Chapter 826 Congratulating Myself First
Pan Xiuying lagged behind, and she just happened to see the disappointment and jealousy in Consort Shu's eyes.
There weren't many concubines in the harem, but it was no secret that the emperor favored the empress above all others. So, the women who married into the palace were merely there to complement the empress.
Song Qing stood there in a daze, her eyes fixed on the Emperor holding the Empress's hand for a long while. Before the Empress arrived, it was Consort Song who stood beside the Emperor.
Dong'er saw a woman in white walking towards them and pulled Song Shufei aside, reminding her, "Your Highness."
Pan Xiuying walked up to Consort Song and said, "Xiuying greets Consort Song."
Song Qing came back to her senses, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "You are Miss Pan, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Pan. Just now, Miss Pan wrote a beautiful piece of calligraphy that drew praise from many. As expected of someone born into a scholarly family, you are just like the Empress, dazzling wherever you go, which is truly admirable."
Pan Xiuying smiled and said, "How dare I compare myself to Her Majesty the Empress? Her Majesty is the bright moon in the sky, while I am at most a speck of dust on the ground."
“Miss Pan is too modest. You are also very outstanding,” Song Qing said again.
Pan Xiuying then flattered Song Qing, "Isn't Consort Shu's uncle General Peng? My grandfather often praises General Peng. Without General Peng's hard work in guarding the border, how could our Great Zhou Dynasty be at peace? General Peng is a true hero and a great man. We all admire him very much!"
Song Qing said, "My uncle always says that it's what he should do, it's nothing."
"Consort Shu is always modest, but actually, you are very beautiful. Your makeup is very unique!"
Pan Xiuying stared at Consort Song's makeup. This kind of makeup was actually very cunning. The base makeup was thin and light, seemingly without any makeup, but the makeup had to be done very carefully to make it look exquisite and pure and lovely.
Her eyes held a pitiful look, as if she wanted to evoke a man's protective instincts. She must have wanted to make it up for the Emperor, but unfortunately, the Emperor only had eyes for the Empress.
Song Qing did indeed rely on her uncle to enter the palace as a concubine. The emperor would show her some concern out of respect for her uncle, but that was about it.
She had two princes and had secured her position in the palace, but she still wanted to give birth to a princess.
Pan Xiuying then said, "Your Highness, please don't stay here. Let me accompany you to watch their academic competition. We are not military officers and cannot go to the battlefield, but here, even military officers can only watch!"
"Let's go." Consort Song said in a friendly manner, "Miss Pan was born into a scholarly family, so her learning is naturally excellent. Whoever marries the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Pan is extremely lucky."
Pan Xiuying unconsciously looked in Xie Qi's direction. Once inside the main hall, he and Lu Xuefei were no longer as unrestrained as they had been outside, and each went their own way.
Consort Song followed her gaze and deliberately said, "So Miss Pan likes His Highness Prince Qi."
Pan Xiuying was stunned. She pretended to blush shyly and said, "Your Majesty, don't talk nonsense. I didn't."
"You still say no, your face is all red." Song Qing teased again, "I heard that His Highness Prince Qi is now a favorite of the Emperor, and he will naturally be noble and extraordinary in the future. If Miss Pan can marry His Highness Prince Qi, it will be a great joy. I think you two are a perfect match. When you and Prince Qi get married, I must come and ask for a cup of celebratory wine. Congratulations in advance, Miss Pan."
Pan Xiuying said gently, "This humble woman also wishes Consort Shu to have another little prince, and for her relationship with the Emperor to grow ever stronger." She was going to become the Princess Consort of Qi anyway.
The two walked and talked, their voices neither too loud nor too soft, but Lu Xuefei could hear them. Even though nothing was actually going to happen, she was already congratulating herself.
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Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang walked to the long table, where they saw Grand Tutor Pan write the words "Universal Harmony" with great vigor and dynamism, as if divinely inspired.
His calligraphy is powerful and skillful; one cannot write such good characters without real skill. Scholars and writers have praised him highly.
When the emperor and empress arrived, no one paid them any attention. It was only when Grand Tutor Pan put down his brush and bowed to the emperor and empress that everyone followed suit.
Xie Shang said, "Today, please treat the Empress and me as an ordinary couple. There's no need for formalities; just relax and make yourselves at home."
With the Emperor's words, everyone present relaxed. Grand Tutor Pan said, "Your Majesty's calligraphy is excellent. Your Majesty, please write a piece to add to the festivities today."
Only Grand Tutor Pan dared to suggest that the emperor should add to the merriment.
Xie Shang's calligraphy was certainly excellent; he had practiced it diligently since childhood. He didn't want to spoil the fun, so he offered to "serve him brush and ink."
In an instant, an empty seat was made at the long table. "Your Majesty, please."
His calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, each stroke brimming with strength and exuding an imposing aura.
Grand Tutor Pan nodded repeatedly after looking at it, "Beautiful calligraphy, truly beautiful calligraphy!"
Jiang Fenghua stood to one side as Xie Shang wrote the character "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune). It was indeed a beautiful character, reflecting Xie Shang's profound knowledge of calligraphy and the auspicious meaning of the character. His intention was to pray for blessings for the world, which instantly drew applause and cheers.
The emperor's calligraphy is priceless.
Xie Shang signed his name and affixed his personal seal, then said, "Wuxin, have this 'Fu' character framed and hung in the Hall of Prayer for Blessings. I wish all the people of the world continuous blessings."
The emperor, along with his officials, prayed for the people, which moved them to tears of gratitude. After all, who wouldn't want to pray to the Bodhisattva for a lifetime of peace, happiness, and good health?
At this moment, Pan Xiuying suddenly stepped forward and pulled Xie Qi's arm to Grand Tutor Pan, saying, "Granddaughter greets Grandfather. You were looking for His Highness Prince Qi, so Ying'er has brought him here for you."
Grand Tutor Pan glanced at his granddaughter, his lips twitching. What kind of occasion was this...?
Xie Qi was suddenly pushed to the front. His face turned pale instantly, and he was a little nervous. He quickly bowed to the emperor and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Xie Shang glanced at Grand Tutor Pan, then at Xie Qi, and even unconsciously glanced in the direction of Lu Tingwei. He knew that Xie Qi was getting along very well with Lu Tingwei's daughter, but when did he become so close to Grand Tutor Pan's granddaughter?
Seeing that Xie Shang did not react, Jiang Fenghua took the initiative to help Xie Qi out of the predicament, "I have heard that His Highness Prince Qi's calligraphy is also very good. Why don't you also present a piece of calligraphy to add to the blessing ceremony?"
Xie Qi cupped his hands in greeting and looked in the direction of the emperor.
Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "King Qi, please also write a piece of calligraphy to pray for the well-being of our great dynasty!"
Xie Shang hoped that Xie Qi would not disappoint him. If a few more fools and incompetent people emerged from the Xie clan, the ancestors of the Xie clan would probably crawl out of their graves and curse them for being worthless.
In front of so many people, Xie Qi must not embarrass His Highness, the Prince of Qi.
Jiang Fenghua had seen Xie Qi's calligraphy and thought it was quite good. She believed that Xie Qi would eventually stand out and take charge on his own.
Xie Qi composed himself, walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and immersed himself in the days when he lived in the palace. Every day, besides studying hard, he spent the rest of his time practicing calligraphy. When there was no brush or ink, he would dip his brush in water and write on the desk.
At this moment, the surrounding noise also subsided considerably. Prince Qi was the least favored prince among all the princes by the late emperor, and he had no maternal clan to back him up. Now that he was appreciated and given important positions by the emperor, he was exceptionally lucky.
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