"Go back, I am tired."
"I don't want to? Mother, I don't want to marry. You tell my brother, I don't want to marry, I just want to accompany Mother."
Ru Yin stomped her feet on the great hall, ignoring the Empress Dowager's words. The atmosphere in the hall was stiff, the Empress Dowager's face grew increasingly displeased, her expression dark, her lips pressed tightly, gazing ferociously at her daughter.
Ru Yin was raised by her. As a mother, how could she not understand her daughter? It seemed she was hiding something from her.
"Ru Yin, you aren't hiding anything from Mother, are you?" the Empress Dowager asked tentatively. The last time Ru Yin had come up with two ideas, she had suspected they weren't her own thoughts but ideas from someone else. Now she didn't want to marry, could she be hiding some unspeakable secret?
The Empress Dowager's eyes were sinister and terrifying. Ru Yin, belatedly realizing her mistake, was somewhat afraid. If she angered her mother, she wouldn't fare well either. She hadn't forgotten the beating she received last time.
"What are you saying, Mother?"
Princess Ru Yin's shifting gaze made the Empress Dowager even more certain that something was hidden behind her. A cold smile played on her lips. Very well, she wanted to see what she had done that was kept from her. She would send someone to Nine Splendor Palace secretly later to investigate any anomalies in the palace.
"Enough, you may go. I am tired," the Empress Dowager waved her hand, closing her eyes to gather her thoughts. Mu Rong Ru Yin, seeing the fierce glint in her mother's eyes and the killing aura surrounding her, dared not say more. She could only stomp her feet in anger, leading her maidservant Jin Qin to leave Guang Yang Palace.
As soon as Ru Yin left, the Prime Minister was secretly escorted into the sleeping quarters by Eunuch Li.
The Empress Dowager entered the sleeping quarters. Apart from Eunuch Li, all other extraneous personnel were forbidden from entering the sleeping quarters to disturb her rest and were to wait outside the palace doors.
Inside the sleeping quarters.
The Right Prime Minister paid his respects to the Empress Dowager and sat down according to etiquette, awaiting her address.
The Empress Dowager's expression was grim, her tone frigid. "The Emperor is holding a Flower Appreciation Banquet in three days. Do you know about this matter?"
"Your subject has received the invitation. In three days, I will enter the palace to attend the Flower Appreciation Banquet. This banquet will not have any high-ranking court officials, only the sons and daughters of the various high officials. I heard the Emperor's purpose in holding the banquet is to bestow marriages upon the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Bei Jin, as well as the two princesses."
"Yes, is he genuinely arranging a marriage for Liu Mo? I fear he has ulterior motives," the Empress Dowager said fiercely. Chu Fengyu paused for a moment and slowly asked, "Then why has the Empress Dowager summoned your subject to the palace?"
"I have screened the daughters of the court officials and selected a suitable candidate for Liu Mo. The daughter of the Second Rank Minister of War, Li Changchun, Miss Li Xiaowan. Li Xiaowan is proficient in all arts, including zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is virtuous and gentle, perfectly suited for Liu Mo. Furthermore, Li Changchun is the Minister of War, a crucial position, which will be of assistance to Liu Mo in the future."
"The daughter of the Minister of War, Li Changchun. This is excellent. Although our Chu family controls half the military power, most of those soldiers are on the border. We don't have many soldiers truly under our command. If we can win over Li Changchun, that would be best."
The Right Prime Minister nodded. However, the marriage of the Prince of Bei Jin required the Emperor's decree.
He feared that the astute Emperor would not bestow Li Xiaowan upon the Prince of Bei Jin, but might instead bestow her upon the Prince of Nan'an. Chu Fengyu said with concern.
"But this requires the Emperor's decree. Our words are of no use."
"This is precisely why I summoned you. You will now send someone to the Li residence and tell Li Changchun that this is my intention. I favor Li Xiaowan and will bestow upon her the title of Princess Consort of Bei Jin. However, she must make some sacrifices. On the day of the Flower Appreciation Banquet, she will step forward and inform the Emperor that she admires the Prince of Bei Jin and will marry only him in this lifetime. Then, I will mediate. I don't believe that under everyone's watchful eyes, the Emperor can break up a loving couple."
"Your Majesty's plan is brilliant."
Chu Fengyu praised. He had always admired this elder sister, her intelligence, and her meticulousness. It was why she could endure what ordinary people could not, do what ordinary people dared not, and achieve what the Chu family had today.
"Your subject obeys."
"Alright, I am truly tired," the Empress Dowager waved her hand and turned to instruct Eunuch Li beside her, "See the Prime Minister out. Remember to be careful, absolutely do not let anyone notice."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Li responded carefully and escorted the Prime Minister out.
The sleeping quarters fell into silence. The Empress Dowager raised her eyes and silently gazed at the palace lanterns above.
Mo'er, Mother doesn't know if she can help you this time. May heaven be on your side.
Three days later.
The weather was clear and the sunlight was warm. The boundless sky was like a transparent brocade, rippling with shimmering light.
The Imperial Garden was bustling with noise and activity from early morning. Eunuchs and palace maids, under the command of Eunuch Ah Jiu, were busy with everything in an orderly fashion.
A bright red carpet was laid out on the plaza in the center of the Imperial Garden.
Rectangular huangli wooden low tables were placed around the plaza. The tables were carved with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns on both sides, with precious vases in the middle, filled with blooming famous flowers.
Each table represented a different variety. At this season, chrysanthemums were most abundant, but the numerous varieties of chrysanthemums prevented monotony, instead exuding an unparalleled elegance.
On the exquisite huangli wooden tables, besides fresh flowers, there were fine wines and delicacies, as well as rare fresh fruits.
A rich fragrance permeated the air. Beautifully clad palace maids shuttled through, like countless colorful butterflies dancing, captivating the eye.
For this Flower Appreciation Banquet, the daughters and sons of all high-ranking court officials were invited. Upon the imperial decree, the entire city of Lin'an was abuzz.
Everyone knew the Emperor's intentions. The marriages of the two princes and two princesses were all unresolved. Since the sons and daughters of officials were invited, it was certainly related to the marriages of the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Bei Jin, as well as the marriages of the two princesses.
On this day, the teahouses and wine shops in Lin'an City were packed with guests, all waiting to see who would become the Princess Consort of Nan'an and the Princess Consort of Bei Jin! And who would be the husbands of the princesses! Although these were matters concerning important figures, the common folk were happy to watch the excitement.
Starting from Chen Shi (7-9 AM), chariots and horses flowed ceaselessly on the streets, and crowds surged.
One luxurious carriage after another drove towards the palace. Seated within these luxurious sedan chairs were the daughters and sons of various officials.
If it was a young master, he would lift the sedan curtain and sweep his gaze over the crowds on the street with an air of self-importance and contentment, waving and nodding frequently.
If it was a young lady, the sedan curtain would not move at all, remaining tightly shut, allowing no glimpse.
The Imperial Garden was extraordinarily lively.
Groups of three or five gathered together, chatting.
The men were led by Chu Qianyi, the son of the Left Prime Minister.
Today, Chu Qianyi was dressed in a jade-colored brocade robe, his black hair tied up with a white jade hairpin. He was ethereal and handsome, a smile on his lips, adding a touch of enchanting charisma.
This caused the young ladies' faces to blush and their hearts to flutter. They dared not look at him directly, only stealing glances.