So.
No one had any hope of being chosen, but she was the most hopeful!
Princess Ningde was also watching Zhan Tianye. If he chose Qin Lingyue, it would be good for her, as a superficial Qin Lingyue would soon become annoying.
Even Prince Jin would regret it in the future.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhan Tianye raised his eyes and looked around.
At first, the Emperor of Western Xia was a little worried that Zhan Tianye would not choose anyone.
After all, he could tell that Zhan Tianye had little interest in these women, and the one he was interested in absolutely could not be allowed into the Western Xia imperial palace.
However, that was in the past when he was interested.
Now, everything was starting anew, and he was confident that he could make Zhan Tianye… no, Jin'er know the charms of other women.
A palace banquet had reached this point.
Everyone's anticipation was at its peak. He knew Jin'er would choose a few people.
Although some were not to his liking, some were quite good.
They were enough to be kept warm by his side.
Men needed women by their side to warm their beds, regardless of whether they liked them or not.
These were things he often said to Jin'er these days, and he believed Jin'er had remembered them.
Now, all he had to do was wait quietly.
As expected, Zhan Tianye spoke, "Your son chooses only one person."
The Emperor was stunned. "One person?"
"Mm."
Everyone was also shocked. He was only choosing one person?
Why would he choose only one person for no reason?
Princess Ningde frowned. This was not a good thing. Choosing only one person meant that Prince Jin was overly devoted to Qin Lingyue, to the point of not even looking at other women.
She knew that Prince Jin would have many women by his side in the future, but those women were merely for warming his bed and would not conflict with her position. But now, there was Qin Lingyue…
Many people began to panic.
Qin Lingyue's heart pounded.
It was her, it was her, it had to be her! Prince Jin definitely wanted to choose her! She knew it! Prince Jin was too good to her; he could have chosen many people, but he wanted none of them, only her!
She was probably more important to Prince Jin than Princess Ningde in the future!
For a moment, Qin Lingyue was filled with confidence.
Her eyes sparkled like starlight, and she could no longer restrain herself from standing up.
Prince Jin, say it quickly. Since we love each other, let everyone know soon! That way, from this day forward, she would be the most envied woman in the capital!
Although Madam Shangshu had seen much of the world, at this moment, she could not control her pounding heart and suddenly grasped Qin Lingyue's arm tightly.
The mother and daughter were already incredibly excited.
Xiao Huan's eyes were about to well up with tears. Why was heaven so unfair? Clearly, Madam and the second miss were so wicked and had done so many heinous things, yet why was heaven still on their side, helping them bully Miss! If the second miss really became Prince Jin's concubine, then Miss would have no hope of ever rising in life!
She had just realized why Miss dared to say those things to Madam; it was because Miss had already figured out the outcome, and perhaps she was willing to go down in flames!
Poor Miss!
How tragic!
Heaven, please open your eyes!
Please, oh great heaven!
Just as everyone held their breath, Zhan Tianye's slender, jade-like hand pointed towards a spot in the crowd, "Her."
*Swish!*
Everyone looked!
Princess Ningde's gaze deepened slightly when she saw that the person Zhan Tianye was pointing to was indeed Qin Lingyue.
Qin Lingyue pretended to be very shy and stood up, offering a curtsy to everyone with feigned modesty, "This commoner is Qin Lingyue."
It really was her!
She knew her intuition was not wrong!
"How could it be Qin Lingyue?"
"Yes, Qin Lingyue's background is not good, and she is usually not well-liked. How could Prince Jin possibly choose her?"
"Most importantly, she is inferior to me in every way. What exactly does Prince Jin see in Qin Lingyue?"
"I would have accepted losing to someone else, but losing to Qin Lingyue truly infuriates me!"
On the other side, Minister Qin, seeing his beloved daughter being favored by Prince Jin, was so excited he could barely speak. He quickly got up and said, "Lingyue is this subject's daughter."
Madam was right! Lingyue truly had the aura of great wealth and status! Among so many people today, Prince Jin specifically chose Lingyue!
Minister Qin and Madam Shangshu were beaming with joy, happier than words could express.
This was truly a marriage ordained by heaven! What else could this be if not love at first sight? If it was love at first sight, then in the future, their daughter might be able to stand on par with Princess Ningde in Prince Jin's eyes!
Thinking this, the couple felt an unprecedented sense of glory.
Their Shangshu Manor would have boundless prospects in the future!
Perhaps, one day, their official position could even rise from Minister to Prime Minister!
When one person achieves success, all their relatives benefit. Seeing the actions of Minister Qin and his family, everyone sneered dismissively.
Was it necessary?
Was it necessary to be so eager to tell everyone that Prince Jin favored Qin Lingyue? Everyone knew that, didn't they? Qin Lingyue had just performed a seductive dance similar to that of a courtesan, repeatedly batting her eyelashes at Prince Jin, truly capturing his heart.
"So it is my dear subject's daughter. Minister Qin, you have raised your daughter well. Since Prince Jin favors her, then this Emperor…" The Emperor was about to directly grant the marriage.
However, before he could finish speaking, Zhan Tianye stopped him.
"Not her."
Just three simple words.
They made it clear what Zhan Tianye meant.
"Not Qin Lingyue?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Prince Jin said it's not her!"
"I knew Prince Jin wouldn't possibly favor Qin Lingyue! Then who was Prince Jin pointing to?"
Yun Shu slightly raised her eyebrows.
Princess Ningde suddenly looked at Zhan Tianye. The person he chose was not Qin Lingyue? Then who was it?
She hadn't noticed him paying particular attention to any woman tonight.
The smile on Qin Lingyue's face froze. She looked at Zhan Tianye in astonishment. "It's not this commoner? Prince Jin wasn't referring to this commoner just now? How could it not be this commoner?"
It was clearly her.
Why did Prince Jin suddenly change his mind?
"How is that possible?" The red glow on Madam Shangshu's face faded.
If it wasn't Lingyue, then who could it be?
Qin Lingyue trembled with shock. From the corner of her eye, she could see many people mocking her. The more proud she had been when she stood up, the more humiliated and embarrassed she felt now.
"Qin Lingyue, quickly sit down. Prince Jin did not choose you as his concubine," someone chimed in, as if watching a good show.
This remark, instead of helping, made Qin Lingyue want to flee. She had lost all face! After the palace banquet tonight, she could almost imagine what kind of rumors would circulate in the capital!
Qin Lingyue stiffly sat down.
"Then who did Jin'er say it was?" The Emperor patiently asked again.
This time, Zhan Tianye pointed at Yun Shu, "It's her."