The MC forgot the plot

一 TWENTY-SIX 一

二十六 The contenders for the Empress' blessing for the throne

The Fu dynasty was not as rigid as the other dynasties in the matter of married ladies and young men being in the same place. It was even more popular for Noble concubines and the Empress to construct gatherings with young men and women and be a matchmaker.

Others saw this as an opportunity for their daughters to be in a much higher status by marrying into the palace either as side concubines or as Wangfei.

Princes would use this gathering to be in touch with younger and much hot-blooded young man who is new to the officialdom and get them on their side. Those young officials would be their voices for the younger people and in turn, get them at the top.

"Miss, the personal maid of the First Miss seems suspicious. She has been turning her eyes outside of the gates a few times" XiXi came to inform her and she was right.

Meng Jia Yi knew that there should be something going on especially at the gathering made by the members of the Imperial family.

"Just stay with me and do not lower your guard"

It would be easier if she knew the plot yet she doesn't, only that there would be a blood bath towards the throne and she, the unfortunate cannon fodder would die.

But the question of who and when is undoubtedly unanswered.

"Lady Shu Aifen of the Shu clan greets the Empress"

Her eyes watched as the graceful figure lowered her head to the Empress starting at her with her still benevolent smile— it seems to have been tattoed out of her skin.

Meng Jia Yi didn't know who this Lady Shu is but knowing her clan name she could easily deduce it was in the same can of the Imperial Noble Consort.

It was admiring to see the smile of the Empress which leads you to nothing; there was no coldness nor hatred towards the beautiful lady that is part of the Imperial Noble Consort Shu that dominated her husband's love.

"She looks beautiful"

"She's the number one beauty in the capital, miss, but don't worry miss you are still the number one beauty in my eyes" she lightly laughed at XiXi's words and then focused her sight on the picturesque beauty.

There, the beauty so slim and fair swung her sleeves as if feathers of angel wings have flown to the sky. A strung could be heard from the guzheng and with her snow-white hands, it plucked another string. The song was both exhilarating as it stimulates every sense of a person, with a breath her fingers stopped.

Applause rang into the whole space and with her followers looking at her in awe the men watches her impressed. The talent that came out of her every tone as well as the beauty that could topple the nation shone under the brilliance of the moon. Her performance was both besieged with acknowledgment and praises.

"Wonderful performance! Eunuch An, give her the painting that bengong painted in her early years— the one with the plum blossoms"

With the Empress' instruction the Eunuch beside her immediately went out and in no more than a minute took out the scroll that has been dusted off; its paper had already creased in time and the yellowish state of the paper was seen clearly under the eyes of the nobles.

"Well? How is bengong' gift for your wondrous performance?"

"Forgive this courtier, I am just in awe of the beauty that our Empress has painted" a pearl of laughter came from her.

"Such sweet mouth" the Empress teased back before letting her rise.

"This Lady thanked the Empress' grace" she bows and settled down to her seat with an amiable smile on her face, not an ounce of dissatisfaction could be taken in her eyes.