Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Princess is still longing for Xiangxiang’s Duck Leg
Xie Pan’Er didn’t have the courage to say goodbye to her parents, so she explained instead.
"For the Double Ninth Festival’s Palace Banquet, the Empress Dowager has issued a gracious decree: wives of all officials of Fifth Grade or above in the capital are to bring any daughters in their households, aged thirteen to eighteen, to the banquet to present their talents before the Emperor!"
Xie Si furrowed his brow.
"In the past, with our uncle being a Fifth-Grade Junior Minister at Guanglu Temple, you could have accompanied him to the Palace. But our family has been expelled from the clan now, so we do not meet this condition."
As Xie Si reached this point, something flashed through his mind, and his face went as white as a sheet.
"You... you aren’t thinking of entering the Palace, are you?"
"Little sister, you mustn’t! The Palace walls are high, and imperial consorts compete for favor. You have no family background, no strong support. If you enter the Palace, your future will undoubtedly be full of hardship. Moreover, it’s said that the current Emperor has yet to establish an Empress or take any consorts. This must be due to some unmentionable reason. This Double Ninth Palace Banquet must be aimed at selecting consorts."
Regardless of whether the Emperor selects consorts or establishes an Empress this time, it all signals something complex.
"TEE HEE..." Xie Pan’Er suddenly burst out laughing.
"What’s Big brother thinking about? I am going to accompany the Princess to the Palace. The Princess was ennobled from among the commoners and has yet to fully learn the Palace rules. She is still young and needs someone to look after her. Old Mrs. Ji, Second Mrs. Ji, and Third Mrs. Ji have decided that I should accompany the Princess as she grows up!"
Upon hearing his sister’s words, Xie Si breathed a heavy sigh of relief, but then his expression changed drastically.
"What did you say? Accompany the Princess as she grows up? You mean... you’re going to accompany the Princess as she grows up? By the time she’s grown, how old will you be? Have you thought about your own future? You’re essentially going to be a servant to the Princess!"
"Big brother, you’re overthinking. Accompanying the Princess is my honor; it’s a blessing for our Xie Family. As for my future marriage... how many reliable men are there in this world? By accompanying the Princess, my future will be more fortunate than that of any other young woman."
Having said that, Xie Pan’Er didn’t give Xie Si the opportunity to respond.
"Alright, Big brother! It’s getting late. I should go to the Ji Mansion. Nanny Zhang still has to teach me Palace etiquette tonight."
Xie Si was dumbstruck, watching as his sister’s figure disappeared into the dim lamplight. It took a long while for him to come back to his senses.
"Pan’Er, wait for your brother. I will make a name for myself as quickly as possible and bring you back home."
Xie Pan’Er had no idea what great ambitions her brother had resolved for her sake. At this moment, she was happily heading towards the Ji Mansion.
At the Ji Family home, the family was sitting around the dining table for a meal when Old Mrs. Ji asked Ji Youze, "What do you think of that Third Miss Xie?"
Ji Youze put down his chopsticks and thought for a moment. She’s courageous, but lacks strategy. Given her recklessness in rushing to reason with Old Mrs. Xie today, if the Ji Family hadn’t intervened immediately, she might very well have been schemed against to her doom by the Xie Family.
Old Mrs. Ji then turned to Ji Youzhi. "What about you? What’s your impression of her?"
Ji Youzhi didn’t even raise his head, continuing to shovel rice into his mouth. "She’s quite good. Better than many young ladies from official families."
Old Mrs. Ji pondered for a moment and then asked, "If your future wife were like Third Miss Xie, would you be happy?"
As Old Mrs. Ji said this, Huo Xing’Er’s chopsticks, which were picking up food, paused for a moment.
Ji Youzhi replied without hesitation, "If your son could find a wife as intelligent as Third Miss Xie, it would indeed be a fortunate thing."
Ji Youze glanced at Huo Xing’Er subtly.
Zhu Xiuxiu chimed in, "Then why don’t you just marry this Third Miss Xie? Your Second Sister-in-law and I both think she’s quite good." After saying this, she glanced at Huo Xing’Er, as if urging, "Second Sister-in-law, say something!"
Huo Xing’Er met Zhu Xiuxiu’s gaze and felt a little helpless. This isn’t a topic I can get involved in. She decided to simply give Xiaosuisui a large chicken drumstick.
"Xiaosuisui, have your favorite big chicken drumstick!"
Xiaosuisui, oblivious to the strange atmosphere at the table, pouted, showing no interest at all in the large chicken drumstick.
"I want Xiangxiang’s big duck leg!"
Zhu Xiuxiu and Huo Xing’Er were both momentarily stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. How on earth did this girl still remember that specific duck leg?