Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Jiang Huaiyu responded softly, "You're ranked third, which is quite high, so there's no need to be too nervous. Your aunt doesn't expect you to be outstanding; just be calm and composed."

Jiang Xinrui nodded obediently.

After everyone had finished drawing lots, Consort Chao, seated on the high throne, gently parted her lips and asked, "I wonder which young lady drew the first lot?"

From her seat in the Changtai Marquis's residence, Mai Xiyue slowly rose and gracefully bowed, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am your humble servant."

All eyes were on Mai Xiyue, who lowered her head and revealed a section of her snow-white neck, displaying the humility and elegance of a well-bred young lady.

"Hmm, it seems Miss Mai is well-prepared. I wonder what kind of artistic talent she will display today."

"Your subject has carefully choreographed a harvest dance, wishing the Western Wei Kingdom a year of gentle breezes and fine rains, abundant harvests, and auspicious snow foretelling a bountiful year."

“Very well, then please make your preparations, Miss Mai.”

"As ordered."

Mai Xiyue gracefully bowed and followed the palace maids off the stage to change into her dance costume. The eunuch meticulously recorded the order of everyone's entrance so that everyone could prepare in advance. Jiang Xinrui had chosen to play the guqin, so she did not need to change her clothes.

Suddenly, the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments began to play. Mai Xiyue, dressed in a dazzling, glass-like dance costume, appeared on stage as gracefully as a fairy, accompanied by many other dancers.

Everyone was captivated by Mai Xiyue's graceful dance. Her movements were as fluid as a swimming dragon and as elegant as a startled swan. As the dance flowed, Mai Xiyue's eyes inadvertently met those of Marquis Jing'an, Liao Qingsang. Her gaze was alluring and dreamy, instantly igniting a burning passion within the Marquis of Jing'an.

Marquis Jing'an, Liao Qingsang, was an incompetent ruler who indulged in a life of leisure. Fortunately, he had a talented younger sister, a wife from a powerful family, and an exceptionally capable son, which allowed the Jing'an Marquis's mansion to maintain its wealth and prosperity. Otherwise, the Jing'an Marquis's mansion would have long since fallen into decline.

Others might not have seen it clearly, but Lady Liu, the wife of the Marquis of Jing'an, sitting beside him, took it all in. She clearly saw Mai Xiyue's seemingly indifferent yet captivating gaze. At first, Lady Liu thought Mai Xiyue was infatuated with her son, but when she caught sight of her husband's infatuated eyes, she was filled with rage.

Liu pinched Liao Qingsang's thigh hard under the table. Liao Qingsang gasped in pain, frowned, and asked in a low, angry voice, "Ouch, what do you mean by this?"

Liu glared at him fiercely, but didn't say anything, leaving Liao Qingsang to figure it out on his own.

Liao Qingsang cursed inwardly, thinking, "This shrew is so strict with me all day long, she won't even let me look at her."

Liu ignored Liao Qingsang's thoughts and instead pondered. If Mai Xiyue could become her son's concubine, it wouldn't be a bad idea. This way, the Changtai Marquis's mansion and her own family would be closely bound together, and the Changtai Marquis's mansion would be completely under her control. However, Liu didn't approve of making her the principal wife. If she suggested to Pei that her son take Mai Xiyue as a concubine, Pei would surely be extremely grateful.

Mai Xiyue's dance has finally come to an end.

Emperor Erkang nodded in satisfaction and praised, "Good, Marquis Changtai has truly raised an outstanding daughter. This dance is very much to my liking. I reward her!"

Mai Xiyue smiled slightly and bowed, "Thank you for the Emperor's reward."

Emperor Erkang gave a soft hum and turned to ask Marquis Changtai, Mai Zhenxi, "Marquis Changtai, is your daughter already married?"

Upon hearing this, Mai Zhenxi and Pei Shi were overjoyed. Could it be that Emperor Erkang intended to bestow a marriage upon their daughter?

They rose respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, my daughter is not yet married."

Emperor Erkang's imperial majesty was awe-inspiring. With piercing eyes, he slowly said, "Since she is not yet married, why not let her marry Prince Rui and become his consort? What do you say?"

Everyone was shocked. Jiang Huaiyu, Consort Li, Lady Liu, the wife of the Marquis of Jing'an, and Lady Pei, the wife of the Marquis of Changtai, all stared wide-eyed, their hearts filled with turmoil.

The Emperor's intentions were perplexing. A noble family that existed in name only and had no real power was actually going to marry its eldest daughter to Prince Rui, making her his principal wife.

Mai Xiyue lowered her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. She thought to herself: In her parents' hearts, there was only that good-for-nothing older brother. They had repeatedly tried to secure him a position, but always failed. In this family, no one truly cared for her. She was merely a pawn in their pursuit of advancement and mutual benefit, easily discarded, even to the point of offering herself as a concubine to an old man over fifty.

Since that's the case, we might as well take the rudder of our destiny firmly into our own hands.

The Apricot Blossom Banquet has always been a stage for daughters of noble families to showcase their talents. In the past, there have been stories of talented and beautiful noble ladies being granted marriages by the emperor on this occasion. Ever since her mother, Lady Pei, planned to marry her off to the Marquis of Jing'an as a concubine, Mai Xiyue began to plan meticulously. She specially chose a harvest dance that symbolized praying for the country's well-being, intending to leave a deep impression on Emperor Erkang.

During the lottery, she secretly bribed the eunuch with silver, hoping to get a prominent position. Unexpectedly, she was extremely lucky. The young ladies from the Duke of Huguo's Mansion, the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion, the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion, and the Marquis of Zhenbei's Mansion did not choose the first position, which gave her an unexpected advantage.

By the grace of Heaven, Emperor Erkang bestowed a marriage upon her directly at the banquet. Although Prince Rui was not as talented or courageous as Prince Duan, it was still better than becoming the concubine of the old and frail Marquis Jing'an.

"emperor……"

Consort Li, seated at the head of the table, was anxious and her brows were furrowed. For her son to marry a powerless and insignificant noblewoman was undoubtedly a public declaration of her opposition to her son's succession to the throne, and practically a severing of her own hopes of becoming emperor.

How could she accept this?

“Your Majesty, Rui’er is still young. It’s not too late to discuss marriage in two more years.” Consort Li tried to express her dissatisfaction tactfully.

Emperor Erkang raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is Consort Li dissatisfied with this marriage?"

Consort Chao immediately chimed in, "Prince Rui is already of marriageable age, not young at all. If Consort Li does not wish for Prince Rui to marry too early, we can first arrange a marriage and then hold the wedding two years later."

The Emperor has only two sons, and the competition between Prince Duan and Prince Rui is fierce. If Prince Rui marries a daughter of a noble family who has no one to rely on, he will not be able to bring any substantial benefits. Naturally, Consort Chao is overjoyed. She is even willing to lend Mai Xiyue a hand and help bring about this good match.

Before Consort Li could speak, Mai Xiyue quietly knelt down, a shy blush rising on her face, and said gently, "This humble woman has long admired His Highness Prince Rui's demeanor and is sincerely convinced of it. I am willing to patiently await His Highness's auspicious date."

"you……"

Consort Li's eyes burned with rage as she glared resentfully at Mai Xiyue, who was prostrate on the ground. Her heart was filled with venomous hatred for this arrogant and ignorant young woman.

"Your Majesty, I will tell you frankly, our Rui'er has been in love with my niece, Liao Wan'er, the daughter of the Marquis of Jing'an, since childhood. They have grown up together. I have already promised the Marquis of Jing'an that Wan'er will be betrothed to Rui'er as his principal wife."