Emperor Jianwen seemed oblivious, and continued to speak with great interest: "Lianniang, you are the master at Lianchi Academy and teach your students carefully. This year, let them enter the palace to enjoy the lanterns together."
"If word spreads, it will be a grand event in the palace, and it will bring dignity to all the students of Lianchi Academy."
"The name of Women's College will become more and more famous. It is also a happy event for Lianchi College."
Queen Yu's head still lay on Emperor Jianwen's chest, and her body did not move.
Emperor Jianwen couldn't see Queen Yu's face, so he didn't know what Queen Yu's expression was at this time. After talking for a long time, Queen Yu had no reaction.
Emperor Jianwen paused for a moment, then whispered: "Actually, I also have some selfish motives."
"A year has passed. The third and fourth emperors are now fourteen, and the fifth emperor is thirteen. In two years, the wedding will be held. The matter of choosing the prince's concubine is extraordinary."
"I thought it would be better to take advantage of this Lantern Festival to see each other in advance. If there is anyone I like, I can secretly observe her for two years to see if she has a good character and is worthy of becoming a prince's concubine."
This reason is indeed reasonable.
The second prince's concubine, Zhao Changqing, was a student of Lianchi Academy. Two years ago, she accompanied her mother to the Jiaofang Palace to pay her respects and met the second prince. The second prince fell in love with her and asked Emperor Jianwen to marry her.
The Zhao family came from a scholarly family, and Zhao Changqing's father was a priest of the Imperial Academy. Zhao Changqing was beautiful, talented, and intelligent, and was Empress Yu's favorite disciple.
Emperor Jianwen quickly nodded in agreement. Empress Yu personally issued a decree to confer marriage.
This marriage became the talk of the capital.
All the girls in the Lotus Pond Academy were also envious of Zhao Changqing's opportunity to marry as the prince's concubine. If there was an opportunity to come to the palace to pay respects, no one would miss it.
Queen Yu had no reason to refuse this matter.
Empress Yu finally opened her mouth and agreed: "I, my concubine, obey the emperor's order."
The titles suddenly returned to the emperor and concubine.
The intimacy of that moment was gone without a trace.
Emperor Jianwen seemed to want to open his mouth to explain something, but couldn't. He simply kept silent.
…
The next day, a phoenix decree from Jiaofang Palace was passed into Lianchi Academy. Within half a day, it spread throughout the capital, causing an uproar.
For the Shangyuan Lantern Festival in the palace, all students of Lianchi Academy must be summoned to the palace!
God!
Isn't this just a disguised event for selecting the prince's concubine?
God!
Why do other people have daughters studying at Lianchi Academy, but not my own daughter?
Why can't such a happy event happen to my family?
On this day, the family was overjoyed to have a daughter studying in Lianchi Academy and secretly gearing up. On the other hand, they were beating their chests and stamping their feet in frustration.
Xie Jun, the minister of Honglu Temple, was overjoyed when he heard the good news.
Among the girls in Lianchi Academy, who is more outstanding than Xie Mingxi? Empress Yu chooses the princess, and Xie Mingxi will definitely be selected. It is just right to wait a few years to get married.
The only regret is that Xie Mingxi is a concubine. The concubine of a fourth-grade official is really reluctant to be the prince's concubine...
Fortunately, Xie Mingxi is now Chief Gu's only disciple. This level of status is enough to make up for the shortcomings of a concubine.
Colleagues invited him to have a drink, but Xie Jun politely declined without hesitation and quickly returned to Xie's house.
In this year, Xie Mingxi goes to Lianchi Academy every day to study with Master Gu, regardless of wind or snow, without exception. Xie Jun has no objection at all to this, and hopes that Xie Mingxi and Master Gu will get closer as possible.
Seeing Xie Jun's face beaming with joy, Mr. Xie quickly asked what was going on.
Xie Jun couldn't suppress the joy on his face and told the whole story in a low voice.
As expected of a direct father and son, Mr. Xie's eyes immediately lit up, and he whispered excitedly: "This is great! Ming Niang will definitely be selected as the prince's concubine."
Most of the princes are underage, and have neither established a prince nor a king. If they can become princes and concubines, they may take a step further in the future... Even becoming a feudal princess in the future will be enough to dazzle the family and make the Xie family with a shallow foundation gain a foothold in the capital.
.
Very good!
It is simply a great opportunity given to the Xie family by God!
Xie Jun grinned and said: "My father and I have thought of getting together. This time, Ming Niang will definitely shine."
At this moment, Xie Mingxi came back.
…
Mr. Xie stood up in person and went out together with Xie Jun. He was quite excited and eager to welcome the future princess.
"Ming Niang, you should know the decree issued by the Empress, right?" Xie Jun said with a beaming face.
In comparison, Xie Mingxi's reaction was too calm, almost indifferent: "I know."
Why is there no joy at all for such a happy event?
Xie Jun was stunned for a moment, then quickly laughed in a low voice: "You silly girl, haven't you understood the purpose of this phoenix decree? Let me tell you, this is an excellent opportunity to reach the sky in one step. Think about how many people who are still underage
Your Royal Highness..."
Xie Jun's hint was very obvious, and the smile on Jun's face was so bright that it was blinding.
Xie Mingxi twitched the corners of her lips and made a sarcastic arc: "Thank you, father, for reminding me."
Xie Jun immediately and earnestly warned: "There are still a few days until the Lantern Festival. Take advantage of these days to make two new clothes, and then ask the shopkeeper of Zhenbaozhai to send some jewelry. There is no need to save, pick whatever you like."
Mr. Xie also said: "After the Chinese New Year, you are now eleven years old. As a girl, she has grown up, so she should also learn to dress up."
The sarcastic curve on Xie Mingxi's lips deepened.
Mr. Xie was worried that she was young and tender, so it would be best to dress up a little more maturely so that she would look more in line with the princes... She was really careful, thoughtful and considerate.
Xie Mingxi has been filled with annoyance since she learned about this decree from Chief Gu Shan. At this time, she saw Xie Jun and Mr. Xie's expression of wanting to put her into the palace right away, and her mood became even worse.
She has an almost beast-like intuition.
Being called into the palace this time was definitely not a good thing for her.
Where she couldn't see or think clearly, there seemed to be an invisible net quietly covering her head. If she was not careful, this giant net would fall down...
Who does this danger of being coveted come from?
Is it the third prince? The fourth prince? Or the fifth prince?
Or is there someone else?
…
Xie Jun and Mr. Xie were still chattering in their ears.
Xie Mingxi really didn't have the patience to listen anymore, so she said lightly: "I'll go back to Chunjin Pavilion to rest first."
Without saluting, he turned around and left.
Xie Jun didn't feel that his daughter was rude at all. Instead, he smiled and praised: "Our mother-in-law is born to be noble."
It is normal for people who are born with noble looks to have a slightly louder temper.
Mr. Xie was convinced: "You are right! Ming Niang is a person of great fortune. We should treat Ming Niang better in the future."
"If the princess wants to create difficulties, you must protect Ming Niang."
"Also, Aunt Ding is also a fool. Ming Niang is alienated from her and asks Aunt Ding to stay away from Ming Niang from now on."
