Chapter 135

The Empress’s grand birthday celebration only invited ladies of high rank, while the rest were young maidens of marriageable age. Nianxi’s family background was utterly unremarkable in the presence of the noble elites of the imperial court. Because of this, she found contentment in her quiet, unassuming place.

In her previous life, due to Pei Jian’s overly ambitious nature, she had attended several palace banquets. The higher one sat, the more attention one received, and throughout the banquet, one had to maintain poise and a smile. By the end of the event, her face would stiffen from smiling.

She was a person who went with the flow and had little inclination for admiration or envy.

At Empress Lu’s grand birthday banquet, the Emperor himself attended to host the event in the inner palace. He said, “The Empress is kind-hearted and virtuous, with immeasurable grace. I am most comforted by this. May the Empress have long-lasting health and blessings, forever favored by heaven.”

After the Empress expressed her gratitude, the Emperor retired to the front hall after three rounds of wine had been served.

Next, the consorts, princes, and princesses presented their birthday greetings, followed by the wives of officials and young maidens offering their congratulations.

Once the formalities were complete, even the most exquisite banquet felt tasteless. However, such grand feasts were never really about the food. Nianxi recalled the autumn hunting event from the past; in the palace, every edible item was chosen with the utmost caution.

Among the crowd was Princess Wen Shu, Xiao Nanxi. As soon as she spotted Nianxi, she gave her a pointed look, but with the grand hall so full of people, and under the strict supervision of Consort Shu, the princess had to remain seated obediently.

It had been a while since Nianxi last saw Princess Wen Shu. Seeing her still lively and bright-eyed, with the same innocent charm, Nianxi could tell that life in the palace for her had been both solitary and peaceful.

“I heard that today’s celebration for the Empress’s birthday also has the purpose of selecting a bride for the Fourth Prince,” whispered someone near Nianxi, seated next to Madam Li.

“No wonder so many marriageable young ladies were invited this year,” came the quiet reply.

His Majesty has four sons and five daughters. The Crown Prince, King Jing, and King Qi are all married, while the Fourth and Fifth Princes have not yet come of age and have not been bestowed titles.

As for selecting a consort, Madam Li and Nianxi exchanged glances, both having heard nothing about it. However, neither mother nor daughter held any ambitions in this matter.

Nianxi, knowing who the future consort of the Fourth Prince would be, remained quietly in the background, listening to Empress Lu’s conversations with a young lady. The young lady referred to as Lu Huai’s future stepmother, Miss Fang, the daughter of the Grand Coordinator of Shaanxi Province, was also present today. Her seat was close to the Empress, receiving great attention. She was a tall, vibrant young woman with an air of confidence about her. There was unquestionable heroism in her demeanor, likely due to her upbringing with the military in far-off regions, under the wide skies and vast lands. She was unlike the other noble young ladies at the banquet, who were cautious and reserved.

Just one look at her, and Nianxi could tell she was a straightforward and open-minded individual. Lu Huai’s green snake might terrify most people, but it wouldn’t scare her.

Sure enough, midway through the banquet, Miss Fang performed a sword dance. Her movements were as graceful as a startled swan and as fluid as a swimming dragon, exuding a heroic charm that set her apart from ordinary young women.

Following her performance, several other young ladies showcased their talents, among whom were the future consorts of the Fourth and Fifth Princes.

The atmosphere in the hall was just right. Nianxi leaned close to Madam Li and whispered with a smile, “Mother, I guess the consort for the Fourth Prince will be Miss Xing from the Honglu Temple Secretary’s family.”

Madam Li was half-skeptical. “Really? How can you tell?”

This was when the advantage of being reborn came into play. Nianxi nodded confidently, smiling warmly, “A wise person has their own way.”

Just then, King Jing Xiao Xun entered the hall. Amidst the splendor of the grand gathering, his gaze immediately found Wen Nianxi, who was sitting at the far end with a charming smile. It was strange—in the past, he had thought of her as merely moderately attractive and paid her little mind. But when he tried to take her into his household, and his efforts were repeatedly thwarted, somehow, thoughts of Wen Nianxi lingered in his mind, making her all the more captivating.

At that moment, Xiao Xun secretly resolved to bring this woman into his arms today. As the banquet neared its conclusion, palace attendants cleared away the tables and brought out fresh tea and pastries.

Joining Xiao Xun were the Fourth Prince Xiao Ke, the Fifth Prince Xiao Kai, and Duke Fu’s father and son.

Empress Lu, with a kind and gentle demeanor, smiled at the Fourth Prince and said, “Just the other day, I was discussing your marriage with His Majesty. You’ll establish your household next year, and how can your residence be without a managing consort?”

She gestured toward the group of young ladies in the hall. “These are the most outstanding women in the capital. Ke’er, see if any of them catch your eye.”

Xiao Ke, whose birth mother had passed away early in his life, was raised under Empress Lu’s care. Cautious by nature, he didn’t look toward the ladies in the hall but bowed respectfully and said, “I leave it entirely to Mother’s decision.”

Empress Lu’s smile grew even gentler. She glanced at the ladies, her gaze briefly passing over Nianxi before finally resting on Miss Xing.

She addressed Miss Xing, “Good child, come here.”

Overwhelmed and flustered, Xing Yan’s face immediately turned red as she nervously stood and approached the Empress’s throne.

At this point, there was no longer any doubt. Empress Lu had chosen Miss Xing to be the Fourth Prince’s consort.

Xiao Ke, ever proper, glanced briefly at Xing Yan beside him, bowed, and expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Mother, for your kindness.”

What a perfect match it was.

Everyone wore smiles, congratulating the pair as a heavenly-made couple.

Nianxi had always known that Xing Yan was the consort of the Fourth Prince, but she hadn’t realized it came about through such an arrangement. For no apparent reason, she felt a wave of disinterest. Her thoughts began to drift, and she paid no more attention to the tender interaction between the imperial mother and son at the high table.

It wasn’t until all eyes turned toward her that her mother beside her rose angrily and said, “My daughter is lacking in capability and unworthy of King Jing’s affection.”

It turned out that just moments earlier, Xiao Xun had taken the opportunity, as the Empress arranged a marriage for the Fourth Prince, to bow and say, “On this auspicious day of Mother’s birthday celebration, I too have an impertinent request.”

This was something the mother and son had discussed beforehand, so Empress Lu was well aware of it. She smiled and said, “Speak, let me hear it.”

Xiao Xun then said, “It has been a year since I was married, yet the princess consort has not borne me a single child. Among the three forms of unfilial conduct, having no descendants is the greatest. I wish to take another noblewoman as a secondary wife to ensure the continuation of my lineage.” He spoke with high-sounding words, yet on such an occasion, to bring up the issue of being childless was akin to trampling on the dignity of his consort.

King Jing Consort’s face turned pale as paper, her body swaying unsteadily. She bit her lips tightly and didn’t utter a single word.

Empress Lu, known for her compassion and kindness, did not seem to notice King Jing Consort’s distress. She gently said, “The royal family expanding its branches is indeed a legitimate matter. Have you taken a liking to any young lady?”

The mother and son coordinated their act seamlessly, and everyone in the hall focused their attention, listening intently.

There were those eager to seize this opportunity to climb the social ladder, while others were desperate to avoid being implicated, all waiting for King Jing to name the lady he had in mind. Some, like Consort Shu, who was more perceptive, had almost deciphered the true purpose behind the Empress and her son’s performance today.

The selection of a consort for the Fourth Prince was merely a pretext; the real drama lay with King Jing. Now, the only question was which unfortunate young lady would catch the eyes of this mother-and-son duo.

“I wish to take the daughter of the Head of Imperial Academy, Wen Yuanqiao. I ask for Mother’s approval,” King Jing declared.