When Yi Zhici returned to the banquet, the young masters and ladies from various noble families had already started to take the stage to perform their talents.
This talent show was not mandatory. However, everyone knew the purpose of this banquet clearly. They were all trying their best to show how excellent they were in order to secure a better marriage.
Yi Zhici sneaked back to her seat but was caught red - handed by Yi Junshi. "Have you taken a fancy to anyone?"
"I'll take a closer look," Yi Zhici replied guiltily. "After all, I haven't seen everyone yet."
Yi Junshi flicked her on the head. "Don't you think your father knows you well? Don't force yourself. It's normal if you don't take a fancy to anyone. After all, our Aci is so outstanding. They are not worthy of you."
Yi Zhici pursed her lips, looking a bit aggrieved.
Yi Junshi smiled. "Don't listen to your mother. Your father has no other wishes. Being a marquis is already the highest position one can achieve. If my daughter can't marry the man she loves, then I'm a complete failure."
In other words, Yi Junshi didn't need Yi Zhici to trade her marriage for a better future or to marry into a more prominent family. He just wanted Yi Zhici to be happy and marry someone she liked.
Yi Zhici's eyes welled up with tears. "Father, Aci will never let you down."
On the stage, Qu Wan'er, the most beautiful woman in the capital, was playing the guzheng. She was as cold and elegant as a fairy descending from the heaven, making everyone in the hall unable to take their eyes off her.
Yi Zhici smacked her lips and was about to start eating again.
"Yuyang," Emperor Gu Weifeng looked at Yi Zhici. "It's been a long time since I last saw you. I didn't expect you've grown into a beautiful young lady."
She didn't dare not answer this tyrant's words. Yi Zhici quickly put down her chopsticks and stood up. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."
Yi Junshi frowned, looking a bit worried.
Suddenly, no one was watching Qu Wan'er's performance on the stage. Only a few young masters from noble families were still staring at Qu Wan'er's celestial beauty infatuatedly. The ministers and their wives all turned their heads and quietly watched what was happening here.
After all, there were not many concubines in the emperor's harem. It was quite normal for him to take concubines. They had to pay close attention to the emperor's preferences at all times. Maybe the emperor would take a fancy to someone, and that person would be the first empress in the harem.
It was obvious that Yi Zhici had always been under Gu Weifeng's attention, which meant there was a high possibility for her.
She might rise to the top in one step and become extremely prosperous.
From then on, she would live a life of luxury and wealth, second only to the emperor and above all others.
The matter of the emperor taking concubines was much more important than appreciating a beautiful woman playing the guzheng.
Yi Zhici also belatedly realized this and vaguely felt that entering the palace was not a good thing. She quickly changed the topic.
"Sister Wan'er has truly grown into a beautiful young lady. The piece 'Dream of the Red Chamber' she played today is really nice. Unlike this clumsy subject girl, I'm really in admiration of her."
Gu Weifeng nodded meaningfully but didn't say anything else.
The atmosphere finally returned to the previous state where everyone was obsessed with Qu Wan'er. Wei Xing looked rather complicated, as if lost in thought.
Yi Zhici felt a bit relieved and was about to sit down.
Just then, a voice came from outside the area where the princes were seated. "This subject is late. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
This voice was so nice, so familiar, and so missed by her.
Yi Zhici was in a daze and accidentally sat on the wrong side, falling to the ground.
In the past, Yi Zhici didn't understand, but at that moment, she finally understood the words that Senior Sister Haitang had always murmured: "Long time no see, I miss you so much."
This commotion was quite loud. Even Gu Weifeng didn't respond in time. He looked at Yi Zhici, trying to hold back his laughter.
Zhong Yi quickly helped Yi Zhici up, and Zhong Qing tidied her clothes.
Yi Zhici's face was burning with shame. She didn't even dare to look up even after sitting back on the stool. She lay on the table, hoping that this embarrassing moment would pass quickly.
Why did she always cause trouble? All her first - impressions were ruined...
Gu Weifeng coughed, and everyone's eyes were taken back from Yi Zhici. They all looked at the young man in black who had just entered.
The young man was tall and handsome. His sideburns were as neatly trimmed as if cut by a knife. His nose was straight, his lips were thin, and his eyes were firm and bright, with a hint of hidden killing intent. He had a nobility and calmness different from the young masters of the noble families in the capital.
Yi Junshi clicked his tongue twice. "The son of General Lin Qiong is really something."
General Lin Qiong was the general who had been guarding the southern border. He had just returned to the capital this year and had only settled down in the capital for a few days.
Well, now she knew that this young man was Lin Yuan, the son of General Lin Qiong.
Yi Zhici raised her head and stole a couple of glances at him, then quickly lowered her head again.
"Your subject may rise," Gu Weifeng said. "Take your seat first."
Lin Yuan thanked the emperor. According to the rules, the younger generation should sit with the elders. Just like Yi Zhici's seat was next to Yi Junshi's. But since General Lin Qiong didn't attend the chrysanthemum - viewing banquet, Lin Yuan had no elder present. Gu Weifeng asked him to take his seat but didn't assign him a seat. It was also a test for him.
Lin Yuan remained calm and strode over to sit beside Wei Xing.
Gu Weifeng showed a faint smile when he saw this. "Chongjin, you did a great job in the military strategy drill the other day. Have you thought about what reward you want?"
Lin Yuan's courtesy name was Chongjin.
When the military strategy drill in the palace was mentioned, some young masters' faces showed uneasiness. Some even glared at Lin Yuan secretly.
It was all because Lin Yuan had won the first place. The military strategies in the military books seemed to be invincible in his hands, making the others look bad.
Before, they had all laughed at Lin Yuan, thinking he was a country bumpkin from a small place!
Lin Yuan stood up and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation. This subject has nothing in mind."
"I don't believe it. If you had nothing in mind, why would you come to the chrysanthemum - viewing banquet?" Gu Weifeng laughed heartily. "Well, I won't interfere in your young people's business anymore."