Helian Qi had just returned from hunting, his body drenched in sweat, so all he wanted to do was take a bath and change his clothes. He had no leisure to appreciate the painting.
He glanced impatiently at Ning Ziyin, then froze.
The butterfly hairpin in Ning Ziyin’s hair was Ning Wanyin’s beloved possession. She wore it every day and praised him countless times for the set of jewelry he had gifted her.
He was immediately displeased. Ning Wanyin had repeatedly said that she liked it very much, but then she gave it to someone else.
Was this what liking was?
Who wouldn’t cherish something given by the Emperor?
How could she so casually bestow it upon someone?
Helian Qi glanced at Ning Wanyin with displeasure, his gaze pausing slightly. He had entered with Zhuang Fei and hadn’t paid attention to Ning Wanyin.
Only now did he realize that she was dressed unusually plainly today.
She looked completely different from how she used to appear.
Her simple appearance was certainly beautiful, but her slightly red eyes were striking, indicating that she had just been crying.
It was normal to cry upon seeing one’s mother, but he instinctively felt that today’s events were more than just a joyous reunion.
“Appreciate paintings?” Zhuang Fei glared at Ning Ziyin, her keen senses immediately recognizing her rival.
“Who do you think you are? You think you’re worthy of His Majesty’s approval?”
After saying that, she looked at Ning Wanyin mockingly, “You’re quite generous, sending your younger sister to His Majesty’s side. What? Do you need sisters to fight for favor?”
Upon hearing this, Ning Ziyin felt both ashamed and angry, and her face turned red with embarrassment.
Although that was exactly what she meant, saying it directly was too embarrassing.
“Your Highness Zhuang Fei, why do you say that? My cousin is still a young lady; you mustn’t tarnish her reputation.” Ning Wanyin said weakly, her voice weak and revealing a hint of guilt.
Zhuang Fei, rarely able to out-argue Ning Wanyin, pressed on relentlessly, “You dare say that’s not what you meant? Look at how plainly you’re dressed today, just there to be her foil. You’re such a good older sister. Aren’t you afraid that when she gains favor, she’ll trample you underfoot?”
“Of course, I will not forget my sister’s kindness. I will definitely help her.” Ning Ziyin hurriedly defended herself, afraid of leaving the Emperor with a bad impression of being ungrateful.
Zhuang Fei laughed smugly, “You let it slip, didn’t you? You came here because of His Majesty. A young lady from a humble family, seducing your sister’s man, aren’t you ashamed? Your Ning family is supposed to be a noble family, so is this the sense of propriety and shame of your great clan?”
Ning Ziyin choked for a moment, her face turning red with anger.
Ning Wanyin tried her best to hold back her laughter.
Women in the palace are never simple. It was just that Zhuang Fei’s previous opponents were all too difficult to deal with.
If she chose a simpler one, wouldn’t she have won the argument?
“Zhuang Fei, you may leave now.”
When Helian Qi was in a bad mood, his expression was unusually calm.
“Your Majesty… I wish to serve you during your bath…” Zhuang Fei tugged at his sleeve and whined coquettishly.
Helian Qi’s tone was devoid of any emotion, “I’m in the mood to appreciate paintings. You wouldn’t understand them anyway, so go and rest.”
Zhuang Fei choked, then glared angrily at Ning Wanyin, “This concubine takes her leave.”
Zhuang Fei stormed off, muttering under her breath, “Sending her cousin to compete for favor, so shameless…”
Seeing that the Emperor had driven Zhuang Fei away, Ning Ziyin assumed that the Emperor was protecting her.
She said with a shy blush: “Your Majesty, my sister and I have each painted a picture of a summer lotus. Please appreciate it.”
A maid presented two paintings.
Helian Qi recognized Ning Wanyin’s painting at a glance; it was a chaotic and ugly style.
In comparison, another unremarkable painting looked much better when contrasted with it.
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