One of the servants responsible for registering the hunt begun to tell the scores of each participant. A fox was 3 points, a deer 6 points, a tiger 15 and etc.
Most of the young masters scored in average 10-12 points from some easy prey in the hunting grounds. The few who got higher than that were warmly applauded by the audience and became the focus of the young ladies present.
What surprised Ming Shu was that even with the assassination attempt her family still got good scores that were among the highest present making her a bit sour for not having participated with them.
But her sourness completely vanish when Zhao Song's scores were said.
100 points, the highest score of the night.
Ming Shu smiled. Exactly like she remembered. Was this score in the past life that made her sure he was the one for her since his feeble personality (at least the one he presents publicly) was always a drawback for her who pursued the military men all her life.
It was only later that she found out that most of the prey caught was hunted by Seven and not Zhao Song. Unfortunately, by the time she knew it didn't matter anymore.
Applauses broke through and a round of congratulations that were much more sincere than those given when was Yifeng's time was done.
Some people sneaked a glance to the Empress who always had a rivalry against Consort Huang, but were disappointed to see that she still showed an impeccable smile as if she didn't mind her son being seen as less then a concubine son.
When the crowd finally subsided, the Empress rose from her seat.
"Prince Song"
"Yes Mother"
Zhao Song rose and made a curtsy to the Empress. Although it was the etiquette, something about it made people think that Price Song was being bullied by the Empress. This caused distress and disaffection towards the Empress among those that supported or had a crush on Zhao Song.
Unfortunately for them the Empress didn't even bait an eyelid for their grim countenance.
"Bengong is happy with your results today. After discussing with the Emperor, we decided that as a reward we will bestow you a marriage"
Zhao Song could visibly be seen becoming stiff and the hands hanging beside his robes clenched.
Zhao Song took a deep breath and bowed even lower.
"This Prince is the most grateful but-"
"Bengong is happy that you liked the present. From today onwards Prince Song and Gu Yuxie will be engaged"
For the second time that day the whole venue became silent.
Courtiers were all wondering if they were still sleeping, otherwise they really didn't know how to explain this banquet.
Not only they now had a new prince who became their crown prince, the Empress even conceded one of the most powerful houses as an ally to her son's rival.
"Mother, look both of them are so shy that they forgot what's happening around them"
Jinghua said with a sweet smile that completely opposed her laced criticism to the couple who were standing still.
But this couldn't be blamed on the young couple.
Even an old fox like Minister Gu couldn't react immediately. It took him several seconds to process the information and pull down his daughter together to thank the imperial favor. Right now he didn't know if their alliance with Prince Song coming over to the light was a good or bad thing, much less if this was planned by the Emperor as a warning or just a coincidence.
"We thank the Empress and the Emperor"
Like them Zhao Song also step forward to thank the Empress.
Looking at the couple who put her to die in the past life becoming together much early than before Ming Shu couldn't control the smile that became brighter and brighter.
"Aren't you too happy for some couple you are not even friends with?"
Mo Meihui whispered beside her.
Ming Shu shook her head.
"I think they are such a good couple"
How could she be unhappy? Putting these two together now would prevent both of them to scheming against someone else as their shield.
Ming Shu remembered how Gu Yuxie went to the Cold Palace to solve one of her biggest doubts about their relationship: Why did Zhao Song married her instead of Gu Yuxie as his princess?
According to Gu Yuxie it was because Zhao Song didn't want her to suffer even the slightest distress and as the princess was always in danger until he secure the throne, he couldn't pull himself to put her in such danger thus they conveniently used Ming Shu as her shield for years.
For such a sweet and disturbing excuse, Ming Shu only rolled her eyes. Since they claim to love each other so intensely, she wants to see if their love will survive all the obstacles in their path.
Not having a shield is Gu Yuxie strong enough to keep by Zhao Song's side as a meek and frail flower? Ming Shu fervently wanted to know this answer.