Of course, it was embarrassing, but to break down sobbing so openly in front of everyone – wasn’t that a bit too direct?
Chen Huifu, crying with snot and tears: Who could understand the feelings of a young girl whose emotions had completely collapsed?
Jiang Si curved her lips in a smile, her eyes shifting to meet Yu Jin’s gaze.
Yu Jin winked at her discreetly.
He had indeed worried for nothing. A Si had taken care of herself before he even needed to step in.
However—a faint doubt arose in his mind.
First making the budding plum blossoms bloom, then the strange behavior of the noble lady who performed – it all felt familiar to him.
Could A Si have some connection to the Wumiao tribe of the Southern Frontier?
That was impossible.
Yu Jin shook his head slightly, dismissing this absurd thought.
Jiang Si took a sip of her longan and red date tea.
The faint aroma of dates, with just the right sweetness, warmed her as she drank it, matching her current pleasant mood.
She always said, when conditions allowed, it was best not to leave grudges overnight. Settling scores on the spot was most satisfying.
Coldly watching Chen Huifu cry out loud, Jiang Si felt no ripples in her heart.
What a foolish child. Now you know what it truly means to look bad.
A noble lady next to Chen Huifu couldn’t help but advise, “Miss Chen, please don’t cry. The two consorts and the princes are still watching…”
Upon hearing this, Chen Huifu cried even louder.
The consoling noble lady became extremely embarrassed.
Consort Xian’s face grew increasingly dark.
How did such a bad apple sneak into what should have been a fine bridal selection banquet?
“Escort Miss Chen out to rest,” Consort Xian ordered a nearby eunuch, unable to tolerate it any longer.
The eunuch approached Chen Huifu and said indifferently, “Miss Chen, if you please.”
Being rejected at a bridal selection banquet wasn’t shameful, but being sent away halfway through the event was utterly humiliating.
The eunuch looked at Chen Huifu as if she were a huge joke.
Chen Huifu suddenly stood up and ran away, covering her face.
The other ladies wore awkward expressions for a moment.
It was truly embarrassing for someone from their social circle to behave this way.
Consort Xian spoke up to break the awkwardness: “Everyone’s performances have been splendid. Is there anyone else who would like to showcase their talents?”
Chen Huifu had never been on Consort Xian’s list to begin with. To her, the girl was nothing more than a clown, and with her departure, things immediately became more peaceful.
The ladies looked at each other.
Taking the stage at this moment had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was that after Chen Huifu’s scene, it seemed that smoothly completing a performance would be sufficient. But this was also a disadvantage.
At present, everyone’s thoughts were unsettled. Unless the talent showcased could rival Kou Lingbo’s whirling dance or match Miss Jiang’s miraculous ability to make plum blossoms bloom, it would just be going through the motions.
And if it was just going through the motions, why bother at all?
Ji Fanghua stood up and said with a smile, “Aunt, your niece would like to play a piece for you and Consort Zhuang. I hope you and Consort Zhuang won’t mind my clumsy hands and dull mind.”
Yu Jin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
So it was his cousin.
The cousin from the Duke An’s manor?
Thinking of Duke An’s manor, Yu Jin felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten a fly.
Getting engaged to A Si, then breaking off the engagement with A Si – truly a place that raised fools.
Regardless of Yu Jin’s internal grumbling, Ji Fanghua walked confidently to the center and knelt beside the qin stand.
After playing “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” though not demonstrating transcendent skill or technique, she calmed the restlessness in people’s hearts.
Ji Fanghua bowed towards Consort Xian and Consort Zhuang, then walked towards Jiang Si.
That was originally her seat, but she had been called over early to sit beside her aunt and hadn’t been able to return.
Seeing this, Consort Xian’s lips moved slightly, but she couldn’t say anything in this setting.
She was satisfied with this niece: obedient, sweet-tongued, and knew how to save the situation. It was just a pity that her status as a niece from her maternal family destined her to have no chance of becoming Prince Yan’s consort.
Thinking of this, Consort Xian felt some regret, but suddenly another thought occurred to her: if the Fourth Prince really could contend for that position, why should the mediocre Crown Princess have the easy path to becoming Empress?
At that time, it would no longer be her and the Fourth Prince united against others, but rather a time for her to plan well for her maternal family. Why couldn’t her niece become the Empress?
Consort Xian’s thoughts soared, feeling this idea was perfect in every way, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
With Ji Fanghua’s timely intervention, the lively atmosphere was restored.
After most of the ladies had finished showcasing their talents, Consort Xian and Consort Zhuang exchanged a glance.
Consort Xian cleared her throat and said with a smile, “Sister Zhuang, don’t you feel that the younger generation is surpassing the older? Today has truly been an eye-opening experience for me.”
Consort Zhuang smiled gently: “The student surpasses the master, that’s how the world works. If Sister Xian feels envious, there’s no need.”
Consort Xian laughed heartily: “At my age, how could I compare with these flower-like young ladies? It’s just that these children are all so talented, I find it hard to judge who’s better.”
“Indeed,” Consort Zhuang nodded slightly.
Consort Xian looked towards Prince Shu and Yu Jin: “How about this? Today, let the two princes choose the most outstanding noble ladies on behalf of myself and Consort Zhuang. This way, we can give out the small gifts we’ve prepared. What do you think, Your Highnesses?”
Prince Shu stood up and cupped his hands: “If the Consorts trust me, this prince will boldly make a selection. If my judgment is poor, I ask for the Consorts’ and the ladies’ forgiveness.”
Yu Jin didn’t show Prince Shu’s modesty, appearing quite forthright: “Thank you, Consort, for giving your son this opportunity.”
Consort Xian and Consort Zhuang smiled without speaking, while the ladies quietly blushed.
Whether it was Prince Shu’s graceful manner or Prince Yan’s peerless handsomeness, they all looked forward to the upcoming flower bestowal.
They wondered how many would be selected today.
Soon, two palace maids came forward, each carrying a flower basket filled with several green plum blossoms.
The ladies tried their best to maintain a calm expression, but they had already started counting the number of green plum blossoms.
One, two…
Each basket contained six plum blossoms. The plum branches in one basket were tied with pink ribbons, while those in the other basket were tied with blue ribbons.
The ladies’ spirits lifted, suddenly becoming energized.
With six plum blossoms in each basket, it meant that each prince would select six candidates. This way, twelve people among those present would be chosen, which wasn’t a small chance.
Seeing the palace maids stand before the two princes, Consort Xian nodded slightly, indicating they could begin.
Prince Shu looked at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin smiled and said, “Sixth Brother, please go first.”
“Then your elder brother will not decline,” Prince Shu said as he drew out a plum blossom tied with a blue ribbon and walked toward the ladies.
As he approached, the ladies’ hearts began to race.
When he reached Jiang Si’s side, Prince Shu’s steps faltered slightly, but then he continued forward.
He sighed long and deep in his heart: Well, this is about choosing a primary consort, not a concubine. Family background and character are far more important than appearance.
I can’t act on impulse, I can’t disappoint Mother…
Yu Jin stared intently at Prince Shu’s back, his lips curling slightly upward.
The Sixth Brother was being sensible after all.
But at this moment, Prince Shu, who had already walked past Jiang Si, suddenly turned around, strode back, and placed the plum blossom in his hand on the white jade plate in front of Jiang Si.
To hell with family background and character being more important than beauty! Whoever said that must not have seen a girl beautiful enough, let alone one who could make budding plum blossoms bloom!