TICIEC Chapter 72.2

On the tray lay a scroll painting.

Ning Wanyin assumed that it was an ancient painting treasured by the Emperor. Upon unfolding it, a summer lotus scene came to life before her eyes.

The lotus pond, the palace beside the pond, and the small bridge—the scenery in the painting was very familiar.

“Isn’t this the Lingxue Pavilion?” Ning Wanyin exclaimed in surprise, her gaze finally settling on a seal on the right side of the scroll.

This was the Emperor’s private seal.

Wang Degui chuckled, “Congratulations, Ning Jieyu! This is a painting of lotus blossoms at Lingxue Pavilion, which His Majesty painted himself yesterday, specially for Ning Jieyu!”

Ning Wanyin was extremely shocked, recalling her conversation with the Emperor a few days ago: I want to paint the lotus flowers at Lingxue Pavilion as a memento.

The Emperor had actually remembered it.

“Ning Jieyu, this is the first time His Majesty has personally painted a portrait for a concubine. His Majesty’s affection for Ning Jieyu is truly unparalleled!”

Wang Degui, equally astonished, sincerely flattered her.

Ning Wanyin snapped out of her daze, her face beaming with joy.

“Look how happy I am! This concubine thanks His Majesty for his great favor!”

“Lian Rui, quickly hang this painting in my bedroom. From now on, I want to see His Majesty’s paintings every day.”

“Yes.” Lian Rui replied happily.

Wang Degui smiled and said, “His Majesty is discussing matters with his ministers. I will come again at noon to fetch Ning Jieyu to the Danqing Water Pavilion.”

The Danqing Water Pavilion, located in the middle of Taihu Lake, uses water as a curtain, making it the coolest place in the palace at present.

“Thank you for your trouble, Chief Eunuch.”

Ning Wanyin stuffed a heavy bag of silver into Wang Degui’s hand.

After Wang Degui left, Ning Wanyin, as usual, rewarded everyone in the palace, then stood in her bedchamber, admiring the Emperor’s painting.

It must be said that the Emperor’s painting skills were exceptional.

The pond full of lotus flowers was a vibrant and lifelike scene.

“Master, His Majesty is truly devoted to you. I’ve heard that in the past, His Majesty would send gifts from the treasury for the concubines’ birthdays, but he never prepared anything himself.” Lian Rui said happily.

Ning Wanyin pursed her thin lips slightly: “His Majesty has indeed treated me extremely well.”

If an emperor wants to favor someone, he can naturally spoil them rotten.

But he also holds your life and death in his hands.

Those who have been elevated to the top should be even more aware that if they were to slip and fall, they would be shattered to pieces.

The special treatment the Emperor is giving her now is the result of her meticulous planning and scheming, even at the risk of her life.

Ning Wanyin was naturally not moved by this.

However, she should appear extremely moved.

“Lian Rui, go and prepare three lotus lanterns.” Ning Wanyin instructed.

Lian Rui accepted the order.

The master and servant were talking when Xiao Guizi came to report.

“Master, Ying Meiren and Tang Meiren have come to congratulate you!”

“Please invite them in.”

Although Tang Miaoling had sent Ning Wanyin a birthday gift several months earlier, she did not actually know the exact date of Ning Wanyin’s birthday. It was only today, when the Emperor bestowed the gift and the news spread throughout the palace, that she learned of it.

She hadn’t had time to prepare anything special beforehand, so she simply brought two catties of her favorite tea as a congratulatory gift.

The guests and hosts took their seats.

Wei Yingya’s palace servants carried a long, square bamboo box that was as tall as a person.

She untied the silk threads binding the bamboo box on all four sides, and her maid removed the bamboo strips sealing the sides.

Inside, a nine-tiered pastry resembling a small tower was revealed.

“What is this?”

Tang Miaoling’s eyes widened. She had never seen such a strange thing before.

“It smells sweet. Is this edible?”

Wei Yingya introduced with a proud expression: “That’s right. This is a nine-tiered birthday cake that this concubine, specially made… cough, a nine-tiered birthday pastry! To congratulate Ning Jieyu!”

“Wow, such a tall pastry! It’s practically a pastry tower! Ying Meiren, you’re truly amazing!” Tang Miaoling exclaimed in amazement.

Wow, this pastry is so tall!

Ning Wanyin was also quite surprised.

Such a complex and enormous pastry—Wei Yingya must have gotten up in the middle of the night to start making it…

“Thank you so much, Ying Meiren. You’ve gone to so much trouble.” Ning Wanyin said.

Wei Yingya originally wanted to prepare candles and sing a birthday song, but then she thought that the ancients went to bed early at midnight, so it was better not to have these foreign customs.

 

 

 

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