Everyone in my harem is talented

Yilan Palace.

A few rays of light golden sunlight leaked in through the window lattice, falling on the off-white rice paper spread out on the desk.

Jiang Lanzhi wore her hair in a peony bun, with two simple silver hairpins and a pearl hairpin, a bean green bodice, a plain white jacket with narrow sleeves, and a light green folded skirt, looking light and elegant.

She held the pen, standing in front of the table, the jade bracelet on her wrist was warm. She wrote every horizontal and vertical stroke, every stroke with a light force at the beginning, and there was a slight pause when the tip of the pen touched the paper, as if testing it. In the middle, she suddenly increased the force slightly, and then quickly became lighter when she finished, hiding a hint of restraint.

The handwriting is compact but not cramped, sparse like the shadow of a parasol tree under the moon, with just the right amount of white space hidden, like stars arranged in an orderly manner. The strokes flow smoothly and evenly, elegant but not stiff.

"Your brothers all have meritorious service and missions to fulfill. The Tenth and Eleventh Princes have also gone to Qufu with the Crown Prince on official business. Only you and your Twelfth Brother are idle in the palace. My son, will you just sit on the bench until your father comes to see you?"

Concubine Min Jiang Lanzhi lowered her head as she copied scriptures, and only glanced at her son who was grinding ink at the table with the corner of her eyes.

"Mother, have you heard that the Emperor is going to confer some titles upon me?"

"Your Majesty has not concealed the fact that people inside and outside the palace are restless."

The prince's mother's family, the prince's wife's family, the palace maids, eunuchs, concubines, and everyone involved and not, all became active.

The still water in the palace seemed to be boiling, bubbling and noisy.

"One step behind, every step behind. You are a prince, and ultimately, merit is what matters most. From now on, please stay out of the harem's affairs."

Jiang Lanzhi's hand holding the pen stopped on the paper, allowing the ink to spread and stain the paper that was already half written.

"Concubine?"

The eighth prince Qin Mingyan gently loosened his hands, put down the ink stick in his hand, and his voice was filled with surprise.

My mother suddenly said this, could it be...

Did the emperor know what he did?

"Mother, did the Emperor blame you?"

Jiang Lanzhi shook her head gently. "Your Majesty is so kind and compassionate that he never pointed it out, let alone blamed or criticized me. It's just that my mother is terrified."

She put down her pen and her hand trembled slightly, as if it had been burned by something.

Jiang Lanzhi swallowed the guilt and fear in her heart. She was still brooding over the death of the fetus in her niece's belly.

But she knew that the Eighth Prince never cared about these "little things" and would probably just think that she, as a mother, was incapable of taking responsibility, timid, and soft-hearted. So she tentatively mentioned it once and then never again.

"His Majesty praised your brother and sister's handwriting a few days ago, and praised Mother for her teaching by example. But before Mother could even resign, His Majesty suddenly changed the subject and started talking about what the prince should do."

"Your Majesty said that the prince should display his ambitions in the court and have his own political opinions. If he uses too many deceitful tricks, he will lose his dignity, fail to win the support of the people, and disappoint them."

"Mingyan, as a prince, you should follow the path of honor and dignity, rather than abandoning righteousness and following evil ways, taking risks and seeking luck."

"I don't understand your mother's deep love for her and her earnest teachings." The eighth prince Qin Mingyan's eyes dimmed for a moment, then he raised his eyes, smiled slightly and nodded.

Jiang Lanzhi raised her hand and gently poked the Eighth Prince's forehead, "You'd better really listen to me."

Qin Mingyan pretended to be obedient and nodded deeply. Jiang Lanzhi smiled helplessly and shook her head, "Alright, if you want to be good, go to your father. Your mother won't give you any benefits. What are your plans for the title?"

"Mother heard from Concubine Zhen that the Sixth Prince..."

Jiang Lanzhi was interrupted before she could finish her words.

The Eighth Prince said calmly, "I do not intend to interfere with Sixth Brother's mission. I would like to visit the Lifanyuan."

"Mother doesn't understand the affairs of the court. Just make your own decisions."