Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 122 The Unpredictable Prophet
The talent show begins.

Palace servants brought a table and placed writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone on it. Candidates who claimed to be good at calligraphy could freely come forward and write a few words.

At the same time, various musical instruments were brought up, and girls who were good at a certain instrument could perform a piece for Queen Dowager Zhou.

As for playing chess... it's enough to just talk about it, because Queen Mother Zhou didn't like watching chess games. Instead, she looked up to women who were good at playing musical instruments. Unfortunately, among the thirty-five people, only a few could play musical instruments, and there were only a few who could play complete tunes that were still gentle and melodious.

Zhang Yu originally wanted to perform well, because she knew all the things that Empress Dowager Zhou mentioned.

Although she may not be very proficient in it, for a lively and smart girl like her, these are not a big deal.

She was born into a poor family, the eldest daughter in the family. Her father was busy preparing for the imperial examinations, while her mother worked hard to make a living. She lacked the restraint of etiquette and morals since childhood, and grew up wild and wild, daring to try everything.

But her competitors seemed unwilling to give her a chance to perform and joined forces to push her to the back. Queen Mother Zhou also seemed to be displeased with her because of her inconsiderate words before, so that when it came to the stage of showing her talent, everyone seemed to have forgotten about her.

It was not until the end of the talent show that Queen Mother Zhou pointed at Zhang Yu, called her over and asked, "Can you write poetry? Come here and write a few words for me to see."

Everyone present turned their eyes to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu was a little confused.

How does anyone here know that I can write poetry?
It’s still the Queen Mother!

The issue is……

What should I write?

Chen Gui smiled and said, "My dear little noble, didn't you hear me? The Queen Mother asked you to come over and write a few words, preferably poems or songs... You said before that you wished to have someone's heart and live together till old age, and you can say it so easily, which shows that you come from a scholarly family, so there should be no problem in writing these words."

Others may not know, but how could Chen Guin not know that this person is a relative?

Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhou was not angry after hearing Zhang Yu's words, but instead pondered for a long time and seemed to have realized something, he knew that this woman was definitely not simple.

Of course, most people could not understand the real situation. They just thought that Zhang Yu's words had angered the empress dowager and that she had no hope of promotion. However, as a popular figure in Qingning Palace, he knew a lot about the empress dowager's temper and understood that Zhang Yu had already caught the empress dowager's eye.

In addition, excluding some factors on the field, just talking about the off-field factors, the person in front of us has the endorsement of Li Zisheng, so it cannot be overemphasized.

After all, the Queen Mother has made it clear that the Crown Prince is alone and needs a "strong man" to help him. In the eyes of the Queen Mother, Li Zisheng is probably the person who holds real power and can influence the current situation.

Zhang Yu frowned slightly and said cautiously, "I don't know how to start writing."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "Let you write a few words, don't feel pressured... I see that they are all trying their best to show themselves, some playing the piano, some writing, it's very lively, but what about you? You didn't show anything at all, is it because you don't have any ability? Oh, by the way, what is her background?"

The old lady would occasionally pretend to ask questions even though she knew the answer, and through her questions to Chen Gui she showed that she actually knew nothing about Zhang Yu at that moment.

Chen Gui smiled and replied, "Grandfather, this girl is from a family of imperial students. Her father is a local gentry and has passed the imperial examination. Her cousin was once the governor of Liaodong. She is a qualified scholar family... This girl is proficient in everything from playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting..."

"Doesn't this mean that you know everything? Since you have talent and knowledge, why don't you show yourself? Today is just a casual chat. I want to see with my own eyes what you young people are capable of."

Queen Mother Zhou said as she called Zhang Yu closer, her eyes swept across Zhang Yu's pretty face, then she stood up, took Zhang Yu's hand with her left hand and walked to the table, pointed at the spread out white paper with her right hand and said, "Just write the poem you mentioned before, I wish to have the heart of one person and never part with him until we are old."

Chen Gui asked: "Grandfather, these few words don't show your level... isn't it a bit bad?" "What's wrong with it..."

Queen Mother Zhou glanced at Chen Gui, then looked at Zhang Yu with a hint of meaning, "This isn't an exam for the top scholar. Do you think anyone here can write a poem that will shock the world?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu was suddenly stunned.

She then thought that she seemed to be able to write poetry...

Oh, no, it was about writing lyrics. My younger brother taught me step by step. She wrote one song by herself before, and then my younger brother taught her a few more, and she memorized them all.

She was wondering, what happened to Yanling?
A prophet?
Fortunately, Empress Dowager Zhou only asked her to write two fixed lines of poetry and did not let her improvise on the spot, so she did not have to worry about whether it was too abrupt. She just picked up the brush dipped in ink and carefully wrote out the ten words like a composition on the fine rice paper, clearly and accurately.

……

……

While the selection of concubines was in full swing in Qingning Palace, Zhu Youtang was still reviewing his lessons in Duanjing Hall.

It was only the second day after the New Year, and the lecturers in the Eastern Palace were still on vacation. Zhu Youtang could have rested for a few days, but he was very diligent and studious, and his brain was not very bright, so he was unable to grasp many of his lessons before the New Year, so he needed to review them on his own during the first few days of the new year.

Zhu Youtang drank a cup of tea, went to the toilet and came back. Just as he was about to continue reading, he suddenly saw Qin Ji standing by the table with a smile on his face.

"My dear? Why are you back? Didn't you say you were going to the palace to visit your relatives? There's really no need for you to come back so early."

Zhu Youtang was very concerned about Tan Ji.

After all, Qin Ji is an old eunuch, and he has a good reputation in the palace. Although an old eunuch who has reached this age is not qualified to have children and grandchildren around him, his family will basically adopt a child for him to inherit the family line. After he is released from the palace, he can interact with the child's family and even relatives. This is considered a preferential treatment given to these old eunuchs by the royal family.

Tan Ji said, "I am really worried about you, Crown Prince... Today, all the candidates for Crown Princess have been sent to Qingning Palace. I estimate that the Queen Mother will send them to the Eastern Palace in a few days and let the Crown Prince make the final decision."

Zhu Youtang then realized that Tan Ji had returned to the palace early because he was worried about the selection of a concubine.

"My dear, you are worrying too much. It won't be the same no matter who you choose."

Zhu Youtang remained calm and said calmly, "It won't affect my life anyway."

Qin Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Prince, after your wedding, you will no longer be a child. Having a family means you have to shoulder responsibilities. From now on, you will no longer be the only master of this Duanjing Palace. There will also be a mistress."

"Will she...live here forever?"

When Zhu Youtang said this, there was obviously some nervousness in his expression.

Although he is not autistic, he rarely interacts with strangers, so he naturally has social anxiety and fear.

Thinking about the fact that there would be a woman who would live with him every day and integrate into every aspect of his life, Zhu Youtang felt an unprecedented pressure.

(End of this chapter)