RPAGF Chapter 345 Princess Zhaohua Hosts a Banquet
Chapter 345 Princess Zhaohua Hosts a Banquet
The morning light shone through the carved window lattice, casting dappled golden spots on Shi Wanxia's face.
The sound of cicadas drifted in through the half-open window, carrying with it the sweltering heat unique to midsummer.
She turned over, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the bed curtains, when she was suddenly awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door.
"buckle"
"Guoguo, are you awake? His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have been waiting in the hall for a long time."
Choi Ji-ho's voice, tinged with anxiety, came through the wooden door.
Shi Wanxia suddenly opened her eyes, her sleepiness instantly vanishing. She sat up abruptly in bed, the thin blanket slipping off her body to reveal her cross-collar undergarment.
Remembering that someone was waiting outside, she hurriedly grabbed the moon-white outer garment beside her and put it on, then slipped on her embroidered shoes and ran towards the door.
The door creaked open, and Shi Wanxia, her cheeks slightly flushed and her hair disheveled, said, "Brother Cui, His Highness the Crown Prince and the others have arrived so early."
Choi Jiho looked up and caught a glimpse of her disheveled appearance; the tips of his ears instantly turned bright red.
She hurriedly looked away, her words becoming stammered: "Guo...Guoguo, you...why don't you wash up and get dressed first? I...I'll wait for you in the yard."
After saying that, he turned around like a startled rabbit, stood with his back to her on the veranda, his hands clutching the jade pendant at his waist, his knuckles turning white.
Shi Wanxia couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother Cui, are you shy? Then wait for me, I'll be right away!"
She turned around casually, without even closing the door, and quickly walked behind the screen.
The bronze mirror inside the room reflected the girl's graceful figure.
While muttering, "Wearing Hanfu in this sweltering heat is such a torture," Shi Wanxia deftly changed into a lotus-root-colored gauze skirt.
Her skirt was as light and thin as mist, and her snow-white ankles were faintly visible as she walked.
She casually tied her long hair up in a bun and secured it with a bamboo hairpin, with a few stray strands falling down her neck, adding a touch of languid charm.
After a quick wash, Shi Wanxia straightened her clothes in front of the bronze mirror and hurried out the door: "Brother Cui, let's go to the front hall quickly!"
The moment Choi Ji-ho turned around, his breath hitched slightly.
The morning light bathed the girl in a soft glow, and her simple dress accentuated her beautiful features, exuding a gentle yet free-spirited charm.
Before he could get a good look, Shi Wanxia grabbed his wrist and dragged him staggering toward the front hall.
Inside the main hall, Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou was sipping tea, while Crown Princess Chu Qingwan was reviewing a register on the table beside him. Hearing footsteps, both of them looked up simultaneously.
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess!"
Just as Shi Wanxia and Cui Zhihao were about to bow, Shen Yanzhou raised his hand to stop them.
"You don't need to be so polite. You don't need to care so much about these formalities in the future."
Shen Yanzhou's gaze fell on Shi Wanxia, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Miss Shi, you're in too much of a hurry. How about this, I'll have your sister-in-law give you a few capable maids?"
Shi Wanxia quickly waved her hand, her delicate face full of resistance: "Your Highness's kindness is appreciated! Your Highness, what brings you here so early?"
She really didn't want to be bound by those tedious grooming rules. Every day, just taking half an hour to style her hair was a real headache for her.
Shen Yanzhou shook his head helplessly and put the topic aside for the time being: "Today, Princess Zhaohua is hosting a banquet, and the sons of famous families and nobles in the capital will all be in attendance."
“Perfect timing, I’ve also received an invitation. I’ll take you along and see if there are any talents you’re looking for.”
Shi Wanxia's eyes lit up. She had been observing which people were suitable for the past two days, and the time given by His Majesty was fast approaching.
However, the powerful and influential people in the capital are deeply entrenched, making it extremely difficult to find suitable candidates among them.
This banquet is a rare opportunity.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Shi Wanxia bowed, her eyes full of anticipation.
Crown Princess Chu Qingwan smiled and stood up, walked to Shi Wanxia's side, and gently took her hand: "Sister, don't be shy. Just think of it as joining in the fun today."
"If you take a fancy to any young master or lady, I'll help you find out."
Shi Wanxia blushed and was about to retort when she saw Cui Zhihao cough awkwardly beside her.
She stole a glance at Choi Ji-ho's tense profile, and felt a strange sense of panic. She quickly changed the subject: "So when do we set off?"
"We'll depart at noon. There's still some time. If there's anything else you need to prepare, please let us know."
Shen Yanzhou stood up and straightened his robes.
"Yingying and I will return to the East Palace first, and we will send someone to pick you up at noon."
After seeing off the Crown Prince and his wife, Shi Wanxia stood in the courtyard, gazing at the white clouds floating in the sky, pondering her plans for the day.
Choi Ji-ho stood behind her, hesitant to speak, but in the end he just silently gripped the sword at his waist.
At noon, a richly decorated carriage stopped in front of the Shi residence.
Shi Wanxia and Cui Zhihao got into the carriage, which slowly drove towards Princess Zhaohua's villa.
The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a "clattering" sound, as if playing the prelude to this unknown feast.
Outside the villa, carriages and horses moved like dragons, and the air was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the swaying of
Shi Wanxia stepped off the carriage, looked at the ornately decorated building in front of her, took a deep breath, and led Cui Zhihao into this banquet where undercurrents were swirling.
As soon as you enter the garden, you can see people bustling about among the pavilions and towers, with the sounds of string and wind instruments filling the air.
Princess Zhaohua, dressed in a rose-purple brocade dress, was standing by the waterside, chatting and laughing with someone.
Upon seeing the Crown Prince and his wife arrive, she hurriedly went to greet them: "Crown Prince, Crown Prince and Sister-in-law, we've been waiting for you!"
During the exchange of pleasantries, Shi Wanxia's gaze swept across the crowd.
She noticed a young man reading a book by himself near the artificial hill not far away, completely oblivious to the noise around him.
The man, dressed in a moon-white long robe, possessed an ethereal air, making him seem out of place amidst the clinking of glasses and lively banquet.
"That's Su Mingyuan, the second son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, a notorious bookworm."
Crown Princess Lin Chuying followed her gaze and said softly, "All you do is study all day, and you've even neglected your marriage."
Shi Wanxia's eyes lit up. In this dynasty that valued military prowess over literature, very few people were willing to devote themselves to scholarship.
If we can recruit this person to our ranks, handling government affairs in the future will be much more efficient.
Just as she was about to ask a question, she noticed a commotion coming from not far away.
Several guards escorted a man in brocade robes as he approached. The man had an arrogant look in his eyes and a contemptuous smile on his lips.
"That's Xiao Lin, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. He's extremely arrogant and domineering, and no one in the capital dares to mess with him."
Choi Ji-ho leaned close to her ear and whispered, his tone full of disgust.
Xiao Lin walked up to the crowd, his gaze lingering on Shi Wanxia for a moment, a malicious smile curling at the corner of his lips: "This young lady is quite beautiful, I wonder which family's daughter she is?"
Before Shi Wanxia could speak, Shen Yanzhou coldly said, "Young Master Xiao, this is Minister Shi of the Ministry of Works. Young Master Xiao, please do not be rude to Minister Shi."
Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, but dared not be too presumptuous. He simply snorted and turned to leave.