"Mother, this jade is of such good quality and worth a lot of money. We shouldn't miss out." Su Ruojin repeated her words of persuasion to Su Muyao to Madam Su.
Madam Su was both amused and exasperated, wondering how her daughter could be so heartless.
Su Ruojin noticed Madam Su's worry and comforted her, "Mother, don't worry, this is not a token of the Prince of Qin. The Prince of Qin will not choose me as his princess."
Seeing the affirmation in her daughter's eyes, Mrs. Su felt a little relieved.
The Su family would not allow Su Ruojin to go on a political marriage, nor were they afraid of clashing with the loyalist king, but it would be better to avoid trouble altogether.
At this moment, Wei Yingshuang stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, in my opinion, the one who performed the best talent among all the young ladies today is none other than Princess Chang Le."
To make today's performance more interesting, Xiao Chenyi said before the show that he would give a prize to the best performer.
According to custom, the one who should receive this prize is the Princess Consort of Qin.
Now that Su Ruojin's performance of "Anqu" has amazed everyone, it is only right that she should win the prize. Wouldn't that be a perfect way to promote Su Ruojin to the position of Princess Qin?
Wei Yinshuang had a plan in mind.
Empress Dowager Wei looked at Wei Yingshuang. How could she not know what her niece was thinking? She cursed her inwardly as a fool.
However, Su Ruojin's piano skills were indeed impeccable, and since the other young ladies from prominent families regarded this prize as a terrible threat, they naturally had no objections, and everyone chimed in with their opinions.
Xiao Chenyi had no choice but to give the red coral headdress he had prepared in advance to Su Ruojin.
Su Ruojin had no reservations. She bowed and thanked the emperor, accepting his reward.
Wei Yinshuang secretly observed Xiao Yanchu's reaction and found that he was completely unmoved and continued drinking his wine.
Su Ruojin is about to become the Princess Consort of Qin, but the Regent Prince isn't in a hurry at all. It seems he doesn't care that much about Su Ruojin.
Thinking of this, Wei Yingshuang was even happier.
The Spring Banquet has ended. Considering the customs of the Northern Li, the Emperor specially arranged a bonfire banquet for the evening by Taiping Lake, which is not far from the palace.
The ministers first took their families to Taiping Lake to wait for the bonfire banquet later that evening.
Xiao Chenyi arrived at Cixi Palace, looking somewhat anxious.
"Mother, what is the meaning of this 'supporting the king'?"
Others gave her jade pendants, but Su Ruojin received a jade ruyi (a type of scepter).
If the Prince of Qin were to propose to marry Su Ruojin, he would not know how to refuse, because the letter from the Northern Li Kingdom had already stated that the Prince of Qin could choose his own queen, and he had agreed to that.
Su Ruojin was neither married nor engaged, and her status was suitable, so there was no reason for her to refuse.
Empress Dowager Wei thought for a moment and said, "Don't rush. Although Qin Wang gave Su Ruojin a jade ruyi, it didn't mean he was going to marry her as his princess. With the Su family around, Su Ruojin isn't someone he can just marry whenever he wants. Besides, didn't someone else get a jade pendant today?"
Xiao Chenyi's eyes lit up. "Mother, you mean..."
Empress Dowager Wei nodded slightly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will take care of everything."
Xiao Chen also breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your trouble, Mother."
Today, Su Ruojin's performance of "Anqu" not only shocked everyone present, but also deeply moved Xiao Chenyi.
Previously, Xiao Chen also wanted to marry Su Ruojin as his empress, partly because she was good-looking, but more importantly because he valued the Su General's Mansion behind her.
The confidence, elegance, and composure with which Su Ruojin played the piano today made Xiao Chenyi feel as if a gentle light had fallen upon her. Every smile and gesture of hers was deeply imprinted in his heart.
Even though Xiao Chenyi had several concubines in his harem, he had never felt such a different state of mind from a single woman.
At that moment, all he wanted to do was hide Su Ruojin away and not let others see her good qualities.
She can only belong to him!
How could we let anyone take it away!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com