The Regent Princess has run away again

Xue Zhiyu had just returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion when she heard a servant come over to report: "Miss San, the eldest lady said that you should go to the palace with her tomorrow. The Queen Mother is holding a banquet for all the beauties."

A banquet for beauties?

Xiao Qiu walked forward and explained in a low voice: "The Queen holds an event every year. Everyone is invited regardless of whether they are married or not. The competition is all about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and songs. Last year, the most talented woman was the eldest daughter."

When Xue Zhiyu heard this, she immediately understood what Xue Yumei meant. Didn't she just want her to set off her, the talented lady from the prime minister's mansion? If she didn't go, she would be doing herself a disservice.

"Well, I understand, you go down first."

"Yes."

After the attendant left, Xiao Qiu saw Xue Zhiyu holding the scroll in her hand. Although she didn't want to undermine the young lady's self-confidence, she still had to say it.

"Miss, you haven't participated in previous years. Are you planning to participate this time?"

"My elder sister has invited me to go with her. If I don't go, I will be disrespectful to her. I will definitely go."

"Miss, what are you going to compete in?"

Xue Zhiyu turned around and looked at Xiaoqiu in a mysterious manner: "The secret cannot be revealed, you will know when the time comes," then turned and walked towards the corridor.

After the master and servant left, the maid who was hiding not far away hurried towards Yanan Garden.

"What else did you hear?"

"Miss San didn't reveal anything else."

Xue Yumei waved her hand, signaling the maid to go down and wait.

"Big sister, I really hate that little bitch Xue Zhiyu. It was she who caused me to lose my innocence and have no choice but to give myself to Cai Wentao! I am the legitimate daughter of the prime minister's mansion, but in the end I can only be a concubine, not even a wife!"

Xue Yulu wished she could bite that bitch to death. The silk handkerchief in her hand was almost torn in half, and her eyes were filled with intense hatred.

Xue Yumei was very disdainful of idiots like Xue Yulou. Not only did her plan fail, but she also got herself trapped. However, this kind of person was the best chess piece.

Thinking of this, she sighed, reached out and patted Xue Yulu's hand: "Zhiyu was not married at that time, so her behavior was somewhat inappropriate. You should not get angry now in your current state, and you should also be careful at the banquet tomorrow."

Xue Yulu quickly thought of a good idea. She held Xue Yumei's hand and said gratefully, "Thank you, elder sister!"

"Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?"

"It's okay, it's okay. I just want to thank Big Sister for taking me to the Banquet tomorrow."

After dinner, Xue Zhiyu lay on a bamboo recliner, fanning herself with a round fan and eating grapes happily.

The cool breeze blew the branches above, making a pleasant rustling sound, and the moonlight shone through the gaps onto the woman's delicate face.

"Ms. Xue looks very relaxed."

Xue Zhiyu didn't even need to look at who the visitor was. Who else could it be except the little thief who liked to break into other people's houses at night?

"I say, sir, you have too much free time. You don't come to visit me for no reason."

Nangong Ye looked at her pouting lips, and the smile in his eyes deepened. He jumped down from the roof lightly, picked up a grape and threw it into his mouth without hesitation.

"Miss Xue's words really make me sad. I haven't seen you for a long time, so I came here to visit you."

Xue Zhiyu paused while waving the round fan. She looked at the man wearing the silver mask, wanting to see how thick-skinned he was.

Then, rolling her eyes and deciding to ignore him, she sat up a little and took another grape from the fruit bowl.

Nangong Ye was not annoyed. He sat on the stone bench next to him, supporting his chin with one hand, staring at Xue Zhiyu without blinking.

He seemed to be a little confused about her again. Why was she so eager to do business recently, and what was her relationship with the people from the Western Regions?

"Miss Xue, will you attend the banquet for all the beauties tomorrow?"

"Go ahead, a lot of interesting things will definitely happen at such a lively banquet." Half of them will definitely be related to her, but she is still looking forward to whether she, a concubine's daughter, will make the fun tomorrow or just watch others have fun.

Nangong Ye was thinking thoughtfully, and Xue Zhiyu was also thinking about tomorrow's banquet. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Hey, you should go now. I have to get my beauty sleep. I'll give you all the grapes."

"Ms. Xue is so heartless. She chased me away not long after I arrived. Well, see you next time," Nangong Ye picked up the remaining bunch of grapes from the fruit plate. While Xue Zhiyu didn't react, he took out something from his arms and inserted it into her hair. Then he left after a few jumps.

Xue Zhiyu was stunned for a moment, then reached out to take the thing he had inserted in his hair. It was a fine purple jade hairpin with gold inlay.

. . . . . .

Carriages symbolizing various families went to the palace gate one after another. The street was very lively. Many people were standing on the street, watching this grand scene curiously.

"Don't be nervous, sister Zhiyu. Although you have never learned to read, you are smart after all. Just say whatever you think."

Xue Yumei walked forward and spoke as if she was considerate of her, but all her words were mocking her for being an illiterate person who had never been to school.

Xue Zhiyu didn't intend to pay attention to her. She called Xiaoqiu and walked into the palace with the other noble ladies.

"Look at her, sis!"

"This is the palace gate, please be careful what you say and do."

Xue Yulu had no choice but to hold back what she was about to say, readjusted her posture, put on a decent smile, and followed him.

Anyway, she will make sure that little bitch will never be able to turn over again today!

The banquet for beauties was arranged separately for men and women, with men seated in the Cuizhu Garden and women in the Baihua Garden.

The ladies from different families had different styles of dress, but they were all eye-catching, with good looks and gorgeous looks, and there were also a few old acquaintances.

Look, he's coming over here.

Song Yaxuan, the eldest daughter of the Dali Temple Minister, Jiang Wenwen, the eldest daughter of the Cabinet Scholar, and Zhao Hanming, the second daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

"Long time no see Sister Yumei, this must be Sister Yulu."

Zhao Hanming spoke first. Although he looked down on Xue Yulou, who was a legitimate daughter but became someone else's concubine, and a son of a corrupt official like Cai Wentao, he still greeted her for the sake of Sister Yumei.

The others followed suit and greeted him, automatically ignoring Xue Zhiyu who was not far ahead.

Xue Zhiyu didn't care too much about it. Instead, she thought it was good as it would give her some peace and quiet.

"My Lord, do you mind if I go with you?"

Chen Shanrong came over, hesitated for a while, and finally asked, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"No problem, Miss Chen, you are so polite. How is Mrs. Chen?"

Hearing her asking about her mother's health, Chen Shanrong was touched and delighted: "My mother is still recovering, but the doctor said she is more energetic now than before, all thanks to the princess."

This little girl is very filial. What she thinks is reflected on her face. She is a very honest person.

As they walked and talked, they felt like they had met too late.

In the Hundred Flowers Garden, the Queen Mother sent down word that the ladies from each family could sit wherever they wanted. Plus, the ladies present were all of similar age, so they were naturally not so restrained when talking.

Chen Shanrong has been discussing this year's banquet with Xue Zhiyu. Due to the floods and droughts in the south, a lot of unnecessary expenses have been reduced this year compared to previous years.

"Zhiyu, are you going to write poetry or play the piano?"

"I haven't thought about it yet. Let's see when the time comes. What about you, what are you going to perform?" Xue Zhiyu really didn't care. She didn't want to be in the spotlight.

"I plan to paint. After all, I'm good at it. Unlike other young ladies, who are proficient in everything, such as music, chess, calligraphy and painting," Chen Shanrong became more and more embarrassed as she spoke. However, she had only been interested in painting since she was a child, and her mother did not force her to learn it.

"Everyone is good at different things. Being proficient in one aspect is already outstanding. Don't think too much," Xue Zhiyu said lightly.

Before the Queen came, she planned to take a walk with Chen Shanrong, but she saw a few annoying flies out of the corner of her eye and she frowned subconsciously.

"The princess is so proud that she doesn't even say hello when she sees us. Does she look down on us?"

Song Yaxuan walked over, with undisguised contempt in her eyes. She was just a concubine's daughter who became a princess because of luck. What was so great about that!

"Since you know I'm a princess, why don't you show courtesy to me when you see me? Instead, you act and speak like a shrew in the city. You don't behave like a lady from an aristocratic family at all. You are simply bringing shame to Lord Song."

Xue Zhiyu looked at her coldly, and a heavy pressure unconsciously emanated from her body, causing the noble ladies present to lower their heads subconsciously, not daring to look at her.

Song Yaxuan was also frightened by her pressure. Her face turned pale. She gritted her teeth and continued to speak unyieldingly, "Don't scare me here. You were rude first. Does that mean the princess can be so arrogant?"

"Oh? What you said is interesting. Tell me how I was rude. Tell it to the ladies present. We all have the ability to distinguish right from wrong. Let's see who is rude!"

At the end, Xue Zhiyu raised her voice a little, staring at Song Yaxuan in front of her without blinking.

Song Yaxuan subconsciously took a few steps back, too nervous to know what to say. When did this Miss Xue become so strong? It was too scary.

Chen Shanrong glanced at the noble ladies present, stepped forward and said, "It was obviously Miss Song who was rude first. Not only did she not salute the princess, but she also spoke insolently. I saw it clearly from the side."

Several noble ladies who disliked Song Yaxuan also responded.

"I think Miss Chen is right. She must have been rude to the princess first."

"Yes, I think so too."

"Song Yaxuan relied on her father being a cabinet scholar to bully many people. Now she has angered the new princess. She deserves it!"

"We all agree with what Miss Chen said."

“You guys...you guys! You’re going too far!”

Song Yaxuan pointed at the noble lady who stood up to speak for Xue Zhiyu, her eyes widened and her ears turned red with anger. These bitches actually took advantage of her misfortune!

Seeing that she was about to lose control, Zhao Hanming quickly stepped forward to smooth things over and said, "Forget it, Yaxuan. It will be bad if the Queen comes and sees this later."

After hearing the words "Empress", Song Yaxuan had to suppress her anger. She snorted, flicked her sleeves and turned away.

Zhao Hanming glanced at her dimly, shocked at her change. Is she still the useless person who was bullied by others?

For a moment, all the noble ladies lowered their voices. From time to time, a few eyes looked over, but soon looked away.

"The Queen is here!"

A shrill eunuch's voice sounded, and a bright yellow phoenix sedan slowly appeared in front of everyone. On the sedan sat a woman dressed in the attire that symbolized the queen. She sat dignifiedly, full of majesty.

The current emperor and empress are childhood sweethearts, but the empress is several years younger than the emperor, probably around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her gorgeous appearance is not particularly outstanding in this huge harem, especially since she had met Concubine Zhao the last time she entered the palace. One can imagine that the harem is filled with stunning beauties.

"Long live the Queen, long live the Queen, long live the Queen!!!"

Xue Zhiyu thought about this while following the other noble ladies in paying their respects.

Queen Yu Jingshu glanced at everyone and finally stopped at Xue Zhiyu for a while, then quickly looked away and said lightly: "Stand up, no need to be polite, just follow the usual practice," and then she stood up and walked towards the main seat in front.

After the Queen took her seat, the ladies stood up and sat down in their seats.

The eunuch in charge of reading out the rules walked to the center and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the rules this year are the same as in previous years. We will select a runner-up in each of the arts of calligraphy, poetry and song. The runners-up will compete in an extra question together. Whoever wins will be the talented lady of this year's banquet. Now, please go to the palace you are good at to compete."

As soon as he finished speaking, several women came out first and went to the palace they were in charge of.

Chen Shanrong looked at Xue Zhiyu with a little concern, "Zhiyu, have you thought it through now?"

"Write a poem, we'll see you then. I believe you can definitely win first place," Xue Zhiyu smiled at Chen Shanrong and walked towards the palace on the left.

The rules of Cuizhuyuan were also read out. The content of the competition was different from that of the women. In addition to chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and songs, there were also archery, duel and other competitions.

After Xia Yu asked everyone to compete, she sat on the main seat and glanced at Nangong Ye next to her. As if she had thought of something, she came over and joked, "I heard that Miss Xue is also here to participate. Why don't you go over and join in the fun?"

"Your Majesty, you are joking. It would be impolite to go there rashly now," Nangong Ye waved the folding fan in his hand like a gentleman, his thoughts wandering long ago.

It will be exciting to see what competition she will choose!

Xia Yu was too lazy to expose him, so he picked up the teacup and tasted it carefully. This was top-grade Biluochun, and it tasted really good.

After Xue Zhiyu entered the palace, she saw Xue Yumei there too. The two looked at each other and then looked away.

A middle-aged woman in palace dress walked in, went straight into the hall, stood in front of a chair, turned around and spoke slowly.

"Hello, ladies. I am Li Lian, who is in charge of this assessment. There is no limit to the subject matter of the poem this time. Who will go first?"