Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Last time, we talked about how Ayiduo and Alina came out of Yongshou Palace, wandered around, and came to the Imperial Garden. She saw the beautiful peony flowers and reached out to pick them, but a tender and crisp voice rang out from behind, "How dare you pick flowers from the Imperial Garden..."

They were startled and turned around immediately, and then saw a little boy of eight or nine years old wearing gorgeous clothes, accompanied by some palace maids and eunuchs. Ayiduo and Alina looked closely and found that the boy had a handsome face and a hint of majesty in his eyes. He stared straight at Ayiduo, as if he was examining her behavior.

Ayiduo was a little flustered. She quickly explained: "I...I just thought the flower was so beautiful that I couldn't help but want to pick one."

The little boy sneered: "These flowers are for the ladies in the palace to appreciate, how can you just pick them casually?"

Ayiduo lowered her head and said nothing, secretly complaining in her heart. At this time, Alina stepped out to smooth things over: "Your Highness, we are new here and don't know the rules. Please don't embarrass her."

The little boy looked at Alina and his tone softened a little: "Hmph, forget it this time, but don't do it again next time. Which palace are you from? Why haven't I seen you before?" The prince said as he looked at them.

Ayiduo quickly replied: "We are new palace maids and are still learning the rules."

The little boy nodded and said, "I see. You must study hard, otherwise you will have trouble moving forward in this palace." After that, he left with his entourage.

Aido and Alina breathed a sigh of relief, smiled at each other, and continued strolling in the imperial garden.

Ayiduo and Alina continued to walk forward, admiring the beautiful scenery along the way. Suddenly, Ayiduo noticed a palace not far ahead. It was magnificent and splendid, as if it was integrated with the surrounding environment.

"What is that place?" Aida murmured to herself curiously.

Just as she was wondering, two palace maids happened to pass by. Ayiduo hurriedly stepped forward and asked: "Excuse me, what is the name of the palace in front? Who lives there?"

An older palace maid smiled and replied, "That is the East Palace, the bedroom of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Ayiduo nodded in sudden realization, then thought of the little boy she had just met, and asked curiously, "So, is the little boy we just met the Crown Prince?"

"Well...it's possible. After all, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does look very elegant." Alina agreed softly.

Ayiduo secretly sighed in her heart how lucky she was to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince here.

At this moment, a palace maid came running over and said breathlessly, "Empress Yihua, please follow me. The emperor wants to see you."

Aido and Alina looked at each other with confusion in their eyes, but they still obediently followed the palace maid to Xingqing Palace.

Aida and Alina followed the palace maids to Xingqing Palace, feeling nervous and excited.

As soon as they entered the palace gate, they saw the magnificent palace with carved beams and painted buildings. The two walked carefully, not daring to look up. It was not until they entered the inner hall that they found a man in a dragon robe sitting on the dragon throne, staring at them sharply. This was the current emperor.

The emperor in Xingqing Palace seemed more majestic than usual. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

Aida and Alina bowed to the emperor according to Turkish etiquette. The emperor looked at Aida and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

"My beloved concubine, you have just arrived, so there is no need to be polite." said the emperor.

Aida and Alina lowered their heads, not daring to look the emperor in the eye.

"I heard that you went to Yongshou Palace to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager today and behaved very appropriately. Well, I am very happy." The emperor said with a slight smile on his face.

Ayiduo raised her head, smiled shyly, and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I just did my job."

The emperor smiled and continued, "From now on, you should call yourself 'my concubine' in front of me. I called you here today because I have something to tell you. I want to give you a reward, and I hope you like it."

Ayiduo was secretly delighted and quickly thanked him happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift!"

The emperor smiled and pointed to the front, then said, "Please go sit down at the table first."

Aido and Alina looked at each other, both feeling a little strange, but still obediently walked to the table and sat down.

The emperor walked to the desk, spread out a piece of rice paper, picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and began to paint. His brushstrokes were smooth and natural, with delicate lines. Soon, a beautiful portrait appeared on the paper.

The emperor put down his brush, blew the ink on the painting, then rolled up the painting and handed it to Eunuch Chen beside him. Eunuch Chen took the painting, walked carefully towards Ayiduo, and handed it to her.

"This is a portrait I drew specially for you. I hope you like it." The emperor said gently.

Ayiduo took the scroll with both hands, opened it and was stunned. The woman in the scroll was wearing gorgeous Turkic clothes, with beautiful appearance and elegant temperament. It was exactly herself. She was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes and thanked the emperor: "Thank you for the gift! I grew up in the Turkic steppe tribe when I was young, and no one has ever painted a portrait for me. I will cherish this gift."

The emperor smiled slightly and looked at Aida with admiration in his eyes.

"You go back to the palace first. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me anytime." said the emperor.

Ayiduo expressed her gratitude again, and then left Xingqing Palace with Alina. After leaving the palace, Ayiduo was very excited. She held the portrait tightly, as if she owned the whole world.

After Aida and Alina left Xingqing Palace, Aida unfolded the scroll. She herself in the painting was lifelike, as if she were a real person.

"Princess, why did the emperor give you this painting?" Alina asked curiously.

Ayiduo shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

"Perhaps the emperor values ​​the princess so much that he gave her such a generous gift," Alina guessed.

Ayiduo was secretly delighted when she heard this. She carefully put the scroll away and decided to keep it as a treasure.