Chapter 5: No Queen or Concubine

Xu Chengzong's heart was filled with turbulent waves, but his face remained calm and he looked at the girl not far away.

She was wearing a honey-colored silk dress with a ruyi pattern, and had only light makeup on. A delicate pearl flower was pinned diagonally to the side of her single spiral bun.

Yang Manyan knew that she had no hope of passing the re-election, so she just wore her usual clothes and did not dress up.

But even such plain attire could not conceal her beautiful face.

She just stood there so properly, with her head nodded and eyebrows lowered, but the charm that was unintentionally revealed in her every move was enough to make one's soul melt.

Xu Chengzong's throat suddenly tightened.

Although Yang's father holds the fifth-rank official position, the Yang family is ultimately a poor family. They still have no place to live in the capital and can only live in the Duke of Wei's mansion.

For Yang, it would not be a grievance if she could become the concubine of the Prince of Wei.

Besides, wasn’t her aunt Xue just a concubine of her father, Duke Wei?

After bidding farewell to their loved ones, Yang Manyan and Xu Miaohua boarded a carriage, crossed the bustling long street, and arrived at the Xihua Gate of the Imperial Palace without any obstruction.

Half a month ago, more than 200 beauties had gathered here to participate in the selection, but now it seemed unusually deserted, with only the imperial guards patrolling back and forth and on high alert.

Under the guidance of several young eunuchs, the red doors with nine large golden nails horizontally and vertically opened one by one.

Yang Manyan looked around calmly.

There were too many people and too many things to do during the primary election, so she had no time to take a closer look. Only now did she have the opportunity to take a good look at this majestic palace complex standing in the center of the capital.

The sky was clear and the morning light was pouring down. The vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles were scattered in different heights, and bright light was flowing between the eaves.

Yang Manyan inexplicably felt a sense of awe in his heart. This place was not only the residence of the emperor, but also a symbol of the supreme imperial power.

When she and Xu Miaohua arrived at Chunxi Hall, where the concubines were housed, the other five registered concubines had already arrived.

One of the beauties had slender shoulders and a thin waist, and a lively look. She was leisurely looking at the two people who were late.

"It's been a long time since we last met. Sister Xu is still as radiant as ever." She said with a smile.

"Sister Song, you're too kind. It's been a while since we last met." Xu Miaohua also smiled, with a cold light flashing in her eyes.

Song Minghui, the daughter of Marquis Wuding, was her biggest competitor in the re-election.

If the Duke of Wei's Mansion was an old noble family that followed Taizu to build the country, then the Marquis of Wuding's Mansion was a new noble family that was once powerful and held military power. The two families were equally powerful and it was difficult to tell who was better.

Yang Manyan sensed the hidden meaning in the two people's words, so he silently lowered his eyes and tried to reduce his presence as much as possible.

Soon, female instructors sent by the inner court began to teach them court etiquette.

It was said to be teaching etiquette, but in fact it was to observe the character of several beauties closely and record their every word and action over the past few days in detail.

It was not until the evening that a serious-looking nanny arrived unexpectedly.

"The Queen Mother of Renshou Palace invites Miss Xu and Miss Yang. Please come with me." The nanny said in a cold tone.

Yang Manyan was stunned when he heard this, and looked confused.

However, Xu Miaohua raised the corner of her mouth slightly - the main seat in Renshou Palace was her aunt, Empress Zhuangxian Xu.

Sixteen years ago, the late Emperor Yongshun died suddenly, and his younger brother, Prince of Jin Xiao Ke, succeeded to the throne and changed the reign title to Chengming.

At the same time, Emperor Yongshun's Empress Xu moved out of Kunning Palace and moved to Renshou Palace, and was given the honorific title "Zhuangxian" to distinguish her from the future empress.

Over time, people in the palace got used to calling her "Empress of Renshou Palace." After all, there was only one queen.

I just don’t know why, but since the current emperor inherited the throne, the queen position has been vacant and there are no concubines.

The crown prince had already been appointed, but Queen Mother Jiang turned a blind eye to the matter, and no one in the court dared to mention it.

Especially in the eyes of many conservative and pedantic ministers, the emperor had no choice but to ascend the throne in a time of crisis, and Crown Prince Xiao Yan was the legitimate heir.

If the emperor had his own children, he might depose the crown prince and enthrone his own son.

Therefore, no one dared to rashly advise the emperor to establish a queen and take concubines.

Renshou Palace is located in the northeast corner of the imperial palace, while Chunxi Hall is located in the northwest corner. Both can be reached by crossing the entire imperial garden.

As night falls, the Imperial Garden is hung with colorful glazed palace lanterns, which are magnificent and shining like stars.

However, Yang Manyan had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery as he felt very nervous.

The Empress of Renshou Palace is Xu Miaohua's biological aunt, why did she need to be summoned?

Everyone entered the main hall of Renshou Palace from the side door, and Empress Xu was already sitting in the main seat waiting.

The hall was spacious but dim, like a snow cave, and the agarwood shelves on both sides were empty.

It is said that nieces resemble their aunts. Xu Miaohua and Empress Xu are indeed somewhat similar, but there is always a lingering sadness between Empress Xu's brows, which adds a bit of vicissitudes.

After the two of them exchanged greetings, Empress Xu said slowly, "Please take a seat," and her eyes fell on Yang Manyan who was sitting next to her niece.

For the past half month, she has been wondering why Queen Mother Jiang included the name of Yang, who came from a humble family, in the register.

If she said that it was for the sake of Duke Wei's Mansion, she simply didn't believe it.

Queen Mother Jiang's attempt to win over her and the Duke of Wei's Mansion is just a temporary measure. In the past, they were enemies and could not live in harmony.

Empress Xu firmly believed that Empress Dowager Jiang must have other intentions in choosing Yang.

But when she saw Yang Manyan's appearance clearly, her eyes suddenly became sharp, like cold ice.