consort Li was so enraged by the back-and-forth between Aunt Li and He Ling that she couldn't catch her breath. Her expression changed repeatedly, and in the end, she could only suppress her anger and force a smile.

“If that’s the case, then please take a seat, little sister. Aunt Li is right; serving the Emperor is of utmost importance.”

Jiang Huan ignored Consort Li and, with Xiao Zhao's help, quickly went to sit down in the seat reserved for her.

That spot was right next to He Ling.

"Thanks." As Jiang Huan sat down, she gave He Ling a quick, discreet glance.

He Ling was flattered and quickly waved her hand, her voice barely audible.

"Ah...ah, Your Majesty, you're too kind."

She said that, but she was secretly overjoyed.

[I won the goddess's smile, what power!]

The copying of the sutra officially began, and the only sound in the hall was the soft scratching of the brush across the Xuan paper.

Jiang Huan mustered her strength, picked up her pen, and tried to concentrate on copying.

However, her back ached and her waist was sore, and sitting for a long time was really uncomfortable, so she couldn't help but secretly move her stiff neck.

Her gaze inadvertently swept over He Ling beside her, and that one look almost made her drop her pen.

He Ling sat upright, her expression extremely focused, as if she were doing something sacred and important.

She gripped the brush tightly in one hand, as if holding a fire poker, the handle of which was almost broken by her grip.

Looking at the Xuan paper in front of her, it was crooked and covered with ink blots; it looked more like scribbles than characters.

Jiang Huan's lips twitched uncontrollably.

Is this handwriting for real? Sister, you're in ancient times right now, didn't the system train her at all?

Of course, Jiang Huan could see it, but the others found it even more amusing.

One of the attendants sitting on the other side of He Ling glanced at her and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The laughter was particularly abrupt in the quiet hall. By the time she realized what was happening, she had quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief, but it was too late.

Consort Li was already seething with anger, and she immediately looked over when she heard the sound.

When his gaze fell on He Ling's appalling Xuan paper, he was first taken aback, then spoke sarcastically.

"I thought it was some naughty child scribbling, but it turns out it's Consort Ling copying scriptures? Her handwriting is worse than that of a three-year-old."

Upon hearing this, several suppressed snickers immediately rang out in the hall.

He Ling's face instantly turned bright red, and the knuckles of her fingers holding the calligraphy brush turned white.

Consort Li, however, refused to give up.

"It's strange, I remember that my sister was also a daughter of an official before she entered the palace, so how come her handwriting is like this?"

She feigned surprise and covered her lips with her handkerchief. "Ah, could it be that my sister is deliberately trying to deceive the Empress Dowager?"

These words were extremely harsh, and He Ling visibly swayed, her eyes already red with anxiety.

Looking at He Ling's appearance and glancing at Consort Li's smug face, Jiang Huan suddenly slammed the brush in her hand onto the table.

"I think Consort Ling's calligraphy has a rather ancient feel to it. I heard that there was a great calligrapher in the previous dynasty who was most skilled in this style of writing, and the late emperor even praised it as 'great skill appearing as clumsiness'."

As she spoke, she stood up, walked to He Ling's desk, and examined the sheet of Xuan paper with great seriousness.

"Hmm... The brushstrokes are smooth and the ink is vivid. It seems casual but actually contains a hidden structure. It really does have some of the style of that master."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Consort Li, "If you haven't seen that master's original work, I'll have the Emperor find it for you another day so you can see it for yourself?"