The seventh year of Kangxi
Before the first month of the lunar calendar was even over, the imperial decree concerning this year's imperial selection had already been officially issued from the palace.
"The time is set for May this year, because it is the first time the emperor has selected concubines after assuming personal rule, and various Manchu noble families will send their people to the palace."
Inside the main courtyard, Lady Fucha was discussing the upcoming talent selection with Xiuning.
I'm afraid Xiu Ning will feel pressured. After all, after three years, Xiu Ning's appearance has become outstanding. Even if she doesn't outshine everyone in the talent show, she will definitely not be ignored.
Xiu Ning's superior appearance put pressure on her to some extent, because after examining the three candidates who were to enter the palace for the imperial selection, the head of the Hitara clan clearly placed most of his hopes on Xiu Ning.
In other words, Xiu Ning carries the honor of the entire Xitala clan. If she rises through the ranks after entering the palace, the Xitala clan will also be among the new elites in Manchuria. If she is not found after entering the palace, the Xitala clan can only lie low again and wait for a second chance that may never come.
"Ning'er, don't be too nervous. The family has its own considerations."
"Your mother is shallow-minded; she only wishes for your safety." Fucha Shi didn't care about anything else.
Xiuning smiled upon hearing this, her expression softening. "Mother, don't worry, I understand."
At all times, she would put herself first and consider her own interests. Only when she was stable could the Hitara clan have any hope of rising again. Otherwise, Xiu Ning was not sure if the Hitara clan would produce another outstanding talent like her.
Returning from the main courtyard, Xiuning stood in her own yard, gazing at the branches around her that were already beginning to sprout green leaves, and sighed at the passage of time.
To be honest, she was still very grateful that the original owner was a Manchu princess of bannerman origin. Otherwise, given the dire situation in the early years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, neither the Mongol nor the Han bannermen would have any advantage in the selection of concubines due to concerns or discrimination.
According to Xiuning's own understanding, there were only a few Mongol and Han military banner concubines in the early years of Kangxi's reign. Even those few who had names and surnames had little chance of having children. She couldn't figure out whether it was just bad luck or some other conspiracy, but who would care?
Faced with a long-lived emperor like Kangxi, those without family background or offspring could only be lost in the long river of the harem.
"Princess, you've been standing here for a while. It's cold outside. Would you like me to help you inside?"
Chunyu walked up to Xiuning in small steps, looked up at the bare courtyard, and then lowered her head again.
"Let's go back."
Xiu Ning turned around, suppressing her thoughts. There was still some time before she would be busy with the talent show.
Although the talent show was scheduled for May, in reality, as soon as the first month of the lunar calendar ended, families throughout the capital who needed to participate in the talent show began to get busy.
First, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue in charge of this selection process would compile a list of eligible young women, arranging them separately according to the Manchu, Mongol, and Han military banners, and then submit it to the higher authorities.
Subsequently, the contestants, having received the news, traveled from all over the country to Beijing to participate in the talent show.
According to Chunyu, the commerce in the capital has been exceptionally prosperous during this period, especially shops selling clothing, fabrics, accessories, and cosmetics that the young ladies would use; they are selling like hotcakes.
Xiuning could completely understand the madness and ambition behind these things.
Even Xiu Ning herself had the idea of entering the palace from the day she arrived here, and she worked hard every day for three years in order to enter the palace smoothly. All of this can be regarded as her initial investment in entering the palace.
After all, in the context of the Qing Dynasty, being able to participate in the imperial concubine selection was a symbol of family status. If one's ancestors were not capable, ordinary people would not be qualified.
Just like the annual selection of palace maids in bondservants, even though it was a job of serving others, it still attracted many young women in bondservants to flock to it.
The reason, of course, is that supreme position within the harem.
There are many ambitious men in this world, and just as many ambitious women.
Even if she couldn't enter the harem, become the birth mother of a prince, or even become the future Empress Dowager, it would be best if she could marry a member of the royal family and give her future offspring a stable starting point.
In a society where imperial power reigns supreme, some ideas are inherently corrupt and outdated, but these are precisely the rules that best suit this society.
As May approached, the latest news about the talent show continued to pour into Xiu Ning's courtyard.
"It's alright, much better than I expected. I thought there would be many princesses from prominent Manchu families this time, but it's unexpected."
After receiving the list of candidates confirmed by Chunyu, Xiuning felt that she didn't need to pay too much attention to it.
Those who were competitive either entered the palace as early as the fourth year of Kangxi's reign, or they had to wait three more years, until the tenth year of Kangxi's reign, before they could participate in the selection.
Now, eight or nine out of ten of those names sent in are cannon fodder.
"Could it be related to the fact that although Emperor Kangxi ruled in his own right, he did not hold real power?"
Xiu Ning muttered to herself, while constantly reviewing the current situation in her mind.
With Ao Bai still around and Kangxi not yet having grasped power, the women in the harem were mostly chosen based on their family background. Moreover, there was a group of good bondservant maids ready to fill the vacancies. Therefore, in this selection of concubines in the seventh year of Kangxi's reign, family background was valued more than other factors.
Hmm, this is a bit tricky.
The Hitara clan was not a prominent family, and apart from her rather outstanding appearance, Xiu Ning seemed to have nothing that could attract Kangxi's attention.
Hmm, should we focus more on appearance? After all, using her is more important than liking her, so Kangxi needs to find a couple of concubines he can sleep with to please his eyes. Otherwise, if the harem is full of disappointing women, the emperor won't be able to stand it.
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