Chapter 695: Chapter 695: Received
Even Jiang Ruobai, an aged vicar, was looking at Jin Man.
Not to mention other people.
With a smile, Yun Dai broke the eerie silence in the hall, asking, “Miss Jin Man, I see you holding a pipa, are you planning on gracing us with a performance?”
Jin Man immediately turned towards Jiang Ning. Her voice was enchanting, “I fear to embarrass myself, but if Princess Consort would correct me if I mistake.”
Jiang Ning was not seated adjacent to Li Hongyuan but only amongst her own folks. Yet Jin Man recognized her as the Princess Consort at once.
Clearly, ample preparations had been made ahead of time.
Jiang Ning chose not to confront her, smiled and said, “I can’t possibly correct you. I know nothing about music. Please, do continue, Miss Jin Man.”
Jin Man nodded. She stood up, cradling her pipa. She settled into a pose like a celestial maiden playing the pipa, her slim waist swaying like a willow branch.
The jingling bells chimed in.
Along with the ringing music from the pipa.
Like a celestial maiden in flight, captivating, and stunning.
Jiang Ning found herself involuntarily wanting to applaud the pipa performance.
Although she didn’t understand music nor dance very well, she was able to discern the quality of the performance.
Jin Man’s pipa outperformed any imperial musician Jiang Ning had ever seen in the palace.
Such a talent is truly one in a multitude.
Jiang Ning, after a moment of appreciation, was interrupted by Princess Zhenming tugging at her sleeve. She turned to her: “What’s the matter, Princess?”
Princess Zhenming asked, “Do you think Your Highness the Crown Prince might be taken with this Jin Ma?”
“Definitely, if I were a man, I would’ve wanted to have her.”
“Are you jealous, Princess Consort?” Princess Zhenming asked bluntly.
“Jealous of Jin Man?”
“Yes,” Princess Zhenming said. “Though you, the Princess Consort, are unparalleled in beauty in the world, itself, Jin Man’s kind of beauty is quite different. I think that she is very appealing. Would you be angry if His Highness the Crown Prince showed her favor?”
“I don’t speculate about situations that haven’t occurred,” Jiang Ning answered with a smile.
“I heard that your maternal family is very influential; you may not even have to consider the Crown Prince’s feelings.”
“That’s just rumors.”
Back when Li Hongyuan was just a young prince, the Jiang family didn’t pay much heed to him. But today’s Li Hongyuan is incomparable to the past.
Now that he’s the Crown Prince, with his complete imperial court, and after being the regent for so long, his control over the imperial court is more natural, and he also gains support from civil and military ministers.
Even the Emperor feels some trepidation towards him, giving him an occasional reprimand. The Jiang family would be foolish to continue to disregard him the way they did when he was prince.
If the Crown Prince wants to bring a woman into his court, who dares to utter a word?
Besides, in bringing this woman from the New Silla, he’s just trying to improve relations with them. This is his duty as Crown Prince.
Thereafter, the Crown Prince took Jin Man as his own.
Without any objections from anyone.
If the Crown Prince had refused to take her, the ministers would have rather voiced their disapproval and dissatisfaction.
After Jin Man’s performance, she was asked to go to the back to freshen up, in preparation for her departure to the East Palace.
Jiang Ning cast a half-smiling, half-mocking glance at Li Hongyuan.
Li Hongyuan, as if he hadn’t noticed, continued to chat with the ministers.
Only Jiang Ruobai and his brother Jiang Mubai, were truly dissatisfied with all this.
They were not worried about the Crown Prince having a few women,
But it was the fact that before taking in Jin Man, he didn’t even consider the Princess Consort’s feelings that bothered them.
Come on, even if you were the Emperor and choosing his concubines, you should at least consult the Empress, right?
Now that you’re only the Crown Prince and you are arbitrarily bringing in a woman, do you not see your Princess Consort? Do you not see respect for the Jiang Family?