Chapter 10 An Accidental Encounter with a Stunning Beauty
This was the first time Bai Lian had truly entered the Phoenix Dynasty's capital, Phoenix Dance City.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed between the palace walls, clear and resonant. Unable to contain her curiosity, Bai Lian gently lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek outside.
The golden glazed tiles shimmered brilliantly in the spring sunshine, and the towering palace walls, as red as blood, seemed to stretch to the sky and the earth, with no end in sight.
Everywhere you look in Phoenix Dance City, you see royal majesty and luxury that stirs the heart.
Bai Lian unconsciously clenched her sleeves, feeling incredibly small before the majestic palace. She subconsciously straightened her clothes, her nervousness increasing even more.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and Bai Lian slowly alighted from the carriage with the help of a young eunuch who had come to greet her.
The selection of imperial consorts was held at the Nieran Palace. Noble ladies from various families who came to participate had to first go through a preliminary selection. Only those who passed the selection could participate in the second round of selection the following day. The final choice of the Crown Princess would be made by the Emperor himself.
As Bai Lian waited to enter the hall, she quietly glanced around. Amidst the vermilion railings and jade steps, the fragrance of clothes and the shadows of hair swayed in the breeze. The daughters from various clans stood silently, yet they resembled the most beautiful flowers in a spring garden, weaving a silent contest.
"Announcement: Bai Lian, daughter of Prime Minister Bai, has entered the palace!"
Upon hearing the summons, Bai Lian smiled slightly, took light steps, and gracefully entered the main hall.
Although it is only a preliminary selection, the process is quite thorough and rigorous, usually consisting of four rounds of testing, with each round identifying the next winner:
The first step is to observe their appearance: examine the voice, appearance, demeanor, and bearing of the candidates, and select those who are dignified and intelligent to be employed;
The second test examines her virtue: assessing her understanding of the essential meaning of the "Women's Classic," including her knowledge of filial piety and obedience to her husband.
The third test examines her talent: her cultural background and literary cultivation. The Crown Princess is to be selected as a person who is virtuous, talented and beautiful, and whose literary talent and wisdom are also indispensable.
Only after passing the first three tests can one be considered to have passed the first hurdle.
At this point, only five of the dozens of candidates remained. They were led in turn by an old palace maid into a secret chamber inside the palace for the most discreet final test.
Bai Lian was last in line and had no choice but to wait helplessly. She roughly understood that it would involve "examining her breasts, smelling her armpits, and feeling her skin" to see if she had any hidden ailments or disabilities, and also to test whether she was still a virgin…
Just then, the first girl who had entered was seen being dragged out of the room by several palace maids, crying and screaming.
"Heh, so a woman who doesn't live a virtuous life has infiltrated." A nonchalant voice came from ahead.
Bai Lian looked up and realized that the person in front of her was a girl in blue, with bright eyes and beautiful teeth, who was no less beautiful than herself.
Just as he was wondering, the girl smiled and preemptively said, "You must be Miss Bai. I recognize you."
It seems I am indeed "famous"... "Then may I ask who you are?" Bai Lian asked.
"My name is Shangguan Yaohua, and I am the niece of the current Empress!" Shangguan Yaohua raised her voice slightly, emphasizing the last two words as if afraid that Bai Lian hadn't heard her clearly.
Bai Lian smiled and nodded at her, then said nothing more. So she was Shangguan Zhao's daughter. She was merely the daughter of a third-rank censor, yet she was so arrogant. But the fact that she was the Empress's niece was rather troublesome…
Just then, Shangguan Yaohua was also called in. At the same time, the second and third girls passed the fourth test, leaving only herself outside the door.
Not long after, Bai Lian saw Shangguan Yaohua walk out with a smile, indicating that she had passed the test. As she passed Bai Lian, she deliberately slowed down and gave Bai Lian a meaningful glance, as if in provocation.
Bai Lian smiled bitterly to herself. It seemed that this daughter of the Shangguan family didn't have much of a vision...
By the time Bai Lian successfully passed the final examination, the sun had already set. The four candidates for the Crown Princess were arranged to stay overnight in a side hall next to the Nieruan Palace, awaiting the re-selection the following day.
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After finishing dinner, Bai Lian was so exhausted she wanted to collapse into bed immediately; the entire preliminary selection process had left her physically and mentally drained. But the thought of the second round of auditions tomorrow, which would test her talents, completely banished any sleepiness…
She picked up her pipa and tuned it, intending to practice a little, but then realized that being in the palace was different from being at home, and she had to be careful with every word and action. So she took her pipa, pushed open the door, and went out, hoping to find a quiet corner before it got dark to familiarize herself with the piece she had been preparing for so long.
Phoenix Dance City was vast, and Bai Lian dared not venture far, fearing she would lose her way and be unable to find her way back. So she wandered around aimlessly, wasting half a day. As dusk approached, she began to grow anxious.
At this moment, Bai Lian suddenly saw a passing eunuch and had no choice but to reveal her identity and explain the situation, hoping that he would lead her to a suitable place.
The young eunuch scrutinized Bai Lian for a few moments, a hint of shyness appearing on his face. This puzzled Bai Lian greatly; wasn't this eunuch supposed to be a man of "pure heart and few desires"...?
Just as she was thinking this, the little eunuch led her to a certain place.
It was a secluded little lake, nestled among willow and apricot trees, a vibrant tapestry of red flowers and green willows. There were no other palaces nearby; it was a simple yet tranquil little world. Bai Lian was clearly quite satisfied and reached for her reward money to give to the young eunuch, but when she turned back, he had already vanished without a trace.
Bai Lian was stunned, wondering how the little eunuch could run so nimbly.
She chose a stone bench, sat facing the lake, and began to play the zither by herself, completely absorbed in the music.
Unbeknownst to her, someone was silently observing her from a dark spot by the lake.
The eldest prince, Galo Lin, was quietly admiring the scene. The white lotus by the lake resembled a newly blooming lotus, pure and ethereal. But what he admired even more was the focus and composure she displayed while playing the zither. She was a woman of unwavering resolve, not easily swayed by external influences.
It was early April, a warm spring day. A gentle evening breeze carried a slight chill in the air, making Bai Lian feel very comfortable. Lost in her music, she played one piece after another, unwilling to stop.
Just as she was about to practice the piece she would be performing the next day, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
Bai Lian was shocked and immediately stood up from the stone bench, turning around to look.
A man.
A very handsome man.
Bai Lian couldn't help but stare at the face of the person standing in front of her, and for a moment she forgot to notice the unusual crown and robes.
"His face was like fine jade, his eyebrows like ink paintings, his eyes bright as stars, his lips elegant, and even his hair as lustrous as satin. He was the epitome of beauty, not only in his face but also in his figure. To describe him as absolutely stunning would be an understatement. Any more would be frivolous and flirtatious, any less would be too serious and dull. He was a rare gem, somewhere between ostentatious and aloof. Most captivating of all, he exuded an innate, divine aura that made you unable to look away once you saw him, and you would definitely look again and again!"
In the past, Cuizhu had described to her the true "most exquisite man in the world" that she imagined. Looking at the man in front of her, Bailian's mind immediately recalled Cuizhu's words.
I never imagined that there really were people like that in this world...
However, amidst the amazement, a strange sense of familiarity quietly surfaced in her heart. Bai Lian frowned slightly, feeling that the person in front of her seemed familiar, but no matter how hard she tried to recall, she could not grasp that fleeting clue.
At this moment, standing in front of her, Galo Lin maintained a gentle and refined demeanor on the surface, but inwardly he was calmly scrutinizing the woman before him, whom he had gone to great lengths to "encounter."
Just as Green Willow had reported, this young lady of the Bai family was indeed exceptionally beautiful. Jia Luolin thought to herself, the fleeting glimpse she had made on the streets of Luoyang that day was still unforgettable. Seeing her up close today, she felt even more that this woman possessed a unique temperament, with both the elegance of a lady from a prominent family and a hint of heroic spirit that rivaled that of men.
He deliberately chose this time to appear here, precisely because he had calculated that she would be out practicing the zither. And the little eunuch who led the way was Green Willow in disguise, also a carefully arranged arrangement by him.
"Young lady, may I ask who you are?" Galorin deliberately softened her voice to make herself appear more gentle and approachable.
Bai Lian was still immersed in that inexplicable sense of familiarity and for a moment forgot to reply.
At that moment, a high-pitched male voice answered for her:
"She is Bai Lian, the daughter of Prime Minister Bai, and is the candidate for the Crown Princess this time!"
"Little Willow, are you having a good time hiding behind the tree?" Galorin's tone was tinged with helplessness, but her gaze never left Bai Lian's face.
Emerging from behind the tree was the same young eunuch who had led the way earlier. He said to Jialuolin with a fawning expression, "Your Highness, this servant feels that the twin stars here are shining so brightly that I can't open my eyes or move my feet!" The young eunuch was happy to joke with his master, without any attempt to avoid suspicion.
Galorin sneered inwardly, but her expression remained gentle: "It seems this Miss Bai is lost. Xiao Liu, why don't you take her back?"
Bai Lian then realized the noble status of the person in front of her and hurriedly curtsied.
Walking back to the side hall, Bai Lian was filled with turmoil. The feeling she had for that eldest prince was too complicated, both strange and familiar, both gentle and profound.
"Miss Bai, the Crown Prince will also be attending the re-election tomorrow," Xiao Liuzi suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Isn't it just about choosing a crown princess?" Bai Lian asked doubtfully.
Xiao Liuzi explained with a smile, "His Majesty's intentions are profound. Since all the princes have reached marriageable age, ostensibly he is choosing a Crown Princess for the Eastern Palace, but in reality, he is also considering suitable matches for each prince."
Bai Lian's heart skipped a beat. This meant that tomorrow's re-examination would determine whether she could become the principal wife of a prince. And that eldest prince... she couldn't help but think of those deep eyes again.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency. I understand."
A note from the author:
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