Chapter 145: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 145: Unfathomable
After the banquet, holy Emperor summoned more than ten officials for a meeting, mostly from the Ministry of Rites. Once the arrangements for the flower banquet were settled, the Emperor dismissed the others and kept a few trusted ministers behind for a private conversation.
Wei Shuyi was one of them.
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The Emperor had a document in hand, a list that contained the names of potential candidates for the Crown Princess. These names had been carefully selected after several months of secret evaluations, and there were over ten women listed.
These candidates were, of course, the ones that the Emperor considered suitable. However, despite the repeated screening process, the final decision was not an easy one. The Emperor had yet to find a candidate who fully satisfied all her requirements.
If such a perfect candidate had existed, the Emperor might not have needed suggestions from the noble families, and the marriage for the Crown Prince would have been settled already.
The selection of the Crown Princess was a matter the Emperor needed to give careful thought to, far beyond what the noble families might have considered.
First, the family background and appearance must be impeccable. The chosen candidate had to possess the power to win the favor of the court and the people.
Second, she needed to be someone the Emperor could trust or easily control.
These were just the basic requirements.
....
This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
....
After Wei Shuyi and the others had taken their leave, holy Emperor's gaze returned to the list. She muttered softly, "Perhaps I still need to observe the attitudes and movements of the various parties at tomorrow's flower banquet before making a decision..."
Once Wei Shuyi parted from his colleagues, a trace of worry appeared in his eyes.
Miaoqing was also on the list.
The position of Crown Princess seemed glamorous, but the dangers and complexities involved were beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
He did not want his simple-minded younger sister to be dragged into such a treacherous situation.
During the conversation with the Emperor, he had tried several times to gently refuse the matter, no matter the reasons, as long as the Emperor knew that the Wei family had no intention of getting involved.
But at the same time, he knew very well that the Emperor needed someone trustworthy by her side, especially to stand together against their enemies. No emperor would want a subject who, at a crucial moment, would retreat out of personal interests.
The relationship between a ruler and their ministers was never one of absolute trust, and this action by the Emperor was, in a way, a test for him and for the Wei family.
Wei Shuyi thought long and hard before going to see his mother and sister to explain the situation.
Wei Miaoqing was shocked: "My name is on that life-or-death list?!"
"Don't be foolish, it's the list of candidates for Crown Princess," her mother, Duan shi, corrected her, though her eyes were filled with concern. "But with your temperament, you’re not suited for it..."
Wei Shuyi glanced at his sister. "That’s the only silver lining at the moment."
Wei Miaoqing was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Right now, the matter is still undecided, and the Emperor is still considering her options," Wei Shuyi explained. "At tomorrow's flower banquet, there will be a display of talents from the noble ladies. Remember, do not show off or compare yourself to others—don’t reveal any cleverness in front of people."
Wei Miaoqing looked troubled. "Of course, I don’t want to stand out, but I’m afraid that just standing next to those people will make me too noticeable. What should I do?"
Some things couldn’t be hidden, no matter how hard she tried.
"It’s not difficult." Wei Shuyi smiled, offering a practical solution. "Tomorrow, you’ll stand next to Lady Chang. That way, you won’t be so conspicuous."
Wei Miaoqing’s eyes widened in frustration, and she wanted to argue but found herself unable to do so.
She could only complain to her mother. "Mother, look at what Brother is doing!"
But Duan shi smiled. "I think it’s a good idea."
Always bringing up Lady Chang, isn’t that great?
Faced with her mother's teasing, Wei Shuyi pretended not to notice and stood up, reaching over to poke his sister's forehead. "Remember, don’t show off. As for the rest… just leave it to fate."
Wei Miaoqing rubbed her forehead, glaring at him, and retorted, "You, who can’t even get a wife, should be the one worrying about your fate!"
Wei Shuyi didn't bother responding to her and simply turned to leave.
---
The next day, at the Lotus Flower Banquet, the young ladies from various noble families arrived early. These girls, raised in comfort and luxury, with impeccable manners and attire, gathered together, appearing even more beautiful than the blooming lotuses in the garden.
In such a setting, even holy Emperor, seated at the head of the gathering, couldn’t help but relax slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face.
Soon, it was time for the performances to begin.
The Lotus Flower Banquet was quite a grand affair, with many royal family members and officials’ sons in attendance. Some of these young men, encouraged by their companions, also took the stage to perform.
holy Emperor smiled and called out the name of the Crown Prince’s cousin, Prince Rong.
Prince Rong, holding a flute, played a Jiangnan tune. The sound of the flute was gentle, evoking the image of misty mornings in the picturesque region of Jiangnan.
Among the noble ladies, a young woman dressed in a willow-colored skirt, with a serene and composed air, watched the slightly frail young man. As she listened to the melody, her expression became somewhat dazed.
She watched the young man put down his flute, bow, and step back. She couldn’t help but whisper to the maid beside her, "Is that… Prince Rong's heir?"
"Yes, Miss. That is indeed him."
The young lady whispered to herself, "So it was him..."
She recalled seeing him twice at the music house, the flute-playing young man turned out to be Prince Rong's heir, Li Lu. No wonder he was so well-mannered and refined.
"Now, it’s my nephew’s turn to entertain the guests!" Ming Jin stepped forward with a sword in hand.
His performance was sword dancing.
The long sword in his hand gleamed with cold light. As he leapt, the tip of the sword pointed towards a group of noble ladies nearby. Several timid young women turned pale and quickly stepped back in fear.
Ming Jin smiled and briefly fixed his gaze on Chang Suining, standing behind the group of noble ladies, his eyes seeming to flash with coldness.
Chang Suining blinked without showing much emotion.
So scary.
That must have taken some real martial arts skills. Could it be that during his house arrest, he secretly practiced swordsmanship to get back at her?
That would be rather inspiring.
As Ming Jin finished his sword dance, he smiled and bowed to holy Emperor, making sure to speak some auspicious words, such as, "May the empire prosper, and may Your Majesty enjoy good health."
He had been punished for past mistakes, so there was a lingering sense of insecurity. Now, he had the intention to please and make amends.
holy Emperor nodded with a smile. "Not bad. You’ve made some progress."
Ming Jin was greatly pleased and, after a bow, stepped back.
"That sword dance just now was truly impressive," a servant came up to praise him in a low voice.
Ming Jin raised an eyebrow, giving a faint, knowing smile as he scanned the room.
With his house arrest lifted, he was still the most prominent son of the prestigious Marquis Ying, and his aunt was the reigning Emperor—this fact couldn’t be changed by some lowborn girl who tried to gain attention.
His gaze locked onto a certain spot, his teeth clenched in a faint, barely noticeable anger.
The performances by the young men were merely for show; everyone present knew that the true focus of the event today was the young ladies.
And among them, Lady Changsun was especially eye-catching—whether it was her captivating musical performance, her graceful demeanor, or her delicate and dignified face, she drew many admiring comments.
Her father, Changsun Yuan, sitting calmly, showed no outward reaction to the praise, his expression unchanged. "It’s just a display, nothing impressive."
Yao Xia and others also performed.
"Why isn’t Miss Wei going up?" Chang Suining turned to look at Wei Miaoqing, who had been standing next to her the whole time.
Why did it feel like today, Wei Miaoqing was especially reliant on her? Wherever she went, the girl followed.
"I won’t go," Wei Miaoqing whispered, looking a little anxious. "I’m too nervous..." She looked at Chang Suining and asked, "Aren’t you going either?"
It would be best if Chang Suining didn't go, or else, with her there, who could compete with her stunning beauty?
Nearby, Qiao Yumian’s mind involuntarily flashed images of Ning Ning shattering rocks with her chest and Ning Ning pulling down a willow tree... all dramatic and awe-inspiring scenes.
Chang Suining sighed, "I’m nervous too."
Qiao Yumian couldn’t help but feel relieved. If Ning Ning was nervous, then she wouldn’t have to be!
At this moment, the melodious voice of a young girl reciting poetry reached their ears.
"Ning Ning... which family does this young lady belong to?" Qiao Yumian asked curiously in a low voice.
Seeing that Chang Suining didn’t recognize her, Wei Miaoqing explained, "She’s the granddaughter of Minister Ma, Ma Wan. She usually doesn’t go out much."
Chang Suining understood.
So, she was the granddaughter of Ma Xingzhou, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Ma Xingzhou, who came from a humble background, had risen through the ranks by his own merit. While he was skilled, it wasn’t just his talent that got him to this position—he had also been favored and promoted by holy Emperor.
In the previous dynasty, Ma Xingzhou and Changsun Yuan had been political rivals, constantly keeping each other in check.
Thus, in many people’s eyes, Ma Wan, the granddaughter of the minister Ma, was also one of the prominent candidates for the position of the Crown Princess.
holy Emperor was also considering her.
The young girl, dressed in a yellow skirt, was quiet and graceful, but she didn’t quite possess the dignified charm that Lady Changsun had. She lacked the poise and elegance that could only be cultivated by a family of noble lineage.
However, these outward appearances weren’t the most important factors.
In terms of identity, Ma Wan was the one most likely to rival Lady Changsun for the position of Crown Princess.
holy Emperor’s gaze briefly flicked to the elderly Ma Xingzhou, who stood by, his hair and beard completely white.
The politics within the court were intricate and complex, far beyond the mere distinction between noble families and commoners. Though Ma Xingzhou came from humble origins, as his position in the court solidified, he had become someone hard to control.
The emperor’s intentions were difficult to read, and the intentions of the ministers were not always transparent, nor could they be easily seen through.
holy Emperor was certain that Ma Xingzhou wouldn’t align himself with the aristocrats, but when it came to choosing between her and the Crown Prince, how Ma Xingzhou would decide remained uncertain.
The emperor hesitated, evaluating all options carefully, unwilling to make any hasty decisions.
As the banquet progressed, a loud voice from the inner courtyard echoed through the garden—
"Master Tianjing, the National Teacher, has arrived!"
Surprised murmurs spread throughout the guests.
"Master Tianjing has arrived?"
"The National Teacher has left seclusion?"
Everyone turned their attention toward the newcomer.
An elderly Daoist monk appeared, his face already showing signs of age, with his beard and hair completely white. He appeared to be over seventy years old, but his steps were light, as if he weren’t an old man at all.
Chang Suining paused for a moment before quietly asking, "Master Tianjing... was he a diviner?"
Xi’er nodded and whispered, "Yes, Master Tianjing is famous for his expertise in divination. Any predictions he made have always been accurate… but for some reason, three years ago, he suddenly entered seclusion and hasn’t appeared in public since..."
Chang Suining understood.
It was as she had heard before. There was a skilled diviner from Langzhong who was well-versed in the mystic arts and could read people’s fortunes by looking at their faces. She had once sent someone to search for him, but had been unable to find any trace of him. At the time, she had felt a little wronged and had drunkenly cried on Old Chang’s shoulder, lamenting that she felt like she was always left in the dark.
She never expected that after more than a decade, the person had become the National Teacher of the Da Sheng Dynasty.
Rumors also said that he not only excelled in divination but had a fascination with immortality and longevity...
As Chang Suining was pondering, she saw the National Teacher walking toward them.
She, along with Wei Miaoqing and the others, stood by a cluster of flowers. As the National Teacher walked past them, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The Daoist turned his head, his eyes clear and tranquil, as though he could see through everything in the world.
Without warning, Chang Suining found herself locking eyes with him.
It was because he was staring directly at her.
As their gazes met, a chill autumn breeze swept through, sending leaves fluttering into the air. The girl’s drapery fluttered in the wind, and the delicate jingling of her hairpin could be heard.
In that moment, Chang Suining inexplicably felt a sense of being exposed.
It was a sensation born from the depths of her heart—an instinctive unease. Yet, she was most adept at masking her emotions, no matter the person or the situation.
The wind died down. The drapery fell, and the hairpin settled into stillness.
The young girl lifted her hand and bowed her head in silent respect.
The National Teacher, almost imperceptibly, gave a slight nod in return before his gaze moved on, continuing his walk forward.
This scene was observed by holy Emperor.
With a smile, holy Emperor remarked, "Master Tianjing has finally emerged from seclusion. I have been awaiting your return for quite some time."
At that moment, congratulations for the National Teacher’s return filled the air. Even the Crown Prince stood to offer his congratulations.
Changsun Yuan remained silent, his eyes fixed on the youthful-looking Daoist. Was the timing of his return a coincidence?
...
Back in the temporary study where the emperor was handling state matters, holy Emperor had a private discussion with Master Tianjing for quite some time.
Finally, holy Emperor asked, "I noticed today that you seemed particularly interested in one of the young ladies at the flower banquet?"
"Yes," Master Tianjing replied. "Her facial features are most unusual."
holy Emperor’s eyes subtly shifted. "Unusual? What is the deeper meaning behind this?"
Master Tianjing didn’t answer immediately, instead saying, "I would like to look at her birth date and fortune. May I?"
He knew that everyone attending the banquet had their birth information recorded, as it was meant to be a selection for the future Crown Princess.
holy Emperor nodded, signaling for Ming Luo to retrieve the records.
However, when they reached Chang Suining’s page, Ming Luo spoke up. "Your Majesty, the birth details of Miss Chang are not available."
holy Emperor turned to Master Tianjing. "Ah, there is something you may not know. This girl is an orphan. Her family passed away when she was young, and by chance, she was taken in by General Chang’s family. That’s why her birth details could not be found."
"Ah, so that’s the case..." Master Tianjing’s eyes flickered, as though he understood, yet was still puzzled. "No wonder I felt an inexplicable sense of uncertainty when I looked at her face."
Uncertainty?
holy Emperor asked, "You just mentioned her features were unusual. Does this ‘unusual’ refer to this feeling of uncertainty?"
Master Tianjing shook his head slightly. "It’s not just that..."
After a moment of silence, Master Tianjing finally took his leave.
holy Emperor stood lost in thought, his gaze falling once again on the page in the record.
The entry on the page read: *Chang Suining, daughter of the General of the Cavalry, age sixteen, birth details unknown.*
Ming Luo’s gaze also slowly fell.
After a brief pause, she hesitated before speaking. "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. I’m not sure if it’s feasible."
"Speak."
Ming Luo continued, "It seems now that Miss Chang might be the best candidate for the position of Crown Princess."
Good night (づ￣3￣)づ╭
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