The concubine is extremely cautious

Yixiu Palace.

Just as Wei Yingya was about to go out, she was blocked by Wei Yingshu.

The palace servants under her command rushed up like wolves and tigers and snatched away the gift box that Dong Wu was holding.

"Master, please look—" Qiu Shan opened the gift box and saw a scroll inside.

Wei Yingshu was a little surprised, "Painting? Unfold it and see!"

Isn't Wei Yingya good at writing poetry and making snacks? Is she also good at painting?

The maid unrolled the scroll and saw that it was a painting of "Fairy Peach Birthday Celebration". Even with Wei Yingshu's eyes, she could tell that the painting was extremely mediocre.

My painting skills are not as good as hers.

"You're just giving this to His Majesty?" Wei Yingshu frowned.

Wei Yingya didn't expect that she would come to her house to grab the gift. Seeing her frustrated expression, she was in a good mood:

"Yes. This is a painting I drew myself. It shows my sincerity to Your Majesty."

Wei Yingshu rolled her eyes speechlessly. "There are ten people in the palace who can send their own paintings to His Majesty. Your paintings are not impressive at all."

It is well known that Your Majesty loves painting.

I don't know how many people cater to his preferences.

With Wei Yingya's level, sending a painting would only make her look like everyone else and be inconspicuous.

"I am just expressing my feelings to Your Majesty. I have no intention of competing with my sisters. Could it be that my cousin is not sincerely congratulating Your Majesty on his birthday, but just to outshine the other concubines and show off?" Wei Yingya asked back.

Wei Yingshu was choked by her retort and became so angry that she was about to slap Wei Yingya in the face.

But Wei Yingya raised her hand to catch her and sneered:

"You and I are both beautiful women, who do you want to hit?"

Wei Yingshu could only pull her hand back angrily, "Just wait..."

After saying that, he turned around and walked away angrily.

"Lady Wei called Zhang Zhaoyi later, and you..." Dong Wu reminded sympathetically.

She felt sorry for her master, who was bullied by his neighbors every day.

"That's for next time. Can I let her beat me this time?" Wei Yingya snorted coldly, then thought of a trick, her face full of regret:

"It's a loss. She should have been beaten..."

Why did you stop her just now? Get a slap first and then complain.

I am half a grade higher than her.

Since the lower-ranking one beat the higher-ranking one, Wei Yingshu had to be punished.

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

"Forget it, just take the painting and go." Wei Yingya sighed regretfully.

Dong Wu put the discarded painting back into the gift box and suddenly realized:

"Master, did you know that the man next door would come and snatch the gift you sent to His Majesty, so you only prepared one painting?"

This painting was drawn by Wei Yingya yesterday.

The original owner had learned the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but of course, his levels were very average.

So Wei Yingya just used this very ordinary level to get the job done hastily.

It would be impossible for her to spend even a penny more or put in even a bit more effort for the emperor.

As for Wei Yingshu coming to snatch it, she actually hadn't thought of that yet.

"Coincidence, let's go."

……

Ning Wanyin and other concubines went to Jingxi Palace to wait. According to the rules of the Wanshou Festival, the concubines took their seats when the bell rang first.

Although they are not as good as princes and nobles, they are the emperor's women.

No matter how low his rank is, he is still the master in front of his subjects.

When the bell rang for the second time, members of the royal family took their seats.

When the bell rang for the third time, all civil and military officials and ladies of state took their seats one by one.

After everyone was seated, the Queen Mother and the Emperor arrived.

Cheng did not enter the palace today. She listened to Ning Wanyin and took sick leave, determined not to cause any more trouble for her daughter.

Now that the bell has not yet rung, the concubines are chatting in Jingxi Palace.

"What gift did Concubine Ning prepare for His Majesty? Why is she still empty-handed? Is she hiding it for fear that her sisters would see it?" Concubine Shi looked at Ning Wanyin in a sarcastic tone.

The Xue family and their clique have always been hostile to Ning Wanyin and love to stir up trouble.

All the concubines also looked at Ning Wanyin, enjoying the show.

"I have already given it to Your Majesty." Ning Wanyin looked at her calmly.

No one has seen His Majesty today.

And His Majesty turned over Ning Wanyin's card last night, so Ning Wanyin had this opportunity.

"It's still Concubine Ning who is clever and got the first happy event. She is the first one to congratulate His Majesty. It's difficult for others to have such calculations." Concubine Shi said sourly, implying that Ning Wanyin was scheming and calculating.

Ning Wanyin's watery eyes widened, "So Lady Shi didn't give His Majesty a happy birthday, because you didn't want to?"

Did she not want to? It was because His Majesty did not turn over her card that she had no chance.

Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya laughed out loud at the same time.

The two looked at each other, and quickly put on a serious face and held back their laughter.

All the concubines couldn't help laughing.

"My younger sister doesn't have the wisdom and intelligence of my elder sister." Lady Shi lost her smile and sneered at Ning Wanyin for being too cunning.

Ning Wanyin looked at her in surprise. "You just need to know about this kind of thing yourself. There's no need to tell us. Lady Shi really doesn't treat us as outsiders."

Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya, who had just tried to hold back their laughter, couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

Even some of the concubines who had originally been trying to hold back their laughter were led by them to laugh out loud.

Only Lady Shi was left, angry and ashamed, but helpless.

Wei Yingya had intended to lend a helping hand, but she simply didn't get the chance.

It was just the three of us killing each other indiscriminately.

The two of us were in charge of Gaga, and she killed indiscriminately by herself.

But then she thought again, she didn't win the argument when the original owner mocked her.

It seems that when it comes to verbal battles, no one in the harem can win an argument against Ning Wanyin.

My sister Ning is a member of the society. She is ruthless and talks a lot!

Concubine Cen was in a good mood after watching Xue Dang's joke, but she was reluctant to see Ning Wanyin die.

But Ning Wanyin didn't know what was good for her and rejected her again and again.

Since she can't use it, the sharper the knife is, the sooner it must be dealt with.

When Concubine Cen looked at Ning Wanyin, a trace of regret flashed across her eyes, but soon her expression returned to normal.

……

When the bell rang, the concubines entered the Chaohui Hall and took their seats.

Relatives and officials also arrived one after another.

Civil and military officials sit on the left, women of high rank sit on the right, and concubines sit on both sides of the main seat.

Wang Degui saluted: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

The Emperor and Empress Dowager Xue attended the event together, looking like a loving mother and a filial son.

Everyone stood up and saluted:

"Your humble servant/concubine pays homage to Your Majesty. I congratulate Your Majesty on his longevity. Long live Your Majesty. I pay homage to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"

Helian Qi looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, please stand up."

The guests and hosts took their seats.

The Minister of Rites, who presided over the palace banquet, was the first to come forward and offer birthday congratulations.

According to the rules, ministers above the third rank would compose poems in response to the imperial order to congratulate the emperor.

Some ministers also presented rare and precious items.

"Master, look, His Majesty has the sachet you gave him tied around his waist—" Lian Rui reminded in a surprised voice.

Ning Wanyin followed her gaze and saw that the emperor had replaced the lotus-patterned sachet she had given him, and there was a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Sachets are a very common gift.

Many concubines would embroider sachets, fan covers, clothes and shoes for the emperor.

But whether it was the lotus fragrance or the amulet, both were made with great care, making this sachet a little more special in the eyes of the emperor.

Of course, Ning Wanyin didn't think that she would be able to catch the emperor's eye just by putting in some effort.

There are countless concubines in this palace who care about the emperor.

The emperor's mind is unpredictable and difficult to understand.

All she did was fulfill her duties as a favored concubine.

It was a pleasant surprise that the emperor could tie the sachet around his waist.