Chapter 386 [Choosing a Concubine]

“How could it be!”

Jiang Lili quickly shook her head. She pulled Xin Che's sleeve in confusion: "Why do you have such an idea?"

Xin Che just smiled faintly and smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes.

The two changed their clothes and headed towards the gate of the villa.

When Xun San saw Jiang Lili and Xin Che who had changed their clothes, he couldn't help but sigh that this couple was really a perfect match, and they would be a feast for the eyes if they went to that station.

"The carriage is ready. Here is the map of the princess's mansion. You should familiarize yourself with the route while in the carriage. Do not bring it into the mansion."

Xun San handed a map and a letter to Xin Che, "When you arrive at the Princess's Mansion, give this letter to the steward waiting for you at the door. He will take you to register and tell you what to do."

After Xin Che took the things, he was taken away by the people around Xun San to have scars on his face.

Jiang Lili looked around: "Where's Su Rui?"

"Young Master Su is still getting dressed and will be out a little later." Xun San had just finished speaking when he caught a glimpse of a green figure behind the door. He pointed to Jiang Lili and the others and said, "Hey, Young Master Su is out."

Jiang Lili was about to look in the direction Xun Sanzhi pointed, when she saw Su Rui coming out from behind the door and rushing onto the carriage at an extremely fast speed.

The speed was so fast that Jiang Lili only saw a green figure rush into the carriage and disappear.

Jiang Lili looked at the carriage Su Rui got on with a confused look on her face: "This guy jumped so fast, as if he was afraid that I could see clearly."

The more Su Rui avoided, the more Jiang Lili became curious about what he looked like.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t see it now. They have discussed that when they meet the princess later, for the sake of Su Rui’s life, they will let Su Rui open the group chat live broadcast so that Jiang Lili can assist him at any time.

After the group got on the front and back carriages respectively, the convoy drove towards the city.

On the table in the carriage was breakfast prepared in advance by the people from the Third Prince's Mansion, including fresh flower milk cream, flower tea, bird's nest... This treatment was simply according to royal standards. It was probably thanks to Master Liao. They were now Master Liao's relatives, and the Third Prince loved him as well.

The servants in the princess's mansion needed to braid their hair with ribbons and wear silver forehead ornaments.

Jiang Lili was eating breakfast quietly and obediently. Xin Che was sitting beside her, holding a brightly colored ribbon in his hand, his fingers entwined in her black hair, braiding her hair.

He couldn't help but lower his eyes and watch her eat.

Jiang Lili looked at the map while stuffing the milk cake into her mouth without hesitation, like a squirrel holding a pine cone.

The goose yellow short embroidered silk robe she wore made her face look bright and lively. The robe was also embroidered with cat patterns, which were exquisitely embroidered and lifelike.

By the time my hair was braided, the carriage was almost here.

The Princess's Mansion is located in the heart of Anemone City, on a long street with five courtyards.

The walls of the princess's mansion stretch as far as the eye can see and are magnificent and majestic.

Jiang Lili lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and found many carriages parked in front of the princess's mansion.

These carriages looked very exquisite in appearance, and when they passed by, a faint mixture of various aromas drifted to her nose.

Several young men wearing veils and with different figures and temperaments got off the carriages one after another. Just by looking at their figures, you could tell that these people had good looks.

"So Su Rui isn't the only one being interviewed by the princess today?"

Jiang Lili's tone was excited. Things were getting interesting. Su Rui's live broadcast today was even more exciting! Shouldn't we spread the word in the group so that everyone can come and watch the fun?

Seeing Jiang Lili's face full of anticipation, Xin Che smiled indulgently and brushed away the flower cake crumbs from the corner of her mouth with his fingertips.

But the next moment, he heard Jiang Lili couldn't help but sigh with him: "The princess hasn't even ascended the throne yet and she's already started selecting concubines? And judging by the scene, it seems like they're a regular event."

Jiang Lili remembered that she had read in some information that after Empress Wu Zetian ascended the throne, she set up a special "Konghe Mansion" to recruit male favorites for her. Moreover, the rank of the attendants in the "Konghe Mansion" was not low, ranging from the third rank to the fifth rank.

Jiang Lili watched as these young men, their faces concealed, filed into the princess's residence from the side door, guided by a man dressed as a housekeeper. Their steps were graceful, as if they had undergone proper training. She couldn't help but gasp, "How carefree they are!"

When Xin Che heard Jiang Lili's sigh, he paused his finger that was wiping her mouth and let it fall on her chin. Although the corners of her mouth still maintained an upward curve, the gentle smile on her lips had disappeared.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked casually, "She is indeed very elegant. Li Li is envious of this princess."

"It's really cool, but I..." Jiang Lili was about to continue when she felt Xin Che pinching her chin harder. Seeing Xin Che's expression, she paused, "But I'm not envious at all. I'm not interested in collecting handsome men."

Jiang Lili quickly raised her right hand and held up four fingers as if swearing to the heavens. She emphasized her tone, her words were firm, and her expression was determined enough to join the conscription: "A good daughter has ambitions to travel far and wide. How can she be so greedy for beauty and personal pleasure that she puts her own interests above the collective interests?"

Xin Che squinted at her for a while, until he noticed that the carriage was slowing down and was about to stop, then he let go of her hand and turned around to pack up the things they needed to take with them.

Jiang Lili breathed a sigh of relief. It was a close call. She almost said the wrong thing!

She swore she really just sighed!

The young men who were selected for the imperial examination entered from the side of the princess's mansion gate, while Jiang Lili and Xin Che, the servants who were taking care of the cats, got off the carriage, walked to the back door, and followed the butler Liu who was waiting at the back door into the princess's mansion first.

Butler Liu has a square face and wears a blue felt hat. He is not tall, but his steps are steady and his expression is very much like a butler in the princess's mansion. However, there are deep wrinkles on his forehead, which probably means that he has to work hard to be a good worker in the princess's mansion.

Jiang Lili and Xin Che both used pseudonyms, Xin Da and Jiang Lihua.

The Princess Mansion is very strict in selecting cat stewards, and even pays great attention to the candidates' attire and spirit. There are also special people to search the two people to see if they are carrying anything they should not be carrying.

After a round of "security check", Butler Liu was very satisfied when he saw that the two people were dressed in clean clothes and had a temperament that suited his taste. There were few people who dared to apply for their cat manager position, and even fewer who looked so pleasing to the eye.

Although the young man who applied for the position of cat manager had several ugly scars on his face, he looked handsome and well-groomed after wearing the veil.

He warned Xin Che, "Xin Da, please keep the veil on and don't take it off. If you offend the princess, we'll both be in trouble. The princess also has requirements for the appearance of the cat steward."