Farmer girl swaps husbands: buys a sickly villain and pampers him

Chapter 242 Palace Banquet
The palace banquet prepared for the scholars was not open to just anyone. Besides the families of the top three scholars, only the families of the top thirty scholars were allowed to attend. Additionally, high-ranking officials and their families were also on the invitation list. Therefore, many dignitaries and nobles would be present at today's banquet.

Su Yaoguang, Zhang Zhaodi, and Zhang Yingdi looked up at the magnificent palace in front of them, their eyes filled with admiration.

Su Yaoguang had attended various banquets in her previous life, but never one in the palace. Xiao Yanci said that the deep palace was full of dangers and traps, and he was afraid that she would be bullied by those high-ranking officials because she did not know the palace rules. In fact, she was a peasant girl and could not be presented in public, and he did not want her to embarrass him.

As soon as they entered the palace, Zhou Wangshu and Wang Huanzhi greeted them. Seating was arranged according to their rank; Wang Huanzhi and Zhang Yingdi were seated towards the back, while Zhang Zhaodi and her husband Zhou Wangshu were seated towards the front. Opposite them were the seats for high-ranking officials and nobles, corresponding directly to the scholars on their right.

Between Zhou Wangshu and Xiao Yanci was the second-place scholar. The second-place scholar was nearly fifty years old, and his family included his wife and son.

Xiao Yanci and Wang Ruyan across from him exchanged flirtatious glances, as if afraid others wouldn't know about their secret affair.

Xiao Yanci glanced back at Su Yaoguang occasionally, and when he saw Su Yaoguang chatting and laughing with Zhou Wangshu, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Zhang Zhaodi's gaze lingered on Su Rende across from her. Su Rende, as the top military officer, held a high position. At this moment, he was drinking silently, looking rather unhappy. He seemed to sense something, and when he looked up and saw Zhang Zhaodi's curious gaze, his expression froze, and he stopped drinking.

Su Rende was indeed not happy. The servants in the mansion finally found his old belongings in the abandoned courtyard, but those old things had been neglected for too long, and the courtyard had been in disrepair for many years, so much so that his old belongings had been gnawed away by rats and were no longer recognizable.

Without evidence, there's no way to prove what he's thinking. He's afraid he's wrong, and that he'll be disappointed, while the other person will suffer even more.

I wish he could remember.

“Daughter, these are all high-ranking officials and nobles whom we would never normally encounter. Wang Shu has just passed the imperial examination with top honors and is already meeting these people. Why do I have a feeling that this is not real? Pinch me and let me see if I am dreaming.”

"Mother, our Wangshu is amazing. Don't let his current status as the top scholar fool you; he hasn't been demoted yet. Everyone knows that the top three are the pillars of the future. Just wait and see, many people will come to win him over later."

“It’s not surprising that officials are trying to win him over; Wangshu should be treated like that. You’d better keep a close eye on him and not let someone snatch him away,” Zhang Zhaodi said. “Look at all these daughters of officials, each one as beautiful as a flower, their eyes fixed on your man like tigers and wolves.”

Su Yaoguang sat in the middle, while Zhou Wangshu, as the main character, sat on the far left. She turned to look at Zhou Wangshu, her eyes dangerous.

Zhou Wangshu picked a grape for Su Yaoguang, put it in her mouth, and sweetly coaxed her, "I only have eyes for Yaoguang, no one else."

At this moment, the palace was filled with the most young ladies who were paying attention to Zhou Wangshu and Xiao Yanci. When one of the richly dressed women entered the palace, everyone looked on with expressions of anticipation, as if they were watching a good show.

"That is Princess Qinglan. The Emperor originally intended to marry her to the top scholar," someone said.

Hearing the voice, Su Yaoguang turned around and saw Princess Qinglan with an arrogant expression.

Princess Qinglan looked coldly at Zhou Wangshu across from her.

Zhou Wangshu ignored her, focusing only on talking to Su Yaoguang and feeding her.

"This top scholar is really ungrateful. What's so good about that country bumpkin peasant wife of his? He actually rejected a royal lady."

The Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince strode in. Everyone stood up and bowed.

"My lords, you may rise." The emperor said with a smile. "Take your seats."

The emperor's gaze lingered on Zhou Wangshu, and when he saw Su Yaoguang's serene and beautiful face, he nodded.

"The top scholar's wife and the top scholar were a perfect match."

"Your Majesty, you've only just arrived and you're already paying attention to the top scholar. Be careful that your other ministers don't get jealous," the Empress said from the side.

"Haha... I just wanted to know what kind of woman could make the top scholar refuse the marriage I personally bestowed upon him. I've met her today, and she's quite remarkable."

Princess Qinglan's eyes grew even fiercer.

Su Yaoguang responded generously, "Your Majesty, I have always wondered what kind of monarch would have the discerning eye to choose my husband. Today, I see that you are different from what I imagined!"

"Oh? Tell me, what kind of person do you think I am?" The emperor was surprised by the boldness of this little village girl and became curious.

"The ruler of a country must be like a god in the heavens, someone who can only be looked up to and cannot be violated. I thought you must be very serious, because you have to be dignified. The whole world is under your control, so you must be frowning all day long. Ordinary parents have to sigh every day when disciplining two or three children. You are the father of the world, and all the people are your children. How worried you must be! But when I saw Your Majesty, I realized that I was wrong."

"You are the king of the world and the father of all the people, but you are a benevolent father. A benevolent father governs the country with benevolence, which is why your children live such happy lives."

"Haha... Am I really such a loving father?" The emperor laughed heartily. "Minister Zhou, your wife is quite good, no wonder you refuse to change her. If it were me, I wouldn't be willing to change her either."

“My wife comes from a humble background and is very straightforward. She says whatever comes to mind, so please don’t take offense at her rudeness, Your Majesty,” Zhou Wangshu said.

"The Empress and I are also husband and wife. Since you treat your wife so well, you'll surely do a good job with the tasks I assign you." The Emperor waved his hand. "Alright, everyone, stop standing there! Eat, drink, and let the singing and dancing begin..."

"His Majesty enjoys a lively atmosphere, so please don't be shy and feel free to move around," the Empress said. "His Majesty and I have other matters to attend to, so we'll leave this to the Crown Prince."

With the emperor and empress, these two powerful figures, residing here, the civil and military officials and their families were bound to feel restrained. Only after they left could they relax.

As for the Crown Prince, he is the heir apparent and is required to interact with civil and military officials, so everyone is happy to take this opportunity to curry favor with him.

When Zhou Wangshu saw someone coming to offer a toast, he said to Su Yaoguang and Zhang Zhaodi, "If you feel bored here, go play in the pavilion outside for a while. There are palace maids to serve you here today, so as long as you don't go too far, you'll be fine."

“Okay,” Zhang Zhaodi said. “I really want to see the scenery inside the palace. I might only be able to enter the palace once in my life, so I can’t let this trip be in vain.”

Once the emperor and empress left, everyone relaxed, and the entire palace became a social gathering place.

Su Yaoguang pulled Zhang Zhaodi to her feet and went to Zhang Yingdi's spot, taking Zhang Yingdi out to play as well.