The Rhine Hotel, Kyoto's most luxurious hotel, inside its top suite.

Two naked people were entangled together on a large round bed.

Tang Yuanji held Antong in his arms, remaining silent for a moment.

An Tong noticed this and wondered what Tang Yuanji, whose mind was blank, could possibly be thinking.

Yuanji, what are you thinking about?

Tang Yuanji glanced at An Tong and sighed softly.

Even if a dragon swims in a place a thousand feet deep, it is still difficult to reach it.

After saying these two sentences, Tang Yuanji was quite pleased with himself. He felt that he was really cultured to be able to say such profound things.

Hearing Tang Yuanji's two sentences, An Tong rolled her eyes. How disgusting! He actually said it was too much. Why doesn't he say you're too short? Pah!

An Tong cursed inwardly, but pretended to be oblivious on the surface.

ah?

Seeing An Tong's bewildered expression, Tang Yuanji became even more smug.

Honey, I don't feel like today at all.

You are a real scoundrel.

An Tong understood perfectly well, but still pretended to be shy.

Honey, haven't I been being a scoundrel to you all along?

As he spoke, Tang Yuanji patted An Tong's bare bottom.

An Tong blushed and lowered her head, looking aggrieved.

Amidst the public's anticipation, the selection of the crown prince's consort has finally begun. It is a grand event and a day of national celebration.

The selection of a crown prince's consort is open to the entire population; even commoners can have the opportunity to rise above their station, and even a chicken coop can produce a golden phoenix.

Many young women were vying for the opportunity, and after several rounds of selection, fifty young women were chosen.

These girls were selected from various backgrounds: some from the countryside, some from small towns, and some from middle-class families with assets of millions who had pulled out all the stops to get chosen. All of them were visiting Kyoto for the first time.

They entered Kyoto and walked through the magnificent imperial capital, looking around with curiosity and longing. They longed to stay here and become the mistress of this city.

Fifty selected girls were gathered in a huge room, where a group of soldiers dressed in traditional Chinese armor stood quietly with broadswords at their sides, their faces solemn and dignified.

The girls who were considered for the position were somewhat afraid of the soldiers.

Leading the fifty candidates was a middle-aged woman, with twenty female servants standing respectfully behind her, their heads bowed.

Hello to all the potential brides, you can call me Aunt Zhang. All you need to know is that you must listen to what I say and do what I say until the selection of the crown prince's bride is over.

All fifty girls who were considered for the position answered, "Yes."

Okay, let's count the number of people first. It's too troublesome to count them one by one, so please call out your numbers.

1, 2, 5, 9, 14, 18, 25, 37, 49.

"I'm the last one," the last girl in the last row said loudly.

Why are there only forty-nine?

Why is one missing? This is such a hassle.

Zhang Ma shouldn't let one person's actions hold us all back.

Yes, Aunt Zhang, let's continue with the next step.

Zhang Ma glanced at the girls who had been chosen and her eyes darted around.

How many people are there in total?

Aunt Zhang asked.

Fifty people.

All the girls on the shortlist spoke in unison.

How many people arrived in total?

Fifty people.

Aunt Zhang nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, I've remembered. Fifty people, not one more, not one less."

yes.

The women all spoke in unison.

Great, ten people stand in a row, divided into five rows, and get moving.

After the girls were lined up, five soldiers dressed in traditional Chinese armor came out and handed number tags to the girls.

Zhang Ma spoke again.

The number plates we're giving you now are like your names, so make sure you keep them safe. I'll tell you when to put them on and where to put them later.

Alright, follow me, line up, don't crowd or make noise. Once inside, no fighting or pushing. Behave yourselves, get your makeup done, and wait for the selection ceremony.

After Zhang Ma finished speaking, she opened the door.

The 500-square-meter dressing room has fifty dressing tables, and a makeup artist stands in front of each of the fifty dressing tables.

The dressing table was adorned with expensive skincare products and jewelry, while a variety of formal dresses were displayed in the center.

The candidates' eyes shone brightly when they saw these expensive cosmetics, clothing, and jewelry.

Each dressing table has your name on it, and you also have your own makeup artist. Okay, you can go in and find your corresponding spot now.

Upon hearing this, a few greedy people in the crowd quickened their pace, overtook the people in front, and rushed in.

His idea was simple: he had a lot of clothes, but the pretty ones would definitely be first come, first served.

Seeing these people rush in, the others became anxious and started to rush forward to grab the food.

Someone come here.

With a series of clattering sounds, soldiers dressed in traditional Chinese armor trotted over upon hearing Zhang Ma's command and stood beside her awaiting further orders.

All I heard was Zhang Ma say.

Arrest these six candidates.

Zhang Ma pointed to the six people who rushed in first.

Upon hearing this, the man, dressed in traditional Chinese armor, immediately ran towards the six girls.

The six girls were terrified and stood there motionless. The armored soldiers easily subdued them.

After the few who stood up were brought under control, the rest of the people calmed down and stopped.

With a wave of her hand, Zhang Ma sent out twenty female attendants who took the candidates from the armored soldiers.

Hmph, you've learned all the etiquette I taught you in three months, and you've forgotten it all?

Zhang Ma looked at the armored soldiers who came in and said, "You guys can go out now."

Yes, the armored soldiers received the order and left immediately.

The rest of the girls who were considered should come in first.

Bang! The door slammed shut, leaving only women in the room.

Looking at these six people, Zhang Ma felt both angry and heartbroken.

Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Since you are all doing this voluntarily, you should abide by the rules, understand the rules, and know the rules. Don't you agree?

Zhang Ma then looked at the six candidates who were being controlled and spoke.

If you six break the rules, you must be punished. Each of you will be given twenty zhang (approximately 10 meters) of force. Girls, make room here.

Following Zhang Ma's orders, the candidates made way for an open space, and two waitresses brought over six stools, which were neatly arranged in a row.

Let's get started. Let's finish quickly so as not to delay our makeup time.

Two waitresses each escorted a candidate who had made a mistake, pressed him onto a stool, pulled down his trousers, and began to beat him. The sounds of beatings were mixed with the screams of the candidates who had made mistakes.

Being stripped of his pants and punished in front of so many people is already humiliating enough.

Some were fearful, some were gloating, and some were already putting on makeup, seemingly indifferent to the situation.

Zhang Ma finished.

One of the waitresses stepped forward and respectfully reported to Zhang Ma.

Now I'm giving you six choices: one, don't participate in the crown prince's selection of a bride; two, kneel until the makeup artist finishes her makeup.