Shen Ajiao had no interest in socializing at the banquet. Besides, as a modern person, she couldn't understand those things like in-laws, kinship, and social status. If she accidentally said something, she might offend someone without realizing it, which would be a loss.
She remained obedient and tried to cultivate an image of being honest, well-behaved, and simple-minded.
Lin Daiyu went out for a walk, but found it boring, so she came back and sat down to chat and laugh with Shen Ajiao.
Many ladies looked over at Shen Ajiao, all waiting for her to smile at them so they could have a chance to come up and say a few words, thus becoming acquainted.
After all, she is at the center of the recent media storm.
However, Shen Ajiao didn't pay attention to him. When she raised her face, her eyes were unfocused and couldn't connect with his gaze, which made it impossible for many people to approach her.
On the contrary, Madam Zhen wanted to take this opportunity to get to know more ladies and reconnect with those she knew before, so as to build some relationships. But no one paid any attention to her.
She greeted them with a smile, but found that the ladies and wives were all looking at Shen Ajiao. She was furious and couldn't help but feel a little sarcastic when she saw Shen Ajiao wasting such a good opportunity.
"If I didn't know better, I would think Mrs. Lin had never eaten anything good before."
Shen Ajiao? Wait, what are you barking about here?
Can't she eat a few more bites if she thinks it's delicious? Did she eat your rice?
"Hehe, that's right. I think the palace pastries are quite good. Has Mrs. Wang ever eaten anything better? Could it be that your family's pastries are better than those made by the imperial chefs?" Shen Ajiao said sincerely. "No wonder Mrs. Wang doesn't like these pastries."
Shen Ajiao, humph, when it comes to Yin and Yang, who is better than whom?
Madam Zhen instantly felt the air around her grow several degrees colder. Looking around, she realized she had misspoke and quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "Not at all, the palace pastries are naturally the best in the world. How can homemade ones compare?"
She then picked up a snack and took a few bites to prove her point.
Shen Ajiao smiled sweetly, "I think so too, Mrs. Wang, please enjoy your meal."
Madam Zhen was even more annoyed. Why did she have to say all this? Who knows, someone might impeach her Wang family tomorrow for insubordination. She ate a few more bites of pastry in her anger.
But in Wang Yingying's eyes, these things became Shen Ajiao bullying her mother.
Everyone was out for a banquet, but these girls, with their narrow perspectives, only focused on the food in front of them. Their mother kindly reminded them, but they didn't appreciate it.
"What a country bumpkin."
Gillian Chung's face on the subway, looking like an old man with a question mark on his face? Are these two crazy?! What's the dog barking about?
Lin Daiyu asked, "May I ask which celestial being this lady is descended from heaven?"
"Having grown accustomed to celestial nectar and fine wines, and seen countless grand occasions, it's no wonder you call us country bumpkins. Even the delicacies of the mortal palace can't catch your eye, sister?"
“Yes, yes, state your name so we can also admire the fairy’s glory.” Shen Ajiao sincerely asked the mother and daughter, “His Majesty is about to arrive, why don’t you tell him? Perhaps His Majesty would like to know.”
"What do I want to know?"
When Madam Zhen turned around, she saw that it was the Emperor himself, standing behind them with his hands behind his back. She quickly pulled her daughter down to kneel and kowtow, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty."
Everyone came to their senses and stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
Shen Ajiao hurriedly glanced at the Emperor as he joined the others in paying their respects. She had expected to see a very serious Emperor, but instead found him smiling, exuding a gentle and warm aura.
However, the words he spoke carried an unprecedented sense of oppression, and his tone was imposing.
I heard that His Majesty was already thirty-five when he ascended the throne, making him the longest-serving crown prince in the dynasty. His ability to ascend the throne smoothly from crown prince is not as simple as he appears on the surface.
He has been on the throne for only five years, yet his political achievements are remarkable and his prestige is growing daily.
Shen Ajiao dared not be careless, only blaming herself for her slip of the tongue.
"Rise! This is a palace banquet; there's no need for such caution. Speak your minds." The Emperor moved swiftly, settling onto his dragon throne and glancing at Chen Ajiao with a hint of scrutiny.
"Shen, who were you just calling a celestial being descended to earth?"
Shen Ajiao glanced at the Emperor, her eyes crinkling with a faint smile, not appearing angry. She quickly explained, "It was just a joke with Madam Wang, praising Miss Wang as being as beautiful as a fairy descended from heaven."
Designer Zhen quickly agreed from the side, but then said that he didn't deserve it and that Mrs. Lin was exaggerating.
The Emperor, however, became interested. "Which one of you is a member of the royal family?"
Wang Yingying, who was behind Zhen Shi, heard the Emperor call her and quickly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be well. I am your humble servant."
The Emperor glanced at her and nodded, "Prince Teng, your daughter is indeed quite good. You should arrange for her to marry someone else."
When Prince Teng heard the Emperor inquire about his daughter's marriage, he was greatly alarmed, and a thin layer of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Your Majesty, the marriage has already been arranged."
The Emperor laughed and said, "That's a real pity. I was originally planning to arrange a marriage for your daughter. Since it's already arranged, then let's call it off."
When Zhen saw the look in Wang Ziteng's eyes, she didn't dare to move or say anything more, and just lowered her head and remained silent.
However, Wang Yingying was young and spoiled at home. When she heard that His Majesty intended to arrange a marriage for her, she thought that if His Majesty arranged a marriage for her, the person must be an outstanding individual.
She was wondering which family's fine young man it was when she heard her father say that she was engaged. Her face turned pale, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She…
She's engaged! Father, isn't this deceiving the emperor?
Perhaps they made a private arrangement without informing her?
I was immediately panicked; in this situation, where could I find a good family?
Tears flowed uncontrollably.
Madam Zhen frowned and pinched Wang Yingying hard, which finally stopped Wang Yingying's tears.
Both mother and daughter were sullen.
Then the Emperor continued, "Lin Ruhai, where is your daughter?"
Lin Ruhai glanced at Lin Daiyu and calmly said, "Your Majesty, the young lady is too young. I wish to keep her for a few more years, after all, she is my only daughter."
"Haha, it's clear you dote on her. How about I arrange a son-in-law for her too?"
Lin Ruhai knelt down with a thud, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
"Why not? I haven't even said whose fine young man he is yet."
Lin Ruhai swallowed hard. "Your Majesty! My daughter is young. Please don't delay her."
"Look at what you're saying, would I mean a large age gap?"
Lin Ruhai nodded. Weren't he and his wife...?
Isn't this something you've tacitly agreed to?
The Emperor noticed the look in Lin Ruhai's eyes and felt somewhat embarrassed. "Look at you," he said, "you've even made a mistake in arranging a marriage."
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