Rising Phoenix

Noble Imperial Consort Change turned to the Imperial Children: "Now don't be miserly or else others will laugh at you."

The Princes chuckled and began reaching into their pockets, but everyone's focus was locked onto Ning Yi and Ning Ji.

Of course everyone cared most about Ning Yi — all the other princes were just a foil for the party, and the only thing that mattered was what Ning Yi brought.

But Ning Yi only smiled silently.

Shao Ning covered her mouth and chuckled, saying: "I am so poor, I'm still waiting for the Imperial Consort to gift me some things, so I won't join this game, but I know that Sixth Brother is very rich. Can anyone control the Ministry of Revenue without becoming a God of Wealth? The way I see it, Sixth Brother should bring out his Luan[1] Jade Pendant, and we can all see who is lucky enough to win it."

Shao Ning's words sent a stir through the gathered young ladies; every Tian Sheng Prince was granted a Luan Jade Pendant by the Emperor, a keepsake at their birth prepared for choosing a future wife. How could a Prince use their pendant as a prize for a casual competition? After all, this occasion might be the first opportunity for the winning young lady to meet the Prince, and ultimately talent did not represent everything — betting this prize was too reckless. As the perceptive young ladies thought quickly, their excitement faded and they calmly sat back.

"Managing the Ministry of Revenue is a task given by Father Emperor; this Elder Brother uses the same salary that you are given, not a single coin more." Ning Yi calmly replied, turning a small smile towards Princess Shao Ning. It was rather Shao Ning's turn to freeze — she was only a first rank Princess, and her monthly allowance was way too high; when the Crown Prince had been in power, nobody complained, but now that her backing was gone, appeals were beginning in the Imperial Court. Some of the Imperial Censors had even submitted a joint statement, citing the Yi Cheng Princess's rebellion under the Da Cheng Dynasty to indicate the inauspiciousness of a Princess receiving more Imperial Allowance that a Prince, therefore requesting a demotion in Shao Ning's Imperial Privileges and her allowed number of bodyguards. After Ning Yi subtly called up this matter, the Princess no longer dared speak.

"But…" Ning Yi continued, his smile widening, "Young Sister's last words have finally spoken some truth."

Flashing his earth-shattering smile, he smoothly retrieved a stunning jade pendant from his robes and gently placed it on a tray beside him.

The clear clang of the Luan Jade Pendant's contact with the tray filled the silent square.

Countless hearts began to pound.

Prince Chu's philandering was infamous, but his amorousness seemed only surface deep. Every commoner could hear about how Ning Yi had recklessly splurged on a beautiful lady in some random brothel, but he never went out searching for concubines or sealed marriage alliances. Even now, his mansion only held two or three concubines, one gifted by the Emperor, another by the Crown Prince, and perhaps another from one of the other Princes.

It was said that Ning Yi's harem used to be much larger, but once in a while one of his concubines would meet some fatal accident, so now all those who survived lived like relics buried deep underground — if Prince Chu did not go and dig them up, they would never emerge on their own.

Many people had thought that Ning Yi had accidentally lost his Luan Jade Pendant and that no one would see it in this lifetime.

But today, the talisman was brought out into the open.

"Son, you're truly in a good mood today." The Emperor spoke, surprise flashing through his eyes as he looked over the gathered young ladies. He understood his son well enough to know that if no one at the feast interested him, he would never have taken out his Luan Jade Pendant.

Of course, he looked at every single young lady except Feng Zhiwei.

How could this affair have anything to do with an ugly and insane "married woman"?

"We usually do some poetry and literature," Noble Imperial Consort Change began, chatting with the Emperor, "Should we try something new today?"

"Let's ask the children and see what ideas they have?" The Emperor replied, smiling.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness." A yellow clad young lady stood, bowing to all four sides in accordance with the rites, her posture elegant and tasteful, deserving of praise.

Her face was gentle and soft, beautiful and enchanting — she was the most famous maiden talent in Dijing, Minister of Personnel's daughter, Hua Gongmei.

Everyone thought she was the most suitable speaker; there was no one else who could take this responsibility.

Hua Gongmei swept her eyes over the gathered people, eminently satisfied with their reactions. Her expressions grew solemn and noble, her voice gentle as she smiled: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Princes and Princess, this Young Lady has a humble idea."

"Speak." Noble Imperial Consort Chang commanded in an indifferent voice, somewhat upset that Hua Gongmei had stolen her niece's thunder.

"Our Dynasty is at war and tens of thousands of soldiers fight bravely at the battle front, their heroic minds firm as steel, our Tian Sheng banners filling the sky like forests. We young noble women cannot fight on the battlefield, but our hearts still beat for the challenge." Hua Gongmei smiled, continuing. "This Young Lady proposes that we imitate the battlefield's challenge. The challenger can offer duel to anyone, with time set by the war drum. Under three beats of the drum, both sides must finish a literary essay. Whoever fails to complete the essay automatically loses. In this way, we can pay homage to our fearless Tian Sheng Soldiers fighting for our dynasty and increase morale for our Tian Sheng Army's perfect victory against Da Yue. What do the Honored Lords and Ladies think?"

This challenge demanded both literary talent and quick thinking, much more difficult than the normal competition that allowed the young ladies their time to leisurely write.

Noble Imperial Consort Chang lightly furrowed her brows; her niece definitely possessed literary talent, but she was not great at thinking fast. Just as the Consort was pondering how to phrase her refusal, the Tian Sheng Emperor nodded, his eyebrows raised in a smile as he announced: "Good, this is a good idea. The Young Ladies will challenge under the time limit of three drums. A novel and interesting idea, let us proceed."

Noble Imperial Consort Change sighed silently. She knew that the Tian Sheng Emperor's mind was focused on the war and that Hua Gongmei's idea catered exactly to his wishes, so she could only call for a drum. Soon, the drum was prepared by the bottom of the palace stairs.

"Will Prince Chu do us ladies the honor of beating the drum himself?" Hua Gongmei asked, smiling up at Ning Yi.

Ning Yi gently placed his cup to his lips before setting it down and smiling back at Hua Gongmei.

Huo Gongmei's heart cheered.

"No."

The Seventh Prince gracefully came to the rescue of the embarrassed young lady: "How could Sixth Brother beat the drum? What if he showed favor to some of the young ladies and beat a different time? What would we do then?"

Laughter rang through the square, rescuing Hua Gongmei. The young lady quickly seized the way out and replied: "Yes, many thanks for Your Highness's reminder, it was this little lady's mistake." After making her calm apologies, she bowed to the main seat: "May we trouble Your Majesty to pick the drummer?"

"We will have to trouble the Hu Zhuo Prince then." The Tian Sheng Emperor announced after a moment of thought. Helian Zheng was a guest from a foreign nation and had less at stake for these matters, so he was the best choice.

But Helian Zheng was very unhappy and muttered: "If I beat the drum that means I am heading to battle, why do I need to beat the drum to entertain a group of girls?"

Feng Zhiwei glanced over and reminded him: "Prince, a girl is sitting beside you."

"You are my Little Aunt," Helian Zheng replied without any embarrassment, "My Little Aunt is my elder."

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