Pan Jinhua was unable to kneel down before the palace maid helped her up. Li Qingzhi and Li Qingjun, on the other hand, were helped up only after they had finished kneeling and bowing.
"Thanks to the old lady for finding the smallpox, which saved my life and the Crown Prince's life, old lady, please don't be so polite."
"Aren't you going to offer seats to the old lady and the others?"
The Empress's voice came down from above, her words full of intimacy. The palace maids below busied themselves, and in the blink of an eye, everyone was seated, but the three of them didn't sit properly, their bottoms barely touching the edge of the chair.
It was at this moment that Pan Jinhua finally saw the Empress's true face.
The mother of the nation was truly awe-inspiring, like a fairy from the Jade Pool. Her outstanding beauty was one thing, but her commanding presence was even more captivating.
Pan Jinhua admired her inwardly, and looking into those smiling eyes, she fully understood the Empress's attitude towards the Li family.
"Your Majesty is too kind. This is all that the Li family should do."
"Madam, there's no need for you to be modest. The Li family and the Ouyang family have a close relationship. Your grandson even took my cousin as his godfather. Our two families should visit each other more often in the future."
"Your Majesty is right."
Pan Jinhua naturally followed the Empress's words, saying that the relationship between the Li family and the Ouyang family had long since entered a honeymoon period, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they were inseparable, even closer than in previous years.
"Look, the old lady really knows how to raise children. These two children are so bright and beautiful, I am delighted to see them. I wonder if they are betrothed?"
Pan Jinhua's eyebrows twitched, and she understood the implication. It seemed that Her Majesty the Empress intended to arrange marriages for these two children.
I wonder if it's one or two? And whose family has been chosen? Oh well, there's no use thinking about it. The higher-ups have already made their moves; do you think they can help them take back theirs?
The Empress's bestowal of a marriage is an act of great favor, reflecting her high regard for the Li family. It also serves as a guarantee for the children. Since the marriage is arranged by the Empress, the person's character must be of good quality; otherwise, the Empress would lose face.
In a short moment, Pan Jinhua thought of many things and looked at the two children. Being young, they were stunned.
"Their family has not arranged a marriage for them. If they could be granted a marriage by the Empress, it would be an immense blessing."
Pan Jinhua cheerfully took over the conversation, her face beaming with joy regardless of her inner thoughts.
The Empress was pleased to see her happy. She had never been betrothed before, and since the person in question was willing, she became even more proactive.
"Qingzhi is of marriageable age, and a woman's marriage should be chosen with more care. With such talent, she deserves to be married. I will take care of her marriage."
"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, Qingzhi, hurry up and thank Your Majesty."
"Your humble servant Qingzhi thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
Li Qingzhi blushed and stepped forward to kowtow. After all, it concerned her marriage, so she had to show some shyness.
"She's a young lady after all, already getting shy..."
"Has Your Majesty chosen a candidate?"
"Your Majesty, the time has come; it's time to go."
Just as the Empress was about to speak, a female official stepped forward to remind her that the banquet was about to begin.
"Since the time has come, Madam, let's go to the banquet together. Don't be nervous, just follow behind me. We'll talk about the rest on the way."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Pan Jinhua and the other two hurriedly expressed their gratitude. In a short period of time, they thanked the emperor several times. Pan Jinhua was extremely depressed. It was best to avoid the palace. It made people feel very uncomfortable.
Unaware of her thoughts, the Empress had already walked out first. Pan Jinhua composed herself and followed behind with her two children, heading towards the banquet hall.
Plum Garden.
Today's banquet is being held in the Plum Garden. Outside the hall are clusters of plum trees, now in full bloom, their fragrance wafting through the air.
The palace was brightly lit, and all the high-ranking officials and nobles had arrived. It was a court banquet, and only the wives of officials of the third rank and above were qualified to attend. Men and women were seated separately, and Li Qingjun was separated from them. The Empress even specially sent a young eunuch to take care of him, which put Pan Jinhua at ease.
"Madam, I have already decided on the candidate. It is Sheng Mingxing, the grandson of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. I wonder if you have heard of him?"
"Your Majesty is very kind. The Grand Minister of Agriculture has a strict family tradition. Although I have never heard of this child, I know that he must be an exceptional talent."
"Hehehe... It's good that the old lady is satisfied. Sheng Mingxing is the youngest son of the eldest son of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and he is very studious. I have already informed the Sheng family about this matter, and the Sheng family is naturally willing. If the old lady also agrees, I will issue an imperial decree to bestow the marriage later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am willing."
In just a few words, the two settled the marriage arrangement for Li Qingzhi.
When the Empress entered, the wives of the officials present all stood up and kowtowed, and Pan Jinhua and the others also quickly bowed down.
"Rise, Lady Liang, please sit beside me."
The Empress gave a special instruction, and the palace maids quickly guided her to sit to the right of the Empress's seat. The seat to the left was reserved for the Empress's mother, the wife of the Duke of Cheng'en.
The ladies below all looked towards Pan Jinhua, as if trying to figure out just who this Lady of Liang was.
Pan Jinhua was neither humble nor arrogant, but polite and courteous, greeting everyone with a smile, which surprised many of the noble ladies.
Wasn't she supposed to be a peasant woman? Although she has some talent, her background is indeed ordinary. I didn't expect her to be so capable. No wonder she was able to lead the Li family from such a desperate situation to rise step by step.
The Empress's actions were clearly intended to support Pan Jinhua. Which of the noblewomen present wasn't shrewd? They immediately greeted Pan Jinhua with bright smiles.
The scene was harmonious for a moment.
"This is the wife of the Minister of Agriculture and her daughter-in-law, this is the family of the Marquis of Weiyuan, and this is Madam Zhou..."
Bai Xue stood beside Pan Jinhua and subtly introduced her in a low voice: Pan Jinhua was old and her eyesight wasn't as good as a young girl's. At home, she had specially instructed Bai Xue to study the entire list of nobles in the capital, and now it was coming in handy.
The banquet started quickly. The food at this kind of banquet wasn't very good, even in the imperial palace. Pan Jinhua was glad that she had eaten some pastries to fill her stomach beforehand.
Seeing that the ladies present were also taking a few bites, Pan Jinhua felt less reserved.
After a few bites, the Emperor bestowed several more dishes upon them. The Empress was guaranteed a share, as were several other high-ranking concubines with children, but the Lady of the Wen family did not receive any.
Most surprisingly, Pan Jinhua also received a share. This earned her even more respect from the ladies in the room.
"Today is New Year's Eve. I am delighted to see this beautiful day. Li Qingzhi is gentle, virtuous and talented. I intend to choose a husband for her and bestow a marriage upon her."
Taking advantage of this moment, the Empress also spoke up, adding fuel to the fire of the New Year's Eve banquet.
Some ladies frowned immediately, but quickly relaxed, while others' eyes lit up, and they had already made up their minds.
"A woman praised by Your Majesty must be right, especially one raised by the Lady of Liang. My second son is still unmarried. Your Majesty, would you consider my family's situation?"
Immediately, a lady stepped forward to speak, and Pan Jinhua glanced over and saw that she seemed to be a member of the imperial clan.
"I wonder if Your Majesty has anyone in mind? My young son would be perfectly suitable."
"The same is true in my household."
“….”
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