Chapter 401 Blind Date
Lin Changning got off the carriage and went to her two sisters-in-law to help the two little maids down. As soon as she looked up, she heard someone calling her master.
Lin Changning turned his head and saw A-Zheng running out of the palace gate with his short legs, heading straight for him.
He slowed down when he reached Lin Changning and bowed to him, saying, "Master."
Lin Changning looked at A-Zheng, who seemed like a little adult, and rubbed A-Zheng's head: "A-Zheng, you don't need to be so polite."
Ah Zheng turned his head to look at Er Ya and San Ya, who were hiding behind Lin Changning, with a little doubt on his face: "Master? Them?"
Lin Changning smiled and introduced, "These are my two little nieces, Lin Yuhua and Lin Yushu."
With a serious expression, Cui Zheng bowed to the two maids and said, "Cui Zheng greets the two young ladies."
Er Ya and San Ya exchanged glances, remembering the manners their mothers had taught them. They stepped out from behind Lin Changning, bowed to Cui Zheng, and called out in clear voices, "Greetings, Young Master Cui."
Lin Changning looked at the three people bowing solemnly and couldn't help but chuckle. Then, she took the hands of the two little maids and looked at Cui Zheng, saying, "Zheng, let's go to the Prince's Mansion together."
He led his family to the women's section, helped his two sisters-in-law and their families settle in, and then led Cui Zheng and his second brother to their seats.
Today is the matchmaking banquet, and many young masters and ladies from various prefectures in Taiyuan have come. The young masters and ladies each have their own table, while the ladies' table is in the backyard. Lin Changning will probably stay here for a while before being led to the backyard table by others.
According to Brother Qi, after spending some time in the front yard exchanging pleasantries, they will be led to the back yard, where they will most likely compete in poetry and prose.
As for these martial artists, they are unlikely to be favored by the daughters of officials, since they can't exactly kill someone on the spot to entertain the ladies if they want to showcase their talents.
So, from the very beginning, you were prepared to be a glutton here, and once you're seated, you'll start eating like crazy.
After all, filling one's stomach is more important; other things can be put aside.
Lin Changning's seat was neither too close nor too far from the King of Chu's seat. Lin's second brother sat to his left. Since it was not yet time for the banquet to begin and the King of Chu had not yet arrived, the people here found acquaintances to chat with.
After greeting the officials from Taiyuan, Lin Changning sat back down respectfully. He figured the King of Chu would arrive soon.
Almost as soon as Lin Changning sat back down, someone outside shouted that the King of Chu had arrived. A group of people saw the King of Chu enter and quickly stood up to bow to him.
Behind the King of Chu were Li Mingxiu, Li Mingde, and Qi Rong. As soon as Lin Changning looked up, he saw Qi Rong and Li Mingxiu looking him over.
After nodding slightly to the two men, the King of Chu said, "No need for formalities, rise," and then sat down with the others.
Seeing that Li Mingxiu and Qi Rong seemed rather unenthusiastic today, she knew something about it. This banquet was supposedly for the two princes to find suitable wives for their children.
Almost all the young ladies of suitable age from the Xie and Cui families were present. In addition to the young ladies from various other families, the people under the King of Chu and the wealthy gentry and officials of Taiyuan also came.
As for Lin Changning, he was naturally brought in to make up the numbers.
Although his official rank is still not high, he has won quite a few battles and has gained some respect in front of the King of Chu. Most people treat him with courtesy.
The invitation had been sent to her residence some time ago, but given that she currently had no powerful backing and a rather weak background, Lin Changning felt that she was probably just there to make up the numbers.
But this is fine too, it suits her just fine.
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, the King of Chu took his seat. He said a few words and then sat down, where he was discussing something with the Xie family elder and the Cui family head.
Qi Rong, Li Mingxiu, and Li Mingde went to find other members of prominent families. After exchanging a few polite words, they headed towards Lin Changning.
Li Mingxiu sat down first, to Lin Changning's right. He picked up a fruit from Lin Changning's table, put it in his mouth, and then let out a long sigh.
"Oh dear, my second son and I were dragged out of bed by my mother early this morning to get ready. It was such a hassle."
Lin Changning raised an eyebrow as she looked at the various expensive accessories and two newly made clothes on the two women: "After all, this is for selecting a consort for the Crown Prince. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to dress too poorly."
Li Mingxiu looked around and, finding that no one was looking this way, casually lifted his collar: "Lin Xiaoliu, look at this, look at this, so many layers and layers, it's so cumbersome, I hate formal dresses the most."
Qi Rong also sighed, "The clothes we're wearing are indeed a bit cumbersome and troublesome."
This was the first time Lin Changning had ever seen Qi Rong looking so troubled about what to wear, and she couldn't help but laugh: "Second Brother also finds it troublesome?"
Qi Rong sighed, "My aunt and Shu'er dragged me out of bed early this morning. Forget about the clothes, if I hadn't stopped them, I would have already put powder on my face."
Li Mingxiu nodded in agreement, while Li Mingde didn't react much. His marriage wasn't in a hurry, as he was still in mourning. For the clothes he chose today, his aunt only picked out a moon-white long robe for him, along with some plain accessories, before he came out with the two of them.
The four sat together. Qi Rong was incredibly handsome, Li Mingxiu was elegant and refined, Li Mingde looked gentle and refined, and Lin Changning was also exceptionally handsome.
Before long, he attracted the attention of most people present. Lin Changning glanced outside a few times, and the people at the table were full of calculations.
Especially those with eligible young women at home, their eyes were burning with desire as they looked at the four men, with their eyes naturally fixed on Li Mingxiu and Qi Rong the most.
Now everyone knows that this banquet is to select a crown princess for Li Mingxiu and Qi Rong, so most of the families who came this time are putting in a lot of effort to have their daughters selected.
Thanks to this, Lin Changning's embroidery workshop has recently seen a surge in business again.
Lin Changning would bet that if they went to the banquet in the inner courtyard later, more than half of the young ladies from Taiyuan would be wearing clothes from her family.
The Xie family was the most extreme. A few days ago, Xie, a scholar from the Xie family, went to their embroidery workshop and bought their most expensive dress for four thousand taels of silver.
As they were talking, several maids came and said that the opera had started over there and invited all the talented young men present to go and watch.
Li Mingxiu clicked his tongue twice, glanced at the other three, and said, "Let's go, someone from Mother's side is calling us..."
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