In the Qianqing Palace, after Emperor Jingning finished discussing matters with his court officials, he took a sip of tea and asked, "What did the Empress do today?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress has gone to the Chuxiu Palace to meet with the candidates for the second round of selection!" He Zhu immediately reported.

"Seeing the imperial concubines?" Emperor Jingning put down his teacup and pondered for a moment. "How is the Empress in her mood?"

"Her Majesty the Empress was in a good mood when she came out of Chuxiu Palace!" He Zhu said truthfully. He was not sure whether Emperor Jingning wanted He Xue to be in a good mood or a bad mood. He knew that Emperor Jingning was very happy to see He Xue jealous of him.

[Is He Xue feeling a little lonely? I can't be by her side all the time, so why don't we leave a few ladies-in-waiting in the palace to keep her company and help her pass the time?]

"How does the Empress treat the young ladies? Are there any that the Empress likes?"

"An Lingrong, daughter of An Bihai, the magistrate of Songyang County, seems to be very much favored by the Empress!"

"Summon her to an audience!" Emperor Jingning said.

He Zhu disregarded etiquette and looked up at Emperor Jingning in shock. "What is Your Majesty trying to do?"

"What are you looking at? Hurry up and go!" Emperor Jingning said unhappily.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" He Zhu immediately sent someone to Chuxiu Palace.

The news that Emperor Jingning wanted to see An Lingrong caused a great uproar in Chuxiu Palace. An Lingrong's appearance and family background were not the most outstanding, so why did the emperor insist on summoning her alone?

"I never expected her to have such good fortune!" Zhen Huan said to Shen Meizhuang with a sour tone. She believed that she was better than An Lingrong in every way, so why did the Emperor summon An Lingrong?

Although she didn't want to participate in the imperial concubine selection or enter the palace, she also didn't want to lose to An Lingrong.

"The Emperor summoned her, so she must have some extraordinary abilities!" Although Shen Meizhuang was also not entirely comfortable with herself, she did not show it as obviously as Zhen Huan.

Nian Shilan and Qi Yuebin were only slightly taken aback after hearing this, and then continued doing what they were doing.

"Why would the Emperor meet her? What does she have to offer?" Xia Dongchun exclaimed in dissatisfaction.

The other young lady in the same room as her just listened without saying a word.

Xia Dongchun couldn't help but wonder if An Lingrong would really catch Emperor Jingning's eye and cause him trouble. But she was just the daughter of a minor county magistrate; he doubted she would dare to do anything to her.

When An Lingrong learned that Emperor Jingning wanted to see her, she was extremely flustered, but she still pretended to be calm and went to the Qianqing Palace with the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree.

An Lingrong waited in the side hall until Emperor Jingning finished his business and then summoned her.

"Your subject, An Lingrong, greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" An Lingrong's teeth chattered and her body trembled violently as she spoke.

"How old are you this year?" Emperor Jingning asked without looking up.

"Your Majesty, I am... seventeen years old!"

[Seventeen?] Emperor Jingning continued, "I summoned you here today to discuss something with you."

The Empress must be feeling lonely in the palace all by herself. I wish you could stay in the palace to keep her company and alleviate her boredom. When you reach the age to leave the palace, I will arrange for you to do so.

During this period, I will not allow you to serve me in bed. I can grant you a title, though. Your father is currently only a county magistrate, but I can also promote him!

I chose you because the Empress seems to favor you. Think it over carefully; you can agree or not!

An Lingrong gave a bitter smile to herself. [Do I have the right to refuse? If I stay in the palace, will Father treat Mother kindly out of consideration for me?]

"This humble woman is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

"Very well! But I must also remind you to do what you are supposed to do and not to have any improper thoughts, otherwise I will not be lenient with you."

"Your subject understands!" An Lingrong replied, not expecting that Emperor Jingning would take a liking to her.

"He Zhu, convey my decree: Lady An, a candidate for the imperial concubine, is hereby conferred the title of Changzai and granted residence in a side hall of Yanxi Palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!" An Lingrong kowtowed sincerely.

"Congratulations, Consort An. Please return to Chuxiu Palace to tidy up. The imperial decree will arrive shortly!" He Zhu said as he saw An Lingrong off.

"Thank you, Eunuch!" An Lingrong said awkwardly. She knew that she should give a reward at this time, but she didn't have anything of value to offer. After all, He Zhu was the chief eunuch and had seen all kinds of good things.

He Zhu smiled dismissively, "Consort An, you're too kind. You're just lucky to have caught the Empress's eye. In the palace, gaining the Empress's favor is better than anything else!"

"Lingrong will certainly serve Her Majesty the Empress well!"

"Ahn Chang-jae, may you rest in peace!"

On her way back to Chuxiu Palace, An Lingrong wept with joy, murmuring to herself, "Father, Mother, I am now a noble person!"