TICIEC Chapter 63.1

Yixiu Palace—

Wei Yingya was just about to leave when Wei Yingshu blocked her way.

Her palace servants rushed forward like wolves and tigers, snatching a gift box from Dongwu.

“Master, please look—”

Qiu Shan opened the gift box. Inside was a scroll painting.

Wei Yingshu was somewhat surprised: “A painting? Unfold it and let me see!”

Isn’t Wei Yingya good at writing poetry and making snacks?

Is she also an exceptional painter?

The palace maid unfurled the scroll, revealing it to be a painting titled ‘Peaches Celebrating Longevity’.

Even with Wei Yingshu’s discerning eye, she could tell that the painting was utterly mediocre.

Her painting skills are not as good as hers.

“You’re sending this to His Majesty?” Wei Yingshu frowned.

Wei Yingya was surprised that she would actually come to steal the congratulatory gift. Seeing her discomfited expression, she was in a good mood.

“Yes, this was drawn by my own hand, which is enough to show my true feelings for His Majesty.”

Wei Yingshu rolled her eyes speechlessly: “You can easily find ten people in the palace who send their own paintings to His Majesty. Your painting is nothing special.”

It is well known to everyone that His Majesty loves paintings, and countless people have tried to cater to his taste.

With Wei Yingya’s level of skill, giving a painting would only make her blend in with the crowd, completely unremarkable.

“I am simply expressing my heartfelt sentiments to His Majesty; I have no intention of competing with the other sisters. Does that mean that when Cousin gives a birthday gift to His Majesty, she is not genuinely congratulating him, but just trying to outshine the other concubines?” Wei Yingya retorted.

Wei Yingshu was speechless after being retorted, and in a fit of anger, she was about to slap Wei Yingya across the face.

But Wei Yingya caught her with her hand. She sneered: “We are both Meiren, so who do you want to hit?”

Wei Yingshu could only angrily pull her hand back: “You just wait…”

After saying that, she turned around and stormed off with her entourage.

“When Wei Meiren calls Zhang Zhaoyi again, Master, you will…” Dongwu reminded her sympathetically.

She felt sorry for this master, who was bullied by the neighbor every day.

“That’s something for next time. This time, could I let her hit me?” Wei Yingya snorted coldly.

Then she remembered a trick and looked full of regret: “What a loss. I should have let her hit me…”

Why did she stop her just now?

She should have taken the slap first and then reported it.

She is half a rank higher than her. (T/N: Because Wei Yingya has a title ‘Ying’, while Wei Yingshu does not. So Wei Yingya’s rank is higher.)

A lower-ranked concubine hitting a higher-ranked one; Wei Yingshu was bound to be punished.

Wei Yingya was furious. She hadn’t performed well this time!

“Never mind. Let’s just take the painting and go.” Wei Yingya sighed regretfully.

Dongwu put the discarded painting back into the gift box and suddenly realized: “Your Majesty, did you know that the neighbor would come to steal the congratulatory gift you sent to His Majesty, so you only prepared one painting?”

This painting was something Wei Yingya had casually painted yesterday.

The original owner had studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but of course, her skill level was only average.

So Wei Yingya just used this mediocre skill level to get by in a perfunctory manner.

It would be impossible for her to spend even a penny more or put in even a little more effort for the Emperor.

As for Wei Yingshu coming to snatch it, she hadn’t actually thought of that.

“Coincidence. Let’s go.”

…

Ning Wanyin and the other concubines went to Jingxi Palace to wait.

According to the rules of the Emperor’s birthday celebration, the concubines take their seats after the first bell rings.

Although they can’t be compared to princes and aristocrats, they are the Emperor’s women.

No matter how low one’s rank, one is still a master in the eyes of one’s subjects.

When the bell rings a second time, the members of the royal family will take their seats.

As the bell rings for the third time, civil and military officials, as well as ladies of high rank, take their seats in turn.

After everyone is seated, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor will enter.

Cheng Shi did not enter the palace today. She listened to Ning Wanyin and took sick leave, determined not to cause her daughter any more trouble.

Now that the bell had not rung, the concubines were already chatting idly in Jingxi Palace.

 

 

 

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