Some noble ladies from ordinary families were afraid of being retaliated by the Anguo Mansion afterwards, so they immediately dispersed. They didn't want to offend Hua Wanru again.

There are also these noble ladies who do not take it seriously.

Zhang Shuqin is one of them. She stiffened her neck and looked up.

"So what if she is a county princess? She is just a concubine of the Duke of Anguo. I am a legitimate daughter! My aunt is the Crown Princess."

"My uncle is the crown prince, and my cousin is the eldest grandson of the emperor. They won't let me be bullied by you."

Others were actually very unhappy to see her like this, but there was really nothing they could do.

Zhang Shuqin's grandfather, Zhang Meng, commanded an army of 200,000 men and was the target of many court officials' wooing.

Therefore, the other noble ladies were taught in advance by their families to get along well with Zhang Shuqin.

Zhang Ting has the best relationship with her and also speaks up for her.

"That's right! Sister Zhang is much better than you! You are only worthy of marrying a bastard from an ordinary family. You are not even worthy of marrying a legitimate son."

Zhang Shuqin snorted coldly and looked at Hua Wanru arrogantly.

"I advise you to back off. My cousin is a rare talent. He won't fall for you."

"I didn't know that a minister's daughter could be so arrogant."

"This is in the palace. How dare you be so presumptuous."

"If it's outside the palace, then it will be lawless!"

The old emperor's voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Everyone was startled and turned to look.

Then the old emperor was seen looking at Zhang Shuqin and Zhang Ting with a very ugly expression.

Behind him, there were many palace maids and eunuchs, all standing with their hands down. There was complete silence, as if they didn't exist.

Hua Wanru actually saw the old emperor coming early in the morning, but she was not afraid.

She also wanted to see how the old emperor would react after hearing what they said.

If the old emperor stood on their side and despised her, then she wouldn't have to choose a concubine herself. Even if she did, she wouldn't necessarily be chosen!

Now it seems that the old emperor is on her side! And Zhang Shuqin and the others are about to suffer.

All the noble ladies, including Zhang Shuqin and Zhang Ting, were so frightened that they quickly knelt down and saluted.

"Your Majesty, I greet you! May Your Majesty be well!"

Hua Wanru didn't want to stand out, so she had to kneel down as well.

But the old emperor did not let them stand up.

He just glanced coldly at this group of gorgeous ladies.

It's only been a few days since the Crown Princess's funeral. These people are already wearing red and green. Hehe, laugh.

If I die one day, I guess these people will behave like this.

The old emperor became angrier the more he thought about it.

Whenever I thought of the secret letter, I felt so angry at the Zhang family.

He saw that the Zhang family's daughter, who was arrogant just now, was now kneeling in front of him tremblingly.

The Crown Princess was his biological aunt, so he wore red and green like everyone else, and did not observe mourning for his aunt.

The old emperor looked even uglier when he saw her expression.

He spoke directly to Eunuch Lian who was beside him.

"The eldest daughter of the Zhang family! Drag her away and give her thirty lashes. If she's not dead, throw her out of the palace. I don't want to see such an eyesore again."

Eunuch Lian was stunned, looking at Zhang Shuqin and Zhang Ting! Suddenly he didn't know which Zhang he was talking about.

He hesitated a little and looked at the old emperor quietly.

The old emperor narrowed his eyes.

"What? I can't control you anymore..."

Eunuch Lian was startled, sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly winked at the person behind him.

The young eunuch who followed him had a slight flash in his eyes, and he led four young eunuchs to cover Zhang Shuqin and Zhang Ting's mouths, dragged them to a secluded place, and started beating them with a stick.

The noble ladies were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and trembled.

Only Hua Wanru and another noble lady, Xie Mingyue, remained calm.

Xie Mingyue was always there. She was just told by her family not to meddle in other people's business when she entered the palace.

So she has always kept a low profile.

She also discovered that the Princess of Yanlin County was not someone who could be manipulated by others.

Hua Wanru also discovered her at this time.

She didn't expect the other person to smile at her.

Hua Wanru was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly as a greeting.

The old emperor felt a little better when he saw the two men being dragged away and beaten with sticks.

He lowered his head and looked at the remaining ladies. Finally, he found two different people in the crowd.

One was the Princess of Yanlin County, whom he personally appointed. She was dressed modestly and had a white flower on her head. He nodded with satisfaction.

The other one was also dressed modestly, without any exaggerated attire.

This person is Xie Mingyue.

The old emperor was slightly satisfied.

"Okay, everyone, get up."

After the old emperor finished speaking, he no longer paid attention to the crowd, but went to the Ziwei Palace next to the Imperial Garden.

Today's concubine selection banquet will be held in Ziwei Palace.

When the old emperor went in, several concubines, the crown prince, and the emperor's eldest grandson had all arrived first.

Seeing him come in, they all stood up and saluted.

"Greetings, Father! May your Majesty be well!"

"Greetings, Grandpa Emperor. May you be blessed!"

"Greetings to His Majesty, may His Majesty be blessed!"

The old emperor waved his hand. Everyone stood up. After the old emperor took his seat, everyone sat down one by one.

Concubine Xiao was Zhang Ting's aunt. She was extremely anxious when she learned that her niece was being beaten with a stick by the old emperor.

But I still have to put on a smile here.

Lin Fei, who was standing next to her, didn't get along with her and knew that she was upset. She also deliberately made small talk.

"Sister Xiao, what's wrong? You don't look very happy."

Everyone looked at him. Even the old emperor turned his head.

The old emperor looked at her with cold eyes.

Concubine Xiao was startled and explained with an awkward cough.

"Sister Lin must have seen it wrong!"

"Today is the day for the Emperor's eldest grandson to choose a concubine! I can't be more excited!"

Concubine Lin said with a smile.

"Oh, I thought Sister Xiao was worried about Miss Zhang! That's why she was on pins and needles."

Concubine Xiao was so angry that her teeth itched! She stared at Concubine Lin without a smile on her face.

"The emperor punished her because she must have made a mistake. As her aunt, I certainly won't tolerate evil."

Concubine Lin was about to speak again, but the old emperor stopped her with a wave of his hand.

He has a headache.

Father-in-law Lian came over quickly and gently pressed the acupuncture points on him. After a long while, he felt better.

After the old emperor got better, he sighed helplessly.

"Time really is unforgiving."

No one dared to respond!

The prince also remained silent.

After the old emperor expressed his feelings, he spoke to Eunuch Lian.

“Let’s get started!”

The eldest grandson's eyes immediately widened and he stared straight at the door!