Delighted, Yu Jin exclaimed, “Thank you, Father Emperor! Thank you, Mother Consort!”
Seeing him excitedly perform a grand bow, Emperor Jingming curved his lips and kicked lightly, saying, “Useless!”
He then glanced at Consort Xian.
Consort Xian forced a smile and said, “For such a significant matter, don’t let any news leak before the official decree is issued.”
“Your son understands,” replied Yu Jin.
“Go on, get out,” Emperor Jingming waved his hand dismissively.
Seeing Yu Jin walking away in a daze, Emperor Jingming shook his head and smiled at Consort Xian, “Look how happy the Seventh Prince is. This boy is truly simple-minded, unable to contain his excitement at all.”
“Your Majesty is right,” Consort Xian said through gritted teeth for the third time.
“Well then, once we’ve decided on the candidate for the Princess Consort of Shu, I’ll issue the decree together. My beloved, please take care of the subsequent arrangements,” Emperor Jingming instructed before walking out with his hands behind his back.
Pan Hai stepped forward to lift the brocade curtain blocking the wind.
The early spring air was still chilly, carrying the scent of plum blossoms.
Emperor Jingming looked up at the gloomy sky, feeling somewhat melancholic.
Staying in this vast palace for too long was indeed boring. If Miss Jiang became his daughter-in-law, wouldn’t he be able to see her perform magic tricks from time to time?
In the carriage, Jiang Si suddenly sneezed.
“Miss, have you caught a cold?” Amian asked worriedly, quickly offering a handkerchief to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si took the handkerchief and wiped her nose, waving her hand dismissively, “I haven’t caught a cold. No need to make a fuss.”
Why would she sneeze out of nowhere? She had a feeling someone was plotting something about her.
Amian leaned in with a mysterious look, “Miss, how was it in the palace?”
The imperial palace was unlike any other place. Maids like Amian didn’t even have the qualifications to enter, and could only wait at the edge of the inner city.
Amian had been holding back until they left the palace, and finally couldn’t resist asking.
“It was fine,” Jiang Si replied with a smile.
“Miss, what does ‘fine’ mean?” Amian pressed.
Jiang Si smiled sweetly, “It means just that. Fine.”
She hadn’t embarrassed herself, nor had she suffered any losses. Moreover, she received many beautiful plum blossoms from Yu Qi. Of course, it was fine.
As for whether she could become the Princess Consort of Yan, it wasn’t for her to decide, nor was there any need to worry about it.
“Did you receive plum blossoms from the princes?” Amian asked, covering her face.
She had heard that at today’s flower appreciation banquet, whichever prince favored a lady would gift her a plum blossom branch.
Their miss was so beautiful, surely getting two plum blossoms wouldn’t be difficult? After all, the two princes weren’t blind.
Hmph, it made her angry just thinking about it. At the time, those noble ladies’ maids had even mocked why their miss was invited. What a bunch of fools with no discernment.
Jiang Si smiled and said, “I did.”
“How many, how many?” Amian’s eyes sparkled.
Jiang Si didn’t feel like teasing the little maid and simply smiled, “Six.”
“What?” Amian blinked.
Jiang Si closed her eyes and said no more.
Amian shook Jiang Si’s arm vigorously, “Miss, really six? Did this servant hear wrong?”
“Mm, it’s six,” Jiang Si opened her eyes helplessly.
Amian cupped her face and squealed, “Miss is so amazing!”
It was all thanks to her miss’s excellence. When she got the chance to see those little minxes again, she would brag mercilessly and show them not to look down on people!
Calming down, Amian pinched her cheek, “But there are only two princes. How did Miss receive six plum blossoms?”
“Prince Yan gave me all of his flowers.”
“Miss is truly incredible!” Amian’s eyes shone with admiration.
Old Madam Feng had sent someone to keep watch at the main gate early on. As soon as they saw the Earl’s carriage return, they immediately ran to report at Cishin Hall.
“Old Madam, Fourth Miss has returned!”
Old Madam Feng stood up abruptly, “Invite Fourth Miss to Cishin Hall!”
As the servant was about to leave, Old Madam Feng called them back, “Has the Eldest Master returned?”
“The Eldest Master hasn’t returned yet.”
Old Madam Feng finally relaxed.
Thinking of Jiang Ancheng gave her a headache.
Fortunately, the eldest son had been out these past two days since Fourth Miss received the invitation. Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome.
After so many years as mother and son, Old Madam Feng understood her eldest son’s temperament quite well. She knew that for matters others would consider honorable, her eldest son would avoid them at all costs.
She didn’t know who this son took after, without a shred of ambition!
As Old Madam Feng was grumbling inwardly, she saw a young lady in a light green cloak walk in.
She suppressed the urge to stand up and said coolly, “You’re back.”
Jiang Si took off her cloak and handed it to a maid beside her, then stepped forward and gave a slight curtsy, “Grandmother.”
Old Madam Feng carefully observed her granddaughter who had just entered. She saw that the girl’s face was calm, showing no trace of anything unusual.
She had to ask, “How was it in the palace?”
“It was fine,” Jiang Si replied.
Old Madam Feng frowned.
What did “fine” mean?
“Did you do anything improper to displease the noble ones?”
Jiang Si smiled faintly, “I only performed a talent show at the Consort’s suggestion.”
Old Madam Feng nodded.
That sounded right.
“Very well, just behave properly in the palace. You left early this morning and must be tired. Go back and rest.”
Old Madam Feng wanted to ask if her granddaughter had received flowers from the princes, but seeing Jiang Si so calm, she dismissed the thought.
Being invited to the palace was already fortunate enough. How could a girl of Fourth Miss’s circumstances possibly receive flowers from the princes?
Asking about it would only embarrass her.
Old Madam Feng closed her eyes to rest.
Hurried footsteps approached.
“What is it?” Old Madam Feng asked, seeing her head maid Afu enter with a young maid from the side room.
“Old Madam, Cuier heard something about Fourth Miss from Amian,” Afu reported.
Old Madam Feng looked at the young maid.
“Speak up,” Afu urged, patting the young maid.
The young maid said excitedly, “Reporting to Old Madam, Amian just told this servant in the side room… Fourth Miss received six plum blossoms at the flower appreciation banquet!”
“Nonsense!”
Old Madam Feng’s shout immediately silenced the young maid.
“Go and invite Fourth Miss back!”
Jiang Si hadn’t even reached Haitang Residence when she was called back to Cishin Hall.
“What other instructions does Grandmother have?”
Old Madam Feng looked Jiang Si up and down, remaining silent.
Such silence might make many young ladies tremble with fear, but Jiang Si was unfazed.
Old Madam Feng slammed the table, “Fourth Miss, do you know that speaking nonsense about matters involving the royal family could cost you your head?”
Jiang Si was bewildered, “I don’t know what nonsense your granddaughter has spoken.”
“Your maid Amian said you received six plum blossoms?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Old Madam Feng’s wrinkles stretched wide, “What did you say?”
“Your granddaughter said yes, that’s right.”
“You, you received six plum blossoms?”
Jiang Si smiled, “If Grandmother doesn’t believe me, you can easily find out by asking around. What happened at the flower appreciation banquet can’t be kept secret.”
Old Madam Feng forgot to blink.
If Fourth Miss said so, then it must be true.
After catching her breath, Old Madam Feng frowned deeply, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Jiang Si replied matter-of-factly, “You didn’t ask.”
Old Madam Feng didn’t have time to get angry and asked urgently, “How did you get six?”
“They were all given by Prince Yan.”
Old Madam Feng was silent for a moment, then stomped her foot and sighed deeply, “This is trouble!”