The head maid, Granny Wei, asked Zeng Xiwen, "What happened? Do you have some hidden illness that you didn't tell us? That's a serious offense."
Zeng Xiwen didn't want to be misunderstood, so she quickly said, "No, no, I don't have any hidden illnesses. I don't know why my clothes smell so good. Someone must have tampered with my clothes."
Gao Xiyue smiled and said, "I'm afraid someone is trying to hide their strange smell, so they deliberately made their clothes smell so good." This was the best opportunity to bring down Zeng Xiwen, and she didn't want to miss it.
Upon hearing this, the crowd began whispering among themselves, discussing Zeng Xiwen. Several of the young ladies even burst out laughing.
“Some people look so noble, who knew they would have such a problem? If word gets out, who would dare to marry her?” one of the young ladies-in-waiting said. She had long disliked Zeng Xiwen and wanted to take this opportunity to make a few sarcastic remarks.
Zeng Xiwen was speechless after Gao Xiyue's words. A blush rose on her face, her head drooped slightly, and tears welled in her eyes. She was on the verge of crying. "I will never let these bitches get away with this!"
Seeing her like this, Gao Xiyue felt even more pleased: "With her looks, she still wants to be a concubine? Isn't she afraid of making the Emperor faint from the smell?"
All the young women laughed.
Zeng Xiwen felt a lump in her throat, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face.
She protested, "No! I don't have body odor! I don't, I don't!"
But this did not stop the girls who were mocking her; instead, it made them laugh even harder.
"Alright, alright, shut up! You are all imperial concubines, some of you will even marry into the royal family in the future. Look at you all, so disregarding your manners!" said Granny Gan.
The young ladies dared not laugh when they heard what Granny Gan said. They didn't want to give Granny Gan a bad impression, and who knew how she would report to the Imperial Concubine.
Zeng Xiwen also lowered her head and sobbed. She had figured it out. Judging from what had just happened, the perfume powder on her body was most likely done by Gao Xiyue. Considering that Gao Xiyue had a grudge against Su Lufu before, and that Gao Xiyue and Su Lufu were so close, Su Lufu must have been involved in this matter as well.
Zeng Xiwen was filled with hatred. If it weren't for the head maid, she would have gone over and torn Gao Xiyue and Su Lufu's faces to shreds right now.
After all, physical ailments are a major taboo for a candidate for the imperial concubine selection. Just as Granny Wei was considering whether to report this to Lanqin, Granny Gan said to Granny Wei, "There has been a clear rule for a long time that a candidate for the imperial concubine selection must not have body odor or other ailments. If she..."
Granny Gan didn't elaborate, but her meaning was clear: it seemed Zeng Xiwen had no hope of passing the second selection. Regardless of whether she had passed or not, these nannies didn't want to take the risk. If she did pass and they let her through, the consequences would be dire.
Granny Wei said, "I know, but it's strange that this young lady insists she has no hidden illness."
Granny Gan said, "I'll listen to you; you decide what to do."
Granny Wei nodded and said, "As you all know, if a candidate has body odor or other ailments, she can never become a concubine, so..."
When Zeng Xiwen heard that Granny Gan meant to remove her body odor, she immediately said, "I don't have body odor. They did this. They framed me!" She pointed at Gao Xiyue and Su Lufu.
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