flstandardbreds Chapter 238 Asking the Emperor for a Marriage
Chapter 238 Asking the Emperor for a Marriage
Main banquet hall.
Princess Jiang looked at the noble ladies who came back one after another, and then looked at the chips obtained by the noble ladies registered in the hands of the female officials. Unsurprisingly, the first place was Xu Jing from the Yong'an Marquis Mansion, and she searched the list but could not see Lin Wantang's name.
"Why isn't our Xiaowu on the list?"
Concubine Li, who was standing by, also looked at the list with a surprised look on her face and asked softly.
Her daughter Xiaowu is beautiful and talented, so how could she not even get a ranking?
The female official looked embarrassed and whispered something in Li Fei's ear. Li Fei's face became more and more ugly, and her fists under her sleeves clenched tighter and tighter.
"It's just nonsense!"
She leaned close to Concubine Jiang and whispered a few words. Concubine Jiang smiled, patted the back of her hand and said comfortingly:
"This child has a generous and carefree nature, which is exactly what I like. The rankings and all that are just for show, just for fun today."
Doesn’t she know what the two kids are up to?
Princess Jiang winked at the female official, who understood.
After all the noble ladies were seated, the female official stood beside Concubine Jiang and announced the rankings.
"During this Lantern Festival, the winner is Miss Lin Wu of the Lin Mansion."
As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Wantang paused while drinking.
Can't escape like this?
Xu Jing was also shocked.
She looked at Lin Wantang in surprise and hatred, but quickly lowered her eyes to hide the hatred in her heart.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Wantang had no choice but to stand up and walk to the front reluctantly.
Concubine Jiang looked at her lovingly and waved gently, inviting her to come forward.
"Look at this child, how pretty she is. Come, let me take a good look at her."
Concubine Jiang held Lin Wantang's hand and liked her more and more the more she looked at her.
Lin Wantang looked embarrassed and stammered, "Xiao Wu, Wu, meet, meet, meet, mother!"
Hearing this, Concubine Li frowned.
"You kid, speak properly!"
"Aunt, I, I, I'm already very, very good at talking, I, I, I..."
Seeing Lin Wantang sweating profusely from anxiety, Concubine Li's eyes almost popped out.
The noble ladies below were all covering their mouths and laughing secretly.
The Lin family's prized Fifth Miss is actually a stutterer? No wonder she's rarely seen socializing. If she didn't have the Lin family's backing, how could she possibly have become the Su Wang Consort?
However, no matter how unwilling they were, no one dared to say much.
Concubine Jiang looked at Lin Wantang with a smile on her face.
"Good boy, stuttering is not scary at all. I will help you take good care of it in the future."
Before Lin Wantang could say anything, the young lady of the Lin family came out to express her gratitude.
"I'm so grateful to Consort Jiang for not abandoning me and taking care of me personally. This is my daughter's blessing. Xiaowu, why don't you thank her quickly?"
Lin Wantang thanked him reluctantly.
As soon as she returned to her seat her face fell.
This was unavoidable, so it seemed she had to think of a new strategy. Fortunately, the imperial decree had not yet been issued, and the wedding date had not yet been set, so there was still time to maneuver.
Next, the female official announced the second and third place candidates. Xu Jing ranked second, and the third place was the daughter of a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.
Xu Jing glanced at the daughter of a fifth-rank official. She was unknown and had no idea why she had won the favor of Concubine Jiang and was invited into the palace.
But as a fifth-rank official, he would be inferior to her even if he entered Prince Su's Mansion in the future.
Xu Jing was in a bad mood over there, and Su Li was not happy either.
Although the candidates for the main wife and concubines have not been announced on the spot, everyone knows that it has been decided. They just need to wait for the imperial edict to set the wedding date, and then the matter will be set in stone.
She wanted to stop Xu Jing from entering Prince Su's mansion, but she couldn't resist her ambition. She wanted to use some conspiracy, but she couldn't think of any for the time being.
Is it true that pregnancy makes people stupid for three years?
Just as she was frowning, the eunuchs outside the palace sang loudly:
"The Emperor has arrived."
Everyone stood up and knelt, shouting "Long live the Emperor" to welcome him.
After not seeing him for many days, Emperor Jingde looked very old and frail. He walked unsteadily and needed the support of the eunuch. His hair was completely white. Although he was in his early fifties, he looked like a man in his seventies or eighties.
Behind Emperor Jingde, there was a woman. She had her head half lowered so her face could not be seen clearly, but her figure was very graceful and elegant.
Concubine Jiang stepped forward and helped Emperor Jingde sit down:
"Your Majesty, why are you here?"
Emperor Jingde said with a smile: "Such a lively scene, I heard it even in my bedroom, and I was so eager to come and see it."
Concubine Jiang leaned over with a smile and whispered a few words into Emperor Jingde's ear. Emperor Jingde then looked in Lin Wantang's direction, nodded, and said, "My beloved concubine has always had good taste. It's a perfect opportunity to take advantage of this Lantern Festival and personally arrange a marriage for them both."
As soon as Emperor Jingde spoke, the expressions of Lin Wantang and Prince Su fell. Concubine Jiang glared at Prince Su in the men's section, while Madam Lin, in the women's section, had already brought her daughter out to thank the emperor for his grace.
Everyone was happy about this matter, except for two parties who were worried.
As soon as Lin Wantang and Prince Su sat down, Emperor Jingde looked around and his eyes fell on Xu Jing, who came in second, and the lady who came in third.
"You two failed to get the second or third place, which shows that you are a rare talent. I am in a good mood today. What reward would you like?"
Xu Jing and the young lady both stood up and stood in front of the hall.
After the ceremony, Xu Jing opened her red lips slightly and chirped:
"Your Majesty, I do not need any reward. I only wish Your Majesty good health and a long life. My Great Qi Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, with good weather and good harvests, and the country will last forever."
Emperor Jingde laughed heartily upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly and saying, "Excellent, excellent! Marquis Yong'an is indeed a good parent. The Marquis Yong'an has Su Li as a precious treasure, and now you have a precious gem behind you. Reward!"
Immediately, Shun Dajian waved his hand, and a palace maid handed over a full basket of pearls as a reward to Xu Jing.
Xu Jing was overjoyed.
Showing her face before Emperor Jingde today would be of great benefit to her future. She quickly expressed her gratitude.
In comparison, the other person was much more well-behaved. He spoke a few words gently and received a reward from Emperor Jingde.
At this time, Emperor Jingde smiled and said:
"I am happy today, and I have brought someone with me. Since it is a festive occasion, I will play a piece of music to liven up the atmosphere."
After saying that, the woman behind Emperor Jingde slowly stepped forward. She first bowed to Emperor Jingde, and then sat down in front of the piano to perform.
The sound of the piano is melodious and touching.
Everyone speculated about her identity.
Concubine Jiang had already figured out who that person was, but she didn't understand what Emperor Jingde meant, so she asked, "Your Majesty, why is Concubine Lu here today?"
Emperor Jingde stroked his graying beard and said:
"Shi Yuan has served me in the palace for many years. Today she turns 25, and it's time for her to leave the palace."
When these words were spoken, everyone said, "So that's how it is."
The former commander of the imperial guards, General Lu, died a few years ago while protecting Emperor Jingde, leaving behind his daughter Lu Shiyuan and a young son. In gratitude for his life-saving grace, Emperor Jingde kept Lu Shiyuan in the palace as his tea-serving lady.
At this moment, everyone saw Emperor Jingde bringing Lu Shiyuan in a gorgeous dress to the banquet and even setting up a stage for her to perform. They all speculated in their hearts, was he going to marry Lu Shiyuan to Prince Su as a concubine?
Even Concubine Jiang had guessed so and had begun to look at Lu Shiyuan seriously.
Xu Jing felt as if she was facing a formidable enemy. Not only did she sit up straight, she also clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
She didn't take the fifth-rank official's daughter seriously at all, but Lu Shiyuan was deeply trusted by the emperor and had been serving him for so many years. Now, hearing her playing the piano, she knew that she was quite talented.
Such a strong enemy must be guarded against!
Just as everyone was grumbling in their hearts, Lu Shiyuan had already finished playing a song.
"Excellent!" Emperor Jingde was the first to applaud. "This song should only exist in heaven, how often can it be heard on earth? Appreciate it! Now tell me what you want!"
"How dare this servant!"
Hearing this, Lu Shiyuan stepped forward and kowtowed three times solemnly. Then, he raised his head and a clear voice rang out in the hall:
"Your Majesty, I am deeply in love with General Pei Heng, and my lifelong wish is for him to remain single. Now that I am old enough, I must leave the palace. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to enter the general's residence and serve General Pei as his concubine."
As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.
Su Li was eating lamb when she suddenly choked and started coughing. Song Tao and Song Zhi were so scared that they quickly gave her water and patted her back.
The eldest princess had been eating and drinking in boredom since the beginning of the banquet. At this moment, her hand holding the glass paused and her eyes narrowed.
This scene was so similar to the one when she asked for permission to marry in front of the palace. Four years had passed in the blink of an eye.
She raised her cup and drank it all in one gulp, then said in a barely audible voice, "You overestimate your own abilities and bring disgrace upon yourself!"
Even Concubine Jiang was stunned.
She thought that Lu Shiyuan was the one that the emperor wanted to give to Prince Su, but she didn't expect that he was actually coming for Pei Heng.
Xu Jing's clenched fists loosened, and she became visibly relaxed and happy.
Ha, such a strong opponent is not hers, but Su Li's. How wonderful!