Chapter 137: Chapter 136: If we’re going to embarrass ourselves, let’s do it together Chapter 137: Chapter 136: If we’re going to embarrass ourselves, let’s do it together The Empress, hearing the words of Concubine Yun, raised her eyes to look over, and where the Crown Prince was supposed to be accompanied by Lady Chang, it was clearly Lady Shen.

She frowned, wondering why the Crown Prince didn’t bring Lanlan with him on such an important day.

Xiao Jinyan, hearing this, glanced at Shen Chuwei, and saw that she was lowering her head, eating the dish he had just given her, oblivious to Concubine Yun’s words.

It wasn’t Shen Chuwei’s fault that she didn’t hear Concubine Yun–the clinking of glasses and the constant sound of string and woodwind instruments drowned out the chatter, and she was entirely focused on her food, making it easy to miss others’ remarks.

Xiao Jinyan calmly replied, “Concubine Yun, Lady Chang is unwell and unable to attend the New Year’s Eve banquet.

The lady sitting beside me is Lady Shen.”

As he spoke, his hand under the table tugged at Shen Chuwei’s skirt.

Shen Chuwei caught sight of a hand under the table and looked up at Xiao Jinyan; hearing what he said, she followed his gaze and saw a woman of majestic elegance sitting not far away, who must have been the Concubine Yun that Xiao Jinyan referred to.

Did Concubine Yun mistake her for Lady Chang?

Indeed, Lady Chang was the Empress’s own niece, and by convention, the Crown Prince should have brought her to the New Year’s Eve banquet.

As a stand-in, she now felt embarrassed…

“Really?

My eyes must have deceived me,” said Concubine Yun with a chuckle, covering her mouth.

“So, it’s Lady Shen.

Coming from a prestigious family, she must be accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”

Although the women of the Imperial Palace were secluded, they could still easily learn of outside matters if they were willing to spend the money.

The legitimate daughter of Chancellor Shen, Shen Mingzhu, was locked up in the Cold Palace for scheming against her own sister, and Shen Chuwei was but a recognized illegitimate daughter brought in from outside; how could she know anything about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting?

The Empress frowned displeasedly; Yun Xianbai was deliberately making things difficult for the Crown Prince.

“Concubine Yun, today’s banquet is about family togetherness; why make the younger generation embarrass themselves?”

“Empress, exactly because it is the New Year’s Eve banquet, should it not be lively?

Later, let Yinyin recite the ‘Three Character Classic’ for everyone.” Concubine Yun looked at the Emperor with a beaming smile and cooed, “Your Majesty, don’t you agree with this concubine?”

Yinyin, in the arms of Concubine Yun, called out in a babyish voice, “Emperor Grandpa.”

The Empress rolled her eyes at Yun Xianbai; how sickening was it for someone of her age to act coy?

And using Yinyin to draw attention?

The Emperor, hearing the words “Emperor Grandpa,” chuckled a few times.

“Concubine Yun makes a good point.

Yinyin is almost three, right?

So clever and smart.

Concubine Yun has taught him well.

Let’s have Yinyin be the final act.”

That is to say, he agreed with Concubine Yun’s suggestion just now.

With the Emperor’s words, the Empress could say nothing more and could only hope for Shen Chuwei to fend for herself.

Shen Chuwei simply wanted to enjoy the banquet peacefully and had not expected to be caught in a situation where she needed to display some talent.

Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting–she was skilled in none; what could she showcase?

She looked at Xiao Jinyan with eyes pleading for rescue.

Your Highness, what to do?

In front of his father and everyone else, Xiao Jinyan, though he might want to, was powerless to protect Shen Chuwei.

“Since it’s a family banquet, Lady Shen may perform whatever skill she’s most proficient in.”

Implicit in his words was the suggestion to do what she did best to avoid making a fool of herself.

Shen Chuwei sighed helplessly, realizing that the New Year’s Eve banquet was not as easygoing as it seemed; she had to perform, and even Xiao Jinyan couldn’t save her.

Seeing Shen Chuwei dawdling, Concubine Yun knew the rumors were true: Shen Chuwei was from the countryside and knew nothing.

“Lady Shen, what talent do you plan to display?”

Dressed in a stunning gown, Shen Chuwei moved with difficulty and could only rise slowly, making her way to the center of the Grand Hall, where she bowed to the seated Emperor and Empress.

She then turned to address Concubine Yun, “Your Highness, today my performance entails a different kind of calligraphy and painting.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s interest was piqued, “A different kind of calligraphy and painting?

I am indeed eager to see this.”

Shen Chuwei bowed, “Allow me a moment to prepare the props, Your Majesty.”

With a wave of his hand, the Emperor consented, “Granted.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Shen Chuwei slowly withdrew.

The Empress watched Shen Chuwei retreat to the Side Hall, worried that if her performance failed to impress, not only would the Emperor be disappointed, but it would also become gossip fodder for the concubines during their leisure time.

If only she had known, she would have allowed Lanlan to come forward; the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting were her strengths.

“I’ve heard that Lady Shen is a common-born daughter the Minister Shen brought in from the countryside, is that true?”

“It must be true.

Apparently, she’s clueless about the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

She’s sure to embarrass herself today.”

“Why did the Crown Prince bring Lady Shen instead of Lady Chang?

Lady Chang is the niece of the Empress.”

A few people whispered among themselves about Lady Chang’s purported chill from the cold and being unable to attend the New Year’s Eve banquet, but few believed that explanation, suspecting there was more to the story.

The Empress’s expression darkened as she listened to the murmuring.

What business was it of theirs whom the Crown Prince brought along?

The Crown Princess had not yet been selected, had she?

Xiao Jinyan overheard the Empress’s internal rant and glanced up at her.

With a smile on her face, the Empress turned to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, since tonight is the New Year’s Eve banquet, why not let them all spar in their arts?

The more the merrier.”

Naturally, ‘they all’ included the daughters-in-law of both Concubine Yun and Consort De, as well as the official wives and concubines of the other princes.

Chengcheng, the son of Concubine Yun, had not brought his principal wife this time but instead his favored concubine from the Hu Family.

Mrs.

Hu was a daughter from a minor household, not particularly skilled in the qin, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but her beauty caught Chengcheng’s eye, and overnight she ascended like a phoenix.

Liu Family’s daughter, the principal wife of Prince Rui, was merely a figurehead with no real talent.

When Prince Rui married her, he was attracted by her status as General Liu’s legitimate daughter.

She was also known to have numerous ladies-in-waiting at home.

If one must make a fool of oneself, then let everyone make fools of themselves together; no one would be in a position to laugh at the other.

Concubine Yun glanced at Mrs.

Hu, infuriated.

All she’d done was used her seductive ways to endear herself and ensure her son brought her to the banquet – shameless.

It was clear to the Emperor as well that Chengcheng’s failure to bring his principal wife would displease him.

“Your Majesty, since this is a family banquet, wouldn’t competition spoil the good atmosphere?”

Consort De added her opinion with a smile, “Concubine Yun is right, Your Majesty.

To witness Lady Shen’s display of talent is satisfaction enough for us all.”

Consort De knew all too well that Prince Rui’s wife lacked skill in the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she couldn’t afford to lose face in front of so many people.

The Empress snorted at the two, now you’re panicking?

What were you doing earlier?

“But I too wish to enjoy a range of talents and be thoroughly entertained, Your Majesty, what do you think?” the Empress asked, turning her head to the Emperor with a gentle smile on her face.

The Emperor nodded eagerly, “The Empress speaks wisely.

On this New Year’s Eve, an abundance of talents would indeed be most enjoyable.”

Raising her chin, the Empress sent a slight smile towards Concubine Yun and Consort De, “Today we shall feast our eyes indeed.”

Clenching her handkerchief tightly, Concubine Yun glared at Concubine Hu with scorn–what a joke.

Consort De was also seething.

Mrs.

Liu only knew how to brandish weapons; how could she know anything of the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting?

Surely she couldn’t perform a sword dance in the Grand Hall?

Concubine Hu of Chengcheng, Prince Rui’s wife Mrs.

Liu, Prince Xuan’s wife Mrs.

An, and others excused themselves one by one to prepare.