boyutpedia Chapter 1311 Aristocratic Family
Chapter 1311 Aristocratic Family
The saint patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, Ah Xuan has his own opinions. Besides, there are many talented people in Li Kingdom, there will surely be a woman who can win him over. What we need to do now is to prepare for the talent show properly and ensure that everything goes smoothly."
Lin Yiwan nodded: "Let Miao'er and Qing Ning attend the banquet first, and secretly compile a list!"
The Holy Maiden also said, "This matter cannot be taken lightly. I will also invite more ladies from noble families to visit the manor. By inquiring from various sources, we will surely be able to select a suitable queen for Ah Xuan!"
Once the two had reached an agreement, they immediately sent someone to invite Zhan Miao to come.
As night fell and the lights of the capital city of Liguo were lit, carriages rumbled and officials gathered outside the Zhenguo Duke's mansion.
A richly decorated, gilded carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the mansion gate. The curtain was lifted, and Zhan Miao, dressed in a bright red brocade phoenix-tail palace dress, was the first to step out.
Her dark hair was styled in a high bun, with a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin tucked into it. Her features exuded both the elegance and nobility of a royal princess and a touch of innocent charm.
At this moment, a sharpness beyond her years was hidden in her eyes, for as the only younger sister of King Zhan Xuan of Li Kingdom, she knew the great responsibility of this banquet, which was by no means a simple entertainment.
Following closely behind was Zhan Qingning, who wore a moon-white embroidered magnolia long dress with a trailing hem. Her figure was light and graceful as she walked, and her almond eyes were bright. She stayed by Zhan Miao's side without leaving him for a moment.
"Her Highness the Princess has arrived!" the steward of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion announced loudly, his voice full of respect.
The banquet hall fell silent instantly. The previously noisy crowd turned to look, their gazes filled with both awe for the princess and a touch of the competitive and probing typical of noble ladies.
Zhan Miao remained calm, took Zhan Qingning's arm, and led by the butler, walked straight to the reserved main seat in the hall.
No sooner had they sat down than a sarcastic voice came from behind them: "Oh, so this is our Princess Miao? She's quite pretty, but I wonder what it is about her that makes us noble ladies of the Li Kingdom so captivated?"
The speaker was Liu Rumei, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel. She was dressed in pink silk and satin, with a crown of pearls and jade on her head. She glanced at Zhan Miao with disdain, and her tone was full of sarcasm.
The ladies behind her chuckled, their eyes darting back and forth over Zhan Miao with ill intent.
Zhan Qingning's eyes flashed with anger, and she was about to reprimand him when Zhan Miao raised his hand to stop her.
Zhan Miao raised her eyes, her clear gaze fixed on Liu Rumei. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority: "Whether this princess is capable or not, according to the rules, you should kowtow and pay your respects to this princess, shouldn't you?"
One sentence struck a nerve with Liu Rumei, and her face flushed instantly. She was both angry and anxious: "You, how dare you use your power to oppress others? My Liu family are important officials relied upon by the royal family of Li Kingdom, and we have great prestige in the hearts of the people. On the contrary, you, a pampered princess, how can you be so arrogant and conceited?"
Zhan Miao's lips curled into a cold smile: "Miss Liu also said that your Liu family are important officials in the court. How dare you openly disrespect this princess? Are you trying to rebel?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her sharp gaze swept over the noble ladies behind Liu Rumei. "And these ladies following behind you, could it be that they're all going to commit a grave mistake?"
The charge of disrespect was handed down, and everyone was immediately terrified and trembled with fear.
Liu Rumei, in particular, was so angry that her face turned pale.
She instinctively rushed over, but her friend pulled her back: "Mei'er, don't be impulsive. This is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Her Highness the Princess is of noble status. How can you be rude to her?"
Liu Rumei glared at Zhan Miao, gave a resentful snort, and turned to sit down on the other side.
At this moment, Zhan Qingning reminded Zhan Miao: "Miao'er, what you just said might offend Minister Liu's family."
Zhan Miao picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said with a deep look in her eyes: "So be it if you offend me. If you don't even have this much courage, how can you choose a queen for your brother who can keep the harem in check and assist in governing the country? Besides, this Liu Rumei is narrow-minded and so arrogant. I will never let her be selected."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Duchess of Zhenguo approached with a wine cup in hand, a gentle smile on her face: "Your Highness has come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Today, we are hosting a banquet at our residence and have specially invited many eligible young ladies from the capital, hoping that Your Highness can make some good connections with them."
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam." Zhan Miao stood up to return the greeting, his tone polite but distant.
In truth, everyone knew that this banquet, though seemingly arranged for Zhan Miao, was actually a selection of a noblewoman to become the queen.
That's why everyone dressed up so nicely, hoping to stand out from the crowd.
The Duchess of Zhenguo naturally understood this principle as well. She didn't care about Zhan Miao's attitude and just smiled and nodded.
Her gaze swept over Zhan Qingning, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes, before turning to Zhan Miao: "Your Highness, the young lady beside you is quite beautiful. May I ask who she is?"
“She is my elder sister, Zhan Qingning,” Zhan Miao said calmly.
Just then, a charming voice rang out: "Your Highness, may I play a tune for you to liven things up?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in a light purple gauze dress walking gracefully towards them. She was beautiful and had a slender figure. It was Su Wan, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites. She was holding a pipa in her hands, and her eyes were filled with a hint of flattery and expectation.
Zhan Miao nodded slightly: "Granted."
Su Wan was overjoyed and immediately sat down in the hall, plucking the strings of her zither. The melodious music began, sometimes gentle and graceful, sometimes passionate and stirring, drawing praise from everyone.
Zhan Qingning whispered to Zhan Miao, "Princess, Su Wan's zither skills are quite good, and her family background is also decent, but..."
"But her eyes are shifty, and her intentions are impure." Zhan Miao continued, his eyes cold. "You could see that she wasn't focused when she played. She was clearly trying to use today's opportunity to get our attention. She probably wants to curry favor and secure the position of queen."
Zhan Qingning said helplessly, "It seems she can be eliminated!"
Zhan Miao said with a complicated look in his eyes, "Most of the noble ladies who came today have their own agendas. We just need to observe them coldly and select those who are truly virtuous, from respectable families, and without much ambition."
As the music ended, Su Wan rose and bowed, looking at Zhan Miao expectantly: "Your Highness, how did I play?"
"It's acceptable." Zhan Miao's tone was flat, without the slightest hint of praise.
Su Wan's smile froze, and she felt a little disappointed, but she didn't dare to say anything and could only bow and retreat.
Halfway through the banquet, Zhan Miao excused himself to change and quietly left the table. Zhan Qingning immediately followed, and the two went to a secluded garden in the mansion.
"Meow, I secretly recorded information about several noble ladies just now. One of them, Cheng Yanran, is quite unique. She didn't interact with anyone at all, and her brows showed impatience. Clearly, she didn't come to this banquet with any real intention!" Zhan Qingning reported in a low voice.