After a short rest, Xiuning took advantage of the fact that neither of them were in the room and quickly changed into a new set of clothes.

It was also a coincidence that her two other roommates came in right after she finished changing rooms.

"Oh, what a pleasant surprise! They're the imperial concubines from the Guarjia and Shumulu clans."

Without going out to greet them, Xiu Ning recognized the two people who came in simply through the system's broadcast projection panel.

The reason is simple: both of them had met her during the preliminary rounds.

One of them harbored ill intentions towards her, while the other was the person who had come over to greet her.

"Host, shouldn't you go say hello? It's almost time to gather in the main hall."

The system popped up in my mind to remind me, its blank, mechanical voice sounding completely unresponsive.

Xiuning pouted, "No rush, we can greet them after we return from the main hall."

While casually chatting with the system and organizing her work, Xiu Ning maintained a relaxed demeanor and expression.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xiuning felt it was about time. She quickly washed and groomed herself in front of the bronze mirror to make sure she hadn't done anything improper before walking around the screen used for privacy to the main hall.

There were only a handful of young women in the hall at this time, making the entire hall seem empty and desolate.

Looking around, Xiu Ning realized that the matrons hadn't arrived yet, so she simply found a corner to continue observing and organizing the information about the imperial concubines in her mind.

The second round of selection is different from the first round. Those who make it to the second round have a very high chance of entering the palace or being betrothed to a member of the imperial family.

Xiu Ning's target was naturally Emperor Kangxi, so she had to behave properly during the next two weeks. The backgrounds of the nannies in charge of the selection process showed how much control the Empress Dowager had over this selection.

'Fortunately, everyone lived together during the second round of selection, so any secrets or things they did in private could be traced with careful investigation.'

The chances of the two Hitara women encountering misfortune when they returned home after the initial selection are very low now, because the palace is full of spies, which greatly improves their safety.

While Xiuning waited, other young ladies-in-waiting arrived one after another.

Xiu Ning also saw Dong E Jing Xin and Yi Er Gen Jue Luo Yi Yun, who shared a room with her. However, the three of them were too far apart, so Xiu Ning didn't intend to go over. She simply greeted them and then stood still.

As the time drew near and everyone arrived, the nannies also came in from outside.

Since it was only the first day since they arrived, the matron in charge of the Manchu and Han banners in the entire Chuxiu Palace did not give them a formal speech. Instead, she briefly mentioned the rules of the palace and some arrangements for the coming period.

Among them, the most important figures in the harem are those powerful women. Someone like Xiuning, newly reinstated as a concubine, naturally wouldn't have the opportunity to pay her respects. Furthermore, the Empress and Consort Shu are currently quite young and have no princes to choose from, so it's impossible for her to have any interaction with them.

However, the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager would summon them to Shou Kang Palace and Ci Ning Palace from time to time for questioning.

The timing is yet to be determined; the nanny doesn't know yet, but a palace servant will come to inform her in advance.

“What’s the use of performing well? Everyone knows that the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager are both from the Khorchin Borjigit clan. Compared with the Mongol banner girls in Xianfu Palace, we have no competitive advantage.”

Beside her, Xiu Ning, with her keen hearing, caught a young woman muttering to herself.

Well, although what I said was the truth, there was no need to say it in public.

Look, everyone else standing next to this young lady has subtly taken a step back to show their stance, while the lady herself remains oblivious, showing no awareness that she has offended her future colleague right from the start.

Oh no, this person probably won't go far. For safety's sake, she needs to stay away from him.

Muttering something to herself, Xiu Ning looked up and continued listening to the leading nanny speak.

"...The situation is roughly like this, ladies. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Chuxiu Palace will be your daily residence for the foreseeable future."

Later, the servants assigned by the Imperial Household Department to serve the princesses will also pay their respects to them.

"I am the head maid of Chuxiu Palace, and I will be in charge of all matters, large and small, for the princesses thereafter. If any of you princesses have any needs during this period, please come to me."

After speaking, the old woman quickly scanned all the young ladies in the hall with her eyes, "If there are any inconveniences in the Chuxiu Palace during the next half month, please forgive us."

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager has made it clear that there are many female relatives coming and going in the harem. Since you princesses have been selected as concubines again, you must abide by the rules of the harem.

There are places that princesses are not supposed to go, so they should not go there casually; there are things that should not be taken, so they should not be taken out; otherwise, if something really happens, this servant can only report to the Empress Dowager for a decision.

The old woman was ruthless. She understood that if she couldn't control things now, things might backfire later. So, in the last sentence of her speech, she simply brought up the Empress Dowager who was in charge of the Cining Palace.

As expected, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's presence was still very imposing. The young ladies standing in the main hall panicked for a moment after hearing this, especially some members of the Manchu noble families, whose eyes showed hesitation and confusion, clearly indicating that something was on their minds.

'Tsk, these Manchu noble families are indeed wealthy; who knows what kind of treasured medicines they're hiding to harm people.'

Although the packages they brought into the palace would be simply unpacked and inspected by the Imperial Household Department, the servants of the Imperial Household Department would not deliberately offend those from wealthy families.

This has led some people to brazenly stuff things that shouldn't be in their packages.

The old woman's words were a reminder and warning to these people: don't think you can be completely foolproof in the palace. Once you're caught and handed over to the Empress Dowager, no matter what the outcome, this incident will definitely make your future difficult.

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