If An Lingrong was reborn before the draft

Chapter 343: Mudantai Gathering

On the day of the banquet, the concubines in the harem all dressed up carefully and came to the banquet. The queen sat in the main seat, with a dignified manner and a gentle smile on her face, "It's hot today, and it's rare that the Peony Terrace is cool and pleasant. Everyone, relax and enjoy the lotus together."

The concubines all said yes, and then began to admire the lotus flowers in the lake. The pink and white lotus flowers stood gracefully among the green lotus leaves, and the breeze blew past, bringing bursts of fragrance.

At this time, a young concubine suggested: "Empress, with such a beautiful scenery, why don't we use lotus as the theme, write poems and paint pictures to add some elegance." The queen smiled and nodded, "This is a very good suggestion, everyone should give it their best effort."

"Noble Concubine Xian, do you have any good poems?" Lingrong's talent was not in studying, and she knew nothing about poetry. She definitely had no good intentions in asking this question.

Ling Rong smiled and shook her head, "Just have fun, I don't really understand."

"Isn't it too boring to play like this? It seems that no one is in high spirits!" Chun Changzai saw that several high-ranking concubines did not participate and just sat there drinking tea. The concubines of lower positions wanted to participate but did not have the courage to step forward.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, how about we draw lots? Whoever draws the lot will write a poem. If he or she can't write one, he or she will accept the punishment." Concubine Cao also said.

"Well, that's a good idea. Then I'll leave it to you!" After hearing Concubine Cao's words, the Queen suddenly remembered that at Princess Wen Yi's birthday party, Concubine Cao had used drawing lots to frame Zhen Huan. Looking at her like this, she might have some bad intentions again. I just don't know who her evil hand will reach out to this time.

After hearing Concubine Cao's suggestion, everyone either bowed their heads to ponder the poems or picked up their brushes to sketch the lotus. For a moment, the Peony Terrace was filled with an elegant atmosphere. Suddenly, a beautiful butterfly flew into the crowd, attracting several concubines to chase it, and the originally quiet scene became lively. The queen looked at this scene with a slight smile on her face, and she also felt that this banquet in the hot summer was particularly interesting.

When the box for drawing lots was ready, the eunuchs pushed it into the hall and placed it in front of the table next to the Queen. Concubine Cao stood up and saluted, saying, "Sisters, you are all talented, so let me, your sister who can't write, be the judge for you." After saying that, she walked to the box for drawing lots and reached into the box.

"This first one is Concubine Xin. Sister Xin, come and show us your masterpiece!"

As soon as Concubine Cao finished speaking, several eunuchs pushed a table to the center of the hall. On the table were pens, ink, paper and inkstone. After all, Concubine Xin was also a lady from a noble family. Although her poems and calligraphy were not top-notch in the harem, they still had a place in the palace.

She walked up confidently and began to write. After a while, a young eunuch held up the paper she had written on to show everyone, "The green canopy reflects the blue sky, and the pink flowers sway in the wind with endless rhyme. The fragrance lingers where the dragonflies stand, and I am intoxicated by the lotus in the summer."

"What a good poem! I never thought that Concubine Xin also had such a good pen and ink." The Queen Mother also praised her highly, saying that her poem was good and her calligraphy was also good. Although she was the daughter of a general, she did not waste her talent.

There weren't many talented women in the harem, but most of them were somewhat literate, and could write some poetry, good or bad, until later, "The next one is Lady Wan."

"A fairy figure blooms on the clear water, with jade-like bones and icy skin reflecting the green pool. She does not compete with other flowers for vulgar beauty, but leaves her own elegant charm to be composed into a poem."

"Good!" This voice came from outside the hall. It was the voice of the emperor who was reviewing memorials in the Qinzheng Hall.