Chapter 327: Granting Her as Your Second Wife

Chapter 327: Granting Her as Your Second Wife

The Dingguo Duke’s residence was already the center of attention, and this incident only heightened it. Some noblewomen, who disapproved of Xiao Yuzhen’s lack of interest in Princess Jianing, were disappointed not to see her embarrassed.

Many courtiers felt that the alliance between the Dingguo Duke's residence and Prince Duan's mansion was disadvantageous. Aside from his status and wealth, Prince Duan was considered utterly useless and a libertine to boot.

Regardless of what others thought, Tang Shuyi and Princess Jianing were in high spirits. Tang Shuyi’s interest in her wasn’t due to her noble status but her intelligence and wit. Just like now, even after the recent incident, Princess Jianing remained poised and graceful in her greetings, as if nothing had happened.

Tang Shuyi couldn’t be more satisfied the more she observed.

Madam Tang, Tang Shuyi's mother-in-law, whispered, "You've chosen a good daughter-in-law."

Tang Shuyi's smile broadened.

Soon, the palace gates were opened, and the guests began to trickle in, with Xiao Yuzhu sticking close to Tang Shuyi's side. Upon entering the banquet hall, they were escorted to their respective seats by palace maids and eunuchs. In the Great Qian Dynasty, there wasn't a strict segregation of genders, but it was customary to have separate seating for men and women during banquets.

Typically, the men's and women's banquets were held in separate halls, but today they were in the same hall, separated merely by a screen. Tang Shuyi didn't give it much thought; after all, such arrangements were at the emperor's discretion.

Once everyone was seated, the emperor, empress, and the concubines arrived. After the emperor delivered a stirring speech, he gestured, and a row of palace maids entered, carrying dishes. The food was served, followed by dancers, creating an atmosphere of song and dance.

After the dancers retreated, the emperor raised his cup to toast the court officials, and the empress did the same with the noble ladies. Setting down her cup, the empress turned to the emperor with a smile, "Your Majesty, I've heard that several young ladies from distinguished families are exceptionally skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Why not let them showcase their talents for us?"

The emperor nodded in agreement, "Good, arrange it as you see fit, my empress."

"Yes," the Empress added, "In that case, it might be better to remove the screen so that everyone can enjoy the view."

The emperor nodded, "An excellent idea, my empress. Remove it."

No sooner had he spoken than a dozen eunuchs efficiently dismantled the screen. Tang Shuyi, observing the now barrier-free banquet hall, clasped Xiao Yuzhu's hand tighter. The emperor surely had an agenda with this act, but it was unclear who the target was.

She turned and whispered to Xiao Yuzhu, "No matter what happens later, don't be afraid. Your mother and father are here for you."

She feared the emperor was targeting Yuzhu, and if he dared to decree a marriage for the Fourth Prince and Yuzhu on the spot, she would vehemently oppose it, even at the cost of her life.

"I understand, mother. Don't worry," Xiao Yuzhu replied with a smile.

Tang Shuyi patted her head, then exchanged a look and a smile with Xiao Huai. Whatever was to come, they would face it together.

"Which young lady will perform first?"

The empress's voice echoed, but the hall fell silent. All the eligible young ladies were extremely nervous. Previously, there had been a notion for the emperor to select a talent from the capital's young ladies to enter the palace, but it hadn't come to fruition. Surely he wasn't revisiting the idea now?

Seeing no response, the empress's expression turned sour. Just then, a clear voice rang out, "I shall go first."

A young girl, about fifteen or sixteen, gracefully and beautifully stepped forward. She approached the center of the hall and curtsied to the emperor and empress. The empress's mood seemed to lighten, and she inquired, "Whose family do you belong to?"

"I am Luo Xiaonan, daughter of the Grand Master of the Imperial Household, Luo Xiangwen," the girl replied.

The empress nodded in recognition, but murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. The reason was simple: the attendees of today's palace banquet were all from families of second rank officials and above, whereas the Grand Master of the Imperial Household was a third rank official.

The Empress's voice resonated again, "What dance shall you perform?"

"The Green Waist," Luo Xiaonan replied.

The Empress nodded, "Prepare yourself."

Luo Xiaonan curtsied gracefully once more, then turned and left. Tang Shuyi, who had seen her fair share of beauties, couldn't help but acknowledge Miss Luo's exquisite appearance, though her intentions with the Emperor or Empress were unclear.

A quarter of an hour later, Luo Xiaonan, dressed in a white and green dance outfit, gracefully approached, first bowing to the Emperor and Empress. Then, as the music began, she started to sway and dance with elegance.

Watching her graceful movements, a line of poetry echoed in Tang Shuyi's mind: "Dance beneath the willow, heart as moon; Song ends, peach blossom, fan breeze soon."

Could this be a beauty presented by the Empress to the Emperor? Tang Shuyi pondered when she saw Luo Xiaonan twist her waist and move close to Xiao Huai, then with a flick of her long sleeve, accurately hit Xiao Huai's wine cup. With a 'clack', the cup tilted, spilling wine and drenching Xiao Huai's clothes.

"Ah!" exclaimed Luo Xiaonan, halting her dance to rush over to Xiao Huai, bending down to wipe him. But before her hand touched him, she was forcefully pushed away. As she teetered towards Xiao Huai, he swiftly stood and dodged, leaving her to fall to the ground.

The incident occurred so abruptly that the musicians hadn't stopped playing. The Empress motioned with her hand, silencing the music, and the banquet hall fell quiet.

"Oh dear, what has happened?" the Empress said with feigned concern, "Help her up quickly."

Two palace maids assisted Luo Xiaonan to her feet. She then knelt at the center of the hall, "This servant's lack of skill begs forgiveness from His Majesty, the Empress, and Lord Dingguo."

"Such a pitiable sight, rise," the Empress said, turning to Xiao Huai, "She didn't mean it, Lord Dingguo, forgive her."

Xiao Huai, roughly guessing the Emperor's intentions, bowed, "This servant is unharmed."

The Empress smiled and turned to the Emperor, "This servant thinks Miss Luo and Lord Dingguo are quite fated."

The Emperor nodded, then asked Luo Xiaonan, "Are you betrothed?"

Blushing, Luo Xiaonan answered, "Not yet."

"Hmm," the Emperor turned to Xiao Huai, "I've heard you lack even a single concubine. Since you and Miss Luo are fated today, I will bestow her as your secondary consort."