sbdcsierra Chapter 1007: Fuqiu's Gaze (80 Reward Value Plus)
Chapter 1007: Fuqiu's Gaze (80 Reward Value Plus)
Li Changde replied "yes" with a smile, and handed the exquisite snacks in front of the emperor to Shen Zhinian.
A plate of dim sum may not be a valuable item, but it is a token of the emperor’s love!
In an instant, all the concubines in the harem cast envious glances at Shen Zhinian.
Only the Imperial Concubine Chen could be so deeply missed by His Majesty.
Shen Zhinian stood up and said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After sitting down, she raised her glass to everyone and said, "On this occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone should try the cakes specially made by the imperial kitchen."
The palace servants brought out a variety of dim sum, which were not only beautifully shaped but also tasted unforgettable!
The Chang'e Flying to the Moon Pastry has layers of very crispy pastry crust, filled with lotus seed paste, and the surface is painted with a Chang'e pattern with edible gold powder.
Sweet Osmanthus Cake is steamed with autumn dew, honey and glutinous rice flour. The cake surface is printed with sweet osmanthus patterns and melts in your mouth.
Jade Rabbit Cake is molded into the shape of a rabbit, filled with date paste, and with melon seeds as eyes.
Everyone said in unison: "Thank you, Concubine Chen!"
The eldest princess picked up a piece of Jade Rabbit Cake and handed it to Concubine Zhuang, saying affectionately, "Mother, please try this cake."
Concubine Zhuang took it with a smile, and looked at her with an extremely gentle look: "Yun'er is so good."
Many people watching this scene were secretly surprised.
The eldest princess was already five years old when she was adopted by Concubine Zhuang. It was originally thought that she would always remember her biological mother and not be close to Concubine Zhuang. Unexpectedly, the relationship between mother and daughter was so good.
Duke Dingguo's eyes turned a little colder as he watched this scene.
One of the people Qingqing hated most during her lifetime was Concubine Zhuang.
If Qingqing knew that the eldest princess was now being raised by Concubine Zhuang and that they were very close, she would probably be so angry that she would come alive!
However, it was the emperor's will that Concubine Zhuang raise the eldest princess. Even if Duke Dingguo was dissatisfied, he did not dare to show it.
Some palace concubines who had no children could not help but show envy when they saw the eldest princess' filial piety.
The nights in the palace were too long, too cold, and too hard to bear... If there was a child to sit at my side, life wouldn't seem so hard.
It doesn't matter even if the child is not your own.
Concubine Zhuang was so lucky to have raised such a sensible princess.
In addition to singing and dancing performances, there are also activities such as writing poems and couplets.
Nangong Xuanyu said: "... Today is a festival of family reunion, so let's use the word 'Mid-Autumn Festival' as the theme. I will reward any excellent poems!"
"My dear ministers and concubines, you may all give full play to your powers."
Hearing this, many people became excited.
Rewards are secondary. If I can take this opportunity to catch the eye of His Majesty, that will be the greatest reward!
For a moment, both the court officials and the concubines began to think.
Those concubines who didn't have much knowledge could only worry...
I thought that if I entered the palace I would be able to win favor with my beauty, but I didn't know that His Majesty was not just a king who only looked at looks, he also liked talented women.
Some low-ranking concubines who wanted to curry favor with Concubine Zhuang immediately complimented her: "Concubine Zhuang is the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor. She has inherited the Grand Tutor's true teachings and is extremely talented! I believe that no sister's poetry here can surpass Concubine Zhuang's."
Wangpin smiled and said, "Doesn't Empress Zhuang like to worship Buddha? I have never heard that Empress Zhuang can write poetry."
Another concubine said, "Madam Wang, you should know without thinking that although the Grand Tutor has retired, he is still a great scholar! How can his legitimate daughter be unskilled?"
Someone said: "Speaking of Mid-Autumn Festival, I am reminded of the poem written by Jiang Shu Ren, 'When will the bright moon appear? Drinking wine and asking the blue sky...' That is the eternal masterpiece!"
Having said this, the man seemed to realize that he had said the wrong thing, and he quickly stopped talking and lowered his head in embarrassment.
Although His Majesty has spared the life of Jiang Shuren and imprisoned her in Yawen Garden, the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion was destroyed because of treason, and Jiang Shuren will be a sinner for all eternity!
How could she mention Jiang Shuren in such an occasion? What if she made His Majesty angry?
After hearing what this palace concubine said, many people thought of Jiang Wange’s poem “Water Melody”.
Even though Jiang Shuren was a criminal, they had to admit that this poem was indeed unprecedented and unparalleled, and could be called a masterpiece!
Jiang Shuren is truly a rare talent in a thousand years! It's a pity that she was implicated by her family...
Someone soon tried to smooth things over and changed the subject with a smile.
Knowing that His Majesty likes young people, many officials turned their eyes to the area of young Hanlin scholars.
The Grand Secretary smiled and said, "We old antiques won't steal the limelight from the young people. The runner-up and third place winners of this year's imperial examination are here, so why not start with them first?"
Zhou Yuhu quickly stood up and said, "In that case, I will throw out some ideas to stimulate discussion."
"The jade plate hangs high in the autumn city, the Milky Way is silent and the night is clear. There are many places full of joy and music, but the guests who have left are sighing with sorrow."
From these two lines of poetry, everyone felt the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
On one side, there were bursts of singing and dancing coming from several places, full of joy, showing a lively scene of celebrating reunion.
On the other side, the guest who has left his hometown is unknown. In this reunion festival, he sighs alone and feels sad. This highlights the loneliness and desolation of the separated person, and also reflects the joys and sorrows of the world.
It’s no wonder that Zhou Yuhu has such a mentality.
Everyone knows that the Zhou family is leading the army to fight against the Huns. On this night of reunion, Zhou Yuhu is far away from his relatives, and he doesn't know how many of his relatives can come back alive.
No wonder his poems are full of melancholy.
At this moment, everyone looked at Zhou Yuhu with appreciation and admiration.
Even Fuqiu's gaze lingered on Zhou Yuhu for a while longer.
The queen and Madam Zhou were close friends, so she naturally paid more attention to the Zhou family. She didn't expect that the Zhou family was a military family, and in this generation, there would be a scholar like Mr. Zhou.
Zhou Yuhu was just speaking from his heart and didn't want to make the atmosphere of the palace banquet solemn. After he finished speaking, he looked at Bai Mufeng and said, "Brother Bai, please continue the sentence."
Those who could pass the imperial examinations and become officials were all outstanding scholars, not to mention that Zhou Yuhu and Bai Mufeng were both in the top three. For them, writing poems was just a piece of cake.
Bai Mufeng continued, "The cold frost gradually invades my silk sleeves, the osmanthus shadows sway and the fragrance surrounds the painted pillars. The gathering and separation of people is a matter of eternity, but I only hope that this moon will shine forever."
These two sentences describe the coldness of the autumn night, making people feel a slight chill and hinting at the passage of time.
It also depicts the shadow of the osmanthus tree in the Moon Palace, swaying in the breeze, with its fragrance lingering between the painted pillars, adding a quiet and elegant beauty.
The last couplet is the icing on the cake, indicating that the comings and goings of people in the world have been happening since the beginning of time.
The line “I only hope that this moon will shine forever together” expresses the hope for reunion, giving a glimmer of warmth and hope amid helplessness, which sublimates the emotion of this poem!