Chapter 551: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 644: The Victory Celebration Banquet Is Also a Matchmaking Banquet

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Becoming a Grand General — this was something Ai Jiao had dreamed of since childhood! Now that this dream had finally come true, he suddenly felt a bit dazed, as if none of it were real. Not only Ai Jiao, even Tang Qi at this moment had the exact same feeling.

Just then, Eunuch Sun finished reading that imperial edict, and immediately afterward produced the final imperial edict.

The content of this edict was the bestowal of rewards upon those who had made outstanding contributions in this war.

Some received promotion and ennoblement, some were bestowed gold and silver, and even some soldiers of humble origin received corresponding rewards.

It could be said that this imperial edict was like the winter sun, warming the heart of every person present.

The Emperor's edict was written in extremely meticulous detail, taking even minute matters into account, truly achieving impartiality. After the third edict finished being read, Eunuch Sun slowly retired.

However, just when everyone thought the banquet was about to end, the Empress suddenly stood up.

She smiled and said: "Today's Imperial Banquet, everyone drink and enjoy yourselves to the fullest, no need for restraint. The dancing girls' performances, I expect everyone has already grown tired of watching them. I wonder if there is any noble young lady willing to display her talents and perform on stage for everyone?"

The Empress's words had barely fallen when quite a few noble young ladies began stirring with eagerness.

After all, being able to display one's talents before the Empress was an extremely rare opportunity. However, although they very much wanted to go in their hearts, not a single person dared to actually go on stage.

Everyone felt some trepidation, both worried that going up would appear frivolous and afraid that if no one went it would cause the Empress to lose face, truly caught in a dilemma; for a time the scene was somewhat awkward, the atmosphere also turning a bit cold.

However, the Empress was the Empress after all; seeing this situation, she smiled faintly and said softly: "Ladies need not be so reserved; if no one comes forward voluntarily, this palace will have to call names."

The Empress's words had just fallen, merely a second of silence passed, when a woman abruptly stood up.

Her figure was graceful; she walked lightly to the front of the hall, bowed to the Empress, then volunteered to go on stage and perform.

What this woman performed was a dance; although among the many noble young ladies it was not particularly outstanding, her courage was admirable.

The Empress saw this and her Dragon Countenance was Greatly Pleased; she bestowed generous rewards upon this first woman to voluntarily perform.

With this first person to eat the crab, the other noble young ladies also one after another set aside their reservations and successively went on stage to display their talents.

Some recited poetry and painted, some played the zither and plucked strings, some danced gracefully; for a time the hall was full of splendor, lively in the extreme.

The Empress gave affirmation and praise to every performer, and rewarded them one by one.

These rewards were not precious, merely small objects like earrings and jewelry, but to these young women they were an enormous encouragement and recognition.

Qianqian watched from beside with dazzled eyes, inwardly marveling at these noble young ladies' many talents. She not only carefully appreciated every act, but also from time to time offered her own insights and critiques, appearing quite professional.

In sharp contrast to Qianqian, Yan Wang beside her seemed uninterested in these performances. He just sat there quietly, indifferent throughout.

However, the Emperor and Empress had both graced the occasion, so naturally he could not leave early.

Thus he could only prop his arm on the table in utter boredom, staring blankly with vacant eyes.

During this period, many noble young ladies performed in succession. They clearly knew beforehand that this Imperial Banquet was not only a Victory Celebration Banquet, but also a matchmaking assembly arranged for Yan Wang.

Therefore, while these young ladies exerted themselves performing their talents, they did not forget to frequently send covert glances and flirtatious looks toward Yan Wang.

Alas, it all sank like a stone into the sea; Yan Wang completely ignored it, as if these women's attentions had nothing whatsoever to do with him.

Just like that, time passed minute by second, until the banquet neared its end, when the Emperor finally stood up first, and hand in hand with the Empress shoulder to shoulder, slowly departed.

Seeing this, everyone then felt as if granted amnesty and one after another rose to leave their seats.

The Emperor and Empress had just left on their front feet when Yan Wang was like a needle stuck under his bottom, on pins and needles; he abruptly stood up, his movement so fast as if the chair were on fire.

He anxiously called for An Wang and An Wangfei, not even waiting for them to respond, and casually grabbed Qianqian beside him, hurriedly departing together.

The four boarded the carriage together; An Wangfei and Qianqian shared one carriage. The carriage moved slowly forward; the atmosphere inside the carriage compartment was somewhat heavy.

An Wangfei broke the silence, asking softly: "Qianqian, do you think any of those noble young ladies at the palace banquet were pleasing to your eye?"

Qianqian's heart was like a clear mirror; she naturally understood the deep meaning of An Wangfei's words.

So she smiled faintly, unhurriedly replying: "Mm... they're alright, none particularly to my liking. But Mother, you shouldn't be asking me about this; you should go ask Si Ge. After all, even if I find someone pleasing, it's of no use anyway."

An Wangfei smiled at Qianqian and said: "This child, your judgment is really not bad! Generally speaking, as long as it's a person or matter you've taken a fancy to, basically it can succeed!"

Qianqian heard this, flattered and startled, hurriedly waving her hands: "Aiya, Mother, you make it sound like I'm a matchmaker!"

An Wangfei heard this, lightly stroked Qianqian's head, and said gently: "Don't you say it; you really do have a bit of the matchmaker about you! Look at your eldest sister, Second Brother, San Jie — which of their matters wasn't you putting in no small effort in the middle?"

Qianqian heard An Wangfei's words, laughed hehe, scratched her head and said: "Seems it really is like that!"

An Wangfei looked at Qianqian's adorable appearance, grew even fonder in her heart, and so said smiling: "Then think carefully again — is there anyone you find pleasing?"

Qianqian heard this, propped her chin, and seriously pondered. After a good long while, she slowly spat out two words: "None."

Finished speaking, she seemed to still feel not too certain, and added: "Indeed there is none!"

An Wangfei saw this, helplessly rubbed her forehead, and said: "Alright, since there's none, then forget it."

Afterward, the several of them returned together to An Wang Fu, each returning to their own courtyard to rest.

However, only at this time did Qianqian suddenly remember an important matter.

She hurriedly ran toward Yan Wang's courtyard, inwardly praying Yan Wang had not yet rested. Fortunately, when she arrived at Yan Wang's courtyard, she discovered Yan Wang had not rested, but was quietly reading in the study.

Qianqian saw this, her heart slightly eased; she quickly stepped into the study, not even bothering to knock, directly pushed open the door, and urgently asked: "Si Ge, what about those red beans I asked you to bring back before?"