When the Queen's men went to Liu Yan's house, Liu Qian was kneeling in the ancestral hall as punishment.
"My lord, you said that the Queen will hold a poetry meeting in three days and wants my daughter to attend?" Lord Liu wiped his ears, thinking that he had misheard.
"Don't worry, Lord Liu. The Queen is kind, so you can rest assured," Han Ren said with a smile.
Han Ren is a young eunuch in Queen Wang's palace and is very greedy.
Madam Liu was overjoyed. Her daughter was going to meet the Queen, which was a big deal. If she could win the favor of Queen Wang, it would be of great benefit to her future marriage.
She walked forward with a smile and stuffed a bulging purse into Eunuch Han's hand. Eunuch Han shook it and said, "Oh, Madam Liu is too polite. It makes us feel embarrassed."
"It's really tiring for you to make this trip so late at night, please have some tea."
He has to reveal some more of this money!
"Madam, don't worry. The Queen has invited many noble ladies from the capital," Eunuch Han said and turned to say goodbye.
After seeing off Eunuch Han, Lord Liu could not hide his excitement, "Madam, please get ready quickly. Meeting the Queen is no small matter."
Madam Liu was also born into a big family, so she could still hold on. She fell in love with Liu Yan, who had just passed the imperial examination and gave up the match her family had found for her. Over the years, Liu Yan did not take a concubine, but one time he got drunk and had a baby with a maid, Liu Xi. When they found out, she was about to give birth, so Madam Liu died to keep the mother and the child.
However, Madam Liu only felt disgust towards Liu Qian, her concubine's daughter.
Liu Xi's status in the mansion is not even as good as that of a well-known maid.
"Husband, it's fine to let Xiang'er go. Qian'er has been ignorant since she was a child, and it would be embarrassing for her to go. Why not report that she is sick?"
She would never let Liu Xi appear in front of the nobleman, and this lowly servant would never have a chance to turn things around in this life.
Liu Yan also doesn't like this concubine's daughter, but the people in the palace just now clearly said that the two young ladies must go together. Does he dare?
Madam Liu saw his hesitation and said, "What are you afraid of, my husband? People will get sick if they eat grains. I'm sure the Queen won't blame you."
At this time, their legitimate daughter Liu Xiang ran in from outside, her face flushed with smile, "Mother, I heard that someone came from the palace? What's the matter?"
Mrs. Liu was even happier when she saw her daughter. "In three days, the Queen will invite all the noble ladies in the capital to the palace for a poetry gathering. You are also invited."
When she heard that she could enter the palace, Liu Xiang was extremely excited. She had lofty ambitions and wanted to become the person at the top through marriage. Now she could see the queen. If she could win the queen's favor, her future would be limitless!
But when she thought about the poetry reading, she became discouraged. She had never liked reading since she was a child and could not write poetry at all.
"But, Mom, I can't write poetry," Liu Xiang was so anxious that he turned around and around, pouting his little mouth.
Madam Liu advised, "Silly child, if the Empress wants good poems, who among the many Jinshi candidates can't write them? Writing poems is just a title. What is being judged is a person's temperament and conversation. Can they really let you write poems?"
She realized that this was a rare opportunity and she must not make any mistakes.
After hearing what Mrs. Liu said, Liu Xiang felt relieved. After all, writing poetry was just an excuse. She had to perform well and make a splash.
The Liu family was busy preparing for entering the palace in three days. They chose clothes and jewelry, what to say when they met the Queen, and prepared some questions that the Queen might ask and how to respond, as well as how to act if they met the prince.
-----
Pepper Room Palace.
Queen Wang sat at the top, and Concubine Shu and Concubine De sat below her.
Seats were set up in the hall, with refreshments and various snacks laid out. The ladies greeted each other and took their seats.
Queen Wang was in high spirits because of the happy event, and she was particularly kind today, making them all feel the demeanor of a mother of the country.
After chatting, Concubine De suggested that the ladies perform their talents, which aroused a wave of eagerness to try.
A eunuch whispered in Queen Wang's ear, "Liu Qian didn't come today. She said she caught a cold."
Queen Wang understood after a moment's thought that Madam Liu would definitely give such an opportunity to her own daughter. In fact, she also understood that it was impossible for illegitimate sons and daughters to be on the same page with their legitimate mother.
The noble ladies in the capital all have some talents. The daughter of the Minister of Revenue's family dances to the point of astonishment, the niece of the Minister of Rites paints a lifelike picture, and the sister of Minister Zhou plays the piano exceptionally well.
The atmosphere was tense when a eunuch came to report, "The eldest prince and the second prince are here."
The two princes paid their respects, and the noble ladies all stood up and paid their respects to the two princes.
"Don't be so reserved, sit down," Queen Wang said with a smile.
The second prince ran to Queen Wang and said, "Mother."
Queen Wang whispered, "The Liu family reported that Liu Qian has caught a cold and cannot come today."
The second prince glared at him, and asked, "Why is he still staying here?" He said, "Your son has other things to do, so I'll take my leave now."
After saying this, he bowed and turned to leave. Queen Wang smiled kindly and said to Concubine De, "This child has a temper very similar to Concubine Heng."
Defei echoed, "Yes, yes, yes."
She had wanted to leave a long time ago. No, she didn't want to come at all. She only insisted on coming because of Queen Wang's face. Since she entered the palace, she had no interest in little girls looking forward to marriage.
If possible, it would be a wise choice not to marry. Alas, I realized it too late.
Since it was a poetry meeting, she naturally had to write a poem. Liu Xiang was anxious. Queen Wang asked her to use the cold plum as the theme. Others had written some good ones and some ordinary ones, but she racked her brains but couldn't think of one.
Seeing her embarrassed look, Gu Lanzhi, the daughter of Minister Gu of the Ministry of Justice, stepped forward and said, "I wrote two poems. Can you please help me decide which one is better?"
Liu Xiang understood, so she just randomly pointed at one poem and quickly wrote down another. When she was frantic, Concubine De said, "I don't understand these poems of yours either." She looked around and pointed at Liu Xiang and the other two, "You three look unfamiliar. Come here and let me take a look."
Liu Xiang was as if pardoned. He trotted over and the three of them saluted together.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine."
She managed to escape.
------
The second prince returned home after leaving the palace. As soon as he arrived at the gate, he was stopped by someone.
"Your Majesty, Liu Yan pays his respects to the Second Prince."
Liu Yan?
He dismounted, “Get up, get up.”
"I did not go out to greet the Second Prince at my humble abode, and the beast in his house even bit someone around you. I have already dealt with the evil beast. I am here to apologize," Liu Yan said.
The Second Prince had long forgotten about this matter. "Eunuch Xu, it's alright. I heard that your daughter Liu Xi is ill. Coincidentally, I have some excellent bird's nests in my house. You can bring them back to her."
As he said this, he signaled to the guard beside him. The guard took the order and went to the mansion to get the bird's nest.
What?
this?
Liu Yan's mind was spinning. The Second Prince cared about Liu Qian? How did they know each other? Something was amiss.
He needs to be nicer to his daughter.
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