The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
"Why did His Majesty agree so readily today?" Jiang He asked while changing his court robes. "Moreover, given His Majesty's usual temperament, it's quite possible he wouldn't choose a wife from among the noble ladies. But today..."
Strange! It's really too strange!
“I find it strange too,” Bai Qian muttered. “I always feel like the Emperor is up to something, just like when A-Chen is causing trouble.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang He slapped his forehead. "Axi, you're right, the Emperor is just playing with us!"
"ah?"
Bai Qian dropped the handkerchief in her hand to the ground. She glanced silently at Jiang He, who had suddenly become unusually excited, and quietly moved away from him, lest he accidentally bump into her in his excitement.
“No wonder the Emperor acted out of character today. He wanted to use these ministers to disperse the crowds in the capital.” Jiang He rolled his eyes. “Those people didn’t dare to say that the Emperor was unwilling to choose wives from among the common people, so they could only rack their brains to come up with an excuse to disperse the crowds.”
"Didn't His Majesty say there would be a flower-viewing banquet?"
“It’s just a flower-viewing banquet, not a matchmaking event,” Jiang He said slowly. “The Emperor can easily turn his back on us at that time.”
This kid, who did he learn all this wickedness from? It must have been from Gu Lin, it has nothing to do with the Jiang family.
Not only Jiang He, but Zhuo Yi and Wei Ruo also clearly saw through Gu Qingyan's true intentions and chose to stay at home without leaving their rooms.
Zhuo Yi even gave his eligible granddaughter a long lecture, which scared the little girl so much that she dared not go out casually.
Zhuo Mansion.
"My lord, you are the most important person in the imperial family, and our Minmin is the most competitive candidate for the position of empress. Why do you not allow Minmin to leave the manor?"
"I see that His Majesty has no desire to marry." Zhuo Yi stroked his beard. "In that case, let's not let Minmin join in the fun. I know His Majesty's temperament; he is someone who absolutely cannot be forced."
"The master is right."
......
Gu Qingyan was somewhat surprised by the efficiency of the court officials this time. In less than five days, the crowd in the capital had been completely evacuated, and the capital returned to its former appearance.
Zhaoning Palace.
"What methods did they use?" Jiang Yu asked curiously. Gu Lin, who was standing next to her, curled the corners of his mouth upon hearing this. "They spread the word that Ayan attaches great importance to this special imperial examination next year, especially the women's examination."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started rushing to the school, and the rouge shops saw a significant decrease in business.
"Spreading such rumors?" Jiang Yu laughed out loud. "They're really cunning, making everyone think that Ayan intends to choose a wife from among the female scholars."
“These old foxes, not one of them is easy to deal with.” Gu Lin’s eyes darkened. “They usually fight in the court, but now it’s rare that they can reach a consensus.”
One possibility is that there might not be any female scholars next year, or perhaps the female scholars next year are too far too old for Gu Qingyan. Even if there are female scholars of the right age, whether they are suitable to be empress is another matter... So everyone has been tricked by these "old scoundrels".
With the affairs of the capital resolved, everyone's attention turned to the flower-viewing banquet.
For several days in a row, court officials would follow Gu Qingyan around asking about the time of the flower viewing banquet during the morning court sessions, making the veins on Gu Qingyan's forehead bulge.
"Let's set it for the ninth day of the ninth lunar month."
In short, the atmosphere in the capital city has changed. Everyone is secretly working hard to push their daughters to the position of empress, while the person at the very center of the vortex is leisurely fishing in the imperial garden.
Yes, it's fishing.
"Fish...fish..." Gu Qingchen looked at the fish in the lake and danced with joy, scaring away the fish that were about to take the bait.
Gu Qingyan glanced helplessly at his silly younger brother beside him, "Shh, the fish will be scared away."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingchen blinked his big eyes, then stepped forward and kissed Gu Qingyan's face, continuing to call out excitedly.
Gu Qingyan sighed silently in his heart, reached out and wiped his face, which was covered in drool. "Little darling, how can you possibly catch any fish like this?"
As expected, the two brothers returned empty-handed once again.
"Brother, Xiangxiang." Gu Qingchen rolled around in Gu Qingyan's arms like an eel. Gu Qingyan's eyes changed, and he reached out and pulled a handkerchief from Gu Qingchen's chest. "Where did this come from?"
Gu Qingchen's wet nurse immediately knelt down behind him. "Your Majesty, this is Princess Fu'an's handkerchief. She specially asked Prince Chen to carry it with him, saying that it would save Your Majesty a lot of trouble."
Upon hearing that it was Jiang Yao, Gu Qingyan's expression softened.
He thought some fool had set his sights on Ah Chen.
"You still smell so good, you little rascal." Gu Qingyan pinched Gu Qingchen's nose. "Yaoyao is busy studying now, so don't bother her."
Gu Qingchen seemed to understand Gu Qingyan's words, pouting slightly and even letting out a soft hum, which made Gu Qingyan both amused and exasperated.
The ninth day of the ninth lunar month.
Many people were extremely nervous today and went to the Imperial Garden early in the morning.
Each noble lady was dressed more beautifully than a flower, eagerly awaiting Gu Qingyan's arrival.
"Your Majesty, the time has come." Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Yingzhi had already mustered the courage to urge him several times, but Gu Qingyan became even more leisurely. "Has Prime Minister Kui arrived?"
"Your Majesty, they are already waiting outside the palace."
Gu Qingyan then got up, and as soon as he left the Taihe Hall, he smiled at Wei Ruo, who immediately had an ominous premonition.
"You have accompanied me all the way, yet you have no one to confide in. I feel guilty about this. Today, I have specially organized a flower viewing banquet so that you may see if there is anyone you like."
"Your Majesty, I..."
Upon hearing this, Wei Ruo became so nervous that she could barely speak. "No, Your Majesty... these noble ladies have come here today because of you."
"What nonsense!" Gu Qingyan said without batting an eye. "Today is just a flower-viewing banquet. Come, sir, come with me to take a look."
"I suddenly remembered something amiss at home..."
"By the way, Yingzhi, I remember that Guo Siyuan is also coming to the palace today?" Gu Qingyan casually mentioned, "It seems she's accompanying the Empress Dowager to admire the flowers."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Wei Ruo abruptly stopped in her tracks. Looking at Gu Qingyan's innocent expression, Wei Ruo helplessly lowered her hands and resignedly followed behind Gu Qingyan.
No, although he knew the emperor was harboring some wicked scheme.
But I never expected that he would be the one who got tricked!
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