Two days later, when we were greeting everyone in Renshou Palace, Wen Lang issued an edict in front of all the concubines to move Lady An to Yongxiang Palace and let Rong Xiu Yi take care of her. Lady An's bashful and timid thanks were filled with relief, while Rong Xiu Yi's graceful voice was filled with satisfaction. Everyone hid their doubts and only gave blessings and promises. I looked at this happy and harmonious family scene and gently curved the corners of my mouth.
The news that Hongyuan was about to hold his first selection had already spread throughout the harem of the previous dynasty. The empty empress seat, all the empty consort seats, and only a few main seats, as well as dozens of empty courtyards, all gave those outside the palace endless fantasies and hopes, and also caused a period of abnormal peace to appear in the harem.
No one was jealous, no one was stirring up trouble. At this moment, everyone was putting in all their effort to dress up and serve Wen Lang wholeheartedly, hoping to seek a high position for themselves before a large number of beautiful women poured into the harem.
The date of the selection was set to be the 6th of March. I lived a peaceful and carefree life for a while. The feeling of spring became stronger day by day. The weather became warmer day by day. I was glad that the cold winter had passed. My heart jumped with joy.
It started to rain after the night of the fifth day. I didn't feel sleepy. I reached out to fiddle with the rain that dripped by the window. A gust of wind blew, and my body was wet. Soon, it was cold, making me shiver.
"Miss, take a look. Be careful not to catch a cold!”Huanpei complained and closed the window. She pulled me to take off my clothes and changed into a dry middle coat, but she didn't let me wear a coat. She insisted on persuading me to go to bed. My hands and feet were really cold, so I obeyed her. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Winter seemed to have left, but when spring came, it was still cold and deadly.
It was sunny on the morning of the sixth day of the lunar month. The golden sunlight shone warmly in the courtyard. The dark ground was still wet and cold. The two sides fought against each other. In the end, the rising sun gained the upper hand. I stared at the sunlight and narrowed my eyes slightly. I was a little anxious in my heart. I urged the ring bells and ring pendants and quickly took the sedan chair to Jincui Palace.
There was no empress and no consort. Since the Empress Dowager had handed the rear palace to Rong Xiu Yi to manage, she did not show her face. Rong Xiu Yi did not dare to pick this stall alone. He politely declined and Wen Lang naturally agreed to it. Therefore, this selection was jointly hosted by Wen Lang and the three masters.
The draft was different from the selection. Except for the daughters of officials above the fifth rank who had to participate, the families of other officials could also participate voluntarily. The age limit was 13 to 17 years old.
In addition, the yamen would select a certain number of women of appropriate age from the people and send them into the palace to participate in the selection of palace maids. The selected palace maids would choose beautiful ones to enter the main hall to face the emperor to participate in the selection, to show the emperor's great kindness and disregard for poverty.
In previous years, there were also examples of top-notch newly selected palace maids choosing the harem. This was the fastest way to rise to the top. Over the years, people had been rushing to send their daughters in. They even had to send gifts to get a spot in the palace maid selection, just for the glory of the chickens and dogs ascending to heaven, even if it was just a moment of possibility after the selection.
However, the time they were fighting for to meet the heavenly face was after all the selections. Usually, the Emperor, Empress, and concubines were already exhausted, so how could they seriously appreciate the palace maids kneeling below? Moreover, the Emperor might have already left the banquet and only stayed to accompany the concubines who were selected for the selection. Most of the high-ranking concubines were shrewd people, so who would deliberately choose palace maids to make trouble for themselves?
Once they missed this opportunity, regardless of whether they were born in a scholarly family or a wealthy family, their delicate daughters would be reduced to serving palace maids. This was not the worst. At least if they met a good master, it would not be difficult for them to leave the palace for five years, or if they were appointed by the master to a marriage that was neither high nor low. They were all blessed.
Those who couldn't afford to give money to the steward and palace servants after entering the palace were assigned to be rough servants or low-grade palace maids. They were ordered around by other servants every day. They couldn't even see half of their master's face. They really couldn't see the sun. Let alone soaring, whether they could stay alive or not depended on their own luck. Only they knew the pros and cons of fighting to enter the palace.
Coming back to Jinhua Palace made me feel a little emotional. Half a year ago, I was carried in by a small sedan and stood at the palace gate. Now, I was carried here by a soft sedan of a third-grade noble concubine. When I got off the sedan and stepped on the solid ground, the feeling was very different. In just a few months, I came again, but I came to control the fate of others.
In the main hall, Rong Xiu Yi and I greeted each other and Jing Gui Pin greeted each other. Before we could take our seats, Wen Lang came in with a smile on his face, unable to hide the joy on his face. The two of them were obviously surprised. After all, it was not time for the next court session yet. The three of us looked at each other and smiled.
After bowing, Rong Xiuyi was the first to speak. She stared at Wen Lang as if she wanted to find out something."The emperor is in a good mood today, so it's early to leave court.”
"Of course!" Wen Lang replied casually.”
I saw Rong Xiu Yi and Jing Gui Pin concentrate and quickly stepped forward to interrupt,"Presumably, the court meeting went smoothly and there was some good news.”
Concubines are not allowed to touch the emperor in public. I could only take advantage of the moment when I blocked the two people behind me to give Wenlang a look. I quickly turned my body and lowered my head."Your Majesty, please sit!"
" Uh…" Wen Lang responded vaguely. He restrained his expression and walked forward to sit in the middle." You guys sit too."”
I stole Rong Xiu Yi and Wen Lang's words. Even if it was just one sentence, it was still out of line. The two of them would not be able to see it. Fortunately, I used the matter of the court to block the topic. Although they were puzzled, they did not dare to ask because of the rules of the harem.
Rong Xiu Yi's sharp gaze swept over, but I only lightly avoided it, pretending not to see it. She smiled bitterly in her heart. Rui Rong had not even gotten together with Wen Lang, but she was already in trouble.
Chang Yuan came in to ask for instructions about the draft, and Wen Lang had already restored his usual dignity to outsiders."Announce it."
Chang Yuan received the edict and went out. Soon, a steward aunt led a group of four beautiful women into the hall. A young eunuch read out loudly,"Li Jingwan, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Zheng Chuyue, the second daughter of the Minister of Works, Zhang Rongyi, the fourth daughter of the Minister of War, and Hu Wanwan, the second daughter of the commander of the capital, will enter the hall to participate!”
There were many beautiful women who entered in a line. All of them were meticulously dressed up. Their figures were light and their faces were beautiful. Everyone could add color to the harem.
The rules were all the same. Each of them bowed one by one, then waited for the higher-ups to ask questions, made their choice, and left.
In the first few rounds, Wen Lang seemed to have picked a few daughters of important officials at will, but in fact, he had deliberately chosen them. They were both civil and military, but their appearance was secondary. Only Rong Xiu Yi accompanied them to answer. I and Jing Gui Pin did not speak.
In the middle of the seats, Rong Xiu Yi sat on the lower right of Wen Lang, Jing Gui Pin sat on the left. I had the lowest seniority and was below Rong Xiu Yi, so I basically couldn't see their expressions. I could only take the opportunity when Wen Lang or Rong Xiu Yi spoke to tilt my head to take a look.
Wen Lang didn't show anything on his face. He just picked up his tea every now and then, but he couldn't take half a sip. It had long betrayed the anxiety in his heart.
About an hour later, he finally heard Rui Rong's name."Cheng Yingchun, the second daughter of the deputy commander of the capital's garrison, Shi Ruirong, the eldest daughter of the director of the Bureau of Rites, Yu Shijun, the sister of the Imperial Academy's attendant, and Chang Yuxiang, the sister of the Imperial Army's assistant commander, will enter the palace to participate!”
I smiled and looked at Rui Rong in the queue. She was still light yellow and delicate white, just like when I first saw her last year. Wen Lang pulled her out from behind, but at this moment, her lowered eyes hid that intelligence and added dignity and caution.
After the few beautiful women finished speaking, except for Rui Rong and the Chang family, who were sixteen, the other two were only fifteen. Among the four people, Rui Rong was undoubtedly outstanding. The eyes of the few people in the palace were fixed on her, and no one spoke first.
Therefore, at this moment when Wen Lang was looking forward to it again and again, the atmosphere turned cold instead. He opened his mouth but did not say anything.
I smiled lightly to break the awkwardness.”
I turned my head to look at Wen Lang and the others. This was the first time I opened my mouth today and said something shocking,"ChenQie heard that the daughters of the Cheng and Yu families are close to the two sisters, especially the Cheng family. She is even Sister Rong's cousin!”
Rong Xiu Yi frowned slightly when he said that. Even the cold Jing Guipin's expression was a little unnatural. It was not a big deal to be related, but it was still very different from what they said when I revealed their relationship. Although my purpose wasn't here, it wasn't good for them to praise and help their relatives now.
In order for Rui Rong to enter the palace safely, I naturally did my homework and learned that there were a few beautiful women who were related to the palace in this selection. Even these four beautiful women were arranged by me with gold and silver, so that Rui Rong would not attract attention.
"Oh?" What kind of person was Wen Lang? He immediately got the chance to speak." If that's the case, then keep them all. You guys can take care of each other in the palace."”
Rong Xiu Yi hurriedly thanked him, and even Jing Gui Pin, who had not spoken, also pulled out a smile to thank him. I turned around and met Rui Rong's eyes, and the corners of my mouth curled up.
An internal supervisor announced loudly that he had been selected and led a few people out. Wen Lang's wish was successfully fulfilled, and his entire person was filled with joy. Jing Guipin regained her cool demeanor, and Rong Xiuyi's expression was uncertain.
I didn't care. I couldn't avoid it. Let it be.
He heaved a sigh of relief and moved his body to adjust himself into a comfortable position. He leisurely looked at the orioles and swallows who came in to participate in the competition. At this moment, he was in the mood to savor the taste. He focused on listening to the conversation and looking at their appearances.# Cancel all reviews: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 56PM #
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]