jdhmnovel Chapter 375 What kind of fate? It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.
Chapter 375 What kind of fate? It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.
Chapter 375 What kind of fate? It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.
Qin Mucheng picked up the now-cold tea and drank it all in one gulp.
"Sigh~ This time the sacrifice is too great. Why did you insist on having, cough cough, this flower viewing banquet?"
Huangfu Zhongwen had only stated his requirements, but had not revealed everything about the Jiang family, as it involved the privacy of young people.
Qin Mucheng had let it slide back then and hadn't asked, but today he was probably driven to the brink of a mental breakdown by Princess Deqing, which is why he asked again.
Huangfu Zhongwen knew that he had no bad intentions and was just curious, but he still did not intend to say anything.
"This matter involves a junior member of the family, so it's really difficult to say. I hope Brother Qin will understand."
Although Qin Mucheng didn't get an answer, he wasn't angry, since he could fill in the blanks himself.
Brother Huangfu's juniors must be teenagers or young girls?
Is this a story about a young girl's first love? Or a story about a young boy's budding romantic feelings?
Well, anyway, there's definitely a story behind it!
Could it be that some young lady has taken a fancy to a prince? Or perhaps some young master has his eye on someone else's cabbage?
Oh dear, he really came today. He'll have to keep a close eye on whether there are any strange girls or men around.
Hehe, maybe it'll be Qin Xiaoye's discerning eyes that spot it~
Huangfu Zhong breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Qin Mucheng was no longer asking questions and was just standing there in a daze.
The banquet proceeded as scheduled, and most of the young men and women who wanted to show off had already displayed their talents.
The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Princess Deqing had seen enough, so they went to a special place in the back to rest.
The second prince was also taken away by the empress. Before leaving, Princess Deqing gave her nephew a look that said, "I have high hopes for you."
The Empress Dowager showed no reaction, always wearing a smile, as if she were a bodhisattva who would never get angry.
After the three distinguished guests left, the atmosphere became noticeably more lively, and the ladies who had been hesitant to speak loudly before began to chat amongst themselves.
"Madam Rong, your daughter plays the zither exceptionally well! This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it on earth?"
"Oh, you flatter me. Your young master's sword dance is so fluid and majestic, and he's handsome too."
"Oh dear, he's just a rascal. He's not good at studying, and like his father, he likes to play with knives and guns. He won't amount to much."
"How can you say that? A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. Only by being skilled in martial arts can one travel far and wide, right?"
Which of those chivalrous heroes and generals leading armies weren't highly skilled in martial arts, capable of taking on a hundred men single-handedly?
"Haha, that's true. He wants to follow his father to protect the country in the future. Once he gets married and settled down, his father will find him a job."
"That's really great! Any family whose daughter will marry into the Ministry of War's household will be so lucky!"
A capable young man, an easy-going mother-in-law, and a father-in-law in a high position—oh dear, I wonder which family's daughter could possibly marry into such a privileged family.
Madam Rong used all her flattery to compliment Madam Lin, the wife of the Minister of War. Madam Lin was also flattered, but she remained rational.
I can't reveal anything too early. I still need to go home and ask my husband for his opinion. Although Madam Rong is the wife of a vice minister, her family background is still somewhat inferior to my own.
Miss Rong is indeed very beautiful, but we should find out more about her personality in private; we can't just judge her by appearances.
Seeing that Madam Lin was not continuing the conversation, Madam Rong was not in a hurry. She simply instructed her daughter to bring out an embroidered handkerchief for her, pretending to wipe her sweat, but actually demonstrating her embroidery skills.
When Madam Lin saw the embroidered handkerchief, she secretly praised it.
The embroidery is indeed exquisite, but as a daughter-in-law, she doesn't need to do needlework herself at all; there are several embroiderers in the family.
Needlework is good, but it's a minor skill. The Lin family would much rather marry a daughter-in-law who understands military strategy.
Back then, she went to the battlefield with her husband. A daughter-in-law who is too weak is not suitable for the Lin family.
On the battlefield, being able to play the piano won't kill the enemy, and being able to embroider won't conjure up supplies.
Sigh~ I shouldn't have been so polite just now. Why did I have to compliment that girl? It only caused a misunderstanding.
I blame myself for being pretentious. I heard a compliment about music from somewhere and impulsively used it here today. I hope Madam Rong is insightful.
That compliment I gave myself was really just a compliment.
In another corner of the banquet, the two ladies began their professional mutual flattery.
"Mrs. Zhang, daughters are better. They are worry-free, filial, and considerate, unlike sons who only know how to have fun all over the capital and don't care about home."
"Oh dear, not at all! My daughter is such a worry! Every day she's either playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, or tea, or she's studying embroidery with her sisters."
Sigh~ As her mother, I have to find a spare moment to chat with her. Her schedule is packed, and she also has to learn how to manage the household and keep accounts from me.
Seriously, there's never a moment's rest! Just watching her makes me tired. Tell me, what's so good about having a daughter?
Um, are you being modest? It sounds more like you're showing off that your daughter is omnipotent, has three heads and six arms, and is full of energy?
"Well, she shouldn't overwork herself. Young women are delicate, so it's best for her to get plenty of rest."
"Who can argue with that? Her father, her brothers, and I have tried to persuade her many times, but my daughter is just too strong-willed. Sigh, there's nothing we can do about her."
When they're obedient, they really are; but when they're stubborn, they're truly stubborn too. They don't want to give up halfway and always want to do their best.
"Hehe, yeah, yeah, that's how outstanding people are~"
Huangfu Zhongwen wished his ears weren't so sensitive; despite the commotion, he still managed to hear everything, both what he should and shouldn't have heard.
I'm speechless!
No one noticed that one or two groups of people left the table, and then one or two groups of people returned.
Of course, even if they notice, they'll just assume it's because they're going to change clothes (or use the restroom).
In fact, many people were summoned privately by the Empress Dowager and the Empress during the banquet.
Some people returned happily, some returned with solemn expressions, and some were expressionless, whether they were pretending or not, but everyone's expressions were different.
Huangfu Zhongwen discovered it, and Qin Mucheng naturally discovered it as well.
This includes the three princes who kept drinking: the eldest prince, the third prince, and the fourth prince.
However, no one mentioned it, and everyone tacitly understood.
The banquet was just a formality; only a limited number of families were truly favored by the royal family.
The rest is up to everyone to use their own ingenuity and form their own groups; it all comes down to which wife has the strongest social skills!
Neither the eldest prince's mother, Consort De, nor the third prince's mother, Consort Xian, were present. It seems they did not want to get involved, or perhaps they already had someone they preferred.
The Empress was determined to find a wife for her foolish son, but she didn't know which family would win this big prize.
Princess Deqing also had a plan, but she wouldn't tell Qin Muchen.
Huangfu Zhongwen came on his own, without any supervision, so naturally he wouldn't rush to let others choose him.
It remains to be seen how many couples will ultimately form at this flower-viewing party.