Royal Palace.
It was broad daylight.
Yin Changling slowly woke up from the dragon bed, feeling a headache and a groggy feeling, as if he had dreamt something, or as if he hadn't dreamt at all.
"Someone come here!"
The palace servants filed in, none of them daring to look up at him. But this was normal; his constant shouts of violence and killings did indeed frighten the palace servants.
There was nothing unusual on their faces. They had clearly forgotten everything that happened yesterday. They just didn't know when the Grand Preceptor had made his move.
Yin Changling had no recollection of this at all. As soon as he closed his eyes, a figure inexplicably appeared in his mind, one he had never seen before and which was extremely vague.
He rubbed his temples, somewhat puzzled as to why he had gotten up so late today, and his head still ached a little.
"What time is it?"
"Your Majesty, it is already noon. The officials are still waiting in the Longde Hall. Do they still wish to attend court?"
One of the eunuchs spoke cautiously. In addition to serving the king's daily needs, he was also responsible for relaying messages between the ministers and the king.
But he dared not have any other thoughts, fearing that he would be beheaded like the adults before him. Now, he was already very grateful to have a bite to eat.
"Tell them to disperse."
"yes."
Yin Changling should have continued discussing the matter of attacking the Jie tribe with them, but for some reason, he felt empty and had no interest in it.
He always felt he had forgotten something important, but what was it?
"Is there anything urgent coming up lately?"
"Your Majesty, the general election will be held in two days. The women recommended by the officials have been arranged to enter the palace for preliminary verification of their identities."
"You have been busy with state affairs these past two days and have not been able to summon Lord Li Duoyin. He wanted to pay his respects to you yesterday, but you were dealing with important matters at the Longde Palace at the time and did not receive him."
When the eunuch saw that Yin Changling had asked, he naturally went along with it and told him. He had served the king for so long, so he must have had extraordinary skills.
A blurry image of a woman inexplicably surfaced in Yin Changling's mind. Could it be that he had met a noblewoman long ago, but had temporarily forgotten her?
However, in two more days, he will be able to see all the women, so he shouldn't miss them.
He placed a hand on his chest; his heart pounded whenever he thought of that blurry figure. No, he still had to say a few more words.
"Summon Li Mo here; I have something to ask him."
"yes!"
The eunuch received the order and withdrew. A short while later, he returned with a rather refined-looking middle-aged man.
"Your subject Li Mo pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Please rise, my dear minister. I have heard that you are in charge of this talent selection?"
Yin Changling asked with concern, his voice unusually deep and menacing. Although Li Mo was somewhat confused, he nodded.
"Your Majesty, it is indeed your humble servant who is in charge of this matter. Does Your Majesty find anything amiss? Your humble servant will reflect on my own actions and consider Your Majesty's perspective."
"Hahaha, it's alright. I don't want anything to go wrong among them, or for anyone to leave the palace. Do you understand?"
"Also, is there a woman among them who is exceptionally beautiful?"
"Your Majesty, you are referring to the two daughters of the Marquis of Bei. They are indeed the most beautiful of them all."
"Fine, just do your job."
Yin Changling meant that he didn't care whose daughter could be selected or whose daughter couldn't; he wanted to choose for himself.
We must not allow the underhanded tactics commonly used in the inner quarters to cause them to harm each other and leave the palace.
Li Mo understood, and not only understood, but also had to do it. Fortunately, a few days ago, several vassal states offered him money to buy some unexpected things, but he refused.
Otherwise, he might be beheaded by now.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly do it."
"Okay, go down."
After sending the man away, Yin Changling went to his desk and began to write and draw on the sheepskin, sketching out the figure of a woman, but he could not make out her features.
He felt a pang of regret. Yin Changling had a gut feeling that this person was extremely important to him, how could he forget him?
...
Two days later.
The general election has officially begun.
Originally, Yin Changling only wanted to choose any woman at random, as long as she was presentable, had a family background that wouldn't be criticized, and was qualified to serve as queen.
However, for almost two consecutive days, he was haunted by a vague figure, not only at night, but also during the day he would often think of her absentmindedly.
Fortunately, the election day has arrived, and he will surely be able to find her.
Why do I say this? Because he interrogated almost all the palace servants and never saw a woman appear beside him.
Where did this figure come from? It must be that the two are destined to meet and are not far apart, which is why he keeps dreaming about her. It is a guidance from God.
Yin Changling never imagined that the charming figure was the little fox he had seen in the Imperial Preceptor's mansion. He still hoped to meet that woman again.
Little did they know, the little fox had already been completely devoured by the Imperial Advisor!
At this moment, he sat in the main seat of Fengxiang Palace, the emperor, high above all, wearing a black dragon robe, with his sword Longxiao at his side, solemn and majestic.
Fengxiang Palace has been vacant for many years, but because of the glazed bricks and tiles used in its construction, it still shines brightly under the sunlight and remains exceptionally noble.
The noble ladies were all lined up in the side hall, waiting for their names to be called so they could go and meet the emperor.
Many of them were quite nervous, after all, that was the legendary tyrant, and they were both worried and expectant.
Yin Liuli and Yin Shiniang were also here. The two of them were almost the most eye-catching people here. One was pure and innocent, and the other was beautiful and gorgeous, forming the most extreme contrast.
When others looked at them, their eyes flashed with deep apprehension. After all, in terms of beauty, they were indeed slightly inferior, and their family background was not as good as that of the Marquis of the North.
But what if, what if His Majesty takes a liking to them?
"...Yin Liuli, Yin Shiniang..."
We've finally arrived!
A flicker of excitement flashed in Yin Shiniang's eyes. It wasn't that she was particularly confident, but rather that after observing her for the past few days, she realized that no one was more beautiful than her.
The only one she had ever heard of, whose beauty rivaled her own, was the daughter of the Marquis of Nanbo. Her father told her that the woman was already engaged to her brother. Heaven was on her side.
Seeing one beautiful woman after another sighing and lamenting, I knew they hadn't been chosen and were just waiting for me to make my appearance...
A hint of arrogance flashed in Yin Liuli's eyes. The position of queen should be hers. She had the advantage of timing, location, and popular support.
Moreover, she was confident that she could rival Yin Shiniang. With such a seductive and alluring appearance, she could at most only be a concubine. As for the position of queen, she was more than willing to accept it!
And so, the two sisters, filled with ambition and with humble expressions, followed the eunuch's instructions and entered the main hall together to meet the emperor...
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