Madame Xian surveyed Jiang Si, each word seemingly forced through gritted teeth: “Whether one can be content isn’t determined by a single meeting or a glance of pleasure. For two people to spend a lifetime together, there are many things to consider for contentment.”

At this point, she had every reason to show displeasure towards this Jiang girl without being accused of lacking magnanimity.

For a young lady to receive flowers from both princes was already unsuitable for a royal marriage, let alone bewitching the Prince of Yan to give her all the green plum blossoms.

What was this about? Trying to be a femme fatale?

Yu Jin’s posture became increasingly languid as he said flatly, “If one feels displeased at first sight, why talk about a lifetime? According to Madame’s logic, wouldn’t everyone need to reach the end of their life to judge whether it was satisfactory?”

The ladies thought: What does he mean? Does the Prince of Yan find them all displeasing at first sight?

A murderous aura suddenly filled the air.

Ignoring Madame Xian’s increasingly ugly expression, Yu Jin smiled, “In any case, this son is very content now, and believes that under Father Emperor’s blessed words, he will continue to be content in the future.”

Madame Xian steeled herself, simply lowering her eyes and saying gravely, “Contentment doesn’t mean doing as one pleases. In any case, this palace doesn’t approve of such improper behavior. Prince Yan, either redistribute the six green plum blossoms to six young ladies or wait for this palace to arrange matters for you later.”

Her words left no room for discussion, and the scene fell into immediate silence.

Yu Jin stared steadily at Madame Xian, his gaze as deep as a bottomless pool.

Madame Xian’s eyebrows twitched slightly, inwardly sneering: Could it be that the Seventh Prince dares to talk back in public? If so, she would have an even firmer grip on him. This son needed to be taught a lesson for not showing any respect to her as his Imperial Mother.

“Sister Xian, why bother arguing so much with the younger generation? Today’s plum blossom viewing was supposed to be a joyous occasion. In my opinion, being content in life is a great fortune,” Madame Zhuang interjected timely.

Madame Xian was so angry she wanted to scratch Madame Zhuang’s bland face.

That bitch Zhuang, talking without any skin in the game. What does she mean by “being content in life is a great fortune”? Is she mocking her for giving her son a hard time?

Hmph, if the Prince of Shu had given all six green plum blossoms to the Jiang girl, and Madame Zhuang could still say this, she would give Madame Zhuang a big “Respect”.

Madame Xian smiled, “Sister Zhuang, you misunderstand me. How could I argue with my son? I’m just planning for his best interests, just as you plan for the Prince of Shu.”

Madame Zhuang smiled faintly, ceasing the verbal sparring with Madame Xian.

Regardless, she had witnessed this farce today, and Madame Xian’s embarrassment would surely be the talk of the palace for a long time. In comparison, her son giving one green plum blossom to Miss Jiang was nothing.

Madame Zhuang glanced at Yu Jin from the corner of her eye, inwardly sighing: Thank the Prince of Yan for highlighting her son’s composure.

Madame Xian maintained a stiff face, feeling uncomfortable.

If it weren’t for the Seventh Prince’s foolishness, she could have been as calm as Madame Zhuang, just watching the show.

It was truly infuriating!

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives—” a loud announcement suddenly caused a stir among the ladies.

Why would the Emperor come here?

Madame Xian and Madame Zhuang exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes.

The Emperor had never attended such occasions as selecting consorts for princes.

Moreover, it would be strange for the Emperor to join such an event. If the censors heard about this, they would surely think the Emperor had too much free time.

As Madame Xian was inwardly criticizing, she saw a familiar figure in imperial yellow enter, followed by the Head of Eunuch Pan Hai.

Emperor Jingming surveyed the scene, his gaze falling on Yu Jin before moving to the two Imperial Consorts.

Yu Jin’s lips curved slightly upward.

Father Emperor’s timing was quite good, not wasting his earlier visit to Father Emperor’s chambers.

Amidst a chorus of “Long live the Emperor,” Emperor Jingming gestured for the two Imperial Consorts to rise and indicated that the ladies need not be too formal.

With the Emperor present, all the ladies lowered their gazes and bowed their heads, even their breathing becoming quieter.

Although they were daughters of noble families, except for very few with royal connections, most of the noble ladies were seeing the Emperor for the first time.

So, the Emperor also had one nose and two eyes, with some white hair at his temples. However, even at his age, Emperor Jingming still maintained an elegant and distinguished appearance, unlike their fathers who either had protruding bellies or shiny bald heads. This was enough to make them look forward to the princes’ futures.

“Why has Your Majesty come here?” Madame Xian asked, though trying to hide it, her stiff smile was still noticeable to Emperor Jingming.

Emperor Jingming glanced at Yu Jin instinctively, saying nonchalantly, “We heard that there was a young lady who could make budding plum blossoms bloom. Curious, we came to take a look.”

It was all because of that Seventh Son.

He had so many sons, five of whom were already married, and all had been very composed during their consort selection. Only this Seventh Son had come spinning around him early in the morning.

He couldn’t help but ask what was wrong, and this boy said, “Father Emperor, what if there’s no satisfactory young lady at the consort selection banquet?”

He was so annoyed he almost kicked him.

What consort selection banquet? It’s a plum blossom viewing banquet!

Of course, the purpose of holding the plum blossom viewing banquet was to select consorts, but who had ever spoken so bluntly about it? Where was the royal dignity?

After almost kicking him, seeing the boy clutching his bottom with a pitiful look, he casually said that if there were no suitable candidates this time, they could hold another flower-viewing banquet. Only then did the rascal leave with a beaming smile.

Emperor Jingming recalled that smiling face, one he had never seen before – so bright and open.

This child, raised in the wild, was so vivid whether angry or happy. So vivid that he couldn’t help but look twice as if seeing the recklessly burning red clouds outside the temporary palace where he performed sacrifices to heaven in the suburbs.

What a thick-skinned boy, he must be crazy about getting a wife. Probably still a green boy too.

Emperor Jingming suddenly became curious about his seventh son’s private affairs and summoned Pan Hai to inquire. Sure enough, Pan Hai reported that there were no concubines in the Prince of Yan’s mansion, and even female servants were few.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingming immediately understood more.

No wonder. Other princes would arrange palace maids to serve them when they turned fourteen, which was also considered a form of education.

Emperor Jingming originally hadn’t paid attention to the plum blossom viewing banquet, but because of Yu Jin’s visit, he couldn’t help but order Pan Hai to send someone to check on it.

He was quite curious whether that boy had found any young lady to his liking at this flower-viewing banquet. After all, holding another flower banquet would cost money from his private treasury, which pained him.

Unexpectedly, the eunuch reported back with an astonishing event: a young lady had performed some kind of divine magic, causing budding plum blossoms to bloom.

He wanted to come immediately, only to be desperately held back by that old Pan Hai, missing the spectacle!

Hearing Emperor Jingming’s words, Madame Xian glanced at Pan Hai.

Pan Hai looked up at the sky.

What could he do? He was also at his wit’s end!

Feeling the atmosphere becoming increasingly strange, Emperor Jingming smiled and asked, “Which family does this young lady with divine powers belong to?”

Madame Xian pressed her lips tightly, barely maintaining the smile on her face.

Madame Zhuang smiled and said, “In response to Your Majesty, she is the young lady from the Earl of Dongping’s household.”