The imperial concubine selection is about to begin, and carriages carrying the young women to the selection are shuttling through the streets and alleys of the capital. All the inns are booked, and some innkeepers have even put up signs to politely decline guests.
A carriage slowly passed by, its sound cheerful and pleasant. Two horses, handsome and strong, pulled it, their hooves clattering on the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. The carriage was entirely covered in expensive and exquisite silk, and its gilded and jeweled windows were veiled by a pale blue crepe curtain, preventing those outside from seeing the passengers inside this magnificent, speeding carriage. Yet, the distinguished guests inside seemed to be able to glimpse the passersby waving and giggling.
The servant who was driving the carriage stopped the carriage, bowed to the people inside, and went to inquire about the inn, but unexpectedly he was pushed out by the innkeeper's assistant.
"Sir, we're really full. Perhaps you could try looking somewhere else..." the waiter urged impatiently. The servant, undeterred, pulled a bag of money from his pocket and presented it to the waiter, pleading, "I'll pay you double the room rate. We've already looked at several places, but we really can't find another inn..."
The waiter remained unmoved, dismissively shoving the servant out. Just then, a young lady arrived, and the waiter immediately scurried over, bowing and scraping, saying, "Everything is ready for the holiday, please come in, miss..."
The servant was furious at the door. He stepped forward and grabbed the servant, saying urgently, "Why don't we get a holiday, but this young lady does?"
The waiter straightened up and said angrily, "Don't you even know who this young lady is? She's the niece of a great general of the current dynasty! You poor folks from the backwaters are just getting in on the act..."
An uncontrollable rage flashed in the servant's eyes, his teeth grinding together as he angrily said, "You...you are all despicable..."
The waiter gave the servant a disdainful look, then pointed at his forehead and threatened, "Get out of here... or I'll get the authorities to arrest you!"
"I think the authorities should be arresting you, right?" A young woman wearing a light green dress with light blue lotus flowers embroidered on the cuffs and silver threads outlining auspicious clouds, and a row of blue sea waves densely arranged on the hem, with a lotus-shaped warm jade hairpin slanted into her hair, and clean, neat, with skin as smooth and lustrous as warm jade, yet with a heroic and spirited air, grabbed the waiter's arm.
"You're operating illegally and deceiving your customers. According to the laws of the Qing Dynasty, you'll be punished..." the woman said indignantly. The waiter was speechless for a moment, then pulled his hand away, cursing and slinking away.
The servant stepped forward, bowed to the woman, and said gratefully, "Thank you for your help, young lady!"
The woman waved her hand dismissively and laughed, "It's nothing, I hate these kinds of petty people the most..." She glanced at the carriage at the door and asked suspiciously, "Are you also here in the capital to participate in the imperial concubine selection?"
The waiter nodded, then, realizing he hadn't booked a room yet, became anxious: "I didn't expect inns in the capital to be so sought after. We've already looked at four or five inns, and they all say they're full!"
"Where is your young lady? I'm also a candidate for the imperial concubine selection!" the woman asked curiously. Leading the woman to the carriage, the servant whispered to the woman inside, "Miss, Miss... this young lady..." The servant realized he didn't know the woman's name and turned around to look.
The woman was clever; she smiled and said, "My surname is Gao!"
The servant immediately replied, "Miss Gao helped me just now; she's also a candidate for the imperial concubine selection!"
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a petite woman in a light-colored dress. At first glance, she was strikingly beautiful, with a face of exquisite elegance and captivating charm. Her long, black hair cascaded down to her slender waist. Her hair was styled in a unique, elegant updo, adorned with a purple crystal magnolia hairpin. A delicate, translucent necklace hung around her neck. She wore a pale purple, open-front dress over a jade-colored, silver-threaded gauze blouse. Her delicate features were captivating. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment and softly thanked them, saying, "I heard everything. Thank you for your help, young lady!"
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