HMAM CH 56 Selection Banquet
Jing Le practiced his sword thrusts in the courtyard while Lin Hangyu went out to train with his sword at the scheduled time, leaving Jing Xiao Yun sitting on the bed, playing with the wooden toys Lin Hangyu had carved for him. The bed was surrounded by a fence, so there was no worry of the child falling off.
When no one was around for him to act spoiled to, Jing Xiao Yun was especially well-behaved, obediently amusing himself with the wooden toys.
After practicing fiercely and sweating for an hour, Jing Le was just about to stop and go inside for a drink when he suddenly saw someone enter through the courtyard gate—it was Ye Mao, the chief eunuch who served in Jing Ye's palace.
Ye Mao smiled and said, "Greetings to the young prince's heir."
"Ye Gonggong." Jing Le nodded as he sheathed his sword. Despite his young age, he had learned to maintain a serious expression that resembled an ice block from his teacher, but his young face lacked confidence when trying to look serious, causing the palace attendants nearby to suppress their laughter.
Ye Mao stepped aside to let Jing Ye enter. Jing Le straightened and greeted, "Paying respects to Your Majesty."
Jing Ye walked over with a smile, ruffling Jing Le’s slightly sweaty hair: “What is Yun’er doing?”
“He’s playing with the toys teacher made for him,” Jing Le replied somewhat awkwardly. His father passed away early, and he rarely experienced such casual, affectionate actions from his elders. Lin Hangyu never touched the top of his head and rarely held his hand.
When Jing Ye entered the room, Jing Xiao Yun looked up, immediately tossing his toy aside and reaching for an embrace: “Uncle!”
Jing Ye worried that he might fall from the railing if he reached out too forcefully, so he quickly picked him up, sitting beside the bed and rubbing his face to make him laugh.
Outside, the palace maids took out the snacks they had brought. Ye Mao smiled at Jing Le and said, “These were made by Lu Gongzi himself; they taste wonderful. The prince's heir, please have a try.”
Jing Le firmly refused: “No need. My teacher says eating pastries isn’t good for the teeth.”
“You can’t believe everything your teacher says.” As Jing Ye exited the room, he picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into Jing Le's mouth, saying, “He certainly didn’t tell you that pastries taste better than rice.”
The taste of the pastry was fragrant, sticky, and sweet, filling Jing Le’s cheeks.
He thought to himself: I’m not eating this, I’m not eating this, I’m not eating this… and then he chewed a few times, reluctant to swallow it so quickly.
Jing Ye watched him while smiling, and sensing something, turned back and said, “Mr. Lin.”
Jing Le, startled, swallowed it all in one go, letting out a little “burp.”
Lin Hangyu turned his gaze to Jing Le, then back to Jing Ye, saying, “I have something to discuss with Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye had somewhat guessed the topic and gestured for them to speak inside.
Once Ye Mao took Jing Xiao Yun out, Jing Ye asked, “Is what you want to discuss related to the appointment of an empress?”
Lin Hangyu replied, “If Your Majesty is determined to appoint an empress, please return Jing Yun to the Xiaoyi Pavilion.”
Jing Ye asked, “Just because you say to return him, zhen should return him?”
Lin Hangyu said, “An old friend has entrusted me with this. I must not go against it.”
Jing Ye spoke bluntly: “Why don't you go ask Yun’er if he wants to stay with zhen, or with his teacher, who can’t even hold a child.”
Lin Hangyu: “…”
Jing Ye met Lin Hangyu’s icy gaze and sighed, saying, “You need not worry. I am determined never to appoint an empress in this lifetime; Yun’er is the only heir to the throne.”
Lin Hangyu responded, “Empty words mean nothing.”
Jing Ye laughed: “How is it not credible? Zhen prefers men, so zhen won’t have children with any women.”
Lin Hangyu fell silent and merely continued to stare at Jing Ye.
Jing Ye felt uneasy under his gaze, thinking: Can such things really be assessed with just an eye?
The other man quickly averted his gaze and said, “I will trust you for now.”
For now? That is my precious nephew; if one day you decide to take him away, will I really be helpless? Does the emperor lack a few expert masters to deal with you?
Jing Ye was indifferent to this thought and walked out, casually pinching another piece of pastry and stuffing it into Jing Le's mouth.
Jing Le glanced at his expressionless teacher and swallowed with teary eyes.
The imperial decree had been issued, and the selection of candidates was set to begin. Typically, the Ministry of Revenue would send out notices to collect registries of suitable girls of marrying age from each region, which would then be scrutinized before entering the palace—this process was quite complicated.
However, this time, since it was for the empress selection, Jing Ye's method simplified things significantly. Noble families and local gentry would recommend virtuous and talented young women of noble birth to enter the palace for the emperor's selection, with a limited number of slots available.
Although the emperor's preference for men was well known, he had changed from being tyrannical and foolish like he had been two years prior, instead taking a more streamlined approach reminiscent of his predecessor, while also exuding a youthful charm. For these girls from prominent families, raised with a haughty demeanor, being selected as an empress or consort was a path they had known they would take since childhood, and it presented a great opportunity.
Lin Min stood by the painting table, initially sketching a few hibiscus and daylilies, but then her hand wandered to draw the man she had seen that day.
Her close maid cautioned her softly, “My lady, you’re going to enter the palace, either as an empress or as a consort…”
Lin Min regarded her painting and said, “I know I’m going to enter the palace, either as an empress or as a consort.”
Seeing her demeanor, the maid sighed internally and stopped persuading her.
Lin Min made an effort to remember the man’s clothing, demeanor, and features, just as she was about to finely sketch it out when she suddenly heard her maid call: “Madam.”
Both young lady and maid were startled. Lin Min quickly turned around, while the maid swiftly used a paperweight to press the small sketch down.
Lady Feng glided into the inner chamber gracefully and asked, “What are you doing?”
Lin Min replied, “There was nothing to do all day, so I sketched a few paintings to ease some boredom.”
Lady Feng seemed to have heard a joke: “Nothing to do? In a few days, there will be a flower banquet at Ronghua Pavilion. All the noble families with daughters waiting to marry in the capital have been sent invitations, including the officials who will oversee the selection, as well as painters to present their beauty to the His Majesty. Aren’t you going to think about what kind of makeup His Majesty prefers, what colors he likes, instead of just idly painting?”
Lin Min bit her lip and said, “His Majesty favors men, so how could he like women’s makeup?”
Lady Feng said, “Fool! Knowing full well His Majesty doesn’t favor heavy makeup, you should choose lighter colors. Sitting here doing nothing, do you think just relying on beauty will let you win? You must know that there are many noble girls competing, not to mention the youngest daughter of the Gu family, who has a brother in the palace enjoying the emperor’s favor and is not that much behind you in terms of advantages.”
Lin Min lifted her head and said, “Didn’t you say that Lin Xiaosheng is of lowly origin and unworthy to be called my eldest brother?”
Lady Feng placed her hand on Lin Min's cheek and softly replied, “Indeed. Not just because he is of lowly status, but because he never considered himself a member of the Lin family, and he doesn’t view you as his sister.”
When Jing Ye woke up from his afternoon nap, Gu Hong was sitting next to him, dressed and reading a letter.
Jing Ye sat up, sleepily glancing at the letter: “Whose is it?”
Gu Hong helped tidy Jing Ye's loosened collar and smiled, “This subject's father is urging my youngest sister to participate in the selection. She wrote to ask this subject to come back to help her.”
Jing Ye quickly became awake, amused and said, “What does your family have to do with this?”
Gu Hong flicked the letter, saying, “She’s about to reach marrying age and is quite wild, running around everywhere. This subject and my brothers have spoiled her too much, and this time this subject will take the opportunity to rein her in a bit.”
Jing Ye gave him a sidelong glance and chuckled, “Does she not have anyone she fancies? Let her tell zhen, and zhen will issue a decree to marry her off.”
Gu Hong put down the letter and said, “A monarch’s promise is invaluable; once spoken, it cannot be retracted.”
Jing Ye replied, “Zhen has not retracted anything.”
Gu Hong reached out and adjusted Jing Ye's collar again: “Then why, last night, did Your Majesty agree to allow only this subject to keep you company at night, yet now there are two more added?”
Jing Ye: “...” Was this something he could control?!
Two days later, it was time for the flower banquet at Ronghua Pavilion.
The Gu family was in havoc, stirred up by the eldest young lady, Gu Mei. Meanwhile, in the Lin residence, Lin Min changed into a willow-yellow skirt custom-made by Yanxi Pavilion, complementing her fair skin, holding a sandalwood fan, with a hibiscus hairpin angled at her side, exuding grace and charm.
Lady Feng personally fastened a pair of silver qilins at her waist, smiling, “Embroidered satin dresses in late spring, adorned with golden peacocks and silver qilins. I hope, after entering the palace, you will be as favored as the beautiful Consort Yang of the former dynasty, enjoying immense love and a bright future.”
Lin Min smiled and said, “Thank you, Mother.”
Maidservants surrounded her as she stepped into a small sedan chair at the entrance of the residence, while Lady Feng entered another sedan chair.
Arriving precisely on time at Ronghua Pavilion, Lady Feng led her into the expansive peach orchard in the back garden, where indeed there were aristocrats and noble ladies, chatting and laughing, with maidservants going around serving fruits and delicacies.
Lin Min followed her mother and exchanged pleasantries with the other ladies when she noticed two girls sitting by a brocade table under a peach tree, each accompanied by their personal maid, both strikingly beautiful.
Lady Feng leaned in and whispered, “Those are the daughters of the Gu and Yang families. If you are interested, you can go introduce yourself.”
Lin Min lowered her head and replied, “Yes.”
Just as she was about to step forward, she suddenly saw one of the girls stand and look in a direction, so she followed her gaze and turned her head.
There, emerging from the thick peach blossoms, was a person dressed in red silk with a silver crown, gently waving a fan, exuding an elegant charm.
The man glanced over with a smile in his eyes, coincidentally meeting her gaze.