Prince Jing seemed to mention it casually, and after speaking, he turned to continue looking at the showgirls managing accounts.
Feng Qingheng's gaze, however, remained fixed on Lu Qingwan. Could a person's feelings change that easily?
If it were someone else, would it be more understandable?
Thinking so, a malicious idea sprouted.
At that time, Lu Qingwan was diligently serving as an examiner for the showgirls, completely unaware of the chilling gazes fixed on her back.
Like a dedicated and professional examiner, she meticulously checked the answer sheets in each showgirl's hands.
Occasionally, she would tap a few times on a showgirl's desk, startling her into looking up like a frightened quail. Yet, Lu Qingwan would act as if nothing had happened, naturally returning to her main seat.
After startling an unknown number of trembling showgirls, just as they breathed a sigh of relief at her departure, Lu Qingwan opened her mouth leisurely.
"Alright everyone, the showgirls whose desks I tapped just now may leave.
The rest of you, take a fifteen-minute rest and prepare for the next item – needlework."
The outcome came too abruptly. The showgirls who had luckily passed were filled with relief, while those eliminated were caught off guard.
Understandably, the eliminated showgirls quickly raised objections, "May I ask, Princess Regent, what are your criteria for selecting consorts?
We haven't done anything yet, why are you eliminating us?"
"Yes, we haven't done anything yet, why eliminate us?"
Not all of these showgirls willingly participated in the selection, but since they were standing here, they all wished to make a good impression.
Even those who did not wish to become consorts would be disgraced, along with their families, if eliminated in the first round. No one wanted to accept this outcome.
The male guests were also filled with confusion, but because Lu Qingwan's previous actions had been reasonable and justified, the male guests did not rush to question her.
Gu Chaoci, with great courtesy, asked, "Princess Regent, could you please explain to everyone the reasons for eliminating these showgirls?"
Lu Qingwan nodded with ease, "Explaining is no problem, but I ask everyone to remain calm."
Without waiting for Gu Chaoci's acceptance of her words, she continued, "Li Su, collect the account books and answer sheets of these few showgirls and let the three elder matriarchs review them."
Li Su quickly collected the account books and answer sheets of the showgirls Lu Qingwan had pointed out and presented them to the three elder matriarchs, "Please review, esteemed matriarchs."
From left to right were Madam Wen Xiang, Princess Nan, and Old Madam Chi. The three did not fuss over the account books and answer sheets, each taking three sets to review.
The account books were thin, and the elder matriarchs soon looked up after a short perusal.
Lu Qingwan naturally said, "How do you find it, esteemed matriarchs? Do you find any impropriety in my decision to eliminate these nine showgirls?"
Madam Wen Xiang, the leader, promptly shook her head, "The Princess's decision is not improper. In my opinion, it is excellent."
Old Madam Chi said gently, "With such answer sheets, these showgirls are indeed not suitable for the position of consort.
In my view, the Princess eliminating these showgirls has actually helped them."
Princess Nan seemed to hesitate upon hearing this, "The two esteemed matriarchs have already said what I intended to say. However, Old Madam Chi is right, the Princess eliminating these showgirls has indeed helped them."
After speaking, she turned to Lu Qingwan and said, "The Princess has a sharp eye. With the Princess in charge of the overall situation, the two princes need not worry about not finding good consorts."
The attitude of the three elder matriarchs made everyone even more curious.
Prince Jing, relying on his youth, feigned bluntness, "Imperial Aunt, what mystery are you and the three elder matriarchs keeping? Are we not selecting consorts for myself and Prince Chen? Is there anything we don't know!
Just tell us, why did you eliminate these showgirls?"
"Yes, Princess, you must let us know why you eliminated us?"
The eliminated showgirls also pressed on, unwilling to give up.
"Originally, I did not intend to announce this publicly, but since everyone is so eager to know the reason, I have no choice."
Lu Qingwan seemed to shake her head in helplessness, picked up an account book, and said, "It's actually very simple. The largest expenditures in this account book are for winter clothing and some festival gifts.
I deliberately had the prices of winter clothing and festival gifts written incorrectly, so incorrectly that the prices were quite outrageous. Yet, many of you did not realize the problem.
The future consort of Prince Chen, or the consort of Prince Jing, will be in charge of the household affairs of a mansion.
If you cannot even calculate a quarter's accounts clearly, how can my ladies and I trust you to manage a large princely estate?"
Everyone was speechless, and the faces of the eliminated showgirls flushed with embarrassment.
One of them argued, "It's just a mere account book. We are not yet married and naturally have shortcomings.
If we were truly to marry into a princely mansion, our families would meticulously teach us.
Didn't you also say earlier that you only took over the household affairs after being in the mansion for several months, and had others manage your account books for you?
Why are we being eliminated when it comes to us?"
"Exactly, if you can learn slowly after entering the mansion, why must we be eliminated?"
...
Lu Qingwan had eliminated too many people at once. While everyone was rendered speechless, now that someone had found a point of contention, they naturally had to argue their case.
"You are Lan Xinyu from the household of the Assistant Minister of Revenue, aren't you? If others asked this, I could understand, but your question truly surprises me.
Your father and elder brother are both important officials in the Ministry of Revenue. Has no one told you that accounting and managing accounts cannot be learned in a short period?
Who gave you the confidence that you can learn to manage accounts simply because you are willing?
"The Hall of Cultivating Embellishment is not your family's girls' school, and the two princes have no obligation to wait for you to learn accounting before marrying you.
If you were to study for three to five years, would the two princes keep their backyards empty, waiting for you to learn accounting?"
Lu Qingwan said, sweeping her gaze coldly.
"Go ask the showgirls who were not eliminated. Which one of them did not start learning to manage accounts, handle household affairs, and share the burdens of the main wife from the age of eleven or twelve?
Yet you are special, needing to learn accounting only after entering the mansion?
Not to mention far away, just ask your own mothers. How many of them took over household affairs only after being in the mansion for several months?
And you want to compare yourselves to me?
Is your husband named Feng Xiwu?"
This was undoubtedly blatant boasting, but Lu Qingwan clearly did not intend to stop there.
After refuting those showgirls who lacked self-awareness, she did not forget to drag Feng Qingheng and Feng Jingheng into the fray.
"May I ask the two princes, would you be willing to marry a consort who knows nothing about household affairs and needs to be taught everything hand-in-hand?"
Prince Chen and Prince Jing exchanged glances. Feng Qingheng seemed to be lost in thought and did not speak.