TICIEC Chapter 41.1

The colorful procession stretched far.

“Master, you have never had any dealings with this Song Jieyu, nor have you offended her. Why is she suddenly coming to cause trouble?” Lian Rui asked, looking completely bewildered.

Ning Wanyin said calmly, “His Majesty’s favor is enough to make the whole palace enemies. I don’t need to do anything more.”

“You mean…” Lian Rui suddenly realized.

Back at Lingxue Pavilion, Ning Wanyin was about to go to the small kitchen to get ginseng soup when Xiao Xiazi quietly came in to report.

“Master, we’ve caught them!”

Since Lingxue Pavilion adopted the palace rules of Changchun Palace, a new batch of eunuchs were assigned to guard it in three shifts, making it extremely difficult for the palace servants in Lingxue Pavilion to contact the outside world.

In order to investigate the spies lurking in Lingxue Pavilion, Ning Wanyin deliberately found a pretext to send these palace servants out on missions every now and then.

They could either go to the Imperial Household Department to retrieve something or deliver something to Shun Pin on her behalf.

But these palace servants didn’t know that every time they went out, Ning Wanyin would send Xiao Xiazi to secretly follow them and see if they met with outsiders.

After rounds of probing, the person she sent out today was a third-class palace maid named Cai Ye.

She was in charge of pruning and sweeping the flowerbeds.

Today, Ning Wanyin sent her to the Imperial Household Department’s flower room to fetch some sunflowers in full bloom during the summer.

“Before going to the Imperial Household Department, Cai Ye secretly went to Qionghua Garden.” Xiao Xiazi reported.

“This servant dared not alert her, so I did not know what she said inside. But as long as the Master gives the order, we will immediately arrest her and be able to interrogate her thoroughly!”

Qionghua Garden is the residence of Xue Zhaoyi.

Besides the twelve main palaces, the imperial harem also includes some courtyards, which were added during the reign of the late Emperor, when there were too many concubines.

Two of these places, though smaller and only in the style of side halls, had the advantage of being their own private courtyard, eliminating the need to live with others. These were excellent residences for low-ranking concubines.

Xue Zhaoyi and Cen Jieyu each occupy one of these places.

“Don’t touch her yet. From now on, Lian Rui and Xiao Xiazi, you two are responsible for keeping a close eye on her. Report anything immediately.” Ning Wanyin’s eyes flickered slightly as she said.

“Call Xiao Guizi and Lu Ju over. They will serve me these days.”

Lian Rui and Xiao Xiazi both accepted the order at the same time, “Yes.”

Later, Ning Wanyin quietly called Lian Rui over and instructed her to do something privately.

…

As dusk fell, the Tinglan Palace in the Imperial Garden was brightly lit.

Ning Wanyin specially changed into a brocade dress embroidered with crabapple and begonia, covered with a misty, icy silk veil, and wore a set of crimson and gold butterfly headdresses, making her stand out among the beauties.

She arrived at the perfect time, neither too early nor too late.

Most of the concubines had already arrived, and soon after, His Majesty arrived as well.

All the concubines bowed to Helian Qi.

The bowing was completed.

Helian Qi’s gaze swept over everyone, and Ning Wanyin was the first person he noticed. All the concubines in the palace were beauties, each with their own unique charm, but the one he held dear naturally attracted his attention.

Helian Qi’s gaze lingered briefly on Ning Wanyin before he looked away and asked Shu Fei: “Why didn’t Zhuang Fei come?”

“Zhuang Fei said she is ill.” Shu Fei replied.

This was a cleverly worded answer. She said that she was ill, but who knew if she really was?

Everyone knew that Zhuang Fei didn’t know many characters and wasn’t skilled at poetry and calligraphy.

According to the rules of the poetry gathering, everyone must write a poem.

Those who couldn’t write one were penalized with a cup of wine.

Zhuang Fei, being of high rank, was forced to drink a penalty shot in public…

Many concubines wore mocking expressions, believing Zhuang Fei was feigning illness to avoid losing face.

Helian Qi, however, thought that given her personality, she wouldn’t be ashamed of drinking. He instructed Wang Degui: “Summon the imperial physician to examine her.”

Wang Degui accepted the order and withdrew.

Helian Qi looked at Shu Fei and said, “Let’s begin.”

“Yes.” Shu Fei accepted the order and looked at the crowd.

“Our ancestors used literature to educate people; only by reading can one understand etiquette… You women can be regarded as models for women across the nation, cultivating yourselves with virtue, valuing literature, and understanding etiquette… Today, in accordance with ancient teachings, we hold a poetry gathering to celebrate the virtues of literature.”

Shu Fei, as the organizer of today’s poetry gathering, recited a long and eloquent passage.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” All the concubines rose and bowed in unison.

 

 

 

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