A Dream of Splendid Beauty Around the Jade Pool ( Shared with Empress Xiaoxian ) 73 A smile towards the cup and plate ( Upper part )

  "Ah?!" Guo Xin suddenly stood up and sat back down, her hands tightly grasping the silk cushion beneath her. Her dark eyes were filled with anger, no longer calm. "Guo Shi, Guo Shi! No wonder he hasn't come for so many days..." The flames of rage in her mind were about to consume her rationality. "I was careful and didn't offend her, but she... That despicable woman! She's indeed accustomed to using underhanded tactics!!"

  The old lady saw her gritting her teeth in anger and couldn't help but feel heartache. "Master, you must calm down. It's not certain that the Gao family did it yet."

  "It's her who can benefit from it!" Lan Xi couldn't help but say, "Now it seems that Furen is a sensible person, as long as it doesn't harm the stability of Qianxi, she won't ignore it. The master can...". Gu Xin gave her a sideways glance and she uneasily stopped talking. Although she was a companion who entered the palace with the mistress, she wasn't someone who had served by the master's side for a long time, so there was no comparison in terms of feelings... Forget it, just do what she was supposed to do, even if she had a good idea, it still depended on whether the master was willing to listen.

  After calming down, the imperial concubine felt that Lan Xi's words made some sense: "It's possible that it was Fuca Gege who played a trick, and being able to conceive Beile Ye's first child is definitely not simple. Moreover, the one who spread the news was a second-class palace maid serving beside Gao Shi, this is too obvious..."

  "It's possible that someone is crying out for a thief." Gu Xin said coldly. She didn't know why, but she just couldn't stand Fu Cha Yun Zhu, maybe it was because heaven had been too good to her, with her birth, looks, talent, and status... She wasn't a person who liked to be jealous, but in front of Fu Cha Yun Zhu, she really couldn't control the inferiority complex that arose in her heart. This feeling was too painful for her, and it often could only be alleviated by attacking others, making her feel slightly better. She didn't believe that there were perfect people in this world, and Fu Cha Yun Zhu's inner self was definitely not as flawless as she appeared to be.

  "Master..."

  "I know." Gu Xin interrupted Granny's words impatiently, "This grudge can't be left unavenged, but not now. Lan Xi, don't mind my attitude, it's just that..."

  Lan Xi shook her head, "I and Ya Ya accompanied the master into the palace just to take care of the master and protect the master. As long as the master is fine, what can't I and Ya Ya tolerate? Even if sometimes we don't follow the master's wishes, isn't that normal? This servant also can't guarantee that this servant's words are correct."

  "It's true." The jailer hastily said, "I think this matter still needs to be investigated. Master can't suffer losses without a clear reason. Once we understand the main and secondary issues, we can better survive in these two places of Qianxi."

  He fell flat on his face as soon as he came, and Gu Xing could only swallow this bitter fruit, and said with a sullen expression: "For now, I can only pretend to be stupid."

  "The master is still young, just as the slave said, we should take good care of our bodies first... If there's going to be a fight, let them fight. However, this power must be established, at least we have to manage well our own land, and not lose face like the Gao family who can't even control their slaves' mouths."

  "Mother said it makes sense." Gu Xin let out a light sigh, her ambition was naturally not just about giving birth to an older brother, but for now everything was still empty talk, one step at a time. "Lan Xi, how much of what that Mother Zhao said can be believed?"

  Lan Xi said, "That Zhao Ayi has no background or connections, and she's not very clever either. She's been in the palace for half her life and is only a rough servant girl. The reason she got this easy job of sweeping the garden is because when she was young, she once showed mercy to a small eunuch who had just entered the palace and was punished with a beating and wasn't allowed to eat. That little eunuch has since risen through the ranks and now serves Fourth Prince with Wu Zongguan. Zhao Ayi's job is still taken care of by him... He also often reminds her not to get involved in the struggles of the nobles."

  "She's a sensible person who knows how to repay kindness." The prison warden nodded in approval, also feeling that the rough servant was lucky and had received such a good reward due to her temporary kindness.

  "You'll have more chances to pull Zhao's mother in later." Gu Xin said to Lan Xi, "Just don't let others notice."

  Lan Xi nodded, "Master can rest assured, that Zhao Ayi is timid and cowardly, and because of her own incompetence, she attaches great importance to silver and money... I know what to do."

  ……

  They were discussing countermeasures on their side, while Fuling Ah was also gloating over her clever move. The beneficiary was the Gao family, who would have believed that she would smear herself? It was a mix of true and false, making it unclear who was behind the rumor that reached the Gao family.

  Gao's family, you should thank me for helping you gain favor!

  But little did they know that Yunzhu's spiritual power had already probed everything clearly.

  "Hmph! Withdrawing her spiritual energy, Yunzhu thought that after Fuling ate that one from Gaoshi, her mind had deepened a lot. If judging by the ultimate beneficiary to infer the person behind the rumors, Gaoshi's suspicion is indeed greater than hers. However, Fuling also has her own interests, with Kolriyate's family being suppressed for a long time and unable to compete with her. As for Gaoshi, born as a concubine and having been given infertility medicine, even if his father held high office, what does it matter? Even if he were in the capital, his influence on the harem would be limited."

  How they intrigue against each other she doesn't care, but using her as a scapegoat is out of the question. If she isn't given some lesson, she'll think that there's nothing that can be done without her, this Feng Ling'er!

  Before long, it was the Dragon Boat Festival. In the morning, several princes followed the emperor to the Temple of Heaven to avoid poison, and after returning, they had to attend a banquet in the Qianqing Palace, which invited nine officials, six departments, Manchu and Han ministers, and envoys from various vassal states.

  This is an external affair, and the preparation of the banquet is overseen by the Empress and Xi Fei, with the Imperial Household Department handling it, nothing to do with Yunzhu.

  However, as a small family in the imperial court, Yunzhu also had to make some gestures. Every time it was a festive day, the palace gave the best food and goods to Qianxi's two residences. Dragon Boat Festival was no exception - mugwort, calamus, palm leaves, realgar wine, zongzi... After the people in charge delivered them to the main courtyard, Ye and Shang took some of the mugwort, calamus, garlic and other things and distributed them, leaving most of the food behind. They were preparing for a family banquet in the garden and had also invited two princesses and Fu Hui to join.

  Early in the morning, after paying respects, Yunzhu led everyone to play and fight with grass in the garden, which was quite fun. After playing for a while, the two princesses and Eighth Brother also arrived.

  "Fourth Sister, what delicious dish have you made again?"

  Fu Cha and Fu Linga saw the two princesses and Eighth Prince arrive, and they all got up to pay their respects.

  "No need for courtesy." The two princesses took a look and saw three large round tables, just right for Yunzhu and the two princesses, Fuhui to share one table, the three gege to share one table, and the two concubines to share one table. On the tables were placed several yellow-glazed red plum blossom-shaped dishes, on which were served cherries, mulberries, and wuwu cakes, all traditional foods for the Dragon Boat Festival.

  "You also have things, just thinking about having a lively drink in one place." Yunzhu smiled and asked them to sit down, and then said to Fulinga: "You're pregnant, so don't eat the five-poisoned cake, it has medicinal properties that are not good for the fetus."

  Fuling didn't expect her to specifically care about this, and she replied emotionally: "I know, thank you Furen for your concern." She was also close to her due date and wouldn't easily go out, but since she had a smooth pregnancy and it was Yunzhu's first time hosting them, the gege and servant girls, she couldn't refuse not to come.

  "Guo Auntie, go to the kitchen and check if the zongzi is cooked. If it's done, let them bring it up first." Yunzhu said to Guo Auntie, "Here, leave Suwen to ask Lingxiao to serve, that will be enough." It wasn't a big occasion, but Yunzhu wouldn't have Guo Auntie and the others serve her. On one hand, she was giving face to the managing aunties, on the other hand, it was also to let them go supervise the main courtyard and kitchen.

  "Yes." Gu Mama responded and left. On such a day, even the lowest-ranking slaves in the palace could get a zongzi, and Shang Mama was in charge of distributing them. She had to personally pack the zongzi for the masters to send to the Fu Cha Mansion, the Earl's Mansion, and the Luqin Wang Mansion.

  Before long, a group of palace maids arrived with several plates of steaming hot zongzi, one table and one large plate. At the same time, there were also several jars of Huangjiu wine, a plate of scallion and garlic stir-fried Huanglian, a plate of five-colored eggs, a plate of fragrant fried yellow fish, and a large bowl of salty duck egg yolk stewed with wild vegetables and tofu.

  "Hey, this yellow rice is quite greasy."

  "Yes, the yellow rice balls at this Dragon Boat Festival are especially delicious." Yunzhu elegantly picked up a piece of yellow rice ball with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, feeling that it was round, plump, tender and fresh, and the taste was indeed good.

  "What about the eggs?" He asked, "There used to be no custom of eating eggs in the palace on Dragon Boat Festival. And look at all these colors, is there some special meaning behind them? Are all these dishes arranged by Fourth Aunt meaningful?"

  "Dragon Boat Festival food is legendary and varies by region."

  "The lady is indeed knowledgeable and experienced." Liu flattered her.

  "But I've read a few more idle books." Yunzhu continued, "Eating yellow rice on Dragon Boat Festival is a custom in the Hanjiang Plain area of our country, while eating eggs is a custom in Nanchang, Jiangxi. There, on Dragon Boat Festival, they boil tea eggs and salted eggs to eat, and the eggshells are painted red, put in a net bag, and hung around children's necks, meaning to bless the children with peace and safety. Eighth brother, I've also prepared a bag of eggs for you, take it back to eat later." Smiling.

  Fu Hui said with a sullen face: "Fourth sister, I'm not a kid anymore."

  "Yes, our Eighth Brother has grown up. Come, have some yellow rice, it smells good? Don't drink too much Huangjiu wine, I'll only give you half a cup."

  "Huangshan smells so good." Fu Hui puffed out her cheeks and swallowed the tender, fragrant meat, then took another small sip of wine, ignoring the two princesses' sneers. With narrowed eyes, she savored the liquor as it slid down into her belly and transformed into a warm vapor spreading to her limbs.

  "Just eating zongzi is not fun, why don't we play a game instead? Each of us recites a poem about Dragon Boat Festival, the next person guesses where it's from, and the one who guesses wrong... has to eat an extra zongzi as punishment." Tuan Rou suggested.

  Everyone took a look at the zongzi in the plate and thought... it's really big! A product of the imperial kitchen, one zongzi is enough for these people to eat for a whole meal.

  "I'll go first. 'The sparse rain of the yellow plum blossoms, another encounter with the heavy noon. The horned millet wraps in gold, the iris floats on jade, the scenery is still that of Jingchu. The shirt is cut from the tiger's skin. Again, the hairpin is adorned with a crimson tassel, the arm is wrapped in a red silk sash. The powder puff is fragrant, the fan summons the breeze through the small window at noon... The painted boat is noisy with drums.' " He Hui glanced at Fu Hui who was sitting to her right, smiling and looking pleased.

  Fu Hui gave her a cold look for bullying the weak, thought for a moment, and said: "This is 'The Heavenly Music' written by Yang Wujiao of the Song Dynasty. It's my turn now, 'In May, the pomegranate flowers are enchanting and fragrant. The green willows hang down with rain, heavy and long. Five-colored new silk wraps around the corners of the glutinous rice dumplings. Golden plates are sent. Living fans painted with double phoenixes. It's just the time to bathe in orchids. The beautiful clear wine is shared among friends. In the leaves, the yellow oriole sings a tune. Even the carefree and leisurely breaking of the silken window screens is a dream.'"

  "This is Liu Yiqiu's 'Yu Jia Ao'." This is a very famous poem for the Dragon Boat Festival, and Eighth Brother was afraid she wouldn't guess it. Yunzhu smiled and followed with another recitation: "'On Double Fifth, the mountain village is lovely, the pomegranate flowers have suddenly bloomed profusely. The zongzi are divided between two hair buns, mugwort is tied to a precarious crown. According to old custom, medicine is stored away, and even the frail body is dotted with vermilion. As the sun sets, my tasks are done, I smile as I face the wine cups.'"

  "Lu Fangweng of Southern Song's 'Poem on the Double Fifth Day'." Duan Rou felt disheartened, "If it goes on like this, will anyone still eat these zongzi?" They all opened one and shared among several people.

  "Why don't we try the zongzi made by the small kitchen? I originally wanted to make them as gifts." Today is the traditional Daughter's Day, she can't go back to her mother's house for the holiday, so there must be some zongzi sent over. Yunzhu summoned a small palace maid, "You go to the small kitchen and take a look, if they're steaming, bring three plates over."

  "Yes." The little princess left.

  Gao Luwei spoke up, "Why don't we join in on Fu Jin's elegant gathering and continue the game from earlier?" Jin Yangxia smiled brightly, her beautiful face radiant like a pearl, as she gazed at Fucha Fulina and Ke'er Yuetuo. Only they could see the cold glint and provocation in her eyes.

  She was well aware of the "loss of favor" incident, but on the surface, the "favor" was actually a reprimand from Hongli, and she had also lost two useful second-grade palace maids, which made her secretly seethe with anger.

  Who's afraid of who? Gu Xin sneered coldly in her heart, the wormwood on her temples slightly swaying: "What do you say, sister?" On the surface, it was as if Fucha Fulina was in charge.

  "My sister has the interest, I'll accompany her." Fuling Ah replied with a smile, the maternal light on her face piercing Gao Lu's heart with a faint pain.

  "Sister first threw a brick to attract jade, 'Plum rain initial rest. Suddenly the peony sea pomegranate, competing for the opening season... Return boat late, loaded with lotus flowers ten miles, a hook of new moon.'"

  “…This is the Song Dynasty Huang Yu's 'Xi Shi Yan'.” Fulinga thought for a while before recalling, and after appreciating the flash of discontent in Gaoliuwei's eyes, she recited the poem she had memorized: "Fragrant lemongrass divides the border. Colorful silk cuts out the intertwined rope... Three or four flowers of the sunflower family.”

  "...But what about Chen Yi of the Song Dynasty's 'Bodhisattva Barbarian'?"

  "Lucky little sister, you guessed it right." Gao Luowei raised her cup slightly towards her. Collette pursed her lips and lowered her eyes without responding.

  "I've always thought that being lucky is also a kind of strength, and High Sister is very lucky too. Otherwise, why would she be favored by Beile Ye and promoted to 'Gege'?" Fuling ate a cherry while speaking.

  This time it was Gao Lu's turn to blush, her face turning red and white, almost vomiting blood.

  ……

  As expected, gathering them together will be a good show to watch. Yunzhu hummed with a smile, this play still has more to come.

  The two princesses' eyes flashed with disdain, and Fu Hui's small face was also tightly drawn, and she let out a light "hum" and muttered: "Fourth brother's vision is really poor." Fourth sister-in-law was the Fu Jin given to him by Emperor Ama, so it had nothing to do with whether his vision was good or bad.

  The author has something to say: There is still one more chapter tonight...

  The following is the main body of the text:

  "Ah?!" Guo Xin suddenly stood up, then sat back down, her hands tightly grasping the silk cushion beneath her. Her dark eyes were filled with anger, no longer calm. "Guo Shi, Guo Shi! No wonder he hasn't come for so many days..." The flames of rage in her mind were about to consume her rationality. "I was careful and didn't offend her, but she... That despicable woman! She's indeed accustomed to using underhanded tactics!!"

  The old lady saw her gritting her teeth in anger, and couldn't help but feel heartache. "Master, you must calm down. It's not certain that the Gao family did it yet."

  "It's her who can benefit from it!" Lan Xi couldn't help but say, "Now it seems that Furen is a sensible person, as long as it doesn't harm the stability of Qianxi, she won't ignore it. The master can...". Gu Xin gave her a sideways glance and she uncomfortably stopped talking. Although she was a companion who entered the palace with the mistress, she wasn't someone who had served by the master's side for a long time, so there was no comparison in terms of affection... Never mind, just do what you're supposed to do, even if you have a good idea, it still depends on whether the master is willing to listen.

  After calming down, the imperial concubine felt that Lan Xi's words made some sense: "It's possible that it was Fuca Gege who played a trick, and being able to conceive Beile Ye's first child is not simple. Moreover, the one who spread the news was a second-class palace maid serving beside Gao Shi, this is too obvious..."

  "It's possible that someone is crying out for a thief." Gu Xin said coldly. She didn't know why, but she just couldn't stand Fu Cha Yun Zhu, maybe it was because heaven had been too good to her, with her birth, looks, talent, and status... She wasn't a person who liked to be jealous, but in front of Fu Cha Yun Zhu, she really couldn't control the inferiority complex that arose in her heart. This feeling was too painful for her, and it could only be alleviated by turning it into an attack. She didn't believe that there was anyone in the world who was perfect, and Fu Cha Yun Zhu's inner self was definitely not as flawless as she appeared to be.

  "Master..."

  "I know." Gu Xin interrupted Granny's words impatiently, "This grudge can't be left unavenged, but not now. Lan Xi, don't mind my attitude, it's just that..."

  Lan Xi shook her head, "I and Ya Ya accompanied the master into the palace just to take care of the master and protect the master. As long as the master is fine, what can't I and Ya Ya tolerate? Even if sometimes we don't follow the master's wishes, isn't that normal? This servant also can't guarantee that this servant's words are correct."

  "It's true." The jailer hastily said, "I think this matter still needs to be investigated. Master can't suffer losses without a clear reason. Once we understand the main and secondary issues, we can better survive in these two places of Qianxi."

  He fell flat on his face as soon as he came, and Gu Xing could only swallow this bitter fruit, and said with a sullen expression: "For now, I can only pretend to be stupid."

  "The master is still young, just as the slave said, we should take care of our bodies first... If they want to fight, let them fight. However, this power must be established, at least we have to manage our own land well, and not lose face like the Gao family who can't even control their slaves' mouths."

  "Mother said something reasonable." Gu Xin let out a light sigh, her ambition was naturally not just to give birth to an older brother so simply, it's just that for now everything is still empty talk, one step at a time. "Lan Xi, how much of what Zhao Mother said do you think is believable?"

  Lan Xi said, "That Zhao Ayi has no background or connections, and she's not very clever either. After spending half her life in the palace, she's still just a rough servant girl. She got this easy job of sweeping the garden because when she was young, she once showed mercy to a young eunuch who had been punished with a beating and wasn't allowed to eat. That little eunuch has since risen through the ranks and is now serving Fourth Prince with Wu Zongguan. It's still him who takes care of Zhao Ayi's affairs... He often reminds her not to get involved in the conflicts between the nobles."

  "She's a sensible person who knows how to repay kindness." The prison warden nodded in agreement, also feeling that the rough servant was lucky and had received such a good reward due to her temporary kindness.

  "You'll have more chances to pull Zhao's mother in later." Gu Xin said to Lan Xi, "Just don't let others notice."

  Lan Xi nodded, "Master can rest assured, that Zhao Ayi is timid and cowardly, and because of her own incompetence, she attaches great importance to silver and money... I know what to do."

  ……

  They were discussing countermeasures, while Fuling Ah was also gloating over her clever move. The beneficiary was the Gao family, who would have believed that she would smear herself? It was a mix of truth and falsehood, making it impossible to discern the mastermind behind the rumor that had reached the Gao family.

  Gao's family, you should thank me for helping you gain favor!

  But little did they know that Yunzhu's spiritual power had already detected everything clearly.

  "Hmph! Withdrawing her spiritual energy, Yunzhu thought that after Fuling ate that one from Gaoshi, her mind had deepened a lot. If judging by the ultimate beneficiary to infer the person behind the rumors, Gaoshi's suspicion is indeed greater than hers. However, Fuling also has her own interests, with Kolriyate's family being suppressed for a long time and unable to compete with her. As for Gaoshi, born as a concubine and having been given infertility medicine, even if his father held high office, what does it matter? Even if he were in the capital, his influence on the harem would be limited."

  How they intrigue against each other she doesn't care, but using her as a scapegoat is out of the question. If she isn't given some lesson, she'll think that there's nothing that can be done without her, this Feng Ling'er!

  Before long, it was the Dragon Boat Festival. In the morning, several princes followed the emperor to the Temple of Heaven to avoid poison, and after returning, they had to attend a banquet in the Qianqing Palace, which invited nine officials, six departments, Manchu and Han ministers, and envoys from various vassal states.

  This is an external matter, and the preparation of the banquet is overseen by the Empress and Xi Fei, with the Imperial Household Department handling it, nothing to do with Yunzhu.

  However, as a small family in the imperial court, Yunzhu also had to make some gestures. Every time there was a festive day, the palace would bestow generous gifts of food and goods on Qianxi's two residences, and Dragon Boat Festival was no exception - mugwort, calamus, palm leaves, realgar wine, zongzi... After the usual manager delivered them to the main courtyard, Ye and Shang took some of the mugwort, calamus, garlic and other things and distributed them, leaving most of the food behind to prepare a family banquet in the garden, also inviting two princesses and Fu Hui to attend.

  Early in the morning, after paying respects, Yunzhu took everyone to play and fight with grass in the garden, which was quite fun. After playing for a while, the two princesses and Eighth Brother also arrived.

  "Fourth Sister, what delicious dish have you made again?"

  Fu Cha and Fu Linga saw the two princesses and Eighth Prince arrive, and they all got up to pay their respects.

  "No need for courtesy." The two princesses took a look and saw three large round tables, just right for Yunzhu and the two princesses, Fuhui to share one table, the three gege to share another table, and the two servant girls to share the last table. On each table were placed several yellow-glazed red plum blossom-shaped dishes, on which were served cherries, mulberries, and five-poisoned cakes, all traditional foods for the Dragon Boat Festival.

  "You also have things, just thinking about having a lively drink in one place." Yunzhu smiled and asked them to sit down, and then said to Fulinga: "You're pregnant, so don't eat the five-poisoned cake, it has medicinal properties that are not good for the fetus."

  Fuling didn't expect her to specifically care about this, and she replied emotionally: "I understand, thank you Furen for your concern." To be honest, she was also close to her due date and wouldn't easily go out, but since she had a smooth pregnancy and it was Yunzhu's first time hosting them, the gege and servant girls, she couldn't refuse not to come.

  "Guo Auntie, go to the kitchen and check if the zongzi is cooked. If it's done, let them bring it up first." Yunzhu said to Guo Auntie, "Here, leave Suwen to ask Lingxiao to serve, that will be enough." It wasn't a big occasion, but Yunzhu wouldn't have Guo Auntie and the others serve her. On one hand, she was giving face to the senior aunties, on the other hand, it was also to let them go supervise the main courtyard and kitchen.

  "Yes." Gu Mama responded and left. On such a day, even the lowest-ranking slaves in the palace could get a zongzi, and Shang Mama was in charge of distributing them. She had to personally pack the zongzi for the masters to send to the Fu Cha Mansion, the Earl's Mansion, and the Luqin Wang Mansion.

  Before long, a group of palace maids arrived with several plates of steaming hot zongzi, one large plate per table. At the same time, they also brought several jugs of Huangjiu wine, as well as dishes of stir-fried scallions and garlic, five-colored eggs, pan-fried yellow fish, and a large bowl of salted duck egg yolks stewed with wild vegetables and tofu.

  "Hey, this yellow rice is quite greasy."

  "Yes, the yellow rice balls are the best at this time of the Dragon Boat Festival." Yúnzhū elegantly picked up a piece of yellow rice ball with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, feeling that it was round, plump, tender and delicious, and the taste was indeed good.

  "What about the eggs?" He asked, "There used to be no custom of eating eggs in the palace on Dragon Boat Festival. And look at all these colors, is there some special meaning behind them? Are all these dishes arranged by Fourth Sister with a story behind each one?"

  "Dragon Boat Festival food is legendary and varies by region."

  "The lady is indeed knowledgeable and experienced." Liu flattered her.

  "But I've read a few more idle books." Yunzhu continued, "Eating yellow rice on Dragon Boat Festival is a custom in the Hanjiang Plain area of our country, while eating eggs is a custom in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. There, on Dragon Boat Festival, they boil tea eggs and salted eggs to eat, and the eggshells are painted red, put in a net bag, and hung around children's necks, meaning to bless the children with peace and safety. Eighth brother, I've also prepared a bag of eggs for you, take it back and eat it later." Smiling.

  Fu Hui said with a sullen face: "Fourth sister, I'm not a child anymore."

  "Yes, our Eighth Brother has grown up. Come, have some yellow rice, it smells good? Don't drink too much Huangjiu wine, I'll only give you half a cup."

  "Huangshan smells so good." Fu Hui puffed out her cheeks and swallowed the tender and fragrant meat, then took another small sip of wine, ignoring the two princesses' sneers. With narrowed eyes, she felt the liquor slide into her abdomen and turn into a warm air that spread to her limbs.

  "Just eating zongzi is not fun, let's play a game instead. Each of us recites a poem about Dragon Boat Festival, the next person guesses where it comes from, and the one who guesses wrong... has to eat an extra zongzi as punishment." Tuan Rou suggested.

  Everyone took a look at the zongzi in the plate and thought... it's really big! Made by the imperial kitchen, one zongzi was enough for these people to eat for a whole meal.

  "I'll go first. 'The sparse rain of the yellow plum blossoms, another encounter with the heavy noon. The corners of the rice fields are wrapped in gold, the irises float on jade, and the scenery is still that of Jingchu. The sleeves are cut like a tiger's head. Again, the hairpin is adorned with a crimson tassel, and the arm is wrapped in a red silk band. The powder puff is fragrant, and the small window is calling out for a gentle breeze... The painted boat is noisy with drums.' " He Hui glanced at Fu Hui who was sitting on her right side, smiling and looking pleased.

  Fu Hui gave her a cold look for bullying the weak, thought for a moment, and said: "This is 'The Heavenly Music' written by Yang Wujiao of the Song Dynasty. It's my turn now, 'In May, the pomegranate flowers are enchanting and fragrant. The green willows hang down with rain, heavy and long. Five-colored new silk wraps around the corners of the glutinous rice dumplings. Golden plates are sent. Living fans painted with double phoenixes. It's just the time to bathe in orchids. The beautiful clear wine is shared among friends. In the leaves, the yellow oriole sings a tune. Even the carefree and leisurely breaking of the silken window screens is a dream.'"

  "This is Liu Yiqiu's 'Fishing House Pride'." This is a very famous poem in the Dragon Boat Festival, is Ba Ge afraid that she can't guess it? Yunzhu smiled and followed with a recitation: "The fifth day of the fifth month is good in the mountain village, the pomegranate flowers have suddenly bloomed. The rice dumplings are divided into two buns, the mugwort is tied to the crown. The old custom is to store medicine, the thin body also dots the red. The sun is setting, my affairs are finished, one smile towards the cup plate."

  "Lu Fangweng of Southern Song's 'Poem on the Double Fifth Day'." Duan Rou felt unenthusiastic, "If it goes on like this, will anyone still eat these zongzi?" They all opened one and shared among several people.

  "Why don't we try the zongzi made by the small kitchen? I originally wanted to make them as gifts." Today is the traditional Daughter's Day, she can't go back to her mother's house for the holiday, so there must be some zongzi sent over. Yunzhu summoned a small palace maid, "You go to the small kitchen and take a look, if they're steaming, bring three plates over."

  "Yes." The little princess left.

  Gao Luwei spoke up, "Why don't we join in on Fu Jin's elegant gathering and continue the game from earlier?" Jin Yangxia smiled brightly, her beautiful face radiant like a pearl, as she gazed at Fucha Fulina and Ke'er Yuetuo. Only they could see the cold glint and provocation in her eyes.

  She was well aware of the "loss of favor" incident, but on the surface, the "favor" was actually a reprimand from Hongli, and she had also lost two useful second-grade palace maids, which made her secretly seethe with anger.

  Who's afraid of who? Gu Xin sneered coldly in her heart, the wormwood on her temples slightly swaying: "What do you say, sister?" On the surface, it was as if they were taking Fucha Fulina as their main lead.

  "My sister has the interest, I am naturally accompanying." Fuling Ah smiled and replied, the maternal light on her face pierced Gao Lu's heart with a faint pain.

  "Sister first threw bricks to attract jade, 'Plum rain initial rest. Suddenly red peony sea buckthorn, competing for the opening season... Return boat late, loaded with lotus flowers ten miles, a hook of new moon.'"

  “…This is the Song Dynasty Huang Chao's 'Xi Shi Ying'.” Fulinga thought for a while before remembering, and after appreciating the flash of discontent in Gaoliuwei's eyes, she recited the poem she had memorized: "Fragrant lemongrass divides the border. Colorful silk is cut into intertwined threads... Three or four flowers of chicory.”

  "...But what about Chen Yi of the Song Dynasty's 'Bodhisattva Barbarian'?"

  "Lucky sister, you guessed it." Gao Luowei raised her cup to her. Collette pursed her lips and looked down, not responding.

  "I've always thought that being lucky is also a kind of strength, and High Sister is very lucky too. Otherwise, why would she be favored by Beile Ye and promoted to 'Gege'?" Fuling ate a cherry while saying this.

  This time it was Gao Lu's turn to blush, her face turning red and white, almost vomiting blood.

  ……

  As expected, gathering them together will be a good show to watch. Yunzhu hummed with a smile, this play still has more to perform.

  The two princesses' eyes flashed with disdain, and Fu Hui's small face was also tightly drawn, and she let out a light "hum" and muttered: "Fourth brother's vision is really poor." Fourth sister-in-law was the Fu Jin given to him by the emperor, so it had nothing to do with whether his vision was good or bad.