407 Talking about love, visiting the boudoir at midnight

Princess Anping sobbed and told the empress all the rumors about the imperial city, picking out the worst ones. The more the empress listened, the uglier her expression became. Fortunately, she still had some sense and suppressed her anger, then revealed a graceful smile.

"Don't cry, my child. You are the princess of Dongling, so noble. Why compare yourself with a pariah? No matter how much she cares about the country and the people, it cannot change her humble origin." The emperor did not hide his disgust and contempt for Feng Qingchen at all.

"Mother, I am unwilling to accept this. I am unwilling to accept this. Why does she have such a good reputation? Feng Qingchen is clearly using gambling to make money. It is clearly gathering people to gamble. Those people are blind and say good things about her. This is really too much. Mother, can you issue an imperial decree to reprimand Feng Qingchen?"

Princess Anping was really angry. When she heard those people say that Feng Qingchen was concerned about the country and the people, she was so angry that she accused Feng Qingchen of being vulgar and money-minded, and of using the name of being concerned about the country to make money.

She thought that she would gain everyone's approval, but she didn't expect those young masters of aristocratic families and noble young masters to say that she didn't understand Feng Qingchen's good intentions, and that Feng Qingchen came up with such a strange idea for the sake of the people of the world.

What a trick! It's obviously gambling. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this gambling game has made a lot of money. Why do the people still say good things about Feng Qingchen? Even those young masters praise Feng Qingchen one by one.

Princess Anping was so angry, but two fists could not beat four hands. Unable to gain the upper hand with words, Princess Anping returned to the palace to complain.

It is no wonder that Princess Anping suffered a loss. She did not know that although the bet was proposed by Feng Qingchen, those aristocratic families and nobles were the ones who shared the benefits and fame.

Those noble sons and powerful young masters who spoke for Feng Qingchen, their families were one of the initiators of this gambling game. Princess Anping said that Feng Qingchen was not good, which meant that she was also saying that they were not good. How could this be allowed...

Princess Anping doesn't understand the ins and outs of this, but the Queen does, so she can say that Feng Qingchen is a bad person, but she can't say that this gamble is a bad one.

This gambling game involved many powerful people. Although it only lasted for a few days, the power behind it was enormous. Even her mother's family was involved. Even she could not easily criticize the gambling game.

It has to be said that Feng Qingchen and Su Wenqing are capable people. They do not try to win over the prince, but they do recommend winning over one or two of the supporters behind the prince. This way, there will be someone to speak for them when something goes wrong.

The world is bustling with people, all for profit; the world is bustling with people, all for profit. The strongest relationship in the world is linked by interests, and the weakest relationship in the world is also linked by interests.

The interest alliance in this gambling game is only temporary, and their speaking for Feng Qingchen is also temporary. After the interests are divided, they will disband and everything will return to the starting point. Feng Qingchen understands this, and the Queen also understands this, but Princess Anping does not.

It would take a while to explain this to Princess Anping, and the Queen didn't plan to tell her. She only promised, "Don't be angry, my son. Feng Qingchen will be happy for a few days, and your mother will definitely help you vent your anger."

Princess Anping looked up and saw a flash of fierceness in the Queen's eyes. Princess Anping was shocked. She knew the look in her mother's eyes. Every time there was murderous intent in her mother's eyes, someone would die.

This look frightened even Princess Anping, and Duke Anping timidly called out, "Mother?"

"Don't worry, my son. With your mother here, no one can bully you." The queen assured again and again.

"Mother, do you have any plans? Do you need my help?" The fear only lasted for a moment. Princess Anping knew very well that her mother would not hurt her but would only pave the way for her.

The queen smiled inscrutable and tapped Princess Anping's forehead with her index finger: "You are so cunning, I can't hide anything from you. I don't need your help. Just be good these few days and wait for the show."

"Mother, mother, what have you done? Tell me, and I can help you." Princess Anping stopped crying immediately, her eyes shining, and she pulled the queen to act coquettishly.

"Alright, alright, stop making a fuss. Your Majesty will take care of this. A few days ago, the Imperial Workshop made a batch of jewelry. Your Majesty saw that the styles were exquisite, so she left a few pieces for you. Go and take a look."

"What's so good about it? It's just what the Imperial Concubine left over. My daughter doesn't want it." Princess Anping muttered. She said this but she stood up quite quickly.

"They are just some dead things. The Queen of Dongling is me, your mother, and this will never change." The Queen patted Princess Anping's shoulder, looking indifferent, but the cold light in her eyes made it clear that the Queen cared a lot.

According to the rules, after the things from the Imperial Workshop were presented to the Emperor, he would keep a few pieces for easy reward, and the rest would be sent to the Empress. Only after the Empress had chosen everything would the other concubines get their share.

But this time, the Emperor ordered that it be given to Imperial Noble Consort Xie first, because the Empress was very angry about this matter, but even though she was angry, she had to appear magnanimous on the surface.

In the harem, women compete for the emperor's heart and power. Without the emperor's favor and the support of power, even the queen can only suffer bullying.

Inside the palace, although things seem peaceful on the surface, there are actually undercurrents. Everyone wears a mask, and beneath the friendly surface, they hide fangs that can kill people at any time.

Ignorance is bliss. The ignorant Feng Qingchen had no idea that a conspiracy against her had already begun.

Feng Qingchen slept until dark. After dinner, he thought about how to deal with the competition with Su Wan.

Even if she no longer cared about winning or losing, she still had to make preparations at this time. If she lost too badly, it would definitely be a disgrace to Dongling. The emperor would definitely not let her go, and all the civil and military officials in the court would not let her go either. For a better future, she had to work hard.

Feng Qingchen was very wary of the Queen. She didn't plan to use the things the Queen gave her as rewards. But she had not forgotten the riding clothes that were torn by a single tear when she was in the zoo.

Women are narrow-minded. They can only see power and backyard struggles. Sometimes, for personal grudges, they can ignore national interests. Feng Qingchen deeply agrees with this because she is such a person.

She is not a person who can do great things. What does the world's affairs have to do with her? Judging others by herself, the queen is most likely such a person. You should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. Regardless of whether the queen has the intention to harm her or not, it is always right for her to be on guard.

After Feng Qingchen instructed Tong Jue and Tong Yao to sew a set of riding clothes for her, Feng Qingchen returned to her room and prepared to continue sleeping. She made up for the sleep she had last night during the day, and tonight was the sleep she had missed. Feng Qingchen knew her sleeping skills and was not worried about not being able to sleep at night.

But Tong Jue and Tong Yao didn't know that the two girls were afraid that Feng Qingchen would not be able to sleep at night after sleeping all day, so they presented the zither given by the Queen and the music sheet sent by the Duke of Anguo's Mansion, calling it "pre-match practice."

The competition is approaching, and Tong Jue and Tong Yao are really worried about Feng Qingchen's piano skills. Based on the principle that it is better to sharpen your sword before the battle, Tong Jue and Tong Yao hope that Feng Qingchen can create a miracle in the last stage and play beautiful piano music within one day.

However, ideals are full, but reality is skinny. After Tong Jue and Tong Yao played a song each and asked Feng Qingchen to choose which one to learn, Feng Qingchen said calmly: "You guys go and do your work first, leave the piano behind, I will figure it out slowly by myself."

In fact, she didn't want to learn any piece of music. When one is just starting to learn the piano, it is easy to cut her fingers with the strings. She didn't want to get her hands hurt. Besides, there was only one day, and even if she was a genius, she couldn't compare with Su Wan, who had studied the piano for decades.

Comparing the piano would be humiliating, so Feng Qingchen had no intention of touching the piano, nor was she prepared to let the strings make any sound. Although she was not afraid of rumors, she really didn't want to lose face.

"Miss, your competition with the daughter of the Su family is just around the corner. If you don't practice the piano, you will lose this level. If you don't want to practice the piano, then I will grind ink for you and you can draw, okay?" Seeing that Feng Qingchen refused to touch the piano, Tong Jue had to suggest another option. As for why Feng Qingchen was not allowed to practice calligraphy?

Everyone knows that Feng Qingchen's handwriting is really not that good and it won't get much better no matter how much she practices. Instead of expecting her to improve her handwriting, it is better to hope that she has a talent for painting.

As for chess?

Forget it. I can still make some improvements on the piano and learn just one piece of music, but chess requires a solid foundation. Among the four arts of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, Feng Qingchen can probably only make some progress on the two.

"I can't draw." Feng Qingchen was very frank. She couldn't do sketching, oil painting, Chinese painting, etc. Not only could she not draw, she didn't even have the ability to appreciate.

She couldn't understand the rhythm of ink painting, nor did she understand the beauty of oil painting.

Tong Jue and Tong Yao looked at each other, and the two girls lowered their heads: "Miss, what about the competition the day after tomorrow?" They were really worried that Feng Qingchen had nothing to show for herself.

"Don't worry, I have my own plans. You guys go down first, and rest early if you have nothing to do." Feng Qingchen knew that Tong Jue and Tong Yao were worried, and knew that they were not the only ones who were worried, but...

No matter how much she worries, it cannot change the fact that she knows nothing. She is not a girl who grew up with ancient traditional education. Not to mention her, even the previous Feng Qingchen was not sure that he could beat Su Wan in music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

Tong Jue and Tong Yao knew that Feng Qingchen had made the decision, and they had no right to question it. Feeling lost and uneasy, the two women walked out in silence.

Feng Qingchen sat on the chair, staring at the piano in a daze. He thought for a long time but couldn't think of any good solution. Feng Qingchen didn't want to torture himself anymore, so he got up and prepared to go to bed.

"Feng Qingchen, how do you plan to defeat Su Wan?" A familiar voice came from behind. Feng Qingchen paused and looked in the direction of the voice: "Lan Jiuqing?"

"If it's not me, who do you think it is?" Lan Jiuqing walked out from the darkness, the candlelight reflected on his mask, flickering.

"Who else would break into my boudoir in the middle of the night except you?" Knowing who the visitor was, Feng Qingchen let down his guard, motioned Lan Jiuqing to sit down, poured two cups of tea, and pushed one of them in front of Lan Jiuqing. Feng Qingchen asked naturally...