Chapter 305: Chapter 305: The Anxious Li Family Members Wanting to Show their Talents (Thank you for the extra donation and support from the one who wants to be a spicy girl)
Xiao Ning’Er’s face went pale.
Shi Ning’s lower lip, which she had been biting tensely, loosened.
It seemed she hadn’t been the only one humiliated; having someone else to share the disgrace wasn’t so bad.
"The Mei household?"
Xiaosuisui suddenly thought of something. Her brows furrowed, her expression puzzled.
The Empress Dowager was so elated at having exacted her revenge that she did not notice Xiaosuisui’s peculiar behavior. Instead, she directed the Nanny beside her to lead Shi Ning and Xiao Ning’Er to change their clothes.
Before long, the Nanny returned and reported that there were no suitable theatrical costumes in the Palace for the two young ladies. The opera Her Imperial Majesty had looked forward to might not be possible today.
Xiaosuisui, puzzled, asked, "What does ’listen to an opera’ mean?"
The Empress Dowager explained, "It’s when several performers don colorful costumes, paint their faces, and perform on stage."
Xiaosuisui still didn’t understand, but she didn’t press further. After the explanation, the Empress Dowager said to the Nanny, "Since there are no suitable theatrical costumes, let’s skip the opera. Have the two young ladies return to their seats and rest. Tell them to keep their parents and elders good company!"
This meant their opportunity to perform before the Emperor and Empress Dowager had been revoked.
The Nanny acknowledged the order. Just then, the poem written by Miss Song was presented. The Empress Dowager glanced at it without reading it aloud, merely said, "Good," then had her rewarded and dismissed.
After witnessing a near-drama unfold, no one else dared to step up and offer a performance.
The Empress Dowager felt a bit weary and considered ending the banquet.
So she asked, "Are there any other young ladies from Our ministers’ families who wish to perform?"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s question, everyone grew tense. They all understood she was signaling her intention to conclude the banquet.
Those who had not yet performed began to grow anxious.
Among them were members of the Li Family, a Noble Family that had recently risen in prominence in the Imperial Court.
This Li Family was the same one whose carriage had encountered the Ji Family’s carriage on the way to the Palace.
They were considered newly influential because, although they hailed from an old, distinguished Noble Family, they had gradually withdrawn from the Imperial Court to protect themselves during the reign of the previous emperor, who was incompetent and whose rule caused widespread suffering among the people. Since then, no one from their family had held an official position in the Imperial Court.
Later, when the new dynasty was established, the Imperial Court continued to employ officials from the previous regime. The founding Emperor of Great Han ruled benevolently and did not actively seek out new talent, so the Li Family did not make a comeback in the Imperial Court under him.
Subsequently, the second Emperor of Great Han ascended the throne—he was the current young Emperor’s father, the late Emperor who had notoriously died in a woman’s embrace. He too was benevolent. He reinstated the Imperial Examination and even introduced the Enke Examination. However, he passed away soon after its implementation, before the palace examination could be held.
With the new Emperor being so young, matters of official selection were put on hold. It was only after Ji Youze and his brother entered the Palace to serve as the Emperor’s companions that things began to change. The Emperor, alongside the Ji brothers, poured his heart and soul into learning the ways of governance, guided by the dedicated and selfless Grand Tutor. Through their collective efforts and the Grand Tutor’s teachings, the young Emperor gradually understood the importance of selecting talented individuals.
Thus, several disciples from the Li Family successfully passed the Imperial Examination, becoming Jinshi or Juren, and some participated in the selection for Hanlin Bachelors. One of them had even become the Champion Scholar nine years ago. He had now risen to the position of Vice Minister of the Zhongshu Province, a Third Grade official, involved in discussing critical state affairs. He was currently quite influential in the capital.
Furthermore, about six months ago, the National Master had prophesied the advent of a "Little Treasure" from a collateral branch of the Li Family. This "Little Treasure" turned out to be Li Yanyan. The family had since welcomed her back and incorporated her into the direct lineage. For the sake of this Little Treasure, Li Yanyan, Vice Minister Li Xu’s father had personally acknowledged Li Yanyan’s grandfather, Li Yi, as a clan brother. They now addressed each other daily as "Big Brother" and "Second Brother."
Li Xu’s wife and Old Madam Li had also brought their family’s only daughter, Li Zhujun, to the banquet.
Their goal today was to have Li Zhujun selected as one of the Emperor’s consorts.
They were extremely anxious now. How could they not be?
If Li Zhujun couldn’t perform before the imperial presence today, who knew when she would get another chance to make an impression on the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?