"If you all weren't wasting time, we would have started by now."
Lu Qing Wan shouted, "Everyone return to your positions. The selection ceremony will commence immediately. All rules will be based on the Emperor's personal supervision of the selection. Anyone who causes trouble, regardless of their status, will have their qualification for the selection revoked."
Those present today were all aiming for the position of consort, or even crown consort. Upon hearing Lu Qing Wan's words, they immediately fell silent.
Lu Qing Wan then said, "Someone, bring the ink and brushes."
Palace maids distributed the prepared ink and brushes to the young ladies one by one. Each tray also held a thin booklet.
The noble ladies were still puzzled when Lu Qing Wan spoke slowly.
"You are all daughters of officials, so your calligraphy and painting skills should not be too poor.
However, you are all aware that for the two princes to select consorts, they do not need calligraphy or painting masters, nor grand masters of art. I, as the consort, do not care about the level of your skill.
What you hold in your hands is an account book that I have borrowed from a noble person whose status is not much different from that of the two princes.
This book records the income and expenses of this noble person's household during the autumn of this year. Your task is to calculate this noble person's surplus income and expenses for the previous quarter, as well as methods for increasing income and reducing expenditure."
Upon hearing this, the noble ladies immediately showed disdain. "What kind of test is this? Don't households have stewards? Which consort needs to do such things?"
The male guests invited to observe also had differing opinions.
However, the three old matriarchs invited by Lu Qing Wan as advisors all showed satisfied smiles. Old Madam Chi even playfully teased Lu Qing Wan.
"His Majesty asked the Regent Consort to preside over the selection, and you are truly practical!"
Lu Qing Wan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Old Madam?"
Old Madam Chi seemed to recall something amusing, and a joyful aura emanated from her.
"Back then, when my late husband and I were arranged to be married, everyone said that the Chi family was a scholarly lineage and highly regarded by the court. I thought I would be marrying into a life of ease.
At that time, I also thought so and married with great joy. Good heavens, the scholarly lineage was true, and the family of bookworms was also true.
The hundred acres of fertile land bestowed by the late Emperor were barely enough for our family to eat. For banquets or social gatherings, we had to dip into our own pockets.
And when we dipped into our pockets, the shops accumulated by our ancestors were also in terrible disarray.
If it weren't for my virtuous mother-in-law, who had accumulated some wealth, the whole family would have been reduced to begging, and they were too proud to use my dowry.
At that time, I was still a young girl who knew nothing. I couldn't read accounts or do calculations. I was forced into it by this family..."
Although Old Madam Chi complained about her husband's family being full of bookworms, her smile did not betray her.
The Prime Minister's wife also covered her mouth and laughed. "Who isn't?
When I first entered my husband's home, I couldn't even manage my own small plot of land, and this was the result of my mother's long teachings!
At that time, I found my mother's nagging annoying and thought that with the steward at home and the older women around, why would I, the Prime Minister's wife, need to personally intervene? As a result, whoever suffers the consequences knows it best!"
The Southern King's consort merely smiled along, not complaining like the two old matriarchs.
Instead, she teased Lu Qing Wan. "The Regent Consort's method of testing the young ladies' accounting skills, did you also suffer from not knowing how to manage accounts, and thus used yourself as an example to guide the future two consorts?"
The young ladies, while seemingly diligently accounting, pricked up their ears upon hearing this.
Lu Qing Wan pretended not to see. "Southern King's Consort, you jest. The Prince, out of consideration for my family having no one to teach me, had someone manage my dowry after I arrived.
Afterwards, he had Li Jin teach me how to read account books. It was only after we returned from the southern lands that he handed over the management of the Prince's mansion to me.
Therefore, I find it quite easy to handle and not at all overwhelming."
The Southern King's consort seemed to be waiting for Lu Qing Wan's words. Upon hearing them, she immediately said, "I've long heard from my Prince that the Regent is incredibly thoughtful, even remembering to buy snacks for the Consort while on the road.
Now it seems that it's truly true. The Regent Prince's affection for his Consort is truly enviable!"
Lu Qing Wan shyly lowered her head. "It is the Southern King's Consort and your Prince's deep affection that is truly enviable. My Prince and I should look up to the two of you."
She deliberately avoided mentioning Feng Xi Wu's serious illness, leaving everyone desperately curious.
Feng Qing Heng finally couldn't hold back. "The Regent Consort should indeed envy the Southern King's Consort. I saw the Southern King escort the Southern King's Consort when I entered the palace. The Regent Consort, I'm afraid she doesn't have such treatment, right?"
After speaking, he deliberately exaggerated, "Oh, how could I forget? My Imperial Uncle is currently bedridden. It's probably difficult for him to even get up, so escorting you would be even more difficult, right?"
"Since Prince Chen is so concerned about my Prince, perhaps I should go to some trouble to let you experience how my Prince feels?"
Saying this, she angrily struck the Ring of the King of Ten Thousand Phoenixes in her hand. The phoenix wings dragged fine silver threads and flew out, directly striking the chair beneath Feng Qing Heng.
Feng Qing Heng hadn't even reacted to Lu Qing Wan's words when the chair beneath him had its legs snapped. Feng Qing Heng immediately fell backward.
The male guests and young ladies in attendance cried out in surprise. The noble lady who had just spoken up for Feng Qing Heng remembered to help him.
Lu Qing Wan coldly shouted, "No one is allowed to move. Anyone who leaves their seat without permission will be considered to have forfeited!"
Feng Qing Heng, furious and indignant, exclaimed, "Lu Qing Wan, what are you doing?
Father Emperor ordered you to select consorts for me and Prince Jing. Is this how you are fulfilling Father Emperor's decree?"
"I will fulfill His Majesty's decree to the letter.
However, Feng Qing Heng, I warn you, if I hear you insinuate that my Prince is unwell again, it won't just be chair legs that are broken!
If you want to experience the taste of broken legs, feel free to provoke me!"
The phoenix wings and silver threads of the Ring of the King of Ten Thousand Phoenixes had already been retracted by Lu Qing Wan amidst the chaos. Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Lu Qing Wan to possess such martial prowess.
Chi Yao Yao stared at Lu Qing Wan with her eyes shining. Lu Qing Wan made a helpless face at her, and the latter chuckled before lowering her head to resume accounting.
Feng Qing Heng, having lost face twice to Lu Qing Wan, sat aside sulking in anger.
Prince Jing's gaze swept back and forth between the two several times. He suddenly smiled. "Imperial Brother, don't you think that our Regent Consort has changed completely since marrying Imperial Uncle?"
"You think so too?"
Ever since Lu Qing Wan's gaze towards him became devoid of any emotion, Feng Qing Heng had repeatedly suspected that Lu Qing Wan was a fake.
Hearing Prince Jing's words, he finally felt his suspicion had grounds.
Unexpectedly, Prince Jing shook his head cautiously upon hearing his words. "It's just a feeling. After all, she is the Regent Consort. Surely no one would be audacious enough to impersonate her?
If Imperial Uncle knew, he would surely tear that person to shreds!"