"Why was my scumbag Emperor Father so generous this time? He promoted Mother straight to consort!"
"Mother, no one will bully you anymore! Emperor Father made you a consort!!"
"Yes, Tang Tang, time to get up and eat, you little lazy pig. The sun is already shining on your bottom, and you still sleep in every day."
Shen Qingqing did not look particularly delighted. She simply hauled her daughter out from under the covers. Torn from her warm nest, Ye Tangtang scrunched her little face into a bitter melon.
Then Shen Qingqing dressed her and led her by the hand to breakfast. Ye Tangtang rubbed her eyes groggily. She had not had enough sleep yet.
(,,•́ . •̀,,)
"Mother, I'm not going to the Academy today. Why do I have to get up so early?"
"This afternoon, Her Majesty the Empress is hosting a flower-viewing banquet in the palace. Many young ladies from noble families will attend, and perhaps plenty of young gentlemen, too."
The moment Shen Qingqing finished speaking, Ye Tangtang's eyes went as wide as bronze bells. Every trace of sleepiness vanished.
Young gentlemen!
"Mother, is that true? Young gentlemen will be there too? Will there be lots of handsome young gentlemen?"
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Hurry up and eat."
The words "young gentlemen" lifted Ye Tangtang's entire mood. Even the food tasted much better.
She had seen plenty of handsome young gentlemen at the last banquet, and she still remembered a few of them. Would that Young Marquis come? The Young Marquis was so handsome.
"Mother, what do you think of the Young Marquis from that marquis's household? I saw him at the last banquet..." Ye Tangtang asked quietly, her little cheeks rosy.
Seeing her daughter's expression, Shen Qingqing could more or