Chapter 125 The Queen Mother's Tea

Lin Yanrong was stunned on the spot and forgot to politely leave.

Lu Haozhi said, "You've already finished singing, why don't you go down? What are you standing here for?"

Liang Chengbi's lips moved slightly, and he was about to say something, but when he heard the emperor's cold tone, he stopped immediately and pursed his lips tightly into a line.

Lin Yanrong was about to cry, at a loss, and her eyes swept across the faces of everyone in the hall one by one.

The concubines in the palace were secretly envious and jealous just now, thinking that she would be promoted to a higher position just by showing her face in front of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. But when they saw the indifferent look of the Empress Dowager, they all understood at once that the Empress Dowager was not buying her tricks at all!

Everyone immediately swept away their jealousy and envy and turned to gloating.

Lin Yanrong's gaze passed through the crowd and fell on Prince Jin.

The man was dressed in a navy blue python robe, the four-clawed python pattern embroidered in silver thread gleaming brightly. The well-tailored garment highlighted his sturdy figure. His handsome face was as indifferent as water, and he didn't even glance at her. It was as if this scene had nothing to do with him.

Lin Yanrong gritted her teeth, feeling very unwilling, and bowed to take her leave.

Just as she was about to leave the hall, Meng Yan suddenly stopped her and said, "Mrs. Lin has a great singing voice. I have never heard such a clear and beautiful voice in my life. If you have time in the future, please invite Mrs. Lin to Changchun Palace to chat and sing a cappella song for me. I would like to hear it again."

Looking at Meng Yan's bright and smiling eyes, Lin Yanrong couldn't help feeling guilty. She lowered her eyes to avoid her sight and forced a smile, "Your Highness is well versed in music theory. How can my little tricks be presented to you? I'm afraid they will pollute Your Highness's ears." After saying that, she hurried down.

Meng Yan looked at her back as she fled in panic, a faint, thoughtful smile on her lips.

It seems that she was not wrong. Lin Yanrong was really bold.

She turned her head and whispered a few words to Ren Shuyi. Ren Shuyi was dizzy and dazed by the fragrance of lotus. She had no time to enjoy the singing and dancing, nor did she pay attention to what was happening in the hall just now. After hearing her words, she was very surprised and nodded slightly.

After the concubines finished singing and dancing, Empress Dowager Jiang was already a little tired. She was about to say something when she suddenly saw someone stand up from the table.

Bai Yuxin wore a silver-red floral double-breasted shirt today. It was not embroidered with any patterns, which highlighted her elegance and gentleness without appearing gaudy.

She bowed and said, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I dare to offer my respects."

Empress Dowager Jiang had long since grown tired of watching and listening, and had no desire to watch any more performances. However, she suddenly remembered that this woman seemed to be from the Changchun Palace. She glanced at Meng Yan and nodded, saying, "Whether it's singing or dancing, you can come up and perform."

Bai Yuxin smiled slightly and said shyly, "Your Highness, I am of humble origin and have little talent, so I dare not embarrass myself in front of the sisters in the harem. I heard that Your Highness is a devout Buddhist, so I recently embroidered a picture of the Bodhisattva Guanyin as a special present to you."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the hall started talking, and even laughed from time to time.

Today's performance was ostensibly to honor the Empress Dowager, but in reality, it was to please the Emperor. Everyone was hoping that their sweet voices and graceful dances would catch the Emperor's eye and earn him some favor. But who knew that Bai Yuxin was such a fool, embroidering the Guanyin statue in a desperate attempt to please the Empress Dowager?

Some people whispered that Bai Yuxin was from Changchun Palace, and that Concubine Meng might have forced her to do it because she didn't want her to gain favor but wanted to please the empress dowager.

Bai Yuxin stood in the hall with a faint smile on her face, turning a deaf ear to the discussions.

Empress Dowager Jiang sat high up in the seat, unable to hear the gossip below. She was slightly surprised, but smiled and said, "You are indeed filial. Present it."

Bai Yuxin clapped her hands, and two eunuchs carried a stool covered with a huge silk cloth into the hall.

Bai Yuxin walked forward and raised her hand to uncover it.

As the silk cloth slid off, an embroidered portrait appeared before everyone's eyes.

The concubines were all shocked, and even Empress Dowager Jiang couldn't help but stand up and leave her seat.

It turned out to be a life-size embroidered portrait!

The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in the embroidery is lifelike, holding a pure bottle in her hand, lowering her eyes and smiling faintly, and the dew on the willow branches seems to be splashing on everyone's faces.

Empress Dowager Jiang stepped forward and carefully stroked the embroidery. Even though she was used to receiving respect from the younger generation, she still couldn't help but admire it. "Such delicate needlework, such ingenious thought. Such a huge embroidery must have taken a lot of your effort, right?"

Bai Yuxin knelt, bowed her head and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I dare not take credit for this. Although I embroidered this picture, the idea came from the Imperial Concubine. I was new to the palace and knew nothing. I didn't know how to honor the Empress Dowager, so I turned to the Imperial Concubine for help. Not only did Your Highness provide me with ideas, she also sent several palace maids to assist me. Otherwise, it would have taken me a year to complete such a huge embroidery by myself."

Empress Dowager Jiang was delighted to hear this and smiled broadly, saying, "Well, Your Majesty is thoughtful and pious, and you are also sincere. You are both good children." Then she asked, "What is your name?"

Bai Yuxin replied, "Your Majesty, my humble name is Bai Yuxin."

Empress Dowager Jiang nodded. "This name is well chosen. I like it. Since you are still a concubine, I will raise your status and make you a noble." Then she said to Lu Haozhi, "Your Majesty, is it acceptable?"

Lu Haozhi had nothing else to say. Anyway, except Meng Yan, all the other concubines in the harem were the same to him.

"But it's up to the Queen Mother to decide."

Meng Yan was extremely surprised and hurriedly came down to kowtow to express her gratitude with Bai Yuxin.

She had been thinking about how to improve Bai Yuxin's status these days. She had expected that the embroidered portrait would be liked by the empress dowager, but she had never expected such unexpected good news.

Empress Dowager Jiang was in high spirits and said with a smile, "I am truly delighted that you two can get along so well. I will give that gold bead bracelet to the Imperial Concubine. Her idea for today's welcoming banquet was most in line with my wishes, so she is the winner."

Although Meng Yan didn't mind having one or two more pieces of jewelry, the empress dowager's reward was certainly special, so she kowtowed again to express her gratitude.

The concubines were a little discouraged, but then they heard the Queen Mother say, "Everyone who performed today will be rewarded with two pieces of palace satin. This will be used as extra clothing for you this summer."

Although this reward was far less than Bai Yuxin's, it was still a good start, and everyone was grateful.

Only Concubine Xuanhe, Liang Chengbi and Lin Yanrong were extremely angry, especially Lin Yanrong who almost fainted from anger.

She had suffered so much for what she had done today, but in the end, it was all in vain.

What's the use of having two pieces of silk?

After the banquet, Lu Haozhi returned to the Yangxin Palace without asking his concubines to accompany him.

Empress Dowager Jiang invited Meng Yan to Shoukang Palace for tea, and everyone else left.

Arriving at Shoukang Palace, Empress Dowager Jiang held Doukou in her arms and said to Meng Yan with a smile, "Yan girl, you really know how to respect people now. This Bai family, I think she is a good person, a hundred times better than the Meipin you had your eyes on before."

That's natural, after all, it was a stupid thing she did when she was not in her right mind.

The palace maid brought two bowls of tea, and Meng Yan took one and held it in her hand.

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled slightly. "This is Jade Bud Tea, made from the stamens of wintersweet. The water used to brew the tea is the snow from the plum blossoms harvested last year. It's extremely fragrant and refreshing. I only have a few sips in the celadon jar, and I can't bear to drink them myself. You love the fragrance of flowers, so why not try it?"

Meng Yan listened, lowered her head, took a sip, and said with a smile, "The plum blossom fragrance is indeed refreshing. The Empress Dowager has such a refined taste. I, a young concubine, cannot even compare to her."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled but said nothing. She then turned to talk about going to Shanghe Garden to escape the summer heat. "The capital is too hot. I have sent people to clean up the garden... in three days..."

Listening to these casual chats, Meng Yan suddenly felt sleepy. At first, she thought it was the liquor from the pear blossom white hair she had eaten at the banquet. She tried her best to stay awake, but her eyelids felt heavy as if they were filled with lead.

"This time... I might... before the New Year..."

My vision gradually became blurry, and the Queen Mother's words became vague.

Meng Yan's hands went limp and the tea bowl fell to the ground, spilling tea everywhere.

"Your Highness... your Highness the Queen Mother, please do not..."

Before she could finish her words, Meng Yan felt a black screen in front of her eyes and her body slid to the side.

Ruizhu hurriedly supported him and looked at the Empress Dowager in confusion, "Empress Dowager, what's happening to the Imperial Concubine..."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled faintly and said, "Help your queen to the inner hall."