The two brothers bickered back and forth.
Suddenly, a voice announced, "The Regent Princess is here!"
Following the announcement, a woman clad in the princess's court attire walked in from outside the Hundred Flower Palace.
She wore a purple brocade robe, a silver embroidered phoenix and peony pattern cape, and a nine-phoenix coronet. Bathed in the soft light, she radiated brilliance and unparalleled beauty.
"Greetings to the Regent Princess, long live the Princess!"
Someone, unsure who, initiated the prostration, and after a chorus of "long live," the main hall was instantly filled with a sea of kneeling figures.
Everyone except the brothers Feng Qingheng and Feng Jingheng knelt down.
Even the esteemed Wen Ruguo, the young princess of Nan Kingdom, was no exception.
Lu Qingwan, undaunted, stood tall and walked with grace to the main seat. She swept her gaze across the hall and raised her hand slightly, commanding, "Rise, everyone!"
"Thank you, Princess!"
The crowd offered their thanks and rose, their gazes fixed on Lu Qingwan with a mixture of complex emotions.
Most of the noble ladies were still bewildered, questioning how they had willingly knelt to Lu Qingwan just moments before.
Although Lu Qingwan held a noble status and deserved their obeisance, many harbored a sense of reluctance. After all, who could easily accept kneeling to a woman they once believed they had easily fooled, only for her to now stand above them?
Yet, observing Lu Qingwan, poised and dignified, they found it hard to reconcile her with the ugly and foolish simpleton from their memories. Only a few months had passed, yet the woman before them was a world apart.
Feng Qingheng, like all the young nobles, was stunned by Lu Qingwan's transformation.
The Lu Qingwan who had once followed him was indeed ugly and foolish. Even in her finest attire, she was timid and hesitant, shrinking from the crowd, lowering her head to avoid any passing glance.
But today's Lu Qingwan seemed like an entirely different person. Surrounded by so many watching eyes, she showed no nervousness or avoidance. It was as if she were entirely oblivious to their scrutiny. Feng Qingheng even detected a regal composure in her that had surpassed that of the former Empress.
Lost in contemplation, Feng Qingheng stared at Lu Qingwan, unaware of the envious glances from the noble ladies and the intrigued gaze of Prince Jing, Feng Jingheng, who shifted his attention between the two.
Unperturbed by the undercurrents below, Lu Qingwan remained composed. "By His Majesty's decree, I am here to select consorts for the two princes. Since all you noble ladies have graced the Chu Xiu Palace with your presence, you must surely harbor intentions towards one of them. Present your best selves, and let the princes decide who is a worthy match. As for who will be the fallen petals, that remains to be seen. Naturally, you need not worry that I, lacking familiarity with your backgrounds, might make an inaccurate judgment. To prevent my inexperience from jeopardizing the princes' lifelong happiness, I have invited the Prime Minister's wife, Old Madam Chi, and the Princess of Nan to advise me. This will ensure the selection process is fair, just, and transparent, with absolutely no possibility of manipulation."
With that, she tilted her chin and announced loudly, "Summon the three esteemed ladies to take their seats."
As her words faded, three elderly ladies, dressed in their finest, entered and prostrated themselves before Lu Qingwan, "We, your subjects' wives, pay our respects to the Regent Princess, may you be well!"
The three old ladies, from their attire to their headdresses and accessories, exemplified a textbook level of perfect etiquette. Standing as an observer, Lu Qingwan found not a single flaw.
With a sigh of admiration, she gracefully raised her hand to offer a semblance of support, "Please rise, the three esteemed ladies!"
After the three ladies rose, Lu Qingwan couldn't help but exclaim, "Initially, I invited the three of you simply because I am not very familiar with the young ladies of these households and am unsure of the criteria for a princess. I had hoped you would offer your guidance. Now, seeing you here, I realize I have indeed made the right decision in inviting you!"
Lu Qingwan turned her gaze downwards, addressing the assembly. "Everyone, behold! Here is your textbook example. From their clothing, demeanor, and adornments, if any of you can achieve even a tenth or two of what these three have displayed, I guarantee you full marks for your feminine grace."
Regardless of their personal feelings towards Lu Qingwan, the young ladies wholeheartedly agreed with her words. The husbands of the Prime Minister's wife, Old Madam Chi, and the Princess of Nan were all high-ranking officials. Moreover, they were known for their exemplary character, abstaining from taking concubines, enjoying prosperous families, and maintaining good health, thus representing the peak of what noble families aspired to.
Ideally, such an atmosphere would be perfect for commencing the consort selection. However, fate seemed to have other plans, with someone intent on stirring up trouble.
Seeing the general agreement towards Lu Qingwan's words, a sudden, jarring voice cut through the air. "What's the point of just envying? In the end, you're married to a sickly man, and you might be a widow in a few days..."
The hall was filled with people murmuring, and Lu Qingwan initially ignored the chatter. However, this particular comment, cutting through all the ambient noise, reached her ears directly. She cast her gaze forward.
"The young lady in red, would you please repeat what you just said?"
Lu Qingwan was the center of attention in the Chu Xiu Palace. Her words drew all eyes towards the young lady in red. Scanning the crowd, she spotted an unfamiliar noblewoman.
Dressed in a vibrant red gown embroidered with large golden peonies, she wore an ostentatious golden peony hairpin that dangled precariously. On the other side, a phoenix-shaped jeweled hairpin adorned her head. From head to toe, she exuded an air of "blasphemy!"
Startled by Lu Qingwan's direct address, the young lady began to stammer defensively, "W-what did I say?"
"The young lady to her left, you speak."
Lu Qingwan's directions were so precise that the girl had no room to escape. She attempted to claim ignorance, but Lu Qingwan interrupted, "She is destined to have no part in the position of Princess, but your future is still uncertain. Think carefully about whom you are slandering before you speak. Today, no one can protect her!"
Lu Qingwan's words, at first glance, seemed like a veiled threat, leveraging her authority as the one presiding over the selection. Immediately, someone stepped forward, intending to uphold justice.
"Regent Princess, though you are tasked by His Majesty with overseeing this selection, surely you cannot act so arbitrarily? The selection hasn't even begun, and you resort to threats. You speak of fairness, justice, and transparency, yet are you suggesting the consorts of the two princes will be decided solely by your personal preference? How can this be considered fair when you act so capriciously?"
Lu Qingwan's gaze fell upon the speaker. "Sir, may I inquire who you are?"
The man, unfazed by Lu Qingwan's status, replied with dignity, "Replying to the Princess, I am Gu Chao Ci, from the Dali Temple Minister's household."
"Chao Ci, amidst the colorful clouds of the White Emperor, traveling a thousand miles to Jiangling in a single day. Young Master Gu, you have a most fitting name," Lu Qingwan praised his name openly before continuing leisurely, "Young Master Gu accuses me of issuing threats. Are you referring to Miss Pan Mei Xian, the daughter of the Liaodong Governor, adorned in red and gold, or perhaps Miss Qu Fei Qing, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, standing beside her?"