"Little Changle," the Empress Dowager said mysteriously to Princess Changle, "Grandma can tell you a little secret."
"Grandma, what secret do you want to tell Changle?" Princess Changle asked in a milky voice.
"Haha, it was Grandma who helped your imperial grandfather come up with your title as Princess Changle," the Empress Dowager said with a bright smile, looking at little Changle with eyes full of affection.
"Ah, no wonder Grandma guessed it right away," little Changle mumbled, pouting her little lips again.
Seeing little Changle pout, the Empress Dowager found her extremely cute.
"Changle, come here, Grandma wants a hug." The Empress Dowager beckoned to little Changle.
Little Changle nodded, took short steps, and slowly walked to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager chuckled and lifted her onto her lap.
Then, she said to the Prince of Shou and his wife, "Yier, Zhiyue, you sit down too."
"Thank you, Imperial Grandmother!"
The Prince of Shou and his wife responded in unison.
Afterward, the Consort of Prince Shou pushed the Prince's wheelchair to the side and sat down.
"Wet Nurse Gong, have the family members of these officials all arrived?" the Empress Dowager asked, turning to Wet Nurse Gong beside her.
"Replying to Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager, they have all basically arrived," Wet Nurse Gong replied respectfully.
"Then let's begin our tea party and flower appreciation gathering now," the Empress Dowager said to the ladies present.
"Yes, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Everyone stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager.
"The Empress is indisposed today and unable to preside over my birthday banquet. I shall personally host this event," the Empress Dowager then slowly said.
"Yes, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager!" everyone replied happily.
"This afternoon's event is a tea party with flower appreciation. If anyone has other ideas for entertainment, they can tell me."
As the Empress Dowager said this, she gently put down little Changle, stood up slowly with the help of Leng Ruoli, wearing a dark red brocade palace robe that trailed on the floor, and walked to the center of the banquet platform, looking at everyone.
"Your Imperial Majesty, my daughter has an idea."
At this moment, Ye Meiqian, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites Ye Yiheng, stood up and walked to the center, saying.
"You may speak," the Empress Dowager looked at her.
"Today is not only Your Imperial Majesty's birthday, but it is also the time when spring and summer meet, and all flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Why don't we hold a poetry and painting competition to showcase everyone's talent?" Ye Meiqian suggested to the Empress Dowager.
"Hmm, this suggestion is good!" the Empress Dowager agreed with her suggestion.
"Then let's do this! Only ladies can participate in this competition. For the woman who wins first place in the poetry competition, I will reward her with a jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin."
As soon as the Empress Dowager said this, the crowd below erupted.
"Heavens, the Empress Dowager's prize is truly tempting. It is said that the jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin was a token of love from the late emperor to the Empress Dowager. I didn't expect the Empress Dowager to be willing to offer it as a prize," a noble lady among the crowd whispered softly.
"Indeed. It is said that this jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin was specially crafted for the Empress Dowager by the greatest craftsman in the world, whom the late emperor specially sought out in the East Sea," another noble lady echoed.
"Wow, I really want to get this jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin too. I heard that the craftsmanship of this hairpin is exquisite," Shen Yuejia said excitedly in the crowd.
"There's no way the two of us can win it, so give up on that idea. However, I am curious to see who will end up with this jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin," Ye Meiqian looked up, a cold smile curving her lips.
"........."
The ladies below the platform immediately started discussing.
At that moment, Wet Nurse Gong, by the Empress Dowager's side, waved her hand at everyone, "Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. Please wait for the Empress Dowager to finish speaking."
As soon as she spoke, everyone present immediately stopped talking.
"For those who win first place in painting, I will reward them with a piece of feather brocade. What do you think?" the Empress Dowager said, once again making a surprising announcement.
"Oh my goodness! Great Aunt, you are too generous today. First, you offer the jadeite dragonfly peony hairpin as a prize, and now you are offering the only piece of feather brocade in the three kingdoms as a prize. These prizes are truly tempting. I must participate in this poetry and painting competition; I cannot just watch these two prizes fall into other people's hands," Bai Yuxuan whispered to herself.
The wife of Marquis Jingyuan beside her found Bai Yuxuan's words amusing and gently pressed her brow with her finger.
"If you can compose a poem or draw a decent picture, then I won't have to urge you to study every day," the wife of Marquis Jingyuan teased Bai Yuxuan.
"Mother, do you have to discourage me so much?" Bai Yuxuan complained to the wife of Marquis Jingyuan with dissatisfaction.
"Hehe, Xuan'er, don't listen to your mother. You should try it too."
At this moment, the Empress Dowager also noticed their conversation.
"No, Great Aunt. Xuan'er will just be an observer from the sidelines. I don't want to disgrace Mother or you," Bai Yuxuan said dejectedly.
"Haha, you child..."
The Empress Dowager sat back on her phoenix chair, patted Bai Yuxuan's hand, and said with a smile.
"Your Imperial Majesty, then who will judge the poems and paintings we create?" someone else asked.
Before the Empress Dowager could reply, a clear voice reached everyone's ears.
"His Majesty and Grand Tutor Xia will lead people to judge!"
At the same time, the Emperor, along with Grand Tutor Xia, Jun Mohan, and several other princes, as well as many prestigious court officials such as Leng Jinyu, Duke of Lin, and others, majestically walked towards their banquet platform.
When everyone saw that it was the Emperor, they all knelt down to pay their respects.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" everyone shouted in unison.
"Everyone rise!"
The Emperor waved his sleeve, and immediately told everyone to get up.
"I heard that you are going to have a poetry and painting competition, so I brought Grand Tutor Xia and the scholars to join in the fun and serve as judges for you."
"That's perfect. With His Majesty presiding and bringing several learned and prestigious adults to judge, everyone won't have to worry about my favoritism," the Empress Dowager laughed heartily.
"Mother, what is the theme for today's poetry composition?" the Emperor asked, looking at the Empress Dowager.
"Today is my birthday, and it is also the season of spring and summer. Let everyone compose poems with the theme 'Summer Day'," the Empress Dowager replied after a few moments of thought.
"I think the theme 'Summer Day' is excellent! It's elegant and easy to understand. Guards, bring writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for all the ladies. The time limit is one stick of incense. Begin!"
With the Emperor's command, the palace servants busied themselves preparing writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the ladies who wished to compose poems or paint, allowing them to showcase their talents.
The ladies consciously kept a distance from each other to avoid being copied by those nearby. They all picked up their brushes and began to compose poems.
Of course, Qin Xixue, Ye Meiqian, and Shen Yuejia were among those participating in this poetry and painting competition. However, because Qin Xixue had previously been poisoned by the Hidden Bloom flower, and although the pustules on her face were gradually fading after taking the antidote, she still had scars. Therefore, she had to wear a veil to cover her face when entering the palace today, trying to minimize her presence.