Chapter 21: Pei Yuang Rong Gets Beaten Up

  Earlier, Pei Yuange recited a poem in front of everyone and came up with the lyrics in an instant, showing off his talent. Everyone was already suspicious: why did Pei Yuange have to plagiarize Pei Yuanrong's poem when he had such talent? Now that they heard the Ninth Prince's words, they suddenly realized: this poem was probably originally written by Pei Yuange, but was taken by Pei Yuanrong as her own and instead accused Pei Yuange of stealing her poem. What a despicable person!

  The eunuch in yellow attire standing beside him sneered, "How dare she deceive everyone in the presence of the emperor? Doesn't she know where this is? Treating others as if they were blind! Ninth prince, I'll have her thrown out of the palace immediately and never allow her to set foot in Changchun Palace again!"

  Pei Yuange suddenly stepped forward, bowed to Yu Hongmo and said: "Please forgive the ninth master, third sister is not intentionally offending, this was originally a word game we sisters often played at home, taking the poems written by my sisters as titles, slightly revising them, turning them into another poem or lyrics. I suppose third sister saw today's harmonious atmosphere, got a bit carried away and thought she was still in Pei Manor. Please ninth master, be magnanimous and forgive third sister this time!"

  This is obviously an excuse, with the aim of relieving Bai Yuanyong from his predicament.

  Pei Yuanyong's frame-up nearly put her in a desperate situation, but Pei Yuange considered the bigger picture and pleaded for her sister. This contrast clearly shows their different moral characters, and it is no wonder that she is the legitimate daughter of the Pei family, knowing what is right and wrong, unlike the illegitimate daughter born to the concubine.

  "Miss Pei Si and Miss Pei San are indeed sisters with a deep affection for each other, it's truly admirable!"

  Yu Hongmo's voice was as mellow and gentle as ever, but Pei Yuange was certain that she had heard a hint of mockery in it. She raised her head slightly, meeting those mysterious and enchanting black eyes that seemed to hold a smile yet not quite a smile, with an air about them that was difficult to grasp. Though they were not piercing, they made her feel like she was being seen through completely, and she couldn't help but feel a slight chill run down her spine.

  "Since Fourth Miss says so, let's just consider it a game then! After all, the Xiangxiang Hall has already accommodated one blind person," Yu He's eyes sparkled as he looked at An Zhuoran and smiled again, "and doesn't mind having another game piece. An Shizong, you tell me, am I right?" Still needing to ask deliberately, with a mocking intention that was clear as day.

  Under the gaze of everyone, he was ridiculed like this, and yet he couldn't refute it. Android's face suddenly turned beet red.

  The hall suddenly fell into an awkward silence, and some people who were not quite right with Android pointed and whispered, making him even more embarrassed.

  In this embarrassing situation, Liu Guifei, wearing a magnificent red and gold trailing long dress, finally appeared, with a rosy face and peachy cheeks, sparkling eyes, elegant clothes, looking charming and dignified, like a young girl. She glanced around the room, paused for a moment on Pei Yuansong's body, smiled and said: "Everyone, please relax! I invited you all here just to find an excuse to have some fun, don't be too restrained, it's not interesting."

  Pei Yuange lowered his head and sensed the scrutinizing gaze of Liu Guifei, suddenly feeling a little uneasy.

  "This hall is so stuffy, and the peonies I wanted to show everyone are all in the Imperial Garden. The apricot blossoms are blooming amidst the misty rain, and the flowers are clustered together, making for a rare and beautiful sight. Why don't we all go take a look at the Imperial Garden?" Consort Liu's words seemed to be seeking everyone's opinion, but who dared to disobey her? Immediately, with her in the lead, they thronged towards the Imperial Garden.

  All the way, flowers are blooming, willows are green, grass is growing, swallows are flying, and flowers are opening like a sea. Colorful butterflies flutter around, with fake mountains and flowing water, winding corridors and pavilions, grand and elegant yet not losing its delicate charm, beauty that cannot be described. Adding to this, Princess Liu was taking turns pulling the girls beside her, praising and complimenting them, without showing any favoritism or bias, making all the young girls extremely excited and radiant.

  Pei Yuansong furrowed his brow, vaguely feeling that something was amiss.

  Even if the peony flowers in the imperial garden are more beautiful, why not set up the banquet in the imperial garden from the beginning? Why bother to linger in the Xiang Hall for a while? Such banquets are usually disguised matchmaking banquets. However, judging from the scene just now, few of the women present were close to Princess Liu, and it was clear that Princess Liu did not have a specific target. In the courtyard, the palace maid said that Princess Liu asked her to change shoes and socks in the side hall and apply medicine, which shows that Princess Liu was paying attention to everyone nearby, but hiding without showing up, and it is likely that Xiang Hall was also the case. It seems that Princess Liu has been secretly observing everyone, wanting to pick...

  If it's to marry off the men present, there's no reason to invite even the concubine-born daughters, just inviting the legitimate daughter would be enough. After all, there is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and with the identity of the men present, they wouldn't take a concubine-born daughter as their formal wife. Moreover, when taking a wife, one values virtue, but when taking a concubine, one values beauty. Looking at Imperial Concubine Liu's intentions, it seems she places particular importance on women who are beautiful and delicate. The concubines and secondary wives of the men present, with Imperial Concubine Liu's favored and noble status, how would they have the heart to pay attention?

  Wait, the concubine who can make Consort Liu concerned is probably...

  Pei Yuange suddenly felt a sense of trepidation: Could it be that this banquet, the Empress Liu was selecting consorts for the Emperor? Indeed, the Emperor was dignified and noble, but he was no longer young. Young girls loved beauty and might not be willing to serve him. However, the young and handsome Crown Prince was a different story altogether. The Empress Liu used these men as bait, enticing the women to dress up elaborately, competing with each other in beauty and talent, using all their skills to present themselves, from which she would select those who met her expectations.

  If it's said like this, then in the Imperial Garden, they will definitely meet with the Emperor's sacred carriage, and then everything will fall into place.

  Once you enter the harem, even if you were originally unwilling and didn't want to die, you can only fight desperately for survival. The Empress and Consort Liu are not on good terms, and since she was introduced into the palace by Consort Liu, the Empress will naturally view her as one of Consort Liu's people and suppress her. At that time, in order to survive, there is no other way but to rely on Consort Liu.

  But that painting... Pei Yuange suddenly trembled all over, the painting was done by a man's hand, and it could be openly displayed in the Changchun Palace, it was very likely to be the Emperor's! That's why everyone was making poems about the painting... Thinking of this, Pei Yuange suddenly broke out in cold sweat. Although she had been divorced, had a bad reputation, and was young, nothing is absolute... The deep palace was like the sea, and at that time her hands would be hard to reach into the Pei Mansion again. On the contrary, because the mansion had produced an imperial concubine, Zhang Yun and her mother would raise their own value, this kind of thing absolutely could not be allowed!

  "Ah," Bai Yuange let out a low cry, his footsteps staggering, almost falling over.

  "What's wrong with Miss Pei Si?" The gentle and soft voice of Liu Guifei came over, full of concern.

  Pei Yuange was about to speak when Pei Yuanqiao suddenly stepped forward, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Fourth sister had a serious illness previously and almost lost her life. She has just recovered and her vitality has not fully recovered yet. I'm afraid that reciting poetry in the grand hall just now was exhausting for her."

  "Oh?" Princess Liu's eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed at Pei Yuange, sizing up whether her discomfort was real or fake. If it was fake... could it be that she had sensed something?

  The cleverness and majesty of the women in the palace were indeed unmatched, and Pei Yuange was made to feel uneasy at heart, but she didn't show it at all. Fortunately, Pei Yuanqiao spoke on her behalf, which was more persuasive than if she had spoken herself. Thinking this, she forced herself to stand up and said: "The young woman is fine, please continue on to the Imperial Garden." She struggled to get up, but her body swayed unsteadily, looking like she wanted to hold on but didn't have the strength.

  Yu Guifei's eyebrows slightly arched as she smiled and said: "Your body is important, you go to that pavilion over there to rest first. I'll ask the imperial physician to come over again."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind intentions. I'll just rest for a while and be fine, no need to trouble the imperial physician." Pei Yuange's expression was gloomy, seemingly annoyed at his own body's weakness. Suddenly, he glanced at Pei Yuanrong, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes. "However, it's not suitable for me to be alone in the Imperial Garden. I'll trouble Third Sister to stay and keep me company. We're all weak women, disturbing Your Majesty's pleasure."

  Can't take the lead, so you want to pull Pei Yuanyong down? Having seen all this, Liu Guifei finally dispelled her doubts and said: "You sisters are close, just as you said. Miss Pei San, please help Miss Pei Si rest over there and take good care of your sister." After that, she nodded gently at Pei Yuan Song and led the crowd forward.

  Pei Yuanyong did not dare disobey and could only help Pei Yuange into the pavilion.

  In the Xiangxiang Temple, Pei Yuanyong was eager to reverse the previous bad impression, but was left behind by Pei Yuange, furious and seeing no one around, he burst out in anger: "Pei Yuange, why do you want me to accompany you? Your body is not capable, can't take the lead and think of pulling me down! You have such a vicious mind——"

  A loud slapping sound interrupted Pei Yuangong's complaints.

  Bai Yuanyong touched his scalding hot left cheek, seemingly still unable to believe it, and stuttered: "You——"

  Her words had barely fallen when Pei Yuansong struck again, slapping her right cheek with a loud "crack". His expression was cold and detached as he said, "Now, you should know why I wanted to keep you here."

  Although Pei Yuanyong had been at a disadvantage several times against Pei Yuange, this was the first time she had been hit. In her shock and anger, she raised her hand to strike back. Pei Yuange didn't dodge or evade, with a cold smile hanging from the corner of his mouth: "Go ahead and hit me! As long as you touch even one of my fingers, I'll immediately call for someone to come. I want to see who would marry a woman like you, a concubine's daughter and a shrew? Anyway, I've already been jilted and my reputation has been ruined, so it's impossible for me to have a good marriage. Being able to pull you down with me isn't bad either!"

  "You——" Pei Yuangong's hand stopped in mid-air, his expression hesitant.

  She had just lost face because of the stolen poem, and now she was seen hitting someone, losing the chastity and virtue that a woman should have. Her hope of marrying the ninth prince as his concubine was even more slim. Anyway, Pei Yuange's life was already ruined, she didn't need to accompany her to death. Pei Yuanrong thought, but still couldn't bear it, angrily saying: "You dare hit me, I'll go back and tell my father!" She stomped her foot and ran out recklessly.

  Pei Yuange stopped for a while and felt that this pavilion was too eye-catching. People coming and going could all see it, so he picked a quiet and secluded place to stroll around.

  Just as he walked to a strange and rugged artificial hill, he suddenly heard a soft and shrill female voice scolding in front of him: "Ninth brother, why do you always avoid me?" As she spoke, she seemed to be annoyed, stamping her foot and saying: "We grew up together since childhood, in terms of appearance, family background, talent, and relationships, which aspect am I not better than others? What exactly don't you like about me? Give me a reason!"

  Pei Yuange was taken aback and hid in a secluded cave behind the artificial hill, peeking out slightly.

  Digression

  To celebrate tonight's collection of over a thousand, I'll update more than a thousand words~ Speaking of which, can we make it past a thousand tonight? Can we? Can we? Can we? Can we? Can we?