Chapter 63: We’re a team, she’s on her own.

Yixiu Palace.

Wei Yingya was about to go out when she was stopped by Wei Ying Shu.

Her maids, like wolves and tigers, rushed forward and snatched the gift box that Dongwu was carrying.

“Mistress, please have a look—” Qiushan opened the gift box, revealing a scroll inside.

Wei Ying Shu was a little surprised, “A painting? Unroll it and have a look!”

Didn’t Wei Yingya excel at writing poetry and making snacks? Could it be that she was also a master at painting?

The maid unrolled the scroll, revealing a “Peach of Immortality for Longevity” painting. Even with Wei Ying Shu’s eye for art, she could tell that the painting was extremely mediocre.

Her painting skills were even worse.

“You’re giving the Emperor this?” Wei Ying Shu frowned.

Wei Yingya didn’t expect her to come to her door to snatch the gift. Seeing her flustered expression, she felt very happy:

“Yes. I painted it myself, it shows my sincerity towards His Majesty, doesn’t it?”

Wei Ying Shu rolled her eyes in disbelief, “There are ten people in the palace who can give the Emperor a hand-painted work. Your painting is nothing special.”

The Emperor loved paintings, this was common knowledge.

Countless people tried to please him with their paintings.

With Wei Yingya’s skill level, giving him a painting would only make her blend in with the crowd, nothing special.

“I’m just expressing my sincerity towards His Majesty, I’m not trying to compete with my sisters. Isn’t it true that when my cousin gives His Majesty a birthday gift, she’s not sincerely wishing His Majesty a happy birthday, but just trying to outshine the other concubines?” Wei Yingya asked back.

Wei Ying Shu was speechless, she was so angry that she was about to slap Wei Yingya across the face.

But Wei Yingya raised her hand to block her, sneering:

“You and I are both Meiren, who do you want to hit?”

Wei Ying Shu could only angrily withdraw her hand, “You just wait for me…”

Then, she turned around and left with a huff.

“When Wei Meiren calls on Zhang Zhaoyi later, you will…” Dongwu reminded her sympathetically.

She felt sorry for her mistress, she was bullied by her neighbor every day.

“That’s for next time. Can she hit me this time?” Wei Yingya snorted coldly, then remembered a trick, her face full of regret:

“Damn it, I should have let her hit me…”

Why did she stop her? She should have taken a slap and then gone to complain.

She was half a rank higher than her.

A lower-ranking concubine hitting a higher-ranking one, Wei Ying Shu would definitely be punished.

Wei Yingya was very angry, she didn’t perform well this time!

“Forget it, take the painting and go.” Wei Yingya sighed regretfully.

Dongwu picked up the discarded painting and put it back in the gift box, she suddenly realized:

“Mistress, did you know that the neighbor would come to snatch the birthday gift you were giving to His Majesty, so you only prepared a painting?”

This painting was drawn by Wei Yingya yesterday in a hurry.

The original owner had learned piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but of course, her skills were all mediocre.

So Wei Yingya used her mediocre skills to do a perfunctory job.

She wouldn’t spend an extra penny or an extra thought on the Emperor.

As for Wei Ying Shu coming to snatch it, she hadn’t actually thought of that.

“Coincidence, let’s go.”

…

Ning Wanyin waited with the other concubines in Jingxi Palace. According to the rules of the Emperor’s birthday, the concubines would enter the banquet when the first bell rang.

Although they were not as noble as the princes and dukes, they were the Emperor’s women.

No matter how low their rank, in front of the officials, they were still the masters.

The second bell rang, the imperial clan entered the banquet.

The third bell rang, the civil and military officials and the wives of foreign officials entered in order.

Everyone took their seats.

After everyone was seated, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor arrived together.

Cheng Shi didn’t enter the palace today. She listened to Ning Wanyin and took a sick leave, determined not to cause her daughter any more trouble.

Now, before the bell rang, the concubines were chatting in Jingxi Palace.

“What birthday gift did Ning Jieyu prepare for His Majesty? Why are you still empty-handed? Are you hiding it because you’re afraid of your sisters seeing it?” Shi Meiren said sarcastically, seeing Ning Wanyin.

The Xue family’s faction had always been hostile to Ning Wanyin, they loved to stir up trouble.

All the concubines looked at Ning Wanyin, eager to see the show.

“This concubine has already given it to His Majesty.” Ning Wanyin calmly looked at her.

Everyone hadn’t seen the Emperor today.

And the Emperor had called on Ning Wanyin last night, so she had this opportunity.

“Ning Jieyu is so clever, she got the first joy. She was the first to congratulate His Majesty, others can’t have such a plan.” Shi Meiren said sourly, implying that Ning Wanyin was cunning and loved to scheme.

Ning Wanyin’s watery eyes widened, “So Shi Meiren didn’t give His Majesty the first joy, is it because you didn’t want to?”

Was it because she didn’t want to? It was because the Emperor didn’t call on her, she didn’t have the chance.

Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya both laughed out loud.

They looked at each other and quickly held back their laughter, trying to keep a straight face.

All the concubines couldn’t help but chuckle.

“My sister doesn’t have my cleverness.” Shi Meiren’s smile disappeared, she sarcastically said that Ning Wanyin was cunning.

Ning Wanyin looked at her in surprise, “You know you’re lacking in intelligence, you don’t need to tell us, Shi Meiren, you’re too inconsiderate of everyone.”

Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya, who had just held back their laughter, couldn’t help but burst out laughing again.

Even some of the concubines who had been holding back their laughter couldn’t help but laugh along.

Only Shi Meiren was left, angry and embarrassed, but helpless.

Wei Yingya originally planned to help and show her goodwill, but she didn’t get the chance.

It was like we three were going crazy.

We two were responsible for going crazy, she was the one who went crazy alone.

But on second thought, when the original owner mocked her, she never won an argument.

It seemed that in terms of verbal sparring, no one in the palace could win against Ning Wanyin.

Ning Jie, the social queen, is ruthless and talkative!

Cen Jieyu was happy to see the Xue faction’s jokes, she was actually a little reluctant to see Ning Wanyin die.

But Ning Wanyin was oblivious, she refused her several times.

Since she couldn’t be used by her, the sharper the knife, the sooner it needed to be dealt with.

Cen Jieyu’s eyes flashed with a hint of regret as she looked at Ning Wanyin, but she quickly recovered her composure.

…

The bell rang, and the concubines entered the Zhaohui Hall and took their seats.

The imperial clan and the officials also arrived one after another.

The civil and military officials were on the left, the wives of foreign officials were on the right, and the concubines were on both sides of the main seat.

Wang Degui chanted, “His Majesty has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

The Emperor and Empress Dowager Xue appeared together, presenting a picture of filial piety.

Everyone stood up and bowed together:

“Your servants/this concubine greets Your Majesty, congratulates Your Majesty on your longevity, Your Majesty ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years. Greets Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”

Helian Qi looked at everyone and said, “All of you, rise.”

The host and guests took their seats.

The Minister of Rites, who was presiding over the palace banquet, was the first to step forward and offer a congratulatory speech.

According to the rules, officials of the third rank and above would all compose poems and verses in response to the occasion, to congratulate the Emperor.

Some officials also presented rare treasures.

“Mistress, look, His Majesty is wearing the sachet you gave him—” Lianrui excitedly whispered.

Ning Wanyin followed her gaze and saw that the Emperor was wearing the lotus-patterned sachet she had given him, her eyes flashed with surprise.

Sachets were a common gift.

Many concubines would embroider sachets, fan cases, clothes, and shoes for the Emperor.

But whether it was the lotus fragrance or the peace charm, they were all carefully thought out, making this sachet a little special in the Emperor’s eyes.

Of course, Ning Wanyin didn’t think that just because she put in effort, she would necessarily catch the Emperor’s eye.

There were countless concubines in the palace who put in effort for the Emperor.

The Emperor’s heart was unpredictable and unfathomable.

What she did was just her duty as a favored concubine.

The fact that the sachet was worn by the Emperor was a pleasant surprise.