Chapter 127 Favored Male Concubines: A Hundred Flowers Bloom, Competing for Attention

Yang Lingyi's cheeks flushed instantly, pink spreading across her neck, her whole face resembling a blooming peony, vibrant and alluring.

Sometime during the night, the register had fallen to the ground, a corner stained with ink. A gentle breeze blew into the hall, rustling the pages.

However, amidst the vibrant spring scenery that filled the palace, no one paid any attention.

...

On this auspicious day, the second round of selection begins.

Groups of young men dressed in various colors stood outside the palace, looking like a cluster of flowers, each vying for attention, a truly captivating sight.

Zheng Fu was also among the men in line. She was tall and slender and dressed in a moon-white outfit.

His clothes and cuffs were embroidered with tiny red plum blossoms in silver or light crimson silk thread. His whole demeanor was elegant and simple, and from a distance, he resembled a plum blossom bud about to bloom, exuding a delicate fragrance as he walked.

Such appearance and demeanor make him stand out among all the handsome men.

Zheng Fu's participation in this talent show was actually the result of a private struggle with her parents.

Zheng Fu's mother doted on her young son and felt that the Zheng family, a prestigious clan, did not need to exchange Zheng Fu's marriage for wealth and status. She only hoped that he could live a peaceful and smooth life and originally did not want to send Zheng Fu to the palace.

Zheng's mother thought of asking court officials to intercede on her behalf and subtly express her request to the Emperor to remove her son from the selection list.

But somehow Zheng Fu found out about it.

Although he never mentioned it to anyone, he could never forget His Majesty's image in his heart ever since that time he threw flowers in the street.

Zheng Fu had been eagerly anticipating this imperial concubine selection for a long time. Ever since he heard the news, he had been inquiring about the appearances and strengths of the various ladies-in-waiting in the harem, in preparation for the future. He secretly hoped that he could be selected to enter the palace, become a lady-in-waiting, and serve His Majesty.

Unexpectedly, his parents didn't understand what he was thinking. Zheng Fu's deep longing was almost thwarted by his parents.

After learning of her parents' plans, Zheng Fu confessed her admiration for the Emperor to her father and pleaded with him several times.

He, who was usually cheerful and outgoing, was so depressed that he couldn't eat, which made his parents very distressed. Only then did his mother reluctantly agree to let him participate in this talent show.

...

As Zheng Fu was lost in thought, he heard someone calling him.

“Brother Zheng.”

Zheng Fu turned around and recognized Cui Minglan, the young master of the Cui family.

"Young Master Cui, you've also come to participate in the selection?" Zheng Fu looked at the person behind him with a surprised expression.

The reason is that Cui Minglan in front of her is the eldest son of the Cui family. He has been greatly cultivated by the Cui family since childhood and is rumored to be married to the eldest grandson of the current patriarch of the Wang family as his principal husband.

The Wang and Cui families have always been on good terms and have intermarried. Although Cui Minglan and the Wang family's daughter have not exchanged betrothal gifts, their elders have a tacit understanding that they will get married when the Wang family's daughter is a little older.

If Cui Minglan marries into the Wang family in the future, she will become the head of the Wang clan, a position of extraordinary status.

Logically speaking, given these circumstances, Cui Minglan only needed to accept the betrothal gifts from the Wang family and establish the engagement, and would not need to participate in the selection process.

But for some reason, Cui Minglan actually participated in the talent show and even made it to today's semi-finals.

Cui Minglan sensed Zheng Fu's question and smiled nonchalantly.

"It's nothing. I just think that since we men are going to get married anyway, we might as well marry into the palace. With my status, if I could become His Majesty's consort, I might have less to worry about."

Cui Minglan didn't shy away from this point at all, and seeing Zheng Fu's surprise, she spoke up generously.

The woman surnamed Wang whom the clan wanted to talk to him about was three years younger than him. Cui Minglan had met the woman surnamed Wang a few times when he was young, but he had no feelings for her and only regarded her as a younger sister.

The real reason why Cui Minglan didn't want to marry into the Wang family was the Wang family's daughter's father.

Father Wang was renowned for his strict and unsmiling nature, and every action he took was in accordance with the rules. He was a living encyclopedia of male virtue. He was known for his strict household management and numerous rules.

If she were to marry into the Wang family in the future, her father-in-law alone would be enough to give her a hard time.

Cui Minglan did not want to marry into the Wang family, but the marriage arrangement between the two families was not something a man like him could easily interfere with or change.

Seeing that his fate was sealed, Cui Minglan was about to accept it. Unexpectedly, the Emperor's election gave him an opportunity to persuade his clan.

Empress Yuan Yan is a woman of great talent and ambition, a wise ruler with a vision for the world and decisive methods. She will surely further realize her ambitions and change the political landscape of the court in the future.

At that time, it was unknown how things would change. After much discussion and weighing of the pros and cons, the Cui clan finally agreed to let Cui Minglan give it a try.

If Cui Minglan were to be selected to enter the palace and gain the Emperor's favor, it would be a guarantee for the Cui family.

Zheng Fu was genuinely surprised to hear this, never expecting that Cui Minglan would think that way.

Just then, an eunuch walked forward with some palace servants.

Along with Zheng Fu and Cui Minglan who were speaking, all the male contestants present fell silent, looking at their father-in-law with nervous anticipation.

The young men lined up neatly and, guided by the palace attendants, entered the main hall in separate rows.

Yuan Yan sat at the head of the main hall, with Yang Lingyi beside him, while Chen Lianzhou sat below him.

Since there was no Empress Dowager in the palace, and the Grand Empress Dowager was old and lacked energy, she only appeared briefly before entrusting the matter entirely to Yuan Yan for a decision.

Therefore, the main decision-makers for today's re-election are the Emperor and Empress.

Several rows of handsome young men entered the hall, all of them behaving with proper manners and dignity.

Among them were girls from modest families and ladies from prominent families.

They are either elegant or graceful, bright or gentle, and among them are some stunning beauties with both good looks and temperament, like a hundred flowers blooming, a feast for the eyes.

When they looked up, they never forgot to show the emperor and empress their best side.

Shen Lianzhou looked at these handsome young men in their prime. The thought that many of them would one day serve His Majesty made her feel a pang of sadness.

After admiring several rows of handsome men, Yuan Yan said to the system.

"The quality of the male contestants in this year's talent show seems quite high."

"How could the score not be high..." The system was speechless. "These are all outstanding young men from their respective clans, the ones their families have high hopes for. Each one of them has come for you, hoping to win your favor and bear you daughters!"

Yang Lingyi questioned Yuan Yan.

"Among these people, does His Majesty have any favorites?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yan glanced at the row of newly entered men. After the eunuch called out their names, her gaze lingered for a moment on one of the young men who was bowing.

"You are Du Heng's younger brother, Du Zhirong?"

The young man spoke softly and behaved with dignity; he was clearly a gentle man.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied.

"Since he is Du Heng's younger brother, then let him stay." Yuan Yan nodded slightly, seeing that Du Zhirong was gentle and kind and was Du Heng's younger brother, and wanted to do him a favor.

Du Zhirong's eyes lit up with joy as she kowtowed and expressed her gratitude: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace, Feng Qing."

After Du Zhirong retreated to the back, Yang Lingyi looked at Zheng Fu standing to the side and recognized him.

"Your Majesty, look, this is the young master of the Zheng family of Xingyang. When I was preparing a banquet to raise military provisions last time, it was this young master Zheng who donated a large sum of money. His righteous act left a deep impression on me and everyone in the Prince's Palace," Yang Lingyi said with a smile to Yuan Yan.

"I heard Feng Qing mention you once; you are very good."

Yuan Yan's gaze shifted to Zheng Fu. "Raise your head and let me see you."

Zheng Fu's heart pounded faster at that moment, like a drumbeat. He looked up.

Her movements were disciplined and her posture graceful. Yet, her long eyelashes fluttered twice like butterfly wings, betraying the turmoil within her heart.

Zheng Fu was very beautiful and had the air of nobility that a man from a prominent family possessed.

Yuan Yan thought it was good after watching it, and found Zheng Fu's appearance quite pleasing to the eye.

"Good, keep the sign." She kept the person there.

Was he really selected?

As Zheng Fu withdrew with the men, she was still somewhat dazed. The thought of serving His Majesty in the future filled her with a secret joy.

Throughout the entire preliminary selection, Feng Qing appeared dignified and kind. Although the rumored Lian Guiqing did not speak in front of him, she did not seem to be the kind of person who was shrewd and difficult to get along with.

Zheng Fu thought to herself, filled with anticipation for her future life in the palace.

...

For this talent show, Yuan Yan carefully selected a group of men.

Most of them were men from prominent families of court officials. Bringing them into the harem could consolidate power and balance forces. For example, Cui Minglan, the son of the Cui family, and Du Zhirong, the younger brother of Du Heng, etc.

In addition, some men who were good citizens and minor officials were selected because of their outstanding appearance or talent.

After Yuan Yan brought the young men into his harem, he first went to Cui Minglan's place on the first day, and then favored Du Zhirong the next day.

Because of Lu Lingyue, Cui Minglan has always wanted to know what kind of person Yuan Yan is in private.

When the day came for his night with the emperor, Yuan Yan went to Cui Minglan's palace. Instead of immediately favoring him, he sat down and talked with him for a while, asking why Cui Minglan had participated in the imperial concubine selection.

Upon learning that Cui Minglan had chosen to enter the palace so that he could have a more comfortable life after marriage, Yuan Yan laughed. He found this young master Cui quite interesting, daring to speak the truth even to him.

Far from being offended by Cui Minglan's answer, she chatted with him until late at night.

The two chatted about the beautiful scenery Cui Minglan had visited, then moved on to poetry, and eventually, they even sat down and played a game of chess.

This series of actions left even the attendants bewildered.

Other men, upon seeing His Majesty arrive, are too busy vying for his favor in bed. What's wrong with Cui Shaoqing? Such a precious opportunity to serve His Majesty, and he's actually playing chess with him. Doesn't he feel even a little bit anxious?

Cui Minglan truly lived up to her reputation as the future matriarch of the Cui family. From a young age, she had traveled to many famous mountains and rivers with her elders, gaining a much broader perspective than ordinary young men. Her cheerful and generous nature suited Yuan Yan's taste perfectly.

Similarly, Cui Minglan also developed a better impression of Yuan Yan.

Through their conversation, he sensed Yuan Yan's magnanimity and broad knowledge, and was captivated by the world she described. He realized that only a woman like Yuan Yan could truly move Ling Yue to such a profound level of affection.

Their first night together was spent chatting, and they both had a great time.

In the following ten days or so, Yuan Yan visited Cui Minglan's palace several more times. The two got along well and were very relaxed when they were together. Compared to a wife serving a servant, they were more like friends and confidants.

They spent most of their time together talking and playing chess, but outsiders were unaware of this.

In the eyes of the other male candidates, Cui Minglan was the only one among them who had won the Emperor's favor and was clinging to him.

Countless young men, still awaiting the Emperor's favor, tore their handkerchiefs to shreds in their jealousy at night.

Even Lu Lingyue felt uneasy.