Chapter 593: Coming of Age (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Not far away, a madam in her 40s leaned over and whispered to another madam in her 50s, “Matriarch Xiao, I heard that the Eldest Prince once asked His Majesty to bestow a marriage in public. Is that true?”
Madam Xiao was Xiao Shoufu’s wife.
That night, when the Eldest Prince publicly asked the Emperor to bestow a marriage, Xiao Shoufu was also in the palace, so Madam Xiao naturally knew.
Madam Xiao nodded, her eyes flickering.
That night, the Emperor didn’t express his stance, but now, the Emperor actually wanted to personally preside over Gu Yanfei’s coming-of-age ceremony. In other words, he had agreed.
“This…” The middle-aged woman hesitated. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly and pursed her lips disapprovingly.
The Gu family was worse than an ordinary family with a clean family background.
Second Lady Gu’s family had been stripped of the title of Marquis of Dingyuan. Her grandmother and uncle had committed a crime, and her father’s sins had yet to be cleared. A girl like her was actually going to become the Eldest Prince’s concubine, and it was very likely that she would be the future empress!
If not for the fact that His Majesty only had the Eldest Prince as his only son, everyone would have thought that the Eldest Prince had been abandoned by His Majesty, which was why His Majesty had chosen such an unbearable marriage for him.
Many women from aristocratic families felt mixed emotions.
A luxurious woman in her 30s thought for a moment and said tactfully, “Madam Xiao, is His Majesty going to personally host Second Lady Gu’s coming-of-age ceremony? Is that appropriate?”
The luxurious woman spoke rather implicitly. On the surface, she was talking about whether today’s coming-of-age ceremony was appropriate, but what she really wanted to say was that Gu Yanfei’s marriage with the Eldest Prince was inappropriate.
Another round-faced woman in her 40s chimed in, “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
The madams of several families beside her all looked in Madam Xiao’s direction. They had elegant expressions on their faces, but their hearts were surging. They had taken advantage of this year’s celebration to bring their daughters to the capital so that their daughters could fight for the position of the Eldest Prince’s wife.
They had thought that today’s Hundred Flowers Banquet would be a good opportunity to show their daughter’s face in front of the Emperor and the Eldest Prince. There would be an open and hidden battle in Tianhe Garden.
But now, they didn’t have time to do or start anything. How could it have already ended?
These madams felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their heads. They looked at each other. Some were dumbfounded, some felt indignant for their daughters, and some couldn’t hide the unwillingness on their faces.
When men married, it was important to consider matching social backgrounds and choose a virtuous wife.
However, Second Lady Gu didn’t have a good reputation or a good family background. What right did she have to be the Eldest Prince’s concubine? Was it just because she can draw talismans?!
Their daughters, whom they had carefully raised, had good looks, talent, style, and temperament. They had actually lost to a wild girl who had grown up in the countryside!
Madam Xiao slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Imperial Duchess Wei, who was sitting opposite her, say calmly, “What’s wrong? Back then, Empress Taizu also helped the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Jingning, Mu Xin, host her coming-of-age ceremony.”
Back then, after the Marquis of Jingning’s Madam gave birth to her youngest son, she bled to death, leaving behind the eldest daughter, Mu Xin, and her youngest brother, Mu Ying.
The Marquis of Jingning was deeply loyal to his wife and didn’t remarry. The Emperor Taizu’s Empress and the Marquis of Jingning’s Madam used to be as close as sisters. Afraid that others would say that Mu Xin was the eldest daughter of a widow, they brought her into the palace to raise her.
When Mu Xin was 15 years old, Empress Taizu’s personally presided over her coming-of-age ceremony.
Later on, Mu Xin was bestowed a marriage by Emperor Taizu to the then Marquis of Anqing. Before Empress Taizu passed away, Mu Xin entered the palace and personally served Empress Taizu for three months without leaving the house.
This matter also spread like wildfire. Everyone lamented that Empress Taizu and Mu Xin seemed like real mother and daughter.
Everyone present naturally knew about these old matters and had different expressions.
Madam Chang’an applauded Imperial Duchess Wei in her heart. She rolled her eyes slightly and said with a smile, “The thing about humans is that we’re particular about fate!”
“Empress Taizu and Madam Mu of the Marquis of Jingning aren’t related by blood, but they’re like mother and daughter. I think Second Lady Gu and the Eldest Princess are also fated, like biological sisters.”
When she said this, everyone recalled that Gu Yanfei had once saved the Eldest Princess’s life during the first month of the lunar calendar.
With Mu Xin’s past example, it was passable for the Eldest Princess to want to praise Gu Yanfei.
“That’s true.” Madam Fan smiled and added, “No wonder His Majesty favors her.”
At first glance, it sounded like His Majesty favored the Eldest Princess, but everyone knew that the Emperor also favored the Eldest Prince and treated Gu Yanfei so well.
Madam Xiao and the others’ faces darkened.
The hall fell into a strange silence.
After a while, a sharp report from the eunuch broke the silence.
“His Majesty has arrived! Her Highness, the Eldest Princess Feng Yang, has arrived!”
The Emperor and Feng Yang arrived under the welcome of the guests, followed by a group of imperial maids.
All the women stood up and bowed. Many people couldn’t help but glance at Feng Yang. They didn’t expect Feng Yang to come too.
A guess appeared in the hearts of many people. It was obvious: Could it be…
At the same time, the people from the Ceremonial Director were also in position, on standby in their respective positions. The eunuch from the Ceremonial Director sang the auspicious time. Right on the heels of that, a melodious and soothing bamboo sound sounded..