Chapter 26

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“Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Chrysanthemum Banquet is being held in the palace today, and only tonight is the time for us to gather and appreciate the flowers together,” the Empress Dowager said, pausing and sweeping her gaze over the crowd.

The ladies stood up straight, holding their breath.

Seeing the nervous expressions on everyone’s faces, the Empress Dowager smiled faintly, lightening the atmosphere a bit.

“Everyone, relax. The Empress Dowager will join us shortly to watch the performances and admire the chrysanthemums!”

“Wow! It’s been so many years since the Empress Dowager appeared! We’ve all missed her so much!”

“Indeed! Our revered ancestor was the first female general of the Great Hua Dynasty! Back then, she followed the Emperor and fought battles across the land. She is a model for all women in the kingdom!”

The ladies whispered among themselves.

Yan Meili was also shocked, covering her mouth. It seemed that the Empress Dowager’s appearance was more than just a coincidence! She must have witnessed the Empress’s behavior and now had come to restore order in the harem herself!

“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

Just as the whispers filled the air, the Chief Eunuch announced loudly.

Everyone stiffened, all rising to respectfully greet the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager entered the courtyard, walking in with a phoenix-headed cane, her spirits as sharp as ever.

“Empress Dowager, long life!”

“Hahaha! Please, rise. It’s been many years since I’ve been out to see you all. I’ve heard that the young ladies from the noble families have prepared performances, and since I enjoy lively events, I’ve come to take a look. Please sit, standing must be exhausting!”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and cheerfully sat down.

The Empress sat beside her and attended to her with care.

“Mother, where is the Sixth Prince? Why isn’t he with you today?” the Empress asked in a low voice.

Tonight, her son, the Prince of Yan, at the age of twenty-two, was to choose his bride, and Prince Xian, at nineteen, was also about to select his wife.

“Ah, him? He’s just playing with crickets, no need to worry about him. You should focus on picking a wife for the Fourth Prince! You also need to see what kind of young lady he prefers!” the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Prince Xian was in the imperial garden, happily catching crickets with a girl named Xia Qingqing.

Previously, her obedient grandson had preferred girls who kept their distance, but now he seemed to be getting along with Xia Qingqing. The Empress Dowager was quite happy about this.

But she knew she couldn’t be biased. While helping the Prince of Yan find a wife, she also couldn’t neglect her duty to help Prince Xian.

“Understood, Mother!” the Empress replied with a relieved sigh.

She had originally planned to attend the banquet with the Empress, hoping that the noble young ladies with strong family backgrounds would be chosen first by the Prince of Jin. But unexpectedly, fate had thrown her a surprise. The Prince of Jin had offended the Sixth Prince and was punished by the Emperor!

She couldn’t be happier. Now, she would use this opportunity to help her son pick the best candidates for a powerful future.

For instance, the two granddaughters of the Prime Minister, Yan Shoufu, Xia Jinlan and Xia Tinglan, as well as Miss Zhang from the British Duke’s house and Miss Gu from the Ningyuan Marquis’ residence…

So many choices, and just thinking about it made her want to laugh out loud.

“Let the performances begin!”

The palace maid in charge of the program stepped onto the stage and announced:

“First performance: the Chrysanthemum Dance, performed by Miss Xia Jinlan of the Xia Family!”

Xia Jinlan was a bit nervous to find herself going first.

“Don’t worry, my dear, stay calm. Dance as you usually practice, and tonight, just do it the same way, okay?” Yan Meili encouraged her, holding her hand.

“Mother, I’m nervous. Besides, will that clumsy Prince of Jin even understand the dance?” Xia Jinlan whispered.

“The Prince of Jin has already been punished by the Emperor. The Empress didn’t come, and your father said that our family must be the one to marry the Prince of Yan!” Yan Meili whispered in her ear.

Xia Jinlan nodded helplessly.

“Alright, I’ll go on stage now!”

“Let’s welcome Miss Xia Jinlan to the stage!”

Applause echoed.

The music played, and Xia Jinlan, dressed in a dancing costume, gracefully performed, like a golden chrysanthemum swaying in the wind.

She was naturally beautiful, and combined with her exquisite dancing, the other ladies were left speechless.

“Your Highness, Miss Xia Jinlan is not only beautiful, but her dance is also impressive!” one of the attendants, Xiao Huzi, praised.

“No matter how beautiful the dance is, what use is it? When I host a banquet, surely the Princess shouldn’t be the one dancing. It would lower her status. That’s why I have the dancers perform,” Prince Yan said, still eyeing Xia Jinlan’s performance.

He preferred delicate, shy girls, and among them, Miss Xia Shuixian had captured his attention more than anyone else.

Xiao Huzi nodded and reminded him, “Your Highness, didn’t the Empress say that to secure the throne, we need to find a powerful family for the marriage? Miss Xia Jinlan is from the legitimate line, while Miss Xia Shuixian is likely a concubine’s daughter.”

Prince Yan sighed. “I know. As a royal prince, I can’t decide these matters on my own; I must consider my mother’s advice. Miss Zhang from the British Duke’s family and Miss Gu from the Ningyuan Marquis’ family are not as beautiful as the Xia sisters, but I also don’t mind giving the position of wife to Miss Xia Jinlan. But that provocative look she gave while dancing, I can’t stand it. After seeing Xia Shuixian, I’m completely taken with her!”

His gaze lingered on Xia Shuixian the longest, and his eyes glinted with greed.

Xiao Huzi sighed inwardly. His master was a fearless warrior, but when it came to delicate girls, he seemed completely enchanted.

But his task was to follow the Empress’s orders, so no matter how much Prince Yan liked Xia Shuixian, he had to remind him to choose from the legitimate daughters of noble families.

“Your Highness, isn’t there another young lady from the Xia family? She looks graceful and refined, with an air of elegance that would make her a perfect match for the Prince of Yan!” Xiao Huzi pointed out.

“Really? Let me take a closer look!” Prince Yan rose from his seat, his sharp eyes focusing on the young lady.

“Ah, I see! What’s her name?”

Xiao Huzi explained, “It’s said that the two legitimate daughters of the Xia family are Miss Xia Jinlan, performing on stage, and Miss Xia Tinglan. They have an older brother, Xia Yuanxiu, who is a respected scholar in the royal court and will soon take office as an official.”

Prince Yan nodded repeatedly, his eyes lighting up. “Very good! I’ll mention this to my mother later!”

As Prince Yan plotted his future moves, Xia Tinglan shivered, feeling as though someone was watching her intently. She glanced behind her but only saw the dense, dark foliage.