Among the group of young women, someone chuckled sarcastically.

Su Wanwan glanced back but couldn't tell who was mocking her.

They're just a bunch of naive young girls.

Su Wanwan didn't intend to make a fuss. She simply bid farewell to Han Fu and the others and entered Xiaoyuan, lifting her skirt.

The twelve young ladies-in-waiting had been waiting at the entrance for quite some time. Seeing this, they looked at each other, wanting to follow Su Wanwan inside as well.

But they were stopped at the door by the cold and ruthless guards:

"No one may enter without an imperial decree."

Some of the young women were unconvinced and argued:

"We came with the Empress. Now that she has gone in, how dare we not follow?"

He Ying didn't want these young ladies to lose face in front of the officials, so she just smiled and smoothed things over:

"Ladies, please be patient and wait."

She was the most capable head maid by the Empress's side, and the other young ladies-in-waiting dared not say anything more.

He Ying looked at the group of excited and eager young women and lowered her eyes.

The selection process was too short, and some of the young women were unfamiliar with palace rules and unruly.

Perhaps, it was done intentionally by some people.

Perhaps it is this wildness, similar to that of "Maji," that makes it easier to win over the emperor.

Everyone, inside and outside the palace, knew that the emperor had openly and blatantly favored only one concubine: Ma Ji.

...

Su Wanwan stopped in her tracks as soon as she entered the room.

The place has changed so much that she almost doesn't recognize it.

Upon entering, to the right is a fairly large training ground, where all the original flowers, plants, and trees have been removed.

Passing through the drill ground, there is a grand hall, which should be the main hall for receiving officials and holding meetings.

Heading north from the main hall, the room seemed somewhat familiar; it was the study where Lu Xingjian worked, a place she had visited before.

As for the main house in the inner courtyard that was originally given to Maggie, she had no desire to revisit it.

Su Wanwan paused, about to ask the palace servant where the emperor was, but the servant just shook his head, knowing nothing.

Su Wanwan didn't want to go inside either, so she just sent a palace servant to report to the palace while she waited in the front courtyard.

But then Lu Xingjian changed into his civil and military robes and gracefully headed towards the training ground.

When he brushed past Su Wanwan, he didn't even look at her, as if she didn't exist.

Su Wanwan felt a slight pause in her heart. She stood silently for a while, then slowly followed behind him.

Lu Xingjian stood still on the training ground, took the longbow from the palace servant, and picked up the arrows, seemingly intending to shoot.

Su Wanwan simply stood aside and watched silently.

She had seen him in armor and in a dragon robe, but she had never seen him dressed like this.

Over the dark armor was a dark single-sleeved robe, the sash outlining broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

The metal rings on the wristband gleamed with a cold, eerie light, both dangerous and alluring.

She has been recuperating at Kunning Palace these days and has lost a lot of weight.

He hadn't changed much; in fact, he had become more composed and reserved.

Gone is the domineering and childish man who used to force her to say sweet words.

That cold indifference that keeps people at arm's length—it would be a lie to say it doesn't hurt.

Fortunately, she was mentally prepared before coming and didn't intend to beg for peace.

I just want to get this draft done.

She finally spoke when Lu Xingjian finished shooting a basket of arrows and took a break.

"Your Majesty, the young lady is right outside the door. Why don't you take a look?"

His voice was calm and measured, reflecting a businesslike attitude.

Lu Xingjian paused, put down the bow in his hand, slowly took a sip of tea, and simply said:

"Approved."

His voice was a little hoarse; I wonder if it was because he was tired from archery.

Su Wanwan finally loosened her clenched fist.

He had just given her a hard time in front of everyone, both inside and outside the room.

If she can't even be given this much face, then her authority as empress will truly be ruined.

A palace maid went to lead the young women in.

After finishing his tea, Lu Xingjian took an arrow, aimed at the target, and shot it.

He didn't exchange a single word with Su Wanwan.

Every arrow hits its mark.

Su Wanwan simply stood aside and watched quietly, acting as if she were invisible.

The young women, seeing this from afar, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"So handsome!"

"What a sharpshooter!"

"The Emperor is too amazing!"

Su Wanwan looked up at the group of young women and thought to herself, "It's so good to be young."

After all, they were just young girls, only fifteen or sixteen years old. It was hard for them not to be captivated by a handsome man who was both scholarly and martial, and who was brave and agile.

Besides, he was the emperor, high above all others.

Lu Xingjian stood tall and elegant, his hand just loosening the string. He turned to look at the group of beautiful women and his eyes met those of a lively and spirited young girl.

He smiled slightly, "Where am I handsome?"

The girl's face immediately turned red, her eyes sparkled like jewels, and she stammered for a long time, not knowing what to say.

Su Wanwan immediately thought of Ma Ji.

Young and lively girls are his type.

The smile on Lu Xingjian's face gradually disappeared, and he said to Su Wanwan without any expression:

"I have seen the person; the Empress may leave."

Su Wanwan still had a faint smile on her face:

"If Your Majesty finds a girl you like, why not keep her to serve you? That way, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager's efforts will not have been in vain."

Lu Xingjian remained silent for a long time. Finally, he casually drew an arrow, turned around gracefully, nocked the arrow, and aimed at the young ladies not far away.

The young women were immediately terrified, some of the more timid ones even screaming.

What is Your Majesty trying to do?

Why did you suddenly turn on me?

This is clearly a tyrant!

We must use them as live targets!

They only wanted to serve the emperor and become imperial concubines, but they never expected to die here!

Only one of the candidates stood motionless with her eyes closed, whether out of sheer courage or she was too frightened to move, it was hard to tell.

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