Chapter 174: Conspiracy

eng raised his head to gaze at the incense burning in the censer. He spoke softly, his voice tinged with a bewilderment he hadn't even noticed himself, "Wasn't it truly from the heart"If he wasn't sin...Xi Er covered her small mouth and smiled twice, then whispered: “Your Highness, actually the spring palace picture was painted by the princess. She ordered me to secretly replace it with the screen of the third princess.”

"So, the painting was already complete from the beginning" Su Ziyi was stunned. "But before that, I didn't see any patterns on the paper... This..."

Xue'er demonstrated by gently kneading Su Qingying's aching shoulders. Su Qingying giggled and then slowly said, "Brother Emperor, the reason why it wasn't initially visible was because I sprinkled some special powder on the paper. The powder only appears when it comes into contact with water. Just now, Su Mo'yun used her long sleeves to paint, and the ink landed on the rice paper. The rice paper absorbed all the ink completely, which is why the pattern appeared after a while!"

"So that's how it is." Su Ziyi's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but glance at her deeply.

Such a meticulous mind, such brilliant tactics! It's no exaggeration to say it's flawless! Ying'er this girl is truly changed.

"How are you doing Older brother, am I smart" Su Qingying proudly raised her eyebrows, her beautiful phoenix eyes curving into two crescents.

“You're such a mischievous one!” Su Ziyi chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh dear, with you around, it seems this year’s Hundred Flowers Meeting is going to be a bust. I doubt anyone will dare to take the stage anymore.”

It's true, both performances were shocking and awe-inspiring. The audience was stunned into silence, and for a long time no one dared to volunteer.

"Don't worry, Brother Emperor, I won't let you down! My dear sister hasn't made her move yet. I promised Father that I would win the top spot in the Hundred Flowers Competition." Su Qingying's pretty face blossomed with a bright smile as she patted her chest confidently.

"Oh Then, Your Highness should just wait and see." Su Ziyi raised an eyebrow, a hint of anticipation in her heart for how she would perform.

Raising her head, Su Qingying took a large gulp of tea. She stretched languidly and stood up, her eyes bright with confidence. "Father, next one, I'll go!"

Su Chengming was still angry about Su Mo'yun's matter, but when he suddenly heard his beloved daughter's voice, he instantly smiled like Maitreya Buddha. "Well, this is your first time participating in the Hundred Flowers Meeting. Father expects great things from you. Have you prepared"

“No need, a pipa will suffice.” Ignoring the mocking and jeering expressions of the people in the hall, Su Qingying waved her hand and walked straight to the musician playing the music. With her jade hand gently plucking the strings of the pipa, the sound was crisp and clear, indicating it was a decent instrument.

In the spotlight, Su Qingying walked gracefully to the center of the banquet with a pipa in her arms and took her seat.

The fair fingertips glided lightly across the strings, and suddenly, a stirring rendition of "Ten Face Ambush" softly echoed between her fingers!

Unlike the tender and melodious tunes heard before, the powerful rhythm is like a heart-stirring war drum. Every beat is exciting and high-pitched, making the audience feel as if they were on the battlefield. Each sound shakes them to their core, surging with momentum and chilling them with its intensity!

Su Qingying's eyelids drooped slightly, her fair fingertips frantically sweeping across the strings. Accompanying the intense pipa music, everyone present was immersed in the mood of the piece, their hearts rising and falling with the melody.

The music finished, the lingering sound reverberated in the beams, and it continued to echo in everyone's ears. People were deeply moved and unable to extricate themselves for a long time.

"Father, how is it I played 'Ten Layers of Ambush' rather well, didn't I" Still maintaining the posture of playing the pipa, Su Qingying's eyes curved with a smile. Her voice, like silver bells, suddenly rang out, pulling everyone's thoughts back.

"This song should only exist in the heavens, how many times can mortals hear it Haha! Good, Ying'er, your father truly underestimated you." Su Chengming looked at her with blazing eyes, his handsome face hinting at pride.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

With a smirk, the woman rubbed her fingers together discreetly. "That first prize at the Hundred Flowers Society…"

"You! Father always keeps his promises, so rest assured." Su Chengming chuckled and gave her a disapproving look. "So, regarding the top spot at the Hundred Flowers Assembly, what do the ministers think"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at each other in astonishment and fell silent for a long time.

They were originally waiting to see her make a fool of herself, who would have thought that they would be slapped in the face instead Their faces are really hurting and swollen!

“Your Majesty, the Fifth Princess is exceptionally gifted. You all consider yourselves inferior, and in this Hundred Flowers Competition, the top spot rightfully belongs to the Fifth Princess.”

"I also believe that the Fifth Princess's victory as the champion of the Hundred Flowers Assembly is well-deserved."

Regardless, Su Qingying's extraordinary piano skills are undeniable. Not everyone has the ability to transport people into the mood of a piece of music, and that alone earns their admiration and respect.

"Good! Since that's the case, then this year's Hundred Flowers Assembly champion is Ying'er." Su Chengming nodded with satisfaction.

"Ying'er thanks Father Emperor." At the thought of the dazzling gold ingots in the national treasury, Su Qingying smiled with intoxication, almost drooling.

On the other side, Ji Yan'er sat anxiously at the banquet. Thinking of what Su Huantian had entrusted to her, her heart beat erratically.

Taking a deep breath, she forced down her fear and anxiety. Ji Yan'er plastered a charming smile on her delicate face, poured herself a cup of water wine, and gracefully approached Su Qingying. "Keke," she said with a laugh, "This is truly joyous! Fifth Princess, this cup is for you. I hope the Fifth Princess won't find it objectionable."

Hearing the sound, Su Qingying instantly withdrew her smile. Her phoenix eyes lingered for a moment on the water wine in her hand, and her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

Could this season, Yan'er be so kind

“Fifth Princess” Seeing the obvious suspicion in Su Qingying’s eyes, Ji Yan'er’s figure stiffened involuntarily for a moment. Even though her heart was in turmoil at this moment, she had to maintain a calm and composed appearance on the surface, while cold sweat trickled down her back.

Squinting at Ji Yan'er for a long time, Su Qingying really couldn't see anything amiss. She then reached out to take the water wine from her hand, "Thank you."

With wide sleeves to conceal it, Su Qingying silently used a silver needle to probe the water wine. Her peripheral vision caught that the silver needle showed no change, so she sniffed the water wine again. Unexpectedly, there was nothing unusual either.

Her brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion in her heart: Could she be overthinking things After all, Ji Yan'er wouldn't be foolish enough to attack her in front of so many people, would she Besides, Ji Yan'er wouldn't dare.

Thinking, she drained the water wine in her hand.

Having witnessed her drink the wine with ease, Ji Yan'er's heart, which had been held in a knot of worry, finally settled. After exchanging a few polite words, she returned to her own seat.

At the banquet, music and dancing were in full swing, glasses clinked together, but Su Qingying felt listless. She had no enthusiasm at all. Every time she attended such events, she yearned for Jun Liye more and more intensely. This longing grew stronger with each passing day.

"Hmm..." As she silently counted the number of days since she and Jun Li had parted ways in the dead of night, Su Qingying suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

Seeing her gently rub her temples, Xier was full of worry and asked, "Princess, what's wrong with you"pped a beat as if it had been gently brushed by a feather, making her feel a sudden flutter.After a long pause, she snorted arrogantly, deliberately provoking him: "Hmph, you talk as if it were someth...