lcionline Chapter 205 Nian Shilan wakes up
Chapter 205 Nian Shilan wakes up
When the song ended, Meng Jingxian stood up and lowered her head, waiting for the Queen's judgment.
The Queen clapped softly and praised, "You are indeed a talented person. I have heard that you have a unique understanding of poetry. How about composing a poem on the subject of autumn?"
Meng Jingxian's face remained calm. She breathed a sigh of relief and began to speak, "A golden wind sweeps leaves down the palace walls, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms reflects the setting sun. The autumn scenery of the Forbidden City adds a touch of charm. I wish the princess could write a long and lingering poem."
Xinpin was the first to applaud, "I would like to teach Princess Mo Liufang, great. I don't quite understand it, but I think it is very interesting and appropriate."
"It's reasonable and fitting even if I don't understand. You're such a fool." Concubine Wen covered her mouth and laughed secretly.
Meng Jingxian's appearance caused a huge stir, and Lou Yong'er curiously looked in. Gong Ding's eyes gleamed, and he stared at Meng Jingxian without blinking.
A glint of admiration flashed in the Queen's eyes. "Ms. Meng is exceptionally talented, gentle, and polite. I think she's a perfect match. From now on, I'll have you teach the Princess poetry, calligraphy, and the zither."
Meng Jingxian was overjoyed and quickly knelt to express her gratitude, a glint in her eyes. Entering the imperial palace and becoming the princess's tutor was the biggest change in her otherwise shallow life.
Then, the queen chose a female cavalry master from the Manchu army flag, who looked like a man and was heroic; and a Confucian master from the Han army flag, who looked gentle and weak.
The queen has no daughter, and given her status, she doesn't care about the princess's position, so there is naturally no need for her to be partial or corrupt.
So the three concubines and three princesses who were watching had no objection.
On the way back to the palace, Wen Yi's eyes were filled with infinite longing. "I also want to learn poetry and prose, so that I can use a few words to describe beautiful scenery and convey my will."
"What kind of will can a little girl convey? Did your mother ask you to eat or drink?" Xinpin covered her mouth and laughed.
Wen Yi was not angry, and said seriously: "Empress Xin, please don't criticize me. What's the big deal about not having to worry about food and clothing? There are too many things in the world worth celebrating. You are my sister Shuhe, and my mother is my mother. They are all caring mothers. The kindness of the elders has always been worthy of praise."
Concubine Xin and Concubine Wen smiled at each other.
Shuhe nodded seriously, "It's a pity I don't understand, otherwise I would like to do it too."
Concubine Wen said with a smile: "Ever since you returned to your mother, her smile has never faded. When you write a poem to praise your mother, won't she be overjoyed?"
"I envy you. Wen Yi grew up by your side. I was separated from my daughter, so I love her even more. Fortunately, Shuhe is sensible, otherwise I would be afraid of spoiling her."
Wenpin felt a sense of relief for no reason: Yes, Wen Yi is so innocent, fortunately she has been by her side since she was a child. Although the days with Nian Shilan were difficult in the past, at least she was shielded from the storms of the outside world.
Thinking of Nian Shilan lying unconscious on the bed, Concubine Wen sighed. It was both a disaster and a blessing that Wen Yi was a girl.
Concubine Wen touched the little tassel hanging from Wen Yi's ear with tenderness in her eyes.
Shuhe looked at Gongding and said, "Sister Gongding, I think you also read Master Meng at that time."
Gong Ding, who had been silent for a long time, gathered his cloak tightly and nodded, saying, "Master Meng is well-versed in poetry and literature, and he also became a female teacher. He is very impressive."
Shuhe agreed very much and was about to say something else when a person walked out from the corner in front.
"Mr. Qiao, I rarely see you outside recently. Does the imperial concubine have any instructions?" Concubine Wen asked with a smile.
The person who came was Songzhi. Xinpin was a little curious, "Qiao Changzai?"
After Nian Gengyao's death, Songzhi changed back into her maid's attire, and Concubine Xin almost forgot that Songzhi had served the emperor.
Songzhi's eyes were slightly red, and she bowed, "Greetings to Concubine Wen and Concubine Xin. Our queen has woken up and wants to see Princess Wen Yi."
Concubine Wen was slightly startled and said hurriedly, "The Emperor promoted Concubine Hui to Concubine last time, and considering Songzhi was staying in the Yikun Palace, she was also promoted to the position of Concubine. Well, since the Concubine wants to see Wen Yi, I will leave first."
Inside Yikun Palace, light filtered through layers of curtains, casting dappled shadows. The silence was oppressive. The air was filled with the bitter aroma of medicine, a stark contrast to the usual perfume of cosmetics.
Nian Shilan half-leaned on the couch, her face pale as paper, her cheeks slightly sunken, her eyes lacking their former sharpness and brilliance, their deep eye sockets revealing fatigue and weakness. Her lips were pale, making her look even more haggard and sickly.
When Nian Shilan heard the announcement that Cao Qinmo had arrived with Princess Wen Yi, a glimmer of light flashed in her originally dim eyes. She tried to straighten herself up and cheer herself up.
After a while, Concubine Wen led Princess Wen Yi into the inner room. Princess Wen Yi was wearing a yellow-green dress embroidered with small flowers, and a hairpin with a small tassel hanging from it made her look cute and lovely.
She ran to Nian Shilan's bedside and said distressedly, "Madam Hua, Wen Yi is here to see you. You were asleep when he came before. Mother said she would bring Wen Yi when you got better, but it's been a long time."
Nian Shilan looked at Wen Yi with soft eyes and forced a smile. Her voice was weak but gentle: "Wen Yi, be good." As she spoke, she stretched out her bony hand to touch Wen Yi's head.
Concubine Wen stood quietly by the side, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She said respectfully, "Your Majesty seems to be in better spirits today. I can finally rest assured."
Nian Shilan nodded slightly, her eyes always on Wen Yi.
Concubine Wen followed her gaze and looked at her daughter, her heart skipping a beat.
"Your Majesty used to love burning Joyful Incense, but she's not used to it for a while now. Actually, it's better not to burn incense, as it can help avoid many schemes."
Nian Shilan glanced at Concubine Wen's smiling face and let out a long sigh.
He patted Wen Yi gently and said, "Okay, go back to your mother and don't let your illness get to you."
Concubine Wen heaved a sigh of relief and gradually put on a smile. "Your Majesty is getting better. I feel like I've found my backbone. Wen Yi can finally rest assured."
Nian Shilan suddenly turned around and stared at Concubine Wen. "I heard there's a new princess in the palace. Tell me about it."
Concubine Wen guessed Nian Shilan's thoughts and said slowly, "The newborn is Princess Jinghe, born to Concubine Hui, and is now Concubine Hui."
He carefully observed Nian Shilan's expression and saw that she was unmoved. She was just staring at the mural on the wall of Fan Lihua going to war.
Concubine Wen continued, "Princess Longyue is almost two years old and is being raised by Concubine Duan. Princess Xinhe, born to Concubine Lou, is three years old. After Concubine Jing was demoted to Concubine, Xinhe moved to the prince's residence. She lives in Shuhe's former house, with all the necessary supplies. Concubine Xin even went to see Princess Xinhe on the day she moved in. Concubine Lou was very happy. If it weren't for the prince's family, Hongshi and the others would have been running to the prince's residence every day."
Nian Shilan still had no reaction.
Wenpin thought for a moment, glanced at Wen Yi, and then said, "And the Eighth Prince."