The young general and the prince, who was to be married off, fell in love at first sight!

Chapter 16 Otherwise, I'll stay in your Eastern Palace tonight, and you can play a few songs fo

Although he disliked Prince An, Emperor Longyun still didn't want to embarrass him at the New Year's banquet, so he picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "Alright, I'll drink it too."

Whether His Majesty actually drank the toast or not was of no concern to anyone. What mattered more to everyone was that Prince An, who wasn't quite right in the head, had managed to step over Prince Ping's words and seize the first opportunity to offer a toast.

Could it be that he has truly made progress? Or has he received guidance from someone?

Everyone was surprised and puzzled, but the Prince of Ping, whose opportunity had been snatched away, was different.

He was standing there, not even finished speaking, when that fool Prince An stole his thunder, leaving him standing there awkwardly. If it weren't for his years of forbearance and self-control, Prince Ping would probably have burst into a tirade.

Seeing her son left standing there, Consort Shen, who was seated among the women, quickly got up to help him out.

"Your Majesty, today is New Year's Eve, and your concubine and Prince Ping have some good news to tell Your Majesty and the Empress."

"Oh? What's the good news?"

Consort Shen gave Prince Ping a look, and Prince Ping immediately understood. "Father, this morning when I took his pulse, the imperial physician diagnosed that my wife, Lady Yue, is three months pregnant."

Since the birth of a daughter three years ago, the wife of Prince Ping has not conceived. If it weren't for the influence of Grand Secretary Yue behind his wife, Prince Ping's mansion would probably be full of illegitimate children by now.

"Great, great, this is indeed good news!"

Although everyone knows you said it on purpose today.

"Zitong, remember to reward Princess Ping well tomorrow!"

Bai Qiongzhu nodded with a smile.

Prince Ping followed suit, raised his cup in a toast, and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Emperor Longyun graciously took a sip, and only then did Prince Ping sit down contentedly.

"Alright, everyone, let's start eating."

Emperor Longyun waved his hand, and Eunuch Li, standing beside him, immediately shouted, "Bring on the song and dance!"

A group of elegantly dressed dancers strode onto the stage, displaying their graceful figures to the accompaniment of melodious music.

Lin Shiming immediately put down the chopsticks he had just picked up.

"What are you doing?" Lu Yuxi sat up straight instantly. "Aren't you hungry?"

"Oh, oh, oh..." Lin Shiming perfunctorily picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, his eyes not even moving. In his previous life, he was a soldier, living in a military camp every day. He had never seen such a scene before.

"Lin Shiming!" Lu Yuxi gritted his teeth, "You're already engaged!" Yesterday, after hearing Shi Feng, whom Lin Shihe sent, tell him about Lin Shiming's expectations for singing and dancing, he thought that putting the man under his watchful eye would make him restrain himself. He never expected that this man would dare to act like this even in front of him!

"I know, my good husband, I'll just take a look! I'll just take a look!" Lin Shiming said casually.

"!!!"

Lu Yuxi stared wide-eyed at Lin Shiming. What did he just call me? Husband?

A blush slowly crept onto Lu Yuxi's face. He suddenly felt flustered and his mouth was dry. Helpless, Lu Yuxi drank three glasses of wine before he could bring down the fever.

This person...this person is really...really shameless!

While Lu Yuxi was in a state of chaos, Lin Shiming was completely absorbed by the performance and didn't even know what he had just casually said.

Lin Shiming only looked away reluctantly after the song and dance performance ended.

Then he finally noticed Lu Yuxi, whose face was already flushed red.

"What's wrong with you? Your face is so red! How much did you drink?"

Lu Yuxi finally understood. This heartless man probably had no idea what he had done. Fine, she'd let him off the hook for today, and deal with him later...

"I choked on my drink just now."

Oh, I see! Lin Shiming felt relieved and put a few more pieces of food on Lu Yuxi's plate. "Then eat your food quickly, eat something to calm your nerves."

Lu Yuxi sighed inwardly, but still picked up her chopsticks and ate the food one by one.

The atmosphere at the banquet gradually heated up, and many ministers rose one after another to offer toasts. Emperor Longyun decided whether to drink and how much to drink based on his mood.

"Aren't you going to offer a toast?" The new program was acrobatics, but Lin Shiming had no interest in it whatsoever. Instead, he began to look around.

"No, Father Emperor never cares about these things. It's just my two elder brothers who have a routine for this every year."

"What you're saying is, is this what it means to be favored and therefore fearless? If they heard that, your two imperial brothers would be furious."

Lu Yuxi smiled calmly and remained silent.

Lin Shiming's gaze fell on the platform again, where a woman was offering a toast.

"Who is this?"

Lu Yuxi looked up and sat up straighter. "This is my eldest sister, Princess Heyou. Her birth mother is Consort Yue."

“Oh! I know, my brother told me that she married Xiao Feng, the youngest vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue in our dynasty.”

"That's right. Whenever my eldest sister has the opportunity to return to the palace to visit her birth mother, she always makes a special trip to Fengyi Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager. She has a very good relationship with Consort Yue and the Empress Dowager. You can also get along with her in the future."

Lin Shiming nodded and ate the braised pork that Lu Yuxi had put in his bowl in a few bites.

"Your Majesty," Empress Bai Qiongzhu, who was seated at the head of the table, suddenly spoke with a smile in her eyes after the acrobatic performers had left the stage, "the performances in this palace have remained unchanged for many years, which has become rather monotonous and boring. I would like to venture to suggest that we organize some more innovative activities?"

Here it comes!

"Oh? What are your thoughts, Zitong?" Emperor Longyun followed the procedure.

"I have heard that many noble ladies have come today. How about this, let these ladies show off their talents, whatever they may be. Those who can please Your Majesty can be rewarded with one or two as part of their dowry. This would be Your Majesty's way of showing your care and appreciation for your subjects."

"Hahaha, Zitong, this isn't good of you. You're only eyeing my good stuff. No, you have to offer some prizes too, or I won't allow it."

Bai Qiongzhu smiled and said, "Your Majesty has discovered my little scheme. How about this, I acquired a seven-tailed phoenix hairpin with pearls the other day. It is dazzling, noble, and elegant. Today, I will use it as a prize to bestow upon the noble lady who is most favored by Your Majesty and me. What do you think?"

The Seven-Tailed Phoenix Hairpin was only worn by the Imperial Concubines of the First Rank and above, and among noblewomen, only the Princess Consorts were qualified to use it.

This clearly implies to everyone that today's champion will be the Sixth Prince's principal wife.

"Very well, let it be as Zitong says!" Emperor Longyun made the decision. "Then, I invite all the noble ladies to display their talents. I wonder who has the courage to start this event?"

Lin Shiming had already put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine glass, and put on an expectant face.

The hall fell silent instantly.

However, not long after, a young woman stood up and stepped forward.

"Your subject, Shangguan Yue, daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, wishes to present a zither piece to Your Majesty and Your Majesty to celebrate the New Year."

After speaking, Shangguan Yue gave a graceful bow.

"it is good!"

As Emperor Longyun finished speaking, eunuchs methodically brought out tables, chairs, and a zither.

Shangguan Yue gracefully took her seat, her hands caressing the strings of the zither, and a gentle, melodious sound flowed into everyone's ears.

Wow! A true master! Beautiful woman, exquisite music!

Lin Shiming was full of praise. He was excited and prepared to share his feelings with Lu Yuxi beside him, but when he turned around, he saw Lu Yuxi looking at him meaningfully.

"...What's wrong?"

"What do you say?"

Understood.

But Lin Shiming refused to admit his mistake.

"I just think she plays very well, and I appreciate art."

“I can also play the zither.” Lu Yuxi’s tone sounded quite upright and serious. “And I play it better than her.”

"?" Competing for favor? Lin Shiming chuckled. He lowered his eyes, and when he looked up again, his face was full of innocence and naivety. "But how would I know if you're right or not? Otherwise, I'll stay in your Eastern Palace tonight, and you can play a few pieces for me?"

The blush that had just faded from Lu Yuxi's face returned, and he stammered for a long time, unable to speak after being teased by Lin Shiming.

"you..."

It seems that the Empress's student hasn't quite grasped the essence yet!

Lin Shiming laughed even harder, and continued to push his luck, "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you want me to stay?"

"Lin Shiming!"

Lu Yuxi wished she could shut him up. Now he finally understood how An Wang could be so angry at Lin Shiming's few words.

Seeing that Lu Yuxi was really getting angry with him, Lin Shiming quickly decided to stop while he was ahead.

"Okay, okay, don't be angry, I was wrong."

Seeing that he had finally calmed down and his expression had softened, Lu Yuxi was about to let it go, but before he could speak, he saw Lin Shiming's eyes drift towards the field for a moment.

Lu Yuxi slammed down her wine glass. This man was definitely not someone you could be nice to. "You keep your head down and eat. From now on, don't look up!"

Damn it, we've really messed with someone this time.

Lin Shiming quickly and obediently lowered his head.

When Shangguan Yue finished playing the zither, Emperor Longyun praised her highly, "Truly worthy of being Shangguan Rui's daughter, this piece has a distinct Jiangnan feel to it. I happen to have a painting of misty rain over Jiangnan in my treasury. Li An, have someone fetch it and bestow it upon Miss Shangguan."

"The slave obeys the order."

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Shangguan Yue slowly returned to her seat. With her leading the way, people poured out one after another. Now that the Crown Prince's position was secure, no one could enter his residence, so the Sixth Prince was now highly sought after. After all, the Sixth Prince's principal wife would at least be a princess consort in the future.

Another Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Tang Cheng's granddaughter Tang Ruyin, changed into her dance costume and entered the stage. Lu Yuxi, who was sipping wine, suddenly felt her sleeve being tugged.

Looking down, sure enough, it was Lin Shiming's slender but well-defined hand.

"What's wrong."

"Talk to me for a while, won't you let me watch anything? Aren't you going to talk to me?" Lin Shiming looked at him pitifully.

Lu Yuxi's anger had subsided considerably. Seeing his expression, even though she knew that eight or nine parts of it was an act, she still went along with Lin Shiming's words.

"Okay, what are we talking about?"

Lin Shiming immediately dropped his pretense, "I just want to ask, don't princes usually consider character and family background when choosing a consort? Is it really just about who performs the best today?"

"Of course not. Every year there are some court officials who deserve a reward but can't find a suitable reason. So the noble lady who came out today is to give Father Emperor a reason to reward her." Rewarding their daughter is a comfort to them.

"Oh, so you're saying that who gets what award was predetermined and had nothing to do with their performance?"

"Not entirely. Some are truly outstanding but not on Father's reward list, and they will receive some as well, like Shangguan Yue, who was the first to come out. It can't all be just acting and going through the motions."

Lin Shiming nodded repeatedly, "And what about the Sixth Prince's Consort?"

"The Empress Dowager and Consort Wang have already chosen several candidates. Today, the Emperor will select one from these candidates to be the top choice."

So it was all pre-arranged!

"Who is there?"

"I'm not entirely sure either; I've only heard my mother mention it a few times. There were roughly three or four candidates: Cui, the daughter of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites; Liang, the sister of the Commander of the Capital Garrison; Sun, the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy; and the granddaughter of Tang Cheng, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who is currently here."

"Wouldn't the granddaughter of this Grand Secretary have the best chance?" Although they are all high-ranking officials, it's clear from the name that the Grand Secretary is the highest-ranking official.

Lu Yuxi nodded, "That's right, that's what Mother Empress also meant."

Lin Shiming understood, and lowered his head to eat again.

A moment later, he tugged at Lu Yuxi's sleeve again.

"Your Highness, you should know that there is a lot of infighting in the palace and the inner quarters, right?"