Chapter 233 Your humble servant is in love with the Duke of Chu and requests Your Majesty to grant him this marriage.
Looking at his little cousin's adoring gaze, Jiang Yu was momentarily speechless and could only smile at him. This smile made Lu Xiaowu blush, and he actually became shy.
Jiang Yu: "......."
Well, she doesn't understand what young boys are thinking.
At this moment, the heir of Marquis Anyuan, who was also Jiang Yu's uncle, came over and pulled Lu Xiaowu aside, saying, "Don't bother your cousin."
Jiang Yu bowed to him, "Uncle."
The Marquis of Anyuan gave a forced smile, then pulled Lu Xiaowu away.
“Your uncle is unhappy,” Lu Yifang said.
Jiang Yu nodded; he understood his uncle's feelings. For a perfectly good son to marry into the family was shameful, not just for a noble family like theirs, but even for an ordinary family.
"Later, please explain to your uncle and aunt that I didn't mean it that way," Jiang Yu said softly.
Lu Yifang nodded, but sighed inwardly. She thought it was a good thing for Lu Xiaowu to marry into Jiang Yu's family, but Lu Xiaowu's parents didn't think so. Everyone would think of their own child's best interests.
Soon they entered the banquet hall, where Jiang Yu was led by a palace maid to the male guests' area. However, the female and male guests were in the same banquet hall, just seated separately.
Just as he sat down, the Marquis of Jinyang was led over by a palace maid. He wasn't seated next to Jiang Yu, but seeing that the seat to Jiang Yu's left was empty, he walked over and sat down, asking in a low voice, "Have you found out who started the rumors?"
The Marquis of Jinyang's mansion and the Duke of Chu's mansion are now on the same side. Jiang Yu did not hide anything from him, "We found out it was Jiang Lihui from the Jiang family. But judging from the current situation, he was probably being used."
Marquis Jinyang understood, then his face showed worry, "I'm afraid there will be a big show tonight."
Jiang Yu hummed in agreement, "Let's just see how it goes."
Seeing her composed demeanor, the Marquis of Jinyang felt much less worried. At the same time, he was once again certain that his decision had been correct; with this composure, the Duke of Chu would surely be able to overcome this crisis.
He leaned to the right and lowered his voice, saying, "Do you know why the female and male guests are in the same banquet hall today?"
Looking at the gossipy expression on his face, Jiang Yu felt that Li Zhengze inherited some traits from his father, such as his love of gossip.
"Why?" Jiang Yu asked cooperatively.
Marquis Jinyang smiled. "This year's imperial concubine selection is mainly for choosing consorts for the coming-of-age princes and Prince Rui. Today is a preview for the princes and princes to see the noble ladies from various families. The noble ladies who wish to marry into the royal family will also have to perform well tonight."
Jiang Yu nodded knowingly, "But the position of Crown Prince is still undecided, so there's a lot of gambling involved."
Marquis Jinyang shook his head, "Today's protagonist is Prince Rui."
Jiang Yu was taken aback, but upon further thought, Prince Rui was indeed of marriageable age.
Then the Marquis of Jinyang said, "Prince Rui is handsome and favored by the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Although he has not entered the court as an official, he is not in danger of vying for power. Families who truly love their daughters all want to marry their daughters to Prince Rui. Not to mention the position of principal wife, even the position of concubine is contested."
Jiang Yu: "......"
Your information network is really impressive.
"I wonder who Prince Rui will choose in the end." Marquis Jinyang added, "I don't have a legitimate daughter. If I did, I would also fight for the position of Princess Rui's consort."
Jiang Yu: "......"
Well, Prince Rui certainly has the qualities that make him a target for various powerful families.
The two chatted for a while longer when the Duke of Wei arrived. The Marquis of Jinyang took the Duke of Wei's seat and got up to leave. After sitting down, the Duke of Wei said to Jiang Yu, "How old is this Marquis of Jinyang? He still can't shake his habit of joining in the fun. His son has become a playboy because he inherited his ways."
Jiang Yu remained silent on this matter. In fact, the heads of various families, once they shed their responsibilities and scheming, are just ordinary people in private.
"Don't worry about this rumor," Duke Wei whispered to Jiang Yu, "it won't cause any major problems."
Jiang Yu cupped her hands in thanks to him, saying, "Thank you."
Duke Wei waved his hand, saying that they were all from the same faction and their fates were intertwined, so there was no need for them to be so polite to each other.
Soon, almost everyone had arrived. Jiang Yu could feel many people's gazes on her, but she pretended not to notice.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Emperor has arrived!"
A voice rang out, and the banquet hall fell silent as everyone rose to greet them. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the imperial concubines, and the princes, dukes, and princesses all entered.
After the formalities, the emperor delivered a passionate speech, and then the banquet began. The usual procedure for a palace banquet is that the emperor speaks, followed by the serving of dishes, and then a song and dance performance. However, today's banquet might have an extra element: a performance by the noble ladies.
After a dance, Consort Zhuang smiled and suggested that her niece perform calligraphy. The Emperor and Empress Dowager, who both had plans to choose consorts for several princes and Prince Rui, naturally agreed.
Miss Zhuang walked into the center of the banquet hall and recited a poem on the spot. Her poem and calligraphy were both excellent, drawing applause. Miss Zhuang looked shyly at Prince Rui, but received no response, and her face fell slightly.
She returned to her seat, and He Shuyi was about to ask her younger sister to perform. But before she could speak, Lu Shurong said with a smile, "If we're talking about talent, which woman in the capital can compare to the Duke of Chu?"
She rose and bowed to the emperor, saying, "Since my youth, I have admired talented women. I have long heard of the Duke of Chu's talent, and today I am finally able to meet you in person. You are truly outstanding in both appearance and character."
"Pfft!"
A laugh rang out, and everyone looked over to see a girl of about sixteen or seventeen. Feeling the gazes of the crowd, she stood up somewhat flustered and said to the emperor in a coquettish tone, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I just suddenly remembered something funny."
The Emperor, his expression indifferent, hummed in acknowledgment and gestured for her to sit down. Just as he was about to say something, Consort Su's voice rang out, "You've also remembered something ridiculous. Just say what you have to say. Didn't you hear that the Duke of Chu climbed into the Emperor's bed and think that the Duke of Chu is unworthy of the term 'outstanding character'?"
silence!
A deathly silence!
The emperor remained silent with a gloomy face, and no one below dared to speak. Jiang Yu gently stroked her wine cup, her face also expressionless.
"Insolence!" The Empress Dowager's voice rang out. She glared angrily at Consort Su and said, "A claim without concrete evidence is slander. Consort Su, do you know what crime it is to slander a court official?"
Consort Su rose and knelt, but her words remained firm, "Your Majesty, I have no real evidence, but the Duke of Chu is, after all, a woman. If such rumors spread, how will she find a husband? Perhaps Your Majesty could arrange for her to take a concubine..."
"Royal brother."
A clear, melodious voice rang out, interrupting Consort Su's words. Prince Rui stepped forward from his seat and knelt before the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I am in love with the Duke of Chu. I beg Your Majesty to grant us this marriage."
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