Chapter 949 Birthday

Wo Xue said, "I saw some termites in the backyard just now. I was worried that they would bore into the wood, so I kept looking for their nest in the back."

"Termites? Did you find them?"

"I did find a spot under the rockery in the backyard. I just boiled water and poured it down, so it should have burned away. I just don't know if that's the only spot. I searched for a while longer. I just heard Sister She'er calling me, so I'm a little late. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Shang Ruyi shook her head and said, "It's alright. Just be careful these next few days. Spring is here, so there are lots of snakes, insects, and rodents. If you find any, deal with them as soon as possible. If you can't handle them, go tell the Shanggong Bureau and ask them to send someone to treat them."

Wo Xue said, "This servant understands."

After a busy half-day, the group finally finished counting the gifts and compiling the gift list. By the time everything was done, it was getting dark, and Shang Ruyi quickly ate some dinner before going to bed.

The next few days passed uneventfully.

That day, Shang Ruyi was practicing calligraphy in Qianqiu Palace. She had only written two sheets when she heard someone say that Tao Wanyin had arrived.

She immediately put down her pen, got up, and went out to greet them.

Upon reaching the main gate, Shang Ruyi saw Tao Wanyin dressed in a lotus-green soft silver silk dress, her hair neatly combed. Unlike her previous simple appearance, she was adorned with a head full of pearls and jade, which further accentuated her fair skin and peach-blossom-like face. Seeing her gracefully approaching, Shang Ruyi immediately stepped forward to greet her: "Consort Tao."

Tao Wanyin, who had been smiling, was taken aback when she heard what she said.

Then he asked, "The Princess already knows?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "The Emperor has bestowed upon you the title of Jieyu, which is wonderful news. The news has already spread far and wide among the people below."

Tao Wanyin was still a little surprised, after all, the emperor had just issued the decree this morning, and she didn't expect everyone to know about it. Looking at the intelligent and insightful Princess Qin, she didn't say much, but just smiled and said, "I am undeserving of such a reward, and I feel ashamed."

As they spoke, Shang Ruyi led her to sit down inside the hall, then smiled and said, "Your Excellency is too modest. Your father is busy with countless affairs of state, and it is a great service to the country for you to serve him well. It is only right that you be conferred this title."

Tao Wanyin still shook her head with a smile.

At this moment, Tushe'er brought tea, and Shang Ruyi instructed, "Have the Imperial Kitchen send over some more snacks. I want to have a chat with Consort Tao."

Tao Wanyin quickly replied, "No need, I brought some with me."

After speaking, she turned around and gestured. The palace maid Qiaoshu, who had come with her, immediately brought forward a food box and placed it on the table. When she opened it, she saw several lifelike peach blossom pastries and lotus flower pastries inside. Tao Wanyin smiled and said, "The Imperial Kitchen has sent me a lot of fresh pastries these pastries these pastries. I was thinking of sharing them with the Princess. I hope you won't find them too tacky."

Smelling the faint floral fragrance emanating from the pastry, Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "No, I happen to like this."

She didn't usually care much about the affairs of the harem, nor could she care which concubine Yuwen Yuan favored or which palace he stayed in. However, because she had specially asked Tao Wanyin to deliver soup to Yuwen Yuan that day, she understood that she had done him a favor. As a result, Yuwen Yuan had been favoring this beauty for the past few days and had conferred the title of Jieyu on her today. She had been watching this situation silently.

The people from the Imperial Food Bureau reacted quickly, managing to curry favor with them so soon.

Instead of becoming arrogant because of her favor, or immediately sending gold and silver to express her gratitude, Consort Tao brought over some snacks. This humble yet casual way of thanking her made Shang Ruyi feel even closer to her.

So the two of them ate while chatting about everyday things.

As they talked, the two gradually became acquainted. Shang Ruyi learned that she came from a scholarly family, had attended school for a few years, and was a person with a great love for refined things. In particular, her previous husband was a highly talented scholar, and the two enjoyed composing poems and appreciating the moon, and could be considered a harmonious couple. During the days when she was neglected after entering the palace, she spent most of her time reading and learning to play the zither in the palace, and even practiced calligraphy and painting. In the past few days, Yuwen Yuan often visited her and praised her calligraphy.

As she spoke, she looked up at the desk beside her and said, "When I came in just now, I think I saw the princess writing as well."

"yes,"

As Shang Ruyi spoke, she got up and led her over there, laughing as they walked, "It's just that my handwriting is ugly and I can't show it to anyone."

Tao Wanyin did not speak immediately, but went around behind the table and looked at it carefully. Then she read softly: "The long clouds over Qinghai darken the snow-capped mountains, the lonely city gazes at the Jade Gate Pass. Through a hundred battles in the yellow sand, wearing golden armor, we will not return until Lou Lan is conquered."

She thought for a moment and said, "If I remember correctly, this should be the poem that won first place at the poetry competition after the Battle of Fufeng, right?"

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "That's right."

"Having fought a hundred battles, clad in golden armor, we will not return until Loulan is conquered..."

Tao Wanyin recited the last two lines again, then smiled and said, "Although this poem doesn't mention Fufeng, but only Loulan, it is indeed well done. And the princess's calligraphy is ancient, vigorous, and powerful."

"..."

"Only by writing with such words can the heroic spirit of this poem leap off the page."

Shang Ruyi laughed and said, "You flatter me, Consort. I'm just bored and have nothing to do with my strength."

Tao Wanyin laughed and said, "How could that be?"

"..."

"One's handwriting reflects one's character, and practicing calligraphy can also cultivate one's mind."

"..."

"If I have the chance, I would like to practice calligraphy with the Princess and learn from her."

"I wouldn't dare, but I would be more than happy to accept it."

As the two were talking, a young eunuch suddenly ran in from outside. He walked up to Qiaoshu and whispered a few words. Qiaoshu stepped forward and said softly, "Jieyu, Eunuch Yu just came to tell you that the Emperor is coming tonight and that you should hurry back to prepare to receive him."

"ah?"

Upon hearing this, Tao Wanyin immediately became a little nervous, and then turned to look at Shang Ruyi with a shy expression.

Actually, she came here today to express her gratitude, but she was too embarrassed to speak, so she spent the whole day chatting, even praising Princess Qin's calligraphy. After all, before this, she rarely had the chance to see the emperor, but after receiving guidance from Princess Qin, she was able to serve him for several days in a row, and today she was promoted to the rank of Jieyu. This made her happy and grateful to Princess Qin.

Qiaoshu added softly, "And also—"

Tao Wanyin immediately remembered something, her cheeks flushed again, and then she smiled at Shang Ruyi and said, "Look at me, I've been talking about useless things all day and I've forgotten the important matters. It just so happens that my birthday and Zhang Jieyu's birthday are both this month, and it's also the time for our investiture ceremony. The Emperor plans to hold a banquet in the Baifu Hall in three days so that everyone can get together."

As she spoke, she said softly with a smile, "I felt it would be too formal for someone else to deliver the message, so I came myself. If Princess Qin would do me the honor—"

Shang Ruyi hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency, what are you saying? I will definitely come."

Tao Wanyin smiled and said, "Then I'll be waiting for you."

After saying that, he left with Qiaoshu.