Thinking this, the Li family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn’t help but grow anxious. However, after the recent incidents involving the Duke’s Mansion and Marquis Ting Sheng’s Mansion, it was clearly not a wise choice for anyone to step forward at this time.
Li Xu’s wife couldn’t help but anxiously twist her handkerchief, and the young lady beside her grew even more uneasy.
Suddenly, Old Madam Li seemed to remember something. She looked towards Li Yanyan, who was sitting next to the National Master, and whispered a few words to her granddaughter.
In an instant, a look of great joy appeared on Li Zhujun’s face, and she rose and stepped out from her place.
At that moment, the Empress Dowager was observing everyone present. If no one else comes forward to perform, I’ll order the entertainment to cease, she thought. Once back in Cining Palace, I must ask the young Emperor if he has taken a fancy to anyone; we absolutely must select the imperial consorts.
Just as the Empress Dowager was wondering how to announce the end of the banquet, she saw a young lady in a goose-yellow dress stand up.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, my younger sister and I have a performance we wish to present to Your Majesty and His Imperial Majesty!"
The Empress Dowager looked at the young lady. She appears to be fifteen or sixteen, a bit older than those who performed earlier. "Whose family’s daughter are you?"
"And who is your sister?"
"What performance do you wish to present?"
The Empress Dowager posed three consecutive questions.
Li Zhujun was a clever girl; her sixteen years of upbringing in the secluded inner chambers had not been in vain. She immediately answered these three questions.
"In reply to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, my name is Li Zhujun. My father is Vice Minister of the Secretariat, Li Xu. My sister is not my biological sister. Rather, she is the Little Lucky Star, Li Yanyan, who was born four years ago when auspicious omens descended from the heavens. Now, she has been accepted as a disciple by the National Master."
With that, she beckoned to Li Yanyan, who was sitting beside the National Master.
Ever since Li Yanyan had joined the Li family, everyone had doted on and indulged her, especially this elder sister, Li Zhujun, who was with her almost every day. Li Zhujun would even accompany her when she practiced the Illusion Technique taught by her Master, sometimes willingly acting as her practice partner!
Upon seeing Li Zhujun beckon, Li Yanyan left her seat and walked towards her without even seeking permission from the National Master, Feng Wushang.
The National Master’s brow furrowed slightly, his expression turning imperceptibly grave for an instant before he regained his composure.
When Li Yanyan reached Li Zhujun’s side, Li Zhujun had her pay respects to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor.
Li Yanyan complied, performing a full kowtow.
The Empress Dowager, seated on her phoenix throne, observed the young girl kneeling before her. This child is about the same age as Xiaosuisui in my arms, and her face indeed looks blessed with good fortune. Moreover, her etiquette is excellent. The Empress Dowager nodded slightly in approval.
"Some time ago, the National Master divined that a Little Lucky Star had appeared in our Great Han Country, and he journeyed south to find her. Could this be that child?"
The Empress Dowager looked towards the National Master. He was holding his wine cup, and upon hearing her words, he nodded slightly. "Precisely."
"This child’s birth hour and physiognomy both indicate abundant good fortune. Furthermore, she possesses considerable talent for cultivation, so I intend to accept her as my disciple."
"So, National Master, you haven’t formally accepted this child as your disciple yet?"
"Accepting a disciple is no child’s play," the National Master said. "Naturally, a ceremony must be held to communicate with Heaven and Earth and to pay respects to the ancestral masters."
The National Master’s reply carried two meanings. First, he had indeed decided to accept the child as his disciple. Second, she had not yet formally undergone the discipleship ceremony.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "In that case, I shall wait until you formally become the National Master’s disciple to send you a congratulatory gift. Rise."
Once the Empress Dowager spoke, everyone’s minds began to whir. We must quickly build connections with the Li family! they thought. Great Han’s Little Lucky Star, the National Master’s disciple—her future will surely be linked to the National Master’s Mansion!
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
Li Yanyan rose from the floor and then looked at Li Zhujun.
"Big Sister, what are we going to perform?"