Chapter 119 The Little Emperor's Wedding (Prelude to the Imperial Concubine Selection)
Since that world-shaking "Feast of All Nations," the Daqian Dynasty has enjoyed several years of peace and prosperity. The people live in peace and contentment, sweet potatoes and potatoes abound in the fields, and the national treasury is so full that even rats would get lost inside.
Life at the Regent's Palace proceeded smoothly and uneventfully.
The only variable is that the little emperor Shen Xingchen, who used to only cry and cling to others, has now grown into a tall, handsome young emperor.
Spring of the eighth year of Xuanhe.
That year, Shen Xingchen turned sixteen.
According to the ancestral system of the Great Gan Dynasty, when the emperor reaches the age of sixteen, he should get married and assume personal rule.
This was a matter of utmost importance for all the officials; for Shen Jin, who was eager to "retire" and take his wife on a trip, it was an urgent opportunity for "relief."
...
The morning court session was held in the Golden Palace.
There is only one topic today—the emperor's selection of candidates.
"Your Majesty, Your Regent!"
The newly appointed Minister of Rites, holding a memorial, was beaming with excitement. "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, yet the harem has been empty for too long. We believe that a selection of consorts should be initiated immediately to replenish the harem, ensure the continuation of the imperial line, and thus appease the people!"
"I second that opinion! A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, nor can it be without an heir for a single day!"
"May Your Majesty be married soon!"
The ministers below knelt on the ground, speaking in unison.
On the dragon throne, sixteen-year-old Shen Xingchen wore a well-fitting bright yellow dragon robe. Although his face already showed some imperial majesty, at this moment, his brows were furrowed so deeply that they could trap a fly.
He subconsciously glanced at Shen Jin, who was standing on the regent's throne below him.
Shen Jin, unusually, didn't have a cold expression today; instead, a faint smile played at the corners of his lips. He nodded slightly, his voice clear and bright:
"What you all say makes sense."
"Your Majesty has reached the age of twenty and it is indeed time for you to settle down and start a family. I... grant your permission."
Shen Xingchen's heart skipped a beat.
[It's over, the Imperial Uncle is determined to shift the blame!]
[Don't think I don't know! My uncle has been planning to run away with my aunt for a long time! He's been gradually handing over the reins of government to me these past few years, all for this day!]
[I don't want to get married! I just want to eat my aunt's fried chicken! I also want to go on a clandestine trip to watch cricket fights!]
Although she was a hundred times unwilling, under Shen Jin's piercing gaze that seemed to say, "If you dare not agree, I'll make you copy the book," Shen Xingchen could only nod reluctantly.
"If that's the case... then... let's choose."
...
After the court session, at the Regent's Palace.
Jiang Mianmian was lying on a rocking chair in the garden, basking in the sun. Next to her was a small figure practicing martial arts—that was the five-year-old heir, Shen An.
Although the boy was only five years old, he had already grown much taller than his peers. He wielded a specially made small copper hammer weighing twenty pounds with great force.
"Mother! What do you think of my 'Splitting Mount Hua' move?"
Tuantuan slammed the hammer down, and a Taihu stone next to him shattered instantly.
Jiang Mianmian calmly spat out the sunflower seed shells:
"Not bad, you have the strength, but your accuracy is a bit lacking. Next time, when you're cracking a walnut, don't crack a rock, it's a waste of money."
Just then, Shen Jin returned. He walked briskly, clearly in a very good mood.
"princess."
Shen Jin walked over, first ruffled his son's hair, then sat down next to Jiang Mianmian, picked up a grape, peeled it, and fed it to her.
"There's good news."
"What good news? Are you going to strike it rich?" Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up.
"It's even better than getting rich."
Shen Jin curled his lips into a smile, "His Majesty is getting married."
"puff--"
Jiang Mianmian almost choked on her grapes. "A wedding? Little Star? How old is he? Is he already being pressured to get married?"
[Tsk tsk, tragic. Absolutely tragic.]
[At sixteen, she's about to enter the "grave" of marriage and face a harem of three thousand beauties... oh wait, I mean three thousand male prostitutes. This kid's in for a rough time.]
Sixteen years old, not young anymore.
Shen Jin said matter-of-factly, “When I was sixteen, I had already led troops into battle. Since he is the ruler of a country, he should naturally take on his responsibilities as soon as possible.”
"Most importantly..."
Shen Jin leaned closer to Jiang Mianmian, his eyes burning, "Once he gets married and assumes full power, I can finally relinquish my role as regent. At that time, whether you want to go to Jiangnan, the northern frontier, or the seaside... I can accompany you."
"And I'll be with you every day."
Jiang Mianmian's heart skipped a beat.
[Will you spend every day with me?]
No need to attend morning court sessions? No need to review memorials? No need to worry about assassination attempts?
This is what they call...retirement life?!
"Really?" Jiang Mianmian sat up straight excitedly. "You're not lying to me?"
“A king’s word is law.” Shen Jin grasped her hand. “Therefore, this selection of consorts must be successful. We must choose a capable, virtuous empress for the emperor who can keep him in check.”
"Only when the harem is stable can he rule with peace of mind, and only then can I... retire with peace of mind."
Jiang Mianmian understood immediately.
[Good heavens, so this is where they were waiting!]
For the sake of our retirement plans, we have to choose our niece-in-law carefully! She absolutely cannot be a troublemaker, a sister-in-law who spoils her brother, or a scheming, manipulative woman!
This is a tough task!
"no problem!"
Jiang Mianmian slapped her thigh, "Leave it to me! I'm going to the palace right now! I want to see just how much these noble ladies of the capital really weigh!"
...
Three days later, at the Chuxiu Palace in the Imperial Palace.
As the highest-level "matchmaking event" in Dagan, Chuxiu Palace was a vibrant hub of activity today, with a fragrant breeze blowing through the air.
After layers of selection, fifty "beauty candidates" were chosen from eligible daughters of officials in the capital and even across the country, awaiting the "final judgment" of the emperor and the regent's wife.
Shen Xingchen sat on the dragon throne, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Looking at the rows of women below, dressed in flamboyant attire and with thick makeup on their faces, he felt dizzy.
"Imperial Aunt..."
Shen Xingchen turned her head and looked pitifully at Jiang Mianmian sitting next to her, "I...I have face blindness. All these people look the same! How am I supposed to choose?"
Jiang Mianmian was dressed in formal attire today, holding a teacup in her hand, her eyes scanning the ladies-in-waiting like X-rays.
[Face blindness?]
I think you're overwhelmed by the smell of cosmetics.
Don't worry, your aunt is here. Your aunt has special skills for spotting manipulative women.
"Your Majesty, please do not panic."
Jiang Mianmian comforted her, "Choosing an empress isn't just about looks, it's also about heart. For this first test, let's see... who is more 'authentic'."
She set down her teacup and waved to the officials below:
"Let's begin. Have them come up one by one and introduce themselves. No need for those fancy family backgrounds, just tell us... what they usually do at home and what their hobbies are."
The first one to come up was the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, a famous talented woman in the capital.
She moved with light, graceful steps, her voice as melodious as a nightingale's song.
"Your subject enjoys reading poetry and books in her spare time, and plays the zither and paints to reflect on the teachings of the sages..."
Shen Xingchen kept yawning as she listened.
Jiang Mianmian narrowed her eyes.
Reading poetry? Playing the zither?
[I see you don't even have a single callus on your fingers, you've probably barely touched the strings, have you? And those bags under your eyes, clearly from staying up all night. What are you staying up all night for? Playing card games, huh?]
[Hypocritical. Pass!]
Jiang Mianmian shook her head slightly.
Shen Xingchen immediately understood: "Um... bestow flowers. Next."
The second person to come up was the niece of the Duke of Zhenguo, a daughter of a military family.
"This humble woman has practiced martial arts since childhood and wishes to guard the borders for Your Majesty..."
Jiang Mianmian: [Come on, you're out of breath after just a few steps, and you're supposed to be guarding the frontier? You're probably just trying to get into the palace for some political intrigue, aren't you? Your eyes are full of scheming. Pass!]
"Give me flowers."
The third one, the fourth one...
After looking at more than twenty of them, Jiang Mianmian labeled them all as "hypocritical," "affected," and "scheming" in her mind.
Shen Xingchen grew increasingly desperate.
"Imperial aunt... isn't there a single normal one among them?"
Jiang Mianmian also had a headache.
[This batch of imperial concubines is no good!]
[Isn't there even one who's a little...down-to-earth? Or at least has some genuine personality?]
We're looking for an empress, someone to share your life with, not a deity to be enshrined in the palace!
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance of the main hall.
"Oh no! My sesame seed cake!"
A slightly panicked exclamation rang out.
Immediately afterwards, a girl in a light green dress tripped on the threshold because she was running too fast. A package of oiled paper fell from her arms and rolled to the center of the hall.
A round, fragrant sesame seed cake rolled out of the paper package and stopped right at Shen Xingchen's feet.
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone stared in horror at the troublesome girl. To behave so disrespectfully before the Emperor, and to drop a sesame seed cake—this was utterly disrespectful!
The girl turned pale with fright, knelt down with a thud, and cried out in a trembling voice:
"This humble woman...this humble woman deserves to die! Please, Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Shen Xingchen looked at the sesame seed cake at her feet, smelling the familiar aroma of scallions, her once lifeless eyes...
Suddenly it lit up.
Jiang Mianmian almost jumped off her chair.
Holy crap!
[Is the talent show bringing in pancakes?]
[What kind of incredible move is this? This girl... is a monster!]
[And... judging from the way she looked at the pancake with such concern, she's definitely a foodie! Foodies are usually not a bad person!]
Shen Xingchen! She's the one! She's definitely your type!
Shen Xingchen clearly shared a tacit understanding with the Empress.
He wasn't angry. Instead, he bent down, picked up the sesame seed cake, and even blew off the dust.
"May I have your name?"
Shen Xingchen looked at the girl kneeling on the ground, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
The girl raised her head, revealing a round, slightly chubby face, her eyes clear yet filled with fear:
"Your subject's daughter... Su Xiaoxiao. She is... the daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites."
Su Xiaoxiao.
As his name suggests, he is small and round, like a cheerful and auspicious baby.
Jiang Mianmian looked at her, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
【Not bad, not bad.】
[This face indicates a woman who will bring good fortune to her husband! And she looks like she'll be very fertile (just kidding), she looks blessed!]
Most importantly, how carefree must someone be to still be thinking about eating sesame cakes on a grand occasion like a wedding or a palace selection? Such a person, once in the palace, would never engage in any scheming or intrigue; they would only be concerned with what the imperial kitchen would be serving that day.
"Your Highness."
Jiang Mianmian turned to look at Shen Jin, who had been sitting in the back with his eyes closed, and said, "I think... this is good."
Shen Jin opened his eyes, glanced at Su Xiaoxiao, and then at Shen Xingchen and Jiang Mianmian, who were looking excited.
He nodded.
Birds of a feather flock together.
"Since His Majesty likes it and the Princess Consort also approves, then... let it stay."
A grand yet somewhat absurd talent show was launched because of a sesame seed cake.
For Shen Xingchen, the girl who walked into his sight with a sesame seed cake was perhaps the greatest surprise bestowed upon him by heaven.
As for whether she can become empress...
Jiang Mianmian touched her chin.
We need to investigate further.
After all, just loving to eat isn't enough; I also need to see... whether she can withstand my 'mind-reading' test.
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