Every year, New Year's Eve was a big day, especially in the palace. It was even more important. Everyone in the palace was busy, dressing up and tidying up. Every palace was trying their best to win the first prize at the New Year's Eve banquet.
Lou Huan did not mind at all. While the palace was busy, she was very free. She practiced playing the flute in the palace every day and enjoyed it. Now, he was a little familiar with it. Moreover, Qi Mu had prepared a good flute for him, so he could play some simple songs completely.
"This servant greets the Seventh Princess Consort.”
Lou Huan put down the flute in her hand and turned to look at the palace maid in front of her. She was a palace maid by the Empress Dowager's side. She had some impression of her when she met her that day. There was a gentle and beautiful smile on her lips." No need to be polite. Aunt has come. Does Imperial Grandmother have any instructions?"”
"It's almost New Year's Eve. The Empress Dowager has invited the princess to the temple hall.”Bing Yun had been by the Empress Dowager's side for more than 20 years and had seen countless people. This Seventh Princess Consort was definitely not someone from the pool. Today was also their first official meeting, but she could recognize him as the Empress Dowager's subordinate. Her eyesight was not simple.
Lou Huan had heard that the Empress Dowager would pray to Buddha in the temple hall before New Year's Eve every year. However, the Empress was always the one accompanying her. She did not have time to think too much about why she was asked to go this time. She would know once she went anyway." Please lead the way, Auntie."”
The temple hall was built in Qing Ning Palace. When Lou Huan arrived, she did not see the Empress Dowager. Instead, she saw the Crown Princess Yang Xianwan and the Fourth Princess Consort Yao Xiyun. They went up to greet her with a smile and then stood to the side.
"So the Seventh Princess Consort is here too." Yang Xianwan glanced at Lou Huan. There were rumors everywhere in the palace that the Seventh Prince and Seventh Princess Consort were very close and that they were a match made in heaven. This woman had given her a deep sense of crisis since the first time she saw her. For some reason, she felt that she would occupy Mu's heart sooner or later.
How could Lou Huan not hear the faint sarcasm in Yang Xianwan's words? She just ignored it. From a certain perspective, she was also considered a pitiful person. She only smiled and said," Lou Huan is new here and doesn't know the rules. I hope Third Sister-in-law can give me more guidance."”
"Third sister-in-law, don't say that. Huan 'er, this is our first time here. We can't really give you any pointers, right, third sister-in-law?”Yao Xiyun took Lou Huan's hand intimately. Compared to Yang Xianwan's coldness, in the eyes of outsiders, the Fourth Princess Consort was very fond of the Seventh Princess Consort.
Yang Xianwan was about to retort when she saw Bingyun supporting the Empress Dowager out. As the Crown Princess Consort, she naturally led the way and bowed.
"There is no need to be so polite. This widow called you here today because I want you to copy Buddhist scriptures for this widow. Originally, I should have let the Empress come, but there are many matters in the palace and the Empress is not feeling well, so I won't trouble the Empress.”The empress dowager sat on the chair and said as she swept her gaze over the three of them. In terms of excellence, these three granddaughters-in-law each had their own merits. Rong Li, Xin Hui, Yun Ya, it was difficult to teach them.
"Since Imperial Grandmother is willing to give Granddaughter-in-law this opportunity, Granddaughter-in-law will naturally do her best.”Yang Xian's smile was like a peony's dew, beautiful and charming.
"Okay. Men, prepare a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone." In terms of calligraphy, the Empress Dowager was not worried at all. Yang Xianwan was born into a prestigious family and would not neglect this education. As for Yao Xiyun, as the number one talented woman of the Qi Dynasty, poetry was not a problem. As for Lou Huan, although she was born into a business family, Consort Shu was very talented. It was said that the Crown Prince's concubine, Lou Shuying, was also good at calligraphy, so she should not be bad either.
The palace servants prepared the four treasures of the study and gave each of them a volume of Buddhist scriptures. After that, the three of them began to copy them.
Transcribing Buddhist scriptures required a calm heart. As the saying went, if one was sincere, one would be able to do it. One could not tolerate the slightest impetuousness. After the time for an incense stick to burn, the empress dowager stood up and walked past the three of them.
Unknowingly, it was already noon and they had copied most of the Buddhist scriptures. It was only when the Empress Dowager asked them to rest that fatigue swept over them.
"It's getting late, this widow still has to continue with the Buddha ceremony, you all should return to the palace. He could just get someone to send the rest over after he was done copying them.”As soon as he finished speaking, he continued to spin the Buddhist beads in his hand and chant.
"Granddaughter-in-law, take your leave."
After the three of them left, the Empress Dowager stopped what she was doing and was supported by Bing Yun to eat.
"Empress Dowager, this year you asked the crown prince consort and the two princesses to copy the Buddhist scriptures. Did you see something?”Bing Yun asked with a smile as he served the Empress Dowager.
"I can't hide anything from you. Just now, this widow saw the handwriting of those three girls. They all write well, but I like the Lou girl more.”The empress dowager said slowly. This time, letting them copy the Buddhist scriptures could be considered as testing the three girls 'personalities.
"Oh? Logically speaking, the Fourth Princess Consort should have written the best.”Yao Xiyun had always been famous for being the most talented woman in the Qi Dynasty. However, once a woman was too talented, it would make people feel that she was scheming.
The empress dowager laughed softly," You are quite accurate in judging people. You can tell that Yao girl isn't simple with just one glance. Her handwriting is very good, but it has a bit of a man's domineering aura, revealing its sharpness.”Moreover, how could the daughter of this old fox, Minister Yao, be simple?
"Didn't the Empress see through it with a single glance?”
"Little girl Yang's handwriting is quite delicate. A young lady of the boudoir, a little girl's posture is more serious. As for the Lou girl's handwriting, it was graceful and elegant. It was very comfortable to see it. Although it had the heroic spirit of a man, it wasn't as strong as the Yao girl.”
"It seems that Empress Dowager likes the Seventh Princess Consort the most.”Bing Yun had been with the empress dowager for so long and could still feel the empress dowager's preferences. When people stayed at the top for a long time, they would naturally have hidden taboos. For example, the fourth princess consort was a proud and exposed woman. As a junior, although the empress dowager did not dislike her, she was not too happy. As for the seventh princess consort, she was introverted and intelligent. As an opponent, she would be afraid, but as a granddaughter-in-law, she would be extremely happy.
"It's one thing to like her, but that girl is ambitious. We have to grind her down.”The Empress Dowager picked up the Buddhist scripture that Lou Huan had copied and looked at it for a while before putting it down.
"You did it for his own good." Bing Yun said meaningfully.
The empress dowager did not say anything. She only smiled faintly.
When Lou Huan returned to Yuan Yi Palace, she saw Qi Mu sitting in his room. The table was already filled with dishes and he was waiting for her with a smile.
"I'm back." Qi Mu's tone did not have much fluctuation, but he unexpectedly felt a little warm.
"Yes, I am. How long has Your Highness been waiting?" Lou Huan was a little surprised that he would wait for her to have dinner together. She had told him to go to the Empress Dowager's place and she did not know when he would return, so she ordered someone to tell him not to wait for her.
Qi Mu invited her to sit down and personally laid out the dishes for her. Then, he said calmly," Not too long ago. I didn't accompany you last night. Consider today as compensation."”
Lou Huan was stunned and felt touched. She picked up her chopsticks and picked up the food. After eating, she could feel that the food was still very hot. It should have been made not long ago. She looked at him in surprise.
"Don't look at me like that. I was just guessing. I thought you should be back at this hour.”Qi Mu defended himself. He was indeed guessing. There must be a reason why Imperial Grandmother summoned them to worship Buddha this time. He wasn't clear about the specifics, but he was certain that it wasn't as simple as worshipping Buddha. Thus, they would definitely be released during lunch time.
Lou Huan did not ask further. After copying Buddhist scriptures for so long, she was really tired and hungry. She did not have time to talk and hurriedly ate.
Qi Mu ate a few mouthfuls of food and leisurely drank his wine as he watched Lou Huan eat. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and the gentleness and relaxation in his eyes was something that even he himself did not notice.
"Imperial Grandmother asked you to copy Buddhist scriptures?”Qi Mu glanced at the Buddhist scriptures on the table and a piece of paper that he had not finished copying. The handwriting was delicate, elegant but not flattering, gentle but not weak. It was very similar to Lou Huan herself.
"Yes." Lou Huan noticed that he was talking about the two of them instead of you. It seemed that nothing could be hidden from him. How many eyes and ears did he have in the palace?
Qi Mu poured a cup of wine and said in a light and firm tone," What do you think?”
Lou Huan put down her chopsticks and looked at him seriously." Your Highness, how can you be sure that I will have an opinion?”
"If you don't, then you're not Lou Huan.”When the wine entered his mouth, a fragrance filled the room.
"It seems that Your Highness has high expectations for Lou Huan.”Lou Huan smiled lightly and said casually," It's nothing. Royal Grandmother is just testing us. The words are like the person. Just by looking at the words, you can basically guess what kind of character we have.”
It was indeed something that Imperial Grandmother would do. Imperial Grandmother was extremely meticulous and she could not tolerate others doing anything that would harm the Qi Dynasty. She naturally had to give these three granddaughters-in-law a good try to ensure that nothing went wrong.
"It seems that Your Highness has already considered this point.”Lou Huan put down her chopsticks and took a sip of the clear soup that she had prepared earlier in the autumn. She looked at him calmly without any surprise.
Before Qi Mu could reply, there was a report." Wangye, Wangfei, the Crown Prince's concubine requests an audience.”
" Big Sister?" Lou Huan was slightly surprised. Why was Big Sister here at this moment? She put away her puzzled expression and said unhurriedly," I'll go take a look…"
"Please." Lou Huan, who was about to get up, was gently pressed down by Qi Mu, who gave her a piece of hibiscus cake.
Lou Huan understood what he meant with just this action and tasted the hibiscus cake that he had picked up.
Lou Shuying followed the servant girl in. What greeted her eyes was a harmonious and beautiful scene. Jealousy and pride flashed in her eyes. She was jealous that her fifth sister could have such happiness, and she was proud that Yang Xianwan was just so-so.
"Third sister-in-law is here.”Qi Mu raised his eyes and gave her a faint smile as he warmly welcomed her.
Lou Shuying sat on the chair and gently rejected him." I've already used it. I just didn't expect Seventh Master and Huan 'er to still be eating. I was rude."”
"Nothing, Big Sister. What's the matter today?”Lou Shuying definitely didn't come here for the simple reason of visiting her sister. There should be something.
"There's nothing urgent, but a letter came from home. Father was afraid that Fifth Younger Sister was new here and was not used to it, so he asked me, as the elder sister, to take care of Younger Sister.”Lou Shuying smiled sweetly. Her few words were exceptionally intimate, vividly displaying the kindness of a father and the filial piety of a daughter.
Lou Huan rolled her eyes without batting an eyelid. Only a ghost would believe that old fox would write a book to say such things. However, he didn't dare to show it on his face. He smiled and said," Eldest Sister, please let Father rest assured. Seventh Prince treats me very well.”
"Yes." Lou Shuying smiled obsequiously. She glanced at the leisurely Qi Mu and didn't know what to do for a moment. She could only continue to chat." Seventh Master and Fifth Younger Sister are both beautiful and naturally a match made in heaven. Father must be very gratified to see Fifth Younger Sister so happy.”
"How can I compare to Eldest Sister? I heard from His Highness that His Highness the Crown Prince dotes on Eldest Sister and praises her for being virtuous and virtuous.”Lou Huan wasn't a fool. She had guessed that Lou Shuying wouldn't come to find her for such a small talk. However, since she didn't say anything, she would pretend not to know. She didn't want to listen to the words of that old fox at all. Anyway, she was quite good at using a few taels to divert a thousand pounds.
Her sister seemed to be chatting with her intentionally or unintentionally. Lou Shuying couldn't hold it in any longer after a few words. Regardless of whether Lou Huan really didn't know or was pretending to be stupid, she couldn't continue chatting aimlessly like this. She stood up and bowed." Seventh Master, there are some personal things I want to talk to Fifth Sister in private. Fifth Sister won't reject me, right?"”
A faint smile appeared on Lou Huan's lips. She finally could not hold it in anymore. She stood up and said," Your Highness, Huan 'er and Eldest Sister will leave first."”
"Yes." Qi Mu responded and picked up the cloak from Yiqiu's hand. He walked over to Lou Huan and personally put it on her. His words were light but contained a bit of love and warmth." It's cold outside. Don't catch a cold."”
Lou Huan lowered her head slightly and showed a bit of shyness. In the eyes of others, she definitely looked like a happy little woman.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。