On the day of the palace selection, Xiuning got up early.
Because she was in a hurry to attend the palace selection and to ensure that she would not have any physiological problems during the process, Xiu Ning did not have breakfast. She only drank a few sips of nourishing soup to fill her stomach. Afterwards, she sat obediently in front of the dressing table and let Chun Yu do her makeup and dressing.
The makeup and styling were decided by Xiu Ning yesterday. It's a back-to-basics style, which uses minimalism paired with understated jade accessories to perfectly showcase one's strengths to others.
After finishing the most difficult hair bun and headdress, Chunyu turned around and took out a light-colored cheongsam that she had prepared long ago from the wooden cabinet.
The cheongsam is embroidered with a few delicate peach blossoms, which perfectly complement the patterns on the collar and cuffs.
It's already June, and the weather is gradually getting warmer.
Considering that she would be standing outside for a long time, and that with current cosmetic technology, her makeup would smudge after being exposed to direct sunlight, Xiu Ning simply applied a basic base, then tidied her eyebrows and sideburns, and finally applied some lip powder made from flower juice.
"That's done, that's fine."
Rising from the bronze mirror, Xiu Ning was satisfied with her current state. Although her attire was somewhat simple, Xiu Ning possessed an elegant and noble temperament, resembling a flower bud about to bloom, as if surrounded by a sweet fragrance.
Similar to the preliminary and final selections, Xiu Ning first went to the main courtyard to pay her respects to Lady Fucha, and then Lady Fucha escorted her to the Empress's carriage.
The carriage, bearing a large Hittara insignia, arrived at the palace gates without any obstruction.
Xiuning got out of the car and obediently followed the nanny waiting beside her to the place where the young ladies-in-waiting were.
That's why talent shows are still so popular.
A huge, noisy crowd; not to mention the noise, the scent of their perfumes alone could waft for miles.
Xiu Ning looked at the ladies' attire; some were extravagant and luxurious, while others were understated and simple. Some were glittering with gold, while others were dressed in pure, simple colors. In short, each had their own unique style.
Xiuning: ……
Xiuning saw Irgen Gioro Yiyun and Guarjia Yuxi among them.
Both women have their own unique style of dress. Yiergenjueluo Yiyun wore a light blue cheongsam, maintaining her cool and aloof temperament; Guarjia Yuxi has the image of a virtuous wife and loving mother, looking gentle and non-aggressive.
Because the three were not in the same group, they simply nodded to each other and did not deliberately gather together.
When the time came, all the selected ladies-in-waiting arrived. A matron came over and called out their names one by one, then had them leave in groups of five with the waiting eunuchs.
Xiuning wasn't the first unlucky one, so she had time to calm herself down and observe her surroundings. Of course, she couldn't make any big movements, and she couldn't attract the attention of the maids around her. Otherwise, if a small record was sent to the masters, who knows what kind of impact it would have.
The waiting girls were called away by the matrons one by one, and soon it was Xiuning's turn.
Xiuning was lucky; she was in the middle of the five people who were called over.
As usual, the nanny whispered a few words of advice to them, and the five of them walked with the same small, quick steps toward the distant Golden Palace.
"...Hitara Debao's daughter, Hitara Xiuning, is fifteen years old."
As the young eunuch announced her identity, Xiuning quickly bowed and greeted the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, who were sitting in the main hall.
All the auspicious sayings that can be uttered are pretty much the same, and Xiuning didn't stand out from the crowd.
Looking straight ahead to show her face, Xiu Ning smiled and answered the questions posed by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in a serious and methodical manner.
"He adheres to etiquette; he seems like a good person."
"Okay, then let's leave the sign."
"This humble woman kowtows to thank Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."
Getting up from the ground and trying to maintain her posture, Xiu Ning breathed a huge sigh of relief. Phew, she finally made it through.
Of the five people in their group, only she and one other Ulanara woman had their nameplates kept; the other three had their nameplates rejected. So when they left the palace, the atmosphere in the group was not good.
Seeing this, Xiu Ning could only quicken her pace silently until she left the palace and boarded the carriage to go home before she dared to truly relax.
There's no other way. Even though the palace selection only has two outcomes, keeping the nameplate or discarding it, keeping the nameplate means the worst outcome is being betrothed to a member of the imperial family. This is completely different from discarding the nameplate and marrying on your own. Who knows if someone might suddenly become jealous and try to drag others down with them?
She patted her chest and decided that she would stay hidden in the courtyard until the imperial decree arrived, so as not to cause any trouble in the meantime.
When the carriage arrived at the door, Lady Fucha was already waiting there. She was overjoyed to see Xiuning come out.
"Mother, didn't we just see each other this morning?"
Unable to resist, Xiu Ning playfully hooked her arm around Fucha's, and the mother and daughter walked toward the main courtyard.
“How can it be the same? Now that you’ve left your nameplate, your mother can finally relax a lot,” Fucha Shi said, looking up at Xiuning with a reproachful look. It was as if she could finally ask about the daily life in the palace and the situations where Xiuning might be wronged, things she hadn’t dared to inquire about before.
As expected, their daughter would become a permanent member of the harem in the future, so the attitudes of the palace mistresses towards Xiuning were extremely important, as they were the barometer of the harem.
Xiuning stopped hiding it, and the mother and daughter simply got together and talked for a long time. By the time they finished talking about what had happened over the past half month, it was already dark outside.
While clasping her hands together, Fucha chanted Amitabha Buddha's name. Thankfully, although the journey was full of thrills and excitement, it was all over now.
"Right now, all that's needed is for the Emperor to issue his decree," and then everything will be settled.
...
During the two days of waiting for the Emperor's decree, Xiu Ning stayed in the small courtyard to rest. Except for the occasional invitation from Lady Fucha to the main courtyard, Xiu Ning hardly went out.
"Aren't you worried at all, child?"
Fucha was extremely curious. She and Xitala Debao couldn't get any rest for nights on end. Fucha even thought that being betrothed to a member of the imperial family was a good option.
"Mother, the selection is already complete." Xiuning shook Fucha's wrist. "Even if I'm nervous, do you think I can change the Emperor's mind?"
Besides, given her looks, even if Kangxi had to give up anyone else, he wouldn't give her up.
Even if Kangxi had truly given up on her, she would have had other ways to enter the palace. Historical records show that Consort Yi's older sister, Noble Lady Guo, was a widow who entered the palace, so why couldn't she? (This is a digression.)
Early on the third day, a palace eunuch arrived carrying the imperial edict.
The imperial edict contained many flattering words, which, in summary, meant that the Emperor was very satisfied with your daughter and that she should prepare to enter the palace.
"This servant congratulates Lord Hitara," the eunuch delivering the imperial decree said with a smile, his eyes narrowing as he offered his congratulations to Hitara Debao, who was kneeling before him.
Even though he was mentally prepared, when the moment actually arrived, Hittara Debau couldn't contain his joy.
Finally, the rise of the Hitara clan can be traced back to this family.
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