Chapter 652 Adding Fuel to the Fire
Although Concubine Zhao Guipin and Concubine Xian were of noble status, they were both women after all. With just a few words, they relaxed the somewhat tense atmosphere caused by the election.
Rong Yue sat in her seat and looked at Tang Ning with some confusion.
The Empress Dowager and Emperor An had actually left, and even the Crown Prince did not stay long. Moreover, apart from suddenly "attacking" Qian Qiyue during the banquet just now, the Empress Dowager and others had not made things difficult for Tang Ning at all.
Could it be that they had really been overthinking it, and the Empress Dowager and the others were hosting a banquet today just to take the opportunity to bring up the election and win over the court officials for Emperor An, and they had no other intentions?
So the eldest princess's thing was just a spur-of-the-moment idea?
Tang Ning frowned slightly, feeling that today's incident was a little strange, but when he met his aunt's gaze, he shook his head slightly and decided to remain unchanged in the face of all changes.
During the banquet, Concubine Zhao did not get close to Tang Ning, but only chatted casually with Princess Huan and others, while Concubine Xian was close to Madam Cui Shao.
Everyone became more lively, and the hall seemed lively and comfortable.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Yuchang suddenly whispered to the wife of Marquis Wenxin, "Mother, I want to go out for a while."
The wife of Marquis Wenxin turned her head and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhou Yuchang pinched her sleeves feeling a little uncomfortable and whispered something to the wife of Marquis Wenxin.
Seeing that her forehead was sweating and her cheeks were red from holding back, the wife of Marquis Wenxin feared that she had been wanting to go to the bathroom for a long time. Many people had left the room before the banquet, so she scolded her, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Go now."
Zhou Yuchang quickly stood up and quietly retreated from behind the table. After she reached the outer room, she asked the palace maid to take her to the clean room.
When Tang Ning saw her stand up and was wondering, she suddenly heard the senior virtuous concubine say, "Princess Xiangning."
Tang Ning could only look away: "Empress Xianfei."
Concubine Xian smiled and said, "I've heard long ago that Princess Xiangning is well-read and well-educated. She was taught by Old Tutor Rong since she was young. Later, she even distinguished herself in the Rongsheng Academy's examinations, surpassing all the other students there. I really like people who are good at studying. It's rare to meet a talented woman like you. I wonder if I could have the honor of meeting you?"
Tang Ning said softly, "Your Majesty, I am too kind to praise you. I was just lucky for a moment, how can I be called a talented woman?"
"If you can't bear it, no one in the capital can."
The virtuous concubine smiled and said, "Your Rongsheng Academy gathers talented people from all over the country. Even His Majesty often says that they will be the pillars of the court in the future. How can it be considered a fluke to be able to surpass them? If you continue to be so modest, won't the people in this palace be ashamed?"
Madam Cui frowned, and could tell that Concubine Xian was not praising Tang Ning. Sure enough, the next moment she heard Concubine Xian say:
"Today's banquet is quite lively. The Empress Dowager is in good health, and the snow is a sign of a good harvest. How about Princess Xiangning compose a poem to open the eyes of me and the other ladies and see what kind of girl is so charming that she can surpass so many students from Rongsheng Academy?"
Mrs. Cui's face suddenly changed, and she became annoyed when she saw that the table had become quiet.
She had always known that the virtuous concubine, who was born as the legitimate daughter of the Cui family, had always been arrogant. She had not been in the palace for long, and she was beautiful and had a very high family background. Before the Cui family got into trouble, she was the favorite concubine in the palace and could get whatever she wanted. Later, she fell out of favor because of the Cui family.
Mrs. Cui was afraid that Concubine Xian would feel aggrieved, so after entering the palace this time, she frequently went to Concubine Xian's palace to analyze the pros and cons with her and persuade her to let go of her worries.
Duke Dingguo now holds great power in the government, so even if you cannot win him over, you should not offend him easily.
The virtuous concubine had clearly promised that she would not embarrass Tang Ning, nor would she cause trouble for no reason, but she actually went back on her word! !
Princess Huan had long disliked Tang Ning and still harbored resentment for what had happened before. Seeing that Tang Ning hadn't spoken, she started to speak sarcastically:
"This Rongsheng Academy is a sacred place for students all over the world. Princess Xiangning was able to surpass so many other students in the exam. I believe she is very talented. We women have never experienced such glory as a princess. Not only is the Concubine Xian curious, but even I, the princess, would like to broaden my horizons."
"Princess Xiangning is a very considerate person. Even the Empress Dowager praised her highly. I'm sure she won't be stingy, right?"
She said with a half-smile,
"But if the princess doesn't want to compose poetry, that's fine too. A girl from the Rong family must be proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs. She can play the piano and dance. After all, today is a good day, and it's good for everyone to have some fun."
Rong Yue's face suddenly darkened, and Qian Qiyue also raised her eyebrows.
The other people in the hall looked at Princess Huan, then at Tang Ning, and couldn't help but fall silent.
Princess Huan's words were extremely vicious. If Tang Ning was unwilling to compose poetry and could not maintain her reputation as a talented woman, then her reputation would be in vain. Rongsheng Academy, which was known as a holy place for poor students, would also be discredited. How could a student who was surpassed by someone who had no knowledge of poetry and literature deserve the title of a talented pillar of society?
Moreover, what kind of place is Shoukang Palace, and what is Tang Ning's status? Asking her to play the piano and dance in public is no different from those singing girls and dancing girls of low status who try to please the nobles?
Rong Yue put the item in her hand on the table with a thud. "Tang Ning is of such status, how could she do such a thing to please others? There are many musicians in the palace. If Princess Huan feels that it is not lively enough, how about I have someone tell the Queen Mother and ask her to find some to entertain you?"
Princess Huan sneered, "Don't use the Queen Mother to pressure me. I was just worried that Princess Xiangning would be embarrassed if she couldn't write a poem, so I helped her out."
Tang Ning's face was cold. "How can I write poetry without Princess Huan worrying about it? Princess Huan has a daughter-in-law who came from a brothel. Could it be that she also likes the atmosphere of Fengyue Tower as much as Young Master Xie does, and even wants to have a lively party to cure the Queen Mother's illness and clear the haze?"
"If that's the case, you might as well go back home and let your daughter-in-law play the piano and dance for you. In this respect, no other girl in the capital can compare to her."
Princess Huan: “…”
That prostitute was not her daughter-in-law at all, and she would never let that bitch enter Prince Huan's mansion.
Song Tangning and the others are so shameless. They keep using this to provoke her, and they can't say anything else?!
Concubine Zhao frowned and said, "It's a nice banquet, why are you making such a fuss? Sister Xianfei, I've never seen you so fond of poetry and books before."
The virtuous concubine smiled and said, "It's my fault. I just heard that Rongsheng Academy is a sacred place for scholars. I also heard that Princess Xiangning is famous and the girls of the Rong family are as talented as men. So I wanted to see her. I didn't expect to anger the princess."
"Since the princess is unwilling, I cannot force her. Just pretend I never mentioned the poem. The princess doesn't need to force it."
The virtuous concubine's words seemed to be a concession, but in fact they were adding fuel to the fire.
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