This is taking it a bit too seriously. It will definitely attract the attention of others (the concubines aren't blind; openly trying to make their presence known in front of the Empress Dowager would offend the entire group of concubines).

Xiu Ning thought to herself, especially after the two men saw her outfit. One of them quietly began to remove the hair ornaments from her head, while the other looked completely bewildered.

"Sister Xiuning, isn't your outfit a bit too plain?"

Dong E Jingxin thought for a moment, but couldn't help speaking up, while glancing at the doorway, "Sister, there's no rush. Why don't you go back and get dressed up again?"

Otherwise, if I go to Cining Palace with the two of them like this, I'll definitely be the one who gets cannon fodder.

Although Xiu Ning is indeed beautiful, such good looks shouldn't be wasted like this; it's a complete waste of talent.

“Yes, Sister Jingxin is right,” Shu Mulu Yixuan quickly added, tucking the beaded flower in her sleeve. “We can ask the palace maid at the door to wait a little longer.”

Sister, with your beautiful face, this kind of makeup is really a waste.

Dong E Jingxin nodded in agreement, seemingly agreeing with Shu Mu Lu Yixuan's words.

Xiu Ning shook her head slightly. She felt that her outfit was fine as it was; it was better not to be too flashy.

You have to understand that these women who are going through the second round of selections are all hidden talents (who knows what treasures they are hiding). If they dress too conspicuously at this time, they will most likely become a thorn in the side of others. Given Dong E Jingxin's family background, she probably won't be able to withstand such a storm.

“This is fine, and there’s not enough time. We can’t keep the palace maids in Cining Palace waiting.”

Otherwise, if we arrive late by accident, wouldn't that leave a bad impression on the Empress Dowager?

You can offend anyone but the big boss of the harem.

Both of them tensed up for a moment when they heard what Xiuning said.

Dong E Jingxin, in particular, took the meeting with the Empress Dowager very seriously, which was evident from her attire.

Upon hearing Xiu Ning's words, Dong E Jing Xin couldn't help but feel anxious. "In that case, let's hurry up and leave."

After finishing her sentence, Dong E Jingxin simply took the lead and left the room.

Seeing this, Xiu Ning and Shu Mu Lu Yi Xuan followed closely behind.

Just before leaving, Xiu Ning noticed with her sharp eyes that half of the hair ornaments on Shu Mu Lu Yi Xuan's head were missing, showing that this person was still perceptive and knew how to keep things in check.

At the entrance, the palace maids waiting nearby saw the three of them come out dressed differently. Although they were curious, they sensibly didn't ask anything. They simply turned around and led the three of them towards Cining Palace with a calm expression.

Walking along a long palace corridor, all three adhered to the rule of not listening, not looking, and not speaking. Even Dong E Jingxin, who was as excited as she was, refused to look up easily.

Because that's normal. Who knows who you'll see when you look up? If you ruin your bright future because of a careless glance, you'll be devastated.

As people kept passing by, Xiu Ning's originally calm heart couldn't help but beat a little faster.

Strictly speaking, this should be the first time she has officially met Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang since she time-traveled (the other powerful figures in the harem and Emperor Kangxi also met her).

'Host, are you nervous?'

The system suddenly appeared in my mind and asked a question out of curiosity.

'What's there to be nervous about? We all have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth.'

Besides, if I'm nervous now, how am I supposed to compete for the Empress Dowager's throne later?

It should be noted that Xiuning's goal was never the position of empress, but rather to achieve it in one step: to directly place her own son on the throne and become empress dowager herself.

'I suspect that this meeting with the Empress Dowager was just a simple assessment.'

Our batch of imperial concubines hasn't been in the palace for very long, so even the spies planted in the Chuxiu Palace might not be able to find out anything useful.

Therefore, there's absolutely no need to be too nervous. As long as you don't do anything reckless, nothing unexpected will happen.

Xiuning had no idea that things would take such a sharp turn for the worse, like a carriage with wheels that couldn't be stopped. She blurted out a flag and immediately made a promise.

After walking for a little over fifteen minutes, the plaque of Cining Palace came into view of the three of them.

At this moment, Xiu Ning was already calm and composed. Listening to the system's constant notifications about Dong E Jing Xin and Shu Mu Lu Yi Xuan's emotional fluctuations, she smiled slightly, revealing what she considered to be her gentlest and most non-aggressive expression.

"Please wait a moment, ladies."

The palace maid turned and bowed to the three women to greet them. She then entered the Cining Palace herself. A short while later, she led out a serious-looking old woman and escorted the woman to Xiuning and the other two women before turning and leaving.

"Princess, this way!"

Then the old woman led the three into the Cining Palace, and they headed straight for the main hall at the front. Without stopping, the old woman led the three inside.

Oh ho, there was no announcement. Could there be other people inside?

Xiuning pondered the situation, her head slightly lowered, focusing only on the flowerpot-shaped shoes she was wearing.

"Your Highness, this servant has brought the princesses here."

Your humble servants, Shumulu Yixuan/Dong'e Jingxin/Xitala Xiuning, pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, wishing her boundless blessings and peace.

After a while, Xiu Ning heard a female voice in her ear, "Rise, all of you, and be seated."

Hearing the echo, Xiu Ning breathed a sigh of relief. The three of them stood up one after another and carefully sat down on the round stools brought by the palace servants while maintaining their proper demeanor.

Because the Empress Dowager was watching, the three of them didn't dare to sit down completely, and only occupied about a quarter of the seats. This not only didn't relieve their fatigue, but also made them very tired.

But there was nothing they could do; the rules of the Qing Dynasty were just that absurd.

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