The palace is quiet, and the empress of the cold palace is acting as a demon

Chapter 84
In the entire Nanliang Palace, everyone knew that Concubine Xiang was in a particularly good mood.In order to celebrate his imperial concubine status, Qin Wan decided to hold a spring banquet, inviting concubines in the palace, family members of court officials, and women from aristocratic families to attend.

Yuan Shen asked Qin Wan why the banquet was named after "Spring Banquet".

Qin Wan just said that since it was a banquet held in spring, it was naturally called "Spring Banquet".

As soon as the news of the banquet came out, the officials and the aristocratic family began to be restless. The most important news was that this spring banquet was a concubine selection event. Concubine Xiang wanted to choose a suitable woman from the aristocratic family to enter the palace. Become a helper to stabilize her position as a noble concubine.

Hearing this news, some people are eager to try, some people are frightened, and some people have other thoughts...

On the day of the banquet, the sky is clear and the sky is bright and clear.

On the most beautiful lawn beside the South Lake in the Nanliang Palace, Qin Wan personally designed the lawn party.White roses and pink roses set up an arch, and a long table covered with water-colored brocade is placed around the center, and the table is filled with flowers, wine, fruit and desserts.There was a silk and bamboo band playing cheerful and melodious tunes, and the maids wore uniform pale emerald palace skirts, and even the makeup on their faces was all peach blossom makeup.

Qin Wan ordered the venue to be decorated with glazed crystals, and the branches were hung with lanterns.

This was Qin Wan's first time hosting a palace banquet. She personally supervised every place and could not reveal every detail.

When all the participants arrived, they were all overwhelmed by Qin Wan's advanced banquet design. They all lamented that they had never seen such an exquisite banquet venue, and even the always picky wives were amazed.

Fang Qing and Lie Yao contributed a lot to this spring banquet. Looking at the impeccable results, even Lie Xian, who has never shown any emotion, showed a slightly smug look.

Fang Qing said with a smile: "This palace banquet hosted by the imperial concubine is estimated to be recorded in detail by the historian in the history books. It is the first time that the miscellaneous family has been in the palace for 18 years. This is the first time I have seen such an exquisite banquet."

Lie Xie rarely agrees with Fang Qing's statement: "Fang Gonggong, why do you think the empress went to such great lengths to hold such a banquet? Is it true that she is going to choose a concubine for His Majesty as the rumors say?"

Fang Qing looked up at Qin Wan who was sitting in the middle of the banquet, with a meaningful smile on his lips: "Have we been together for so many days, hasn't the lieutenant noticed? The thoughts of the imperial concubine are more difficult to figure out than the needles in the sea. What the empress is going to do, no one can guess until the end."

The spring banquet started, Qin Wan was sitting in the main seat, Yuan Shen's other concubines were in the second seat, and the wives and ladies of each family attended in turn.

The concubines present were all newly brought into the palace by Yuan Chen after he arrived at Yuheng, they kept silent in front of Qin Wan, for fear of making a mistake.One is because she is the only concubine from the Yingyang Palace, and the other is because even Liang Emperor Yuan Shen has to give her three points, let alone these young girls who have just started to accompany the king at such a young age.Of course, everyone also knows that she is the woman that the King of Beirong is willing to exchange for three cities and a thousand acres of fertile land. Whoever dares to play in front of her will definitely die without a place to die.

At the banquet, girls who have not left the cabinet performed songs, dances and poems.

Qin Wan resisted dozing off, applauded and commented on each girl's performance with a smile, and said all kind words, without making things difficult.

After the performance was over, Qin Wan smiled and asked everyone: "Since ancient times, women in the south of the Yangtze River have read a lot. I just want to ask everyone here, what do you think of 'female virtue'?"

As soon as this remark came out, women answered one after another during the banquet. Some said, "The power to govern the country and the world is mostly controlled by women in the family, and it is based on mother education"; Look at children's clothes"; it is even said that "a woman's virtue is the key to Qi's family"...

After listening to it, Qin Wan's complexion became more and more serious, and his eyes became dull.

At this moment, a woman sitting at the last seat in a blue brocade dress with Jiangnan embroidered platycodon flowers stood up, bowed sideways to Qin Wan, and said, "Imperial concubine, my little girl thinks that the so-called 'female virtue' is ridiculous. It’s just dross created by men to dominate women, and it essentially enslaves women and makes women submit, tolerate, and please men.”

As soon as this remark came out, the ladies and ladies who were bragging about "female virtues" all turned pale with shock, and the audience's attention was instantly focused on the woman who spoke.

The girl has an outstanding face, with endless amorous feelings at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows, willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry mouth, and a sharp chin. There is a layer of flattering and uncommon temperament in her bones, but there is determination and courage in her eyes, she looks smart and intelligent, and she is extremely kind. Debate.

After the banquet, Qin Wan had a real smile in his eyes: "Who are you?"

The woman was looked at by everyone, and there were puzzlement and resentment in those eyes, and even disgust and hostility.But the woman said neither humble nor overbearing: "The little girl's name is Si Qi, the fourth daughter of Si Zhixing's family who was ordered by the Taishi, and she has met the concubine Xiang."

"The fourth daughter of the Si family?" Qin Wan stood up from her seat and said with a smile, "You look about the same age as me."

Si Qi said: "Report to Madam, the little girl just passed away."

"Is there a marriage?" Qin Wan asked again.

Si Qi saluted and said, "My little daughter was engaged to Tian Chen, the second son of General Tian's family, but the Tian family annulled the engagement a month ago."

In an instant, they began to whisper timidly during the dinner.

"It turns out that she is the young lady of the Si family who was divorced by General Tian Shao."

"I heard that she read too many books and was born rebellious. The old lady of the Tian family couldn't stand her temper, so she suggested that the marriage should be annulled."

"How embarrassing is the matter of retiring the engagement, she dares to say it on this occasion, even if she is not afraid of embarrassing herself, she is not afraid of embarrassing the Si family."

"I also heard that she is promiscuous, and has acquaintances with many officials and sons in the court. The Tian family also couldn't stand the rumors before retiring. Look at her peachy eyes, which man will not be seduced by him."

……

Qin Wan listened to the small words of the women around her, and felt even more satisfied.

This girl is both beautiful and talented, knowledgeable, courageous, and sociable. It would be a pity if she really married.

Qin Wan raised his eyebrows and smiled approvingly at Si Qi: "There are so many people in the audience answering my question, but what I want to hear is your answer. It seems that General Tian's family really doesn't have much vision. It's good to lose you." It’s their loss. In such a family, it doesn’t matter if you don’t marry. Would you like to come to Bengong’s side and be the female history of Bengong? The advantage of doing this job is that from now on your marriage will no longer be It is the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker, but it is up to you to decide, and I will support you."

Among the seats, the ladies and ladies who had just talked about "husband and child" all opened their mouths wide, so surprised that they could stuff an egg into it.

Fang Qing pointed at Si Qi with his chin, and said to Lie Xie: "Sir Lie, now I know why the imperial concubine and empress want to hold this spring banquet. What she wants is such a girl."

Lie Xie nodded: "This girl is very good at observing words and expressions, and she dares to speak up. This is the style that the imperial concubine likes."

Fang Qing looked at Qin Wan with a meaningful look in his eyes.

At this time, Si Qi showed a sweet smile in public, knelt down in front of Qin Wan and bowed his head deeply: "My little girl thanked the imperial concubine, and from now on, I would like to look up to my mother and do my best."

Si Qi made her own decision in this way, she didn't need to ask the elders in the family, and she didn't need to consider anyone's opinions and suggestions, she just grabbed Qin Wan's olive branch without hesitation.

As decisive as she was, even Qin Wan secretly admired her.

(End of this chapter)