Chapter 88: All I See Is Her

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

Concubine Shu froze. She had been enjoying the show, but she never expected Prince Yu to jump up and step on her without any reason.

He stepped on her and dragged her through the mud.

Although she had never thought that the noble daughters of the Duke’s Mansion were anything special, as a woman from a family that was a vassal of the Cen family, she had known since childhood that she was not worthy of being compared to the noble daughters of the Xue and Cen families.

Of course, she was not convinced. But this innate, subtle inferiority complex was hidden deep in her heart.

Prince Yu compared her to Princess Yu, accusing her of being far inferior, he had hit a sore spot, and she couldn’t react for a moment.

Cen Jiejue didn’t speak up for Concubine Shu.

Because in her eyes, she and Xue Jin’yan were equals, while Concubine Shu was just a servant of the Cen family.

Prince Yu’s words were also true, how could she be worthy of managing the harem?

Furthermore, Prince Yu was belittling Concubine Shu, but his words were clearly a veiled criticism of the emperor.

The emperor was of low birth, he was scolding the emperor for being unworthy of his position. He was mocking the emperor’s taste in choosing people…

Was the palace banquet not going well because of Concubine Shu’s loss of face?

No, it was the emperor’s.

Cen Jiejue, who was enjoying the spectacle of the emperor’s embarrassment, was naturally happy to watch the show.

This blatant mockery was understood by most of the intelligent people present.

But no one would easily get involved in the confrontation between the emperor and the Xue family.

Only Ning Wanyin’s eyes darkened, and she suddenly stood up and said, “Prince Yu, your words are wrong! Palace banquets and mansion banquets are not the same thing, how can you compare them?”

“Mansion banquets are about the courtesy between host and guest. But palace banquets are about the courtesy between ruler and subject. His Majesty’s imperial wine is a great favor. Is there anyone who doesn’t know their place, doesn’t know etiquette, doesn’t know His Majesty’s grace, and only needs to thank him?”

You’re complaining about the wine not being to your taste?

Sorry, our imperial wine is a gift from the emperor, you don’t need to like it.

Prince Yu was furious and looked at Ning Wanyin coldly, “This king is talking to the emperor, what are you? You have no right to speak!”

“Prince Yu, don’t be impatient, your concubine hasn’t finished speaking yet.” Ning Wanyin lightly replied, then looked at Helian Qi and continued, “Your concubine thinks that Prince Yu is definitely not a rebellious person who doesn’t know his place and etiquette, but he is shallow-minded, ignorant, and foolish, which has led to these misunderstandings. After all, it’s only natural for Prince Yu, a mere subject, to not know the meaning of a monarch’s banquet, please, Your Majesty, understand.”

Prince Yu kept looking down on the emperor’s birth.

Then Ning Wanyin kept emphasizing his status, that he was a subject.

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin.

Among all the beautiful women in gorgeous clothes, only she stood out, bright and beautiful.

Their eyes met.

The young woman’s eyebrows curved slightly, her bright eyes filled with clear laughter.

At that moment, Helian Qi could only see her, his gaze was only on her.

The emperor’s heart was like a cold pool, but because of her, it rippled slightly.

“Ning Jiejue makes a good point.” Helian Qi was pleased, and he looked at Prince Yu and said, “I forgive your ignorance, Prince Yu, you should take this as a lesson in the future.”

With this back and forth, Prince Yu was speechless, he was so angry that he gritted his teeth.

“Prince Yu, His Majesty is talking to you.” Ning Wanyin saw that he was silent and deliberately urged him.

Prince Yu could only swallow his anger, he couldn’t admit that he didn’t know his place.

“Acting below your station, right?”

“This minister obeys the order.” Prince Yu said reluctantly, his eyes full of murderous intent as he glanced at Ning Wanyin before returning to his seat.

Helian Qi wanted to reward Ning Wanyin again.

“Wang Degui, choose two boxes of gold and jade jewelry from the treasury and give them to Ning Wanyin.” Helian Qi ordered.

Wang Degui accepted the order, “Yes!”

Helian Qi thought for a moment, his mind changed, he took off the dragon-patterned jade pendant hanging from his waist and handed it to Wang Degui:

“This, also give it to her.”

Wang Degui was startled, His Majesty was actually giving his own jade pendant to Ning Wanyin!

His Majesty’s personal belongings were not only the most precious things in the world, but they also had symbolic meaning.

They represented the emperor’s extraordinary love for a concubine.

Wang Degui quickly held the jade pendant and hurriedly ordered someone to fetch two boxes of rare jewelry from the treasury.

He presented them to Ning Wanyin together.

Ning Wanyin immediately bowed to the emperor on the dragon throne, “Your concubine thanks Your Majesty for his grace.”

Seeing this scene, many of the concubines present had already become accustomed to Helian Qi’s favoritism towards Ning Wanyin, secretly envying and jealous.

Only Wen Meiren was not reconciled.

She was pregnant, and the emperor hadn’t even given her a personal jade pendant.

Clearly, she was the person the emperor should be most concerned about at this time, but the emperor was focused on Ning Wanyin.

Since becoming pregnant, Wen Meiren had closed her doors to visitors. Today’s Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet was her first public appearance since her pregnancy.

Wen Meiren had also carefully considered before choosing to go out today.

First, the palace banquet was organized by Concubine Shu, if something happened to her at the banquet, Concubine Shu would be held accountable.

Second, the palace banquet attended by the emperor was not like ordinary greetings and gatherings, the palace servants and food at the banquet would be carefully checked by the people in front of the emperor to prevent the emperor from being assassinated.

The emperor and Concubine Shu had both checked several times, there shouldn’t be anyone at the palace banquet who dared to tamper with anything.

She just needed to avoid getting close to anyone on the way there and back.

After careful consideration, Wen Meiren decided to make a grand appearance at this safe occasion.

She was holding her breath.

When she first entered the palace, she was a Meiren, only one rank lower than the two Jieyus, she felt very superior among the new beauties.

She thought she would definitely rise step by step and achieve great things.

But…

She was demoted to Baolin twice, losing all face, countless people secretly laughed at her. Ning Wanyin and Ying Meiren were all in the limelight, while she struggled.

The tide had turned, now that she was pregnant, even Ning Wanyin couldn’t compare to her future!

It was her turn to have her revenge!

She wouldn’t be able to go out for another half a year. It was unlikely anything would happen if she went out occasionally.

“Cough cough—” Wen Meiren deliberately coughed twice, looking uncomfortable.

Concubine Shu had just recovered from the incident, seeing Wen Meiren like this, she asked, “What’s wrong with Wen Meiren?”

“Thank you, Concubine Shu, for your concern, your concubine is a little uncomfortable, I want to vomit…” She covered her chest, looking like she was about to vomit.

Morning sickness was very common, no one would suspect her if she pretended.

Concubine Shu immediately put on a virtuous air and said with concern, “I specially arranged for Wen Meiren’s diet to be free of meat, I didn’t expect you to still be feeling unwell… Perhaps you saw the greasy food on the table next door and felt sick?”

Helian Qi also noticed this scene and said, “You’re feeling unwell, then go back and rest.”

He was not happy that Wen Meiren went out for no reason, she should stay in the palace like Shun Bin.

“Your concubine is fine… Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern!” Wen Meiren quickly said, “I just feel a little nauseous, I want to drink some tea to settle my stomach.”

She wanted a cup of tea given by the emperor, to show that the emperor had special care for her.

But Helian Qi didn’t pay attention to her.

Concubine Shu, instead, took over with a smile, “Someone, bring Wen Meiren a pot of clear tea. Wen Meiren, you are precious now, just tell me what you want.”

Wen Meiren saw that the emperor didn’t pay attention to her, she was very discouraged, she glanced at Ning Wanyin and deliberately said, “I’m troubling Concubine Shu. Your concubine didn’t expect pregnancy to be so hard, the hardships involved, only Concubine Shu and Ning Jiejue can understand.”