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Chapter 103 - Peony Flowers (1)
Chapter 103 - Peony Flowers (1)
Chapter 103: Peony Flowers (1)
Luo Yuyan took a seat right next to Yue Qiqi, they both looked Luo Qianqian up and down with envy.
The empress put on a fake smile when she saw the Imperial Noble Consort, “My good sister, there you are, come take a seat.”
Luo Qianqian could feel the killing intent from the empress’s fake smile, but she didn’t say anything, she just bowed and greeted to the empress as etiquette required.
“Greetings, Your Highness the empress, wish you all the blessing.” Luo Qianqian and Murong Xue bowed to the empress at the same time.
The empress averted her gaze from the Imperial Noble Consort, what came to her sight was pretty Murong Xue in a blue gown and the girl she had met once on the emperor’s birthday dinner, this girl was in a plain white gown, this girl was even more beautiful than the empress had remembered, she was glowing under the sunlight.
“Good girl, Xue, take this lady to the seat.” the empress showed a meaningful smile at Luo Qianqian. Luo Qianqian lowered her head meekly.
Murong Xue knew they couldn’t sit with her mother, so she took Luo Qianqian to the seats on the right side.
There were peony flowers on the tables in the center area of the pavilion, peony was a beautiful flower with eye-catching petals, it was also the symbol of harem authority, itwas honored by the Chinese as “Huawang” (Queen of Flowers). It came with such cultural significance that no other flower could possibly rival it, only the empress deserve to have peony.
“Xue, is this young lady Prime Minister Luo’s fourth daughter, Luo Qianqian? What a beautiful girl she is.” the empress stared at Luo Qianqian.
The imperial concubines looked at each other in speechless despair, this was the first time they had heard the empress praising someone, and that was not a good sign. Yet the young ladies of the officials all darted her glimpses with jealousy, they thought the empress was praising her sincerely.
Luo Qianqian pretended she hadn’t noticed those glares, “You are flattering me, Your Highness.”
The empress chuckled, “Qianqian is such a modest young girl, I don’t see that in young girls any more. No wonder Prince Eighth has a tender heart for you, even I’m falling in love with you.”
Luo Qianqian smiled, she knew the empress was not as kind as she looked like. The empress was the one who tried to set up the Imperial Noble Consort on the emperor’s birthday dinner, she had prepared the same birthday present with the Imperial Noble Consort for the emperor and thanks to Luo Qianqian who showed resourcefulness in such an emergency and saved the Imperial Noble Consort.
That was another reason why the empress had noted this fourth lady and sent her an invitation to this Flower Admiring Gathering.
The empress also had heard how her son Mu Chaoyang was infatuated with this fourth lady, the empress would like to know this young girl more, and she was determined to crush this girl if she couldn’t use her resourcefulness. she dreaded to think what would happen to her and her son after Luo Qianqian married her son’s biggest competitor Murong Yun.
Murong Xue on the other hand wanted to say something for her sister-in-law, but Luo Qianqian grabbed her hand under the table, Murong Xue got the hint and zipped her lips.
The empress averted her gaze and flashed a fake smile.
But those young ladies didn’t cease to cast Luo Qianqian unfriendly gazes.
After a little while, the empress rose to her feet and her maids straightened her gown, everyone else present also followed suit, the empress swept across her guests and said, “Everyone is here, shall we get started?”
With that the Imperial Concubines followed the empress, and the young princess and young ladies followed the Imperial Concubines.
The empress’s maids walked by the empress’s side and introduced the guests which flower they were seeing and the history about the flower.
Luo Qianqian listened to the maids intently, she was blown away by all those flowers.
However, some people just had to ruin it for everyone.
“Yuyan, why were you so late today?” Yue Qiqi asked Luo Yuyan with confusion, she knew her friend hated to be late.
Luo Yuyan cast a look at Luo Qianqian before she answered, she acted like she was so hesitant, “No… no, Qiqi, nothing.”
Yue Qiqi was just asking casually, but she frowned when she saw her friend take a quick peek at Luo Qianqian before answered her question. ‘This must have something to do with that little bitxx, that little bitxx thinks she can take me, no! That wasn’t a fair play on the emperor’s birthday dinner, I will definitely take her down this time!’ Yue Qiqi clenched her fists.
“Is it because of her?” Yue Qiqi pointed at Luo Qianqian.
Luo Yuyan took hold of Yue Qiqi’s hand and stopped her from pointing at Luo Qianqian, “Qiqi, what are you doing?”
“Doing what I’m supposed to do!” Yue Qiqi still stared at Luo Qianqian, “Your sister is just a little bitxx and everyone knows that, she seduced the Prince Eighth and she bullied you, her own sister! And you know what, I cannot just sit back and watch my friend being bullied.”
Luo Yuyan was so glad that Yue Qiqi was willing to start some trouble for her, but she pretended she didn’t want Yue Qiqi to confront Luo Qianqian, “Qiqi, I know how much you care for me, but don’t underestimate my fourth sister, she is no longer… …”
Yue Qiqi snorted, “Yuyan, why are you so afraid of her? A daughter born by a concubine, she is nothing to me!”
Yue Qiqi hated Luo Qianqian’s guts, thinking about how Luo Qianqian made a fool of her on the emperor’s birthday, she wished she could strangle Luo Qianqian.
“Qiqi, what do you want to do then?” Luo Yuyan asked, she couldn’t wait to see Yue Qiqi confronting Luo Qianqian.
The empress was busy testing the imperil concubines’ hearts as well, she asked the Imperial Noble Consort, “My good sister, come over here, how so you like this peony in my hand?”
“This peony is the only flower that is good enough for your appreciation, Your Highness, peony has long been a symbol of the most prestigious woman in the world, it indeed deserves the reputations it enjoys.” the Imperial Noble Consort answered with a delightful voice.