This "farce" had Ping'an Town's elite and commoners avidly consuming the spectacle.
Zhao Yuanqing, who failed to secure a marriage proposal and got kicked out, and the An Duke's Mansion became the talk of the town, with the prestige of the Second Class Prominent Family plummeting greatly.
The Little Princess Xue Ning is of the Great Heavenly Proud; it would be normal even if she married into an Overquality Prominent Family. The Zhao Clan tried to climb socially above their status, which would not have been an issue, but why directly propose marriage without even winning over the young lady?
The result, naturally, was extremely embarrassing.
...
Inside the Zhuozheng Pavilion.
Old Yao was sharing local gossip vividly on the side.
Emperor Longchang, however, was half-reclining in his Taishi Chair, greatly enjoying the tales, his face flushed with delight, even the wrinkles on his face seemed to have smoothed out.