Everyone’s gaze fell on Ling Jingshu at once.

Ling Jingshu, calm and unhurried, lifted the gauze cover. “Please, Your Majesty and all the ladies, admire this pot of Luoyang Brocade.”

Huge blossoms in milky white and pink were revealed before everyone’s eyes, instantly drawing a wave of astonished exclamations. “It’s actually a multicolored peony!”

“This peony’s blooms are so big and so beautiful!”

“Yes, I’ve seen multicolored peonies before too, but never blossoms this large!”

“And the fragrance is so distinctive too — even from this far away, I can still faintly catch its scent!”

A flash of jealousy crossed Lady Wang’s eyes.

The moment this Luoyang Brocade appeared, it immediately outshone her own Lantian Jade.

The peony bloomed in dazzling splendor, and Ling Jingshu stood gracefully beside it, her lovely face mirroring the flower’s beauty — she herself more captivating than the blossoms.

This Ling Jingshu had completely stolen the spotlight at today’s banquet. Hmph — she was clearly doing this on purpose, trying to seize the chance to catch His Majesty’s attention!

Amid the chorus of praise, Empress Xu’s brow relaxed as well, and she lifted her lips into a smile. “This peony blooms beautifully, and its name is especially fitting too. Luoyang Brocade — it carries the meaning of Luoyang’s prosperity and splendor within Great Zhou.”

“Excellent!” The Emperor was the first to call out his approval, an unusual gleam flashing in his eyes. “In my view, today’s Queen of Flowers can be none other than this Luoyang Brocade. What do all of you beloved consorts think?”

Consort Wei was the first to speak up in agreement with a smile. “Your Majesty speaks truly. This consort also feels that this Luoyang Brocade surpasses all the other flowers and well deserves the title of Queen of Flowers.”

The other consorts, unwilling to be outdone, voiced their agreement one after another.

Quite pleased with herself, Empress Xu glanced at Lady Wang, whether intentionally or not. “Lady Wang, your Lantian Jade has lost to my Luoyang Brocade — are you convinced?”

Lady Wang gritted her teeth secretly, but forced a smile onto her face. “Your Majesty is like the bright moon in the heavens — how could this consort dare compete with you for radiance? To lose to Your Majesty, this consort accepts wholeheartedly!”

She paused, then added with pointed implication, “Since it was Official Ling who grew this Luoyang Brocade, today’s credit ought to go to her as well. Your Majesty really must reward her generously. Consort Wei, wouldn’t you agree?”

Consort Wei’s smile froze for a moment.

Lady Wang’s final remark was clearly malicious, made with ill intent.

Consort Wei had originally been a maid at Empress Xu’s side, before catching the Emperor’s eye and being chosen to attend his bed — and only then had she risen to such glory and fortune. Lady Wang’s deliberate pairing of Ling Jingshu with Consort Wei in the same breath carried an implication that needed no further explanation.

None of the consorts, female officials, or eunuch attendants present were fools. Who could fail to catch the meaning?

Ling Jingshu’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. But on an occasion like this, it was not her place to speak. She absolutely could not open her mouth, lest she truly draw the Emperor’s attention.

Consort Wei quickly composed herself and said with an even smile, “Official Ling has grown such a fine peony — Her Majesty will surely reward her generously on her own. Such a small matter needs no troubling from either of us. Sister Wang, if you have such free time, why not take Lantian Jade back and water and till the soil more, tending it carefully? It’s no matter that you’ve come up short this year — you can always compete for the Queen of Flowers again next year.”

Lady Wang: “…”

Having been mocked openly and subtly all at once, Lady Wang’s face flushed red then turned pale, a rather spectacular sight.

Consort Wei had always seemed mild-tempered and easy to talk to — no one had expected she could be this sharp-tongued when it came to it!

Empress Xu smiled and smoothed things over. “Now that the Queen of Flowers is decided, everyone, please come with me back to Jiaofang Hall for lunch!”

Everyone agreed in unison.

Empress Xu turned to the Emperor, her voice carrying a coquettish charm. “Would Your Majesty do us the honor of coming to Jiaofang Hall, to join this consort and the other sisters for lunch?”

The Emperor smiled readily. “With the Empress inviting me herself, how could I possibly refuse to go?”

Ling Jingshu and Rui Lian each carried their peonies back to Jiaofang Hall.

The Xiangyu and the other peonies were placed in the main hall, while only the Luoyang Brocade was carefully set in Empress Xu’s bedchamber.

With all this finally done, Ling Jingshu let out a sigh of relief at last, quietly rubbing her aching wrist.

The flowerpot wasn’t very heavy, but carrying it for half a day had already left her wrist sore and numb.

Rui Lian was no better off, rubbing her own wrist while complaining in a low voice, “It’ll take at least two or three days before this wrist recovers. Thank goodness we two don’t have to wait on the banquet today.”

Ling Jingshu hummed in agreement with a smile.

Rui Lian glanced at Ling Jingshu and probed with a smile, “A’Shu, you really stole the show at today’s banquet, and you won back face for Her Majesty too. While she’s in such good spirits, you should ask for some reward — she definitely wouldn’t refuse.”

“I only did what I was supposed to do — how could I bring myself to ask for any reward?” Ling Jingshu replied with an even smile, giving nothing away.

A flicker passed through Rui Lian’s eyes as she pressed her lips together with a smile. “It’s just the two of us here — you don’t need to be so careful with your words.”

She lowered her voice further. “His Majesty paid you a fair bit of extra attention today. With looks like yours, if you have any such thoughts, you might as well speak plainly with Her Majesty. She’s broad-minded — not only would she not blame you, she might even help make it happen for you herself!”

“Consort Wei, too, was once just a maid at Her Majesty’s side. It was only after catching His Majesty’s favor that she was transformed entirely, rising in a single step to become a mistress in her own right. Your beauty is not the least bit inferior to Consort Wei’s…”

The Emperor?

Ling Jingshu thought of that wrinkled, weathered face, and a wave of revulsion rose in her stomach. She answered coldly, “Sister Rui Lian must be joking. I have never had any thought of climbing to power through such means. It would be best not to say such things again in the future — otherwise, if someone overhears, it could lead to misunderstanding.”

All of Rui Lian’s words were left choked back, unspoken.

Indeed! If Ling Jingshu wanted to climb to power, she could easily choose the young, handsome Crown Grandson with his bright future ahead, instead. The Emperor, though supreme in rank, was already old enough to be a grandfather — there was no telling how many more years he had left to live!

Were their positions reversed, Rui Lian herself wouldn’t want it either.

Seeing that Rui Lian had fallen silent, Ling Jingshu finally spoke. “Sister Rui Lian, I’m quite tired today, and I’d like to go back and rest for a while. If Her Majesty needs to summon me for anything, please have someone come call me at my room.”

Rui Lian agreed with a smile.

Once Ling Jingshu returned to her room, Bai Yu and Qiao Yun gathered around her at once, asking eagerly, “Miss, did the Luoyang Brocade win the title of Queen of Flowers?”

Ling Jingshu nodded with a smile.

As for the little “episode” at the banquet, it was better left unmentioned. Since her illness had not yet been cured, she could not be touched or grown close to by any man — even if Empress Xu had any such idea in mind, it would be impossible to carry out, so there was no need to worry about that.

Bai Yu was overjoyed at once, clapping her hands repeatedly in delight, and even Qiao Yun’s face was full of joy.

After months of hard work, it had finally not all been in vain.

Seeing the weariness on Ling Jingshu’s face, Bai Yu immediately tugged at Qiao Yun’s sleeve. “Miss must be tired today — let her rest a while first. We’ll come back to attend to her later.”

After the two maids withdrew, Ling Jingshu lay down without changing her clothes and soon fell asleep.