Zhang Qi had not yet responded when a young servant hastily approached. He stood at the door and whispered, "Sir, someone is looking for you."

  Zhang Xuan responded with a sound, turned his head to look at Zhang Qi, and after giving her a reassuring glance, he followed the little servant out.

  At this time, Zhang Gui had already taken out a handkerchief from her bosom and respectfully presented it to Zhang Shi'er with both hands. She said crisply: "I embroidered a painting like this handkerchief, very large. When Xiao Jiamolang helped me take it out for sale, it was favored by Your Majesty." These things would be heard by them even without investigation, she could no longer conceal them.

  Zhang Shi-er Lang took her handkerchief, Zhang Jin on one side shrill cold laugh, "Ah Gui really has skills!"

  Upon hearing the dissatisfaction in Zhang Jin's tone, Zhang Qi's face turned pale. Her head hung even lower, her hands clenched at the hem of her garment, and her lips moved a few times, but ultimately she didn't say anything to defend herself.

  On the other side, Zhang Xiao's face also changed slightly. When she glanced at the handkerchief, her eyes lingered: this handkerchief seemed a bit familiar.

  Zhang Erlang unfolded his handkerchief.

  As soon as he unfolded it, he let out a surprised "wow". After carefully admiring it for a while, he looked up at Zhang Qi and said in a warm voice: "Is this handkerchief really made by you alone?"

  Zhang Qi lowered her head, "Yes."

  Zhang Shi-er Lang's face broke into a smile as he looked at Zhang Qi and said, "My child is indeed clever."

  He handed the handkerchief to Zhang Xiao and said, "Take a look."

  Zhang Xiao took over the handkerchief.

  She glanced over and stared at Zhang Yi, who was lowering her head, her face pale, and fidgeting restlessly. She thought to herself: I didn't even hear a whisper about this. If Zhang Yi had shown such talent in school, those girls would have spread the word long ago. She's indeed hiding it very well.

  She thought of that day when Zhang Qi was clever in dealing with Luo Zhangshi, and felt that the private-born daughter in front of her who looked gentle and honest had a lot of hearts.

  Although that day, she was holding this handkerchief and said to dedicate it to herself. But at a young age, she can hide her talent and not let people know, completely without showing off, it's really not simple.

  Zhang Xiao put the handkerchief aside, smiled and said: "Indeed a clever one." On the two words "clever", she slightly emphasized the tone, making Zhang Gui's face even paler as he lowered his head. Then, she handed the handkerchief to the maid beside her, instructing her to return it to Zhang Gui, saying: "Without anyone teaching you, you're already this clever, Ah Gui is truly rare."

  She turned to Zhang Shi-er Lang, "With this matter, Your Majesty values her and it's justified. However," she turned to Zhang Qi, coldly scolding: "An unmarried young lady, without the elder's consent, dares to privately exchange gifts with a gentleman! Who gave you such audacity?"

  With a thud, Zhang Qi knelt on the ground. She touched her forehead to the ground and trembled as she said: "No, no, it's not like that! I, Zhang Qi, have no merit or ability! It was Xiao Lang who took into consideration his sister's face and lent a helping hand!"

  Zhang Xiao hummed and said, "Really no private transactions?"

  Zhang Qi shook her head desperately.

  Zhang Xiao coldly smiled and said: "Without private transactions, would he disturb the Emperor for a girl like you?"

  Zhang Qi was at a loss for words, her face pale as she shook her head continuously, tears streaming down.

  At this time, Zhang Shierlang said in a gentle voice: "Well, let's not pursue such trivial matters." As Zhang Shierlang said, for someone of Zhang Gui's status, a young girl like her having private dealings with men was indeed an extremely minor matter. Even the daughters of large families who had private dealings with men were numerous, just like Zhang Jin.

  Zhang Xiao heard this and turned to Zhang Qi, saying faintly: "Get up." Zhang Qi hastily knocked his head twice before carefully standing up.

  Behind Zhang Xiao, Zhang Jin's chin was raised high, staring at Zhang Qi with an inexplicable complexity. It seemed that she had only just discovered that her lowly younger sister was even more favored by Xiao Lang than herself.

  Just as she was thinking about this, Zhang Jin thought of what Xiao Mo had said to her that day, and the anger in her heart dissipated again.

  Zhang Shi-er Lang stared at Zhang Qi and said in a soft voice: "Ah Qi, did His Majesty say anything to you last night?"

  Zhang Qi bit her lip and replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty said that Ah Qi is a talented woman."

  What a talented girl!

  As soon as these words came out, Zhang Shi'erlang and Zhang Xiao's wife both fell silent.

  Even Zhang Jin lowered his head, staring tightly at Zhang Qi's eyes, once again filled with jealousy.

  They all know that His Majesty is talented and has high vision, and he rarely praises others. He praised Zhang Gui for having a good talent, which shows that this embroidery has truly entered his eyes.

  No wonder he refused the request of King Guangling so decisively. I thought that Your Majesty had seen Xiao Mo's request and Zhang Yi was not beautiful, King Guangling should not have wanted her, so he let her out casually. Unexpectedly, Your Majesty was truly fond of her.

  Although the Chen family came from a humble background, the major aristocratic families did not truly respect them. However, no matter what, the imperial family was still the imperial family, and Your Majesty was still Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty valued Zhang Gui, even praising her as a talented woman. If she were an official daughter, such praise would be nothing to mention, but she was just a small illegitimate daughter, so this praise was worth being proud of.

  After a moment of silence, Zhang Shi'er laughed and said, "Good!" He turned to Zhang Xiao Shi, "Ah Gui is clever, from now on don't restrain her. Those books, ancient paintings, embroidered scrolls, as well as brushes and ink, all give them to her."

  Turning to Zhang Qi, he asked warmly and kindly: "Qi'er, is there something you want?"

  Zhang Qi shook her head and replied respectfully: "Father and mother have taken good care of their children, I have no desires."

  "That's good." Zhang Shi-erlang stood up, "Since you have been favored by His Majesty, from now on, put more thought into your studies." This was to make her think less about romantic matters. Zhang Gui was delighted and thought: At least Father won't want me to get married so early.

  Zhang Qi hurriedly replied.

  Zhang Erlang turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

  As soon as he left, the room immediately became quiet and still.

  As soon as Father walked away, Zhang Jin stood up and looked down at Zhang Qi with a cold smile: "Wow, you've really become talented, you're a genius now!"

  Zhang Qi didn't dare respond and just lowered her head even more.

  Zhang Xiao sat on one side and slowly sipped a mouthful of tea.

  Seeing her mother not stopping her, Zhang Jin's arrogance grew even higher. She walked up to Zhang Qi and said through gritted teeth: "Since Your Majesty has said so, it seems that from now on, I should bring Qi along with me whenever I go out, so that the whole world can get a good look at this great talent of yours."

  Zhang Qi heard the anger in her words and shrank back, her head bowed down to her chest.

  Zhang Jin saw this and let out a heavy sigh, about to say something else, when Zhang Xiao's wife said: "Alright."

  She waved her hand at Zhang Qi and said, "Withdraw."

  "Yes."

  "Suit yourself."

  "Yes."

  Slowly, Zhang Gui withdrew from the main hall. As soon as she arrived at the courtyard, she quietly let out a breath and thought to herself: I knew it, being praised by Your Majesty means I'm indeed a talented woman.

  A talented woman who becomes a concubine to Xiao Mo will definitely receive his true love and respect. Zhang Xiaoshi, regardless of whether or not she marries Zhang Jin to Xiao Mo, will intervene in this matter for the sake of leaving a way out.

  She and Zhang Jin are both daughters of the Zhang family. If she were a legitimate daughter from another family, there would be ways to deal with this concubine who has talent but no backing. However, it's not easy for Zhang Jin, after all, they are close sisters. The more famous Zhang Gui becomes, the more favored she is by Xiao Mo, and the less likely she will get support from her own family when trying to harm Zhang Gui.