Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 154: The Empress Protects Her Own

The Empress had indeed heard Su Juan’s words, but being over fifty years old, she was far from the newcomers among the concubines in the harem.

The noblewomen competing stood beside their paintings, watching as the Emperor and Empress approached, and hurriedly paid their respects.

The Empress, accompanied by the Emperor, walked up to the noblewomen and cast her eyes over their paintings, offering praises and comments to each of the women in front of her.

The women felt delighted in their hearts.

As she continued her commentary, she praised each one, even pulling in the Emperor, asking for his opinion. The old Emperor, flattered and surprised by the attention, naturally followed her lead.

No one expected the Empress to be so approachable.

The women at the back were extremely nervous, as even if they couldn’t win, to receive a word of praise from the Empress and the Emperor would be a great honor.

Many noblewomen who hadn’t participated in the competition regretted it, wishing they had painted a piece as well!

Su Juan was surprised, "I didn’t expect the Empress to be even more equitable than the old Emperor."

The old Emperor’s expression changed first; was that how "equitable" was supposed to be used?

Xie Xun had been drinking, and upon hearing Su Juan’s words, nearly burst into laughter but managed to hold it in.

The courtiers drank to cover up their reactions, pretending they hadn’t heard anything.

At this moment, the equitable Empress walked up to Mei Ying, who became nervous and expectant, even having prepared the words to express her gratitude, but the Empress merely glanced at the painting and moved on.

Mei Ying was stunned, as were many others.

Wasn’t she supposed to be equitable...?

The Empress then praised the last two noblewomen, and after that, bestowed them with some insignificant objects, while the golden hairpin, as the prize, was naturally given to Liu Miaoying.

Mei Ying received a bracelet, but her expression was very unpleasant.

At this moment, everyone noticed that the Empress had praised everyone except Mei Ying, not sparing a single word for her.

No one was foolish; they wondered how the Mei family girl had offended the Empress to warrant such pointed treatment in this situation.

The Emperor’s gaze was displeased. The Empress had always been gentle and never verbally harsh with palace attendants. This Mei family girl must have done something to anger the Empress.

What kind of teachings did Mei He impart to his own children!?

Liu Miaoying, who was thoughtful and meticulous, realized that, though the Empress stayed secluded in the harem and never made a show of herself, she had continually made things difficult for people these past six months, first with Song Qianfan and now with Mei Ying. It seemed unrelated but was connected to an outsider who appeared insignificant to outsiders—Su Juan.

Mei Ying squeezed the jade bracelet tightly, lowering her face when she saw her mother’s expression, biting her lips, not knowing why the Empress had praised everyone else yet overlooked her.

She believed her painting skills, though not as exquisite as Liu Miaoying’s, were not inferior to others.

Yet the Empress’s actions were a merciless slap to her face.

At this moment, Minister Mei’s face darkened even more.

Everyone understood well that with the Empress’s dislike, those families who had planned to propose marriage to the Mei family for connections would now need to reconsider.

The Empress personally brought the brocade box containing the golden hairpin down and bestowed it upon Liu Miaoying. Liu Miaoying paid her respects and expressed her gratitude, but then unexpectedly spoke, "Your Majesty, I boldly wish to ask for a favor."

The Empress, hearing this, smiled, "Go ahead."

Su Juan had often spoken of the Chief Secretary’s daughter, showing their closeness, and for that reason, the Empress had developed a fondness for Liu Miaoying by association.

"I have a friend whose birthday is approaching, and I audaciously wish to pass on the blessing you bestowed upon me to this friend, would that be possible?"

Liu Miaoying’s words caused a stir.

The Chief Secretary was taken aback, his brows furrowed—his daughter had always been measured, so why would she act so rashly today?

Moreover, it was generally considered disrespectful to arbitrarily pass on items bestowed in the palace, especially those given by the Empress before the assembled officials. Such blessings were highly coveted and hard to come by.

Many looked at Liu Miaoying with confusion.

Mei Ying wrung her handkerchief, feeling Liu Miaoying’s actions were purely to humiliate her, retaliating for words spoken earlier.

Otherwise, who would pass on such a gracious gift?

She hoped for the Empress and Emperor’s anger and for some reprimand to follow.

The atmosphere was delicate; Liu Miaoying was known as a model noblewoman in the capital, yet her words were unexpected.

However, many turned their eyes toward Su Juan, especially Xie Xun and Lin Xizhi, who were aware that Su Juan’s birthday was approaching, realizing Liu Miaoying intended to gift her the hairpin.

Su Juan hadn’t realized her birthday was near, only worrying for Liu Miaoying, "Miaoying has always been composed; what happened today?"

Xie Xun sipped his wine, raising a brow, thinking she naturally wanted to make you happy.

He sighed, "Such sisters, they see no one else but each other."

"Although the Empress is gentle and wouldn’t reproach because of this..."

Hearing this, the Empress appeared visibly pleased.

The courtiers nodded in agreement, acknowledging the Empress’s gentle nature, noting no harem disputes over many years.

But in fact, it was because no one had children, and the Emperor favored all equally, leaving the Empress with no grounds for jealousy or contention.

"But the old Emperor is that kind of person!"

Faces turned red from holding in laughter, but no one dared laugh aloud.

The old Emperor: "..."

Too indulgent with her.

Duke Ping continuously observed the emotions of those in power, fortunately noting that the old Emperor showed no intention of reprimanding Su Juan.

The Empress smiled, "Since it’s a birthday, just a single golden hairpin sounds rather inadequate, doesn’t it?"

Noting that the Empress didn’t grant Liu Miaoying’s request, yet didn’t refuse either, and showed no anger, everyone was momentarily puzzled by her words.

The Empress quietly instructed palace attendants to fetch other items, including necklaces, earrings, arm bracelets, and more, giving them all as gifts, also bestowing a set of jade ornaments on Liu Miaoying.

The noblewomen below were astonished, such items, brought in as tributes from foreign courts, were reserved for esteemed individuals of the palace. Now, the Empress granted an entire set to Liu Miaoying, even adding another set of ornaments.

Such honor—who among the capital’s noblewomen had seen such in recent years?

Seeing the Empress happy, naturally, the Emperor was also delighted, instructing everyone to enjoy good food and drink, wander around the Imperial Garden, and appreciate the flowers and wine.

Receiving the gifts, Liu Miaoying pulled Su Juan aside, showing off like a treasure, placing the brocade box in front of her. Su Juan was taken aback, "For me?"

Su Juan’s gaze fell onto the brocade box on the table, feeling flattered, "Miaoying just now sought the Empress’s favor for me!"

Liu Miaoying took out the hairpin and placed it on Su Juan, "This hairpin suits you perfectly."

When the two reappeared in front of the crowd, many cast envious glances their way, realizing that Miss Liu intended to gift Su Juan.

For a moment, it was unclear whether to envy Liu Miaoying for receiving such favor from the Empress or to envy Su Juan for having such a close friend.

At this moment, Liu Xuan was speaking with Xie Xun when an unexpected guest interrupted, his voice chilly and slightly angry, "Mr. Liu, could you spare some time to talk?"

Xie Xun recognized the voice, knowing it wasn’t friendly.

They turned to find Song Qianfan, recently out of confinement, standing there.

Liu Xuan, with a calm demeanor, looked at Song Qianfan, "What matters does Your Highness wish to discuss?"