Everyone hurriedly got up and made way for the center seat to kneel down. Imperial Noble Consort led Noble Consort Shu to welcome them.
After a while, a bright yellow light flashed by, and everyone straightened their bodies and bowed. After calling out, Mother and the wives of the high-ranking officials were given seats as usual. We women also stood in two rows in the hall as usual.
"What are their names? How old are you?" A deep male voice was heard. It was naturally the emperor's golden mouth.
We bowed one by one and said," My daughter Ni Lening, seventeen years old.”Even Ni Lening's voice was cold.
"My daughter, Chen Yanyu, sixteen years old." It was so calm that no waves could be heard.
"My daughter, Cui Ziqi, will be sixteen next month.”Miss Cui's voice was quite pleasant.
" My daughter, Feng Chunxiao." She paused." Eighteen years old."”
" My daughter, Li Jingwan." Her voice was very soft." Fifteen years old.”
As for me, I hurriedly bowed and said," My daughter Mu Guanyu, fifteen years old.”
" Mm." The Emperor responded. Imperial Noble Consort said,""Raise your heads for the emperor to see.”
This time, he didn't raise his head to look around. His face was above, so he had to lower his eyes and hold his breath. A moment later, there was no sound from above, but he could already feel that there were gazes staring at his surroundings, but he did not dare to raise his eyes.
"Have you ever read poetry or learned how to play chess?”The Emperor asked again.
We reported the poems and books we had read and the skills we were good at. We could see that each of us could be talented women, especially Chen Yanyu's well-read poems and books and Feng Chunxiao's exquisite zither skills. Even the palace had heard of them.
I didn't want to stand out, but when it was my turn, I just casually said," My daughter has read poetry and books, and is slightly proficient in the art of the zither.”
At this time, the imperial noble consort examined the three people in the front row. I saw that the scene was slightly relaxed, so I secretly raised my eyes and looked up. The emperor was a very serious man. Although his rectangular face had traces of time and his hair had already grown gray, one could still see the handsomeness of his early years. The Emperor should be around fifty-three years old, but he looked a little older. Perhaps it was because he had been ill for a long time, but his complexion was not good. Before it was even past nine o'clock, he was already showing signs of fatigue. He leaned back in his seat and was trying his best to focus on listening to Chen Yanyu's reply.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze on me. I looked away and realized that it was Consort Shu looking at me. I quickly lowered my head, feeling uneasy and blaming myself for being rash.
Sure enough, when she was free, Consort Shu opened her mouth,"Emperor, elder sister, today these girls have come into the palace, it really makes ChenQie sigh. Look, there's no need to talk about the general and the prime minister's family, they are young, beautiful and talented. This assistant minister's family is also quite eye-catching, just looking at them makes people like them, it really makes ChenQie feel that she's old.”
Consort Shu is the mother of the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince is weak and hasn't married yet. If Consort Shu speaks now, I'm afraid it won't be good.
The Emperor was just about to respond when Imperial Noble Consort spoke first,"Younger Sister, what are you talking about? I haven't even called you old yet, but Younger Sister is the first to call you old.”
As she spoke, Imperial Noble Consort looked at me." This assistant minister's daughter is naturally outstanding. BenGong has long heard her family mention it. I also like such a daughter very much. It's just that she's still young. In the future, I also look forward to picking a few more like her to enter the palace."”
Hearing this, my heart calmed down a little. Although Imperial Noble Consort's words were vague, she had already expressed her intention to leave me to Wen Chuan. The women in the palace were smart, how could they not understand the truth?
As expected, Consort Shu immediately smiled and said,"Yes, yes, Younger Sister has underestimated herself."”
However, Imperial Noble Consort seemed to be quite satisfied with Shu Fei's reaction and continued,"Fourth Brother Wenhui is almost nineteen years old. It's not right for him to keep delaying the marriage. It's better to appoint a princess as soon as possible. Once we get married, there will be a caring person by his side to take care of him. Emperor, what do you think?"
After saying that, he looked at Consort Shu. Consort Shu's eyes were filled with gratitude and anticipation. The Emperor raised his eyebrows,"Oh?"
She turned to look at Consort Shu." That's good. Consort Shu, take a look. Which one do you like?"”
Consort Shu was quite excited after receiving permission. She looked at us and hesitated, but in the end, she didn't dare to pick."They are all the best daughters, how could ChenQie choose? I hope the emperor and elder sister can help WenHui.”
The Emperor smiled slightly and turned to look at the Imperial Noble Consort. The Imperial Noble Consort said very appropriately,""ChenQie feels that the two Shangshu's families are not bad. Their ancestors are related to the royal family and their family background is also worthy.”
The Emperor pondered for a moment and said," The Li family is a little young. I'm afraid they won't be able to suppress the matter of the Prince's mansion. Let's go with the Feng family. We'll go back and ask the Ministry of Rites to choose a date."”
Consort Shu was delighted when she heard this, and her entire person became radiant as she stood up to thank him.
Minister Feng's wife also hurriedly thanked him. Her daughter was already beyond her age, and she knew that she would not be able to become the Crown Prince's wife today. She only hoped to be chosen by an official. She was suddenly given the title of the Fourth Prince's Consort. Although she was a weak Prince, she was still a Di Consort. The daughter of a minister was naturally a high social status. In the future, the Feng family would be the true royal family, and it would be a great thing for them to be able to protect their descendants.
Feng Chunxiao didn't seem to be happy or sad. She only expressed her gratitude calmly. I kept feeling that there was something strange about her. However, I didn't dare to be impudent anymore. I could only lower my head and let it go.
After this matter was discussed, the Emperor suddenly said to the Imperial Noble Consort,""Your plan is well thought out. This fifth brother's marriage should also be done. Zhen sees that he is usually free and unfettered. In the future, although he does not bear the responsibility of the country, he will also have to assist the government with all his heart.”
After what happened just now, I'm not worried anymore. Let's see how Imperial Noble Consort will resolve this for Wenlang.
"The emperor is right. This Wen Lang is playful and ChenQie didn't control him enough. However, there have been many things recently. The Crown Prince will take in a new concubine next month, and next is Wen Hui's wedding. ChenQie also plans to choose a few concubines for Wen Hui so that they can have a family as soon as possible. Autumn was still the 70th birthday of the Imperial Consort, and it was enough to keep the Ministry of Rites busy for a while. The election had been delayed for two years. Many officials 'daughters were eagerly waiting. Wenlang's marriage would be delayed. Next year's election, ChenQie would pick a few suitable ones for him. It would teach him that there was no delay.”
These words were reasonable and flawless. I was also secretly praising her in my heart. As expected of a woman who had stayed in this palace for more than 20 years. The Emperor naturally did not insist." Fangyun is thoughtful. I can rest assured to leave it to you. It's hard on the chores. Imperial Concubine Shu, you have to help out more."”
Concubine Gui and Concubine Shu quickly agreed.
After saying that, the Emperor stood up and said that he was tired. We all knelt down to send him off. The Imperial Consort followed the Emperor, and Consort Shu also called the Feng family mother and daughter to leave. After sending them off, I turned around and saw Imperial Noble Consort looking straight at me. She didn't say anything. I was puzzled but didn't dare to show it.
After a while, Imperial Noble Consort said,"General, Prime Minister, and Young Master Fu's family, stay behind to talk to BenGong. The rest of you can go back with your rewards."”
Mother, Li family mother and daughter and I knelt down to thank them and left. Steward aunt was waiting outside the door. A palace maid brought two rewards, both covered with silk. I don't know what they were. The managing aunt sent a few internal supervisors to take the rewards and lead us out of the palace. All the way to the palace gate, the servants of the two manors came up to greet her. Mother exchanged a few more pleasantries with Madam Li before we boarded the carriage to return home.
When she reached home and entered the back hall, the three YiNiangs came up to greet her. After taking a seat, she saw the anxious expressions of the three YiNiangs. Mother could only tell them in detail before and after entering the palace. Hearing that Consort Shu liked me but was resolved by Imperial Noble Consort, the three YiNiangs were all delighted, but when they heard that they were not left behind to speak, they showed regretful expressions.
"Then I think the Crown Princess Consort will choose one of the three remaining," said Third Concubine.”
Mother nodded.”
The Second Concubine said happily," That's fine. From what I see, the Imperial Noble Consort likes our Yu 'er. Even if she can't be chosen as the Crown Princess this time, she will definitely be favored when she enters the palace. With the Empress Dowager's care, no one will dare to bully her."”
Mother was also happy for me, but she was also a little sad."Yu 'er still has to enter the palace in the end. It will be difficult to meet again in the future.”
I smiled and comforted her: " Mother is really, even if you enter the palace, there are still one or two years of scenery. Why are you in a hurry to be sad now?"”
At this time, I didn't dare to tell Mother about Wen Chuan's plan to bring me over to the residence in the autumn, otherwise it would definitely make everyone sad.
After dinner, I chatted with my mother for a long time. When it was 12 o'clock, I reported that my mother had guests in the courtyard, so I took my ring pendant and bell back to the courtyard in a sedan chair.
After changing clothes and putting on makeup, I went to Rui Rong's courtyard and saw her playing with the fish in the pool. I couldn't help but laugh,"I rushed back so eagerly because I was afraid that little sister would be lonely. In the end, little sister already has a fish to accompany her!”
" Sister is back." Rui Rong got up and walked towards me." This fish isn't Bi Yu 'er. Could it be that Sister is jealous of her own fish?"”
The two words Yu Yu sounded the same. Xiaodai, who came out of the house, was a little confused."Are the two young ladies guessing riddles?"
Rui Rong and I looked at each other and smiled. When we entered the room, Rui Rong pulled me to sit down."I heard that elder sister went to the palace today. What is the palace like? Did you see the emperor?”
I smiled." Yes, the emperor is a busy old man!" The Imperial Palace is so big that it doesn't make sense. My feet are already sore from walking half a circle. This is still me. If it were a weak woman like you from Jiangnan, you would definitely not be able to take it!”
After thinking for a while, he added,"The scenery in the palace is not bad compared to Jiangnan."”
When Rui Rong heard this, she was half suspicious and half yearning,"I must go and take a look in the future."
"Of course. When you become the Fifth Princess Consort, you won't be able to not go even if you want to! Speaking of this, the Fifth Prince was almost betrothed today, and I was almost betrothed to the Fourth Prince. It was really dangerous!”
Seeing Rui Rong's shocked expression, I quickly comforted her,"It's fine, the Imperial Noble Consort has already rejected it. The daughter of the Minister of Justice has been assigned to the Fourth Prince, and Brother Lang's marriage has been delayed until next year.”
Rui Rong nodded.”
I smiled." It should be for Brother Chuan to choose the Crown Princess, the future Empress."”
Rui Rong didn't respond after hearing this. She was deep in thought. I could guess her thoughts, but she didn't say it clearly. After a while, she carefully asked me,"Sister, will you be sad?"
I was stunned. Although I knew she would think of this, I didn't expect her to ask me this.
" How can I not be sad?" I smiled." It's just that being sad doesn't help. There are more important things than being sad. He is the prince, the crown prince, and the future emperor. He must bear the heavy burden of the country and the responsibility of reproducing the royal family. In the future, there will be an endless stream of beautiful women by his side. If I am sad for every woman, then I will really die without a burial place.”
I said it half free and half lonely: "The Fifth Prince is also a prince. Although he doesn't have as much responsibility as Brother Chuan, he can't do everything as he pleases. Although the Fifth Imperial Uncle he wants to imitate only has a wife and no concubines, he has paid a huge price. So, although Brother Chuan will do his best to fulfill his wishes, you also need to be prepared for him to take a secondary concubine.”
" Sister, don't worry." Rui Rong was particularly determined at this moment." When I decided to enter the capital with him, I thought about everything. Even if it was just a concubine, as long as I could be by his side, Rui Rong was willing!”
I held her hand." Silly sister, it's not that serious. Brother Chuan is the Crown Prince after all. He and Wenlang will definitely teach you to become the Fifth Princess Consort!"”
"Then, why can't Big Sister become the Crown Princess? If he couldn't do it now, when the Crown Prince became the Emperor in the future, he could also make his sister his empress!”
I laughed." But I don't want to be the Empress. If I become the Empress, I will become the target of public criticism. Then, I will have to be immersed in defense and scheming all day long. Moreover, I have to look dignified and uncompetitive all day long. I can't do this or that. There were also countless trivial matters in the palace. She simply couldn't take care of herself. How could she have the time to accompany Brother Chuan? Being a mother to the world was not every woman's dream.”
Rui Rong looked at me seriously,"Sister is indeed different from ordinary people. No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince always talks about you."”
I was in a good mood." You too. Look at how much the Fifth Prince treasures you. He has never asked me for any favors in all these years. This is the first time you've done this."”
In the following period of time, Rui Rong and I accompanied each other almost every day. We talked about poetry and books, and compared notes on the zither. We found that we had many similar interests and were so close that we regretted not meeting each other earlier. We said that when the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince returned, we would really become sisters with different surnames. With the two of us accompanying each other, the waiting days were not so hard.# Cancel all reviews: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 56PM #
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