Both Cheng Simian and Qin Xuanyan were sensible enough not to reach out.
The lively scene suddenly fell silent.
Some of the noble ladies were confused, some were looking forward to a good show, while others wore meaningful expressions, thinking they understood the Empress's intention.
The Empress's face darkened. She收起 her amiable expression, instantly exuding the dignity of a superior.
"What's going on? Who prepared the gifts? Why is one missing?"
A young palace maid carrying a brocade tray knelt in front of her, trembling with fear. "It was all my negligence, Your Majesty. Please punish me."
The Empress's face seemed covered with a layer of ice as she remained silent for a long time.
All the noble ladies unconsciously straightened their backs and held their breaths cautiously.
Qin Xuanyan's heart skipped a beat. She smiled generously at Cheng Simian and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I'm willing to give this jade bracelet to Miss Cheng. I hope Miss Cheng and I can let bygones be bygones."
She had felt a bit guilty when the Empress asked about their argument earlier.
Unexpectedly, the Empress didn't pursue the matter or blame her.
She thought the Empress was deliberately partial to her.
If the Empress didn't value her and think she was a suitable candidate for the Crown Princess, why would her words and attitude be in her favor rather than Cheng Simian's?
Qin Xuanyan unconsciously thought highly of herself.
Since there weren't enough gifts and the Empress was in an awkward situation, wasn't this a perfect opportunity to show her magnanimity and relieve the Empress's embarrassment?
The Empress looked at Qin Xuanyan, with a faint smile hidden in the corner of her eyes.
Qin Xuanyan interpreted this smile as admiration for her.
She straightened her shoulders even more, unable to hide her proud joy.
Cheng Simian didn't decline either. She reached out to take the jade bracelet, first thanking the Empress and then Qin Xuanyan.
"Miss Qin is so generous. I'll accept it then."
Qin Xuanyan smiled amicably on the surface, but she despised Cheng Simian even more in her heart.
Sure enough, she was just a country girl who had never seen anything good. She didn't know this was a test from the Empress for the two of them.
She was the winner in this competition!
The Empress's expression softened a bit. She waved to Qin Xuanyan.
Qin Xuanyan was overjoyed. She minced over to the Empress, looking shy.
The Empress took her hand affectionately and sighed, "Yanyan has grown up under my watch. Now you've become even more delicate and charming."
Qin Xuanyan beamed with pride, her eyes shining.
She was certain that the Empress valued her.
At this moment, she had already imagined herself as the Crown Princess.
All the noble ladies thought the same.
From the beginning of the banquet until now, the Empress hadn't praised anyone individually. Qin Xuanyan was the first.
Moreover, only she had the family background and looks to match the Crown Prince.
The other noble ladies were of lower birth and didn't dare to compete with Qin Xuanyan.
They thought that if Qin Xuanyan could become the Crown Princess, and they flattered her, they might become the Crown Prince's concubines in the future. Under Qin Xuanyan's care, their lives would be better.
Only Cheng Simian showed no obvious emotional fluctuations.
The Empress was the master of the six palaces. If her test for her and Qin Xuanyan was this simple, then she wouldn't be the master of the six palaces.
The real test hadn't started yet.
The Empress held Qin Xuanyan's hand and asked about her age, birthday, and other details.
However, Cheng Simian, whom the Empress had specifically asked Daiying to take care of from the beginning, was left out in the cold.
The Empress hadn't even had a single private conversation with her.
Qin Xuanyan was even more delighted.
The Empress seemed very satisfied with Qin Xuanyan. She took off a gold phoenix hairpin adorned with pearls from her head and put it in Qin Xuanyan's hair.
"Daiying was negligent today and missed your gift. In the end, it's my oversight. You don't come to the palace often. I can't let you feel wronged. If you don't mind this phoenix hairpin was once worn by me, please accept it."
The expressions of all the noble ladies towards Qin Xuanyan immediately changed.
Their eyes were filled with envy.
Qin Xuanyan slightly parted her red lips, her eyebrows showing extreme joy. But she still had to suppress her proud smile and knelt down, looking extremely humble.
"Your Majesty, such a precious gift, I really can't accept it."
The Empress smiled faintly. "It's nothing. It's just an ordinary hair accessory. I think the color and style suit you very well."
Although Qin Xuanyan was still kneeling, she had already lifted her head, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips.
Choosing a gift from the pile prepared by the Empress was completely different from the Empress giving her own hair accessory!
I wonder if Cheng Simian regrets accepting that worthless jade bracelet?
The Empress was disappointed to see Qin Xuanyan getting carried away.
Actually, before the Crown Prince came to her to ask for permission to marry Cheng Simian, the Empress's best choice for the Crown Princess was Qin Xuanyan.
Today's test was not only for Cheng Simian but also for Qin Xuanyan.
In contrast, Cheng Simian didn't show strong regret or unwillingness.
She remained calm, with a faint smile on her face, not being affected by favor or disgrace.
Cheng Simian seemed to meet the Empress's gaze inadvertently. She took two steps forward and curtsied.
"Your Majesty is kind and benevolent. Although this palace maid made a mistake, it was due to her busy work. It's excusable. I dare to plead for her."
Only then did everyone notice that the young palace maid who had made a mistake in the number of gifts was still kneeling.
The attention of the noble ladies had been attracted by Qin Xuanyan.
Qin Xuanyan was even more carried away. She was very self - centered and wouldn't care about a punished maid at all.
Only Cheng Simian pleaded for the palace maid.
The young palace maid had been kneeling for a long time because the Empress had intended it.
This was also a test for her and Qin Xuanyan.
As the Crown Princess, in a high position, it was easy to lose oneself and become arrogant.
If one didn't have the compassion to sympathize with the servants, if she took charge of the six palaces in the future, she might have a bad reputation among the palace maids and eunuchs.
In this vast harem, the largest number was not the concubines, but the eunuchs and palace maids as humble as ants.
If one couldn't understand the feelings of the subordinates, how could she be worthy of the title of the mother of the country?
The Empress thought even more highly of Cheng Simian. Her expression softened a lot. She glanced at the young palace maid. "Miss Cheng has pleaded for you. I'll spare you today. Be more careful when you're on duty in the future."
The young palace maid was extremely grateful to Cheng Simian.
Cheng Simian could tell that she was acting.
She just smiled and nodded at her without saying much.
Qin Xuanyan was annoyed but also despised.
A young palace maid who had made a mistake could be beaten to death. It was only her fault for not doing her job well. Was it necessary to show false mercy and plead for her?
Suddenly, a eunuch announced loudly, "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, is here!"
All the noble ladies got up in a hurry and tidied their appearances.
The Crown Prince was heroic, handsome, and a gentle and kind gentleman. Countless noble ladies regarded him as their dream lover.
Everyone wanted to be noticed by the Crown Prince first.
Qin Xuanyan touched the gold phoenix hairpin in her hair and proudly straightened her chest, raising her head high.
The Crown Prince walked into the Phoenix Perch Pavilion at a leisurely pace. His eyes passed over the colorful figures one by one and accurately landed on Cheng Simian's face.
In the bright spring, he walked towards them in the sunlight, his eyes as gentle as water.