She paused for a moment, instinctively seeking help.
But the grand hall was filled with people, eyes everywhere, leaving no room for whispers.
After a long hesitation, she stammered, "Miss Chu and Miss Chen are superior to me in qin, qi, shu, hua, needlework, and family background. I am certainly convinced of my defeat against them.
However, this is ultimately to select consorts for the two princes. When the final candidates for the consorts are determined, should the opinions of the two princes not also be sought?"
Lu Qingwan's lips curved slightly, her eyes glinting with amusement. She turned to look at Feng Qingheng and Feng Jingheng.
"Miss Xie is very considerate of the two princes. I wonder if the princes have anyone in mind? Why not say it out loud?
Although I, as the regent's consort, cannot guarantee that the princes' chosen ones will become consorts, I can at least recommend them to His Majesty!"
Xie Shuangning, as the daughter of the Minister of Works, was considered to have a relatively superior background among the noble daughters.
From childhood, she was well-versed in the unspoken rules of the noble ladies' circle in the capital. While they toasted and smiled on the surface, backstabbing was common.
However, this was her first time encountering someone like Lu Qingwan, who openly laid everything bare. She was completely thrown off balance by Lu Qingwan's barrage of direct attacks.
She could only stare blankly at Feng Qingheng, hoping he would help her regain her footing.
Unexpectedly, Prince Jing spoke first, "Marriage is a significant matter, and parents make the decisions. I will naturally adhere to Father Emperor's wishes.
Father Emperor is wise and will select the most suitable consort for us. Brother Chen, don't you agree?"
He had even invoked Emperor Jing You, leaving Feng Qingheng with no choice but to agree.
"My imperial brother is absolutely right. Our marriages are for Father Emperor to decide.
Since Father Emperor has entrusted the selection of consorts to the Regent's Consort, I have no objections.
Miss Xie, I appreciate your kind intentions. Regent's Consort, please continue."
As expected, Lu Qingwan looked down with utmost confidence.
When her gaze swept over Xie Shuangning, she saw the deep unwillingness in her eyes. Lu Qingwan unceremoniously gave her a mocking look.
It wasn't Xie Shuangning's fault to fall for that scumbag Feng Qingheng, after all, not everyone had a scumbag-detection radar.
But it was Xie Shuangning's fault to be timid and afraid to pursue what she wanted, and instead, to come and trouble the weak and helpless her.
Successfully infuriating Xie Shuangning to the point of internal injury, Lu Qingwan announced the results of the consort selection without any preamble.
"Everyone, the chosen consorts for the two princes have been determined by me. They are—Chu Yunshan of Duke Pei's manor and Chen Ruoyu, the legitimate granddaughter of Grand Tutor Chen."
As the two names were spoken, an absolute silence fell over the hall, so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.
Lu Qingwan deliberately prolonged the suspense. "These two are well-matched to the two princes, and their conduct during the selection process was observed by all.
Their needlework, qin, qi, shu, hua are all superior to those of the other candidates. Do any of you have objections to these two becoming consorts?"
Although the candidates knew their chances were slim, they were still deeply disappointed upon hearing that they were completely out of the running for the consort positions.
Some candidates burst into tears on the spot, while others asked, "Regent's Consort, didn't you say there would be a final assessment today?
Why did you suddenly announce the final candidates? May we ask what your selection criteria were?"
"Yes, the final selection has not yet concluded. You have announced the candidates for the two consorts. Are you toying with us?"
...
The unsuccessful candidates felt they had been tricked. Relying on their parents' presence at the ceremony, they wished they could rush forward and tear Lu Qingwan apart.
The wife of Duke Hua, who had specifically come to support Hua Yunyao, immediately cried out upon hearing that her daughter was not in line for the consort position.
"Regent's Consort, if you had already decided on the consorts, why go to such lengths to have so many young ladies participate in this farce?
While Miss Chu of Duke Pei's manor and the pearl of Grand Tutor Chen are indeed outstanding, these rejected candidates are also the darlings of us parents. What right do you have to mock them like this?"
In a selection of consorts, there were naturally those chosen and those not. Yet, in the words of the wife of Duke Hua, it had become a mockery.
What was worse, at this moment, the rejected candidates and their families were in an uproar. Incited by her words, they became even more indignant.
Seeing that those people were about to launch a new wave of criticism against her, Lu Qingwan's eyes turned cold, and she announced loudly, "Who said the selection is not over?
The final assessment took place yesterday. All of you people did not measure up.
I eliminated you. Is there a problem with that?"
"Yester-, yesterday, what was assessed yesterday?"
Everyone looked bewildered. Some quick-witted candidates or family members showed signs of unease.
Lu Qingwan swept her gaze across them and asked slowly, "May I ask everyone, after the news spread yesterday that I intended for Chu Yunshan to be consort to Prince Chen, and Chen Ruoyu to be consort to Prince Jing, what did all of you do?"
As soon as Lu Qingwan spoke, more than half of the people in the Imperial Concubine's Palace changed their expressions.
The most amusing part was that the two brothers, Feng Qingheng and Feng Jingheng, reacted the most strongly.
They both stared at Lu Qingwan with ugly expressions. Judging by their fierce looks, it was clear that Lu Qingwan's actions had startled them considerably.
After Lu Qingwan had her fill of admiring the kaleidoscope of expressions in the hall, she leisurely said, "Therefore, Chen Ruoyu for Prince Chen's consort, and Chu Yunshan for Prince Jing's consort. Does anyone have any further objections?"
After being startled repeatedly, hearing Lu Qingwan say Chen Ruoyu for Prince Chen's consort and Chu Yunshan for Prince Jing's consort, people were no longer as surprised.
They collectively said, "The consort is wise!"
Lu Qingwan ignored them and stepped aside. A sharp herald's voice rang out, "An imperial decree has arrived!"
Everyone knelt in unison, "Long live the Fifth Prince, long live, long live!"
"By imperial decree, Chu Shi Yunshan, the eldest legitimate granddaughter of Duke Pei, and Chen Shi Ruoyu, the eldest granddaughter of Grand Tutor Chen, are virtuous, amiable, and proper in their conduct and appearance. I am greatly pleased.
Now that Prince Chen Feng Qingheng and Prince Jing Feng Jingheng have reached marriageable age, I hereby bestow upon Chen Shi Ruoyu the title of Prince Chen's consort.
Chu Shi Yunshan shall be Prince Jing's consort.
All ceremonies shall be jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Directorate of Astronomy, with the wedding to be held on a chosen auspicious date."
An imperial decree bestowing two marriages at once astonished everyone present.
This was an unprecedented imperial bestowal of marriage, and a single thought spontaneously arose in everyone's mind.
"Does this mean His Majesty is truly nearing the end of his days, and needs to use such a method to balance the power between the two princes?"
Despite their internal murmurs, they revealed nothing on their faces, all offering their thanks with extreme deference.
However, Feng Qingheng looked at the chief eunuch with a troubled expression, "May I ask Eunuch Fu, who shall receive this imperial decree?"
With one imperial decree bestowing marriage upon four individuals, the question of who would receive it was also an issue.
Everyone was extremely curious, but they saw Fu An roll up the imperial decree and say, "This is not for the princes to worry about. This servant will take it back himself."
With that, he took the imperial decree and left his original position.
His hurried arrival and departure had already decided the fate of four people.