Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

175. The Unexpected Banquet

Translator: LIzi

This time, the family banquet was held in another palace. It was a family banquet after all, so it wasn’t as extravagant as the last time when an outlander came. Seeing Yuxing Tianrui and Du Chuxuan’s sedan chairs coming from outside, the eunuch’s eyes lit up and he quickly went inside to inform that they were coming.

When the two of them got out of the sedan chairs and walked inside, everything inside was ready. Du Chuxuan glanced at the arrangement and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart that the Empress was indeed very capable, even a family banquet could be organized by her so quickly.

Needless to say, there were already several ministers and their wives waiting inside. Those selected girls would be the people in the palace. All of them nestled beside their families. As for Fang Rui, although she was also sitting among the Fang family, she was not very close to the men and women beside her.

“Father, Mother,” the two of them greeted to the Emperor and the Empress. This time, the Emperor and the Empress did not come to the banquet after everyone arrived, but they arrived early instead. It could be said that during this family banquet, the emperor and the ministers were more like a family, not the way like they were estranged in the morning conference.

“Prince Highness, Crown Princess Highness,” everyone bowed to them. All people present were enjoying themselves. Du Chuxuan looked around the entire banquet venue. He thought that with today’s opportunity, the Emperor would release Noble Lady Xiao. After all, Yuxing Wei might want to have one or two women at the banquet.

However, he didn’t expect that everyone came except Noble Lady Xiao. She didn’t even have a seat.

“This is very normal. Although it is a family banquet, there are so many old ministers. If she was released, wouldn’t it mean that the emperor’s decree can be changed casually?” Yuxing Tianrui caught a glimpse of Du Chuxuan’s action and was very clear about his thought. However, if the Emperor had released Noble Lady Xiao, he wouldn’t have been surprised. After all, the Emperor was actually subject to that man.

With the permission of the emperor, everyone began to enjoy the food in front of them. Du Chuxuan usually didn’t like the food at the banquet so he didn’t eat too much. Plus, he wasn’t sure if he had eaten something wrong today; his stomach was very uncomfortable. It was as if he was upset about something.

The people below naturally did not pay attention to the food in front of them. All three princes were sitting in the hall. Although they had a certain understanding of the three princes, those who were slightly ambitious still hoped that their daughters would be married into the East Palace. After that, their status would be different.

As for some who didn’t care about these things, they were even more uneasy. They were worried that their daughters could not marry a good person, and then their life would be ruined.

“There are quite a few people here. It seems like everyone is here. And there are extra ones. Since so many girls have come, I believe you three canno marry all of them.” Du Chuxuan couldn’t help frowning. As far as he knew, eventually no more than six girls could get married with the three princes.

Even if the princes decided to marry more girls, no more than ten of them could be selected. However, with so many people here, it didn’t seem like they had all failed to be chosen. It seemed like there was something he didn’t know.

Yuxing Tianrui was stunned for a moment. He forgot that Du Chuxuan didn’t know much about the palace. After all, even if the general officials did not know much about these things, they often heard about it. So he explained to Du Chuxuan,

“It is impossible for all of them to marry into the palace, but those who are not selected are naturally considered very good girls. If they can be bestowed a title, it will be an extremely glorious for them to marry someone outside in the future, and it’s also glorious for their family. Those people are waiting for this.”

Du Chuxuan understood. Those people were all greedy for profit. If they knew that their girls were not selected and they were happy that, it would be very possible that there were hidden profit behind this.

As they talked about this, an eunuch bent over and padded his feet from outside holding a plate. He quickly ran in. It was obvious that this person had no internal strength in his body, but when he walked, he seemed to have someone helping him, not in the slightest bit sluggish way. Du Chuxuan was slightly surprised. There were indeed some experts in the palace.

The eunuch was the one who came to announce the imperial decree this time. The result of the selection was not announced by Eunuch Desheng, but someone who was irrelevant. This showed that the emperor attached great importance to this draft, and he would not allow anyone to take advantage of it.

“First, I will announce the results of this draft. I hope that the selected girl can maintain your integrity in the future. When you marry your husband, you should support him to maintain the prosperity of our Shenglan country forever.”

When the eunuch finished speaking, the people below were already kneeling. Apart from the emperor sitting above, the only ones who didn’t move were the brothers of the royal family and Du Chuxuan.

After all, this warning was not directed at them, so there was no need for the three of them to kneel at this time.

After everyone sat down again, the eunuch spoke again.

“The second girl of the Zhao Family: Zhao Ling’er, talented and intelligent, virtuous and filial. She is now the model of the current women, therefore she can marry into East Palace as concubine of the crown prince, serving the crown prince and the crown princess to strengthen our Shenglan country.”

After he said this, many people looked at Zhao Ling’er with jealousy. Everyone didn’t expect that this person was so lucky. She had actually entered the crown prince’s East Palace. Everyone else need to be courteous to her when they saw her!

Zhao Ling’er was overjoyed. Although she regretted that she couldn’t live with Yuxing Wei, she instantly became happy when she saw her father and brother’s proud expression.

At that moment, all the people from the Zhao Family stood up. “Zhao Ling’er of the Zhao Family accepts the decree. Thanks for the mercy of the emperor! The Zhao Family will definitely serve the Shenglan country with our all hearts and souls in the future!”

The emperor nodded with satisfaction. Zhao Family had the most daughters in the capital. From another point of view, as the men of the Zhao Family were rare, they wouldn’t be too supportive for each daughter’s husband. This was one of the reasons why the emperor was willing to let the daughter of Zhao Family marry into East Palace.

After the Zhao Family accepted the decree, the eunuch opened the result once again and continued to read, “The legitimate daughter of the Fang family: Fang Rui, who is graceful and virtuous, is actually the good choice to be the concubine of the crown prince. Now she can enter the East Palace as the crown prince’s concubine, serving the crown prince and the crown princess to strengthen our Shenglan country!”

Everyone gasped out after hearing the words. Even Du Chuxuan was stunned.