After Leng Zian finished speaking, there was a moment of silence at the scene. On New Year's Day, saying something unlucky in front of the emperor would cause the emperor's displeasure. Even Huang Shixiong, who was always carefree, wanted to say something, but was stopped by Liu Dechang's eyes.
The emperor's brows tightened. It seemed that the rumor that Leng Zi'an was on the same side as the Wu family father and son was not false. If he forcibly took away Wu Hong's military power, Leng Zi'an would probably not agree. In order to avoid unnecessary disputes and civil unrest, the emperor pondered for a while and nodded slightly.
"The explanations given by the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Uncle are quite reasonable. Who do you think will win this round of competition?"
As soon as he said this, everyone present fell silent. At this time, Leng Xi, who had been speaking up for Luo Lan, spoke first:
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Empress's wife wins this round. The meaning of her painting is undeniable: unifying the country. This is a brilliant implication! Although this painting lacks much ink and brushstrokes, nor does it have many gorgeous colors, it implies that Your Majesty will always hold the Daning Kingdom tightly in his hands and unify it. Therefore, I believe no one will have any objection to declaring the Empress's wife the winner of this round."
After hearing his words, the emperor was overjoyed and nodded slightly. Huang Shixiong saw this and also echoed:
"Your Majesty, I also think that Princess Yu should win this competition. Although this painter's painting is excellent, the meaning is easy to be misunderstood. I hope Your Majesty will make a wise decision."
At this time, even though the Wu family father and son felt that Luo Lan's clumsy paintings were not worthy of being worthy of being put on display, they did not dare to argue anymore. They were eager to get the matter of the paintings over with as soon as possible, so no one dared to say anything.
The Emperor looked at everyone and saw that everyone seemed to think that Princess Yu would win this competition again. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face and he nodded slightly.
"In that case, I declare that Princess Yu wins this competition."
Hearing this, Leng Yu's face showed joy, and when he looked at Luo Lan, his eyes were flashing with excitement.
Luo Lan bowed slightly and said:
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Since Luo Lan has won, what General Wu said before must be taken seriously."
Wu Hong's face was ashen at this moment. Today's four rounds of competition really made him lose face. At the moment, he could only bite the bullet and said in a calm tone:
"How can I go back on my word? Princess Yu, if you have any requests, just tell me."
Luo Lan raised his eyebrows, walked slowly to him, looked at him, and said loudly word by word:
"Today, in front of the Emperor and everyone else, General Wu owes me three things. However, I'll leave these three things for now. When I go to see General Wu later, I hope he won't say anything wrong, or he might be accused of deceiving the Emperor."
"you……"
Wu Hong looked at her and wanted to get angry, but he saw her raise her eyebrows at him and even blinked at him a few times with pride.
Seeing this scene, he became even more annoyed. Wu Yuanzhang was afraid that his son would not be able to suppress his anger, so he hurriedly said to Luo Lan:
"Don't worry, Princess Yu. Today's competition is no joke. You're truly capable of winning three rounds in a row. I've taken note of these three things. If Princess Yu has any instructions in the future, just come to my Grand Tutor's Mansion."
Luo Lan's eyes sparkled playfully as she bowed to Grand Tutor Wu and said:
"Grand Tutor Wu is indeed a man of great righteousness and a man who always keeps his word. Luo Lan has taken note of this and will definitely pay him a visit in the future."
After she finished speaking, she lifted her skirt generously and walked slowly to the seat next to Leng Yu and sat down. She raised her hand to take the tea handed to her by Leng Yu, took a sip, and winked at him cunningly. Leng Yu's loving eyes were on her, and he was reluctant to look away for a long time.
At this royal annual banquet, some were happy and some were worried. After the competition, Liu Xi asked his servants to serve the food, and everyone began to drink happily.
After midnight, the emperor returned to the Yangxin Palace to rest. Seeing this, the concubines also left one after another.
The Wu family father and son were still angry about what happened just now, so they remained sober. Liu Dechang only took a few sips of wine. Huang Shixiong drank a little too much and began to brag about his achievements on the battlefield. Liu Dechang ordered his men to take him away from the palace. Prince Zhennan also drank a few more sips and was helped away by his subordinates. The royal annual banquet finally ended at the hour of Chou.
When Leng Yu and Luo Lan returned to Prince Yu's Mansion, it was already the hour of Yin. In another hour, it would be dawn.
Lying on the bed, Luo Lan was completely sleepless. Leng Yu had just come back from settling Leng Zian down. Seeing her lying there in a daze with her clothes on, he placed his hands on the bed, looked down at her, and asked softly, "What's the good of that?"
"Lan'er, are you tired? Take a nap."
Luo Lan pursed her lips, shook her head playfully, looked up at him, and said softly with her red lips pursed:
"I'm not sleepy. Today is New Year's Day. If I'm energetic today, I'll be energetic this whole year."
"Really?"
He was curious about her words but also believed them firmly. "Then I will wait for dawn with you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he took off his shoes, leaned in, and lay beside her with his clothes on. He pulled her hand to his chest and gently stroked her face with the fingers of his other hand. That face as white as porcelain jade was something he never tired of looking at or touching.
She turned to look at him, gave him a big smile, and then said gently:
"Happy New Year, my husband."
He was stunned for a moment, then grinned and said to her affectionately:
"With you here, I'm happy every day. Today, you really opened my eyes. How come you know everything? You really are like a fairy from heaven. I, Leng Yu, am so lucky to be able to sleep with you."
After saying this, he put his head close to her armpit and rubbed it like a child.
Luo Lan couldn't help but laugh, "Husband, you're already one year older, don't act like a child, I'm itchy."
He raised his head obediently, looked at her pretty face, and said softly:
"Lan'er, are you really from another world?"
"yes."
Luo Lan did not hide it, otherwise she would not be able to explain why she had so many skills.
"That……"
Leng Yu's face suddenly turned pale. Luo Lan saw this and quickly raised her hand to caress his face, asking with concern:
"Husband, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so unhappy?"
He suddenly held her hand, rubbed it on his face and whispered:
"I'm afraid..."
After saying these two words, he sighed deeply, looked away with empty eyes, and muttered to the air:
"I'm afraid that one day you will suddenly disappear, just as you suddenly appeared."
His words left Luo Lan silent. This was not the first time he asked himself this question. How insecure was he?
Her fingers stroked his face back and forth. Suddenly, she used two fingers to pinch his face hard. Leng Yu's brows tightened and his pupils dilated several times.
"Does it hurt?"
After she released her hand, she tilted her head and looked at him, grinning mischievously while gently stroking his face which had been pinched red by her.
"pain."
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