MCSCPM -Chapter 56 The Grand Finale

Yin Qingyue sat at her seat, still thinking about the medicinal powders she had wanted to grind today. She hadn’t yet sorted them properly, which left her feeling a little annoyed. Participating in the banquet seemed far less appealing than going back to work on her powders.

“Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!” a sharp voice rang out. Instantly, everyone at the palace banquet knelt in place, and Yin Qingyue was no exception—she hurriedly dropped to the ground.

After some period of recuperation, the Empress had become even more radiant. Every time Nangong Lin saw her, he paid extra attention, and for a moment, the political winds of the court shifted unpredictably.

Today, both Nangong Lin and He Minmin were dressed magnificently. Nangong Lin wore a golden dragon robe, a nine-dragon gilded jade crown, and a belt encrusted with precious stones, exuding impressive authority.

He Minmin, appearing youthful, wore a golden phoenix robe with sleeves embroidered with flying phoenixes, making her look even more graceful and dazzling.

Yin Qingyue looked at the two of them and felt satisfied with the scene she had witnessed. She bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, Empress, may you both be blessed.”

All the palace attendants knelt and greeted them in unison. Yin Qingyue followed along perfunctorily, knowing no one would pay attention to her.

After her legs began to ache, she saw Nangong Lin and He Minmin slowly take their places at the main seats. Then the Empress said to all those kneeling, “Rise.”

Yin Qingyue returned to her seat, discreetly massaging her slightly sore calves while anxiously watching the people moving around, afraid someone would notice her subtle actions.

The previously empty tables were gradually filled.

“Prince Jing has arrived. The Crown Prince has arrived. Prince Chen has arrived,” announced a eunuch. Seeing that only a few seats remained empty, Yin Qingyue realized the banquet was finally about to begin.

“Father, Mother, your son has come late—please forgive him,” Nangong Xiao and Nangong Chen knelt respectfully before the main seats. He Minmin’s eyes softened at the sight of the Crown Prince and favored him even more, while Nangong Chen drew her less attention.

“Never mind, go ahead and sit,” Nangong Lin said, smiling as he saw the brothers’ respectful demeanor. Then, seeing Chu Jingcheng nearby, his tone softened further, “Prince Jing, please take your seat.”

Chu Jingcheng bowed respectfully and then joined Nangong Xiao and Nangong Chen at their seats.

As the main seats signaled the start of the banquet, soft music from string and wind instruments filled the hall, and dancers in flowing attire performed in the center. Chu Jingcheng had no interest in the entertainment and only came out of courtesy. He glanced past the dancers toward a remote corner.

Yin Qingyue watched the food gradually being served but dared not eat openly, merely observing the noblewomen beside her eating gracefully in small bites.

Those around her barely glanced at her, unwilling to look twice or speak. And just moments ago, this woman had even tried to catch the attention of Prince Jing!

Yin Qingyue ignored their fluctuating glances; yesterday they fawned, today they scorned. They were nothing but fickle followers.

Seeing the direction of Prince Jing’s gaze, Nangong Xiaoxiao’s eyes darkened. She leaned slightly toward Nangong Wan and whispered, “Are you ready?”

Nangong Wan nodded, signaling that everything was in place.

Nangong Xiaoxiao nodded with satisfaction, then looked toward the man she intended to win over today. She hadn’t expected him to remain staring at a far corner of the hall.

Who was Chu Jingcheng looking at? Nangong Xiaoxiao clenched her lips tightly and followed the line of his gaze—only to see Yin Qingyue. She had thought he was glancing casually before, but it turned out he had been watching her intently all along!

Suppressing her anger, Nangong Xiaoxiao stared at Yin Qingyue, so out of place at the palace banquet, gripping her wine cup tightly.

Even though Nangong Xiaoxiao and Nangong Wan had deliberately seated themselves across from Chu Jingcheng, they still could not outshine the plain-faced girl. Two high-ranking princesses had never experienced such humiliation—they felt utterly slapped in the face.

Nangong Wan gave a meaningful glance to Nangong Xiaoxiao, then quickly poured a cup of wine and approached Chu Jingcheng. “Prince Jing, would you honor me with a drink?” Her cheeks flushed, her eyes shyly flicking over his expression.

For a princess, this was bold, but for the man she desired, she disregarded all strict etiquette.

“Thank you,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly, showing no sign of being pleased. He briefly assessed the princess, then quickly averted his gaze.

Nangong Xiaoxiao, seeing her sister’s failure, said, “It’s only a cup of wine—Prince Jing dares not drink?”

Chu Jingcheng remained unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard her.

Nangong Xiaoxiao looked up, only to see that he had ignored her, following his gaze instead. To her horror, it was Yin Qingyue again! Furious, she had spoken to him, and he ignored her to watch the ugly woman!

“Princess, you may drink yourself,” Chu Jingcheng said lightly, ignoring the two of them.

Meanwhile, Nangong Lin saw his two daughters standing before Chu Jingcheng for some time. Smiling slightly, he assumed they were having a good conversation and thought Chu Jingcheng would make an excellent son-in-law. He looked on more favorably.

“Prince Jing!” Nangong Lin laughed, seizing the moment. Today, with all the ministers present, it would serve as witness.

Chu Jingcheng merely stood and looked at Nangong Lin on the main seat.

“Prince Jing, what do you think of my two daughters?” Nangong Lin asked, hoping for a hint of approval so he could arrange a marriage. A suitable son-in-law like this must be secured.

Chu Jingcheng, however, knew the question meant someone was about to be “given” to him.

“I find both princesses fair and elegant, their conduct noble,” he said. Nangong Lin beamed and was ready to speak further, “However, if they were my younger sisters, that would be ideal.”

“Only younger sisters?” Chu Jingcheng’s words shut down Nangong Lin’s plan. No brother would marry his own sisters—it would be incestuous. Nangong Lin realized the question had backfired and hastily tried to cover his disappointment. “I mean, apart from being sisters, does Prince Jing have no other intentions?”

“I have none,” Chu Jingcheng replied simply. The hall immediately grew tense.

Chu Jingcheng was a prince of another nation with a unique status; ministers dared not comment freely. Even the emperor could not force him to accept a princess. But the ministers thought: if he refuses the princess, then we’ll take her!

Nangong Xiaoxiao stepped before Nangong Lin. “Father, today you have held a banquet for the ministers. I have an idea to make it more interesting.”

Nangong Lin, pleased by his eldest daughter’s elegance, said, “Go on, tell me.”

“I suggest that since the ministers have brought their daughters, why not have each of our sisters perform a talent alongside them?” Nangong Xiaoxiao said, her crisp voice making the idea sound enticing.

Nangong Wan quickly added, “Yes, Father! Watching songs and dances is routine, but this way, it shows harmony between ruler and subjects.”

With both daughters in agreement, Nangong Lin nodded. “Who will start first?”

Nangong Xiaoxiao did not answer, instead bowing again. “Father, I suggest we let the palace maids draw lots to determine the order, so the young ladies know when they will perform.”

He Minmin sipped her wine and teased, “So the princesses want to slack off and let the ladies draw lots?”

Nangong Xiaoxiao smiled. “That’s one reason. The second is that when it’s a young lady’s turn, she will draw her own talent to perform. Placing the princesses last serves two purposes: one, to give the ladies more choices; two, to demonstrate that the royal family prioritizes the people.”

“Excellent!” Nangong Lin nodded. This idea was good. Typically, the later a performance, the more spectacular it is. It seemed his daughters intended to close the show.