Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 373: Has His Little Concubine Encountered Trouble?

Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Has His Little Concubine Encountered Trouble?

Moreover, there were no mountains nearby the palace. How come there were both mountains and trees? Lian Hua was confused.

Concubine Fang Pin was acting melancholic and delicate, forgetting that she wasn’t in her own court, and got startled when she heard that remark. She looked outside, indeed there were no trees.

Oh dear, she had used the wrong metaphor...

Seeing that Lian Hua seemed to still be waiting for her explanation, she fell silent, suddenly unsure of what to say.

Even though there were no trees outside, wasn’t it just a metaphor? The most important thing was to grasp the artistic conception and emotional state conveyed; whether there were trees or not was beside the point.

She was merely using an abstract example, the focus was not on whether there were trees outside, but on expressing her heartfelt sorrow whenever and wherever, even if it meant speaking poetically about a lump of cow dung, to make oneself stand out. This was the realm of true talent.

But why did Sister Lian focus only on the trees, completely missing the point? It was hard to explain without coming off as pretentious, devoid of genuine emotion...

Lian Hua saw that Concubine Fang Pin seemed at a loss for words. She wondered... Did Concubine Fang Pin have the same poor vision as Chief Steward Zhang?

Yes, indeed, speaking of mountains and trees, there were neither mountains nor trees outside, only artificial hills and small mounds in the Imperial Garden, hardly qualifying as mountains.

Realizing this, she suddenly understood, and with a sudden "Oh," nodded knowingly at Concubine Fang Pin, displaying a mysterious smile tinged with sympathy. She got it without needing it spelled out.

This principle had been taught to her by Sister Consort De. At the small banquet of the Noble Consort and the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, she had seen through how Noble Consort pretended to put on a brave front, and she had mentioned it quietly to Sister Consort De during a visit to Huaying Hall when His Majesty was present.

Sister Consort De had laughed heartily, praising her as a clever spirit, saying her observations were spot-on, criticizing the Noble Consort for her shallow character, always pretending to be good.

After her laughter subsided, she taught her this principle, saying that the next time she observed such behavior, it was best to keep silent with only a smile, no need to point it out explicitly. Women in the harem cared a lot about their appearances, so she remembered this, and now used it for the first time on Concubine Fang Pin.

Seeing that Lian Hua seemed to understand her intention, Concubine Fang Pin felt relieved, resumed her sorrowful look, and continued to teach, "A dream returns on an autumn night as late, before my bed the lingering light does abate. Sister Lian, on such an autumn night, with such lonely light, how desolate it feels, do you grasp this mood?"

Saying so, as if recalling countless lonely nights with no one by her side, she genuinely became sorrowful, dabbing her eyes with her sleeve.

Lian Hua could hardly stop herself from shaking her head. What was there to be desolate about when one is full and content during broad daylight?

She looked outside where the sun was so bright it seemed to bloom, further convinced of Concubine Fang Pin’s poor eyesight, feeling even more sympathetic, she resisted the urge to shake her head and reluctantly nodded instead.

This only made Concubine Fang Pin even more compassionately sorrowful, repeatedly reciting poems to express the sadness in her heart.

Unintentionally, Lian Hua exclaimed in admiration, and indeed, although Consort Fang Pin might not see well, mistaking day for night, the poetry recited from her lips carried a truly unique flavor.

Look at this fragile and beautiful woman, behold the slight sorrow in her eyes and brows, perfectly matching the poem she recited.

Having an idea, Lian Hua’s eyes mischievously whirled around. Hmm...

If she could learn to act like that in front of His Majesty, might he look at her with new eyes, thinking her mind filled with poetry?

It seemed quite feasible indeed!

As Lian Hua watched intently with eagerness and a desire to learn, she sat up straight, staring unblinkingly at Concubine Fang Pin.

Concubine Fang Pin, somewhat embarrassed but very pleased, hadn’t expected Sister Lian to be so captivated by her, filling her with immense satisfaction. Never had anyone in the palace admired her so.

Next, Lian Hua, not sparing her words, praised Concubine Fang Pin from beginning to end, which delighted Concubine Fang Pin immensely.

Then, with sparkling eyes, Lian Hua looked at Concubine Fang Pin and asked her to teach her how to combine poetry with expressions. She wanted to learn as well, feeling that Concubine Fang Pin’s demeanor was extremely appealing.

It was rare for someone in the palace to appreciate her, and Concubine Fang Pin did not mind the flaws in Lian Hua’s words. Had it been someone else referring to her naturally melancholic and sensitive demeanor as just a "demeanor," she would certainly have been angry.

She felt as if she had encountered a timely rain, eager to share all her knowledge with Lian Hua—what poems matched which expressions and gazes, teaching her the subtleties one by one.

Everyone has their strengths; indeed, usually making Lian Hua memorize a poem was as arduous as asking for her life, but when it came to imitating something she was interested in, she got it exactly right with a single attempt.

Look, she did not even understand the meaning of the poems but could recite the verses she did not understand, and even managed to mimic Concubine Fang Pin’s gestures and expressions, perfectly imitating even the voice and tone.

When the Emperor returned from the Administration Palace, he heard such verses wafting through Canglan Court:

"Searching, searching, cold and clear, miserable and bleak..."

The voice reciting was female, and it sounded somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar, very strange; certainly, it was not someone from Canglan Court.

Outside the Side Hall, he stopped in his tracks, quite puzzled. This was Canglan Court, right? Had he not mistaken the place?

He looked at Zhang Qing, who also could not make heads or tails of it. Had Master Lian changed styles?

Wasn’t the previous style to make that brat recite poems?

Regardless of the meaning in the poetry, even if the poetry expressed the misery of losing a mother, that brat recited it with great inspirational zeal, completely devoid of any sadness.

The Emperor, frowning, listened for a few moments. What was this mess about, searching for what? And who was the female voice?

Just as he was puzzled, another female voice took up the next verse:

"Piles of yellow flowers litter the ground, worn and frail, who now is fit to pick them? Guarding the window alone, how can one endure the darkness! The parasol trees, coupled with light rain, until dusk, drip by drip. At this moment, how can one word ’sorrow’ suffice!"

The emotion in that last sentence was heart-wrenchingly poignant.

It was indeed the voice of his Little Concubine.

The Emperor felt somewhat baffled. What was going on?

He had never heard his Little Concubine with such a melancholic and lost, desolate and bleak tone, each phrase turning three times as if she was in great distress.

The Emperor was startled, his first reaction was to wonder what could possibly be wrong with his Little Concubine. Had she encountered some trouble???

After settling affairs in the Administration Palace, he heard reports that there was great commotion in the harem, and Nanny Qi had also gone there to manage the situation, so he decided to head directly back to Canglan Court.

Upon reaching the gate, he saw no one at the entrance, and the courtyard was peaceful, basking in a serene atmosphere inside.

The Shadow Guards in hiding were not there for decoration; he was not worried that anyone with ill-intentions could easily enter.

Walking through the courtyard, all was quiet until he approached the Side Hall, where he finally heard the recitation of poetry.