Chapter 64: Enemies Everywhere in the Palace

A young court official stepped forward and recited a poem written for the Emperor’s birthday.

Helian Qi was delighted and bestowed great rewards.

This drew the attention of many people.

“Mistress, this is Song Jieyu’s brother, this year’s new champion of the imperial examinations, he has done many tasks for His Majesty and is highly favored by His Majesty!” Xiaogui, who was always quick-witted, had already investigated a lot of information about the enemy, he whispered:

“Song Jieyu only got to be promoted to Jieyu because she has a good brother and a good father. Last time His Majesty promoted her to Jieyu, it was just when this Song champion had just solved a major case! His Majesty was very happy and bestowed great rewards on him! He also promoted Song Jieyu’s rank!”

Lianrui asked softly, “Then who is the new champion of the imperial examinations? Why did His Majesty only praise the champion of the imperial examinations, the champion’s poem should be better than the champion of the imperial examinations, right?”

“The new champion’s poem was recited just now, His Majesty didn’t reward him as much!” Xiaogui said.

Ning Wanyin knew.

The Emperor was not trying to elevate the most talented person among this batch of scholars, but the one who could be used by him.

As long as the Song family’s father and brother didn’t fall, Song Jieyu wouldn’t have to do much, she would be promoted step by step.

The court and the palace were always one.

Ning Wanyin casually glanced around, and she noticed that this Song champion was looking at her.

Their eyes met.

He immediately lowered his head, his eyes darted around, his cheeks flushed red.

Ning Wanyin frowned.

Staring at a woman, such a reckless and lecherous act, the Song family’s upbringing was really quite ordinary.

The concubines in the palace presented gifts and congratulations one after another.

The Noble Consort sent a scroll of hand-copied Buddhist scriptures, Empress Zhuang sent a precious sword…

The Cen and Xue families both presented expensive gifts.

Many concubines also performed to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday, each showing off their skills, it was a dazzling display.

On the surface, the Emperor’s harem was harmonious.

“This concubine has composed a piece of music on the qin, to congratulate His Majesty.” Song Qingzhi blushed slightly as she stepped forward with her qin.

She originally wanted to write a poem.

But she was afraid of being outdone by Ying Meiren, so she switched to playing the qin.

As a famous talented woman in the capital, her qin music stood out among the other concubines who were performing.

Helian Qi also rewarded her heavily, just like he did for her brother.

When it was Wei Meiren’s turn to present her gift, many concubines were looking forward to it, but…

“This concubine has personally painted a birthday portrait, wishing His Majesty a long life.” Wei Yingya was very perfunctory, she didn’t even bother to think of a few congratulatory words.

The Emperor glanced at her painting, his expression was indifferent, he didn’t care much.

The concubines’ faces were different.

Wasn’t Wei Yingya very good at competing for favor? Had she run out of ideas?

Song Qingzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. She heard that Ning Wanyin had already presented her gift, the only one who could steal her thunder at the banquet was Wei Yingya.

She didn’t expect her to present such an ordinary painting.

It made her win easily.

She felt even better.

Wei Yingya didn’t care about everyone’s gaze, she calmly sat back down and continued to eat.

“This concubine congratulates His Majesty on his longevity. On His Majesty’s birthday, the lotus flowers in the pond are in full bloom, the lotus flowers are also congratulating His Majesty. This concubine specially presents the ‘Summer Lotus Painting’ from her family’s collection to His Majesty, to congratulate His Majesty.” Wei Meiren presented a scroll.

This ‘Summer Lotus Painting’ was by a famous artist of the Great Yan Dynasty.

When the Emperor was still a prince, this painting was as famous as his ‘Winter Plum Painting’, together they were known as the ‘Winter and Summer Double Wonders’.

The Emperor had also praised the “Summer Lotus Painting” many times.

The “Summer Lotus Painting” was worth a thousand gold, a rare sight. The Wei family had actually purchased this treasure, it could be said that they had spent a fortune to please him.

A smile appeared on Helian Qi’s face, “Wei Meiren is thoughtful.”

“Your Majesty, this concubine has one more thing to report. When this concubine purchased this painting, the painter told this concubine that there was one regret about this painting, that it lacked a poem. He felt that his literary talent was not good enough, so he didn’t write a poem, when he gave it to this concubine, he entrusted this concubine to find someone to write a poem for this painting.” Wei Meiren continued, looking at Helian Qi.

Everyone understood, she was flattering the Emperor, praising his talent, and asking him to write a poem.

But the next moment:

“This concubine heard that Ning Jieyu is talented and the most talented woman in the palace. So this concubine thinks that for the matter of writing a poem, please ask Ning Jieyu to do it!”

The entire hall fell silent.

The concubines in the palace had different expressions, many of them looked at Ning Wanyin with schadenfreude.

Who didn’t know that at the last poetry gathering, Ning Wanyin couldn’t write a poem and punished herself with a cup of wine.

Asking her to write a poem, wasn’t that deliberately making fun of her?

Before Ning Wanyin could refuse, Wei Meiren said again:

“This concubine is celebrating His Majesty’s birthday, naturally, this painting cannot have such an imperfect flaw. Ning Jieyu has deep feelings for His Majesty, she will surely not be stingy with her pen and ink, to congratulate His Majesty.”

Helian Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly, “There are many talented people in the court, there’s no need to use her, a mere woman…”

“Your Majesty always loves talent, and Ning Jieyu is your beloved, surely she is talented and the poems she writes will not be inferior to the scholars of the court.” Wei Meiren wouldn’t let go.

A look of helplessness flashed in the Noble Consort’s eyes. Stupid. You’re trying to trap Ning Wanyin, that’s fine…

But why are you using these words to block the Emperor?

Isn’t that saying that the Emperor is vulgar and shallow, that he would only like a woman like Ning Wanyin who is beautiful but not talented.

Helian Qi looked at Wei Meiren with cold eyes.

The Noble Consort smiled sweetly, “Wei Meiren presents a painting, Ning Jieyu writes a poem, both of you are congratulating His Majesty, sisters united, celebrating his longevity, it’s a good story.”

Ning Wanyin writing a poem shows the harmony of the palace, sisters united.

On the other hand, this was Wei Meiren’s birthday gift, if they asked another court official to write a poem, a man and a concubine together congratulating the Emperor, what would that look like?

It was also forcing Ning Wanyin to write a poem, but the Noble Consort’s words were much more clever.

Seeing this, Wei Yingya immediately stepped forward to save the situation:

“The Noble Consort is right. Sisters united, it’s a good story. This concubine, as Wei Meiren’s cousin, dares to request to write the poem!”

Wei Ying Shu glared fiercely at her cousin who ruined her plan, the Noble Consort had already subtly countered:

“We’ve all seen Ying Meiren’s poems, they are good. Don’t compete with Ning Jieyu for the chance to present a poem to His Majesty.”

“Last time Ning Jieyu said she wasn’t in the mood to write poetry, this time she’s celebrating His Majesty’s birthday, surely Ning Jieyu wouldn’t be in the mood to congratulate His Majesty?” Xue Jinyan said nonchalantly.

Seeing this, Song Qingzhi was overjoyed, she added fuel to the fire: “This concubine believes that Ning Jieyu must be willing to congratulate His Majesty.”

The Cen family, the Xue family, Song Qingzhi…

The various forces in the palace were all targeting Ning Wanyin.

With the words spoken, Ning Wanyin had to write.

“It’s an honor to be able to congratulate His Majesty on his birthday. Since Wei Meiren has given me this opportunity, this concubine cannot disappoint her kindness.” Ning Wanyin stood up after watching the show and said:

“Please grant me pen and ink, Your Majesty.”

Helian Qi’s gaze fell on her face, he couldn’t see her expression, “Wang Degui, grant her pen and ink.”