Wealth and glory seek stability

Xuanyuan Qingqing was full of pride, and was obviously very pleased with Jian Xi's compliment. She stood up straight and said, "No need to be polite."

Once you have observed the etiquette, the next step is to be reasonable.

"But the Ninth Princess has not seen this screen yet. How can you say that this screen is not worthy of presentation?" Jian Xi lowered her eyes, and although she was bowing, her back was straight.

Gift giving can be a big or small matter, and if you don't make it clear, it may sow trouble in the future.

Xuanyuan Qingqing was speechless. How could she know what the screen given by Shen Nanxing was like? She just remembered that her father had told her that Shen Nanxing had refused the arranged marriage with her, so she held a grudge against him.

But she would not admit her mistake, and continued to be stubborn, "I have seen many paintings of ladies with hairpins, and ordinary people also have them hanging in their homes. The gifts given by the royal relatives sitting here today are all priceless. Your screen is not made of gold or jade, nor is it made by a famous artist. Aren't you just taking it out to fool your father?"

Jian Xi bowed to Emperor Xuanyuan before saying, "Your Majesty, please understand. My brother once said that when Your Majesty treats a minister with courtesy, you must let your servant prepare a gift with great care. That folding screen was painted by the most famous Mr. Zhao Fu in Jiangnan. It was embroidered on both sides and took three full months to complete. Although it is simple and thin, it is not bad at all."

Emperor Xuanyuan became interested. "But is it Zhao Fu, who is the best at detailed figure painting in Jiangnan?"

"Exactly."

Emperor Xuanyuan was fond of elegance and liked to collect the works of these famous scholars. However, the scholars were too aloof to enter the palace and be ordered around by others.

"I heard that Zhao Fu is a very noble man, and a painting of his is worth a fortune. Jinbao, bring the screen here, I want to take a good look at it."

"Yes." Jinbao waved his hand, and the workers brought out a screen that was seven feet high.

Xuanyuan Qingqing's teeth were almost broken. She wanted to say something, but her mother, Concubine Li, glared at her and she dared not say it again.

Concubine Li was as beautiful as her name suggested. After giving birth to the Ninth Princess, she injured her body and became infertile. Despite this, Emperor Xuanyuan often doted on her, which shows how much honor and favor she had.

Seeing that Xuanyuan Qingqing was about to get into trouble, Concubine Li hurriedly stopped her and ordered the palace servants to pass on the message, telling her not to make trouble again.

There was a curtain covering the screen, and the true appearance of the mountain was revealed only after the palace servants lifted it.

There are four paintings in total, with different figures in different shapes.

She has a soft and fair complexion, with beautiful eyebrows, red lips and eyes that look like stars.

Several ladies all have faint brows and eyes, and are half draped in gauze clothes. They look similar at first glance, but are actually different. One is leaning to the right, holding a whisk to tease a puppy; one is wearing a white checkered gauze shirt, picking up a flower and smiling; one is wearing a scarlet cloak, with a lofty look and a haughty demeanor; one is wearing a light purple gauze shirt, with butterflies flying between her hands, and she has a plump figure and a graceful posture.

"Well, Zhao Fu is indeed one of the four great calligraphers and painters of the time. I heard that Zhao Fu was a very noble person. I ordered him to come to the palace to paint for me several times, but he declined. This painting of a lady has an unusually lively expression and posture, is simple and elegant, and has soft colors. It is indeed a masterpiece."

"Come on, show it to all the clan members. Zhao Fu's paintings of ladies are rare and hard to come by."

Zhao Fu was indeed a wild and unrestrained person, but all the famous scholars in ancient and modern times who were so wild and unrestrained could not escape the word "poor".

Jian Xi was well aware of the truth of this matter, so she simply asked someone to send 1,200 taels of gold over. However, Zhao Fu naturally refused it as he was too proud to do so.

She directly had someone open a porridge restaurant in the backyard of Zhao Fu's house and provided porridge every day. Zhao Fu couldn't stand such nagging and finally agreed. In the end, he also accepted a thousand taels of gold as a thank you gift.

Emperor Xuanyuan had been in a high position for a long time, so naturally he did not understand the twists and turns of these literati. It was not possible to use power to coerce such noble literati. Little did he know that soft tactics were the most powerful.

Zhao Fu was really a talented person. The paintings of ladies with double-sided embroidery brought great honor to Emperor Xuanyuan.

Everyone had different expressions when they saw the screen. Jian Xi noticed a flash of disgust across Concubine Shu's face.

However, Concubine Zhao really knew how to appreciate food, so she took the opportunity to praise it a few times.

In contrast, Concubine Zhao has been well maintained and still has the good looks of her youth. Tonight, she is wearing a scarlet palace dress and at first glance, she looks like the empress.

Concubine Shu looked a little haggard, wearing a white palace dress with red plum blossoms. But after all, she was old, and the dress made her look a little childish. She seemed several years older than Concubine Zhao.

Emperor Xuanyuan said to Shen Nanxing with satisfaction: "You are a good child. I just said that I liked Zhao Fu's paintings, and you sent them to me in a blink of an eye. You are a thousand times better than those people in my family who only know how to plot against me."

Jian Xi broke out in a cold sweat. Emperor Xuanyuan really dared to say anything. Wasn't this just bringing hatred to her cheap brother?

Shen Nanxing knelt on one knee and bowed, "Your Majesty, you promised me that you would not say such things in the future. Why do you have to make enemies for me?"

From ancient times to now, the only one who dared to be so tough with the emperor was Shen Nanxing.

Just when Jian Xi was wondering whether she would receive the Nine Clans Candy Crush gift pack today.

Emperor Xuan Xuanyuan laughed, "Okay, I'll listen to you. I won't say anything more in the future."

"Jinbao, put this screen in my bedroom."

"Yes."

"Reward General Shen and his sister."

"I thank your majesty for the reward."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward."

He caught a glimpse of Xuanyuan Qingqing's hateful expression and couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

If it hadn't been at the palace banquet, she would have wanted to say to Xuanyuan Qingqing: I like the way you can't stand me but can't get rid of me.

Unfortunately, this is the era of imperial power, so she can only hold it in.

It was not an exaggeration to say that Shen Nanxing was favored. Jian Xi even suspected that he was under a spell from the old emperor. She looked at Shen Nanxing with confusion. Shen Nanxing didn't know how to explain, so he could only signal her to wait until they got home to talk about it.

During the dinner, Emperor Xuanyuan also pulled Shen Nanxing aside to chat and drink, making them look like a united king and his subjects.

The prince spoke up, "Father, your Majesty, I haven't delivered my gift yet."

Emperor Xuanyuan finally looked at the audience and said calmly, "Present it."

Jian Xi was shocked by the speed of the change in expression. If she didn't know Shen Nanxing's background, she would have thought that Shen Nanxing was the illegitimate son of Emperor Xuanyuan.

The Concubine Shu on the stage gave a look, and the Prince understood, "I heard that my father and mother knew each other well, so I specially arranged a small play." After clapping his hands, a group of people entered the stage.

As soon as the gongs and drums sounded, the Huadan entered the stage accompanied by the drumbeats.

It tells the story of a man and a woman supporting each other, and finally the man becomes successful and the woman takes care of her husband and children.

Jian Xi watched the performance with great interest. The lyrics were original, but the actress looked so familiar.

Lin Yun???

How come she is now at the palace banquet?