Chapter 195 Selecting People
Xiao Qing got up early to prepare, and together with Mingxiu, she tidied herself up. She then carefully checked her disguise in the mirror to make sure there were no problems before instructing Ma Hong to pick up Xiao Yan.
In previous years, she would attend the banquet alone, while Xiao Yan would arrive later with the court officials.
But this time, she decided to take Xiao Yan with her.
This can also be seen as an announcement to the public of her change in attitude towards Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan is a true prince.
Even if she dislikes him, she can't let him be looked down upon by outsiders.
Besides, she's about to have a harem.
As a prince who was still a minor and living in the palace, Xiao Yan had interactions with her harem.
Xiao Qing vaguely wanted to gauge Xiao Yan's inclinations.
Xiao Yan is wearing a dark blue suit today.
He looks similar to Xiao Qing, but their temperaments are completely different.
The deep blue color made him appear even more somber and melancholic, which displeased Xiao Qing.
However, she did not insist that Xiao Yan change his clothes, but instead took him directly to the Winter Solstice Banquet.
Although it is a banquet, in Daxiao, sacrificial activities are often arranged on the winter solstice.
First, to worship ancestors and remember the hardships they endured to achieve their great deeds.
Secondly, they worshipped the gods to pray for heavy snow in winter and a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
Thirdly, the emperor and his subjects celebrate together; this is the true banquet segment.
Guided by the master of ceremonies, Xiao Qing led the assembled officials, headed by Fu Mingyi and Wang Xiang, through the ceremony step by step, only relaxing at the final banquet.
She relaxed and sat down, then let Xiao Yan sit next to her, and let Ma Hong and Mingxiu pour her wine and set out the dishes. Her eyes couldn't help but wander around.
Below her, Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi sat at the head of the two rows to her left and right. Fu Mingyi was alone, while Wang Xiang sat next to a woman.
Xiao Qing recognized her at a glance; she was Wang Yu, the daughter of the Wang family.
Fu Mingyi meant that if a choice had to be made, it couldn't be just one.
Wang Yu was on Fu Mingyi's must-have list.
However, after seeing her today, Xiao Qing is even more certain that he will not like this kind of woman.
Wait, something seems off.
It's all Fu Mingyi's fault! What do you mean by "I wouldn't like a woman like that"? She clearly doesn't like women, and it's impossible for her to like women!
Xiao Qing inwardly cursed, just then he saw Wang Yu give a seemingly shy smile.
She felt a shiver run through her, and quickly realized that her gaze had lingered on her for far too long.
She smiled politely at her, then turned her head away.
Unbeknownst to her, after she turned her head, Wang Yu quickly tugged at Wang Xiang's sleeve and whispered excitedly and proudly, "Father, His Majesty was looking at me just now. Does he still remember that year...?"
Wang Xiang quickly interrupted her, saying, "Don't talk nonsense in public. Have you forgotten what you promised your father at home?"
Wang Yu pouted, "I didn't say anything. I'll do whatever Father says today, is that alright?"
Wang Xiang suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Xiao Qing looked around the hall. The imperial relatives and ministers were all in the hall, and they all had their female relatives with them.
Just as Fu Mingyi had expected, these women were almost all of marriageable age. Several of them looked familiar to her; they were the very people Fu Mingyi had specifically mentioned.
However, her mindset remained unchanged.
She doesn't plan to choose these people.
As for who to choose, she hasn't seen anyone suitable yet.
Wang Xiang laughed and said, "Your Majesty, the Winter Solstice banquet in the past was always just some ordinary songs and dances performed by the Music Bureau. Why don't we try something different today?"
Xiao Qing's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but he still echoed, "What does the Prime Minister think should be changed?"
Wang Xiang's face was all smiles, like a wrinkled cucumber that had been sitting out for days.
"Your Majesty, today all the ministers have brought their wives to the banquet. I have heard that most of them are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If Your Majesty is interested, you may wish to take a look."
Xiao Qing had never known that Wang Xiang had the potential to be a matchmaker.
If she says she's not interested at all, how will he smooth things over?
Fu Mingyi held the small wine glass between two fingers, took a small sip, his expression indifferent, and did not speak.
Xiao Qing took one last look at him, unable to describe her feelings.
"Hmm, I'll take a look then," Xiao Qing said casually.
Wang Yu immediately tried to stand up.
But Wang Xiang quickly pressed her hand down.
Wang Yu glared at him, "Why did Father stop me?"
“A woman should be reserved, how can you be like this…” Wang Xiang thought for a long time, but couldn’t think of a suitable word.
Wang Yu laughed and said, "Father, if everyone is so reserved, when will His Majesty be able to see what he wants to see?"
"That's sophistry!"
Xiao Qing noticed this scene out of the corner of her eye, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't curious.
This Wang Yu seems quite different from her father.
Wang Xiang was a smiling tiger; he usually wore a smile, but no one knew what he was up to.
Wang Xiang had been a powerful figure in the court for so many years; he couldn't possibly be without a bit of shrewdness and forbearance. But his daughter... was rather naive and spoiled.
During this brief lull, the daughter of a minister stepped forward.
She introduced herself and then began to perform a dance.
Xiao Qing had the illusion that all the people in front of her were taking the entrance exam for an arts school, and that she was the examiner.
To make matters worse, because she couldn't really appreciate the artwork of these art students, she found it difficult to offer genuine praise.
Because of this mindset, she felt that every time she praised someone, it seemed insincere.
Extremely insincere.
Wang Yu smiled at her father and said, "Father, you see, His Majesty doesn't like them."
Wang Xiang remained calm and composed, still refusing to allow her to appear.
Wang Yu was getting a little anxious.
"Father! Look at what they're playing and dancing! It's an eyesore! If you don't let me up there, His Majesty will fall asleep!"
Wang Xiang was in a real bind.
His daughter has no sense of composure whatsoever, and I certainly haven't learned a thing or two about waiting and forbearance.
With her straightforwardness, she'd likely suffer many losses if she ever entered the palace.
He felt a pang of pity.
Just then, Wang Yu couldn't bear it any longer and stepped forward on her own.
"Your Majesty, I also have a dance for your enjoyment, and I wish Your Majesty good health and a peaceful mood."
Wang Xiang stared wide-eyed, thinking to himself, "What kind of talk is this? Not only did she jump out herself, but what she said was nothing like what I, Wang Xiang's daughter, would say."
Xiao Qing nodded and gave a habitual slight smile. Actually, he had already watched a lot of soft and languid song and dance performances and was starting to get a little bored.
She used the motion of picking up the wine glass to cover her mouth with her wide sleeve, and then yawned lightly as she drank.
Xiao Yan was close by, so he quickly noticed her actual actions.
He looked over incredulously, only to receive a smile from Xiao Qing that showed no remorse.
Xiao Yan then turned his head away, his face expressionless, seemingly lost in thought.
Xiao Qing tilted her head and asked softly, "Which one does Imperial Brother Yan like?"
Xiao Yan frowned, "Your Majesty, I am not yet of marriageable age."
It's really not fun.
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