It was supposed to be a concubine selection banquet, but in the end only the Eldest Prince succeeded in capturing the Min family, while everyone else went home empty-handed.
The Second Prince left in an embarrassing manner, the Third Princess was unwilling to make a stand, and the Fourth Prince swore to remain unmarried for life.
Thus, there was no longer any need to continue the concubine selection banquet, and the ministers no longer had any reason to linger. They took their leave one after another.
Jiang Sheng followed behind Grandmother and Madam, and her last glimpse was of Ju Noble Consort conversing with Lady Min, an expression of arrogance mixed with certainty on her face.
She felt confused in her heart, but could not articulate it.
She had only heard before that the human heart was treacherous and unfathomable, but with Fifth Brother around, everything seemed to go smoothly.
It was only at today's silent banquet that she discovered all kinds of anomalies from the tangled mess of events.
But she had only discovered them.
She did not know why the Second Prince willingly took the blame, just to gain the sympathy of a few young ladies from prominent families.
She also did not understand what exactly the Min Family was after, that they would agree to an alliance by marriage with the Eldest Prince.
The only thing that was obvious, was that the Fourth Prince was not so simple. He had used his limp to arouse sympathy from the Tian family, successfully getting out of the marriage arrangement.
Everyone in the prosperous Fengjing city knew his heart was set on Yao Siqing, daughter of the Yao family. By swearing to remain unmarried now, this deep and heavy affection worked against Miss Yao's favor.
With so many issues weighing on her mind, Jiang Sheng remained silent all the way back to the small courtyard in the second enclosure.
Old Lady Jiang's body was weary, so she went back to rest first.
Second Uncle and Second Aunt also had things to attend to, so they let Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu, brother and sister, send the two of them back.
Before they had even knocked, the rich yet not greasy aroma of lamb wafted out from inside.
"Ah, there really is lamb leg." Jiang Chengyu's eyes lit up brightly, "It seems we've come to the right place this time."
Jiang Chengfeng stroked his nose, seemingly embarrassed by his sister's greedy reaction.
"Everyone, please feel free." Xu Mo smiled as he played host to his younger siblings, "Dig right in, don't stand on ceremony."
As he spoke, the main gate was opened.
Zheng Ruqian, wearing a large apron, looked as if he was about to cry, "You're back, you're finally back!"
Heaven knew how worried he had been all day, fearing something might happen to his little sister, yet also afraid his brothers might encounter danger.
Thank goodness, everyone returned safe and sound.
Master Zheng had indeed slaughtered a sheep as promised. Slabs of fat mutton leg and ribs were now arrayed in formation, with Jiang San and Jiang Si tending the fire, while Mrs. Zhang and Chef Kong pickled, stir-fried, deep-fried and stewed the meat. The Wang siblings were helping out, and the entire courtyard was filled with laughter and delicious smells.
The mundane aromas of life were most comforting to ordinary people.
The tension in Jiang Sheng's taut nerves was soothed. She took the initiative to grasp Jiang Chengyu's hand and walked right in, carefully sampling the fare.
Not until the five flavors of the meals had passed over the palate, did Jiang Chengfeng and Xu Mo start discussing today's concubine selection banquet.
"The Second Prince was outnumbered. Using a scheme to turn down this concubine selection was the only way. Fortunately he did manage to turn it down, leaving room for maneuver in the future." Jiang Chengfeng swallowed a large piece of meat. "From what I know, the one Ju Noble Consort picked for him was the officially registered daughter of a fallen aristocratic house."
An officially registered daughter meant she was originally a daughter of a concubine, but registered as legitimate daughter since the main wife bore no children.
Moreover, with the family's decline in status, such a wife would be of no assistance to the Second Prince. No wonder he was willing to voluntarily accompany the Eldest Prince, no wonder he was still fearless despite being grounded.
Jiang Sheng had thought she understood everything, but she had still miscalculated on key issues. She had to admit, the Second Prince's mindset was deeper than she imagined.
"It's said that the Third Princess has some affection for Lady Min's cousin." Xu Mo set down his chopsticks. "Not being able to choose a husband today was surely due to Ju Noble Consort's machinations."
The Eldest Prince had chosen the Min Family not simply because they were a prominent house, but also for the prominent in-laws the Third Princess might pull in through marriage in the future.
If the Third Princess really married back into the Min Family, her schemes would be foiled by half.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Third Princess will likely choose between you and Master He in the future." Xu Mo had a meaningful look. "Brother Jiang, you'd best be prudent and discreet."
Jiang Chengfeng's expression changed in shock. He quickly waved his hands, "That's simply impossible. I still have to inherit my family's business in the future. Marrying a princess would leave me with nothing."
Xu Mo smiled wryly.
Nearly every ambitious young man was unwilling to be a princess's consort. If the Third Princess really married back into the Min Family, it could be considered a fine romantic tale.
It was a pity that Ju Noble Consort would interfere and definitely select a powerful in-law family for the Third Princess.
One just wonders whether it would be the Jiang Family or the He Family.
After eating her fill, the Jiang siblings bade farewell and took their leave. As they departed, they brought along two lamb legs as filial offerings for their elders back home.
"Taking both a full meal and packed food, how can we accept this?" Jiang Chengfeng still put up a pretense of politely declining.
Jiang Chengyu had already reached out to take them. "Then you have our thanks, Master Zheng."
After seeing the siblings off, the small courtyard finally quieted down.
Zheng Ruqian's face that had been all smiles closed up. He eagerly asked, "What did the He Family say? And what did Fifth Little Brother say?"
The entire Yanhui Pavilion was filled with Ju Noble Consort's people. Even if they attended the banquet, they would at most exchange glances.
Don't even think about conversing. It would be terrible to reveal anything.
As for the He Family...
Xu Mo's eyes took on a reminiscent look. "He Yunyao, that is, the slightly darker-skinned young master from the He Family, was initially unwilling to converse with me in detail. He only told me the reason why He Prefect left the He Family."
In fact, it was nothing unusual - it was because of the prefect's wife.
As the younger brother of the He Family patriarch, He Chengzhang should have fulfilled the duty of arranging political marriages. Yet he developed feelings for an ordinary girl from a commoner's family, and did not hesitate to secretly marry and have children with her.
The He Family patriarch could not do much to his own younger brother, but constantly made things difficult for the prefect's wife. Left without recourse, He Prefect made an agreement with the Fang Family - the Fang family would help him get away from Fengjing, while he would go to Anshui Prefecture to resolve Fang Heng for them.
Of course, He Chengzhang did not fulfill the agreement. Thus, after his three-year term of office expired, the He Family patriarch directly called him back to Fengjing, and he would land within half a month at most.
When Xu Mo vaguely expressed a desire to cooperate with the He Family, He Yunyao did not agree. Instead he refuted it.
He believed the He Family's glory was already full, and rather than pursuing more, it was better to remain neutral.
Those who sought great success for the imperial family in history either rose to glory or failed miserably with white bones weathering to dust.
There was nothing wrong with the He Family seeking stability, but in such a treacherous situation, could they really just sit by with folded arms?
Xu Mo reassured his younger siblings, "Don't worry too much. Next we just need to quietly wait and see."
Wait for Ju Noble Consort and the Eldest Prince to make a move, wait for the Second Prince who has withdrawn to his manor to plot, wait for the Fourth Prince whose thoughts were unfathomable to take action.
Just a matter of days...until news came out about the Third Princess marrying into the He Family.
Those concealed in the inner palace at the prolonged banquet, those admitted into the Hanlin Academy like Xu Mo, all revealed expected smiles.
