20demayo Chapter 504
Chapter 504
“Marry?”
Yan Qingqing shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum: “I’m not marrying anyone. Haven’t you seen the troubles Zhang Jiejie has after getting married? Every time she comes home, she cries to her mother about how her mother-in-law is harsh or her sister-in-law makes life difficult. I’m not going to put up with that kind of treatment.”
Growing up in the General's Mansion, she had been pampered to no end. What man would be worth giving up such a comfortable life for? Plus, dealing with the hardships of marriage? She’d rather kill him now before love messes up her head.
“Hmm...”
Hong Guo pondered, thinking hard about families in the capital that might meet their criteria, all for the sake of enjoying good food and luxury with their mistress in the future.
“Oh!”
Suddenly, she exclaimed, her eyes widening, “Isn’t Prince the Third back? The one we saw at Noble Consort Chunyi’s funeral. You were totally mesmerized by him, remember? Mmmph!”
Yan Qingqing jumped up and clapped her hand over Hong Guo’s mouth: “Why do you blurt out everything, even the things you shouldn’t?”
Hong Guo pulled her hand away: “Once the Crown Prince is betrothed, all the princes will be granted their duchies. When the Crown Prince marries, the princes will all leave for their fiefs. Think about it! Prince the Third’s mother and extended family are already gone, and his only sister is married in Yunyang. If you marry him, he’ll take you to your fief, and if you capture his heart, being so far from the emperor, wouldn’t everything be under your control?”
Yan Qingqing thought for a moment, then grinned slyly: “You know, that actually makes sense.”
As spring arrived—
Young men and women across the city would embark on outings to enjoy the season. Groups of friends would gather to fly kites, admire spring flowers, compose poetry, and go fishing.
Ordinary folk would visit famous mountains with beautiful scenery, while high-ranking officials’ daughters like Yan Qingqing visited the imperial gardens.
With their unparalleled beauty, and attended by palace maids and eunuchs, these outings were sure to be luxurious and comfortable.
Moreover, the imperial gardens offered the chance to hunt, enjoy performances, and attend various events organized by the palace. Spring became a lively and exciting season.
A series of carriages departed from the capital, heading toward the outskirts’ Bullhead Mountain, where the ladies disembarked.@@@@
Representing the top nine aristocratic families in the capital, including the Jiang, Yan, Jing, Jiang, Yu, Shi, Zheng, Li, and Wei families of the Royal We family, their daughters participated in the spring banquet.
Jiang Yankun had already become the Prime Minister of the Grand Secretariat. His eldest son, though somewhat mediocre in ability, was obedient and honest, now presiding over Shuntian Prefecture and overseeing the promotion, demotion, and evaluation of civil officials nationwide.
His younger son was the empress’s own brother, already twenty-five, renowned for his literary talent, having passed the imperial exams at nineteen and serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. However, remaining unmarried at his age was quite unusual.
Rumors swirled that he preferred men, though no one dared to mention it in his presence.
Prince the Seventh was only fourteen, too young for marriage yet a prime opportunity to gain his attention.
As Yan Qingqing arrived at the hunting grounds, a crowd had already gathered, cheering for the princes.
The maidens, dressed in their finest, vied to attract their favorite princes.
Meanwhile, the princes, aware of the importance of this spring banquet hosted by the empress, had adorned themselves extravagantly, showcasing their prowess on horseback.
Sitting on the high platform, Jiang Xinyue felt as if she were at a grand matchmaking event.
Consort Shu couldn’t help but smile: “Youth is truly beautiful.”
Having joined the palace three years after Consorts De and Liang, yet already forty, she appeared closer to fifty. Other consorts, with proper care, looked only thirty-something, revealing the toll her time in the palace had taken on her.
In her youth, she had harbored resentment, blaming the late empress’s intrigues and Concubine Li’s indifference for her misery in the cold palace.
Now, as time passed, those grievances had faded.
A beauty’s decline is but a fleeting moment. True happiness from one’s heart is what life should truly seek.
She turned to look at Jiang Xinyue.
At thirty, the empress was even more beautiful than at twenty.
The passage of time had endowed her with wisdom and serenity. Her youthful radiance had evolved into a quiet sway, exuding an aura of dignity that dissuaded others from meeting her gaze.
If any contestant were to enter the palace now, who would dare to challenge her?
A single glance could terrify them.
Such is the natural gravitas that comes with long-lasting authority.
From the hunt grounds, someone jested: “Yan Qingqing’s here.”
The maidens, previously shouting to cheer the Crown Prince, nervously glanced at Yan Qingqing’s reaction.
After all, flirting with the Crown Prince before the presumed Crown Princess felt risky, lest she sought vengeance later.
With Empress standing as her protector, no one dared compete against her.