Chapter 274 The Banquet

Qi Jun immediately understood what was going on. Seeing the little girl's blank expression, he didn't want her to feel ashamed and embarrassed again, so he said:

"Let them go back and do their jobs well from now on. If it happens again, it won't be of any use even if you beg the Emperor and Empress Dowager."

Sun Miao was also having doubts, but having received confirmation, he simply followed suit and used his influence to reply to the eunuch and the imperial chef.

The two were immediately relieved, sweating profusely as they knelt and kowtowed, thanking His Highness the Crown Prince for not blaming them and promising to do their best in the future so that they would never make such a brainless mistake again.

Hearing these two men, who were usually quite adept at skimming profits from the kitchen, shouting with great vigor and a loud voice, Sun Miao immediately raised a finger and hurriedly said:

"Shh! His Highness is discussing important matters. Those who know what's good for them should hurry back to their posts and not disturb him!"

The two men fled in a panic under Sun Miao's warning gaze.

Sun Miao pondered for a long time but still couldn't recall what the kitchen had done to offend the Crown Prince. After thinking about it without success, he decided to ask the Crown Prince again later.

After discussing the matter with the Crown Prince, Qi Yuxuan felt reassured. At least she had done what she could, and now it was up to the Crown Prince and the other officials to worry about.

Qi Yuxuan has now thoroughly enjoyed a level of leisure that she never experienced as a daughter of the Xiao family or a wife of the Xie family.

She resumed her old trade and started embroidering things for the princess.

She also embroidered for the Empress Dowager, who also admired her embroidery skills.

The Empress Dowager recovered from her illness, but she was still sighing and complaining. She only showed a slight smile when she saw the Eldest Princess and Princess Chang Le. She always had the same sour face when she saw the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince.

Qi Yuxuan obediently drew flower patterns on the embroidery stool beside her, immersed in her own world, while also listening attentively to the conversation between the Empress Dowager and the Princess.

The Empress Dowager lay sprawled on the daybed, complaining to her daughter with a mixture of disappointment and frustration:

"The selection of candidates, which had just been put on the agenda, and whose family backgrounds, appearances, and ages had just been determined, has now been delayed again due to the outbreak of war! Jun'er will be coming of age in two months, and we still haven't found a suitable candidate for the Crown Princess. It's really worrying me to death!"

The war with Nanyue is currently being prepared in full swing. General Duan and General Xiahou, one as the commander-in-chief and the other as the deputy commander, received orders three days ago to lead troops to the southwestern border.

With the strong support of the imperial merchant Zhao family, the grain supplies were also delivered quickly.

Everything was ready; they were just waiting for the Southern Yue to commit crimes first, so they could have a legitimate reason to attack.

Now that the emperor is in poor health and the empress is being neglected because of the Bai family's affairs, the emperor and empress have become almost mere figureheads.

Only the Crown Prince could issue orders and rally the officials, so the Empress Dowager's much-anticipated selection of concubines was naturally postponed indefinitely by the Crown Prince, who prioritized the war.

As for whether to wait until the war ends or when it is appropriate to continue, that is entirely up to the Crown Prince.

The Empress Dowager has been unable to eat or drink for the past few days, and this matter has become a source of great anxiety for her, causing her to dream about it constantly.

So whenever he had free time, he would pull his daughter aside and start complaining.

The eldest princess didn't have any particular thoughts. After all, the crown prince was already grown up. Everyone said that the crown prince's appearance combined all the advantages of the emperor and empress, but she thought that the child's personality was somewhat similar to her own.

They say that nephews resemble their uncles and nieces resemble their aunts, and now we've finally seen a perfect example.

The eldest princess lowered her eyes, used a silver skewer to fork a piece of watermelon, and offered it to the Empress Dowager's lips:

"Mother, Jun'er is not a child anymore. You are already so old, it's time to settle down and enjoy your retirement. As for the selection of the Crown Prince's consort, let Jun'er worry about it himself."

Out of respect for her daughter, the Empress Dowager ate the watermelon even though she had no appetite, and continued to worry afterward.

"How can that be? Everyone says that marriages should be arranged by parents and matchmakers. Are you really going to let him choose his own crown princess? What would that look like if people talked about it?"

"By the way, I haven't been in the capital for the past few years. Do you have any good candidates in mind? I'd appreciate any suggestions, since I don't know many young women and I'm always at a loss when it comes to choosing someone."

After the Empress Dowager said this, the eldest princess pondered for a moment before replying:

"I remember... the young lady from the Zheng family is in her prime, and the youngest daughter of the Imperial Censor Jin family and the daughter of Minister Dai are also unmarried. These young ladies come from good families, and each of them has her own outstanding qualities..."

As she spoke, she suddenly raised her eyebrows and glanced at her daughter, who was intently drawing flower patterns to the side.

The eldest princess was actually a little worried, afraid that if her daughter knew the crown prince's feelings, she might also be tempted, and if she learned that she had returned the jade hairpin, she might resent her.

Fortunately, the young girl was focused and her writing was steady and earnest. A lifelike white crane appeared on her paper, seemingly without any curiosity about their conversation.

That's true. She once said that she didn't want to get married and only wanted to stay with him for the rest of her life. How could she fall in love with someone so easily?

Jun Ge'er is certainly good, but he is not a suitable match. My daughter doesn't need to sacrifice herself to elevate the family. She is a royal woman herself, so why should she compromise?

With this in mind, the eldest princess felt even more confident:

"Actually, I think that child from the Zheng family is quite good. Mother, do you remember her? She is the granddaughter of Princess Pingyin and Lord Zheng, Zheng Yanling. She is already seventeen years old, with a good appearance and a generous and upright personality. She is a good match for the Crown Prince."

Coincidentally, Princess Pingyin and Lord Zheng are both people the Empress Dowager knows. One is the Empress Dowager's childhood best friend, and the other is the former prime minister who worked diligently for decades. Their granddaughter must be a good one.

The Empress Dowager rummaged through her memories and recalled a vague impression of Zheng Yanling. “Not bad, not bad. Since you are a good match, you should hurry up and send a letter to someone in the next couple of days. Tell them that I’m tired of staying here and want to find a few young and lively girls to talk to.”

"By the way, about the Jin family and the Dai family you mentioned earlier, just call on all the eligible girls in the capital."

The princess's eyes lit up: "Great idea! Why don't we hold a banquet and invite them to stay in Beiyuan for a few days before going back? That way, the girls won't have time to rest properly before leaving again, and it won't be convenient for you to see them, will it?"

She had never done matchmaking before, but even if she hadn't done it herself, she had seen it happen. After a little thought, she felt that this could work out.

The Empress Dowager nodded: "That's perfect." She then turned to the little girl who had already drawn the flower pattern and was about to choose embroidery thread, "Yu Xuan? Do you have any close friends? Call them over to the North Garden to relax as well."

Qi Yuxuan smiled sweetly: "Yes, I have a good relationship with Sister Zheng and Sister Dai, as well as a girl from the Zhao family. We used to go out and play together often."

Furthermore, they often didn't take Qi Minying, who was too young, with them, and the four of them would take turns buying things to make her happy.

The Empress Dowager became interested: "The Zhao family? Is it that imperial merchant Zhao family?"

The eldest princess replied, "That's right."