A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

Fang Xinrou, who was standing next to Consort Yun, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Princess Danhua is now very intelligent, so she should have prepared a gift. If Your Majesty rejects the princess's offer before this matter has even been discussed, wouldn't that hurt the princess's feelings?"

Xin Mingwan hesitated for a moment. Would Yan'er prepare a gift for her?

Seeing the Empress Dowager hesitate, Yun Zhaozhao spoke directly and asked Xin Moyan, "I wonder if Princess Danhua has prepared a birthday gift for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager today?"

Hua Buyu tapped the table and whispered a reminder: "Yan Yan, this woman is trying to embarrass you! Luckily you were prepared. Quickly take out that painting and let her suffer."

Xin Moyan felt somewhat helpless. Why did all the women in the palace seem to be targeting her? Not only the young ladies from noble families, but even these concubines and princesses didn't seem like good people. She couldn't help but wonder how many people the original owner had offended in the past.

"Yan'er, present the portrait. Don't be afraid, your brother is here."

Seeing her brother give her a reassuring look, Xin Moyan smiled brightly, instantly becoming energetic. She then stood up, gave a slight curtsy to the sky, and said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, today is your birthday. I know that my talent is far inferior to that of the noble ladies present, and my wealth is not comparable to that of the princes and generals. In the past few days, I have been thinking about your birthday gift, and I have lost my appetite and sleep. Then, in a moment, I remembered that you used to recite Buddhist scriptures and chant Buddhist mantras. You also have a compassionate and loving face like a Bodhisattva. So, I have been studying painting with a master and painted a Bodhisattva portrait with your kind face as the main subject. I only hope that you will not find me dull and clumsy."

Before everyone could even process Xin Moyan's fluent and graceful demeanor, Cailian immediately had the Bodhisattva statue brought to the hall and then opened it.

The Guanyin Bodhisattva in the painting holds a vase, her white robes fluttering, her eyebrows lowered and a faint smile on her face. Her skin is realistic, radiant, and full of color. Upon closer inspection, her eyebrows and eyes seem to bear a slight resemblance to Empress Dowager Xin Mingwan. Every frown and smile is full of life and spirit, which is very impressive.

"Yan... Yan'er, are you saying that this portrait was painted by Yan'er herself?"

All eyes were on Xin Moyan's face. She didn't care who was looking at her, and spoke to the two most distinguished people above her with neither arrogance nor servility.

"Yes, Aunt. Yan'er is new to this and her drawing is not very good. Please forgive her."

Xin Mingwan was overjoyed. She hadn't received any gifts from Yan'er in the past few years, let alone this portrait, which was painted by Yan'er herself. Seeing how graceful and beautiful Yan'er was, and how she had become sensible and reasonable after waking up, she could finally rest assured and felt worthy of her brother and sister-in-law's spirits in heaven.

"Yan'er's sentiment is beyond what ordinary people can achieve. Aunt likes Yan'er's gift. Aunt is very happy. Someone, bring up the portrait of the princess. I want to admire it carefully."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Seeing her aunt happy, Xin Moyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, after all, this gift was the cheapest and most affordable gift in the entire event.

Xin Mingwan hurriedly had a palace maid bring the painting to her, and she carefully examined the Bodhisattva portrait. She became more and more satisfied and gratified as she looked at it. When she was deeply moved, a thin layer of mist appeared in her eyes, and she choked up, unable to express her feelings.

Seeing his mother's reaction, Yuan Huaijun's gaze deepened as he looked at Xin Moyan. He rose and said to her, "Princess Danhua is very skillful. She specially learned her craft to present this masterpiece, which has greatly pleased Your Majesty. She is truly very filial..."

Seeing Xin Moyan looking directly at him, a subtle smile flickered across his eyes. He continued, "Issue a decree: Danhua is exceptionally talented; reward her with ten thousand taels of gold..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion erupted below. That was ten thousand taels of gold, not ten thousand taels of silver!

Yuan Huaijun paused for a moment, then continued, "Bring the jade necklace with phoenixes and dragons singing in harmony from the Qianhe Palace, as well as the two white gold fox furs that the King of Yelan gave to him when his friend visited Yelan two years ago. Give them to Danhua as a reward."

Not to mention the people below the Baoguang Hall, even Xin Mingwan and Xin Moling were astonished. How could Yan'er receive such a reward with just a portrait?

That jade necklace was unknown to the officials outside the palace, but everyone in the palace knew that it was a gift from the late emperor to the crown prince on the day of the crown prince's full moon celebration. After the late emperor passed away, he specifically forbade it to be put into the treasury and ordered it to be placed in the bedroom and polished from time to time. Its value was far greater than that of Consort Ning's pair of pearls. And it was given away just like that.

Xin Moyan was also completely dumbfounded. She had only given away one painting, yet she had received so many rewards. Judging from everyone's and her brother's reactions, it seemed that the other two items were even more valuable than the 100,000 taels of gold!

The brothers were so shocked that they couldn't speak. Why would their emperor bestow such an extravagant reward?

Yuan Huaixuan, seemingly unconcerned, poured himself a small sip of wine. Suddenly, he looked up at the man with bright eyes and sparse eyebrows above him, his gaze flickering as if he were deep in thought.

"Yan Yan, quickly thank her!"

Seeing that she was in a daze, Hua Buyu quickly tugged at her sleeve, gesturing for her to bow and express her gratitude.

"Oh oh oh!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

He gestured for Xin Moyan to sit down, then instructed Wang Si to announce the start of the banquet and summoned a group of court musicians for a song and dance performance...

Emperor Yuan's reward caused a variety of emotions among the people below, who all fell into deep thought.

"Yan Yan, isn't this gift from the Emperor a bit too precious?"

Is it very valuable?

Hua Buyu exaggeratedly said, "Just that long list of names that I can't even name sounds like a treasure. Not to mention the sudden change in the expressions of those concubines just now. You didn't see it. Yun Zhaozhao's eyes looked like she was going to eat you up."

"Is it that exaggerated?"

"Mmm! But the emperor is quite good-looking, in this scene..."

Afraid of being overheard by her brother, she quickly leaned close to Xin Moyan and said mysteriously, "In this arena, besides your brother, only the Xuan King and the Emperor on the other side are somewhat good-looking. Yan Yan, which one are you planning to consider?"

Xin Moyan was stunned for a moment; she thought Bu Yu was about to say something!

"Don't talk nonsense. If your brother finds out, he'll definitely scold you."

Hua Buyu pursed her lips, her face completely unconcerned.

As she spoke, she subconsciously looked at the man in white opposite her, and the doubts she had forgotten gradually rose to her mind.

Suddenly, he looked up and stared at her, and she found herself directly facing his deep, indifferent eyes. She was a little flustered, and the man's gaze seemed strangely familiar to her.

In his eyes, those eyes were like a beautiful painting, and her charming appearance was like a pool of spring water; with just one glance, one couldn't help but want to explore deeper...