However, Lady Dong was a member of the Manchu bannerman and was not qualified to participate in this year's imperial concubine selection. She would definitely have to stand out from the annual palace maid selection.

Moreover, Consort Duan, née Dong, was quite a talented person. Although she missed the opportunity to be promoted to a concubine in the twentieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, she still had connections to achieve this promotion in the sixteenth year.

Consort Duan's uncle, Dong Degui, and her biological father, Dong Deqi, were both people of the Empress Dowager.

As expected, the future Consort Duan, née Dong, entered the harem at the beginning of the year.

"Coming out at this time is nothing more than thinking about focusing on fabric accessories."

The styles in the capital are still somewhat outdated, not as varied as those in the Jiangnan region.

However, the capital city is the imperial capital, and the inherent nobility and reserve of the capital city make the people of the capital unconsciously feel superior. Most of the young ladies who came from other places need to go through a period of adaptation in the capital, so that they can look almost the same as the young ladies of the capital.

"Be careful when you go out lately, there are more people out there with ulterior motives."

We mustn't cause any trouble before the draft.

Otherwise, if something bad happens and it directly affects the draft, then all the preparation for the draft will be for nothing.

Upon hearing this, Chunyu quickly nodded, "Don't worry, Princess, I understand."

With Xiu Ning's reminder, Chun Yu also paid extra attention to her own safety during the subsequent investigation.

As the selection date drew closer, some of the originally favored candidates began to encounter misfortunes one after another. One day, they were startled and fell off their carriage, while another day, they accidentally contracted smallpox and had to be sent to the estate to recuperate. With all these misfortunes piling up, by the time May arrived, the number of candidates who could participate in the selection had decreased significantly.

"Tsk, I didn't expect that just an ordinary talent show could have such a big impact."

Hearing the sounds brought by the spring rain, Xiu Ning couldn't help but sigh to the system in her mind.

As the draft approached, the system appeared more frequently, and would occasionally reply to Xiu Ning's complaints.

"Everyone wanted to benefit from it, and some people in the palace were worried about being threatened."

The system felt that this kind of open and covert struggle was very much in line with the plot of palace dramas, since there is only one position, but there are countless families and individuals who want to sit in that position.

"Yes, so even though there aren't many threatening contestants in this selection, with my looks, I still have to be extra careful."

Xiuning reached out and touched her pretty face, not thinking that she had defined herself too well.

It should be noted that without generations of bloodline mixing, very few women from the Manchu and Mongol banners could stand out based on their looks.

Xiu Ning's current confidence and resources are due to the systematic training she received. Not only among the current batch of imperial concubines, but also among those from previous and subsequent batches, she is the most outstanding.

With such threats, Xiu Ning's ordeal was far from over before she could even enter the palace smoothly.

The talent show begins after the Dragon Boat Festival.

Early morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Xiu Ning, who had gone to bed early, woke up early in the morning after being reminded by the system.

Because she would be taking a carriage to the palace to participate in the most basic preliminary selection, Xiu Ning dressed simply and plainly.

Xiuning rejected anything like those ornate cheongsams and jewel-encrusted flowerpot shoes, deeming them too overpowering.

Of course, you don't have to use them, but you still need some accessories that can show off your family background.

Chunyu skillfully braided and pinned her beautiful, jet-black hair to her head.

Because she wanted to match the qipao she was wearing, the only accessories she could use were a few gold threads inlaid with jewels and jade, simply interspersed among her hair, with only a few strands peeking out, which looked particularly lively and charming under the sunlight.

"Princess, what do you think?"

Chunyu stepped back, revealing the entire bronze mirror to Xiuning.

Xiuning shook herself in the bronze mirror, and finally nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Wear that moon-white jade pendant, and on your wrist, wear those jade bracelets."

Compared to some gaudy gold and silver colors, jade is more understated and luxurious.

Chunyu nodded in agreement, then took out several pieces of jewelry that Xiuning had specified from the wooden box and carefully put them on Xiuning.

After having a simple breakfast in her own courtyard, Xiu Ning went out to the main courtyard to pay her respects to Lady Fucha.

However, today was a special day, and even though Empress Fucha had made preparations in advance, she still couldn't sleep well all night. There were dark circles under her eyes, which showed that she was really worried.

"Daughter greets Mother."

Dressed in a qipao, Xiu Ning resembled a graceful daffodil. A gentle breeze caressed her cheek as she smiled and chatted with Lady Fucha, who sat on the couch.