0p0 Chapter 339 Imitation
Chapter 339 Imitation
Imitation—Noble Consort Jiang and Consort Wan walked into the Lotus Pavilion and bowed simultaneously: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shenwu waved his hand and said, "Stand up! What's the matter with you two?"
Imperial Concubine Jiang's eyebrows unconsciously knitted slightly, and Concubine Wan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, I and others were having a small gathering, but Imperial Concubine Jiang's niece may have been fascinated by the scenery and got lost. The palace maid reported that she may have entered the Lotus Pavilion. Therefore, Imperial Concubine Jiang and I have come to pay our respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang bowed again and said, "I am sorry to have disturbed Your Majesty and the Empress."
Lan Qingwu glanced at Ruping, who shook her head slightly, indicating that no outsiders had entered the Lotus Pavilion.
Lan Qingwu then looked at Imperial Concubine Jiang: "It's not a bother, but I haven't seen Miss Jiang here. Imperial Concubine Jiang, don't worry. She won't be lost in the palace. I'll send someone to look for her nearby."
Imperial Concubine Jiang said gratefully, "Thank you, Empress! It's all because of this child's carelessness. I'm worried that she might be unfamiliar with the rules and etiquette and offend the sisters in the palace. When I find her, I'll make sure to have her come and apologize to the Empress."
Lan Qingwu smiled softly: "It's just a little girl, don't scare her. Your niece hasn't entered the palace yet, right? I've never heard you mention this niece."
Concubine Jiang recalled, "Yes! She is my elder brother's second daughter. She grew up with my elder brother in the Jiang family of Yanzhou. She only entered the imperial city this year. I have rarely seen my family, so this time I brought my niece into the palace to accompany me."
Lan Qingwu nodded, thinking that Concubine Jiang's brother must have entered the imperial city as well. She looked at Emperor Shenwu, and it happened that Emperor Shenwu's phoenix eyes glanced at her slightly.
Emperor Shenwu put down the teacup in his hand and was about to speak when he saw the Sixth Prince leading the Seventh Prince and the Seventh Princess walking over.
The three of them bowed to the emperor, empress and two concubines. Emperor Shenwu called the seventh princess to his side and picked up his little daughter. The seventh princess immediately burst into giggles.
Emperor Shenwu teased his little daughter for a while, and then a palace maid came to report: "Your Majesty, Empress Jiang... Miss Jiang is outside asking to see her aunt."
Emperor Shenwu put the Seventh Princess down and said, "Let her in."
Concubine Jiang finally felt relieved and thought to herself that she would have to discipline her niece after she returned with her...
Concubine Jiang turned slightly to look at her niece who was walking towards her, and suddenly she lost her voice and stood there in a daze.
A hint of disbelief flashed in Wan Fei's eyes next to her, and she quickly lowered her head.
I saw a young girl walking towards me step by step. She was wearing a smoky red skirt with flowers and butterflies. As she walked lightly, the butterflies on the skirt danced like alive. She had a straight nose, rosy lips, dark eyebrows like distant mountains, and eyes as smart as a deer. Her hair, like piles of clouds, was all loose, and she only wore an exquisite crown woven with colorful flowers. She had no jewelry on her body, just like a flower fairy who had accidentally strayed into the palace.
Originally, Lan Qingwu was a little curious about Concubine Jiang's niece, but seeing Miss Jiang behaving like this, Lan Qingwu felt both amused and annoyed.
Lan Qingwu suddenly looked at Emperor Shenwu with a smile. When Emperor Shenwu received Lan Qingwu's gaze, he was speechless for a moment. He was very insightful and could tell at a glance that the girl from the Jiang family was imitating Lan Qingwu's makeup. His eyes turned slightly cold.
Jiang Yuxian had already walked forward gracefully. She bowed lightly to the ground, her voice as sweet as a yellow oriole: "Your servant Jiang greets Your Majesty! Greetings to the Empress! May Your Majesty live long and long! May the Empress live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"
Lan Qingwu was too lazy to speak anymore. She looked at the stiff Concubine Jiang and said, "Stand up!"
Jiang Yuxian stood up and said with her eyes slightly lowered, "I am so unkind. I have caused Auntie to worry because of my indulgence in the scenery. After hearing the palace maid's report, I came to the Lotus Pavilion. Auntie, please don't be angry with Xian'er!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang had calmed down and said, "How could that be? It's all thanks to the Empress that she sent someone to look for you. You should be grateful!"
Jiang Yuxian quickly bowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Lan Qingwu waved gently and said to Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan, "It's almost noon. I have already prepared an afternoon banquet. Please come along!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang and Imperial Concubine Wan hurriedly thanked the emperor. Imperial Concubine Wan, feeling outspoken, couldn't help but glance at the flower crown on Jiang Yuxian's head and asked with a hint of confusion, "Why is Miss Jiang wearing a flower crown? If you don't have one, I'll give you one. It's inappropriate to appear before His Majesty and the Empress like this."
Jiang Yuxian, however, smiled innocently. "I made the flower crown out of sheer playfulness, but then I realized the flowers would wither if I didn't wear them. Flowers are precious gifts from nature and the four seasons. How could I be disrespectful wearing the crown to meet Your Majesty and the Empress?"
Jiang Yuxian bowed to Lan Qingwu again and said, "I've always heard that the Empress cherishes flowers and trees. I'm sure she likes this flower crown as well."
Lan Qingwu smiled softly: "There are countless people in the world who love scenery! But their heart is the most precious thing!"
Lan Qingwu said no more, but she and Emperor Shenwu interlocked their fingers under the wide sleeves. She wanted to gently pull her hand out, but Emperor Shenwu held it tightly, causing Lan Qingwu to unable to help but gently scratch the palm of Emperor Shenwu's palm with her fingertips.
Emperor Shenwu turned his head to look at Lan Qingwu, and a smile flashed in his phoenix eyes.
Lan Qingwu simply summoned all the concubines and imperial consorts to the Lotus Pavilion.
At the banquet, Jiang Yuxian was innocent and full of witty remarks. She sat with two other girls from aristocratic families, sometimes laughing in a low voice, and sometimes sitting upright and solemnly.