"What do you think of Qin Xue Ge, the Pavilion Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion? She's as beautiful as a flower and gentle in temperament. If I could marry her, I would have no regrets in this life," Wen Ruyu said with a flush on his face.
"It seems you are destined to live with regrets," Nan Gongyu said without hesitation. "The forces behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion are not simple. The Shangguan family has recently entered the capital, and I've discovered that the Hundred Flowers Pavilion has a close relationship with them."
"The Shangguan family? Could it be that legendary Shangguan family whose halls are made of white jade, their horses of gold, and their pearls like dirt and silver like iron?" Wen Ruyu's interest was piqued. "I've heard that the head of the Shangguan family is very young yet quite capable, possessing both talent and beauty, and spending money like water, driving countless Jiangnan women mad. I am very interested in this person and wonder when I might have the chance to meet them."
"Tonight, you will!" Nan Gongyu said slowly. "He has somehow connected with the Crown Prince and has been invited to the palace banquet tonight."
"Oh? Then I must get a good look at whether this legendary Shangguan family head is truly as talented, beautiful, and extravagant as they say!"
"His appearance is beyond doubt. As for extravagance, it is said that the carriage he rides in is worth ten thousand gold."
Wen Ruyu's mouth gaped. Indeed, it was extravagant. The Jin and Cen families had always favored luxury, but compared to the Shangguan family, they were but a drop in the ocean.
Before entering the banquet hall, Wen Mohan was taken away by the personal maid of the Han Princess. Yin Zhu, on the other hand, helped Xiao Man to sit at the Xiao family's table.
The Old Madam glanced at Xiao Man but paid her no mind, continuing her conversation with others. Xiao Ling sat obediently behind the Old Madam.
Xiao Man's arrival attracted many gazes. Su Dan Novel Network.
Everyone knew that General Xiao Zhen had been furious on behalf of his daughter, publicly breaking ties with the Han Prince's mansion and listing them as persona non grata. Those who had previously looked down on Xiao Man began to re-evaluate her standing in the General's mansion.
At the banquet, civil and military officials were seated separately. Madam Wen Xiang's gaze fell upon Xiao Man, carrying a hint of unspoken meaning and a trace of displeasure. Fortunately, Xiao Man could not see, and even if she could, she would not have paid it any mind.
At this moment, the Han Princess and Wen Mohan walked in from outside. However, both of their expressions were not good. Wen Mohan's face was stern, while the Han Princess wore a look of annoyance. Upon reaching Xiao Man, she glanced at her, then paid her respects to Madam Wen Xiang before taking her seat.
"His Majesty has arrived. Her Majesty the Empress has arrived." As the eunuch announced, the Emperor and Empress, along with the princes and important ministers, slowly entered. Everyone rose to pay their respects.
"Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. Long live Her Majesty the Empress, a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years."
"Rise. Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Reunion Night. My ministers need not be so formal. Let the banquet begin."
"Let the banquet begin."
Maids entered in orderly fashion, presenting one delicacy after another. Music began, and dancers performed gracefully. Xiao Zhen, worried about Xiao Man, disregarded the rules and sat beside her, carefully picking out food for her.
Among the dishes was a steamed mandarin fish, thick-fleshed with few bones, tender and delicious. Xiao Zhen quickly picked out the most succulent piece of the belly, ensuring there were no bones, before placing it in Xiao Man's bowl.
"This mandarin fish is plump and has few bones. I've carefully checked it. Try it."
"Thank you, Father," Xiao Man said with a beaming smile, scooping it into her mouth with a spoon. "White egrets fly past the West Hill, peach blossoms float on the stream, the mandarin fish is plump. It is indeed delicious."
"Eat more if you like it," Xiao Zhen said, quickly moving the plate of steamed mandarin fish in front of him. He carefully picked out the bones and placed them into Xiao Man's bowl.
From a high seat, the Empress saw this, nudged the Emperor's sleeve, and gestured towards Xiao Man's direction. The Emperor followed the Empress's gaze and saw the majestic Protector General clumsily picking fish bones for his daughter.
"Minister Xiao, you truly dote on your daughter," the Emperor said playfully. "You've become a devoted father."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhen smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am but a rough man. My daughter's mother passed away early, and I was often away from home. Naturally, I dote on her more."
"How old is Xiao Man?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, she will be sixteen on the ninth of next month."
The Emperor nodded knowingly. "Unconsciously, this little girl is already sixteen, a young lady. Minister Xiao, do you have a suitable son-in-law in mind?"
The Emperor's gaze swept over the attendees. There were many unmarried talented young men, but Xiao Zhen had always doted on his daughter, and it was unlikely that ordinary men would catch her eye.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I have no other wishes but for my daughter's happiness. Therefore, the person she marries must be someone she herself likes."
"Oh?" The Emperor, hearing this, looked at Xiao Man. "Xiao Man, among the many talented young men present, is there anyone you like?"
As the Emperor spoke, many turned to look at Xiao Man, especially Wen Mohan, who also wished to know what kind of person Xiao Man liked.
"Your Majesty, I like all handsome people," Xiao Man answered immediately. "As the ancients say, beauty is a feast for the eyes. Looking at handsome people, I can eat an extra bowl of rice."
"You mischievous girl!" the old Emperor chided with a laugh. "There are so many handsome people in this world, do you like them all?"
"Your Majesty, who doesn't like handsome people?" Xiao Man smiled. "Look, His Highness the Crown Prince is dignified and charming, favored by countless beauties. His Highness Prince Qin is exceptionally beautiful, and the beauties who adore him are lined up to the city gates. His Highness Prince Qi is romantic and affectionate, with confidantes all over the world. Each of them is a peerless beauty! Those on the list of prominent men in the capital are also exceptionally handsome. Just looking at them makes one happy."
"Presumptuous!" the Old Madam immediately reprimanded. "You're speaking increasingly nonsense."
The Emperor waved his hand. "Old Madam Xiao, there is no need to be agitated. This child speaks her mind with sincerity and kindness. I am very fond of her. Moreover, there is nothing wrong with liking beautiful things. However, Xiao Man, you are but one person, and handsome men are like fish crossing a river. Whom should you choose as your husband to spend the rest of your life with?"
Xiao Man frowned in distress. "Must I choose?"
"Naturally, you must."
"Then I'll choose the most handsome one!"
"My dear girl, when choosing a husband, one cannot only look at appearance. One must also consider character, family background, and talent. If he is only good-looking, he is merely an imitation, good to look at but useless," the Empress advised earnestly.
Nan Gongyu glanced at Xiao Man. Without needing to guess, he knew this girl would say she would choose the one who was the best in all aspects.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress, for your teachings. Then I will choose the one who is the best in appearance, character, family background, and talent!"
This time, even the Empress was amused. "A young girl's whims."
"Minister Xiao, your daughter is quite enough to give you a headache."
"I don't wish for her to marry so early either. I was thinking of keeping her for another two years," Xiao Zhen said with a smile.
"Enough, enough. I had thought of acting as a matchmaker for your eldest daughter, but it seems that will not happen now. Among my sons, only the Crown Prince and Prince Han are married. The others are also quite troublesome."