Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Under the personal supervision of Zhu Shixian, the Vice Minister of Works, the renovation of Yafeng Pavilion progressed rapidly. Of course, he was very concerned about the bedroom of his beloved daughter.

On the other hand, the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching, and the Emperor and concubines in the palaces are making intensive preparations.

In Changle Palace, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother's birthday is coming soon. What gifts should we prepare?" Xiaohong asked expectantly.

"No rush. It's still a long way to go until the second day of next month." Yunxi answered without looking up from the book.

"But the concubines in each palace are scrambling to choose good gifts to give to the Queen Mother!" Xiaohong said anxiously.

"Oh? What did they send? Do you know?" Yunxi raised her head and asked.

"I don't know, but I can go and find out." Xiaohong bowed and turned to go out... Yunxi looked at her back and sighed softly.

After a while, Xiaohong came back and said to Yunxi excitedly, "My queen, I heard that Concubine Ye Shu prepared a pair of jade ruyi, Concubine Zhaoyi prepared a string of South China Sea pearl necklaces, and the other concubines also prepared various precious gifts."

Yunxi frowned slightly after hearing this, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Although these things are precious, they lack novelty. We need to find a special gift so that the Queen Mother will remember us."

Xiao Hong thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is right. So what kind of gifts should we prepare?"

Yunxi smiled and said mysteriously, "Come with me." Then he took Xiaohong to the study, took out writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and began to paint.

After several days of hard work, a beautiful painting was finally completed. The characters in the painting are lifelike, as if they could walk out of the painting.

Yunxi smiled and admired her newly completed painting intently. Every stroke was the result of her hard work and emotion. The characters in the painting were lifelike, as if they were about to walk out of the painting. She gently stroked the scroll, feeling full of satisfaction.

Then, she rolled up the scroll carefully, moving gently and cautiously, fearing to wrinkle or damage the precious work, and put it away, ready to present it to the Queen Mother on her birthday.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered an important matter. She quickly called the eunuch beside her and said firmly, "Come here! Help me take a message to the East Palace and tell them to ask the prince to come to Changle Palace immediately."

The young eunuch replied respectfully, "Yes!" Then he quickly walked out of the palace and went to the East Palace to convey Yunxi's order.

About half an incense stick of time later, the prince, accompanied by Xiaowan, hurried to Changle Palace. He walked steadily, his expression slightly nervous, but his eyes were shining with anticipation. As soon as he entered the palace, he respectfully saluted Yunxi and said in a loud voice: "Greetings, mother!"

Ever since he learned that Yunxi was his biological mother, the prince's love for Changle Palace has grown stronger, and he is full of anticipation and excitement every time he comes.

Xiao Wan followed suit and bowed, "Greetings to Concubine Xi!" She knew very well that she had to be polite in front of other palace maids and eunuchs.

"No need to be polite... No need to be polite!" Yunxi smiled when she saw them coming.

Yunxi waved her hand, signaling all the palace maids and eunuchs to retreat.

After they all left, Yunxi took the hands of the prince and Xiaowan and said affectionately, "Please sit down! I have something to tell you."

"Sister Yunxi, why did you ask us to come here so urgently? What's the matter?" Xiaowan asked somewhat puzzled.

"As you know, the Queen Mother's birthday is next month. I have prepared a special gift and I need your help." Yunxi said with a smile.

The prince and Xiaowan looked at each other and asked in unison: "What gift? What do you need us to do?"

Yunxi unfolded the scroll, revealing a beautiful painting. "This is the portrait I painted for the Queen Mother. I hope you can help me find a suitable way to frame it so that it will be more gorgeous and solemn."

The prince carefully examined the portrait and exclaimed: "Mother's painting skills are superb! I will ask the best craftsman in the Ministry of Internal Affairs to mount this painting."

Xiaowan also smiled and said: “I will go find some precious silk and spices to add fragrance to this painting.”

Yunxi nodded with satisfaction, "Very good, I'll leave it to you. The Queen Mother will definitely like this gift."

"In addition," Yunxi paused and looked at the prince, "on the Queen Mother's birthday, you must present this painting to the Queen Mother on my behalf and convey my best wishes to her."

The prince gladly accepted the order and said, "I will definitely live up to the mission." In the following days, the prince and Xiaowan went all out to find the best materials and craftsmen.

After careful production, the portrait became even more gorgeous and moving.

Finally, the Queen Mother's birthday arrived. The entire palace was decorated with lights and colors, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. At the grand banquet, everyone laughed and celebrated this important day together.

According to the plan made in advance, the prince carefully walked up to the empress dowager holding the carefully painted portrait and said respectfully: "Grandson congratulates the royal grandmother on her birthday. May you be blessed with as much wealth as the East Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains!" Then he handed the portrait to the empress dowager, his eyes full of anticipation.

The Queen Mother took the portrait with a smile and gently unfolded it. When she saw herself in the painting, her eyes lit up immediately. She was lifelike in the picture, as if a real person was standing in front of her. Every detail was depicted extremely delicately, from the hair to the folds of the clothes, all of which showed superb skills.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but smile with joy and exclaimed, "Who sent such a special gift? It really surprises me!"

The Queen Mother looked around, and her eyes finally fell on Yunxi. Yunxi stood up gracefully, performed a standard court ceremony, and said softly: "I wish the Queen Mother a long and healthy life. This portrait was specially painted for the Queen Mother, and I hope it can bring joy to her."

The Queen Mother looked at Yunxi with appreciation and nodded with satisfaction, "This gift is really unique. I like it very much. You are really thoughtful." The whole audience burst into praise and congratulated Yunxi. Yunxi and the prince successfully won the Queen Mother's favor with this unique gift.

The banquet is still going on...