When He Xue arrived at the Chuxiu Palace, where the imperial concubines were staying, there were instructing matrons giving instructions.

He Xue simply found a secluded spot to sit down; she couldn't show herself now, so watching secretly was the only way to make it interesting.

Xia Bing immediately arranged for people to prepare tea and snacks for He Xue to ensure that He Xue could stay comfortably at any time.

"Ladies, it hasn't been easy for you to get this far. I hope you cherish it and don't do anything that you'll regret for the rest of your lives at the last minute."

Before you do anything, please think carefully about whether it will bring disaster to you and your family!

This old servant will stop here. I hope you all will act accordingly!

"We will heed your teachings, Madam!" the young ladies replied in unison.

"Granny, is the Emperor really not going to hold a selection of concubines?" someone asked.

The others also looked at the headmistress; they had heard about it before. However, they still didn't quite believe it. While there were indeed affectionate men in the world, they felt that this person certainly couldn't be the Emperor.

"The Emperor's affairs are not something you and I can discuss. You can just wait for the re-selection. Even if you don't enter the palace, the outcome won't be too bad!"

Someone scoffed in a low voice, "I came here specifically to enter the palace. What's the point if the emperor doesn't hold a selection of concubines?"

The headmistress glanced at the man and said sternly, "It's good that you ladies have high aspirations, but this old servant advises you not to have any crooked thoughts. His Majesty can't stand any underhanded methods!"

Don't even think about having any chance encounters with the Emperor. That's impossible. Wherever the Emperor goes, he's always surrounded by guards. What if they mistake you for assassins and arrest you?

And you must never offend Her Majesty the Empress, or you will face certain death!

He Xue asked Xia Bing and Qing Dai in shock, "Am I that scary?"

Qingdai smiled and said, "It's not you who's scary, it's the Emperor who's scary."

Everyone in the palace says that angering the Emperor is nothing to worry about, as long as you beg him, but if you anger him, there's no way out!

Xia Bing nodded in agreement, "Everyone knows that the Emperor dotes on you and wouldn't bear to see you suffer any injustice!"

He Xue felt a sweet feeling in her heart, but she also thought that she probably didn't care about her image anymore, so what if she didn't?

After the instructor left, the young ladies gathered in twos and threes.

He Xue asked Xia Bing to give her a handful of melon seeds; something was definitely about to happen.

Xia Bing and Qing Dai didn't understand why He Xue was so concerned about these young ladies. Was she worried that the Emperor would hold a selection of candidates? But they didn't think so. They felt that He Xue was just there to watch the show.

"They're arguing!" He Xue said cheerfully to Xia Bing and Qing Dai.

Xia Bing and Qing Dai also huddled around He Xue, looking at the young ladies-in-waiting.

"Whose concubine are you? Pouring such scalding tea on me, are you trying to kill yourself?" one of the concubines said arrogantly.

The young woman standing to the side nervously twisted the handkerchief in her hand, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

But the young woman persisted, asking, "Which family are you from?"

He Xue knew that the two people were Xia Dongchun, the Four Seasons Girl, and An Lingrong.

An Lingrong was truly helpless at this moment, but many of the other women chose to stand by and watch.

He Xue was somewhat hopeful, wondering if Zhen Huan would help An Lingrong out of this predicament.

"Your Majesty, in the inner palace gardens, that person was so arrogant!" Xia Bing said indignantly.

"Let's see first!" He Xue said.

"I'm asking you a question, which family's imperial concubine are you from?" Xia Dongchun asked relentlessly.

"My name is An Lingrong, my father... my father is..."

"Why can't you even bring up your father's official title?"

...

An Lingrong offered to compensate Xia Dongchun with a set of clothes, but was met with ridicule and mockery from Xia Dongchun.

"So what if she's a Suzhou embroiderer? She's already apologized to you, what more do you want? It's just a set of clothes, I'll pay for it for her!"

He Xue was surprised that this time it wasn't Zhen Huan who came to An Lingrong's rescue.