Chapter 1025 - 9: I Can See All the Cheats
The time for the talent competition had finally arrived. Each of the concubines was eager to showcase their skills. Some painted, some danced, and some sang, all while trying to catch the Emperor’s eye with flirtatious glances.
The Emperor and Tianmiao watched while eating fruit. The Emperor occasionally spoke with the Empress Dowager, and she laughed in response, making the Emperor laugh as well. Witnessing this scene, the concubines were filled with emotions. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager had only recently reunited, but their mother-son affection seemed genuinely strong. Some concubines became even more determined to win the Empress Dowager’s favor.
Concubine Shu performed a dance that amazed everyone present. Her graceful movements, snow-white skin, and enchanting smile made all the concubines both angry and jealous. Some concubines instinctively glanced at the Emperor to see his reaction, only to find him smiling, seemingly commenting on the dance with the Empress Dowager, and it appeared he held it in high regard.
"Sly fox!" Many concubines secretly gritted their teeth.
Next, it was the turn of the noble lady who had sneakily eaten something earlier; that was Noble Lady An. Her face still had a bit of baby fat, and she stood there, requesting the Emperor and Empress Dowager to let her play a tune. Noble Lady An’s flute performance was indeed decent, and the Emperor nodded slightly, indicating it was not bad.
Tianmiao also smiled and nodded in approval at Noble Lady An. Noble Lady An felt light as a feather, wondering if the Empress Dowager liked her flute playing, would she be summoned more often? If so, would she get to eat more delicious food at the Empress Dowager’s palace?
It was Lin Daying’s turn to perform. She announced she would compose a poem. She cast a deep glance at the chrysanthemums not far away and solemnly recited: "My old friend prepares chicken and millet, inviting me to his countryside home. Green trees cluster by the village, blue hills stretch beyond its walls. I open up the window and face the farmland, sharing wine as we talk of how the mulberry and hemp grow. When Double Ninth comes again, I’ll return to pick chrysanthemums."
After reciting, Lin Daying lifted her chin, filled with pride, waiting for praise from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. But the expected praise did not come; instead, there was an eerie silence.
What is going on? Do these ancient people not understand poetry?
Lin Daying looked at the Emperor, only to see his face darkened.
What happened?
Even the usually gentle Empress Dowager looked stern.
Lin Daying was confused.
At this moment, Concubine Shu laughed softly and spoke: "Sister, are you joking? But joking like this doesn’t seem well-considered. This poem was composed by Meng Haoran a couple of years ago. Sister claiming it as her own today is surely a jest, right?" Although Concubine Shu’s tone was playful, the contempt and ridicule in her eyes were unmistakable.
This is impossible! This sentence reached Lin Daying’s lips but she swallowed it back down. She immediately asked her system in her mind: "System, what is happening? How can Meng Haoran exist in this world? Wasn’t Meng Haoran a poet from the Tang Dynasty in my original world?"
The system paused slightly and quickly replied: "Host, this world seems to have mutual influence with your original world, so some people from your world exist here as well, and individuals from different dynasties may appear simultaneously in this world."
Lin Daying’s face instantly turned ashen. She looked around and saw the concubines around her had strange expressions, most of them filled with mockery. At this moment, Lin Daying realized the extent of her embarrassment.
"It’s one thing to be unlearned, but to plagiarize others’ works and claim them as your own poetry? How disgraceful! Confined for three months; go back and read some books," the Emperor, in a rage, stood up and scolded.