Princess Anping’s preferential treatnt made Princess Consort Ji sowhat annoyed, but she couldn’t say much. After all, her own family wasn’t promising.
She glared at the Ji family’s Madam and her daughter-in-law with a look of frustration, planning to find two palace nannies for the Ji family to teach them proper manners, lest they beco a laughingstock.
The Ji family’s Madam and her daughter-in-law: "..."
They felt sothing was amiss, but couldn’t pinpoint where.
Princess Consort Ji decided not to argue at the mont. Rembering the purpose of hosting the banquet, she smiled and suggested going to the warm pavilion to watch the young ladies perform their talents.
Many attendees were here for the position of Princess Consort Min, so they eagerly agreed upon hearing this.
Who cares whether the wine is good or the snacks are tasty? What’s important is watching their daughters shine.
Song Ci was also eager for the talent performances, especially to see beautiful won. These were truly classical beauties. Who would rather look at old and faded ones?
Upon reaching the spacious warm pavilion, with light incense in the air, the young ladies stood in small groups, either chatting softly, enjoying the snow scenery outside while composing poetry, or playing musical instrunts, creating a beautiful scene.
Song Ci’s eyes lit up. The won were all different and pleasing to the eyes.
"These young ladies are truly pleasing to the eye," he said. "Each one of them could debut as a group in the ancient maiden style."
Princess Anping covered her mouth with a handkerchief, chuckling, "If they heard you say that, they’d be overjoyed."
"I’m just speaking the truth," Song Ci said, noticing a beautiful young girl in a fiery red robe and jewel crown. "Is that your Commandery Princess Shou Ning?"
Princess Anping nodded with a gentle smile, "Indeed, that’s my unworthy daughter."
She instructed a nearby palace maid to call Commandery Princess Shou Ning over.
Princess Anping is Emperor Chu’s youngest sister, only about thirty-one or two years old. She married the Hanlin Academy lecturer Su Tongzhan and had a son and a daughter. Her daughter Su Qing was titled Commandery Princess Shou Ning and is only fourteen this year, while her son Su Zhao is just twelve.
Su Qing approached, first saluting her mother, who then introduced her to Song Ci.
"Shou Ning greets the Madam, may the Madam be well."
With exquisite features and a gracious deanor, it was evident she was well-educated. Song Ci smiled, praised her a bit, and slipped a bracelet onto her wrist.
Su Qing, coming from a good family, had a sharp eye. Seeing the jade bracelet’s high quality, she knew it wasn’t an ordinary piece and looked towards Princess Anping.
Princess Anping also noticed and said to Song Ci, "Madam, this is too precious. She’s just a young girl; how can she accept it?"
"Why shouldn’t she accept it? No matter how precious an object is, it’s just a dead thing. People are more important. I like giving it to whoever I choose." Song Ci laughed, "I just adore lovely and bright young girls like the Commandery Princess, so pleasing to the eye."
"Just call her by her na," Princess Anping chuckled, then told her daughter, "Aren’t you going to thank the Madam?"
It’s just a bracelet. Perhaps in the future, when she sees a girl from the Song Family, she’ll gift sothing valuable as well.
Su Qing graciously thanked her.
Song Ci sent her off to play, then quietly whispered to Princess Anping, "Actually, I’d rather give it than not. You’ll see, with talent performances, there’s usually a prize, and I don’t want to give my precious bracelet to soone who’s not likable."
Princess Anping chuckled, just about to speak when she heard Princess Consort Ji ntion adding a prize for the performance.
She looked at Song Ci, wondering if his words had sohow made it happen!
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