Chapter 239: Emerging

The most eye-catching event of the day was the poetry reading.

In recent years, the war has gradually subsided and Daliang has begun to focus more on culture than on military affairs.

During the spring and autumn examinations, Bianjing was extremely bustling with countless people coming to take the exams.

At this time, it was the spring examination period, and candidates from all over Daliang gathered in Bian Jing. Literati from all over the country also came to participate in the poetry meeting, hoping to take this opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Scholars and less famous literati will have to go through several rounds of competition in the branch venues to emerge the best before they can enter the main venue.

If the literati can shine here, they will not only have the opportunity to meet the emperor, but also may gain the favor of the adults and become students of famous teachers. In this way, they will have someone to rely on in the future and their chances of passing the exam will be higher.

At this moment, the poetry conference venue was surrounded by crowds of people, and everyone was racking their brains to come up with something great.

The officials who have made the preliminary evaluation will send the outstanding works to the main venue located in the center of the Five Palaces. The best ones will be selected by the royal nobles present, and only those will be eligible to enter the main venue.

In the center of the hall, a long screen separates male and female guests, but in fact, this separation makes things more obvious.

A thin layer of gauze adds a layer of hazy beauty.

Male and female guests can also walk around the screen to interact with each other, and handsome men and beautiful women all show their elegance to attract the attention of the opposite sex.

Gu Huan came with the Queen. A large group of officials' wives and noble ladies had already sat down, eating snacks, sipping tea and chatting. However, the officials' wives glanced at the noble men, taking the opportunity to choose husbands for their daughters.

When everyone saw the Queen and her entourage coming, they quickly stood up and saluted.

Several noble ladies gathered together and whispered, "Who is the woman next to the queen? She is so beautiful, but she is dressed so plainly?"

"You don't recognize her? She was the concubine of the Duke of Yong. Now she has been promoted to the principal wife. I heard that she even had a posthumous child. She was granted the third rank."

"This woman is very resourceful. She chased her husband thousands of miles to get pregnant. Now, she even hooked up with the queen and came to join in the fun wearing mourning clothes."

"You don't want to be lonely?"

"Tsk tsk, I can't be so shameless."

The Queen gave them a cold look and everyone fell silent.

Gu Huan was too lazy to pay attention to these gossipy women.

Can you gain two pounds by speaking quickly?

Today, there is something important.

As soon as the Queen took Gu Huan to sit down, she saw a group of noble ladies coming towards her, laughing and joking.

The woman in the lead had delicate makeup on and wore a purple-red skirt with purple and gold flowers. Her waist was tightly tied, which highlighted her graceful and elegant figure.

His back was straight and his every move exuded a sense of nobility.

The Queen whispered, "You don't recognize her. She is the eldest prince's wife's sister, Zhao Chufei, a famous talented woman in Bianjing. She was also the champion of the poetry meeting on the first day of March last year."

"So she is the second daughter of Marquis Jingwen. I have heard of her talent."

That year, Gu Wanru attended the flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Queen. Although she won the Queen's praise with Gu Huan's poem, the winner was still Zhao Chufei.

After returning home, Gu Wanru found fault with Gu Huan, saying that the poems she wrote were not good and brought shame upon her. Aunt Pei even beat her up.

Recalling those tragic days, Gu Huan doesn't have much feeling now.

Maybe it was because Mu Junyan and the old lady gave her happiness and warmth that the painful memories had no weight.

When Mr. Min analyzed the power of various families with her, he focused on Marquis Jingwen.

Marquis Jingwen was a true royal relative; his mother was the eldest princess born to the late emperor's empress.

Although he and the emperor are cousins, he is very competitive and relies on his own talents to become the prime minister. His real power in the court is second only to Prince Ping'an. With the support of the Grand Princess, he can control the power of the royal family and his status can compete with Prince Ping'an.

Marquis Jingwen originally had only one daughter, named Zhao Chuyu, who married the eldest prince as a concubine three years ago.

Zhao Chufei is the second daughter of Marquis Jingwen, and her mother is Marquis Jingwen's second wife.

Both the Empress Dowager and the Empress wanted to win over Marquis Jingwen's power, but he was impartial and never took sides, so the Empress wanted to use her daughter's marriage to get them closer.

Gu Huan doesn't quite understand the Queen's character.

He asked in a low voice tentatively: "I heard that the Queen is preparing to select a concubine for the Second Prince. Does she want to see how the ladies perform today?"

The queen smiled and said, "You are smart. I would like you to help me too."

Gu Huan pursed her lips and smiled: "I don't understand anything."

"You are too modest. In my eyes, there is no woman in the whole of Daliang who can compare to you."

Gu Huan pretended to be shy, blushing and lowering her head: "I don't deserve this."

Life is just like a play, it just depends on who sets the stage and who gets to perform.

Who isn’t an actor on this stage?

The Queen knew very well that today was an important moment to decide the position of Crown Prince.

All the civil and military officials in the court knew that the tiger talisman of the Mu family army was presented to the emperor by Gu Huan, but the emperor was reluctant to express his opinion.

As early as a month ago, the emperor said that he would examine the princes in all aspects, and various forces were ready to make a move, eagerly waiting for this day.

The Queen's gesture of goodwill towards Gu Huan was a way of showing everyone that the Mu family was on her side, and the court officials should also consider how to take sides.

Gu Huan appreciated the fine arts and watched all the great dramas of the world.

The etiquette officer came to ask the queen for instructions.

The Queen smiled amiably and said, "You may begin as you please. Don't worry about me. I am here just to have fun today."

The etiquette officer announced the start of the competition, and both men and women were ready to go.

Soon there were cheers from both sides.

Suddenly, two noble ladies came over and saluted to the queen: "Your Majesty, County Lady Jiang and I would like to ask Madam Mu to write a poem."

The Queen looked at Gu Huan and asked, "Are you willing to go and play?"

The noble lady smiled sweetly, "Madam Mu's elder sister, Gu Wanru, is a talented woman praised by the Queen. I'm sure Madam Mu's poetry and calligraphy must be very good as well."

Another noble lady replied: "We are just playing around, it doesn't matter if we don't know how to do it."

Gu Huan recognized the two people who had followed Jiang Ruoxi just now.

She stood up and smiled at them: "You two ladies are mistaken. I don't have a sister."

Their faces froze.

One of them couldn't help but show contempt on his face: "We made a mistake in the mouth. Madam Mu was swapped when she was young and raised as a concubine. Fortunately, her identity was changed back."

Another one quickly followed up: "It doesn't matter what your status is. Many of the people who play with us are born out of wedlock. There are also talented people born out of wedlock."

Gu Huan: "Then I will make a fool of myself."

The queen hurriedly ordered the female official beside her: "You stay with Huan'er and be careful."

The female official responded and followed Gu Huan.

Zhao Chufei had just finished writing a poem, and the eunuch hung it in the public area for everyone to enjoy.

"Wow, Sister Zhao's poem is a quatrain, it will definitely win first place!"

A group of noble ladies chattered excitedly.

Princes and nobles also gathered around and couldn't help but admire: "Miss Zhao's title of the most talented woman is well deserved."

"Madam Mu is here, please get out of the way and don't block her from showing off her talent."

The noble lady who invited Gu Huan over waved her hand to send her away, and everyone began to talk.

Jiang Ruoxi curled her lips, her face full of disdain, and sneered with Qian Peiqin and the noble ladies of the Yuan family: "Just wait and see the show."

Zhao Chufei looked at Gu Huan. It was the first time she saw the woman who was rumored to have delivered food for thousands of miles to save Duke Yong.

She was the first woman in Daliang to be promoted from concubine to wife by the emperor's personal decree.

She was also the second woman after Lady Mu to be awarded the title of Consort for her contributions to the court.

Although her background and the way she rose to power were criticized, even making these top noble ladies feel ashamed.

But it is undeniable that she has now stood at the top among the ladies.

Zhao Chufei has always been self-righteous and, like her father, does not tolerate any injustice.

He did not have much affection for women like Gu Huan who had climbed from a lowly status to a high position.

Today I saw the real person...

She is indeed very beautiful.

And she is the type who looks like a lamb, but is charming and seductive at heart.

The smile on Zhao Chufei's face gradually faded. She returned to her seat and sipped her tea slowly.

Gu Huan ignored the gazes of the people around her and walked straight to the table covered with rice paper, picked up the brush, and thought for a moment.

Write calmly.

A seven-character regulated verse written in one breath.

After he put down his pen, the attendant hung the poem in the public display area, where onlookers with their own thoughts crowded in and the poem suddenly became quiet.