Chapter 653 Something Happened to the Prince
Mrs. Cui's face was gloomy. How could she not see at this point that Concubine Xian was deliberately making things difficult for Tang Ning?
If Tang Ning really did what he said and refused to write a poem, although the people present would not say much, what happened today would definitely spread out. He would not even dare to write a poem in public, and might even forcefully refuse it with words.
Not only would the good reputation that Tang Ning had worked so hard to build up be gone in an instant, but even Rongsheng Academy would suffer the consequences.
Tang Ning looked at Concubine Xian deeply and said, "No need, it's just a poem. Since Concubine Xian wants to listen, Tang Ning will obey."
Xianfei sat at the head of the table, her smile growing wider. "How can hearing it be enough? Since it's a poem, why don't you leave a calligraphy piece? Once your work is published today, it will also enhance your reputation."
Tang Ning's eyes deepened: "As the virtuous concubine wishes."
"Well, the princess is still straightforward."
The virtuous concubine said directly: "Come here, bring me some writing brush and ink."
When the palace maids outside heard the noise in the hall, they hurried to get writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and moved tables and chairs into the hall according to Concubine Xian's instructions.
Since Tang Ning had agreed, he did not refuse, but was stopped by Qian Qiyue when he stood up.
"Tang Ning..."
"fine."
Tang Ning patted Qian Qiyue's hand and glanced at Rong Yue. She was unwilling to step forward before not because she couldn't write poetry, but because she was tired of Concubine Xian's trouble-making. Now that Concubine Xian was so aggressive and insisted on asking her to write poetry, she wanted to see what she wanted to do.
The table was placed in front of the hall. Seeing Tang Ning standing still, Concubine Xian smiled and said, "Since it was me who brought up this matter, it would be inappropriate for the princess to be alone in front. How about I grind the ink for Princess Xiangning..."
"Need not!"
Rong Yue always felt that Concubine Xian's actions were not well-intentioned. She was afraid that she was going to do something by getting close to Tang Ning. She stood up and walked towards the palace: "I will grind ink for Tang Ning."
Everyone in front of the palace was looking at Tang Ning. Although they didn't know why Concubine Xian was in such a dilemma, they were curious about what kind of good poems the famous Princess Xiangning could write. Tang Ning stood in front of the desk and pondered for a moment. Even after Rong Yue ground the ink, he still didn't start writing.
Princess Huan sarcastically said, "Is it possible that some people can't write it?"
Xuan Qiwen couldn't help but laugh, "Xiangning County is mainly unable to write, so just say it directly. There's no need to pretend and make a fool of yourself."
Tang Ning looked up at the two of them and picked up the pen.
Someone nearby quickly leaned over and whispered after Tang Ning put pen to paper.
"The heavy snow falls on the world, and the silver-clad world shows prosperity."
"The branches on the roof are like white hair, and the years have silently changed into smiles."
"All things are empty, the plum blossoms and snow competing for spring are in vain."
"Let the wind and snow bully you, when spring comes, all the flowers will fall from the branches."
When Tang Ning stopped writing, he looked up at Concubine Xian and said, "Thanks to Concubine Xian's care today, I would like to dedicate this poem to you."
You could hear a pin drop in the hall, and Concubine Xian looked grim.
Whether this poem is good or not is secondary, but every sentence is full of irony.
There is no intention to offend in the poem, but every sentence points out that the virtuous concubine is like the withered flowers of tomorrow, the plum blossoms and snows of winter, and the years are changing and new people are replacing old ones. No matter how much trouble there is now, it is just a season of plum blossoms and snow, and everything will be in vain when the spring breeze arrives.
If it were any other concubine, it would be fine. At most, they would think that this poem expresses unyielding pride and that they would not yield to the wind and snow. However, those who knew the situation of Concubine Xian during this period could see it clearly.
Princess Xiangning was clearly mocking the virtuous concubine for falling out of favor with the emperor.
Concubine Zhao looked at Tang Ning standing alone and suddenly chuckled, "What a good poem! As expected of Princess Xiangning. The poem's unyielding perseverance symbolizes life. I like it very much."
Tang Ning bowed and said, "Thank you, Concubine Zhao. I just wonder if Concubine Xian still finds me pleasing to the eye?"
"you!"
The virtuous concubine couldn't hold back the smile on her face and glared at Tang Ning.
Tang Ning's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness appeared on her usually well-behaved and gentle face.
"If Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine doesn't like it, I can rewrite it. If she's truly dissatisfied with my humble work, I can wait until I leave the palace and return to the academy to have the students write poems praising Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine's reputation. With so many students, I'm sure someone will write something that Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine will be satisfied with."
The virtuous concubine's expression changed instantly.
Tang Ning wrote a poem alone that mocked her from head to toe, but at least the poem was still quite subtle. If the hundreds of students in Rongsheng Academy were asked to write it together, the pens would probably kill her.
The virtuous concubine said with a stern face: "No need, I like this poem very much."
She couldn't help but sneered:
"Princess Xiangning truly deserves to be the future wife of Duke Dingguo. Her personality is exactly like Duke Dingguo's."
Tang Ning seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in her words and simply smiled, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for the compliment. Since I'm marrying into the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, I naturally want to be one with my future husband. It's Your Majesty who's different. I guess Your Majesty is particularly fond of You. It's truly enviable."
Everyone in the hall twitched their lips.
Everyone knows that Emperor An had repeatedly given in after being forced by Xiao Yan. Just now in the palace, Emperor An had never made things difficult for Tang Ning, but Concubine Xian showed up. It would have been fine if it was really the favored concubine who was unscrupulous, but Concubine Xian fell out of favor first, and then the Cui family lost power.
The phrase "extraordinary favor" was like peeling off the virtuous concubine's face and throwing it on the ground to step on it.
The mouth of this Princess Xiangning is really the same as that of Governor Xiao back then.
It's incredibly poisonous.
The face of Concubine Xian was as red as a dyeing factory, and Tang Ning turned to Princess Huan.
"Princess Huan and Consort Xian are both fond of festivities. It just so happens that there is a happy occasion in your mansion. Young Master Xie is about to get married. In a couple of days, Tang Ning will have someone send a few beautiful poems to your mansion to celebrate the love between Young Master Xie and Madam Liu, and their long life together."
Princess Huan: “…” Her face turned pale.
Tang Ning looked at Xuan Qiwen again.
Xuan Qiwen quickly shrank her neck, turned her head and looked away, silent as a quail.
Concubine Zhao saw that Tang Ning was suppressing the three of them and their faces were extremely ugly. Concubine Xian was even more aggrieved but had no way to say it.
She felt only joy in her heart, and suppressed a smile as she said, "Well, writing poetry is not that easy. It gives me a headache just looking at it. Since Concubine Xian likes this poem, then quickly collect it and send it to Concubine Xian's palace later. Don't let Princess Xiangning down."
Concubine Xian gave Concubine Zhao a fierce look.
Concubine Zhao didn't take it seriously and just said cheerfully, "My princess, you and Madam Rong are tired too. Let's go back to the banquet."
"Thank you, Lady Zhao Guipin."
After Tang Ning paid his respects, he and Rong Yue returned to the table.
Ignoring the murderous gaze of Consort Xian behind her, Tang Ning noticed that Qian Qiyue, who was supposed to be at the banquet, was nowhere to be seen. She was stunned for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. She turned to Madam Cao and whispered, "Madam Cao, did you see where Sister Qian went?"
Madam Cao was puzzled. "Just now, I seemed to see a palace maid come over and say a few words to Miss Qian. Then she left with the wife of Marquis Wenxin."
Tang Ning felt something was wrong and quickly stood up to go out to look for Yue and the others. However, at this moment, someone came in quickly and shouted in panic:
"Oh no, something happened to the prince."
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