The banquet was awkward at times. Ninth Prince's wife did not say anything to ease the atmosphere, and Fourth Prince did not say anything to agree or refuse.

Lanqin's gaze lingered between the Fourth Prince and the Ninth Prince's wife. Suddenly, she felt the Ninth Prince's wife looking at her, her beautiful eyes filled with longing and pleading.

Lanqin understood what Ninth Prince Consort meant. Ninth Prince Consort was a friendly person. When Lanqin herself was still a concubine, she never saw Ninth Prince Consort treat her with the airs of a principal wife. Moreover, Ninth Prince Consort's behavior was different from other women in the palace.

After all, in this world, there are very few women who would take the initiative to ask for a divorce from their husbands, especially when their husbands are princes!

After thinking for a moment, Lanqin said, "Your Majesty, it's time to appreciate the lotus flowers. Why don't you all begin to admire them?"

Fourth Master was taken aback, turned to look at Lanqin, and then gently patted the table. “The lotus flowers are blooming exceptionally well this year. I invited you all here today to appreciate their beauty. Please don’t feel constrained, go and enjoy them on your own!”

After Fourth Master finished speaking, he glanced at Lanqin, a faint smile playing at the corners of his eyes.

The Fourth Prince was caught off guard when Ninth Princess Consort suddenly asked for a divorce, leaving him unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, Lanqin suddenly changed the subject, which allowed the matter to be put on hold. It would be unpleasant to talk about divorce.

Seeing this, Ninth Prince Consort looked slightly dejected and slowly returned to her seat. Ninth Prince, who was beside her, took out his wine cup, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp without saying a word.

Seeing that many people below wanted to go out and admire the lotus flowers, Lanqin suddenly had an idea and said, "Your Majesty, simply admiring the lotus flowers is a bit monotonous. Why don't we let everyone go to the lotus pond and find the most beautiful lotus flower? Whoever finds the most beautiful one, Your Majesty will reward him."

Upon hearing this, Fourth Master thought it was a good idea and nodded in satisfaction.

Someone below chimed in, "Your Majesty's idea is excellent. Since it's a lotus appreciation gathering, we should naturally select the best one. But we wonder who will judge whether it's good or bad?"

Lanqin said, "His Majesty is naturally fair and will not favor anyone."

The Fourth Prince nodded. "What Consort Xi said is correct."

Consort Nian, displeased that everyone was holding the zither, cleared her throat and said, "Your Majesty, these lotus flowers are growing well in the pond, why must you pick them? I'm afraid everyone wants this reward, and if each person picks one flower, won't all the lotus flowers in the pond be picked clean?"

Upon hearing this, Lanqin's smile faltered for a moment; she had indeed not considered this possibility beforehand.

Seeing the Fourth Prince frowning and pondering, Consort Nian said loudly, "Why don't you all paint the flower you think is the most beautiful and submit it to the Emperor? That way, when the Emperor judges it, he can consider both the beauty of the flower and the quality of your paintings. Wouldn't that be fairer?"

Upon hearing this, everyone whispered amongst themselves for a while, then smiled. One of them said, "I think Consort Nian's idea is excellent."

"Your Majesty also thinks..."

Seeing that everyone agreed with and supported her, Consort Nian looked at Lanqin with a rather smug and arrogant gaze.

With a polite smile, Lanqin said to the Fourth Prince, "Your Majesty, I also think Consort Nian's idea is excellent. Let's do it according to Consort Nian's plan!"

The Fourth Prince had already discerned that Consort Nian's idea was good, so he looked at her with appreciation and said, "Consort Nian's suggestion is very elegant. Very well, let's do it this way. I will give you one hour. After one hour, you must return to begin painting!"