"Luo Lan understands."
After bowing and replying to this sentence, she walked generously to the empty seat next to Leng Xi and sat down. Leng Xi did not forget to wink at her from the side, but Luo Lan ignored him. She did not have much good feelings towards the royal family.
She noticed Yu Qiaoqiao who was squinting and smiling at her. She nodded to her as a friendly gesture, and Yu Qiaoqiao nodded back.
When Acai and Ahong saw that their master had changed positions, they quietly came and stood behind her.
Everything returned to calm, and the eunuch in charge shouted loudly:
"Now, please allow the younger generations to present their birthday gifts one by one."
Hearing this, Wu Linlin was the first to speak. She sat where she was, bowed slightly and said:
"I had prepared a dance to celebrate Mother's happiness, but my waist can't move anymore. So I'll just play a song for you."
Hearing this, Concubine Chang greeted him with a smile and praised him:
"Linlin has been multi-talented since she was young. She is worthy of being the most talented woman in the capital. Although she is injured and cannot dance, she can still sing music. Mother loves to listen to it."
Being praised, Wu Linlin's mouth curled up slightly. She proudly took the pipa handed to her by the servant, and lightly plucked it with her ten fingers. The melodious music flowed out from between her ten fingers.
Luo Lan didn't think her song was that good. If she were to play it, she would definitely be tens of thousands of times better than her. However, she didn't like to show off. Since others were pretending to listen attentively, she might as well just listen for the time being.
At this time, Leng Xi leaned towards her and said in a low voice:
"Does the Emperor's sister-in-law understand music?"
"don't know."
Luo Lan directly denied it, "How can a country girl like me understand music?"
Seeing that she didn't want to pay attention to him, Leng Xi sat up straight with some boredom and shut his mouth.
The piece Wu Linlin played ended quickly, and everyone applauded and praised her endlessly.
Wu Linlin clapped her hands twice outside, and someone came in carrying something covered with a red cloth.
She raised her pretty face and said to Concubine Chang proudly:
"Mother, it's your birthday, and the Crown Prince is really busy and can't leave, so he asked me to bring you a gift on his behalf. I hope you don't mind."
After she finished speaking, she waved to the servants, and the red cloth covering the object was removed, revealing a huge jade ruyi carved from white jade.
This thing looked very valuable, and Concubine Chang was naturally very happy and nodded happily.
"Thank you, Yuner, on behalf of my mother. I am so happy for this gift."
The emperor couldn't help but praise it, "I like this thing very much. Yuner is really thoughtful."
Wu Linlin quickly replied with a smile:
"When Father's birthday comes, have the Crown Prince make a larger Ruyi for him. The Crown Prince said that this jade Ruyi will be used to celebrate Father's birthday, wishing him good health, wishing Mother all the best, and wishing the Great Ning Kingdom long-lasting peace and prosperity."
The emperor liked what he heard, and Concubine Chang was also very happy. Everyone praised her again, saying that the Crown Princess was beautiful and sweet-spoken, and that Crown Prince Leng Yun was sensible.
While Wu Linlin's eyes were filled with pride, she hated Luo Lan even more. If it weren't for her, how could she have sprained her waist? If she hadn't sprained her waist, her best Phoenix Dance would have amazed everyone again.
According to the order, it is now the turn of the people from Prince Yu's Mansion to come forward, because among all the princes, Leng Yu is second only to Crown Prince Leng Yun in age.
The Emperor looked at Luo Lan, who was looking down in thought, and asked:
"Princess Yu, what birthday gift did you bring?"
Luo Lan had no intention of listening to Wu Linlin's music, nor did she want to hear her flattering words, so she was thinking about what Leng Yu had said to her last night.
In order to find out about Nanny Sun, she made an agreement with Leng Yu before she came. She would find an excuse to stay in the palace for one night today, and go back tomorrow to arrange the people who would go to Ningguta with him, and prepare the items he would take with him on the road. They would set off tomorrow night before the city gates closed.
So she thought about bringing Leng Yu some of his favorite osmanthus cake tomorrow, and also some more silver. The weather there is cold, so she should also bring some more warm clothes. If that doesn't work, she would buy him a set of fox fur coats, but it seems that they are not available in the capital. If he had told her earlier that he wanted to go, it would have been great if she could make one for him.
"Princess Yu..."
The emperor's voice suddenly became louder, and Luo Lan, who was daydreaming, was brought back to her senses by his voice. She quickly sat up straight and said "Oh" in confusion.
Leng Xi frowned and muttered softly:
"Hey, sister-in-law, father asked what birthday gift you prepared for Concubine Chang?"
After Leng Xi's reminder, Luo Lan realized that it was her turn.
At this time, Wu Linlin was looking at her with glee, as if she wanted to see her make a fool of herself.
Everyone's eyes were focused on her, because everyone knew that Prince Yu's Mansion was very poor and certainly could not come up with a decent gift. Half of them were there to watch the fun, and half were worried about her.
Luo Lan stood up slowly. Everyone noticed that she didn't hold anything in her hands, and she only brought two maids with her when she entered the palace, and she didn't carry anything.
Realizing this, Wu Linlin looked at her and said with some pride:
"What kind of gift did Princess Yu prepare for Mother? It's so mysterious, quickly take it out and let us see it!"
Seeing Wu Linlin ask this, everyone looked at her, as if they were going to join in the fun. Concubine Chang seemed to see that she didn't bring anything, so she pretended to be generous and said to her:
"It's okay if Princess Yu didn't have time to prepare, as long as she's here."
As soon as she said this, Wu Linlin curled her lips and said contemptuously:
"Even though Prince Yu's residence lives in poverty, we still have to prepare some small gifts. This is the minimum respect for Mother. I think Princess Yu must have prepared some mysterious gift that she's keeping from us, right? Princess Yu?"
Her words were so harsh that it made people feel uncomfortable. Luo Lan smiled softly and retorted to her.
"The Crown Princess is indeed clever. Today is Her Majesty's birthday, how could you not bring a gift? My gift is a little special, I'm afraid none of you here have seen it before."
After saying this, she took out an exquisite square box from her pocket. The golden packaging looked very high-end.
Looking at the box in her hand, Concubine Chang asked in surprise:
"What is Princess Yu holding in her hand?"
Luo Lan bowed and saluted, "In reply to your Majesty, this is deep-sea fish oil."
Her words stunned everyone present. No one understood what she was talking about. The emperor asked with a curious look:
"What is this fish oil used for? For eating?"
Luo Lan chuckled and opened the box in her hand. Inside were two transparent bottles filled with golden pills, which looked very beautiful.
She took out one of the boxes, held it before the emperor, and explained softly:
"In reply to the emperor, this deep-sea fish oil is a beauty product developed by Luo Lan himself. When women apply it on their faces, it can beautify and nourish the skin, delay aging, and make the skin smooth and elastic."
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