As her words faded, Atum's face changed drastically. Seeing his expression, Tang Youyou raised her eyebrows, yet a charming smile played on her face.
She whispered softly, "Your Majesty, since these two younger sisters have finished their performances, it's time for rewards. They've worked hard."
As soon as she said this, the whole venue fell into silence. The self - satisfied smile on Su Nian'e's face vanished in an instant.
Only the performers in brothels would receive rewards. With this single sentence, Tang Youyou had almost stripped these two of their dignity.
The previously frustrated Yan Zhihua couldn't help but burst into laughter. Tang Youyou's eyes flickered slightly and she nodded. The rippling pupils in her eyes were like a kitten scratching Rong Xun's heart.
But the next moment, Su Nian'e frowned. She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Now I've shown my talent. It's the Empress's turn, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Tang Youyou twirled a lock of hair in front of her forehead around her palm and looked at Su Nian'e casually. "There are more sisters in the palace than just you two. Besides Noble Lady Su and Concubine Wen, are there any other sisters who want to show their talents?"
At the same time, the always - silent Yan Zhihua let out a few soft chuckles. "The Empress is busy every day and has no energy at all. As a noble in the palace, how could you not know how hard the Empress works and not show her some consideration? What's your intention?"
Tang Youyou was a bit surprised by Yan Zhihua's retort, and Su Nian'e's face turned as red as pig liver from being rebuked.
Tang Youyou said, "Since that's the case, I'll paint a picture for you all."
As her words ended, Qingyu in the distance was already coming with the painting and the frame. Yan Zhihua looked utterly incredulous. She seemed to know that Tang Youyou should have no special skills.
However, since Tang Youyou had spoken, she had no choice but to compromise.
Immediately afterwards, several war drums appeared on the stage, along with more musicians. They were playing the "Battle Hymn".
The song was powerful and sonorous, as if it were transporting people to the vast borderlands. Everyone was galloping on their horses. As the music progressed, the scene suddenly changed. It was as if the generals on the battlefield were fighting bravely and recklessly.
Looking at Tang Youyou, she was now waving her brush and constantly painting on the paper. Stroke by stroke, a strange - shaped valley emerged. Under her hands, this valley became vivid.
However, in front of these people, a single landscape painting alone was hardly convincing.
Seeing this, Atum, who had always looked down on Tang Youyou, spoke again. His words were full of mockery. "Your painting skills are comparable to the painters in my palace."
Everyone present understood the implication of his words.
However, Tang Youyou, who was still painting, seemed not to hear a single word of his. Instead, she was immersed in her painting. The battle song became the final key to awaken her inspiration.
Then she picked up the brush and made the last stroke. She then lazily returned to her seat and slumped there, looking at the people below.
Unexpectedly, Yan Zhihua, who had been bowing her head in deep thought, suddenly let out a snort of laughter.
She looked at the boastful Atum and suddenly smiled. "Your Highness really doesn't understand the meaning in the Empress's painting? This painting is full of the Empress's expectations for you Western Region people."
Challenged by her words, Atum still firmly mocked. "This is just a landscape painting. Where are all your so - called certainties?"
Seeing that her words couldn't get through to this Western Region prince's ears, Yan Zhihua stopped talking, but her smile grew even wider.
Then, Yan Zhihua glanced at Tang Youyou on the stage. With just a look, Tang Youyou nodded.
The next moment, Yan Zhihua came to the painting and turned it upside down. What came into view was actually a picture of ten thousand horses galloping. On the horses were the bold and unconstrained Western Region men. This painting fully demonstrated the heroism of the Western Region people.
And this peerless painting had been painted upside down!
Seeing this scene, Atum, who had been constantly mocking, also shut his mouth. Even Wen Ruxue, who had been watching the show on the side, was shocked.
However, her shock was only momentary. She just glanced at Tang Youyou and then put on her standard virtuous and gentle smile again.
"The Empress's painting is extraordinary. She has used Chinese ink to perfection. We are far from being able to match her."
After she finished speaking, she didn't forget to glance at Su Nian'e beside her. The two of them understood each other tacitly. They both knew that they had miscalculated this time.
Wen Ruxue's words undoubtedly made Tang Youyou happy.
To be honest, Tang Youyou just liked those who looked down on others.
Being a snob was Wen Ruxue's greatest skill.
Tang Youyou said, "I was just making a fool of myself in front of everyone. To be honest, I'm not as talented as my sisters. You're overpraising me."
As her words faded, Rong Xun finally raised his wrist, and the grand banquet began again. Bells, drums, chimes, and stringed instruments filled the air.
The sound made Tang Youyou feel sleepy. Her head bobbed up and down like a chick pecking at rice.
And this little action of hers was clearly seen by Rong Xun.
Then, Rong Xun looked at Su Ningde on one side. His right hand tapped the table imperceptibly. With just this one action, Su Ningde understood what Rong Xun meant.
After a while, the banquet was coming to an end. Su Ningde raised his shrill voice and announced the end of the entire banquet.
Hearing this, Tang Youyou, who had been in a doze, immediately woke up.
Watching the people present slowly disperse, she finally couldn't hold back. She hurriedly left with Qingyu. When she returned to the palace again, the heavy drowsiness and the attractive small bed made her forget about the day's events.
But Rong Xun, who had returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, suddenly looked cold. He glanced at Su Ningde. In Su Ningde's hands was a wooden tray on which were the names of the concubines from various palaces.
Rong Xun's hand lingered on Tang Youyou's name tag for a moment, but then he shifted it to Su Nian'e's name.
"Just her."
Hearing this, Su Ningde smiled slightly and then turned around to leave, arranging for the subsequent night of serving the emperor.
Rong Xun continued to review the memorials expressionlessly. In this palace banquet, the most important person was Atum, the Western Region envoy. Although he was a prince from the Western Region, he was extremely ambitious and always dreamed of unifying the world. So he had to be guarded against.
After a long while, the main door of the hall creaked open. It was Su Nian'e in a pink dress who came in. Seeing her heavily - made - up appearance, Rong Xun had no interest at all.
Then there was a deathly silence.
Su Nian'e slowly walked towards Rong Xun. Today, Su Nian'e was a bit different from usual. Although her steps seemed to be as graceful as a lotus blooming with each step, there was an indescribable strangeness about them.