After hearing Shi Qingxue's words, the kind smile on Queen Mother Ling Ruiyin's face actually faded a bit.
His eyes turned to Shi Baoning, who had been sitting quietly and upright. Although she didn't look as playful and cute as Shi Qingxue, her grace and elegance exuded from her body was considered to be the best among all the noble ladies of the aristocratic families.
As expected, she is the granddaughter raised by Mo Shujun herself!
Ling Ruiyin nodded secretly and glanced at Qingxue again. Seeing her big wet eyes full of sincere expectations, he couldn't bear to brush her off, so he smiled and called to Shi Baoning: "The aunt of the Shi family is here too. Have you? I often hear the eldest princess mention you, but because of your frail body, it is less common.
Come to Aijia and let Aijia take a closer look. What's so special about our sister who makes our little Xueer so jealous? "
These words really made those ladies sitting below jealous!
It is the first time for a noble daughter of a noble family to attend a palace banquet. It is already a great honor to be looked at and asked by noble people. How can she dare to show herself in front of noble people
But when Shi Baoning came to the palace banquet for the first time, he was summoned by the Queen Mother. What a good fate!
Who asked me to have a good sister to help me! It’s true that people with the same fate have different fates!
Shi Baoning was flattered for a while, with anger rising on her face, but soon she realized that this was the opportunity Qingxue had fought for her, so she calmed down, walked up to the Queen Mother, and said, "Baoning has met the Queen Mother. "
Ling Ruiyin nodded respectfully and praised: "You are indeed a well-behaved child. I heard that you have been in poor health. How are you now?"
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your concern. Thanks to Qingxue for finding a good doctor for my daughter, my daughter is much better now." Shi Baoning was frightened, and his answers were a little reserved, not as lively as Qingxue's.
Ling Ruiyin was even more satisfied after hearing this, thinking that Baoning was grateful at this time and that Qingxue's efforts would not be in vain, so he continued: "It seems that Xiaoxue's risk of running to Mang Mountain is worth it. "
Shi Qingxue took the opportunity and said, "My dear, don't you know Xiao Xue'er? I am the most shrewd and smartest. My sister is so great. If I don't take good care of my body, wouldn't I be in big trouble!"
She repeatedly emphasized Shi Baoning's abilities. Even though Ling Ruiyin knew that Shi Qingxue was interested in flattering Shi Baoning, she couldn't help but wonder what abilities Shi Baoning had that deserved Qingxue's boasting.
"Since Xiao Xueer said this, the Ai family really needs to see Baoning's abilities!" Ling Ruiyin looked at Shi Baoning encouragingly, but the latter felt a little guilty.
Shi Baoning was raised in a boudoir and had never performed in front of a crowd. He couldn't help but feel worried and privately looked at Shi Qingxue for help.
She also knew that Qingxue was helping her, but she was scared in front of so many people!
What if I screw up
Seeing this, Shi Qingxue had no choice but to step forward again and said coquettishly: "Mother, my sister has many abilities! But today is a begging feast. If I ask my sister to perform alone at this time, wouldn't it be that she is the guest of honor? Why don't we wait for the talent? During the competition, you can see if I am exaggerating!"
Of course, it is easier to stand out when performing alone than competing with all the noble ladies. After all, no matter how talented you are, you can't guarantee that you will win the first place. When others heard this, Qingxue was dumbfounded, but Shi Baoning was relieved. , nodded gratefully to Qingxue.
Ling Ruiyin stopped insisting and directly announced the banquet.
At the begging banquet, the Queen Mother usually selects an item from the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting and sets the theme, then the ladies start to perform, and finally the top three are judged and rewarded.
Last year, I chose chess, and the final winner was Shi Qingxue.
If Shi Qingxue remembers correctly, this year's project will be painting.
Sure enough, when the banquet was almost over, the Queen Mother announced: "This year's Chinese Valentine's Day is a wonderful scene. Ladies, why don't you make a painting with the theme of Chinese Valentine's Day? The time is set for one hour. If you have ideas, you can start!" "
After saying that, he turned to look at Shi Qingxue and teased: "Last year, I let you take advantage of it and win away the Ai family's favorite glazed Kang screen. What are you going to do this year?"
Almost everyone present knew that among the four arts of the Six Niangs of the Shi family, she was the best at chess, her calligraphy and musical instruments were average, and her painting skills were really not very good.
Shi Qingxue didn't blush when the Empress Dowager pointed out her weaknesses in public, and said with a smile: "It's a competition, the important thing is to participate!"
"You have such a good temper, you don't argue at all." Liu Guifei Liu Yiyi had already designated Shi Qingxue as her daughter-in-law, so naturally she wanted to say a few words of support at this time.
But Queen Liang Jingxian said at this time: "I just don't know if I really can't fight or if I can't!"
She seemed to be talking to herself, but it was enough for everyone present to hear clearly.
The scene was a little awkward for a while, and many people snickered secretly, waiting to see the conflict between Shi Qingxue and the Queen.
The queen's family is powerful, so even if Ling Ruiyin is dissatisfied with her actions, she cannot embarrass her in public. If Shi Qingxue really collides with Liang Jingxian, Shi Qingxue will still suffer.
At this time, even Ling Ruiyin was secretly feeling embarrassed for Qingxue.
Shi Qingxue didn't seem to hear Liang Jingxian's sarcasm, her face looked innocent, and she nodded in agreement and agreed: "The Queen is right, I can't compete!"
Liang Jingxian was immediately overjoyed, but before she could continue to taunt, Qingxue continued with a smile: "Anyway, I have my sister here, so the Shi family won't be embarrassed! I'd rather trouble you to worry about our Shi family!"
Being pushed back so softly and not hard, Liang Jingxian's smile froze on her face and the corners of her eyes twitched.
But just now she was the one who made fun of Shi Qingxue, and they agreed with her words very generously, even though it sounded like she was being nosy.
If she cares about it any more, she will look very ungraceful.
Liang Jingxian had no choice but to swallow this breath reluctantly.
Shi Qingxue laughed secretly, but her face was still full of smiles. She leaned into Ling Ruiyin's arms and said coquettishly: "The Queen Mother, you feel so sorry for Xiao Xue'er, you must not want to see me make a fool of myself, right? Can I be like you? Asking for a job!"
Liang Jingxian had a cold face and said sarcastically: "Didn't Qingxue not care at all just now? Is it possible that you want the Queen Mother to open the back door for you now?"
"The queen is joking, the queen mother is so fair and selfless, how can she break the rules because of Qingxue?" Shi Qingxue asked in pretending to be surprised.
Liang Jingxian was speechless until she was speechless, and then she continued: "Qingxue hopes that the Queen Mother will allow me to be your little eye in this painting skills competition and watch the ladies' competition for you."
This time, even Ling Ruiyin was stunned, and laughed for a while: "You girl! You obviously don't dare to compete, so you are assuming that you will be the supervisor of the Ai family!"
This trick was really awesome. Shi Qingxue didn't give those noble ladies a chance to mock her!
"Your Majesty, just love Xiao Xue'er!" Shi Qingxue didn't deny it, just swaying back and forth in Ling Ruiyin's arms like a baby.
Ling Ruiyin felt soft in her heart and agreed, "Okay, then you can be the supervisor for the Ai family for a time! Supervise their painting, and when they finish painting, they will collect it together for the Ai family to see."
"Okay!" Shi Qingxue agreed readily and actively ran to ask someone to clean the competition venue.
Liang Jingxian was choked speechless by Shi Qingxue one after another. She couldn't help but mock Qingxue's back: "Flattery!"
"I'm afraid my sister's words are biased. Qingxue is taking the initiative to share the mother's worries, so how can it become flattery?" Liu Yiyi immediately replied, obviously contradicting the other party.
Liang Jingxian snorted coldly and said angrily: "Other women are taking the written examination obediently, but she is the only one who wants to be a supervisor. It's not about being in the limelight."
Liu Yiyi answered in a serious tone: "Everyone else wants to show off in front of their mother, but the supervisor always needs someone to ensure the fairness of the competition. Qingxue actively requested to be the supervisor and gave up all the opportunities to perform to others, but it's not It shows that she doesn’t fight.”
A few words made Qingxue's behavior of avoiding the competition appear high-sounding.
Liang Jingxian still wanted to refute, but Ling Ruiyin said impatiently: "Okay! You don't look at your status. You are making a lot of noise at the banquet. Do you want to embarrass the royal family?"
The two of them quickly fell silent and responded in unison: "I don't dare."
Shi Qingxue didn't know that the nobles in the harem were causing a disturbance because of her. She took the post of 'Supervisor' and started to arrange the venue very responsibly.
As in previous years, the competition location was chosen in the open space beside Molian Lake. The afternoon sun moved westward, and the light was blocked by the tall banyan trees, forming a wide and shady place by the lake. It was perfect for painting, and there was no need to worry about the price. The woman suffered from the heat.
Shi Qingxue was very satisfied with the venue, but Shi Baoning was still very nervous in front of the painting table, looking around and unable to calm down.
It’s impossible to paint in this state!
Qingxue thought for a moment and guessed that her eldest sister must have been nervous since she hadn't been with so many people for a long time.
She then called for the palace maid again and whispered: "Bring more screens over and separate each position separately."
The maid in charge didn't know her intention, but she still did as she asked and used a screen to separate each noble lady into an independent painting space.
Then, everyone could clearly see that not only Shi Baoning, but also many noble ladies settled down to paint.
An hour later, one after another, noble ladies stopped writing and finished their work.
Seeing the exquisite paintings presented in front of her, Shi Baoning remained silent. However, Master Chen's daughter-in-law Chen Xiujiao couldn't see Qingxue enjoying tea leisurely, so she said with a smile, "Liu Niang, you just praised Bao several times." Sister Ning’s painting skills really make us sisters look forward to it!"
Qingxue calmly took a sip of tea and said calmly: "Why are you in a hurry? When the time comes, the Queen Mother will show the top painting to everyone for appreciation. Don't you know it then?"
Chen Xiujiao was very confident in her painting this time, but she didn't expect Qingxue to be so "arrogant" and snorted coldly: "Then we'll see, if Sister Baoning can't come out on top, I hope you won't slap yourself in the face!" "
Shi Qingxue shrugged nonchalantly and said, "No matter who I slap in the mouth, it's my own business. Why are you anxious?"
"You!" In a way, Shi Qingxue was very good at chatting to death. Chen Xiujiao was so angry that she had nothing to say and walked away angrily.
However, this time Shi Qingxue relaxed too early, because Shi Baoning's maid Jingti ran over and said anxiously: "Liu Niang, something bad has happened. Auntie's painting is missing!"