Chapter 582 Don’t Take What’s Given to You for Free

"How would I know if you don't tell me? If you want me to know, just tell me." She didn't like guessing, and there was something she couldn't say directly.

Xiao Jin looked at her confused eyes, obviously she really didn't know. He let out a breath weakly, "Are you really willing to let me take a concubine? And you are so generous to help me choose?"

Su Ying blinked, "Didn't you see those ministers? If I refused, wouldn't they spit at me to death?"

Xiao Jin didn't believe that she was afraid of someone who spitted a little!

She was not afraid, but she felt sick.

Su Ying hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek again, "I don't share my hobbies as a man with others. If I don't agree, they will bring it up next time. They can't do anything to me, but I'm impatient to deal with it anymore. I'd better let them be scared this time so that they don't bother me again."

Xiao Jin's mood was completely brightened now, "Ying'er is really smart."

Su Ying looked at him with a smile, "You are such a weird man. Many people want to be surrounded by beautiful women, but you don't even want the ones that are given to you for free."

Xiao Jin bent down and picked her up horizontally, "It's not a gift for free." They knew what those ministers were planning.

"Does that mean you really want it if it's delivered to your door for free?" Feng's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Xiao Jin sensed her jealousy and laughed out loud, "I want you."

"That's more like it."

Zhou Qing listened to the noise in the inner hall, and consciously closed the door and stood further away.

Su Ying said that she wanted to add more people to the emperor's harem. Many ministers who originally did not dare to have such an idea started to make plans after returning home.

The next day, a thick stack of lists was delivered to Su Ying.

Su Ying casually flipped through the girls who had registered. They ranged from daughters of famous families to daughters of ninth-rank officials.

"Zhou Qing, pass on my words. They can enter the palace, but they have to go through a test. This test is something that ordinary people cannot endure. I will give them a chance to regret. It's not too late for them to withdraw their names now."

Zhou Qing also felt that there were too many people who wanted to enter the palace, and the Empress and the Emperor would be overwhelmed by the choices.

"Yes, I will pass the message down right away."

Women have to go through many tests to enter the palace. After Zhou Qing's words were passed on, everyone was puzzled, wondering how the tests Su Ying mentioned were different from the previous rules.

Some people backed off after learning of Su Ying's reputation.

When the list was sent to Su Ying again, the number of people was much smaller than before.

"Five hundred people are still too many."

"Your Majesty, why don't we choose according to the aristocratic families?" Zhou Qingqing suggested.

Su Ying shook her head.

"Tell them to wait outside the palace gate at noon tomorrow and dress neatly. I want to test their physical fitness."

Zhou Qing automatically understood the physical fitness Su Ying mentioned as physical condition. Before, this job was done by the maids in the palace, and it was not Su Ying's turn to do it herself.

But Su Ying had already spoken, so she just did as she was told.

Xiao Jin left the matter entirely to Su Ying and would only mention it when he came back at night. Anyway, if she really dared to bring a woman back for him, he would make sure she couldn't get out of bed!

The next day, Xiao Jin had just gotten up and changed into the dragon robe when he turned around and saw Su Ying also sitting up from the bed.

"It's freezing cold, why don't you get some more sleep?"

Su Ying yawned, "It's almost time to clean up. I have to go and test those girls in person."

Xiao Jin walked forward and took her out of the quilt, and said with his nose against her forehead, "Aren't you also a little girl?"

Su Ying hummed and said, yes, she is only in her twenties now, so she is indeed young.

"You should go to court soon." She pushed him.

Xiao Jin reluctantly let go of his hand, "Yes."

After Xiao Jin left the inner hall, Su Ying did not waste any more time. After washing up and having breakfast, she took Zhou Qing to the outside of the palace gate.

There was a layer of snow covering the palace gate, and it was so cold that people could only shiver.

After hearing Su Ying's words, the girls waited outside the palace gate early in the morning. Even though it was cold, they did not dare to leave without permission.

"The Queen has arrived."

As the singing began, everyone came forward and saluted Su Ying.

Su Ying stood outside the palace gate and said, "No need to be so polite, get up."

"Thank you, Madam."

Everyone stood up and looked at Su Ying, waiting for her instructions.

"I have already told you before that if you want to enter the palace, you must pass three tests. Today is the first test, which will test your physical fitness. In a moment, all those who are willing to take the test will start from the red line in front and run around the outside of the palace. The first fifty people who reach the finish line will be eligible to take part in the second test."

As soon as Su Ying finished speaking, all the ladies present were dumbfounded. They had been preparing to compete in beauty, family background, and talent since early morning, but who could have thought that Su Ying would actually let them run!

"It's freezing cold, let alone running, we may not even be able to walk steadily. Your Majesty, aren't you making things difficult for us?"

A dissatisfied voice sounded among the crowd, seeming particularly abrupt.

The lady realized she was too loud and was frightened so she quickly lowered her head.

Su Ying was not angry, she just said: "In order to prove that this is not difficult, I will run with you in a while. However, since you want me to participate, then one of the fifty people will be eliminated, and I will take up one of your places."

Su Ying wanted to run along, so even though these women were dissatisfied, they didn't dare to say anything more.

It’s just a run around the palace, they just don’t believe they can’t do it!

"Those who do not want to participate can stand up now and go back on their own. I will not blame you."

Although many women looked hesitant, it had come to this point. If they backed down at this juncture, the mansion would definitely not forgive them when they returned. Even if they were unwilling, they had no choice but to go ahead!

Su Ying took off the complicated decorations on her head and walked to the red rope for departure. Before departure, everyone drew lots to determine their starting positions. If they were lucky, those who drew numbers in the front would occupy a more advantageous position.

Su Ying did not participate in the drawing of lots, but stood among them.

When everything was ready, Su Ying looked at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qingwei nodded slightly and struck the gong and drum in his hand with a "bang".

"Set off."

When the gongs and drums sounded, almost everyone ran forward with all their might.

When the ministers in the palace came out from the morning court, they saw their daughter or granddaughter running outside the palace gate with a wild look on their faces.

This scene completely confused the ministers.

"What on earth is going on? How can a nice girl act so recklessly?"

The imperial guards guarding outside the door were pulled aside by the minister to be asked about the situation.

After the imperial guards told the ministers everything, they looked at each other with faces as black as the bottom of a pot!

The Queen is not choosing a concubine for the Emperor at all; she is clearly looking for a gatekeeper and errand boy!

(End of this chapter)