At this moment, Long Yi, the leader of the Dragon Shadow Guards, appeared beside the Jingyuan Emperor and reported that the Second Prince had indeed hired assassins to kill the young lady of the Shen family.
In an instant, the aura around the Jingyuan Emperor shifted!
The Second Prince truly harbors rebellious intentions.
He is still here!
The Crown Prince is still here as well!
With a cold glance at Consort Li, all warmth vanished from the Jingyuan Emperor's eyes.
Everything the Crown Princess said turned out to be true!
With his suspicions confirmed, the Jingyuan Emperor suddenly thought of a "brilliant idea."
…………
Meanwhile, Zhao Guangming was filled with anxiety and unease.
Shen Mingzhu had only revealed Zhao Xue'er's fate earlier but hadn't mentioned who Zhao Xue'er's husband would be!
How could their family avoid this disaster?
Zhao Guangming: …Could Miss Shen please finish her story in one go!
Shen Mingzhu had her fill of gossip and couldn't help but think that such banquets were usually occasions for young ladies from noble families to showcase their talents.
[Gua Gua, why aren't the young ladies performing their talents at this banquet? This is a great opportunity to shine—they might catch the eye of some influential figure.]
Hearing her inner thoughts, the Jingyuan Emperor curled the corners of his lips slightly.
Soon, Empress Lin Wanrou made an announcement, and many young ladies from prestigious families began their talent performances.
Shen Mingzhu finally sat quietly in her seat to watch the performances, and Shen Mu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But the moment she relaxed, Shen Mingzhu's inner voice returned!
[These noble young ladies are truly impressive! Look at this live painting and the guqin performance—they're genuinely outstanding! If this were the modern era, they'd become internet celebrities with millions of followers thanks to their talents.]
Gua Gua: [Of course, Host! Don't forget, they've all been meticulously raised by prestigious families! How could they be compared to those who weren't?]
Many officials nodded inwardly in agreement.
Indeed, they had all hired renowned tutors to carefully nurture their daughters, sparing no effort even in harsh winters and scorching summers.
Shen Mingzhu watched with great interest, unaware that the two powerful figures at the head of the hall exchanged glances and smiled simultaneously.
After the performance by Miss Gu, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Empress Lin smiled warmly and looked in Shen Mingzhu's direction, saying,
"Crown Princess, everyone has been very curious about you. This is a perfect opportunity for you to showcase yourself and get to know everyone."
Shen Mingzhu didn't move at first, until Shen Mu, Xie Qinghuan, nudged her, reminding her that she was the Crown Princess!
She had just been appointed tonight!
Freshly minted!
Shen Mingzhu quickly rose with a smile, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed. When she lifted her head again, she couldn't help but scream inwardly.
[Gua Gua, I don't have any talents! I was an orphan in my previous life and couldn't afford lessons. In this life, I spent the first twelve years in the countryside and only barely learned some needlework in the last three years. What does the Empress want me to showcase?]
[Gua Gua, save me!]
The Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan, wore a smug expression. A country bumpkin like her was utterly unfit for such occasions!
He could already imagine how devastated his elder brother, Yan Beichen, would be when he woke up and learned he had such a fiancée!
The thought alone delighted him!
Shen Jiaojiao looked on with disdain. So what if she was the biological daughter? She was still worthless and an embarrassment!
Shen Mu's obsession with bloodlines was truly laughable!
Didn't they understand?
Only she, Shen Jiaojiao!
Only she could bring glory to the Shen family!
Watching Shen Mingzhu kneeling in the center of the hall, she thought scornfully: Some "Mingzhu" she is!
It's simply a fish eye!
Passing off fish eyes as pearls!
Upon hearing her daughter's inner thoughts, Shen Mu immediately wanted to step forward to help her out of the predicament.
Suddenly, Shen Mingzhu had a flash of inspiration.
[Got it!]
Everyone looked on with anticipation!
Then, they heard Shen Mingzhu speak with a smile,
"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, on this Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion under the full moon, on such a wonderful day, this humble subject wishes to compose a poem on the spot for everyone to appreciate together!"
Emperor Jingyuan nodded with a smile.
"Good, good. Then let the Crown Princess compose a poem on the spot."
After a moment of thought, Shen Mingzhu confidently began,
"Among the flowers, a jug of wine; I drink alone, no company near. Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon; with my shadow, we become three."
At this moment, all the ministers carefully savored the poem.
Grand Scholar Su Huaiyuan nodded repeatedly, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration as he looked at Shen Mingzhu.
Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon; with my shadow, we become three!
Excellent poem! Truly excellent!
Looking at the wine before him, he couldn't help but smile.
"Hahaha Excellent poem! Excellent poem!"
Emperor Jingyuan laughed heartily.
The Crown Princess he had chosen for Chen'er was indeed a remarkable person!
Emperor Jingyuan looked at the people below with satisfaction and nodded,
"Crown Princess, well done! Very talented!"
After some thought, he declared,
"Crown Princess Shen Mingzhu is both talented and learned, a perfect match made in heaven for Crown Prince Yan Beichen. Although the Crown Prince is currently unconscious, to ensure your future harmony, Shen Mingzhu is hereby appointed as a sixth-rank Hanlin Compiler. Starting tomorrow, she shall attend court in her husband's stead!"
Shen Mingzhu: …
What?
She could hardly believe it.
Attend court in her husband's stead?
[Gua Gua, did I hear correctly? The emperor wants me to attend court every day in my husband's place? What can I even do at court? He's already unconscious and still causing me trouble!]
[Host, calm down! Just attend court! There are no female officials in the Great Yan Dynasty yet. You're pioneering a new path, and it's a chance to see what it's like.]
[Wah… but I won't be able to wake up early! Court attendance requires rising before dawn!]
All the ministers: …
Emperor Jingyuan: …
Grand Eunuch Wang Defu, ever perceptive, prompted,
"Crown Princess, shouldn't you express your gratitude?"
Shen Mingzhu reluctantly bowed her head,
"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this grace!"
[Gua Gua, I don't want to attend court in my husband's stead!]
[Host, think of it this way: you're now an official with a salary. As the first female official, you're a role model for women everywhere. Doesn't that make you feel better?]
[Alright then.]
After saying this, she returned to her seat in low spirits.
Shen Mu took her daughter's hand and praised with a smile,
"My dear, you're so amazing! You've become an official!"
[My beautiful mother is so wonderful, always an encouraging parent. How did I deserve such a great mother? Hugs to my beautiful mother!]
Empress Lin looked at Shen Mu and smiled.
She glanced at Emperor Jingyuan.
Emperor Jingyuan whispered a few words to Wang Defu. After a while, Wang Defu returned and announced directly,
"Madam Shen, née Xie, step forward to receive your appointment."
Shen Mu rose and walked to the center of the hall, kneeling to receive the decree.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, carrying the Emperor's decree: Madam Xie, wife of the Marquis of Changping, dignified and wise, diligent and gentle, harmonious and pure, mild in temperament and virtuous in conduct, has raised her daughter excellently. She is hereby appointed as a third-rank Shuren. So ordered!"
"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this great grace!"
Shen Mu received the imperial decree and knelt in gratitude.
Pleasant surprises always come so unexpectedly.
Hearing that her mother had been appointed as a third-rank noblewoman, Shen Mingzhu was delighted.
[My mother is truly amazing!]
[Whatever the Host says is right!]
Everyone couldn't help but sigh: raising a daughter well is truly wonderful!
Shen Jiaojiao watched as Shen Mingzhu was appointed Crown Princess and Shen Mu received the imperial title. Seeing this mother-daughter pair rise higher and higher, her face flushed crimson with envy.
How could things have turned out this way?
Why was she the one who ended up as Ce Fei?
It was absolutely infuriating!