Chapter 252: Being Tricked
There is an extra-large mahogany round table in the dining room of the Prince's bedroom that can seat ten people.
The palace maids brought the food to the table one after another.
As soon as Shen Chuwei came in, he saw Xiao Jinyan sitting at the head seat of the round table, and Princess Xueyan was sitting next to him.
As people came in one after another, the huge restaurant suddenly felt a bit crowded.
Everyone bowed to Xiao Jinyan and shouted, "May your highness be blessed with good health and good health."
At Xiao Jinyan's nod, everyone took their seats one after another.
Shen Chuwei was pushed to Xiao Jinyan's side by two people behind her, as if they were afraid that she would not go.
Xiao Jinyan raised his eyes and looked at her, "Sit down."
Shen Chuwei responded and sat down.
Here, Li Liangyuan wanted to sit next to Princess Xueyan, but was pulled over by Concubine Xu.
Tao Chenghui helped push Chang Liangyuan over.
This was the first time Chang Liangyuan met Princess Xueyan, and she was planning to sit with her, so she didn't care when someone pushed her.
After sitting down, Chang Liangyuan secretly looked at Princess Xueyan who was sitting next to her. She had a pair of clear and beautiful eyes that would make any man's heart beat faster.
Although she was wearing a veil, her features were delicate and charming.
No wonder Concubine Xu praised Princess Xueyan as soon as she arrived. She is indeed beautiful.
A few days ago, Chang Liangyuan went to the Queen, and from what the Queen said, she knew that as long as Princess Xueyan chose Xiao Jinyan, she would be the Crown Princess.
How could Chang Liangyuan be willing to do that?
After entering the East Palace, she had only one goal, which was to become the Crown Princess.
What's the point if I can't become the Crown Princess?
After Concubine Xu had made all the arrangements, she sat down beside him with great satisfaction.
After everyone was seated, Xiao Jinyan started eating, and then everyone followed suit. However, everyone ate in an elegant manner, without making any noise.
Except for Shen Chuwei who occasionally made a little noise.
Shen Chuwei picked up the chopsticks, picked up the food and started eating. Lunch time was also the time when she was the hungriest.
Most of the people at the table had not seen Xiao Jinyan for a long time. They were of course ecstatic to see him this time and tried to attract his attention.
Shen Chuwei was enjoying her meal very much. Xiao Jinyan picked up some food for her from time to time, which made her eat even more happily.
At the meal, only Shen Chuwei and Xu Cefei ate and drank enough.
After lunch, we went to visit the garden.
Everyone rushed to walk beside Xiao Jinyan.
Concubine Xu and Tao Chenghui, intentionally or unintentionally, pushed aside all the women who were leaning towards Xiao Jinyan, including Princess Xueyan.
Xueyan was originally standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Jinyan, but because they were both wearing very complicated dresses, they were squeezed apart by the crowd.
Chang Liangyuan also wanted to get closer to Xiao Jinyan, but things were different now and no one would give in to her.
Shen Chuwei didn't like strolling in the garden and wanted to sleep after lunch.
Even walking on the road would not prevent her from feeling sleepy.
Suddenly, a hand reached into her wide sleeves and held her soft hand.
Shen Chuwei woke up immediately, raised her head, and saw Xiao Jinyan looking down at her.
She blinked her beautiful big eyes twice to express her confusion.
Xiao Jinyan smiled but said nothing.
Concubine Xu glanced at Xue Yan and Chang Liangyuan and mentioned, "I heard that Princess Xue Yan is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I wonder if she would be willing to learn from our talented women from Da Xia?"
Xue Yan smiled and said, "Thank you, Concubine Xu. I only know the basics."
Concubine Xu said: "Princess Xueyan is too modest."
At this moment, a loud and powerful voice came from behind, "I want to see it too."
When they heard the voice, they turned around and saw the emperor standing not far behind them.
Xiao Jinyan stepped forward and saluted, "May your Majesty live long and healthy."
Everyone said in unison, "May the Emperor be blessed with good health and good health."
The emperor waved his hands and said, "Everyone, get up."
The emperor was about to go to Fengyi Palace, but he unexpectedly met the prince and his friends.
Xue Yan said: "Since the emperor has spoken, I will respectfully obey your command."
The emperor laughed loudly and said, "Then let's compete in music, chess, calligraphy and painting."
After saying that, he looked at the woman behind the prince and asked, "Who among you wants to spar with Princess Xueyan?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei took two steps back subconsciously.
Upon seeing this, Concubine Xu also took two steps back.
Needless to say, Tao Chenghui just had to follow suit and retreat.
Xu Chenghui didn't understand the situation. After hesitating for a few seconds, he followed the main force and took two steps back.
Li Liangyuan thought about it and retreated as well.
The emperor saw Chang Liangyuan leaning forward the most, and he pointed his finger and decided, "Since Chang Liangyuan is the first to bear the brunt, then let Chang Liangyuan be the one!"
Chang Liangyuan had been keeping her thoughts to herself until the emperor spoke. She was bewildered, wondering why he chose her.
She looked around and realized that she was standing at the front.
She was standing with them.
Concubine Xu's eyes were full of pride. She snorted, "Don't you like to show off your talents? This time, I'll let you show off enough!"
Now that the emperor has spoken, how could Chang Liangyuan dare to refuse?
I have no choice but to go ahead with it.
Music, chess, calligraphy and painting are Chang Liangyuan's strengths, but I wonder what chances she has of winning compared to Princess Xueyan?
First is the art of playing the piano.
The young eunuch brought in two pianos.
Princess Xueyan and Chang Liangyuan took their seats one after another.
Shen Chuwei was not interested in the competition. She hugged Xiao Jinyan's arm, hid behind him, and began to doze off.
Xiao Jinyan lowered his eyes and glanced at Shen Chuwei, only to see that she had her cheek resting on her arm, her eyes closed, and she looked extremely sleepy.
With his father around, he couldn't let her go back, so he could only let her secretly lean on his arms and take a nap.
In the first round of piano skills, the two were evenly matched.
The second round is a competition of chess skills.
The emperor stood beside the chessboard and watched Chang Liangyuan and Princess Xueyan play chess.
Chang Liangyuan was a little nervous, which led to her loss.
The third round of calligraphy.
Although Xueyan is young, she can write very well.
Chang Liangyuan was somewhat depressed during this period because of the cancellation of the appointment of the Crown Princess, and her calligraphy was not as good as before.
There is no doubt that Princess Xueyan wins.
The emperor looked unhappy because Chang Liangyuan represented Da Xia and losing was a loss of face.
Round 4: Drawing.
Shen Chu was sleeping soundly when Concubine Xu suddenly pulled her aside and said, "Shen Liang Di, don't sleep anymore. Watch the show."
Although Concubine Xu spoke very softly, Xiao Jinyan could still hear it very clearly.
Shen Chu was half asleep, and stared at Xu Cefei with one eye, "What are you watching?"
Concubine Xu was very excited when she saw that Chang Liangyuan was about to be humiliated.
"Look, Chang Liangyuan is going to lose."
Shen Chuwei tightly grasped Xiao Jinyan's arm. Feeling sleepy, she looked at the competition scene with difficulty.
Xueyan put down her pen, took two steps forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for what I have done."
The emperor praised her generously, "Princess Xueyan is indeed a talented woman from Xueyue Country. This painting is very artistic."
Chang Liangyuan stood aside dejectedly, not daring to look up. Her face looked very unhappy.
There is no doubt that Chang Liangyuan lost this time.
Xiao Jinyan looked at the two paintings and found them not even one-tenth as good as Shen Chuwei's.
…
…The update is late because I was too sleepy.
Due to writer's block, these two chapters are not well written, so my dears, please bear with me.