Earl of Dongping’s residence?
The Earl of Dongping’s residence!
Emperor Jingming unconsciously stroked his chin.
Oh, isn’t this the Earl of Dongping’s residence he had heard about several times?
Emperor Jingming immediately became energized.
To be honest, he had been curious about that particularly unlucky Fourth Miss Jiang for a long time.
Glancing at Noble Consort Xian and Consort Zhuang, Emperor Jingming secretly thought: I wonder which consort was so considerate as to invite the young lady from the Earl of Dongping’s residence, and whether it’s that Fourth Miss.
Clearing his throat, Emperor Jingming revealed a natural smile: “Which young lady from the Earl of Dongping’s family is it?”
“It’s the Fourth Miss,” Consort Zhuang said with a smile.
Noble Consort Xian remained silent, suddenly having an ominous feeling.
That despicable Zhuang, why is she causing trouble at a time like this?
Yu Jin coldly observed Noble Consort Xian’s expression, inwardly sneering.
As expected, once Old Sixth sent out that green plum blossom, Consort Zhuang immediately became his helper.
Upon hearing Consort Zhuang’s words, Emperor Jingming was delighted.
It was that Miss Jiang he wanted to see.
Well, since she’s here, it would be a waste not to look!
“Where is she?”
Consort Zhuang carefully looked at Emperor Jingming, thinking: If it weren’t for His Majesty’s serious demeanor, she would have thought too much into this.
Jiang Si stepped forward from the crowd and gracefully bowed to Emperor Jingming: “This humble subject greets Your Majesty.”
A gentle gaze fell upon her.
Jiang Si wasn’t particularly nervous.
Although the Emperor was high above others, she had seen him several times in her previous life. Setting aside his majestic side, he was privately a kind elder.
Er, a strange yet kind elder.
Miss Jiang silently added.
Looking at the young lady bowing gracefully, Emperor Jingming’s lips twitched.
If he were to say “Raise your head and let me have a look,” wouldn’t that seem rather improper? After all, this was a banquet for selecting daughters-in-law.
Emperor Jingming’s expression became increasingly serious as he unhurriedly said: “So you’re the young lady who can make plum buds blossom?”
“Indeed, it is this humble subject,” Jiang Si responded neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Noble Consort Xian felt somewhat disappointed.
She had thought that upon seeing the Emperor, the Jiang girl would be so flustered she’d be at a loss for words. Unexpectedly, she was so calm.
She disliked this calmness.
What right did a young girl have to be so composed? Speaking, wasn’t it just relying on her beauty to be treated differently?
She had seen many women like this.
“To make flower buds bloom, isn’t that the magic of immortals?”
Jiang Si smiled and said: “It’s just a trivial skill.”
“Would Miss Jiang allow me to witness it?”
As Emperor Jingming spoke thus, the attendant beside him immediately went to break off a plum branch.
Joking aside, although the Emperor’s tone was inquiring, truly refusing would not just be failing to appreciate kindness, but courting death.
Seeing the attendant break off a plum branch adorned with several flower buds, Emperor Jingming asked again: “Is there anything else needed?”
“We also need a crystal vase filled with clear water,” Consort Zhuang interjected with a smile.
Noble Consort Xian gripped her broken long fingernail tightly, her gaze almost turning into sharp knives, wishing to stab Consort Zhuang a few times.
Who allowed that despicable Zhuang to answer first?
Consort Zhuang curved her lips in a smile.
Seeing Noble Consort Xian so frustrated was truly refreshing.
She suddenly felt that Miss Jiang was somewhat adorable, of course, on the condition that she couldn’t become her daughter-in-law.
The attendant immediately brought a crystal vase filled with clear water and looked towards Jiang Si.
Jiang Si slightly pursed her lips, remaining silent for a moment before saying: “Just place the plum branch in the crystal vase.”
Her voice was light, carrying a clean and cool quality, like the collision of fine jade stones.
Yu Jin unconsciously frowned.
Why did he feel that Ah Si wasn’t very happy?
Jiang Si indeed felt a bit displeased.
When a person voluntarily displays their skills, gaining the amazement of all present would make them feel proud. But being forced to do so left a bad taste.
It was like performing tricks for others’ amusement.
But since it was for the Emperor, even if it felt like performing tricks, it wasn’t particularly shameful.
Jiang Si quickly came to terms with it, her expression remaining indifferent.
Her coldness, however, piqued Emperor Jingming’s interest even more.
It had been a long time since he’d seen such an interesting young lady.
Her beauty was certainly outstanding, but having been emperor for so long, what kind of absolute beauty hadn’t he seen? He found this young lady’s courage intriguing.
Was she just now giving him attitude?
But he hadn’t done anything. If she couldn’t show him a marvelous sight later, he would have to get angry and not indulge these young ladies’ unreasonable behavior.
As Emperor Jingming pondered this, he saw the young lady’s delicate hand rise slowly, her fair fingertips gently brushing over the flower buds.
Even though they had seen it before, everyone still couldn’t help but hold their breath and focus their gaze intently.
Such a dreamlike, magical sight was truly worth watching countless times.
“Bloom—”
As the young lady’s fair hand brushed past, red plum blossoms opened dot by dot.
Emperor Jingming suddenly widened his eyes, flashing with childlike curiosity.
Did they bloom?
“Is it because of the water temperature? Or is there something in the water—”
“Ahem! Ahem!” Pan Hai coughed forcefully.
Emperor Jingming regained his serious expression: “Miss Jiang has great skill.”
Ah, ah, ah, ah, so curious.
Pan Hai: “…” Wake up, Your Majesty! You are the Emperor!
As an emperor, maintaining his dignity, Jingming couldn’t delve too deeply into the matter. After praising Jiang Si, he turned his gaze to Prince Shu and Prince Yan.
Seeing this, Jiang Si curtsied and quietly retreated.
“I heard you two are the judges for today’s plum blossom appreciation banquet?” Facing his sons, Emperor Jingming habitually put on a stern face as he asked.
Prince Shu smiled and bowed to Emperor Jingming: “We happened to be here at the right time. The two Noble Consorts were kind enough to let us sons join in the fun.”
Emperor Jingming glanced at Yu Jin.
Wasn’t this boy worried about not finding a satisfactory young lady? Did he find one or not?
He instinctively scanned the white jade plates placed in front of the young ladies.
According to custom, the princes would place plum blossoms on the jade plate of the young lady they favored.
He had gone through this himself back then, though it wasn’t plum blossoms but peonies.
He still remembered that the peony was particularly gorgeous, and he placed it in front of the young lady he had taken a liking to at first sight.
The young lady he favored later became his princess consort, and later became his empress.
And later, she died…
Emperor Jingming withdrew from his thoughts, his gaze suddenly halting.
A plate of green plum blossoms almost dazzled his eyes.
Steadying himself, Emperor Jingming confirmed he hadn’t seen wrong.
What was this situation?
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Emperor Jingming asked: “Why are there multiple plum blossoms on Miss Jiang’s jade plate?”
Noble Consort Xian’s face flushed.
Old Seventh had never brought her any face!
But since the Emperor now knew, Old Seventh’s little scheme was even more impossible. At least she wouldn’t have to waste her breath.
Noble Consort Xian comforted herself, feeling a bit better.
Yu Jin smiled and said: “Your son sent them.”
Prince Shu lowered his eyes, almost unable to bear looking at Emperor Jingming’s expression.
To be able to say such words so righteously in front of Father Emperor, he had to bow down to Old Seventh!
He wondered if Father Emperor would punish Old Seventh with confinement, or reduce his annual salary. Perhaps even reducing a piece of his fief was possible.
Old Seventh was also unlucky, being caught red-handed by Father Emperor.
But this was good; it made him feel more balanced.
“All of them?” Emperor Jingming’s voice raised slightly, sounding almost off-key.
Yu Jin’s smile became even more radiant: “Yes, all of them. Thanks to Father Emperor’s golden words, your son’s worries were truly unfounded.”