Upon hearing Su Fei's voice, Xuan Yuan Yu reluctantly turned around.
"Come and sit down, the banquet is about to begin." Su Fei's voice was calm, without a trace of anger, but her eyes were full of warning.
Xuanyuan Yu dared not disobey Consort Su's order, so he went over and sat down with a sullen face, in the seat opposite Bai Shi.
"Let's begin the banquet."
Xuanyuan Yu sat down, and Consort Su then ordered the banquet to begin.
The selection banquet for imperial concubines was different from other banquets. There were no wine or dishes, only tea and snacks, as well as performances by various noble ladies.
"Which noble lady would like to perform first?"
Consort Su glanced around at the noble ladies below, and finally her gaze fell on Su Feiling, clearly indicating that she wanted Su Feiling to start the event.
Su Feiling immediately tried to get up, but a girl beat her to it: "Why don't I start by throwing out an idea?"
The one who stood up was Zhao Zhenzhen, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family.
All the noble ladies present looked at Zhao Zhenzhen in surprise. Everyone knew that Consort Su intended to choose her niece as the Third Prince's principal wife, so Su Feiling was definitely going to be the one to make the opening remarks. Why did Zhao Zhenzhen have to steal the limelight?
Su Feiling glared angrily at Zhao Zhenzhen, her face turning green with rage.
Consort Su was also surprised, but since Zhao Zhenzhen had already stood up, she couldn't let Su Feiling perform first: "Then please let Miss Zhao go first."
Zhao Zhenzhen bowed to Xuan Yuanpeng and Su Fei before stepping forward to perform.
Zhao Zhenzhen was playing the guzheng. She sat upright, and as she lightly plucked the strings, the music flowed. She was the epitome of a well-bred lady.
Su Feiling stared intently at Zhao Zhenzhen, her hands under her sleeves almost tearing the handkerchief apart.
This woman not only stole her opening act, but she even performed the same act as her. She must have done it on purpose.
Seeing through Su Feiling's thoughts, Madam Zhong leaned over and whispered to comfort her, "Don't worry, your position as the principal wife is predetermined. No matter how well Zhao Zhenzhen performs, your aunt will not choose her as the Third Prince's principal wife."
It must be said that Zhong's words of comfort were effective, and Su Feiling quickly composed herself.
Zhao Zhenzhen has been playing the zither since she was a child, and her skills are beyond question. Her rendition of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was clear, flowing, beautiful, and captivating. Even Xuan Yuanpeng couldn't help but praise her: "The Prime Minister's mansion is indeed deeply rooted in history, and the Prime Minister's daughter is also highly skilled. She deserves a reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Consort Su."
Zhao Zhenzhen rose and curtsied in thanks. Every move she made was dignified and proper, befitting a lady from a respectable family, which pleased Xuan Yuanpeng greatly.
Seeing Xuan Yuanpeng's satisfied expression, Su Fei's face darkened: "Miss Zhao did play quite well, but the guzheng is not as charming as the guqin."
After successfully witnessing Madam Zhao and Zhao Zhenzhen's change of expression, Consort Su turned to Su Feiling and said, "I remember that Ling'er plays the zither quite well."
Su Feiling quickly stood up: "Your Highness is too kind. This humble woman is willing to offer a song for His Majesty and Your Highness."
Su Feiling stepped forward to perform, in the same spot where Zhao Zhenzhen had just been, but instead of playing the guzheng, she played the guqin.
Su Feiling's zither skills were taught by palace musicians, so they were naturally superb.
The melody of Guangling San is melodious, ancient, and captivating, truly enchanting the listener.
Although Su Feiling's guqin skills and Zhao Zhenzhen's guzheng skills were equally matched, the guqin was still highly regarded in Dongchu. In the hearts of the people of Dongchu, the guqin was elegant, while the guzheng was considered somewhat frivolous.
Therefore, it was the guqin that won over the guzheng, not Su Feiling who won against Zhao Zhenzhen. Of course, Zhao Zhenzhen's first performance left a deep impression on everyone, while Su Feiling's second performance, playing a similar guqin piece, eventually led to audience fatigue. Comparing the two, it truly was impossible to determine a winner.
While Su Feiling was playing the zither, she kept glancing at Xuan Yuan Yu intentionally or unintentionally, but Xuan Yuan Yu didn't even look at her. He kept his eyes down and sat there, clearly not thinking about the selection banquet for the imperial concubine.
Su Feiling knew who Xuan Yuan Yu was thinking about, and she was both angry and jealous. In her disappointment, she ended the song.
"Good, the daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an plays the zither quite well, there is a reward!" One is the daughter of the Prime Minister, and the other is the niece of Consort Su's family, so Xuan Yuanpeng was happy to offer this reward.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Consort Su." Su Feiling withdrew her gaze and stood up to express her gratitude.
Although she was not entirely satisfied with the Emperor's words about serving water, since the Emperor had given her a reward after all, Consort Su could not say anything and continued to have the other noble ladies come forward to perform.
Almost all the noble ladies who came stepped forward to perform.
Su Muyao danced, her graceful and charming movements, paired with her dazzling purple silk dress, were truly eye-catching. Even Xuan Yuanpeng couldn't help but take a second look at her.
Mu Lingxi painted a bamboo painting, which was quite spirited, but lacked color, just like her, it was too plain and simple.
Her understated performance caused her to be completely overshadowed by the group of noble ladies.
Of course, this is also what Tang and her daughter hoped for.
Bai Shi was extremely fond of Mu Lingxi because of her intelligence and charm, but when she thought of her son's appearance, she quickly suppressed her feelings.
Dozens of noble ladies arrived, showcasing their talents in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all sorts of arts. Unfortunately, the protagonist of this concubine selection banquet, Xuan Yuan Yu, had no interest in these noble ladies at all, and naturally had no interest in watching their performances.
Soon, the noble ladies' performances finally came to an end. Xuan Yuanpeng looked at Xuan Yuanyu and said, "Yu'er, you've seen all these performances. You've chosen your principal wife."
Consort Su looked at Xuan Yuan Yu and smiled, "Yu'er, whoever you choose, give this white Ruyi to them."
Immediately, a palace servant presented a tray to Xuanyuan Yu.
Xuanyuan Yu stared at the white Ruyi without moving.
"Yu'er!" Consort Su called out again, but this time her voice was clearly colder.
Seeing Su Fei's suggestive gaze, Xuan Yuan Yu finally couldn't resist, got up, took the jade ruyi, and walked to the other side.
When Xuanyuan Yu arrived, Zhao Zhenzhen's face was full of anticipation, but that anticipation quickly turned into disappointment.
Xuanyuan Yu walked past her and stood in front of Su Feiling behind him.
Su Feiling sat upright, her face showing a hint of shyness, but she was extremely nervous inside.
Madam Zhong was also overjoyed, and proudly winked at Madam Zhao and Madam Tang.
Xuanyuan Yu handed the jade ruyi to Su Feiling. Just as Su Feiling was about to take it, several "thump-thump" sounds suddenly came from outside.
Before anyone could figure out what was going on, a eunuch rushed in: "Your Majesty, the drum for petitioning has sounded!"
The three words "Drum of Petition" shocked everyone present.
When the drum for petitioning is sounded, it means that someone wants to file a complaint with the emperor.
Xuanyuan Peng was also stunned. How many years had it been since the Dengwen Drum was sounded? Today, someone was actually filing a complaint with the emperor: "Who beat the Dengwen Drum?"
“Yes…” The little eunuch glanced at Xuan Yuan Yu subconsciously before bowing and saying, “It is Miss Su Xue Ning, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an.”
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