Chapter 87 An Lingrong 28
On the day when Jiuzhou Qingyan held Wen Yi's birthday party, Meizhuang specially wore a red cheongsam, which made her face look rosy and her teeth white, and she looked in great spirits.
Everyone knew these days that Shen Meizhuang, who had been given the title of Consort Hui, was pregnant and not at all troublesome. While other pregnant women would be experiencing discomfort at this time, she, aside from liking spicy and sour foods, didn't seem to be pregnant at all.
The emperor sent people to inquire every day, and all kinds of rewards flowed into Xianyue Pavilion like water. The empress also followed the emperor's footsteps and almost worshipped Meizhuang.
Concubine Hua, who had been confined to Qingliang Palace, also showed up this time, wearing a red dress. The moment they met, Concubine Hua nearly lost her temper, but seeing Meizhuang clutching her belly, her unintentional smugness softened her anger. She even gently called out, then sat back, sipping her wine.
Halfway through the banquet's song and dance performance, Zhen Huan looked tipsy and, feeling somewhat stuffy, she gave Ling Rong some instructions and quietly left the table.
After a while, Jingpin also left.
At the banquet, Concubine Cao suggested drawing lots to perform talents. The emperor was in high spirits and was naturally happy to hear it.
Lingrong smiled playfully as she sat in her seat. She suddenly wondered what Concubine Hua would do if Concubine Cao messed up.
She has always only cared about her own happiness. This fictional Qing Dynasty is more annoying than the real Qing court. She has no choice but to find some fun for herself.
Thinking of this, she ran out under the pretext of changing clothes. She came back before the queen finished writing calligraphy.
"Next... Lady Wan, perform the stunning dance."
How courageous.
Lingrong was even more pleased with Cao Qinmo. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she had the audacity to read out this sentence while looking at another piece of paper. If the emperor accidentally found out, even if she was Princess Wen Yi's biological mother, she would be in big trouble.
However, now no one in the palace cared about doubting the note in Concubine Cao's hand, but instead focused all their attention on Zhen Huan.
"Noble Wan is a very talented lady, but I'm afraid she didn't even have the privilege of witnessing the splendor of Empress Chunyuan that day, so how could she possibly perform a stunning dance? Noble Lady Cao's actions are a bit unreasonable."
This is Xin Changzai who speaks up for justice.
However, she was not very close to Zhen Huan, and her words were partly due to her personality and partly because she just wanted to make friends with this favorite concubine. Therefore, after being interrupted by Concubine Cao, she stopped talking.
Concubine Qi and Noble Lady Fucha were watching the fun and didn't mind making trouble. With a few words and some instigation from Concubine Hua, they put Zhen Huan on the fire.
The Queen barely managed to persuade him when Prince Dun taunted her with sarcasm. The Emperor, with his strong sense of self-esteem, naturally could not tolerate this. He immediately turned his attention to Zhen Huan.
"My dance is truly unbearable to watch. I'm afraid it will bring shame upon everyone." Zhen Huan glanced at the Emperor with some embarrassment. Actually, she was not completely unfamiliar with the Jinghong Dance. After all, Empress Chunyuan was so splendid back then. I'm afraid every daughter in the capital would have had someone teach her the Jinghong Dance. But while she knew it, she wasn't a master of it. She could only perform it gracefully.
After Zhen Huan changed into her dance costume, Mei Zhuang stood up and said, "Ordinary stringed instruments are not worthy of such a stunning dance. How about I play the zither and Sister An sing a song to entertain Lady Wan?"
Yinzhen raised an eyebrow at Lingrong and looked at her. Seeing her obediently stand up with Meizhuang, he coldly picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. Others couldn't see it, but he could tell at a glance that this little girl must have just been eating something secretly and was now busy wiping her mouth.
My heart softened: "Rong Guiren just drank some wine, don't make your throat hurt."
After saying this, he looked at Concubine Hui gently and said, "It would be more elegant if it were accompanied by the sound of the zither. But you are still pregnant, so please avoid overexerting yourself and don't push yourself too much."
Mei Zhuang naturally wouldn't abandon her best friend, not to mention she wasn't really pregnant. Ling Rong wanted to take the opportunity to shirk responsibility, but she couldn't do it too obviously, so she could only signal Zhen Huan and Mei Zhuang with her eyes and suggestively stroke Mei Zhuang's belly.
Although the two did not know Ling Rong's plan, they guessed that it was related to the fake pregnancy plan, so they nodded subtly.
After Meizhuang sat down to play the piano, Lingrong gently patted Biqing's hand, whispered a few words in her ear, and then began to appreciate Zhen Huan's dance again.
To be honest, it is indeed average, but you can also see that there is a foundation.
It was obvious to everyone present that the disdain on Prince Dun's face was overflowing, and he was about to mock. Unexpectedly, Prince Guo arrived even earlier this time.
The sound of his flute "Chang Xiang Shou" was melodious and graceful, with more complex emotions than Mei Zhuang's piano music. It brought out all the grievances, fears, panic, longings and infatuation that Zhen Huan had experienced in the palace during this period. Zhen Huan, who was excited at the moment, poured out all her emotions in the dance.
Lingrong suddenly realized that it was not because of how superb Zhen Huan's dancing skills were, but because the emotions she expressed through the dance touched the hearts of those present.
It's not a good dance, but it's a good dance nonetheless.
By the time Zhen Huan had expressed her feelings and slowly bowed, Yinzhen couldn't take his eyes off her. It wasn't until Prince Dun's inappropriate praise resounded throughout the palace that the Emperor, too lazy to pay attention to him this time, dismissed him with a few words.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much more harmonious.
At this moment, Concubine Hua deliberately drank the wine in the cup and shook it, making a noise, which made it impossible for the emperor to ignore it and he had to look over.
Then the usually domineering Concubine Hua was seen with tears in her eyes. She lowered her head in despair and was supported by her maid Songzhi.
"It's such a nice day, why does Concubine Hua look like this? It's spoiling everyone's mood." The Queen spoke first with some dissatisfaction. Seeing that the Emperor did not respond, she guessed something and could only let Concubine Hua stagger to her feet and recite the poem Loudong Fu.
After the banquet, Zhen Huan took the reward and had a fierce exchange of swords with Concubine Cao. That night, the three of them gathered at Chunyu Pavilion again, wondering what to do.
"really?"
"Biqing has taken care of everything."
"This time, Concubine Hua is doomed..."
Under the dim candlelight, the three of them smiled at each other, everything was under their control.
…
Two days later, the weather was unusually clear, so Ling Rong invited all the concubines in the Old Summer Palace to gather at the Xinghuachun Pavilion.
Except for the Empress who was busy with palace affairs, Concubine Duan who was unwell and missed the appointment, and Concubine Hua who was too proud to come, everyone else gathered at the Xinghuachun Pavilion.
Ling Rong deliberately surrounded the pavilion with gauze curtains, which blocked out the sunlight while allowing for fresh air.
During the banquet, everyone was specifically informed that since Concubine Hui was pregnant, to avoid any unexpected events, the food prepared was all suitable for pregnant women.
Now she has her own small kitchen in the Old Summer Palace. The food recipes she learned from her previous life as a queen are also loved by all the concubines in the palace. Even the noble lady Fucha is a treasure of hers.
After the meal, tea and snacks were served, and everyone, who had eaten and drunk their fill, looked visibly relaxed. The atmosphere was more harmonious and friendly than ever before.
"Hey, pregnant women should be careful when drinking this sour plum soup." When Concubine Qi saw that there was a bowl of sour plum soup in front of Mei Zhuang, she hurriedly spoke up to give some advice as she had experience.
Mei Zhuang smiled gratefully upon hearing this. "That's all right. I took this recipe to the Empress for a look, and the Imperial Physician removed the slippery hawthorn fruit. I only use one bowl occasionally to get rid of the greasiness."
Lingrong smiled and continued, "Empress Qi, please stop talking about her. There's a maid in her palace named Fuling who's an expert at making sour plum soup. My sister can't live without her anymore. She even brings her to my banquet just for this sour plum soup."
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