C32 Part3

....

Once the group of dancers had finished their performances, the next group of dancers were exchanged with them and started performing with a soft dance in which clothes were swirling all over their bodies.

They were dancing like snow-white fairies being blown by the wind and like the mist returning to the clouds in the sky.

The dance and music fit together perfectly with the mood of that prosperous Palace Banquet.

Concubine Qiao and Princess Zhaohua were sitting in the same Banquet Table.

Concubine Qiao noticed that her daughter was not moving the silver chopsticks, and she was surprised when she saw her daughter looking at the Banquet Table opposite from them:

'Is ※Chang'er looking at the Crown Prince or the Royal King?'

※※ (N.B.) ≪'er≫ is a suffix honorific put after a person's Given Name to show affection and intimacy towards that person.

It corresponds to the English "Dear/Darling/Honey".

It's typically used towards one's son/daughter/nephew/grandson/etc... or used between lovers.

Sometimes even in a close friendship people would call others with the suffix ≪'er≫ in intimacy.

(ex. Murong Ci → Ci'er)

An even more ultimate intimate suffix used by lovers is ≪A'≫, put before the person's Given Name.

(ex. Murong Ci → A'Ci)

※ ※

'Chang'er and the Crown Prince were brother and sister, so what would she stare so intently at the prince for?'

Suddenly, Concubine Qiao realized, and her eyebrows were slightly frowned.

'The daughter fell in love with the Regent?!'

"Princess Zhaohua, you haven't toasted to the Emperor yet."

She said and pulled her Daughter's golden thread that embroidered the robe of phoenix feathers.

"Oh."

Murong Chang held up the white jade cup facing the Imperial Banquet Table, and said respectfully,

"Father, Your Majesty's Daughter hasn't been filial enough.

I have been out of the Palace for half a year without authorization, and now I beg My Emperor Father's forgiveness."

"Understanding your own mistakes and how to change to be a good daughter is the most important thing!

I am very relieved."

Murong Cheng smiled lovingly and took a symbolic sip of tea.

"Princess Zhaohua, you must not be willful in the future.

You must carefully follow your Concubine Mother's teachings and stay in the Palace as a Princess with many demeanors."

"Your Majesty's Daughter obeys Your Majesty's orders."

She smiled softly and continued.

"I will no longer be willful and stay in the Palace and serve the Emperor Father."

"Very Good, very good."

He smiled and waved his hand, telling her to sit down.

"Your Majesty, Princess Zhaohua is already seventeen years old, and it's the perfect age for marriage."

Concubine Xiao's voice was beautiful and lingering, almost dripping with water,

"Our Royal Princess Zhaohua is so beloved by thousands of people in the Palace.

Your Majesty should be happy to arrange her to a wishful husband.

Her future husband is required to be both excellent in civil and military matters, have an heroic look, and have brilliant talents to be worthy of Princess Zhaohua."

Concubine Qiao's heart jumped, and she quickly said:

"The Imperial Concubine cares so much about Princess Zhaohua, and this Concubine thanks the Imperial Concubine.

Although Princess Zhaohua is at the age of marriage, with her willful behavior, she was out of the Palace for half a year before returning, which is really unfilial."

She sincerely said.

"Your Majesty, Princess Zhaohua is self-willed and arrogant, and this Concubine will teach her a lot in the future.

So please don't worry about giving her a marriage too quickly.

Let her learn the rules of the Palace first, accept her heart, and be filial to Your Majesty.

After two years, it will not be too late to discuss marriage."

Concubine Xiao smiled, and as she moved the golden embroidered phoenix on her slick hair bun, the golden light flashed, and it flashed like a sword light,

"Sister Concubine Qiao, Princess Zhaohua will be nineteen in two years, and she will be too old already.

If you want her to marry a good husband, it needs to be early, and Princess Zhaohua is not too young anymore, and it's not too early.

What does Your Majesty think?"

Speaking of her marriage, Princess Zhaohua, Murong Chang, lowered her head and her eyes shyly.

The peach-pink cheeks were tactful and affectionate, full of expectations for the future husband, and inexplicable joy.

She quietly raised her eyes, the stream gleamed, and the direction she stared at was Murong Yu.

Murong Ci curled her lips mockingly,

'It seems that the Royal Family's 'good deeds' are approaching again...'

Murong Ci understood Concubine Xiao's sudden proposal perfectly well:

Firstly, this was just a tactic to verify Princess Zhaohua's mind...

That being said, she wanted to betroth Princess Zhaohua to one of the famous Noble Family young man, as long as it was not the Prince Regent Murong Yu;

Secondly, she wanted to take this opportunity to cut off the arms of her opponent, Concubine Qiao...

These past few years, Princess Zhaohua has been quite successful.

The Emperor Father favored Princess Zhaohua, and as her mother, Concubine Qiao was precious to him because of her Daughter.

And as such, she shared the favor bestowed to her Daughter.

Thus, Concubine Xiao's move could kill two birds with one stone.

Murong Cheng smiled kindly,

"Princess Zhaohua is indeed quite young, but I have to choose her husband candidates carefully."

After hearing these words, those courtiers and famous young Noble men who wanted to marry the Princess were enthusiastic and secretly cheered.

They all began to figure out how to win the favor of Princess Zhaohua.

'This is a great opportunity!

We can't miss it!'

....

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END of CHAPTER 32 PART 3

.....................to be continued