Yú Píng understood and immediately nodded, stepping forward.
"Miss Qin's zither skills are exquisite. This is twenty taels of silver specially bestowed upon you by the Consort."
As she spoke, she presented the pouch. Qin Rú Lián looked at it, her already displeased expression darkening further.
That bitch Fèng Yín Wǎn, to actually offer twenty taels of loose silver to humiliate her!
And to speak of performing in the marketplace, did she consider her a lowly courtesan!
Gritting her teeth, she lowered her eyes and bowed softly, "The Consort's kindness is too great. Rú Lián dares not accept. I was merely playing the zither earlier to entertain everyone, not for any other reason."
Having anticipated her refusal, Fèng Yín Wǎn was not angered, merely propped her chin and watched her lazily.
"Does Miss Qin perhaps find our Consort's offering too little?"
After a moment's thought, she nodded again, "Indeed. The Prince has always shown great favor to Miss Qin. The gems gifted this time are worth more than a thousand taels. How could a mere twenty taels of silver possibly enter Miss Qin's noble gaze."
"Very well, Yú Píng. Since Miss Qin disdains it, then take the silver back."
Seeing that she had, in just a few words, placed such a heavy burden upon her, Qin Rú Lián became anxious and quickly spoke.
"Consort, Rú Lián did not mean that!"
Fèng Yín Wǎn raised an eyebrow.
"Then what did you mean?"
The silver lay before her, neither able to be accepted nor refused. Qin Rú Lián bit her lip tightly, hatred surging in her eyes.
"Enough."
Yè Tīng Lán, who had been listening with a somber face from the side for a long time, could no longer bear it and heavily placed down his wine goblet.
"Rú Lián is serene and elegant, always detached from worldly pursuits and unconcerned with fame and fortune. Naturally, she would not be driven by profit."
"Playing the zither is an elegant pursuit. To immediately equate it with gold and silver is truly vulgar!"
These words were directed at Fèng Yín Wǎn.
Insulting her?
Fèng Yín Wǎn's red lips curled coldly.
"Your Highness is correct. My family comes from a martial background, so I am indeed not very adept at refined arts. However..."
"When one is hungry, one must eat. Just as when one visits a brothel, one must pay. It is only natural!"
Yè Tīng Lán felt a vein throbbing at his temple. His face instantly turned as dark as ink.
"Fèng Yín Wǎn! What nonsensical rubbish are you spouting!"
This woman, her words were so coarse!
Fèng Yín Wǎn blinked. "Your Highness, do not be alarmed. As the saying goes, coarse words can carry sound reasoning. What I mean is, Miss Qin played the zither wonderfully! She deserves a reward!"
Not just her reward, but everyone present, one by one, should reward her!
"Everyone, your Consort did not bring much money with her today. This twenty taels of silver is merely to start the ball rolling. Miss Qin, as the honored guest and the birthday star, has even performed wholeheartedly. Esteemed sirs and madams, please do not be stingy."
Curling her lips, she added, "Oh, and Your Highness mentioned that gold and silver are too vulgar. It would be best if you offered some precious jade and jewels instead. Cool and clear, they would better complement Miss Qin's pure lotus-like demeanor!"
"Absurd!"
Yè Tīng Lán wished he could slap her off the stage with one hand, but with everyone watching, he could only vent his anger on his own wine goblet.
With a "bang," the jade goblet in his hand instantly turned to dust.
Fèng Yín Wǎn glanced at it calmly and, with keen awareness, offered her own goblet.
"Your Highness, please, it's your own jade goblet. Do not be polite!"
Yè Tīng Lán glared at her in his fury, his handsome thin lips twisted in anger, his fists clenched a few times before he resentfully left the banquet.
This move was exactly what Fèng Yín Wǎn wanted. Seeing everyone taking out their valuables, she immediately beckoned to a servant.
"What are you dawdling for? Quickly find a large tray to hold it for Miss Qin!"
A stream of jewelry was presented, looking magnificent and noble, yet it was precisely like the scene of rewarding courtesans in the marketplace.
No matter how tolerant Qin Rú Lián was, she could not withstand this repeated humiliation and immediately bit her lip, unable to suppress her sobs.
Fèng Yín Wǎn opened her mouth in surprise, "Oh, everyone, look! Miss Qin is crying with joy!"
Knowing she could not possibly salvage the situation today, Qin Rú Lián glared fiercely at her and ran off with tear-filled eyes.
The protagonist of the banquet left with a flick of her sleeve, and the other departed with her face covered. The guests, seeing this, also wisely stood up to take their leave.
Fèng Yín Wǎn perfunctorily nodded, only instructing the steward to see the guests out.
The banquet, which had been noisy and lively moments ago, suddenly became silent. Yú Píng, having stirred up such trouble, was filled with trepidation.
"Miss, what should we do now?"
Fèng Yín Wǎn was not panicked at all. She looked at the jewelry on the table with a smile and waved her hand broadly, "Take it back!"
Since the little lotus did not want it, what was wrong with her accepting it on her behalf.