xymnovel Chapter 95 Choosing a Wife Through an Exam?!
Chapter 95 Choosing a Wife Through an Exam?!
More than twenty young ladies from noble families, raised in seclusion, were seeing such an exquisite and magnificent building layout for the first time.
The building is bright and clean, with a novel layout and neat and exquisite beams and pillars, exuding a unique and unparalleled style that has never been seen before.
The group of noble ladies widened their eyes and secretly looked around, their eyes filled with shock and wonder.
Xu Miaoyun and Deng Shengnan stood in the crowd, looking at the familiar mansion, their feelings completely different.
"Sister, it seems Young Master Zhu Yao doesn't recognize us!"
"Perhaps... he never remembered us at all."
"Too..."
......
Zhu Yao raised his hand to summon Chen Zhong and calmly gave him instructions.
"Today, distinguished guests have arrived. There's no need for a regular banquet. Quickly prepare a special hot pot to properly entertain everyone."
Chen Zhong bowed and accepted the order, then turned and quickly retreated to make arrangements.
Before long, a group of servants carried in an exquisite large pot and placed it steadily on the table in the room.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked closely and was slightly taken aback, realizing that the cookware today was completely different from that of the past.
In the past, the hot pot we ate was all in one round pot, and the soup tasted the same throughout, with no distinction between different types of hot pot.
The pot in front of me is divided in the middle by an ingenious partition, with the two halves being completely different and resembling a yin-yang symbol.
One half of the soup is bright red and piping hot, with a spicy aroma, while the other half is clear and transparent, with a mellow and smooth taste.
Zhu Yuanzhang, full of curiosity, pointed to the pot and asked a question.
"Yao'er, this pot is quite unique. It's divided into two parts, separated by two panes. What kind of new kind of tableware is this?"
Zhu Yao smiled faintly and calmly explained the reason.
"There are mostly women at the table today, and everyone has different tastes. Some like spicy, fresh, and rich flavors, while others prefer light and mild flavors."
"This pot is called the 'Yuan Yang Pot'. One side has a spicy red broth with a strong flavor, while the other side has a clear broth that is gentle on the stomach. The flavors don't mix, making it the best of both worlds."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up, and he repeatedly murmured the words "Mandarin Ducks," becoming more and more delighted with each word.
He clapped his hands and laughed, his face full of approval, his eyes full of profound meaning.
"Mandarin Ducks! What a wonderful name and design! Mandarin ducks are a pair, representing yin and yang in harmony, symbolizing a perfect and complete match!"
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! With this pot ready, today's marriage is sure to go perfectly!"
.....
More than twenty young ladies from prominent families sat around the table, their eyes all fixed on the yin-yang hot pot in front of them, filled with curiosity and wonder.
They grew up in grand mansions and tasted all kinds of delicacies, but they had never seen food that was divided into two parts and had two flavors.
The bright red broth boils and bubbles, releasing a rich and spicy aroma. The clear broth is smooth and mellow, with delicate and fragrant wisps spreading out.
With a sense of curiosity, everyone reached out and picked up ingredients, putting them into the pot. After waiting a moment, they took a bite.
The first bite is an amazing experience, with layers of freshness, spiciness, and richness intertwined.
The eyes of the group of noble ladies lit up suddenly, and their faces instantly showed surprise and delight. They were completely captivated by this unique delicacy.
The originally dignified and reserved crowd gradually let down their guard, savoring the food with delight, their eyes filled with joy at its deliciousness.
Deng Shengnan sat next to Xu Miaoyun, taking small bites of food while muttering to herself in a low voice.
"How infuriating! We stayed at the Liu residence for a full half month, studying diligently every day, and we didn't even get to taste hot pot."
"Young Master Zhu Yao is too stingy. He's hiding such a delicious treat from us and won't let us have a single bite."
Xu Miaoyun gently picked up a piece of clear soup ingredients with her chopsticks, chewed slowly, her eyes gentle, and responded softly.
"We were too short-sighted back then and underestimated Young Master Zhu Yao."
"He is not only exceptionally knowledgeable and forward-thinking, but also understands the world's complexities and possesses ingenious ideas. He is truly a polymath, proficient in everything he does."
As she spoke, she looked up at Zhu Yao, who was standing not far away, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and deep love.
But a moment later, her eyes dimmed slightly, her heart filled with helplessness and unease.
At this moment, there were more than twenty women in the room, each of them from a top family, with stunning looks and outstanding talent. They were all among the most prestigious noble ladies in Jinling.
With so many talented people and beautiful women gathered together, she really wasn't entirely confident that she could stand out from the crowd and be chosen by Zhu Yao.
Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, the unique hot pot feast quietly came to an end, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Empress Ma gently raised her hand and subtly gave Zhu Yuanzhang a meaningful look.
Zhu Yuanzhang instantly understood, immediately stopped his casual conversation and laughter, and looked at Zhu Yao to speak loudly.
"Yao'er, look how much your father cares for you. He has used all the resources of Jinling City to pick out these twenty-odd best girls for you."
"Each of them comes from a respectable family, is of impeccable character and appearance. Today, all the perfect matches have come together. Tell me, what's your plan for this blind date?"
After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang offered his thoughtful advice and earnestly gave his ideas.
"In my opinion, it would be better to let the girls introduce themselves one by one and show off their talents and skills, such as playing the piano, painting, or reciting poetry."
"If you take a fancy to someone, just nod to them. If you find them agreeable, then keep them behind for a private chat. That's the safest approach."
Empress Ma gently echoed this, and softly offered another comprehensive solution.
"I think it would be better to have small group chats, letting the girls take turns talking to you closely to observe your character and conversation."
"Spending a short time together is enough to know whether our personalities are compatible, which is far more reliable than simply judging by our talents and appearance."
Upon hearing their suggestion, Zhu Yao did not immediately agree. Instead, he calmly asked the question first.
"Father, these girls' family backgrounds, character, and moral standing are all absolutely impeccable, aren't they?"
Zhu Yuanzhang patted his chest, his tone extremely confident, and made a firm guarantee.
"Then they are absolutely innocent! Those who can come here are all from good families in Nanjing, with impeccable backgrounds!"
Yao nodded slightly and asked again, his tone serious.
"So, are the parents of these young ladies aware of today's blind date? Are they genuinely willing for their daughters to spend time with me?"
"A forced marriage is never sweet. I don't want to wrong others, and I don't want to force a marriage. It has to be willing on both sides."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, exuding confidence and domineering arrogance.
"Don't worry! You're a child of the Zhu family, of noble birth and exceptionally talented!"
"Who doesn't know you? Who wouldn't want to marry their daughter into the Zhu family? Everyone would be more than willing!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao's lips curled into a playful smile, and he jokingly teased him.
"Father's words are too domineering. Anyone who doesn't know better would think that our Zhu family is the royal family of the current dynasty, with absolute power over the world."
Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless for a moment, a sheepish smile flashing across his face as he silently touched the tip of his nose.
He quickly steered the conversation back to the main topic and pressed for more information.
"Alright, alright, enough joking around. Serious business is more important. Have you figured out how you plan to go on blind dates and choose a wife?"
Zhu Yao lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then raised his eyes with a calm and resolute expression, and explained his method of choosing a spouse.
"The person my father and wife carefully selected, their appearance, family background, and character naturally require no further scrutiny from me."
"Since that's the case, I'll ignore talent and conversation skills and just set a test."
"All the girls will take the test together. Whoever gets the highest score and the best answer will be the final candidate."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned. The smile on his face froze instantly, and he was completely taken aback.
Empress Ma, who was usually calm and gentle, also stared wide-eyed, looking bewildered. She was completely dumbfounded by this novel way of finding a match.