Magnificent Shouxian Palace, with red carpet flooring, beautifully carved beams and painted rafters, was bathed in brilliant lamp light. The Empress Dowager of Great Jin Nation and Queen Na Muhan of Qing Luo Kingdom were seated side by side in the center, their countenances glowing with joy as they engaged in delightful conversations.
On the ground, the Madams lined up on either side, congratulating Queen Na Muhan on the reunion with her son, while listening to her recounting the years of missing her son.
Cai Wei laughed and said, "In the past, both of your knees were desolate, but now you have found the Prince. From now on, you will no longer be lonely. When the Prince has his Grand Wedding in the future, and blesses you with several plump and healthy grandsons, you will both be so busy!"
These thoughts imdiately resonated strongly in the heart of Queen Na Muhan.
In her heart, her son had always been the tender and pale little baby who left her, though now he is handsoly grown, likened to a ’jade tree facing the wind.’ Yet, her heart always cherished that soft little thing who would cuddle in her embrace and call her ’Mother’. Thinking of having grandchildren as adorable as her son in his childhood, Queen Na Muhan’s eyes brightened, feeling that if this were true, life would have no regrets.
"Mm, taking your auspicious words, once we go back, we will start arranging his marriage!"
Queen Na Muhan nodded repeatedly, sieving through the distinguished and accomplished youths of Qing Luo Kingdom in her mind.
In fact, before finding her son, she had discussed with her husband about whom to choose as a daughter-in-law, but after scrutinizing many, she felt none were worthy of her son. Today, after seeing her son, this feeling intensified – oh, who could possibly be worthy of her precious son?
Cai Wei straightforwardly proposed, "The won of Great Jin Nation are gentle and virtuous. If Queen Na Muhan does not mind, why not choose a Royal Consort for the Prince from Great Jin?"
Queen Na Muhan said, "That sounds good, but I wonder whom Empress Mu plans to propose for my son?"
Cai Wei said, "The plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden have blood. The day after tomorrow, this Palace will invite noble girls aged ten to eighteen from the capital to enjoy the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden. Then, Queen Na Muhan could personally select a satisfactory Royal Consort for the Prince; how does that sound?"
"That would be wonderful. As long as the girl has good character and appeals to my son’s heart, even if her family background isn’t that prominent, it doesn’t matter!"
Jing Chen was her and her husband’s only son, the confird future sovereign of the nation, who fundantally didn’t need a marital alliance to secure his position. All she wished was for her son to choose a woman who would make him truly happy to spend his latter half of life with. As for that woman’s identity, she didn’t care at all – as long as her son liked her!
Upon hearing this, the Madams present were all exhilarated, thinking of the imnse honor in marrying their daughter or granddaughter to the Prince of Qing Luo Kingdom, the future Empress Dowager. Besides, given that the Prince of Qing Luo Kingdom was both talented and refined, whoever married him would certainly find happiness!
After the banquet disbanded, it was very late, almost ti for the palace gates to be locked, yet all the Madams, as if injected with an adrenaline shot, left energetically. Each secretly strategized in their hearts how to make their own girls shine at the upcoming Plum Banquet, how to beco in-laws with Queen Na Muhan!
Queen Na Muhan and Situ Changge were arranged to stay in Jinhua Garden. Previously, Jinhua Garden was the residence for the princes, but now that the Retired Emperor’s sons had all been sent to their respective fiefs, and they themselves had yet to have children, Jinhua Garden stood vacant.
Upon learning that Queen Na Muhan was coming in person to welco Situ Changge, Cai Wei ordered Jinhua Garden to be cleaned up for them to reside.
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