The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

The sea is bright and the moon is at this time.

When Concubine Xian returned to the palace, she asked someone to bring a zither and played a song "Looking at the Moon and Thinking of the Distant Home" under Fei Wan's persuasion.

She was still angry at Fei Wan for deliberately interrupting her.

But she did not reject the suggestion of playing the piano.

She had become estranged from the emperor recently, and had already prepared a piece of music, waiting to show off her talent at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.

If the emperor had not left his seat, she would have been planning to play the piano.

Seeing that Concubine Si was performing a trick of dancing under the moon, which made the emperor fascinated, how could she not be anxious?

So he put aside his anger with Feiwan and played a song first.

The virtuous concubine sat upright in front of the zither, caressing the strings with her fingertips as lightly as a dragonfly skimming the water.

When the zither first started, it sounded like the gurgling of a mountain spring or the rustling of a spring breeze. Gradually, the sound grew louder, like the cry of a crane piercing the sky or the whistling of a torrential rain, making everyone's heart rise.

Just as the music was getting more intense, the virtuous concubine changed her gestures, and the music suddenly slowed down. A gentle breeze and drizzle, snow falling, were endless and lingering.

When the last syllable sounded, Concubine Xian stood up from her seat and bowed down gracefully.

"Your Majesty, I offer my humble offering to you, and wish you a happy and healthy holiday. May all your wishes come true, may your kindness spread throughout the world, and may all the people be united in their hearts!"

The strings are still trembling, and the lingering sound echoes for a long time.

Clap, clap! The emperor clapped his hands in praise.

"Stand up. The virtuous concubine's zither is always excellent."

Although it was a compliment, there was not much appreciation on his face.

Although he was indeed concentrating on listening to the piano just now, it was far inferior to his previous time when he was absorbed in watching the dance beside the osmanthus forest.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The virtuous concubine stood up.

He returned to his seat with a polite smile, but secretly gritted his teeth.

She had practiced this piece for a long time, and tonight she played it with all her might, but she failed to capture His Majesty's heart.

He couldn't help but curse Si Fei inwardly.

I started thinking about how to deal with her.

"Her Majesty, the virtuous concubine plays the zither beautifully. Your Majesty, I have also prepared a piece. I dare not compare it with Her Majesty, but it is also quite lively. Would you like to listen to it?"

Concubine Kang stood up from her seat, her face full of anticipation.

The emperor was a little surprised: "Oh? You want to play a song too?"

Concubine Kang said, "Hi!" "I don't know how to play the piano. I just had someone prepare a piece of music. It's very lively and suitable for everyone to listen to together when there are many people. Your Majesty, would you like to listen to it?"

Concubine Shun next to her wiped the non-existent sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

At this time, only Concubine Kang dared to speak.

It was as if she couldn't understand the subtle atmosphere on the field at all.

No matter what happened to Concubine Si or Concubine Xian, or whether His Majesty was happy or not, he was just eager to listen to the opera.

The emperor on the throne said with little interest, "A play? Listen to it later. Concubine Zhao, did you just say that Concubine Wu was going to tell a joke?"

As usual, the emperor had little interest in the lively beats of gongs and drums.

Concubine Kang sat down with a look of disappointment.

Fei Wan quickly stood up and replied, "Yes. Sister Wu always loves to joke around. She just told me she wanted to tell a joke. If Your Majesty is willing to listen, wouldn't it be great if Sister Wu could tell it in public so that everyone can have fun together?"

"Tell me." The emperor looked at Wu Xiangrong.

Wu Xiangrong smiled respectfully and stood up.

My heart was beating fast.

She knew that Fei Wan's use of her as a way to save her was also a chance for her to show off. It was a rare opportunity, but trying to make the emperor laugh when he was in a bad mood amidst the undercurrent of thoughts and chastity was difficult.

Just now, when Concubine Xian was playing the piano, she took advantage of no one's attention and sent her maid Jin Chan to Fei Wan to secretly discuss her ideas.

What kind of joke would be good to tell in this situation?

Fei Wan asked her to tell a joke about Mid-Autumn Festival or the moon to suit the occasion.

"Empress Zhao told you to relax and say anything. If you can't think of anything about the moon, just tell me a few funny stories about your childhood when there were many children and your parents couldn't take care of everyone. The Empress said she would cover it for you."

Jin Chan conveyed Fei Wan's words truthfully, and Wu Xiangrong listened silently.

At this moment, I stood up and talked about the moon first.

"It is said that on the Mid-Autumn Festival, families on earth are celebrating their reunions, but Chang'e in heaven feels lonely and desolate. She walks out of the Moon Palace for a stroll, only to find Wu Gang walking back and forth under a sweet-scented osmanthus tree, his head bowed. Chang'e sighs, "Wu Gang, you're so lonely and bored too." Wu Gang, without even looking up, replies, "What do you know? I'm just admiring the moon!"

puff.

Concubine Shun beside her smiled.

Laughter could be heard in the hall one after another.

But some people don't laugh.

Some people even secretly tried to peek at the emperor's expression.

The Mid-Autumn moon is bright, beneath the sweet-scented osmanthus tree…wasn’t Concubine Si dreaming beneath the sweet-scented osmanthus tree just now? I wonder if His Majesty will think of Concubine Si again when he hears the sweet-scented osmanthus tree.

Wu Xiangrong broke out in a cold sweat.

I thought this job was not easy.

His Majesty just curled the corners of his mouth.

So she quickly started talking about what Fei Wan had suggested she talk about, about favoritism.

I made up a story, half true and half false: "When I was a child, my family was poor and we couldn't afford mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. One of my younger brothers was so greedy that he stole a corner of the mooncake offered at the City God Temple on the street and ate it secretly. My parents saw this and praised him for being so clever. My eldest brother saw this and also took a small piece, but was scolded for eating it secretly. My eldest brother cried and asked, 'Why do you praise my younger brother for taking it, but I get scolded for it?' My father said, 'He stole it to grow taller, and you stole it because you are greedy! Most parents in the world are biased.'"

When this joke was told, few people laughed, it was even more dull than before.

The concubines in the palace may seem precious to outsiders, but in fact, before entering the palace, each of them had a large number of brothers and sisters at home.

Of course there are cases where parents are partial to each other.

Those who have experienced it rarely laugh.

Seeing that the emperor on the throne had a bad expression on his face, he had just tried to smile, but now he didn't even have the urge to smile anymore.

Wu Xiangrong broke out in a cold sweat.

Why did Zhao sister let me say this...

She didn't know that the figure of Prince Rui was emerging in the emperor's mind at this moment.

Although both are sons of the Queen Mother, he, the eldest, is far less favored by the Queen Mother than Prince Rui!

This scene, seen by all the concubines, made them all think secretly in their hearts:

After Concubine Si made a fuss tonight, His Majesty was in a bad mood. Concubine Xian couldn't coax him, and even Concubine Wu, who was used to joking, couldn't coax him.

How good is this?