Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 14.2

Chapter 14.2

Two days after the Emperor’s announcement, the head of the Ministry of Rites sent people to the official houses in the city to make a list of pretty and noble women who were suitable to enter the palace.

[TL: The Ministry of Rites (禮部, Lǐbù) was in charge of state ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices.]

Just after a day, the head of the Ministry of Rites got the list from various officials, and he was shocked by how quickly they moved.

Shen Tingwen and his wife were also stunned by this. Recently, they talked about settling their daughter down soon, even if they would have to lower their standards. 

Abruptly, the following day, authorities from the Ministry of Rites appeared at the door of their house and asked their daughter’s name.

That made them panic.

Shen Qingqing didn’t care about the draft after all. “Queen Aunt doesn’t care about me,” she said to her mother while enjoying some grapes. 

However, Mrs. Chen looked scared. “She won’t let you be the Crown Princess, but the palace has put in a lot of effort to choose the princess.” She let out a long sigh before continuing. “There are two women in the prince’s residence at the moment, and he will be taking some ladies as noble concubines and regular once after choosing the Crown Princess.”

Shen Qingqing was stunned. “Does she still need me to be the prince’s concubine,” she exclaimed. 

Mrs. Chen didn’t reply, but her eyes appeared that she was stressed.

Shen Qingqing couldn’t calm down anymore.

When Shen Tingwen came home after work, Mrs. Chen raised this matter again.

“I think we don’t need to rush. Jiarong is more suitable than Qingqing. She is two years older than our Qingqing and the Queen has a good relationship with her. If Quneen picks Jiarong,  she won’t ought to choose Qingqing or Jiayi. How can an aunt pick one niece to marry her son and another to be his concubine? Even if she wants to do that, she still has to consider her parents’ opinion. The old man is very serious, and the Queen is afraid to upset him.”

Shen Qingqing looked at her mother, and Mrs. Chen also looked at her girl. They looked at each other for a few seconds and both grinned after hearing Shen Tingwen’s words.

“Your dad still cares about you a lot,” Mrs. Chen said as she was exceptionally cheerful.

Shen Qingqing agreed by nodding her head. If her father didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

****

In three days, the Shen family’s girls would go to the palace to be chosen.

Shen Jiayi and Shen Qingqing both thought of the same thing. The two sisters were very relaxed because they didn’t want to be chosen and they weren’t worried about it either.

On the other hand, Shen Jiarong felt very anxious. She got up early and wore the finest clothes she owned. Before getting into the carriage, she held her mother’s hands tightly.

Feeling her daughter’s anxiety, the eldest lady advised her, “Do not be anxious. You are her beloved niece. The Queen wants to make her family proud so who else is better than you?”

The eldest lady believed her daughter should be the Crown Princess.

Shen Jiarong couldn’t halt looking at Shen Qingqing. She still recollected the way the cousin prince gazed at Shen Qingqing some time ago.

“Okay, get into the carriage and take it easy once you get to the palace. Don’t cause trouble and try to make others laugh,” the eldest woman warned her daughter.

Shen Jiarong could only say yes.

****

After examining the looks and bodies of numerous ladies, over 50 of them were chosen to remain at the Chuxiu Royal residence.

At that moment Prince Zhao Ji visited his mother and said, “I need to marry cousin Qingqing and make her the Crown Princess.”

Queen Shen didn’t bother to raise her head from the name list, and just replied, “She looks flirty and seems like having fun. She does not deserve to be a Crown Princess.”

Zhao Ji made a serious face and replied in a profound voice, “Who does the Queen think is right for the job?”

Queen Shen looked at her child. Then she said a name from the list.

Zhao Ji was stunned and asked, “Zhou Ya, the General Zhou’s daughter?” 

“Yes, General Zhou’s daughter,” the Queen said firmly. “Zhou Ya is extremely beautiful and has a noble birth. She is very suitable for you.”

Zhao Ji was smart and knew why his mother selected General Zhou’s daughter. ‘General Zhou has the military power and it would be best if he is totally on our side.’

He asked, “Then what about the Shen family?”

Queen Shen: “Family ties are solid enough, so there’s no need to marry someone from the Shen family.”.

Zhao Ji got it. After thinking for a minute, he said with a grin, “It turns out that my mother is very smart. But I like cousin Qingqing, so can she be my second wife? Mother, I’m begging you. I promise that if you do what I ask, I will work hard in school and not disappoint you in the future.”

Queen Shen looked at her child and asked seriously, “Is this really happening? “

Zhao Ji guaranteed with his life. 

Queen Shen pulled her son’s hand down and said, “Son, okay, I will accept her. But if you indulge in beauty and waste your life...”

“I will never dare!” Zhao Ji interrupted his mother with a smile. His eyes were bright, excited about the beauty he was about to get.

When Queen Shen saw this, she was helpless but relieved.

‘Mrs. Song has been my father’s concubine all her life and has caused trouble for my mother all her life. Now I want Song’s granddaughter to be my son’s concubine until she dies.’

End of chapter 14

Have a nice day!