Chapter 523: Chapter 14 Childhood Memories
It seems as if this grand suitor selection has nothing to do with her.
Such a display, merely upon entering, caught the Crown Prince’s attention.
The Crown Prince was somewhat astonished.
It was her!
Upon hearing that she was the Zeng Family’s Miss Zeng Lingshuang, he felt an indescribable emotion.
The expression of her brows somewhat resembled Zeng Konghou.
Yet when they were children, he never noticed it.
His thoughts drifted back to the past.
Childhood memories unfolded before him like a scroll painting.
He particularly remembered when he was around seven or eight years old and fell into a pond while playing.
Luckily, he had learned to swim from a young age, so it was no big deal.
Later, taking advantage of the hot weather, he decided to soak in the pool.
While he was enjoying his own company, relaxing and having fun, suddenly a passing young girl scoffed and scolded him.
"In broad daylight, you dare swim without permission. Get up quickly and avoid any trouble! If the nobles in the palace find you laughing and playing here, neglecting your duties, they’ll punish you severely!"
The Crown Prince was notorious for mischief in the palace.
Today, having just gone down to the water, he was reprimanded by a tiny girl.
Her words seemed to mistake him for a newly inducted little eunuch unfamiliar with the rules.
Thus, he entertained a thought and replied.
"I am the favorite little eunuch of the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. Not only can I swim, but even if I want to soak in the hot springs of the traveling palace, the Crown Prince would readily consent. You little girl, aren’t you afraid that I’ll report you to the Crown Prince for speaking so boldly and frightening me?"
Upon hearing this, an ordinary child might have been scared off long ago.
Who knew that the little girl would stand her ground and say righteously.
"Ridiculous! The Emperor and the Imperial Concubine rule this palace; though the Crown Prince is noble, he shouldn’t indulge offense and misconduct among the servants. How can one aspire to be an enlightened monarch of Da Wei with such character? It’s absurd."
As she spoke, she looked down at the "little eunuch" and continued.
"You too, don’t take advantage of the Crown Prince’s influence to act arrogantly in the palace. Remember, character not fitting the position invites backlash!"
After speaking, she turned and left.
Leaving the Crown Prince swimming in the pool, bewildered.
Afterward, he glared viciously at Lin Ying and others watching the commotion from the rockery.
"You’re laughing! Wasn’t she talking about all of you? Haven’t you heard, ’character not fitting the position invites backlash!’"
Lin Ying burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Then, feigning innocence, he said.
"Your Highness, the girl was talking about you, not us. You better get out soon; otherwise, others might find it absurd."
After saying this, Lin Ying and others laughed uproariously once more.
Childhood memories flooded back.
The Crown Prince appeared slightly absent-minded when the Han King whispered to him.
"What’s wrong? Daydreaming suddenly?"
The Han King glanced at the line-up, finding it dull.
Some were too sharply beautiful; others were somewhat ordinary.
There was one with decent poise, but on closer inspection, her reluctant demeanor was evident.
Such a high spirit might not bode well for entering the palace.
Therefore, from the Han King’s perspective, none in this line should be selected.
Just as Dong Yuzhong was about to say not to leave the flower ribbon behind, the Crown Prince smiled.
Pointing to Miss Zeng, he said.
"Lingshuang, the name is nicely chosen, it carries a sense of integrity."
In front of everyone, the Crown Prince said this aloud.
Naturally, all attention shifted to her.
She initially had no intention of embarking on the path of becoming a Crown Princess Consort.
If not for the Heavenly Family’s decree, she would not have wanted even to come to the Eastern Palace.
Thus, before entering the palace today, she had put away the things her mother had intentionally prepared for her to appear more ordinary.
Thinking such plainness would not garner the flower ribbon, surprisingly, she was being watched.
She slightly frowned and looked directly at the Crown Prince.
Her gaze carried no fear; instead, it was filled with doubt.
The Crown Prince then continued.
"Father, Mother, I find Miss Zeng quite commendable, and her brother is my Young Tutor; it’s destiny. How about leaving the flower ribbon?"
In the prior event, Li Shu Wan’er drew the Imperial Consort’s gaze, while the third daughter of the General Mansion attracted the Emperor’s eye.
Though they both had opportunities to enter the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince hadn’t spoken, making everything still uncertain.
But now, with the Crown Prince speaking so openly about his thoughts.
Everyone began to harbor ideas.
Could it be that Miss Zeng is destined to be the future Crown Princess Consort?
For a moment, everyone silently observed.
The Crown Prince wasn’t afraid of Miss Zeng’s gaze, instead, he raised his eyebrow slightly.
Such an action made Miss Zeng truly dislike the Crown Prince from the bottom of her heart.
Thinking she might have to become his companion in life.
She felt disgusted to her core.
She cleared her throat and stepped forward to speak.
"I thank the Crown Prince for your favor, but I lack beauty and virtues, likely to hinder the Eastern Palace. I implore the Crown Prince to retract his wish."
In public view, the whole place fell silent.
The women attending today hope to rise high or bring glory to their families.
Except for Miss Zeng, who seemed to take a different approach.
Considering that the Zeng family and father are highly influential in the court.
They didn’t think Miss Zeng was stepping back in order to advance.
Yet, they were curious why she didn’t want to enter the Eastern Palace.
Could it be her heart was already taken?
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince was taken aback.
Even Lin Wanyi and the Emperor were surprised.
This girl had been the Emperor’s most favored choice for the Crown Princess Consort, and he had considered matchmaking.
The Crown Prince, upon hearing the surname Zeng, usually fled faster than anyone, leaving the father Emperor without a chance.
Now the opportunity arose, yet Miss Zeng hadn’t taken to the Crown Prince.
Was this the result of karma?
The Emperor remained silent; instead, Lin Wanyi laughed.
She had been raising the Crown Prince for so long, yet he was deflected so directly for the first time.
A woman with such individuality seemed perfect to curb the Crown Prince’s stubborn arrogance.
She too liked the name Lingshuang.
One could sense from the name alone this is someone not easy to deal with!
So she spoke to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, this Miss Zeng seems to have her father’s and brother’s temperament: upright and decisive, never compromising. She complements the Crown Prince extraordinarily well."
The Emperor concurred.
At the least, daring to refuse the Crown Prince so candidly in such settings marked her as the first among the concubines.
