Lu Yingying said sadly, "But compared to all that, I'd rather live a freer life."
Wen Nongnong was very surprised. She did not expect that Lu Yingying would give up such a great temptation without hesitation. If it were anyone else, they would probably be overjoyed and happily waiting to be welcomed into the palace.
"I know this is presumptuous, but I can't find anyone to help me. Your Highness, could you help me find a way to avoid this?" Lu Yingying looked at her hopefully.
Wen Nongnong said, "I do have a solution, but won't you regret it?"
“I’ll regret it if I enter the palace,” Lu Yingying said with unusual certainty. “I know very well what I want, but entering the palace is definitely not what I want. I’m afraid I’ll regret it in the future if I don’t try to fight for it now.”
“Okay, I’ll help you.” Wen Nongnong agreed, and then whispered a few words to her.
Lu Yingying listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
After that, the two parted ways.
When Wen Nongnong returned to the banquet, Empress Dowager Guo had already arrived and was sitting on the high seat.
She had no choice but to step forward and bow, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you."
Empress Dowager Guo's gaze fell on her. She saw that she was wearing an orange-red dress today, and her already beautiful face was even more radiant. She was a beauty of unparalleled grace, and all the young and beautiful noble ladies in the room became her foil.
Seeing this, Empress Dowager Guo clenched the handkerchief in her hand, a shadow quickly passing through her eyes. After a long while, she said in a faint voice, "Regent Princess, you may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wen Nongnong stood up and returned to her seat.
As soon as she sat down, she heard Empress Dowager Guo say, "The weather is so nice today, and the garden is full of spring colors. How can we just sit here and waste this wonderful time? At the last palace banquet, the Regent's Consort's poem amazed everyone. I still remember it vividly. I really want to hear the Regent's Consort recite another poem to kick off today's flower-viewing banquet."
Wen Nongnong was taken aback, somewhat surprised that Empress Dowager Guo would suddenly call her name.
In her view, today's flower-viewing banquet was clearly a talent selection banquet held by Empress Dowager Guo for Gu Heng, and it was only right that the noble ladies should display their talents.
She had doubts, but still said, "Your Majesty, I am not very learned. Last time I was just lucky. If you ask me to compose a poem again, I am afraid I will not be able to do so even if I rack my brains. The ladies present today are all talented women. Why don't you let them compose poems for you?"
Just kidding. Those noble ladies are all waiting to shine. If she steals their thunder, wouldn't she be cursed to death in secret?
She doesn't want to be in the limelight like this.
Empress Dowager Guo was surprised by her refusal. She frowned slightly and said jokingly, "Your Highness is exceptionally talented. You already impressed everyone last time. Why are you being so humble this time? Is it because the Regent is not here?"
Wen Nongnong looked at her in surprise.
In her view, those who could sit on the throne of Empress Dowager were all extremely wise and magnanimous. How come this Empress Dowager Guo gave her the feeling of being petty and narrow-minded?
Why is she so persistent in attacking her? When did she offend her?
"If that's what Your Majesty the Empress Dowager wants to say, then so be it," she said.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Guo's face darkened.
How shameless!
She remembered the main purpose of holding this flower-viewing banquet today, so she turned her attention to the noble ladies.
"Although the Regent's wife's talent has suddenly dried up, I still want to believe that she is being modest and is not really unable to compose poetry. You are all welcome to display your talents and ask the Regent's wife to appreciate them."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong's lips twitched slightly.
Empress Dowager Guo must have a grudge against her, since she keeps trying to put her down.
What do you mean by saying her talent suddenly dried up? She still wants to believe it's just modesty. It's clearly a roundabout way of saying she's a complete idiot.
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