"We...we'll choose the second one," the woman who was leading the group said hesitantly.
The six girls looked at each other, gritted their teeth, and knelt down in front of the dressing table without saying a word.
None of them chose to quit; they couldn't quit. They wanted to be superior people, to become members of the Heavenly Family, and they couldn't waste the three months of etiquette they had learned.
They cannot and do not want to go back to those hard times. During the days they were chosen, they have become intoxicated with eating the finest food, wearing luxurious clothes, and using expensive skincare products.
Aunt Zhang checked the time.
Are you all ready?
The makeup artists stopped, and the candidates got up and came over.
Look at the state of you all. Line up again according to your number order.
Aunt Zhang looked around and nodded repeatedly, very satisfied.
Good, good, come with me, it's time to go on stage.
The imperial concubine selection ceremony was held in the Imperial Hall in the capital city. The venue was decorated in a grand and magnificent manner, with a large stage covering an area of about 500 meters and ten judges' seats below the stage.
Amidst the solemn sound of bugles, fifty candidates, led by Zhang Ma, took to the stage.
You might ask me why the number of people increased from forty-nine to fifty?
Thank you so much, Aunt Zhang, for going to such lengths to plan for me.
Ms. Zhou, you're too kind. But reducing the number of positions from fifty to forty-nine did take a lot of effort, but we still managed to achieve our goal.
Zhang Ma looked worried and distressed.
Zhou Qi realized that Zhang Ma wanted money.
Thank you so much, Aunt Zhang. You've gone to so much trouble for His Highness the Crown Prince, and I'm really sorry to trouble you like this. It's just a small token of my appreciation, but please accept it.
Zhou Qi slipped a check to Zhang Ma, who beamed with joy upon seeing the amount. "Oh, not at all, it's nothing! Miss Zhou Qi, hurry and catch up with the group!"
good.
Zhou Qi gritted her teeth and smiled.
That's two million! Two million! The Zhou family isn't some big, wealthy family; they're just a small one. Two million in working capital isn't easy to come by, but Zhou's father still gritted his teeth and gave it to Zhou Qi.
That was the selection of a consort for the crown prince. Zhou Qi's father felt that his daughter was outstanding. Even if she was not chosen as the wife of the crown prince, she could at least be chosen as a concubine.
As long as she marries into the Tian family, the Zhou family, a small clan, will also rise in status. When the major families, clans, and powerful clans have members who have fallen from grace, the Zhou family will be the first choice because of this connection.
At the Crown Prince's selection ceremony, major news media outlets had already set up their equipment and begun recording.
On the stage, Zhang Ma led fifty candidates onto the stage.
Seven of the ten judges are already in place, but the two middle seats remain unoccupied, leading many to speculate about their identities.
An elegant and dignified woman stepped out from the stage; this person was Ji Yuru, a master of etiquette.
Before the selection of the Crown Prince's consort begins, let me give a brief introduction. The selection of the Crown Prince's consort is a major event, so whether she is a wife or a concubine, her words and actions must be elegant and proper. Hence, there are the Eight Elegances for Women.
The Eight Arts for Women are: playing the zither, playing chess, writing calligraphy, painting, poetry, drinking wine, appreciating flowers, and drinking tea.
Poetry: New chapters of poetry unfold in terms of tone and rhythm, the meticulous study of melody bordering on madness. The greatest function of poetry is to cultivate temperament and serve as a means of self-healing.
The zither: its melodies convey the beauty of the brocade, its delicate strokes like pine soot painting the vast wilderness. Even immortals cannot hold back spring's fleeting beauty, only the brushstrokes of ink can keep the flowers forever fragrant.
Chess: A worthy opponent in chess, a worthy opponent in generalship.
Books: A family with a scholarly tradition, where writing and calligraphy are passed down through generations.
Painting: The brushstrokes convey the spirit of rain and clouds on plain paper; the brush applies oil paint to the vast universe; the colors dye the mountains and rivers, ensuring prosperity for generations to come.
Wine: A thousand cups are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend. In front of friends, one can talk freely and openly; in front of a lover, one can be calm and composed, without hiding anything; in front of family, one can face one's place with a clear conscience.
Flowers: A riot of blossoms rewards the farmers, a myriad of colors vying for beauty. When in full bloom, they burst forth in splendor for all to admire; when they wither, they can be used as fertilizer.
Tea: The aroma of tea wafts through the air, the tea branches are covered in lush foliage awaiting the warm sun, the fingers gently hold the cup upright, and the fragrance reveals a hundred flavors.
Of course, this is just to give all the candidates a stage to showcase themselves. Regardless of the scores, your fate is up to His Highness the Crown Prince.
On stage, Ji Yuru bowed slightly to the audience with her mouth closed.
Only then did people see that dozens of armored soldiers were escorting two people as they slowly walked towards them.
Everyone was surprised to see the two of them.
Li Mu and Li Xiaorui.
Li Mu, as everyone knows, is the eldest daughter of the Li family, one of the three great families, and the number one socialite in China. It is more than enough for her to be a judge.
Li Xiaorui is a member of the Tian family, a princess of the Tian family's royal family.
On the judges' panel, the eight judges whispered among themselves when they saw the two of them.
Why did Princess Mingyue return to the country? Wasn't Princess Mingyue supposed to be traveling abroad?
"You can travel abroad and not worry about when you come back. What's wrong with that?"
That must be Li Mu, the eldest daughter of the Li family, right?
That's Miss Li.
It's so beautiful.
Miss Li is the most famous socialite in China, so it's naturally a great choice for her to be a judge.
Upon seeing Li Xiaorui and Li Mu approach, the judges quieted down, stood up from their seats, and bowed slightly in greeting.
The others knelt down as well, the men on one knee and the women on both knees.
Li Xiaorui glanced at them indifferently and coldly, and said, "Rise, all of you."
At this moment, the staff member walked up to Li Xiaorou with both hands holding the microphone.
Your Highness.
Okay, let's give the microphone to Miss Li.
Li Xiaorui looked at Li Mu and gave him instructions.
The staff dared not delay and brought the microphone to Li Mu's face.
Your Highness?
"It's good that you're here," Li Xiaorui said with a smile.
Li Mu nodded and picked up the microphone.
After Li Xiaorui finished speaking, she sat down, and only then did the other judges dare to sit down after her.
Zhou Qi saw Li Xiaorui in the crowd on the stage. She was a princess of China, with a very noble status. He then saw Li Mu sitting next to her and gritted his teeth.
Zhou Qi's eyes revealed only jealousy and hatred. He firmly believed that Li Muzhen was only better off than him because he was born with a higher starting point.
Princess Xiaorui, myself, and eight other judges joined the panel to evaluate and score the performance.
Alright, without further ado, fifty people, right?
These words were spoken to Zhang Ma, who was standing to the side.
Yes, Miss Li.
Okay, fifty people will be divided into ten groups of five. The first instrument will be the guqin. Considering that everyone has different talents and this is not ancient times, it doesn't have to be the guqin. Other instruments are fine too. Alright, let's begin.
From the left, the first row and the first group stay; everyone else, go down.
The first row from the left, the last row to go on stage, consisted of five people, and Zhou Qi was among them. Zhou Qi was completely stunned.
Was he doing it on purpose?
It must be, right?
Zhou Qi cursed Li Mu a thousand times in her heart.
This wasn't something Li Mu did on purpose; Zhou Qi was standing at the back, so naturally Li Mu didn't see her.
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