Seeing that the joyous New Year's Eve had become a little tense, Hsiao Shu-shen wanted to find a way to get through this little episode, but her expression paused slightly, and after thinking about it, she smiled and spoke.
"I have long known the talents of Consort Xian and Consort Shu. Today, I feel that the music is even more lingering. I also heard that the two new sisters also have their own strengths. Why don't we have someone write these strengths on paper and then have them drawn by lot. Whoever draws a certain number will perform in public. Taking advantage of this time of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, we should also celebrate. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
As soon as Xiao Shushen finished speaking, her eyes fell gently on Fu Yuheng, waiting for his decision.
After hearing this, Fu Yuheng did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Shen Qingwan who was sitting next to him with some uncertainty, and smiled warmly, "What do you think, Concubine Xian?"
Shen Qingwan was distracted by Hua Xiangwei's matter just now. Now that Fu Yuheng called her, she hurriedly looked at him, then calmed down and moved her red lips slightly, "The Queen's suggestion is very good. I am stupid and it is really difficult for me to think of such a good idea. The new sisters are also outstanding in talent and beauty, and each has their own strengths. It happens to be New Year's Eve today, so the emperor should give them some opportunities to display their talents."
"What the virtuous concubine said is right. This idea is quite fresh. Let's do as the queen says." Fu Yuheng nodded slightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Shushen responded, appearing very calm. She softly called the maid beside her and asked her to go downstairs and prepare things.
Xiao Shushen was originally happy that he accepted her proposal, but when she thought that he accepted it after Shen Qingwan's judgment, she couldn't help but get angry. She clenched the handkerchief tightly under the long table, and she wished that the force of this blow was on Shen Qingwan's shoulder.
Shen Qingwan noticed the gaze coming from the side. Although it couldn't be said to be fierce, she was the queen after all. Whether considering Fu Yuheng's presence or for her own face, she couldn't express her dissatisfaction directly. She just faced a little red from holding back her anger.
Shen Qingwan retracted her gaze and didn't look at Xiao Shushen. Anyway, she had been angry with her for more than a day or two. She picked up the jade wine bottle to pour wine for Fu Yuheng, and poured a few glasses for herself and drank with him.
Soon, the palace maid beside Xiao Shushen came up with a blue and white round vase, and on another wooden tray there was paper and pen for signing.
Hua Xiangwei was sharp-eyed. She hurried over and said, "The Queen should not worry about these trivial matters. I will do the writing and signing." She was still frightened by the incident of presenting the show picture just now, and tried to find a way to make up for it in front of Fu Yuheng.
"Since you're so thoughtful, come on, sister." Xiao Shushen was doing her a favor. After all, she was more willing to let her come than Shen Qingwan.
"But what if the project drawn is not one of the sisters' expertise?" Such words suddenly came from among the concubines.
"It's okay. Even if it's not my forte, I still know a little bit. I've seen how the sisters have behaved in the past. Besides, we are sisters who see each other every day. Just be comfortable." Xiao Shushen didn't ask who asked the question. She curled her red lips slightly and continued to respond with a gentle smile.
The banquet had been going on for half a day, and people were inevitably tired of listening to all the stringed music. Xiao Shushen's suggestion was a good one. After Hua Xiangwei wrote the paper sign, the concubines in the palace found it interesting.
Especially the newcomers Li Xinyu and Lin Lianlian, they knew they couldn't miss this great opportunity, whether they could become Fu Yuheng's people in the future, they couldn't neglect it in the slightest. The concubines have always used all their treasures to compete for favor, and today's move, they all had some thoughts of competing for beauty in their hearts.
"For this first lot, let the Empress decide on the candidate and project." Hua Zhaoyi walked to Xiao Shushen's table holding a round bottle, bowed and handed the bottle to her. Xiao Shushen put her fingers into the bottle and stirred it, then took out a piece of paper and read in a raised voice, "Li Xinyu." Then she paused, took out another piece of paper and read, "Dance."
When Li Xinyu heard her name, she couldn't help but sit up straight, her fingertips trembling and her throat tightening, for fear that Xiao Shushen would draw an event that she was not good at. Although she could have just gone ahead and done it, who wouldn't want to show their best side to the emperor
After hearing that it was a dance she was good at, Li Xinyu breathed a sigh of relief. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off her cheeks. Then she stood up and walked in front of the emperor, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please give me some time to change my clothes."
"Go ahead." Fu Yuheng replied.
Li Xinyu followed the maid to the small pavilion in the main hall. The small pavilion was fully equipped with everything needed for the female servants in the harem to change clothes and sober up. She had been careful before coming and brought clothes with her, and now they finally came in handy.
Finally, Li Xinyu finished dressing up and returned to the hall. She straightened her sleeves, then nodded slightly to the musicians beside her, indicating that they could begin.
The music started and Li Xinyu rose to the rhythm of the drums.
The wide sleeves fluttered like spreading clouds, the beads on the head rang with the rapid shaking, the waist was as soft as a willow, and after several turns, it rose and fell. Looking closely, it was like a butterfly fluttering among the flowers, adding some vitality to this winter.
The next lot was drawn by Li Xinyu, and she happened to draw Lin Lianlian playing the guzheng.
After the maids had arranged the piano stand and the zither, they retreated to both sides. Lin Lianlian stepped forward gracefully. She tuned the strings gently, tested every note, and then began to pluck the strings lightly, letting the music swirl like beads and slide through her fingers, indescribably tender and gentle.
After the song, Fu Yuheng was still intoxicated and couldn't help clapping his hands. Xiao Shushen looked at his satisfied expression and felt happy. She added at the right time, "The talents of these two sisters are really well-deserved. Putting them on this New Year's Eve banquet has a sense of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new."
Fu Yuheng raised her sword-like eyebrows slightly, and the emperor was delighted. "As expected of you, you are a famous lady in the capital. Today I am really feasting my eyes. Now that you are in the palace, you will also add color to my harem!"
Shen Qingwan naturally didn't notice anything. After all, she had seen him during the talent show, so she didn't find him amazing.
Fu Yuheng turned around and seemed to see that she was not in a good mood. He nodded again and waved his hand forward along the table, "The palace banquet ends here. Since today is New Year's Eve, you can go out of the palace to see the lanterns in the evening if you are interested." He glanced at the person sitting next to her intentionally or unintentionally, and saw that she really had a faint smile on her lips.
All the concubines were extremely happy after hearing this, and the palace banquet ended in laughter and joy.