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“Your praise is too kind,” Yingbao modestly replied.

Madam Yao, who was sitting next to them, sneered and turned her head to chat with another lady.

Lady Lv asked: “How old are you this year?”

“Seventeen.”

“Have you been engaged yet?”

“Not yet.”

“My! Such a good child, how is it that you aren’t engaged yet?” Lady Lv’s smile widened, she began to whisper: “To tell you the truth, I have a daughter who is sixteen and adamantly refuses to discuss her marriage. It’s absolutely worrisome.”

Yingbao: “Eighteen is a proper age for marriage. Your daughter must be reluctant to leave home.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Lady Lv sighed, “I wish to keep her with me for a few more years too, but the boys in other families are already engaged. If we wait any longer, it would only delay her.”

Yingbao: …

Why do all mothers seem to share this mindset? Her mother seems to think the same.

Lady Lv took a sip of the tea in front of her and whispered: “Madam County, has your younger brother been engaged yet?”

Yingbao blinked: “He will be soon. It will be finalized after the New Year.”

Her family had already sent her younger brother’s marriage documents to the Luo Family, and the Luo Family had handed Luo Zhao’s documents to the matchmaker. All that was left was for the Cabinet of Astronomy to compute the auspicious date.

Lady Lv seemed disappointed, but soon said: “My daughter’s temperament is similar to yours. When we go home, I’ll have her send you an invitation. The two of you can get to know each other and become confidantes.”

“Thank you for your kind consideration,” Yingbao replied.

After chatting for a while, the mother-in-law of Concubine Chen leaned in and greeted Yingbao with a friendly smile: “My daughters are close to the County Mistress of Qinchuan in age, you all must have a lot in common.”

Yingbao smiled delicately.

While they were talking, they heard the royal eunuch annouce:

“Concubine Hui has arrived!”

“Concubine Xian has arrived!”

“Concubine Shu has arrived!”

“Concubine De has arrived!”

Upon hearing the announcement, everyone hurried to their feet and kneeled down beside the table.

Yingbao kneeled behind Lady Chen and Lady Lv, discreetly raising her head for a peek.

She saw the four imperial consorts enter in a line. They were dressed in resplendent garments, their ornaments and crowns jingling delicately, their long ribbons trailing behind them like a profusion of blossoms.

They were followed by several imperial concubines, as well as a multitude of palace maids and attendants.

The four imperial consorts took their seats behind the main table, with the imperial concubines seated on each side.

The palace maids stood behind the imperial consorts, each holding a long-handled fan, while the other attendants, carrying ceremonial implements, stood to one side.

Concubine Hui, who was in charge of the event, said: “Ladies, please rise.”

It was only then that the noblewomen were able to stand up.

Concubine Hui: “Please be seated. There’s no need for formality.”

Everyone then took their seats.

After Concubine Hui said a few encouraging words, the banquet began with dishes, fruit, and wine being served by the palace attendants.

Yingbao noticed that the dishes at her side of the table were more plentiful than those at her mother’s side, with a few additional dishes.

Even the vessels used to serve the food were different.

Regardless, the noblewomen ate very carefully, setting down their chopsticks after only a few bites.

During the banquet, performers from the Ministry of Rites displayed their skills, and acrobats performed their tricks.

A young girl contorted her body into a fold, using her mouth to pick at the silk flowers under a decorated stool.

Yingbao was somewhat disinterested, and she waited impatiently for the banquet to finally end.

After the four imperial consorts left with a crowd of attendants, many imperial consorts followed to visit their own daughters, leaving only the lower-ranked noblewomen in the great hall.

After leaving the Grand Hall, Yingbao waited for her mother and the others, then left the palace with them.

Once they had exited the Meeting Gate and climbed into the carriage, Yingbao remembered that the Emperor’s teacher had asked her to visit the Zichen Hall to observe the young talents.

She decided against it.

Simply judging by appearance, what could one discern?

“Miss, please wait!”

A hurried voice came from behind the carriage.

Meixiang turned her head to see that it was a eunuch from Taihe Hall.

Yingbao had the carriage stopped and saw a teenage eunuch running to the front of the carriage, panting: “Miss, the Emperor requests your presence at Taihe Hall.”

“What am I to do in Taihe Hall?” Yingbao asked.

“I don’t know.” The young eunuch stealthily wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “The Emperor said if you don’t go, he will arrange the marriage directly.”

Yingbao: …

Her master was becoming more and more unreliable.

Turning to Chunniang, she said, “Mom, you go home first. Meixiang and I will check it out.”

“Alright.” The Emperor arranging Yingbao’s marriage actually pleased Chunniang.

Nowadays, their daughter held such a high position that she and her husband could not find a suitable husband for her. It would be better to let her master take the initiative.

There’s a saying that the teacher is the father for life. Zhou Wuchang counts as Yingbao’s master and elder. He would definitely choose a good family for her.

Yingbao got off the carriage, taking Meixiang and Lanxiang with her towards Taihe Hall.

When they got to Taihe Hall, they saw many old ministers leaving the palace.

Yingbao hesitated a moment, then followed the young eunuch towards Liu Garden by the side of Taihe Hall.

Inside Liu Garden, some young officers were gathered in small groups chatting and seemed not to have noticed the women’s arrival.

“Yingbao?” A male voice sounded from the side.

Yingbao turned around to see Wei Zhan and Wen Hengyin standing together. Zhang Min and Zhou Hao were standing next to them, as were Jiang Jie, Jiang Wu, and Huzi.

“Eh? When did you guys come to the capital?” Yingbao asked.

Wei Zhan chuckled, “Early this morning.”

He, Wen Hengyin, and Zhang Min had ridden their horses day and night to catch the New Year’s palace banquet.

“No wonder.” She had been wondering that this guy came to the capital and didn’t go to find Huzi and Jiang Wu. Turns out he didn’t have time.

Wei Zhan scratched his head, sneaked a glance at Yingbao, and spoke in a low voice: “Yingbao, come over here. I have something to say to you.”

“What’s up?” Yingbao glanced at the others and followed Wei Zhan aside.

“It’s just… I heard from Huzi that your aunt is selecting a family for you.”

Wei Zhan looked somewhat embarrassed: “I… I want to tell you…”

“What?” Yingbao was curious.

Could it be that this guy wanted to volunteer for… no, to propose a match?

Wei Zhan took a deep breath and puffed out his chest: “Well, how do you feel about me?”

Yingbao’s mouth twitched as she gave him a look: “Not bad, a bit dark though.”

“You… ” Wei Zhan looked helpless, “If I stay indoors for a few days, I could lighten up.”

“Really?”

“Really, really! My tan is because I’ve been out in the sun.” Wei Zhan patted his chest, “My mom is fair, my dad is also fair. There’s no reason why I should be dark.”

Yingbao held back a laugh: “Alright, I believe you.”

Wei Zhan grinned widely, showing his white teeth: “Then I’ll go and inform the Emperor.”

Yingbao nodded.

If she was forced to choose, then Wei Zhan it was.

At the very least he seemed transparent, easy to read.

Wei Zhan, overjoyed, ran towards Taihe Hall.

He hadn’t wasted a moment after receiving Huzi’s letter and had rushed day and night to arrive just in time.

Yingbao watched Wei Zhan frolic off in the distance with a faint warmth in her heart.

Turning around, she saw her younger brother Jiang Jie and Jiang Wu coming over.

“Sister, did you choose Wei Zhan?” Jiang Jie asked.

Yingbao nodded.

“Why didn’t you choose Wen Hengyin?” Jiang Wu asked.

Yingbao was puzzled: “Why should I choose Wen Hengyin?”

Jiang Wu: “I wrote to Wen Hengyin, telling him about your marriage selection and asked if he was willing to come. Yet, he came but you chose Wei Zhan.”