CHAPTER 492: CHAPTER 165: PALACE BANQUET (3) FACE-SLAPPING, FIGHTING! _3

This moment truly could not be concealed.

So, after Ye Qichi finished reciting.

For a good while.

Wen Jingtang finally took the initiative to clap her hands, "Good poem!"

Reacting to it.

Naturally in good spirits.

Ye Qichi indeed, unexpectedly.

No wonder, she specially came to support Ye Qichi.

Because of Ye Qichi’s performance, Wen Jingtang naturally felt more confident.

On the other hand, Zhao Mengyu had no choice but to hold back her frustration.

All she could do at the moment was to agree, "Indeed a good poem. It’s just this calligraphy..."

Zhao Mengyu certainly did not want to just admit that Ye Qichi was right, still picking faults.

"Just now the Princess has explained that she suffers from a hand condition, hence her inability to do calligraphy. Under such circumstances, for her to write such text, I also feel it’s hard on her."

"Your Highness, my deepest thanks," Ye Qichi quickly expressed her gratitude.

"You must be cold standing there, go back and sit on the soft couch," Wen Jingtang said tenderly.

After all.

Ye Qichi had truly made her proud at this moment.

"Thank you, Great-Grandmother Emperor."

Ye Qichi, smiling, returned to her seat.

Originally seated opposite Xie Ruiyao.

As she sat down, she caught Xie Ruiyao’s infuriated gaze.

Ye Qichi of course knew what kind of person Xie Ruiyao was.

Someone who, for her own desires, never knew gratitude.

She had helped Xie Ruiyao marry Xiao Jinsen, but Xie Ruiyao not only wouldn’t thank her, but even wanted to silence her by killing her.

She didn’t need deep thinking to understand this woman’s thoughts.

Her jealousy, she could clearly see.

So in that moment.

She deliberately gave Xie Ruiyao a triumphant smile.

As if to mock her.

Upon seeing Ye Qichi’s challenging gaze, Xie Ruiyao became even less able to restrain herself.

If not for the presence of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine at this moment, she really might have shouted out loud.

She bowed her head, enduring her displeasure.

Her eyes reddened to the point of bloodshot.

"What rewards are there today?" Wen Jingtang asked Zhao Mengyu.

"Replying to the Empress Dowager. This subject has prepared rewards."

"What manner of reward?"

"For all the ladies who have composed verses, this subject has prepared something. For the top poet, this subject has specially prepared an additional reward."

"Then who is today’s first?" Wen Jingtang purposefully asked Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu looked like she knew her wife was intentionally making it difficult for her.

If she was not fair, she would lose her status.

But for her to personally admit Ye Qichi... was hard for her to swallow.

If this spread, it meant the Princess was no match for the Princess Consort.

She couldn’t face losing face.

"Today’s top poet is of course the Princess Consort. But if overall, combining calligraphy and poetry..."

"Just now, the Imperial Concubine mentioned the top poet, it seems she did not say to include calligraphy," Wen Jingtang interrupted Zhao Mengyu immediately.

Zhao Mengyu clenched her teeth.

Realizing the old lady was forcing her to acknowledge Ye Qichi.

She knew that Wen Jingtang was here to definitely support Ye Qichi.

If Wen Jingtang were absent.

She could simply disqualify Ye Qichi for poor calligraphy.

Now, Wen Jingtang forced her into such a position.

She didn’t dare to directly contradict Wen Jingtang.

Zhao Mengyu had no choice but to stiffly say, "Then it’s the Princess Consort first."

Wen Jingtang nodded in approval contentedly.

Zhao Mengyu, grinding her teeth in anger.

"Your Highness Princess Consort, don’t you want to thank the Honorable Imperial Concubine for her appreciation?" Wen Jingtang said to Ye Qichi, clearly to upset Zhao Mengyu.

Ye Qichi certainly understood the old lady Wen Jingtang’s thoughts.

Hurrying forward, "This subject thanks the Honorable Imperial Concubine for her appreciation."

"Attendants," Zhao Mengyu called a Palace Attendant, "Bring out the reward I have prepared."

"As commanded."

Chief Steward Wen presented a magnificent crown.

Upon the crown, radiance gleamed, pearls sparkled, symbolizing wealth and grandeur.

Everyone who saw it was dazzled.

Not only was it immeasurably valuable, it was also a symbol of status.

"This is a tribute from Loulan Country last year, the Emperor rewarded it to me. I’ve obtained the Emperor’s consent to award it to today’s first," Zhao Mengyu said.

The more she spoke, the angrier she felt inside.

She also cherished this crown.

When she initially received this reward, the Empress was still present, and the Emperor giving it to her had made the Empress quite jealous. She flaunted it several times. Now, planning to pass it on to her own daughter-in-law, it ended up given to her son’s archenemy’s wife, made her even more frustrated the more she thought about it.

But in front of the Empress Dowager, in front of everyone, it was impossible to take it back.

"This subject thanks the Imperial Concubine for her generous reward," Ye Qichi quickly bowed in thanks.