"What? Miss Xu won't even let us laugh less?"
The simply dressed woman showed no fear. She looked at Xu Xin with an innocent expression, like a delicate little white flower.
Xu Xin was furious. She spat and grabbed her hair.
"Don't try to act tough in front of me! A woman from a humble family like mine isn't even worthy of carrying my shoes!"
The woman who was caught gasped in pain, but she remained stubborn and refused to beg for mercy.
Meng Ruqiao couldn't stand it any longer and scolded, "Xu Xin, let her go! Don't you remember what the prince said just now? If you continue to be so unruly, you might not even be eligible to participate in the selection!"
Xu Xin was furious that Meng Ruqiao would help this vile woman. However, because Meng Ruqiao was the daughter of the Prime Minister and of a higher status than her, she dared not act rashly. She could only reluctantly release the woman's hair, shove her hard, and then leave in anger.
Meng Ruqiao frowned as she watched Xu Xin's departing figure. After much deliberation, she decided against helping the woman up due to her status and instead left with the other women.
Su Xiaoning had been standing still, completely detached from the drama. Now that the farce was over, she felt sorry for the woman who had been pushed down, so she kindly went over and helped her up.
"Are you alright? I don't know what's wrong with that Miss Xu. Out of so many people, she just took her anger out on you."
Su Xiaoning patted the dust off the woman's clothes, and the woman curled her lip and scoffed.
“Xu Xin and I have been at odds for a long time. Look at those girls just now, they are all noble ladies from the capital, while I am just the daughter of a restaurant owner. Xu Xin has always been this domineering, so of course she can’t stand me.”
As the woman spoke, she peeked her face at Su Xiaoning.
"Thank you for earlier. My name is A-Lian. What's your name? When I came here, I seemed to see that the prince and you didn't get along very well."
“My name is Su Xiaoning, and I come from a similar small family as you.” Upon mentioning Su Qingcai, Su Xiaoning immediately adopted a disdainful expression. “I just don’t get along with him. Even though I was staying at the Prince’s mansion, I thought I was a shoo-in for the imperial concubine selection, but who knew the Ninth Prince was so clueless about romance, saying he would never choose me! It’s infuriating!”
"Is that so?" A-Lian tilted her head and carefully examined Su Xiaoning. "But I don't think so. As the saying goes, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child,' and besides, you live in the Prince's mansion, so your relationship with the Prince must be the best!"
"No way." Su Xiaoning shook her head, determined not to give anyone the chance to see through her disguise.
Ah Lian persisted, "I really think so! Xiao Ning, have you and the Prince had a falling out these past few days? You must be getting along really well usually, right?"
Su Xiaoning only then realized something was wrong. She laughed it off and said, "I already said no, I hate it... Let's not talk about this anymore, let's go to the house first."
Seeing that Su Xiaoning deliberately avoided the question, A-Lian wisely shut her mouth as well. Instead, she took Su Xiaoning's arm, looking quite affectionate.
"Since we're in similar situations, we'll be best friends from now on. We must help each other out!"
Ah Lian's overly familiar manner made Su Xiaoning feel a little strange, but since the other party hadn't done anything out of line, Su Xiaoning remained silent and walked into the house together.
...
The next day.
The palace sent several matrons to examine the newly arrived girls.
For convenience, all the young ladies in the outer quarters were gathered in one place, where they took off their outer garments one by one for inspection by the matron.
Su Xiaoning was placed towards the back of the line. Unsure what the physical examination process entailed, she curiously peeked in. After a while, her face flushed red.
The girls were instructed on what to wear. After taking off their outer clothes, all that was underneath was a thin layer of gauze underwear, which was practically the same as not wearing anything at all.
Although this was only to make it easier for the nanny to check for scars or the like, several girls dressed like this together, each with their own unique figure, created a beautiful and captivating scene.
Su Xiaoning had never seen such a scene before. Her heart pounded wildly as she watched. Although she knew it was inappropriate, she still secretly peeked ahead.
"Hehehe..."
As she watched, Su Xiaoning couldn't help but let out a silly laugh...
Hearing the strange noise, Xu Xin, who was not far ahead in line, turned her head curiously. When she saw Su Xiaoning craning her neck and staring at the girl, she couldn't help but feel disgusted.
"A young woman acting like a lecherous scoundrel; people from humble backgrounds really have no taste for the world."
Su Xiaoning heard those words clearly, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she smiled and stared at Xu Xin, who was about to have her physical examination.
Xu Xin originally wanted to say a few sarcastic remarks, but since the old woman had already called her name, she had no choice but to step forward and take off her outer garment.
Although Xu Xin had a bad temper, her looks and figure were top-notch. Her small, slender breasts were so delicate that they could be grasped in one hand, and her full breasts rose and fell. Her body proportions were perfect, and she was a body that had been blessed by the Creator.
Su Xiaoning stared at Xu Xin's body without any restraint. With such beauty before her, she felt her heart beating faster and faster. Finally, she felt a heat in her nose and something flowed out.
She reached out and wiped her hand, only to find it covered in bright red blood.
—She's got a nosebleed?!
This was quite embarrassing. Su Xiaoning didn't dare to look anymore. She informed the nanny and ran to the changing room separated by a curtain to take off her soiled outer garment.
Su Xiaoning's commotion drew the attention of many people to Xu Xin, whom she had been staring at intently.
Xu Xin felt like she was being pricked by needles. Although they were both women, she couldn't bear so many strange looks. She felt ashamed and indignant, and hated Su Xiaoning even more.
Su Xiaoning, just you wait, I will make you pay the price!
...
The physical examination proceeded normally. Su Xiaoning, having had her fill of looking at these beautiful women, obediently went to undergo the examination herself. After the last few people had finished their examinations, Su Xiaoning prepared to go to the changing room to get her clothes when suddenly Xu Xin shouted.
"ah!"
Upon seeing that it was the daughter of the Minister of Rites, the old woman immediately came over with great concern, "What's wrong, young lady?"
"My bracelet is lost!" Xu Xin stretched out her smooth wrist, looking aggrieved. "This is my favorite bracelet, you have to find it for me!"
Given Xu Xin's status, the nannies dared not object and immediately dispersed to search for Xu Xin's bracelet.
A short while later, the old woman checking in the changing room called out, "I've found the young lady's bracelet!"
Everyone rushed to the fitting room and saw a smooth, shiny jade bracelet lying quietly on an outer garment.
Each girl has her own designated compartment for clothes, and this compartment belongs to... Su Xiaoning!
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