Chapter 309 Fear
The banquet at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion was much more lively than before.
Although it was still the same chicken, duck, fish, and meat as before, no one dared to say anything.
What was Madam Shen's status?
She can eat it all and says it's delicious, so who would dare say it's not?
Almost every family brought their matriarch and their daughters of marriageable age.
They brought children ranging from sixteen to twelve years old.
It's okay to be young. You can't get anything done in a short time anyway. Just get to know people and reserve a spot.
It's better if she's older. Let her get married first, then she can manage the palace affairs once she enters the harem, which will also help with her health...
Shangguan Jin, on the other hand, always had a smile on her face when she met anyone.
"How old are you? This purse is nice, did you embroider it yourself? Your craftsmanship is excellent!"
"Hey! It's been so long since I've seen you, and you haven't come here at all. You look even more beautiful now!"
"This must be your young lady! It's only been a few years since I last saw her, and she's grown into such a beautiful young woman! You're so lucky!"
......
No matter who it was, Shangguan Jin always praised them.
Of course, these daughters of officials also had their own strengths, whether it was playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, or needlework and embroidery, they were always particularly good at one or two things.
There were many more girls like Xu Roujia who were specially trained to marry into the palace.
Shangguan Jin wasn't going to let these young ladies come all this way for nothing.
After each young lady met Shangguan Jin, Shangguan Jin would always present her with two gemstones as a greeting gift.
The boxes were all made of ebony, and each box contained two gems, one red and one blue.
Not only are the boxes the same, but the gems inside are also almost all the same size, perfectly aligned.
This is winter wheat that Aunt Xin painstakingly picked out last night.
When they woke up in the morning, both of them were almost cross-eyed.
However, some families sent their wives alone, without bringing anyone with them.
For example, the residence of the Shangguan family, the residence of the Minister of Rites, and the residence of the Duke of Changsheng...
The Shangguan family has no young ladies to take care of.
Even if they were involved, Shangguan Jin did not intend to let the Shangguan family get involved.
Cousins are still relatives, and Shangguan Jin must strictly adhere to the principle of not marrying close relatives.
Shangguan Jin was somewhat surprised that the Minister of Rites did not bring Qian Qingqing with him.
But considering that Qian Qingqing is already eighteen...
Never mind, they must have their own reasons.
Lady Huangfu didn't bring Huangfu Ruoxi with her, which gave Shangguan Jin a good scolding.
"My grandmother's daughter, Yu, started whispering a few days ago that she had prepared horses, bows and arrows, and other things at the training ground in the back."
We're just waiting for your Ruoxi to arrive.
You've done something quite good, locking your maid in the mansion.
"What? Is our manor a den of wolves and tigers? You can't come!"
Lady Huangfu smiled and gently patted Shangguan Jin's hand.
"Any other time is fine, but look at them today, their eyes are gleaming."
In a couple of days, I'll have Ruoxi come and play with Yu-jie."
Shangguan Jin smiled.
That works too. Right now, the Changsheng Duke's Mansion, like the Dingguo Duke's Mansion, is a prime target for others.
Everyone knows that the Duke of Changsheng made the greatest contribution to the Seventh Prince's ascension to the throne...
"Oh! Is His Majesty's future empress really among these people?" Lady Huangfu asked in a low voice.
Shangguan Jin waved her hand.
"I don't know either. I was just playing along with His Majesty."
As for who will ultimately ascend to the throne as empress, that is entirely up to His Majesty himself.
Lady Huangfu was taken aback. Could it be like this?
Is this just a performance? For whom?
Before Madam Huangfu could react, Shangguan Jin gently tugged at her sleeve.
"The spectators are here! You'd better cooperate with me a little later."
Lady Huangfu...
How... how can we cooperate? She doesn't even know what the play is about...
Lady Huangfu didn't care anymore and quickly put on a big smile as she looked at the person who was walking over.
Madam Xu, the wife of Prime Minister Xu...
"Mrs. Xu, please come and sit down! Let the girls play by themselves."
"With my little sister looking after things, nothing will happen." Shangguan Jin waved to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu smiled at Shangguan Jin and Madam Huangfu, then whispered a few words to Xu Roujia.
Xu Roujia hurriedly and respectfully curtsied to Shangguan Jin before walking towards the group of young ladies led by Shen Qingyue.
As soon as Madam Xu sat down, Shangguan Jin had a maid serve tea.
Madam Xu picked up the teacup, took a sniff, and a delicate fragrance wafted into her nostrils.
"It smells so good! To be able to drink such fragrant tea at this time of day, must it be a gift from His Majesty to the Duke's mansion?" Madam Xu asked with a smile.
Shangguan Jin smiled and nodded.
"His Majesty saw that I enjoyed drinking this tea, so he bestowed it upon our household."
Actually, it's just about drinking something new.
If you drink it every day, it's not all that special.
Lady Huangfu also chimed in.
"That's right! My grandfather also brought back a lot of new things from the north."
At first, I liked it when I saw it.
But after a while, I realized it wasn't all that great!
Lady Huangfu didn't care anymore. Since she was to cooperate, she figured she could get away with saying it this way...
Madam Xu's eyes flickered slightly.
Both of them are shrewd people; their sudden remark must have been meant to be pointed...
Madam Xu took a small sip of the fragrant tea before putting down the teacup.
"Madam Shen hasn't had a proper rest since she came back."
First, they went to Bao'en Temple to pray for blessings, and then they organized such a big banquet. They really don't have a moment to rest!
However, His Majesty is also kind, treating Lady Shen like an elder.
My husband said that His Majesty's temper is such that only you, Madam Shen, can persuade him.
Because of the matter of choosing an empress, His Majesty didn't give face to anyone at the court meeting!
However, after Lady Shen returned and gave him this advice in private, His Majesty was able to take it to heart.
"Madam Shen, your relationship with His Majesty is quite special!" Madam Xu said with a smile.
Lady Huangfu didn't speak, but just looked at Shangguan Jin with a smile.
Before she could figure out Shangguan Jin's acting style, she shouldn't speak up.
Shangguan Jin smiled first, then sighed.
"What feelings or anything!"
It's just that I took care of her for two years, so I can talk to her a bit more now.
Establishing an empress is a major event; only a virtuous empress can better assist His Majesty.
I also asked His Majesty privately why he didn't want to appoint an empress, and he only said that he was still young and a little afraid!
"Afraid? Afraid of what?" Madam Xu and Madam Huangfu were both stunned.
Having become the emperor, why would he be afraid? How could that be!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
