CHAPTER 490: CHAPTER 165: PALACE BANQUET (3) FACE-SLAPPING, FIGHTING!

Cold Plum Blossom Banquet.

Everyone held their breath.

A chill wind began to stir.

Though it was freezing enough to make people shiver, no one dared to tremble.

All because at this moment, Imperial Concubine Zhao Mengyu’s expression was cold to the extreme.

She even suspected that Ye Qichi was doing it on purpose.

Deliberately disrespecting her.

How dare she present such poor handwriting to her.

She had never seen worse handwriting than that of Ye Qichi.

However, due to her status and the widespread rumors of discord between the Chu King and the Chen King among the court officials, attacking Ye Qichi would lay her open to criticism.

So, she prepared herself to carefully decipher the handwriting and read it aloud.

Just as she was about to do so.

"The Empress Dowager arrives!"

A voice announced.

Everyone hurriedly stood up from their respective places.

Zhao Mengyu naturally did the same.

She quickly rose to her feet, greeting the arrival with great enthusiasm.

Although the Empress Dowager had always lived reclusively in the palace these years, due to her esteemed status, the concubines in the harem did not dare show any negligence.

Zhao Mengyu quickly paid her respects, "Your servant greets the Empress Dowager."

The others also hastily kowtowed.

"Your servant greets the Empress Dowager."

"Ladies, please rise," Wen Jingtang beckoned.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Everyone was extremely respectful.

Zhao Mengyu swiftly had the Palace Attendants prepare the seat of honor.

After Wen Jingtang was seated, she inquired, "I heard that today for the Winter Solstice Festival, the Emperor is hosting a banquet for the officials and their female relatives. Feeling idle, I thought to join the festivities."

"Mother’s presence certainly brings glory to the Cold Plum Blossom Banquet. It is my honor," Zhao Mengyu replied.

"With your glib tongue, it’s no wonder the Emperor favors only you," Wen Jingtang remarked half-jokingly.

But in fact, it was a veiled criticism that she had not provided heirs for the royal family.

The offspring of Xiao Zhanping could be counted on one hand.

And with the recent death of the Crown Prince, the family was even more diminished.

"Mother has misunderstood me. Just a few days ago, during the selection of new ladies, I helped select many beauties for the Emperor. The most outstanding are these two, Concubine Liu Xinran and Concubine Qin Junsheng. Come forward and let the Empress Dowager take a good look at you."

Liu Xinran and Qin Junsheng quickly stepped forward and knelt to pay homage, "Your servants greet the Empress Dowager."

"Lift your heads so I can take a good look," Wen Jingtang instructed.

Liu Xinran and Qin Junsheng timidly raised their heads.

Wen Jingtang nodded with approval, "Indeed, they are quite comely."

"Not only are they beautiful, but also brimming with talent," Zhao Mengyu eagerly added, "Eunuch Wen, show the Empress Dowager the poems written by the two young mistresses today."

"As you command."

Eunuch Wen found the poems written by Liu Xinran and Qin Junsheng and respectfully handed them to Wen Jingtang.

Wen Jingtang took them and after a glance, praised, "The poems are good, and the running script as well."

Having said this,

She then addressed Zhao Mengyu, "You have put great effort into this selection."

"It is my duty. I thank the Empress Dowager for the recognition. I shall certainly assist the Emperor in managing the harem well, and shall most certainly help the Emperor to produce heirs," Zhao Mengyu quickly stated her position.

"That eases my mind," Wen Jingtang nodded and asked, "What are you all doing now?"

"Your servant reports to the Empress Dowager. Today, as the plum blossoms bloom and the scenery resembles a painting, I had the young mistresses and wives recite poetry to match the occasion. I allotted them the time of an incense stick to compose their poems."

"Are they all finished?" Wen Jingtang asked.

"Yes, all finished."

"Read them all to me."

"Your servant obeys."

Zhao Mengyu quickly repeated the poems written by everyone to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager listened, her mood brightening.

She commented two sentences on each person’s poem,

Then inquired, "Why haven’t I seen the poetry of Princess Xiao Jinxing?"

"Your servant reports to the Empress Dowager, just when you arrived, it was only the poetry of Princess Xiao Jinxing that I had not yet reviewed, so I read the others’ poems to you first. I will now read the lines by Princess Xiao Jinxing," Zhao Mengyu hurriedly responded.

In her heart, she knew full well that since Wen Jingtang had raised Xiao Jinxing from a young age, she naturally favored Xiao Jinxing slightly more.

Wen Jingtang now deliberately bringing up Ye Qichi was surely intended to support Ye Qichi.

And now she must take the opportunity to make Wen Jingtang lose face.

Thinking this,

Zhao Mengyu picked up the Xuan paper of Ye Qichi.

Before reading, she took a deep breath again.

Wen Jingtang of course noticed Zhao Mengyu’s small gesture.

"Is there a problem with the poetry of Princess Xiao Jinxing?" Wen Jingtang asked.

"Not exactly, but this running script..." Zhao Mengyu hesitated.

Her expression suggested she found it difficult to speak.

"Let me see," said Wen Jingtang.

"Your servant obeys."

With that,

Zhao Mengyu personally handed Ye Qichi’s Xuan paper to Wen Jingtang.