The wives of the concubines are empresses

Chapter 468 The Shen Family speculates on the Empress's intentions

Shen Rou hurriedly followed her mother away.

Seeing that she was so afraid of herself as the empress, Shangguan Wanjun smiled helplessly and shook her head.

To ease the embarrassment, Shangguan Wanjun looked at Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, and offered some suggestions.

"Sir Shen, why don't you take me and Concubine Xing to see your mansion? As for Muxiang and the two young masters, they can exchange their knowledge with each other, which will also help to broaden their horizons. The Second Miss will accompany Muxiang."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, quickly stood up and bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please come this way, you and my concubine." He understood that the emperor intended to give the young people the opportunity to get to know each other.

Seeing that her master had left, Mu Xiang felt a little embarrassed and nervous. After all, this was the first time she had encountered such a situation.

The mother and daughter came to the kitchen with panic and nervousness on their faces.

"Mother, what should we do? Do we really have to cook for the Emperor and the others?"

Madam Shen sighed: "There's nothing I can do. It's because the Emperor agreed to my invitation."

She didn't want to either. With her cooking skills, how could she compare with the imperial chefs in the palace? She also didn't know what kind of food the empress liked.

Shen Rou was extremely worried, and her usually pretty and gentle face was now filled with sorrow.

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, brought Shangguan Wanjun and the concubine's husband, Zhengzhou Xing, to visit the courtyard, which was the most impressive viewing spot in their mansion.

“There are also some flowers and plants planted here.”

"Your Majesty, all of this was sorted out by my daughter personally. My family and I were busy and didn't participate much."

"The eldest daughter?"

"Exactly."

"Then what is your second daughter good at?"

"This..." His second daughter is good at eating, but he can't say it out loud, otherwise it would be embarrassing.

Seeing his conflicted expression, Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently.

"It can't be food."

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, smiled awkwardly and nodded.

Shangguan Wanjun pursed her lips slightly and said, "Being able to eat is a blessing. A blessed woman will naturally enter a blessed family."

"Thank you for your blessing, Your Majesty."

It took an hour before dinner for Mrs. Shen and others was ready.

Shangguan Wanjun, who was sitting at the dining table, raised her eyebrows slightly when she saw that no one dared to take a seat.

"If I were a tiger, would I eat you?"

No one dared to admit it and shook their heads.

Shangguan Wanjun couldn't help but smile when she saw that they had a good understanding with each other.

"Please sit down, everyone. It would be bad if a guest like me took over the show."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, hurriedly sat down, then looked up and asked his family members to sit down.

"Everyone, please sit down."

After their host sat down, Mu Xiang and the other two sat down one after another.

No one dared to pick up their chopsticks until the empress did.

Shangguan Wanjun had no choice but to pick up the big red chili pepper in front of her with chopsticks and take a bite.

"So it's filled with lean meat. Was this made by Madam Shen?"

"It is where this humble servant sits. I am sorry to have caused the Emperor to laugh at me."

"It tastes pretty good. Come on, everyone, start eating. It's no fun eating alone."

Xingpinfu-Zhengzhou Xing picked up a dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes in front of him with chopsticks to taste. Mrs. Shen and her husband seemed a little nervous, but when they saw that he didn't say anything, they relaxed again and began to pick up dishes to eat.

The table was very quiet during the entire meal. Even Shen Meng, who was usually more lively, ate quietly tonight without saying a word.

After a thrilling dinner, everyone in the Shen family breathed a sigh of relief.

Shangguan Wanjun rinsed her mouth with the tea in front of her, then spit it into the bowl, took the handkerchief handed to her by Mu Xiang, wiped her mouth, and slowly stood up.

When everyone saw this, they quickly stood up as well.

"It's getting late, and I should return to the palace. Thank you, Lord Shen and Madam Shen, for your hospitality."

Mrs. Shen smiled politely and looked at her husband, Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines.

"Your Majesty, I will escort you."

"Okay." Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently and nodded, then walked out. Her concubine Zhengzhouxing followed behind her, and Muxiang and Guard Li followed one after another.

When she reached the door, Shangguan Wanjun suddenly stopped and turned around to see everyone from the Shen family.

"That's enough. No need to kneel and say farewell. Keep a low profile. I apologize for disturbing you today. I hope you will forgive me. Goodbye."

With Shangguan Wanjun's instructions in mind, everyone in the Shen family bowed silently and saw them off.

After getting on the carriage, Mu Xiang fanned Shangguan Wanjun with a round fan.

Feeling the coolness, Shangguan Wanjun closed her eyes and dozed off comfortably.

Guard Li grabbed the reins, whipped the horse, and the horse started running.

After a long time, Zhengzhou Xing and Muxiang thought Shangguan Wanjun had fallen asleep, but she suddenly spoke.

"What does Mu Xiang think of Mr. Shen Er?"

Fanning herself with a round fan, Mu Xiang replied softly, "Second Master Shen is a man of great talent and learning, eloquent in his speech, handsome in appearance, with a posture as straight as a pine tree, and clear eyes."

Hearing her comments, Shangguan Wanjun couldn't help laughing.

"That's quite pertinent. Anything else?"

"Other things..." What exactly does the emperor want to hear?

Seeing that she still didn't understand, Shangguan Wanjun sighed helplessly.

"You, have watched me and the other husbands interact with each other in vain."

Mu Xiang was stunned: "Huh?"

Shen Family Residence

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, returned to the main hall and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

Mrs. Shen sat down on the other side of the main seat, also feeling a lingering fear.

"Master, is the emperor satisfied or dissatisfied?"

"What do you mean, ma'am?"

"Of course, in all aspects."

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, thought carefully and said, "The food should be fine, and our family's behavior should not be too out of the ordinary."

Shen Meng asked directly: "Father, what about my second brother?"

"Your second brother what?"

Shen Meng frowned: "Didn't the emperor say he was here to choose a husband for the empress? Did Second Brother pass the test?"

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, looked at Shen Yi and asked, "How was it when the four of you were alone together earlier?"

Shen Yi recalled every detail of what happened before and organized his words.

"Father, Lady Muxiang asked about twenty or thirty questions, mostly about governing the country, the harem, and personal time management."

"Then what is your evaluation of Master Muxiang?"

"Lady Muxiang is approachable, talented and beautiful, gentle and elegant, and knowledgeable. Especially in terms of knowledge, my son is far behind her. I should accumulate more in the future."

Shen Qiu, the head of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, nodded. "That's quite pertinent. Having said that, what do you think of Lady Muxiang as a wife?"

Shen Yi was a little shy, and the image of Mu Xiang's gentle, dignified and generous appearance emerged in his mind.

"If she were a candidate for a wife, her talent, beauty, and insights would be excellent, but our family is of low social status, and our son doesn't hold an official position, so I'm afraid she might not be a good match."

Mrs. Shen was very satisfied with Mu Xiang, who was generous, decent, talented and beautiful. She looked up at her husband and found that he was looking down, thinking about something.

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, pondered for a moment, looked up, looked at his second son, and sighed.

"In terms of family background, ours is somewhat inferior. However, since the Emperor came personally with the concubine to inspect the residence, and brought Lady Muxiang with him, it's equivalent to a personal visit. This proves that the Emperor and Lady Muxiang may not care about her specific family background. Is it possible that they value character and appearance more?"