Consort Jin's Summons

Otherwise, if she were a good daughter from a high-ranking official's family in the capital, she would definitely not have trouble finding a husband. Even if she couldn't marry into a wealthy and powerful family, marrying into a family of similar rank would still be no problem. Marrying into the powerful and influential families of the capital was always better than marrying a newly appointed scholar like him.

If a newly appointed scholar has no family connections and is unlucky, he may spend his entire life serving as an official in a foreign land, and even his wife's family will not be able to offer him any assistance.

If he gives in here, he might drag you into the mansion, dress you in groom's clothes, and force you to go through the wedding ceremony. Then it will be too late to regret it.

Duan Chen already had someone in his heart, believing that Zhao Zhiwei was the most suitable woman for him, a woman he would never meet again. Even if Zhao Ruxi rejected him, as long as they weren't married, there was still hope. He looked down on these unrefined and uncouth people.

As he jostled with the men for the sleeves and hem of his robe, he shouted, "I, Duan, am busy today. Please leave your invitations, and I will visit you another day."

His uncle, seeing his good looks and the fact that he was a top-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations, knew he would be sought after as a son-in-law by those who had passed the examinations. This was a strategy his uncle had devised in advance, and these words were what Duan's uncle had taught him. If he hadn't said these words, these people would not have let him go.

Lu Shanchu, however, had no one to offer any advice and was completely at a loss for what to do. Upon hearing Duan Chen's words, his eyes lit up, and he immediately followed suit.

Of course, he wasn't just saying that to be perfunctory; he also intended to inquire about these families later. If they were indeed good families and the girl was alright, he might as well pay them a visit.

This was, after all, in front of the imperial palace, so those people didn't dare go too far. If they really tried to forcibly take the newly appointed scholar back, those laughing and watching Imperial Guard would definitely intervene—did they have no respect for the law?

They had no choice but to release the two men and then stuff the invitations back into their hands.

Those who boasted about their high standards and had only considered Duan Chen before now, following the principle of casting a wide net, also sent invitations to Lu Shanchu.

The two took the invitations and were just about to straighten their nearly torn sleeves when they saw a group of people approaching from the side.

The man at the head of the group, holding a whisk, approached Duan Chen, bowed, and said in a high-pitched voice, "I am Eunuch Wang, a palace eunuch. I have been instructed by Consort Jin to invite Second-Ranked Graduate Duan, to the palace for a chat."

These words stunned both Duan Chen himself and the onlookers.

"Who... are you talking about?" Duan Chen swallowed hard, inwardly wanting to curse.

Don't even mention that Consort Jin also wants to marry her daughter to him. Isn't she a princess? Does she have trouble finding a husband? He already has someone he loves; if he refuses this marriage, won't he be beheaded?

The eunuch naturally treated the future prince consort with utmost respect.

He repeated what he had just said.

"This... how could a man like me enter the inner palace? I... I'd better inform His Majesty first." Duan Chen dared not refuse openly and tried to find an excuse to delay the matter.

"Your Consort Jin has summoned you. Are you going to make excuses again? Duan, the Second-Ranked Graduate Duan, please come in." As the eunuch spoke, he flicked his whisk, and two Imperial Guards stepped forward, gesturing for Duan Chen to leave, as if they would drag him away if he didn't come on his own.

Duan Chen turned his head as if seeking help, looking at Lu Shanchu and the other scholars. Seeing that everyone was looking at him with envy, he couldn't help but feel a little desperate.

"Second-Ranked Graduate Duan, please." Eunuch Wang said again, his eyes full of threat.

Duan Chen knew he had no choice but to go today. If he didn't, he would offend Consort Jin, and both he and his uncle would suffer the consequences. And among his classmates, none could help him—who had the extraordinary ability to get the message to the Emperor?

He could only say, "Alright, I'll go with you." With a heavy heart, he followed Eunuch Wang toward the palace.

Watching Duan Chen's departing figure, Lu Shanchu was filled with envy.

Why doesn't he try harder, get better grades, and be more handsome? Princesses are all top-quality breeds; they might not be as beautiful as angels, but they're definitely not bad-looking either.

With such a beautiful wife to marry, and with the support of Consort Jin and Prince of Ming, how could he not have a good life? This is like rising to the top in one step!

Several companies that had their eyes on Duan Chen were secretly filled with regret.

Even if Consort Jin is no longer as favored, she was still a highly favored concubine. She is also the biological mother of Prince of Ming. With her power and Princess Xiangyang's domineering nature, if they have their Second-Ranked Graduate Duan Bangyan, what chance do they have? They'd better settle for second best.

They immediately turned their attention to Lu Shanchu.

If you can't have chicken, duck will do!

Lu Shanchu was startled and quickly said, "I have something to attend to today, so I'll take my leave now. Farewell." With that, he turned and hurried away, fearing that if he hesitated even a step longer, these people would bind him and take him back to the wedding ceremony.

Duan Chen has been summoned by the princess, and he is now the highest-ranking and youngest handsome new scholar. Even if he can't marry the princess, marrying a county princess shouldn't be a problem, right? Even if he doesn't get a county princess, Zhao Zhiwei would be a good choice.

In short, without Duan Chen, he is a highly sought-after commodity, a rare find, and cannot be captured by these sixth or seventh-rank families.

In the palace, Xiao Ruoyu, provoked by Consort Jin's mention of Zhao Zhiwei, became less opposed to summoning Duan Chen as the imperial consort. However, upon hearing that Duan Chen had only been named the second-place scholar, while Zhao Zhiwei had won the top spot, she immediately became unhappy and refused to summon Duan Chen as the imperial consort.

"You're fifteen this year. Are you going to wait another three years? Even after three years, you might not meet someone like Duan Chen, who is excellent in appearance, character, and talent, and whose family background is also so suitable. Would your mother harm you?" Consort Jin frowned.

She added, "Why don't you take a look from behind the curtain first and see if Duan Chen suits your taste? If not, your mother will help you choose someone else. I heard that Lu Shanchu, who ranked sixth, is also quite good."

Xiao Ruoyu had angered her mother and brother, but she didn't dare to cause any more trouble, fearing that her mother would really stop loving her.

Now that her mother had offered her a way out, she agreed, but she was determined to say later that she didn't like Duan Chen and rejected the marriage proposal.

She was determined to find a husband better than Zhao Zhiwei. Anyone Zhao Zhiwei was a good-for-nothing.

Duan Chen was quickly brought in and bowed to those inside through the curtain.

Consort Jin didn't offer him a seat, but made him stand there and asked him some questions, such as his age, how many people were in his family, what property he had, and so on.

After asking a series of questions, Consort Jin was satisfied. Seeing that Duan Chen was indeed handsome, she asked, "I wish to make you my consort. Are you willing?"

Ordinary people, whether they like it or not, wouldn't dare say no in front of someone who holds the power of life and death over them.

Consort Jin couldn't kill a newly Consort Jin in person, but she could have someone retaliate in secret. She didn't believe that Duan Chen would refuse to marry a princess, disregarding the future and lives of the Duan Family.