Only this green, not disappointing the spring

The most famous thing about the Royal Hunting Ground is that there is a big waterfall inside it, called Dichen Xuanhe, but it is most stunning to see it only in the summer when there is abundant rainfall.

It was winter at the time, and the entire waterfall was frozen into a natural ice sculpture, which was quite interesting.

Imperial Concubine Jing invited the ladies of various families to go with her on the pretext of enjoying the scenery of the Dichen Xuanhe River. The men, led by His Majesty the Emperor, began their first hunt.

It is said that if anyone can shoot a tiger or a cheetah today, the emperor will reward him with a thousand taels of gold.

Shangguan Qingyue shuddered at what she heard, and couldn't imagine a group of people holding bows and arrows and shooting wild animals wantonly. Although she knew the principle of natural selection and survival of the fittest, she still couldn't take it for granted.

In comparison, she would rather endure the cold and watch the so-called Purifying River.

When the group of people approached and looked up, they saw that the steep cliffs were covered with thick white ice, like a huge jade curtain. Shangguan Qingyue couldn't help but sigh in his heart, it was really worth the trip!

Suddenly someone whispered:

"The jade waterfall and the icy forest are locked in cold mist, and one might think that it is the heaven that has fallen into the mortal world."

Then someone else said:

"The Milky Way does not ferry the Weaver Girl, but the jade hairpin hangs on the cliff."

The two pretty and elegant girls smiled at each other tacitly, feeling a sense of mutual appreciation as if they had met two close friends.

Imperial Concubine Jing smiled charmingly and raised her voice slightly and said:

"It seems like the girls are a little impatient. How about we just hold a simple poetry reading?"

After saying that, she casually pulled out a golden magpie-climbing-plum hairpin from her hair and waved it towards the ladies, saying:

"This hairpin will be used as a lucky charm for the poetry gathering. All the ladies can join in the fun. It doesn't need to be too expensive, just something to go with the mood."

When Madam Yang heard this, her face instantly turned green. Today, she had taken out all the valuable things she had hidden in the bottom of her box, and all the jewelry she was wearing was very valuable!

Nan Rongshu's face was also a little stiff. She was also dressed exquisitely from head to toe, especially the jewelry she wore, which was a complete set she had just ordered from Zuiyuxuan this year. Once she gave away any piece, she would never get it back.

Her sister really hasn't changed at all, she always does whatever she wants!

With the Imperial Concubine taking the lead, all the ladies readily agreed. As a result, the trays in the hands of the palace maids were soon piled up with various precious jewels into a small mountain, emitting colorful light under the sunlight.

Baili Nanqing looked worried and hesitated to speak. Madam Wan, who was standing beside her, didn't look much better. She had just let go of her daughter, and now someone was stabbing her in the heart with a knife. How could she not be upset?

She couldn't help but look in the direction of her own daughter, and saw that the child was smiling innocently and chatting and laughing with the second daughter of the Shangguan family.

Alas, she is not in a hurry at all. I wonder if she will cry if she makes a fool of herself later!

Several palace maids quickly placed the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone in front of the young ladies. Imperial Concubine Jing thought for a moment and then said:

"How about we use 'Ice and Snow' as the theme and have each of you improvise a poem. Don't worry about whether you are good at it or not, the important thing is to participate."

Shangguan Qingyue had memorized many ancient masterpieces in her previous life, but she would never plagiarize. A lie must be covered up with more lies, just like a snowball, which gets bigger and bigger. In the end, it will only crush herself.

Therefore, it is better to be frank.

Soon, the surroundings became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, and the only sounds were the rustling of ink grinding and the sound of paper flipping. Even Wan Linglong, who only had the craftsman's work in her eyes and heart, started to write.

Shangguan Qingyue bit the end of the brush out of boredom. If you look closely, you can see that she hasn't even dipped the brush in ink.

Imperial Concubine Jing kept looking in her direction from time to time, with a slight curl of her lips, using the teacup to hide the sarcasm and disgust in her eyes. Nan Rongshu looked in her direction, chuckled and said:

"My sister's suggestion to ask the girls to write poems seems to be a bit embarrassing for Miss Shangguan. But I can understand it. After all, she grew up in the countryside and may not even know a few words!"

After saying this, she couldn't help but chuckle, and quickly covered her face with a handkerchief, looking at Baili Nanqing somewhat embarrassedly.

She thought that after she said this, the Shangguan lady, who was once famous for her beauty in the capital, would look embarrassed. After all, if the top beam is not straight, the bottom beam will be crooked.

Back then, if she had not been completely lacking in the gentleness and virtue that a woman should have, the title of the most beautiful woman in Da'an Kingdom would not have fallen to her sister.

Unexpectedly, the other party seemed not to have heard it and remained calm, looking at her daughter with tenderness and love in his eyes.

Half an hour later, Nanny Rong tapped the teacup in her hand with a spoon. The crisp and pleasant sound seemed particularly abrupt at this moment. Therefore, the girls subconsciously raised their heads.

She looked in a certain direction, was dazed for a moment, then quickly regained consciousness and said loudly:

"Time is up, ladies, please write your names at the bottom corner of the paper and fold it."

Everyone followed their instructions, and soon a palace maid walked over and picked up the paper. When she came to Shangguan Qingyue, she found that she had not written a single word.

The little palace maid was suddenly a little flustered, and didn't know whether to just walk past her or put away the white paper in front of her.

Imperial Concubine Jing quickly noticed the maid's strangeness and signaled Rong to go over and check. After she knew the reason, she said unhappily:

"Second Miss Shangguan, why didn't you write a single word, but you are dissatisfied?!"

Shangguan Qingyue stood up and bowed respectfully, then answered calmly:

"Please forgive me, Madam. I grew up in the countryside and can only read a few words. I can't write poetry. If I write something sloppy, I'm afraid it will offend Madam, so I have to hand in a blank paper."

She spoke frankly, with a normal expression, without any shame or embarrassment. This unconventional move made Concubine Jing speechless for a moment.

After a long silence, she said calmly:

"You are really an honest person. It would be petty of me to blame you.

However, since the rules have been set, you naturally cannot make an exception, as a punishment..."

She was halfway through her words when she looked around and suddenly seemed to think of something and continued:

"It is said that there is a red plum tree on a mountain not far away, and the flowers bloom very early. You can go and take a look now. If it is true as the rumor says, pick a few red plums for me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Baili Nanqing suddenly stood up, bowed hastily, and said anxiously:

"My Lady, my Yue'er is a delicate and weak little girl. It is too dangerous for her to climb the mountain and pick plum blossoms by herself. Can I go with my daughter?"

Imperial Concubine Jing waved her hand in disapproval.

"Although Madam Shangguan was very skilled in martial arts when she was young, we have to admit that we are old. How can I explain to your family if you get hurt? The hunting ground is well guarded and very safe. Just let the maid go with her.

As children grow up, mothers cannot always watch over them; sooner or later they will have to take care of themselves. "

Baili Nanqing still couldn't feel at ease, and was about to say something, when someone suddenly pulled the corner of her clothes. She looked down and saw Madam Wan gently shaking her head at her.

In fact, she knew in her heart that the imperial concubine in front of her always had her way, and arguing with her was like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm. But, not being able to write poetry was a shitty crime, why should she punish her precious daughter? !

So, although she didn't say anything else, she still stood there stubbornly, looking at her little daughter opposite her with heartache.

Shangguan Qingyue sighed lightly and smiled helplessly in her heart.

It seems that he is coming for her again today!

Last time, the two problematic cakes were sent to the Third Prince by Bing Ling. It was said that the one beside His Highness, Zhu San, was the best at using poison. But even so, she never received any news.

She really couldn't understand why the imperial concubine kept pestering her when she had nothing to do with her.

Bing Ling's cold has not yet healed, and under Xiao Nan's treatment, she cannot use martial arts for the time being. Without Bing Ling's protection, she will not die here, right?

Seeing the impatience in Concubine Jing's eyes, she could only pretend to be relaxed and said:

"Don't worry, mother. It's just a climb. My daughter will be back soon."

After she finished speaking, she walked around the table without hesitation and walked away. After walking several dozen feet away, Bing Ling whispered:

"Miss, don't worry. Bai Er has been protecting you in secret and will never let you fall into danger."

Shangguan Qingyue suppressed his surprise, said nothing, and walked up the mountain at a faster pace.

But just as they climbed halfway up the mountain, Bing Ling suddenly grabbed her arm and froze her there. Her ears moved up and down flexibly, and her expression changed suddenly.

"Oh no! I heard the sound of a group of wild beasts running, and they are approaching us!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Er immediately appeared, changing his usual playful smile and asking with a very unpleasant expression:

"Bing girl, are you serious?!"