Zhao Junyao remained silent.
He picked up pen and paper, scribbling on the rice paper.
In less than half a Shi Chen, the eighty-one squares were filled with numbers.
Xia Ruqingâs gaze went from schadenfreude, to suspicion, and finally to shock, within a fraction of a Shi Chen.
"This..."
Xia Ruqing took the paper with an incredulous expression.
She examined it row by row and column by column.
In the end, she still couldnât believe it.
"Emperor!"
"You did this so quickly! Have you seen it before?"
Zhao Junyao tossed the pen aside, a smirk on his lips, as he stood up.
"Itâs just a trivial skill, not worth mentioning!"
"Wow, the way he tossed the pen was so cool!"
Xia Ruqingâs heart was overflowing with admiration; this manâs intellect was scary!
Who said ancient men only composed poetry and paintings, and couldnât do arithmetic? Thatâs completely false, isnât it?!
How could you be an emperor without knowing arithmetic?!
"Emperor, you must be tired!"
Xia Ruqing ran over brimming with admiration to offer her care.
No chance.
Against such a handsome, intelligent, and wealthy male creature, resistance was futile!
Zhao Junyao seemed a bit surprised.
"Qingqing... whatâs wrong with you?"
Wasnât she just gloating earlier?
"Hehe, Emperor, youâre so amazing, I am truly in awe!"
"Amazing?" Zhao Junyao was somewhat puzzled.
"When I was young, Tai Fu taught me arithmetic, Iâve learned some!"
"Thatâs still amazing!" Xia Ruqing continued to be a devoted admirer.
"This Sudoku game is very popular among the people; Iâve heard it stumped a ton of people!"
"Difficult?"
Zhao Junyao had a thoughtful look on his face.
Apparently unfamiliar with this word.
Indeed!
For a creature of such sophistication, he probably doesnât know what difficulty is!
Xia Ruqing rubbed her slightly aching chest.
"Emperor, itâs getting late, should we... go to sleep!!"
If this topic continued, sheâd start doubting her own intelligence.
Better to go to bed early!
"Mm!"
Zhao Junyao nodded in agreement.
The two went to wash up and lay down together.
The gauze curtain descended, the candlelight flickered, and the two embraced for a peaceful nightâs sleep.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, Little New Year.
This year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was especially busy.
Not only must they attend to matters inside and outside the palace, but also accommodate the hundred-plus entourage of Prince Jin.
We couldnât be enjoying a lively New Year on our own and neglect our guests.
That would clearly be improper etiquette.
Therefore.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs needed to cover all aspects, with the steward, palace maids, and eunuchs bustling around.
Xia Ruqing was just as busy.
Not only did she have to prepare for the New Year in the Palace, but also arrange the marriage proposal for Seventh Master.
This shouldâve been the Empress Dowagerâs responsibility.
But since the Empress Dowager was âunwellâ, unable to bear the strain, the burden fell onto her shoulders.
So...
After allocating the tasks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the four consorts, Xia Ruqing focused wholeheartedly on choosing a bride for Seventh Master.
Zhao Junyaoâs intention was.
"Engage before the year ends, marry after the New Year, complete the process smoothly without leaving any regrets!"
Xia Ruqing expressed: the pressure was immense.
The urgency stems from ancient customs.
After the engagement.
Many families couldnât bear to marry off their daughters, often keeping them another year.
On one hand, it shows their daughtersâ preciousness; on the other, itâs to earn respect from the in-laws.
If one hastily marries after engagement.
It would invite ridicule from neighbors and be looked down upon by the in-laws.
Thus...
An engagement before the New Year and a wedding after perfectly resolves this issue.
Beyond the New Year, one counts a whole year!
To sum up in one sentence: Must be engaged before the New Year!
From over a hundred folded notes, and a list brought by Zhao Junyao, Xia Ruqing picked out a dozen suitable ladies.
These ladies come from decent backgrounds, but not excessively wealthy.
After all, Seventh Master, a prince possessing good skills without any maternal family support.
He couldnât interest the prestigious family of the capital.
At most, he was the object of admiration for some ladies, but that holds no substantial value!
The title of Seventh Princess Consort sounds prestigious.
But the benefits this marriage offers doesnât compare to the advantages of a capital familyâs strategic marriage alliance.
Therefore...
There werenât many actual noble girls.
There were quite a few charming and discreet young ladies introduced through folded notes.
Zhao Junyao stole a moment to glance over these dozen ladiesâ names and nodded in approval.
"Not bad!"
"Little Seventh is solitary by nature; he needs someone understanding and caring by his side, seeking not noble lineage, but gentleness and kindness!"
Xia Ruqing also nodded.
"Emperor, why not host a banquet and observe them in person?"
Xia Ruqing wasnât against Seventh Prince.
Moreover, matchmaking was a benevolent deed; thus, she was quite dedicated.
"As you wish!"
"Once selected, let me have a look!"
Little Seventh dislikes court disputes, so his in-laws definitely shouldnât be... too involved!
"Okay!"
Xia Ruqing nodded in agreement.
...
The twenty-third day of the twelfth month.
The red plums bloom proudly against the snow in the palace, a grand spectacle of red in the Imperial Garden.
From afar, they appear like layered clouds or brocade, alongside the red walls and green tiles of the palace walls, instantly creating an exquisite ancient aesthetic.
Qinfang Pavilion, situated somewhat southwest and distant from the Red Plum Grove, is among the grandest pavilions within the hundred some pavilions of the Imperial Garden.
It has three levels.
The first is an open pavilion, surrounded by eight gold-threaded Phoebe Nanmu red lacquered carved pillars.
The nanmu pillars are as firm as rocks, resistant to decay for centuries.
With a close smell, thereâs an aroma of raw wood material.
The second level is the largest, accommodating fifteen to twenty people.
Aside from the pillars, it features redwood carved hollow walls.
In winter, when warm curtains are hung and charcoal braziers lit, it mimics a warm room like spring.
Lifting the curtains reveals a generous view, with a distant glimpse of the fiery Red Plum Grove.
Itâs indeed an ideal spot for viewing.
The third level is slightly smaller than the second, without walls, only eight columns reaching the sky and waist-high redwood carved lacquer railings.
If you find the second level stuffy, you can ascend to the third.
Where you can overlook a panoramic view, enjoying fresh air, with the imperial palaceâs scenery in full sight.
Xia Ruqing made her selections.
Eventually deciding to host the banquet here.
Naming it: Plum Blossom Banquet!
Inviting the ladies from the list and a few Empress Dowager and Tai Pin consorts as companions.
No matter their status, at least thereâs the presence of elders.
Aside from whether thereâs romance, selecting a gentle and virtuous lady wonât be an issue!
...
The banquet was set on the second level.
Warm curtains were hung, charcoal braziers placed, and a delicate small stove was beside each person.
The room was not cold at all.
Xia Ruqing sat in the main seat.
Empress Dowager Zhen, Empress Dowager Jing, Consort Zhou Taipin, and Consort An Taipin sat on both sides.
The remaining ladies were seated according to their fathersâ official ranks and grades, below the main seats.
A total of seventeen people, neither crowded nor sparse, the layout was spacious.
Xia Ruqing wasnât new to hosting banquets.
She easily managed the formal speeches.
The gist was:
The plum blossoms in the palace have bloomed; Iâm in high spirits, inviting everyone to join for tea and scenery.
There are no outsiders, everyone should feel free and enjoy the lively atmosphere!