Over the next few days, Lanqin looked at the portraits of the young women from various regions. She selected several women who were similar in appearance and family background. Now it was up to them to see if their virtue would pass the selection process. The appointment of the extra person was also carefully considered; it wasn't just a blind selection.

The imperial concubine selection finally began. Early in the morning, many carriages carrying the young ladies were parked outside Zhenshun's gate.

"Your Majesty, the imperial concubine selection has begun. The young women from all over the country will arrive at Chuxiu Palace today. Shall we go and take a look?" Baoqin said.

Lanqin said, "Alright, let's go take a look." Lanqin also wanted to see if the people she had chosen were the same as those in the portraits. After all, if someone bribed the painter, the painter would beautify the portrait of that candidate.

After all, Wang Zhaojun worked as a palace maid for several years because she was poor, and eventually married far away to the border region.

Lanqin, supported by Baoqin, arrived at the city gate tower behind the Forbidden City, where she looked down at the long procession of carriages carrying the imperial concubines. Lanqin recalled her own selection process, remembering her youthful and naive appearance, and felt a pang of emotion.

Baoqin thought Lanqin was worried that if a new concubine arrived, she would share the Emperor's favor with her.

Baoqin quickly comforted Lanqin, saying, "His Majesty is so good to Your Highness. Ever since Your Highness came to His Majesty's side, His Majesty has been especially fond of you. Your Highness is truly blessed. No one can shake Your Highness's position in His Majesty's heart."

Lanqin knew that Baoqin had misunderstood her, but she didn't explain; she just smiled.

Baoqin continued, "The Emperor and the Empress have been devoted to each other for many years, their love as harmonious as the zither and the lute. Everyone inside and outside the palace envies the Empress and hopes to have her good fortune."

Lanqin said, "Some things are not enough to be blessed." Lanqin couldn't stand that women in ancient times only hoped that men would cherish them, but they only ever complained about heaven and earth and the unfairness of fate. They never thought about fighting for it themselves, or making men fall in love with them and not leave them.

But you can't blame them, after all, this is how they've been educated since childhood, making it difficult for them to change.

Thinking of this, Lanqin couldn't help but recall her life before she transmigrated. Back then, she didn't have so many worries, and she didn't have to scheme and plot every day. She hadn't felt relaxed in a long time.

Lanqin sighed, then said to Baoqin, "Let's go to Chuxiu Palace."

When Lanqin and her maid arrived at Chuxiu Palace, the young ladies-in-waiting had already been assigned rooms. Unaware of their arrival, they continued chattering amongst themselves with the other ladies-in-waiting in their room.

Lanqin remained silent, but she was thinking carefully. These girls did not look much different from the portraits, which satisfied Lanqin. This meant that no one had embezzled or accepted bribes or deceived their superiors.

Lanqin really dislikes people who take advantage of their power to seek personal gain. Judging from the current situation, there's no need to replace these palace painters.

The court painters were unaware that they had already been dismissed from their posts without their knowledge.

After Lanqin finished reading, she said to Baoqin beside her, "Let's go back."

Although the Fourth Prince entrusted the selection process to Lanqin, the selection process was already in place, and the people handling it were all experienced. With them doing the work, Lanqin didn't have to worry much. She would just receive reports every day, which she would then deal with one by one.