"This humble woman, Liu Lianxing, greets Your Highness the Princess and General Mo." Liu Lianxing and the other four girls straightened themselves.
Only then did Rou Niang notice that there were four other girls standing beside her, bowing in greeting along with Liu Lianxing. However, their movements seemed awkward, and although they were all quite pretty, they paled in comparison to Liu Lianxing.
"Sit down and let's talk," Rou Niang said, sitting calmly in the main hall.
Liu Lianxing bowed again to express her gratitude before sitting down. "Your Highness, this is a letter from Lord Fu. The Liu family head asked me to give it to you before I came."
Good heavens, Liu Rou Niang has received two letters!
First, let's break down what Lord Fu said. The general idea is that Liu Lianxing and the other four are the imperial concubines selected by Fucheng, representing the princess's attitude.
The general idea of the Liu family head was that Liu Lianxing was of impeccable lineage, from the main branch of the Liu family, with her parents and relatives in Fucheng. She had come to the capital alone, and he hoped that Her Highness the Princess would take care of her.
"You've traveled a long way here, you must be tired from the journey. Please rest well in the General's Mansion. I will send you to the palace for the imperial concubine selection in a few days." Rou Niang said politely.
Liu Lianxing quickly bowed along with the other four, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
After the five men left, Mo Bei said, "This Lord Fu really knows how to choose people."
Rou Niang glanced at Mo Bei and said with a smile, "What, which one have you taken a fancy to? Tell me."
"Madam, you certainly know how to joke."
“They’ve had it tough too. If they’re law-abiding citizens, I wouldn’t mind helping them out, but in the end, it’ll have to be their own ability,” Rou Niang said.
The draft was held quickly and the first round began.
Rou Niang arranged for dozens of palace maids to conduct the first round of screening, specifically the first step: the appearance screening.
Of course, being thin isn't necessarily better, and being overweight isn't necessarily eliminated. However, a pleasing height and proportion, well-proportioned features, no scars or birthmarks on the face or body, and no unpleasant odor are all important factors. These things can't be faked, and those who are rejected will accept it willingly.
Those who come are all carefully selected, so this first round basically eliminates about one-tenth of them. Most people are qualified.
Round 1, Second Stage: Examining the Internal Structure.
This means that all the imperial physicians and renowned doctors from the capital would come together to examine the young women for any hidden illnesses or ailments, and also to verify their virginity. This was all for the purpose of ensuring they could better conceive princes in the future!
Another tenth were eliminated in this round, not because of any serious illness. It's just that some girls are physically weak and have minor ailments. Originally, no one paid much attention, but this round has revealed them all.
The last part of the first round: Being knowledgeable and reasonable.
It's not necessarily about how many books one has read; anyone who can read and doesn't have an accent is acceptable. Of course, those who are illiterate or speak with a heavy voice are eliminated. After all, the emperor can't learn a dialect first, or it would be difficult to communicate with him later! Those who can't read won't be able to better educate the princes in the future.
So this step lost another ten percent.
The first round lasted for half a month. Those who were not selected were sent back to their hometowns, while those who were selected could go home and rest for three days before the second round of selection.
Those traveling long distances mostly stayed at post stations, where it was safe!
Liu Ping'er was not eliminated in the first round. Although she was of average appearance, she was decent-looking and had no other problems. When she returned home, she was indeed met with a barrage of sarcastic remarks: "Oh, our imperial concubine is back?"
"Alright, you've embarrassed yourself enough. Go back to your room and reflect on your actions. Once the imperial concubine selection is over, it will be your good fortune to marry Master Zhu as his concubine!" said Father Liu.
"What good fortune? Why don't you keep such a good thing for yourself?" Liu Ping'er retorted.
"You and your wretched child!" Feeling utterly humiliated, Father Liu angrily raised his hand to strike.
"I've already passed the first round!" Liu Ping'er said without changing her expression.
"What? You passed?" Mr. Liu and Mrs. Liu exclaimed in surprise.
Madam Liu's eyes darted around, and she thought that if Liu Ping'er really entered the palace, it would naturally be more beneficial to her son than marrying Master Zhu. Although Liu Ping'er was not her biological daughter, so what? She had been under her control since she was a child, and she was sure that Liu Ping'er could not cause any trouble!
"Oh dear, I knew our Ping'er was destined for greatness! I'll make her something delicious right now, let's rest and wait for the second round!" Liu's attitude changed drastically.
Liu's father didn't say much. He was uncomfortable about letting his daughter become a concubine, but only in this way could his son, Liu Qiong'er, receive better educational resources and bring glory to the family in the future. So he abandoned his daughter. If his daughter could enter the palace, that would be even better.
"You should get some rest," said Mr. Liu before leaving.
Liu Ping'er returned to her room and finally relaxed. Her mother had told her to be patient before she died, but in the end, she didn't get any pity from her father. He was so cruel as to want her to become someone's concubine. How could she bear it? So she secretly signed up for the imperial concubine selection. This was her only chance to fight for her life!
Zhou Ruxue and Zheng Wanru were both selected, which was no surprise.
Liu Lianxing was selected without any suspense, while the other four who came with her were all eliminated.
Rou Niang arranged for the four to return home, and then went to check on Liu Lianxing, only to find herself even more exhausted and frail.
"I heard from the palace maids that there's a beautiful woman named Li Biyue in this talent show. They say she's incredibly beautiful, and they hope to have a chance to see her," Chunhong said to Rou Niang.
Rou Niang laughed and said, "You're not a man, yet you enjoy looking at beautiful women?"
“Madam, everyone wants to see beautiful things, regardless of gender,” Chunhong said casually, and surprisingly, her words made a lot of sense.
"I heard that Wang Yaofu from the Wang family was also selected," Mingyue said.
Rou Niang still remembered the Wang family, the maternal family of the late Empress and the Crown Prince's birth mother. "Wang Yaofu? Is she the one who said she was the Crown Prince's aunt the other day?"
"It's her! She's the late Empress's sister, and everyone says she's destined for the Emperor's favor!" Mingyue said.
“Oh,” Rou Niang nodded. If Miss Wang could be good to the Crown Prince, that would be good too, as it could comfort his heartbreak at losing his birth mother.
Mingyue didn't say anything more; she just told Rou Niang about all the most popular contestants in the talent show.
"I don't think so. I've heard that Wen Jingyi, the Prime Minister's daughter, and Wu Anran, the General's daughter, are both popular choices. Many people say that their high positions are due to their family background!" Chunhong said.
Rou Niang smiled and said, "You're quite the gossip."
"No, Madam, I just wanted to inquire a bit more to make things easier for you in the second round!" Chunhong voiced Mingyue's thoughts.
"Alright, I know you two are doing this for my own good. How should I reward you?" Rou Niang joked, "How about I choose a good husband for each of you after the talent show?"
Although it was a joke, the two of them were indeed of marriageable age.
"Oh, Madam, I can't talk to you anymore." Chunhong blushed.
Mingyue, however, gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
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