The crowd at the birthday banquet suddenly erupted in uproar because of what King Xiu said.
They looked at each other, craning their necks out with great curiosity.
The emperor glanced at Prince Yu, then looked at Prince Xiu: "Prince Xiu, are you telling the truth? The birthday gift you sent is no different from Prince Yu's?"
Prince Xiu bit his lip and nodded, saying innocently, "With my elder brother present, it would be impolite for me to offer this gift again. Please grant me this favor, Father, and allow me to present the birthday present later..."
The emperor lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment.
The Empress Dowager also slowly suppressed her smile.
Both Consort Liang and Prince Yu felt a pang of unease. They exchanged a glance, and Prince Yu immediately stepped forward to explain to everyone present:
“Grandmother, Father, there must be some misunderstanding. Your son would never say anything to deceive you. The craftsman who made that makeup box was from the previous dynasty and has long since passed away. Your brother must have misjudged something.”
Prince Yu certainly couldn't allow Prince Xiu's ambiguous words to tarnish his own reputation.
If Prince Xiu were to send the birthday gift on another day, the crime of deceiving the emperor would be firmly attached to him. Not only would he be forever suspected, but Prince Xiu would also gain a good reputation for no reason.
Prince Xiu is not usually such a kind and harmless person. His affected manner just now must have been an act.
Prince Yu pondered for a moment, then turned and asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, how did you obtain this item? Was it made by the same craftsman as my birthday gift?"
King Xiu paused for a moment before replying, "It is not the same person. The person who made this thing is still alive..."
As he spoke, he looked earnestly at Prince Yu: "Your Majesty, perhaps we should have someone else present the gifts..."
Upon hearing this, King Yu was even less likely to let him off the hook. He didn't believe that King Xiu was so kind as to refuse to show his things just because they were the same as his own.
If he had something better than himself, he would be eager to offer it up. Besides, he was confident that anyone could make such a large lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay.
Absolutely impossible!
Prince Yu then asked, "How did you come across this object?"
Prince Xiu answered honestly, "It was made by Song Xizhi... Lord Song... someone close to her."
No sooner had the King of Xiu finished speaking than someone burst out laughing.
Consort Liang covered her mouth with a handkerchief: "Prince Xiu, have you been deceived? Is the craftsmanship of that lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay so simple that just anyone can make it?"
As she spoke, she looked in Song Xizhi's direction again: "She likes to meddle in everything, she can even make lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay?"
Is it made with incense or medicinal herbs?
Consort Li, who had been eagerly anticipating this for a long time, couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard what Prince Xiu said: "Your brothers all had their items made by skilled craftsmen, but you, Prince Xiu, are so lazy. It really is because Consort Zhen didn't discipline you properly!"
"Forget it, if you're making up an excuse without any preparation, then don't send anything for now, lest you bring out something shoddy on such a joyous occasion and displease Mother!"
Song Ruoan lowered her eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face. She was certain that Song Xizhi was doomed: Song Xizhi's greatest ability was to get Master Yuanhui to write a piece of calligraphy.
If she could even make lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay, then no one would believe it...
If she could do it, why did she go to the restaurant that day, spend so much money, and rush to bid against her husband?
That night, she was defeated by her husband and forcibly taken back to the Song residence. She looked so pathetic and miserable, like a drowning dog. She still remembers it vividly to this day!
People from humble backgrounds truly live up to their humble origins!
He reeks of money; he's not only in business, but now he's even swindling and cheating!
The Emperor and Empress Dowager also frowned and looked at Song Xizhi, their eyes filled with doubt.
Consort Liang hurriedly spoke up, knowing that it was a birthday gift that Prince Xiu had taken from Song Xizhi, and she couldn't wait for Prince Xiu to show it off.
If Prince Xiu loses face, Song Xizhi will also become infamous, and the gifts sent by Prince Yu will appear even better in comparison.
Presumably, when Prince Xiu saw the exquisite gift before him, he felt ashamed of his own inferiority and realized that Song Xizhi had deceived him. So he made up a lie on the spot and presented that clumsy birthday gift in front of everyone, thus losing face!
“Since Prince Xiu has made the preparations, then it is your own intention, and you must show it to your grandmother no matter what.”
"If you can't even take out your things because of your elder brother, wouldn't that make it seem like your elder brother is bullying you?"
Consort Liang smiled slightly as she spoke: "Even if what you say is true, and the lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid in your hand is the same as your imperial brother's, it was your imperial brother who boasted. He should be punished, and I will not show any favoritism!"
Consort Liang spoke with disdain, yet her words were perfectly fair. Since she had already said so, Prince Xiu could no longer refuse.
He glanced at Song Xizhi, a hint of a smile suddenly appearing in the depths of his narrow eyes: "Alright then..."
As he spoke, he looked at the Empress Dowager in front of him again: "Since it is the same lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay technique, I ask that Your Majesty allow your grandson to extinguish half of the candles in the main hall, just like your elder brother."
The King's enthusiastic demeanor went unnoticed by everyone present; after all, familiarity breeds contempt.
The first time you see something, it's new and exciting, but the second time, it loses its appeal.
Besides, what good things could the birthday gift that Prince Xiu bought from Song Xizhi be?
Song Ruoan also gave a contemptuous sneer, already imagining how the Prince of Xiu would be furious with Song Xizhi after losing face.
With a wave of her hand, the Empress Dowager restored the entire palace to its previous dim state.
Then a line of palace maids carried a long object in single file.
The object was covered with a red cloth, which looked like a screen. The screen was carried in by more than ten people and formed a circle around it. It was quite large and could completely cover a person.
Inside the screen, many red candles were lit, and as the red cloth was slowly lifted, a huge Buddha statue appeared before everyone's eyes. The Buddha had a kind face and a huge halo emanating from its back.
The special craftsmanship of the lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay made it seem as if the Buddha statue was floating on the screen.
Someone behind the scenes lifted the screen, and various Buddha statues in different forms flashed before everyone's eyes.
As the candlelight flickered rapidly across the screen, it created light and shadow, which were then projected onto the palace ceiling, forming the shape of a Buddha statue.
Everyone strained to look up, and some were even stunned for a long time. Even the chanting of the high monks stopped abruptly at that moment.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
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