Chapter 184: Choosing a Wife

Chapter 184: Choosing a Wife

However, he didn't explain why he suddenly brought a bamboo dragonfly.

"Alright," Jiang Hui didn't refuse. She clasped the bamboo dragonfly in her palms, remaining seated on the couch. Facing the wide-open window, she posed as if to launch the bamboo dragonfly, "Huayang has also been longing to go out and play."

The thin leaves of the bamboo dragonfly, attached to a slender bamboo pole, spun and lifted from Jiang Hui's hands. But its aim was off; instead of flying out the window, it circled and landed beside the Emperor, who caught it.

"Ah, I'm out of practice," Jiang Hui expressed in mild frustration.

Xiao Sheng laughed heartily, handing back the bamboo dragonfly to Jiang Hui, and then broached a more serious topic, "Have you chosen a consort for Yan'er?"

"Not yet," Jiang Hui shook her head, "I asked Yi Jieyu to select again. After all, she is the mother of the Second Princess, and should have a say in the matter."

Xiao Sheng didn't comment and changed the subject, "The palace selection is tomorrow. It's time to take a good look for Yan'er."

Jiang Hui put down the bamboo dragonfly and turned to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, do you have someone in mind?"

Xiao Sheng nodded, playing with Jiang Hui's fingers, and said slowly, "I have some choices in mind, but haven't decided yet. Let's see tomorrow."

He didn't specify which family's daughter it was, but Jiang Hui guessed the Emperor's thoughts when she heard the names announced by the junior eunuch the next day.

The selection was still held at Yingxiang Pavilion by the Taiye Pool. As it was for his son, the Emperor didn't miss it. After having breakfast with Jiang Hui in Fengyi Palace, they both went to Yingxiang Pavilion together.

"Announcing, the youngest daughter of the Minister of Finance, Zhou Guangde, Zhou Jun, the eldest daughter of the Middle Officer of the Ministry of War, Cao Hongquan, Cao Ji Yue, and the second daughter of the Junior Official of the Ministry of Justice, He Chengyu, He Jinru!"

A junior eunuch announced the names outside, and soon, three distinctly graceful young women were led in by their governess.

Upon entering, the three did not look around but performed their bows meticulously and then stood with heads bowed.

Sheng An glanced at the Emperor's expression and said, "Lift your heads—"

The faces of the three, still somewhat youthful, were revealed. The girl on the far left, dressed in lotus root pink, was strikingly beautiful, while the other two were above average in appearance and already possessed a certain poise.

Jiang Hui scrutinized the trio for a moment before saying, "Step forward, each of you."

"Yes."

The three complied, with the girl in lotus root pink leading. She stepped forward, bowed again, and said, "I am Cao Ji Yue, greeting Your Majesty and the Empress."

"You are the daughter of the Cao family? What do you usually do at home?" the Emperor suddenly asked.

Jiang Hui slightly lowered her gaze; Cao Ji Yue's father might only be a Middle Officer in the Ministry of War, not a high position, but her grandfather was Cao Pushe, highly regarded by the Emperor.

Cao Pushe served as the Left Deputy Director of the Chancellery, similar to the Ministry of Personnel, which had no Director but was divided among six ministers. Similarly, the Chancellery had no Director but was split between Left and Right Deputy Directors, overseeing its affairs.

The six ministers, Deputy Directors of the Chancellery, and the two Assistants in the Ministry of Personnel were almost certain candidates for the next Prime Minister.

However, since the resignation of the Left Prime Minister Wei and the retirement of the Right Prime Minister He in the tenth year of Jianzhao, both Prime Ministers had stepped down, and the Emperor had shown no intention of appointing a new one. Currently, if honorary titles were excluded, Cao Pushe was one of the highest-ranking officials.

When asked by the Emperor, Cao Ji Yue remained composed, her voice steady, "Your Majesty, at home, I study literature with my tutor and occasionally assist my mother with household affairs."

The Emperor hummed in response, then turned to Jiang Hui and whispered, "Hui'er, do you have any questions?"

Jiang Hui had already learned from Qin Momo of the Shuxiu Palace that Cao Ji Yue was a well-mannered and reserved young woman. She smiled at Xiao Sheng before asking, "Miss Cao, what kind of books do you usually read?"

Cao Ji Yue slightly bowed her head, still serene, "Your Highness, I enjoy reading history, especially the 'Records of Heroic Women' written by Your Highness."

"Oh?" It was the Emperor who spoke again, "Miss Cao, what do you think of the Princess Protector?"

Cao Ji Yue did not answer immediately, pondering for a moment before responding, "Your Majesty, the Princess Protector was unflustered in danger and as courageous as any man, truly a loyal and valiant figure of our dynasty. However, her forthright manner and numerous adversaries meant she did not use tact in advising her superiors. Consequently, after her demise, the Western River Army immediately collapsed, leaving the previous dynasty with no chance for recovery."

Having spoken, Cao Ji Yue seemed to realize her words were somewhat bold, and a trace of nervousness appeared on her face, finally showing a hint of youthful timidity.

The Emperor gave no particular reaction to her remarks, merely nodding slightly before falling silent.

Jiang Hui also made no comment, smiling instead, "Please take a seat, Miss Cao."

Palace attendants hastily brought a cushioned stool to one side. Cao Ji Yue, unsure of the Emperor's and Empress's thoughts, completed her bow and cautiously sat down, focusing inward and not looking at the other two candidates.

The second candidate stepped forward, also performing her bows, "I am Zhou Jun, greeting Your Majesty and the Empress."

She was dressed in a begonia red brocade skirt and a bean-green short jacket, her hair styled in a hanging bun, looking more like a child who had just grown up.

Jiang Hui asked her, "Miss Zhou, what do you usually do?"

Zhou Jun replied with a relaxed demeanor, "Your Highness, we don't have a tutor at home. I usually study at the Yuheng Academy. On days off, I cook at home."

Yuheng Academy is a newly established girls' academy in the capital. Since the publication of 'Records of Heroic Women', more girls' academies had been established in the Zhou dynasty, still rare but much more common than before, and wealthy families were more willing to send their daughters for education.

"Yuheng Academy?" Jiang Hui put down her tea cup, seeming interested, "What do you study at the academy, Miss Zhou?"

"Rites, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and arithmetic – we have to learn them all!" Zhou Jun's tone became lively as she spoke of the academy, "But the headmaster allows us to choose only two. I was a bit greedy and chose rites, charioteering, and arithmetic."

Rites naturally refer to etiquette and ceremonial practices; charioteering is the art of horse riding; arithmetic is the study of mathematics.

At this point, the Emperor showed interest and asked, "Arithmetic? Why did you choose that, Miss Zhou?"

Although the imperial examinations also tested arithmetic, they primarily focused on Confucian studies, and many court officials were not proficient in this area, often relying on junior clerks for such tasks.

Zhou Jun bowed again, still smiling, "Your Majesty, I don’t know why, but I've always loved arithmetic. My mother said that when I was a baby, during the 'grabbing test,' I chose a golden abacus!"

This remark amused the attendants standing in the hall, but with the Emperor and Empress present, they dared not laugh openly, only slightly curling their lips before quickly resuming their solemn stance.

The Emperor then asked, "Your sister served as a study companion in Huaiqing and studied at the Imperial Academy. Miss Zhou, how do you think Yuheng Academy compares to the Imperial Academy?"