TFDC Chapter 86.1

Chapter 86.1 - Snatching the prize

No matter how unsatisfied consort Ying was inside, she’d lost her opportunity already, so all she could do was smile.

“Today is big sister’s rose hibiscus festival, how could little sister dare to ask so many questions? I just thought it wasn’t rowdy enough and wanted to add a little spice.”

“Oh really?” The empress coldly smiled, her definition of rowdy was to the point where it could be considered hostile.

But her face quickly resumed its normal dignified and virtuous facade, “Then let’s begin.”

She waved a hand and her senior aid quickly went to look at the girls below the stage.

“There are quite a few of you today, and you’re all here for the prize. The empress’ idea is that we go one by one, from the back row. Could all of the misses please prepare themselves and perform your best. Alright, could the assistant minister of revenue’s second daughter first go prepare?”

Not long later, the atmosphere was buzzing again.

All of the noble girls and official’s daughters wanted to get the prize, and so, put on their best selves for show.

Some people were unexpectedly amazing, some were just average.

But not a single one entered Xiahou Rui’s eye.

He stared dazedly at Lou Qingwu’s silhouette, hoping that she’d be able to snatch mother-empress’ prize.

That way, he’d be able to officially and publically marry her.

But he was also very clear that his mother wouldn’t let her become his legitimate consort.

Her status was enough but because of Li Jingsheng, three years ago …

Even if he didn’t mind and it wasn’t a big matter, it didn’t mean that the other court officials wouldn’t mind.

To marry her as his consort at this time, was something that his mother definitely wouldn’t allow.

But if he had to marry a stranger, he definitely couldn’t do it.

“Second brother?”

Xiahou Liuyun was rapt as he watched the performances before turning around to see Xiahou Rui dazed.

He followed his line of sight as a light flashed in his eyes, “Second brother, don’t worry. Miss Lou’s so smart, she’d definitely get the prize.”

Xiahou Rui shook his head, “Mother won’t agree.”

“How could that be?” Didn’t mother like Miss Lou?

Xiahou Rui knew what he was thinking, he lightly sighed, “.... Mother does have a good impression of Miss Lou but she won’t let her become my consort. Her meaning is for me to first marry a consort and then ….”

“But how could Miss Lou agree to that?”

Xiahou Liuyun was shocked, even if he didn’t understand Miss Lou that deeply, the feeling that he got from her, was that she definitely wouldn’t settle to be a side consort or a concubine.

That … that was too unfair to Miss Lou.

Xiahou Rui lowered his eyes, how could he not know?

He couldn’t bear for her to suffer any grief either.

“Second brother, don’t worry about these things. If Miss Lou really got the prize, then you can just tell mother you want to marry Miss Lou as your consort. As long as you’re stubborn enough, mother would understand.”

“Would mother really agree?”

“..... of course.” Xiahou Liuyun slapped his shoulder, he liked the thought of Miss Lou being his second sister-in-law.

Xiahou Liuyun’s guarantee made Xiahou Rui decide to throw everything to the wind.

“.... now the ministry of war’s official’s daughter, Shangguan Yiyun will play <Song of the bright harp>.”

The senior aid finished speaking as everyone’s attention was directed to the girl towards Lou Qingwu’s left.

From the moment that she’d entered the pavilion, Shangguan Yiyun was like an invisible person.

She sat correctly and according to convention, her eyes lowered in a way that no one could make out her expression.

When she heard her name, she lifted up her head.

Lou Qingwu then turned to look at her, only to see a pretty and pale girl stand up.

She was tall and slim, wearing a pink pleated gauze gown that floated with the wind, giving her the aura of a fairy.

Adding to her originally good aura, the scene was extremely pleasing to the eye.

*

TL note:

4 word names are unpleasant to look at and type, why is the author so attached to them?

Shangguan Yiyun is my enemy - will she be Xiahou Rui’s consort this lifetime too? Note: Shangguan is a two word surname, Yiyun is her first name.  

Leave a comment and follow for XHR and LQW’s ship to sink xx

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