The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

At the time of the flower banquet, Anning insisted on calling her sons, who were not interested in women, to quietly find a spot in the garden and see if any young ladies from distinguished families caught their eye.

Xiao Ying and the others were unwilling, but with Anning’s strict orders, they had to go.

On the appointed day, young ladies from families with official rank fourth and above in the Capital, or their sisters, as long as they were of suitable age, nearly all came.

These female relatives first paid their respects to Anning. Anning stayed to converse with a few familiar imperial decree holders, while the rest were led to the garden by Zhaoyang and Pingyang.

Lu Zhen also entered the palace with her mother and sister.

Once inside the palace, Lu Shan said to Lu Zhen: "Try not to speak if you can, or you’ll humiliate me."

Mrs. Liu also whispered: "Stay by my side, don’t wander around or casually talk to people, and don’t embarrass your sister."

Lu Zhen no longer had the energy to argue with Mrs. Liu over such matters.

She might have felt sad when she was younger, but now she was not bothered at all. Mrs. Liu always favored Lu Shan; it would be abnormal if she didn’t favor her one day.

She responded obediently and followed behind Mrs. Liu, trying her best not to speak.

Xiao Ying and the others were sitting on the highest fake mountain in the garden. There was a pavilion there, and they sat in the pavilion overlooking most of the garden scenery.

Xiao Ying looked down; he had keen ears and sharp eyes, just catching sight of Lu Zhen and her party, and overheard Mrs. Liu and Lu Shan warning Lu Zhen.

Xiao Ying felt sorry for Lu Zhen, this little girl seemed quite pitiful, and couldn’t help but look at her a few more times.

By this glance, Xiao Ying felt Lu Zhen was very different from the current boudoir ladies.

Young ladies from the Capital were all of fair complexion, each whiter than the next, and after applying powder, to Xiao Ying, they looked almost like ghosts.

He spent a long time in Southern Yi, where he helped Xiao Yuan and Anning with various matters, frequently visiting villages and fields, and almost traveled through the entire Nanyi Prefecture, where the girls were not this fair; most had wheat-colored skin, appearing healthy, with a sunny and positive vibe.

Xiao Ying preferred such girls.

Seeing Lu Zhen, he noticed her skin tone was similar to Southern Yi girls, looking quite good, unlike the Capital girls who seemed sickly pale.

"That girl, does she go out often to play? How is she so tanned?"

Xiao Bai also saw Lu Zhen and remarked to Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying smiled: "Who knows."

Xiao Ying called over Shouzi: "Go find out which family that girl belongs to."

Shouzi took the order and left.

Moments later, Anning learned about Xiao Ying inquiring about Lu Zhen.

Anning stood up with a smile: "It’s about time, let’s go for a stroll in the garden."

The few decree holders went along with Anning.

Arriving at the garden, the madams, grandmas, and young ladies hurriedly took their seats.

Anning scanned around and saw Mrs. Liu.

She asked with a smile: "Who are the family members of Mr. Lu?"

Mrs. Liu was startled and then became excited; among all the seated ladies, the Empress pointed her out, perhaps truly favoring Lu Shan.

As for Lu Zhen, Mrs. Liu never thought Lu Zhen would be favored; compared to the Capital ladies, Lu Zhen genuinely appeared quite unattractive.

Mrs. Liu quickly stood up, paying respects to Anning among the envious glances of the decree holders: "This woman pays respects to Empress."

Anning smiled and said: "Come closer and speak."

Mrs. Liu stepped forward and attempted to kneel in front of Anning, but Anning raised her hand: "We’re here to chat and laugh together, let’s dispense with those formalities."

Mrs. Liu bowed: "Certainly."

Anning asked with a smile: "Where are your daughters? Where are they?"

Mrs. Liu quickly called Lu Shan and Lu Zhen over.

Anning observed them briefly: "They are two fine girls."

Anning merely glanced, but she could tell Lu Shan was dressed in cloud brocade, adorned with a complete set of ruby jewelry, her makeup particularly refined, appearing gentle and harmonious, quite pleasing at first sight.

But who was Anning, she could easily see this girl’s facade; Lu Shan’s eyes were large but empty, her mind crooked.

Contrarily, Lu Zhen seemed somewhat darker, her attire not as elaborate as Lu Shan’s, yet the girl’s gaze was clear and resolute, looking at her hands, her knuckles were slightly rugged; even after careful nurture, it was apparent these hands had done considerable work.

Anning called Lu Shan over and softly asked a few questions, which Lu Shan joyfully and cautiously answered.

After Lu Shan withdrew, Anning called Lu Zhen over: "How old are you this year? What do you enjoy doing usually?"

Lu Zhen answered softly: "This girl is sixteen this year, usually stays home growing flowers and plants, doesn’t have much other interest."

Anning nodded: "Able to endure then."

Subsequently, Anning gifted Lu Shan and Lu Zhen each a hairpin.

Lu Shan was overjoyed, while Lu Zhen remained indifferent.

The later proceedings were similar to ordinary flower banquets, mainly viewing flowers, catching up, followed by feasting, and letting young ladies show off some talents.

When the flower banquet ended and Anning returned to Fengqi Palace, information about Lu Zhen was already on the desk.

Anning picked it up and skimmed through; upon seeing how little Lu Zhen took care of Lu Wang’s daily needs when he managed the river, sometimes personally cooking and delivering meals to him at the river embankment, she had seen many hardships among common folks and had personally farmed and cultivated land. Later, she also learned some river management knowledge from Lu Wang.

This girl was intelligent, not only well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics but also studied arithmetic, and mastered multiple regional dialects.

Lu Wang frequently dealt with river management, often absent from home, and much of the River Governor’s Office affairs were heavily assisted by Lu Zhen. She had also provided many ideas to Lu Wang, overall, this girl had talent and wisdom, plus a heart full of kindness.

Anning, having finished reading, was undoubtedly pleased with Lu Zhen.

She immediately called Xiao Ying over, handing the information about Lu Zhen to him.

After reviewing, Xiao Ying said: "Queen Mother, she’s the one."

"Are you sure?"

Anning raised her eyebrow, asking.

Xiao Ying nodded: "I’m sure, this girl is suitable to be the Crown Princess Consort."

Anning understood Xiao Ying’s meaning; Lu Zhen’s perspective was not confined to the inner quarters, her heart was broad, her vision vast, and she was aware of the common people’s lives, able to shoulder the responsibility as a mother of the nation.

"Then it’s her."

Anning confirmed by tapping the information with her finger.

Mrs. Liu returned home with Lu Shan and Lu Zhen, first taking the girls to greet the Old Madam.

Seeing the three back, the Old Madam asked: "How did it go?"

Mrs. Liu joyfully said: "The Empress seemed to favor our eldest girl, specially calling her over to ask many things and even praised her."

Lu Shan also took out the hairpin gifted by Anning: "This is what the Empress personally rewarded."

The Old Madam was thrilled at this: "Look, my granddaughter is outstanding, among so many girls there, you alone received a reward."

For a moment, the three of them laughed.

Neither Mrs. Liu nor Lu Shan paid any attention to Lu Zhen, even forgetting that Lu Zhen also received a reward and was questioned by the Empress.

Lu Shan was especially confident, thinking she was either to be the Crown Princess Consort or a Princess, a certainty.

Lu Zhen felt rather uninterested.

After sitting for a while, she claimed to feel unwell and returned to her room.