Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

Because the Empress Dowager was backing her up, Princess Ling could freely enter and leave the palace.

When they met the Empress Dowager earlier, Princess Ling and Lian Rongrong had already developed a grudge, so she was naturally eager for Lian Rongrong to be embarrassed in public.

Adding to the fact that Lian Rongrong is the Princess Consort of Qi, Princess Consort Ling is even more eager to suppress her into the dust.

Therefore, when Hua Ling approached Princess Ling to propose cooperation, Princess Ling agreed almost without hesitation.

However, to Princess Ling's surprise, Hua Ling did not ask her to directly harm Lian Rongrong. Instead, she asked her to tamper with Yan Mingyue's dance dress.

Actually, there was no real grudge between Yan Mingyue and Princess Ling. After all, they had once shared a pair of pants.

After Hua Ling explained, Princess Ling realized that Yan Mingyue was no longer the Princess Yi who used to call her Imperial Aunt.

Now that this woman is on Lian Rongrong's side, she can't be blamed for disregarding their past friendship.

On the eve of the banquet, Princess Ling, at Hua Ling's request, ruined Yan Mingyue's dance dress.

The dance skirt appeared perfectly normal on the surface, but it would inevitably slip off once Yan Mingyue began to dance.

Only Princess Ling and Hua Ling knew about this, so when Yan Mingyue appeared in the main hall wearing a dance dress, Princess Ling was somewhat disappointed by Hua Ling's absence.

After all, she desperately needed someone to share her joy at this time.

Of course, Hua Ling, as a partner, didn't want to miss such a wonderful scene.

After Yan Mingyue changed into her dance dress, Hua Ling also hurriedly put on her own clothes and returned to the main hall. As they passed by Princess Ling, the two exchanged a smile.

That smile was what alerted Lian Rongrong on the other side.

But the music had already started, so it was impossible to stop it now.

Yan Mingyue's dance performance is called "Ink Dance of Splendor," a perfect fusion of dance and calligraphy/painting.

Before Yan Mingyue entered the hall, a huge sheet of Xuan paper had already been spread out in the center of the hall.

Next to the Xuan paper were various calligraphy brushes and Yidege ink.

Yan Mingyue walked forward calmly, her expression as serene as a fairy detached from the world.

As a gentle zither melody began to play, Yan Mingyue started to wield her brush and ink.

Her movements were light yet powerful; the brush danced in her hand like an elf.

Ink flows on rice paper, forming characters that are either vigorous or graceful.

Yan Mingyue's dance and the strokes of her brush complement each other, as if telling an ancient and beautiful story.

As the performance progressed, the atmosphere inside the hall became increasingly enthusiastic.

Perhaps influenced by her surroundings, Yan Mingyue's brushstrokes became increasingly unrestrained, and her movements more powerful and free-flowing.

Just as everyone was clapping and cheering, Yan Mingyue's dance dress suddenly slipped off her shoulder strap.

As an inevitable awkward situation was about to unfold, everyone's expressions were a mix of worry and anticipation, making for quite a sight to behold.

Of course, the most exciting part was between Princess Ling and Hua Ling. Both instigators watched with great excitement as Yan Mingyue was about to be publicly humiliated.

However, the expected scenario did not unfold. Before Yan Mingyue's dance skirt could slip off, Lian Rongrong had already leaped onto the stage.

Yan Mingyue was starting to panic. She covered her chest with her left hand, but her right hand remained in a writing posture.

But as soon as Lian Rongrong approached, Yan Mingyue seemed to suddenly have a pillar of support.

“There’s something wrong with the dance dress.” Yan Mingyue whispered as the two drew closer.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here!" Lian Rongrong smiled calmly, a smile that seemed to have a comforting power.

In an instant, Yan Mingyue was truly no longer afraid.

And suddenly, two dazzling pearls appeared out of nowhere in Lian Rongrong's hand.

No one saw clearly how Lian Rongrong pinned the two pearls to Yan Mingyue's dress.

Everyone knew that the two pearls only made Yan Mingyue look more beautiful.

After resolving the issue of Yan Mingyue's dance skirt, Lian Rongrong realized that the Xuan paper beneath her feet had been stained in a spot.

"Mingyue, what should we do?" Lian Rongrong glanced at the dirty spots on the Xuan paper.

Yan Mingyue smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I'm here! But since you've already entered, we can only go together."

Yan Mingyue spoke to Lian Rongrong in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

Clearly, Yan Mingyue's suggestion at this moment was the most reasonable, since it was indeed somewhat incongruous for Lian Rongrong to suddenly rush in and then suddenly leave.

Since things have already come to this point, we might as well just do as we please.

"Your Highness, the sword!" Lian Rongrong faced Li Yuanqi. Upon hearing the voice, Li Yuanqi moved, and the long sword at his waist flew out in an instant, only to be caught steadily by Lian Rongrong.

The female teachers at Mingyue Hall naturally understood the intricacies of the situation. To accommodate the two, the remaining teachers all stood up.

They took the musical instruments from the musicians of the music bureau. The drums sounded and the zithers played. Yan Mingyue and Lian Rongrong in the center of the hall smiled at each other.

One is scholarly, the other martial; they move with the music!

……

As the final stroke fell, even Rongrong's dance and the music of Mingyue Hall ceased at the same time.

A hush fell over Yong'an Palace. After a few moments, someone reacted and shouted "Bravo!"

That exclamation seemed to flip a switch that triggered a flurry of praise from everyone in the palace, and for a moment, the Yong'an Palace was filled with endless compliments.

Lian Rongrong and Yan Mingyue exchanged a smile, and then unfolded the Xuan paper, one on each side.

A landscape painting in ink and wash was thus presented to everyone. The spot that Lian Rongrong had accidentally stepped on earlier was now hidden within the painting, as if it were a natural creation.

Lian Rongrong waved to all the female teachers of Mingyue Hall, and they all stepped forward and curtsied.

"All members of Mingyue Hall wish His Majesty a long and prosperous life! Long live His Majesty! Long live the Empress Dowager!"

This segment was originally scheduled after the group fashion show, but since everyone has already taken the stage, offering words of good wishes is more appropriate now.

The tacit understanding among the members of Mingyue Hall made this special ink dance performance seem like a surprise that had been rehearsed in advance.

The old emperor nodded repeatedly, praising everyone's performance from the bottom of his heart.

"I truly did not expect that Princess Qi could run Mingyue Hall so well."

This ink dance, a blend of literary and martial arts, strength and gentleness, seems to be a microcosm of Mingyue Hall.

"Good, very good! Reward him handsomely, very generously!"

It was clear that the old emperor was genuinely happy, as were the Mingyue Hall members who had just experienced a fright.

Amazing everyone is already a delightful thing, but what's even more delightful is turning defeat into victory and still managing to amaze everyone.

Lian Rongrong raised her hand slightly, and the women on the field retreated one after another, returning to their seats, but their emotions were still unsettled for a long time.

In contrast, Lian Rongrong remained unfazed, as such scheming was commonplace in her eyes.

Lian Rongrong returned to Li Yuanqi's side and immediately shoved her longsword into its sheath.

"Madam, you must thank me today. If it weren't for my noble status that allowed me to bring a sword into the palace, you wouldn't have had such a wonderful performance."

Li Yuanqi proudly approached to claim credit, but Lian Rongrong didn't appreciate it at all. She rolled her eyes at Li Yuanqi and said leisurely:

"I can still practice Tai Chi even without a longsword, it's no big deal. Besides, if you hadn't been flirting around, we wouldn't have suffered this undeserved disaster!"

He had come to claim credit, but instead, he was met with a cold shoulder. Li Yuanqi was speechless, yet dared not retaliate. He was truly utterly frustrated!