With everyone eagerly anticipating it, the grand banquet finally began.
With a smile on her face and graceful demeanor, Jiang Chuwei walked to the head of the table. Qiu Shu held a set of exquisite and priceless jewelry presented as tribute from the Nanning Kingdom, as well as a bow and arrow from the Xitu royal family, which she presented to the young masters and noble ladies present as prizes for the banquet.
These prizes are undoubtedly very attractive, but for everyone present, the unparalleled glory of winning the championship is even more enticing.
After all, if one can win first place at this banquet today, one can not only become a talented woman or a brilliant man among the noble ladies of the capital, but also possibly become the object of marriage for many prestigious families.
Especially for young and beautiful women, if they were fortunate enough to win the emperor's favor, their family's future would be secured.
When the eunuch loudly announced the start of the competition, many people in the audience were still looking around and whispering to each other.
It turns out that there had been rumors that the Emperor would attend the banquet in person, but now that the time has come, the Emperor is still nowhere to be seen.
The noble ladies were secretly anxious, none of them wanting to miss the perfect opportunity to show off their talents in front of the Emperor when they went on stage to perform.
Jiang Chuwei knew what they were thinking, but the competition couldn't wait any longer.
The noble ladies drew lots and went on stage in pairs.
Some of them chose to play a melodious and beautiful tune on the zither;
Some picked up their paintbrushes and created a landscape painting with profound artistic conception;
Others were completely absorbed in playing Go, demonstrating extraordinary wisdom and strategy;
Meanwhile, other noble ladies wielded their brushes and ink, writing elegant and meticulous poems and essays.
For a time, the entire banquet hall was filled with wonderful and beautiful sights.
Just then, Jiang Chuwei suddenly noticed a familiar figure in the crowd—it was Yun Ni, the eldest daughter of Minister Yun!
She walked gracefully towards Jiang Chuwei and bowed deeply.
Jiang Chuwei then suddenly realized that this Yun Ni was Ye Huan's cousin.
Judging from her attire as a young lady from a respectable family, it seems she hasn't found a man she likes yet.
After paying her respects to the Empress, Yun Ni joined the competition.
The sun was shining brightly today, and a gentle breeze was blowing. She dressed up carefully before coming to participate in this highly anticipated competition.
Actually, her participation in this competition was not simply to showcase her talent or win honors, but had a deeper reason—she hoped to put her mother's mind at ease and find a suitable person to marry.
Her mother was constantly worried because her marriage was still unsettled, and she wished she could pack her up and marry her off immediately.
However, Yunni always held onto one belief: she would only willingly don a wedding dress and become someone else's wife if she found someone who loved and understood her and was compatible with her.
Faced with her stubborn daughter, Madam Yun was extremely anxious but helpless.
It just so happens that Her Majesty the Empress is holding a grand banquet today, and I've heard that many outstanding men will be invited to attend.
Madam Yun was secretly delighted, thinking that perhaps her daughter could find her ideal husband among them!
Thinking of her daughter's frequent blind dates recently, Mrs. Yun couldn't help but frown and look worried.
Of the six ministries, only Song Hao, the Minister of War, and her husband, the Minister of Personnel, remained unchanged; the others had all undergone personnel changes.
Lord Yun has never advocated strengthening his own power through marriage among his children, since with his current official position and status, there is really no need for him to attract too much attention.
Therefore, Madam Yun granted her children's wishes regarding their marriages.
Fortunately, the children's chosen partners mostly came from families with similar backgrounds, and the situation of marrying down or marrying into a family with a significant disparity, which Madam Yun had worried about, did not occur.
In this way, Madam Yun felt somewhat gratified.
But it makes sense. The people and things the Yun family's children have seen since childhood have destined them to have a broad perspective and not look down on people who are not good enough.
They don't even consider people who haven't received the same good family upbringing.
I wonder if my daughter will actually meet that special someone who will capture her heart at this banquet!
You should know that only the rich and noble families could enter the palace!
As for Yunni, she was born with bright eyes and white teeth, and had a charming appearance.
Whenever she smiles, it's like the gentlest breeze in spring, softly caressing people's hearts and bringing them immense comfort and joy.
Such an outstanding woman naturally attracted many suitors who would actively seek her hand in marriage.
However, unexpectedly, Yun Ni rejected all of them.
Before she knew it, Yunni was already twenty years old, having entered the ranks of "old maids." This greatly worried Madam Yun!
She was constantly worried, fearing that her daughter's marriage would be ruined.
In fact, Jiang Chuwei was unaware that when the late emperor was alive, Jiang He had once been considered by Madam Yun as her ideal son-in-law.
At that time, Madam Yun had her own wishful thinking. If she could marry her daughter to such an outstanding man as Jiang He, it would undoubtedly be a wonderful thing.
Unfortunately, before this idea could be put into practice, it was ruthlessly nipped in the bud by Minister Yun.
It turns out that Minister Yun knew that once the Yun family and the General's Mansion became in-laws, he would probably lose his position as Minister very soon.
Because the late emperor was already wary of the General's Mansion, and then he arranged a marriage between it and the Minister of Personnel.
Jiang family members simply came to sit on the throne in Daqing.
These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the flame of hope that had just ignited in Madam Yun's heart.
She immediately put those thoughts away.
Seeing Jiang He so young, promising, and with such a bright future, Madam Yun couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
However, this regret only remained a sigh when I occasionally thought about it, and I didn't really feel it was a big pity.
Madam Yun firmly believed that the marriages between men and women in the world were all ordained by Heaven, and that there was a plan in the dark.
She knew in her heart that her precious and lovely daughter, whom she cherished like a pearl in the palm of her hand, was not destined to be with Jiang He.
However, she was not discouraged, because she firmly believed that in this vast sea of people, there must be another outstanding and handsome young man waiting for her beloved daughter.
Fortunately, the current emperor does not seem to care much about the intermarriages among his ministers.
As long as all the ministers work together wholeheartedly for the happiness and well-being of the people of Daqing and contribute to the prosperity of Daqing, then His Majesty will naturally be pleased to see his ministers living in harmony and like one family.
In this way, not only will the imperial court present a peaceful and tranquil scene, but the entire country will also become stronger and more prosperous through the joint efforts of everyone, and enjoy long-term stability.
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