After reading the whole family's minds, the eldest daughter awakened

Chapter 71 Concubine Zhou’s plan
  After saying that, she covered her lips with her handkerchief and smiled softly.

"Concubine Zhou, I'm really sorry. I'm allergic to some fragrances. In case I lose my temper at the banquet, it's better to stay away."

Chu Wangchen said it more tactfully, but there were too many people present, so he was tantamount to saying that the smell of the imperial concubine was too strong.

Concubine Zhou did not expect that she would personally invite Chu Wangchen, but he would not give her face.

It is true that he is the noble prince of Dongzhou Kingdom, but she is the most beloved concubine of Nanchen Kingdom, and her pillow style is very powerful.

"Prince Wangchen, this is Nanchen. Isn't this too disrespectful to this noble concubine?"

Concubine Zhou's face turned pale, and she was obviously angry.

"Concubine, don't be angry, I really like the position on your left."

Gongsun Qiao can be regarded as giving Zhou Guifei a chance to step down. After all, she, the princess, is also of high status.

Concubine Zhou turned her anger into a smile and said, "Since Princess Anping likes it, then come and sit down."

When Gongsun Qiao took his seat, the poetry competition banquet officially began.

Concubine Zhou looked at the flowers and plants in the yard and casually pointed to the lotus in the lake, "Let's use that as the title."

At this time, the lotus flowers in the lake are in bloom, and there are fish of various colors swimming under the lotus leaves, which is a beautiful scene of fish playing with the lotus leaves.

The young ladies and gentlemen present thought about it for a while and soon became confident.

Concubine Zhou's eyes fell on Gongsun Qiao, "Princess Anping, you are a guest from afar, so why not start with you."

Concubine Zhou always remembered the incident when Gongsun Qiao broke her clothes at the last palace banquet and made a fool of herself.

She heard that the Dongzhou people valued martial arts over literature, smelled fishy, ​​and didn't have much ink in their stomachs, so she deliberately named Gongsun Qiao first because she wanted to humiliate her.

Gongsun Qiao smiled calmly and said, "Okay, then, noble concubine, please listen carefully."

Under the concubine's calculating eyes, Gongsun Qiao recited a poem praising the lotus.

When the poem was finished, the concubine's eyes changed from contempt to disbelief. She really didn't expect that Gongsun Qiao could not only compose poetry, but also do it so well.

Others also didn't expect that Princess Anping was really outstanding.

They love such a beautiful woman with high status, good looks, and literary talent. However, Princess Anping seems to like His Highness the Crown Prince more, and I wonder if there is any hope for them.

Gongsun looked at Concubine Zhou with a smile.

"My dearest concubine, how do you do with this poem?"

"Very, good." Concubine Zhou said these two simple words with great reluctance.

"Thanks for the compliment."

Gongsun Qiao smiled grandly, seemingly unaware of Concubine Zhou's previous troublemaking intentions.

First rejected by Chu Wangchen, and then slapped in the face by Gongsun Qiao, Concubine Zhou was holding a fire in her heart and just wanted to find someone to vent it out to.

Her gaze fell on Li Youwei.

She had long heard from Master Zhou that Li Youwei was very good at martial arts and arithmetic, but could only barely pass the exam in his essays.

Thinking of this, the imperial concubine's lips curled up again.

"Miss Li, Princess Anping has written a poem related to lotus. Now I will give you a chance to discuss it with her. You must not let me down."

Concubine Zhou's words contained a hidden threat, implying that if Li Youwei's poems were not as good as Gongsun Qiao's, Nanchen Kingdom would be embarrassed.

"Yes."

When Li Youwei glanced at Concubine Zhou, she guessed that trouble would be found.

Three years ago, Li Youwei could only barely pass the test in terms of poetry and poetry, but after spending three years living with the most talented woman in the capital, it was difficult for her to improve her poetry writing ability.

After a little thought, I composed a lotus chant.

Comparing the two poems, it can be said that each has its own merits. If we really compare them, they will be tied.

Concubine Zhou looked at Li Youwei in disbelief again. Not only did she do it, but she also did it so well. No, she must have been prepared.

She was just a bumpkin from the countryside. She didn't understand the true meaning of those poems at all. The poem she just made was probably made by Nalan Ling for her, and she just memorized it by rote.

After comforting herself in this way, Concubine Zhou's face looked much better. “Ms. Li’s poems are well done, thank you.”

After saying this, she raised her hand and took off the hairpin from her head and handed it to Li Youwei.

"Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for the reward."

"You're welcome, I will put it on for you personally."

Li Youwei really didn't want to wear the things Zhou Guifei had worn, but now she couldn't resist and had to suffer.

"Wait a minute, noble concubine, the poem I just wrote is not bad at all. Shouldn't you express your gratitude as well?"

Gongsun, who was sitting to the left of Concubine Zhou, said with a smile.

Concubine Zhou paused while poking the hairpin on the top of Li Youwei's hair, then turned to look at Gongsun Qiao with a smile.

"Since Princess Anping has spoken, it is natural that she should be rewarded. This jade pendant on my concubine was a reward from your majesty. It is very valuable. How about giving it to the princess?"

"I, the Princess, will not force anyone to love such a precious thing, so why not just use the hairpin in your hand."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes subconsciously turned to Li Youwei. Princess Anping must have done it on purpose.

After hearing Gongsun Qiao's words, Concubine Zhou immediately laughed so hard that she obviously thought so too.

"Of course you can, but I gave you this hairpin, but there is no reward from Miss Li."

Gongsun Qiao looked at Li Youwei, "Miss Li, can you give that hairpin to this princess?"

"Of course, as long as Princess Anping likes it."

Li Youwei said it dignifiedly and without any anger at all.

"Thank you very much."

Gongsun Qiao successfully got the hairpin, while Li Youwei retreated to his position.

"Ahem, Miss Li, Anping is not sensible, I will give you another gift for her."

Just when the atmosphere at the scene was a little strange, Chu Wangchen opened his mouth with a smile and gave some instructions to the guards around him.

Soon, the guard presented an exquisite wooden box to Li Youwei.

"Please accept it, Miss Li."

Li Youwei knew that this was Chu Wangchen's good intention, and with so many pairs of eyes watching, Li Youwei would be too ungrateful if he didn't accept it.

"Thank you, Prince Wangchen."

"Ahem, no need to be polite, as long as you like it."

Li Youwei handed the box to Bitao to keep, and then sat down quietly.

Gongsun Qiao lowered her head slightly, wondering what she was thinking.

Concubine Zhou thought she had controlled everyone's emotions, so she stood up with a smile.

"How about we go for a walk by the lake and recite poetry while walking?"

"The imperial concubine's suggestion is great. The poems produced this way will be more spiritual."

Hearing those flattering words, the imperial concubine covered her mouth with a veil and smiled very proudly.

A group of people came to the lake. The imperial concubine especially liked to talk to Gongsun Qiao today. The two walked side by side and discussed the techniques of writing poems.

The others followed behind and waited carefully.

"Ah, Princess Anping, what kind of bird do you see in the lake?"

The imperial concubine pointed to the lake and exclaimed, and Gongsun Qiao looked over subconsciously.

But at this moment, the imperial concubine's foot slipped, and she was knocked towards Gongsun Qiao.

The people around him immediately panicked. Gongsun Qiao was too close to the lake. If he was hit by the imperial concubine, he would immediately throw himself into the lake.

(End of this chapter)