Consort Wei felt deeply insulted, but at such an important occasion, the Empress Dowager's opinion carried significant weight. For the sake of her family's honor, she endured it.
Though she had long plotted revenge against Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo, she dared not show any resentment on her face.
The Empress Dowager then said, half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Your Wei family is very united, from masters to servants, all of one mind. The former Crown Princess constantly targeted the Princess of Ding'an, and now that she has been deposed, you blame the Princess of Ding'an entirely. If the new Crown Princess is also someone with deep ties to the Wei family, wouldn't the Princess of Ding'an be utterly destroyed?"
Consort Wei felt as if struck by lightning. What did the Empress Dowager mean by this?
A stiff, awkward smile stretched across her flushed face. "Your Majesty misunderstands. The Wei family... did not target the Princess of Ding'an..."
She herself didn't believe what she was saying, her voice growing lower and lower.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Ban Ruoxuan. "You are a good girl, but your temperament is not suited for royalty."
Ban Ruoxuan smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Your Majesty. My mother says the same thing."
The Empress Dowager paused, then broke into a smile.
Those who have spent a long time in the deep palace develop a certain shrewdness, and they are always particularly lenient with those who are simple and kind.
"If you ever meet someone you like in the future, and your family disapproves, come and tell me. I will stand up for you."
Ban Ruoxuan blinked her large eyes, her face full of shy joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The others also smiled faintly.
Only Consort Wei's face was ashen.
The Empress Dowager's words clearly indicated that Ban Ruoxuan was no longer a candidate for Crown Princess.
The Emperor was purely filial; even if she pleaded with him, it would be useless.
She regretted it, deeply regretted it!
Why had she been so impatient, seizing on a small matter to displease Wang Qingyao?
Now, Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo had no rift between them, but she had lost her temper over trifles, earning the Empress Dowager's displeasure and losing control over the selection of the Crown Princess!
Consort Wei sat down on a chair, utterly dejected. The Empress Dowager glanced at her and said, "Consort Wei, you must pull yourself together. After all, you are choosing a daughter-in-law for your son. As a mother-in-law, you should observe them closely."
Observe what else!
The Empress Dowager was clearly taunting her!
Consort Wei, seething with suppressed anger, looked at the other young ladies in the hall, finding them increasingly displeasing.
She quickly devised a plan. Since the Empress Dowager did not favor Ban Ruoxuan, she would choose someone else.
The Ban family had more than just Ban Ruoxuan!
The Empress Dowager was truly serious about selecting a suitable candidate for Crown Princess at this flower viewing banquet.
The small garden was filled with all sorts of chrysanthemums.
While admiring the flowers, the young ladies were also required to recite a few poems fitting the occasion.
Previously, everyone believed that since Consort Wei had already pre-selected Ban Ruoxuan, the hopes of others were slim.
Now that the Empress Dowager herself had spoken, rejecting both Ban Ruoxuan and Princess Nange, it meant that the choice for Crown Princess lay among them.
Instantly, everyone perked up, putting forth their best efforts.
Wang Qingyao quietly asked Feng Jiangduo, "Can you write poetry?"
Feng Jiangduo replied, "Yes."
This surprised Wang Qingyao. She had thought that a heroic figure like Feng Jiangduo would only enjoy wielding swords and sabers.
"Whether I like it or not, I still need to know how," Feng Jiangduo said.
"Wow," Wang Qingyao silently applauded her.
Wang Qingyao was different; she generally didn't know how to do things she disliked.
Besides poetry, the Empress Dowager had also arranged for the young ladies to showcase other talents.
Some painted, some wrote calligraphy, some danced, and some even performed sword dances and acrobatics!
Wang Qingyao watched with great interest. Not all the noble ladies of Great Sheng were confined to their chambers; many were knowledgeable and courageous.
Ban Ruoxuan, feeling that she had no part to play, sat by the Empress Dowager's side, helping to observe.
"I like this sister, and that one too, and that one, wow, all the sisters are so capable!"
The Empress Dowager looked at her fondly and asked Wang Qingyao, "Princess of Ding'an, which young lady do you favor?"
Heh, favoring any one of them would make an enemy of the others.
Wang Qingyao smiled gently. "Your Majesty should not ask me. This matter should be addressed to Consort Wei."
Consort Wei had maintained a sullen expression throughout. The Empress Dowager glanced at her, her brow furrowing.
"Which one does Consort Wei fancy?" the Empress Dowager asked coldly.
Consort Wei gritted her teeth and said resolutely, "Replying to Your Majesty, this concubine does not favor any of them."
Wow, brave warrior!
Wang Qingyao exchanged a glance with Feng Jiangduo.
The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and her voice held a hint of anger. "Consort Wei has very high standards."
"It is not that this concubine has high standards," Consort Wei explained. "These young ladies are all excellent, but they do not suit my eye. However, this concubine believes that since we are selecting a consort for the Crown Prince, our opinions are not important. What matters most is the Crown Prince's opinion. Your Majesty, do you not agree?"
There was some logic to her words.
However, Consort Wei's confident assertion suggested that the Crown Prince was also on her side.
"Summon the Crown Prince."