The next day, Concubine Chen hosted a grand banquet on the hunting ground, inviting young ladies and ladies from various families.
The young ladies from different families took turns to perform their talents on stage, including playing musical instruments, playing chess, calligraphy, painting, and dancing. Among them, Shen Miao's Flying Swallow Dance was the most amazing, winning the best performance of the day.
The royal hunting trip of Emperor Dongling only lasted for about four or five days. Then he led the large entourage back to the palace.
Back in the capital, the minds of various families became active again. They firmly believed that within a few days at most, the emperor's edict would be issued.
At this time, in the palace, Concubine Chen was discussing the marriage of Prince Xiao Han, the fourth prince, with Emperor Dongling.
"Your Majesty, regarding the marriages of Han'er and Luo Chi, I've selected several young ladies with outstanding looks and good conduct. Please make a decision!"
As Concubine Chen said, she took out several portraits of official ladies and placed them in front of Emperor Dongling.
"Didn't I say that you can decide their marriages? If you have any candidates in mind, just make the decision!"
Although Concubine Chen was smiling sweetly on her face, she still said, "Your Majesty, they are not only my children. How can you, as their father, push everything onto me and be a hands - off father? I won't allow it!"
"You!" Emperor Dongling chuckled twice and said helplessly, "Alright, I'll also take a look for them!" As he said, he shifted his gaze to the portraits.
Concubine Chen immediately stepped forward to explain, "I met the daughter of Minister Duan a few days ago. She behaves gracefully, is dignified and virtuous. I think she is just right to be Han'er's main wife!"
Hearing this, Emperor Dongling nodded in satisfaction, "Yes! Minister Duan has taught his daughter well. She is worthy of Han'er. Although her status is a bit low to be the main wife, she can be a good helper. Han'er needs such a person to take care of him."
Getting Emperor Dongling's response, Concubine Chen gained more confidence. She pointed to the next portrait, "Although Shen Miao's family background is not very high, she is talented and well - behaved. I think she would be a good side wife for Han'er. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Dongling didn't have much impression of Shen Miao, but looking at the young girl in the portrait, she was indeed quite good, so he reluctantly nodded.
Seeing this, Concubine Chen's expression remained unchanged. She moved another portrait over, "Your Majesty, Miss Wu from the Huaihua General's Mansion has a straightforward and lively personality. She is quite likable. I think she can be a side wife for Han'er. What do you think?"
This time, Emperor Dongling didn't nod in agreement directly as he did the previous two times. Instead, he looked at the portrait for a while, frowned, and stared blankly at a corner of the table.
Concubine Chen had expected Emperor Dongling's reaction. She immediately said, "Your Majesty, I know that Miss Wu did hurt someone on the horse - riding field that day, but it was just an accident. It's just a small mistake. Everyone makes mistakes when they are young. We should give them a chance to correct themselves."
"It's not just about this mistake. This Wu Qihuan clearly has improper intentions. If we let her marry Han'er, I'm worried she will drag Han'er down!"
After Emperor Dongling said this, he looked at Concubine Chen beside him and found that she was also staring blankly at the portrait. His heart softened, and he agreed, "Alright, it's just a side wife. Do as you like!"
Hearing this, Concubine Chen naturally agreed happily with a beaming face. After arranging the marriage of her own son, Concubine Chen heaved a big sigh of relief and relaxed.
"Your Majesty, these famous ladies are all the ones I think are good. Please take a look and choose one for Luo Chi to be his main wife!"
Concubine Chen took out several more portraits, "This is the daughter of Prime Minister He. She has a gentle and considerate personality and is easy to get along with. Luo Chi has a cold personality, so Miss He is just a good match for him."
"This is the legitimate daughter of the Prince of Hejun. Miss Sun is both talented and beautiful, intelligent and charming. She is extremely smart!"
Concubine Chen talked about the virtues and status of several young ladies in a row and then stopped, leaving Emperor Dongling to make his own decision.
"I think the one from the Prince of Hejun's family is quite good!" Emperor Dongling pointed to the portrait of Sun Xiuru and said to Concubine Chen.
"I think so too. She would be a good side wife."
"Side wife?" Emperor Dongling shook his head and said, "I'm also satisfied with the Prince of Hejun. Although he is low - key in the court, he has always been loyal to me. I can't treat him badly."
"But..." Concubine Chen hesitated and said, "I understand what you mean, Your Majesty. But yesterday when I talked to Luo Chi about this, from his words, it seemed that he preferred the daughter of Prime Minister He! Of course, this is just my speculation. I haven't asked Luo Chi's opinion yet."
"The daughter of Prime Minister He?" Emperor Dongling repeated it. "Not long ago, Concubine Guo also came to see me and wanted me to betroth the daughter of Prime Minister He to the seventh prince."
The smile on Concubine Chen's face froze, "Is that so! Maybe I misunderstood Luo Chi's meaning. Miss Sun is also a very good girl!"
"We'll discuss this matter later! Let me think about it before making a decision!"
Next, Emperor Dongling looked at several more young ladies and selected a few good candidates to be side wives for Prince Xiao Luo Chi, the tenth prince.
...
However, in the evening, just as Emperor Dongling had finished dealing with the memorials of the day, Eunuch Li stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the tenth prince has been waiting outside for an hour. Do you want to summon him?"
"Waiting outside for an hour? Why didn't anyone report it to me?"
Eunuch Li hung his head and stood aside, "It's the tenth prince. He was afraid of disturbing Your Majesty's handling of government affairs, so he didn't let this old servant tell Your Majesty!"
"Alright! Summon him in!"
Tonight, Prince Xiao Luo Chi, the tenth prince, was wearing a lake - blue brocade robe. He had a straight figure and a noble bearing. However, his face was rather cold. His thin lips were slightly pursed, his eyes were slightly lowered, and there was no extra expression on his face.
"Your son pays respects to Father Emperor!"
"Old Ten! Why do you come so late? What's the matter?" Emperor Dongling was sitting on the dragon throne, still holding a memorial in his hand. When he spoke, he looked up from the memorial at Xiao Luo Chi standing below.
"Father Emperor, your son is here today to ask for something." Xiao Luo Chi raised his hands flat in front of his chest and stared at a certain position on the ground as he spoke.
"Ask for something? Tell me!"
"Your son begs Father Emperor to grant the marriage between your son and the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister He." As he said, Xiao Luo Chi knelt on both knees and said in a low voice.