Everyone in Chuxiu Palace was waiting for An Lingrong, eager to know what Emperor Jingning wanted to discuss with her.
Before a cup of tea could be brewed, An Lingrong returned to Chuxiu Palace alone.
Everyone wanted to find out what was going on, but since they weren't very familiar with An Lingrong, they were too embarrassed to ask.
A naive and innocent-looking little girl approached An Lingrong and asked, "Sister An, did you see the Emperor? Is the Emperor handsome?"
An Lingrong nodded and then shook her head.
The little girl looked at An Lingrong with a completely bewildered expression. "Sister, what do you mean by this?"
"I did go to see the Emperor, but I kept my head down the whole time and didn't dare to look up!" An Lingrong said softly.
"Tch, as expected of someone from a humble background. You couldn't even seize the opportunity. Humble origins, truly unworthy of respect!" Xia Dongchun said sarcastically. [If it were me, the Emperor would definitely look at me differently!]
"My younger sister is not as well off as my older sister, who comes from a military family and is skilled in both literature and martial arts. My older sister is so brave and truly lives up to the family's reputation!"
"That's always been our family motto!" Xia Dongchun said proudly, touching the hairpin in her hair.
Those around them chuckled to themselves.
Xia Dongchun then realized the meaning behind An Lingrong's words and knew that he had been tricked by An Lingrong. He looked up and was about to hit An Lingrong.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" He Zhu strode in, holding the imperial edict high above his head.
He Zhu glanced at Xia Dongchun, then said to An Lingrong, "An, receive the imperial decree!"
Upon seeing this, An Lingrong immediately knelt down, and the others followed suit.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: An Lingrong, daughter of An Bihai, the Assistant Magistrate of Songyang County, is hereby granted the title of a Sixth-Rank Attendant and is granted residence in a side hall of Yanxi Palace. This is the imperial decree!"
"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude!" An Lingrong accepted the imperial decree with both hands.
"Congratulations, Consort An! Are you ready? This servant will send someone to escort you to Yanxi Palace!" He Zhu said.
"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law!" An Lingrong said as she stood up, then looked at Xia Dongchun with disdain, "From now on, I'm afraid Sister Xia will have to bow to someone of my humble origins!"
Xia Dongchun could only glance at Xia Dongchun, daring not to speak out.
Watching An Lingrong leave Chuxiu Palace surrounded by people, everyone was incredibly jealous. Which of them didn't have a better family background and appearance than An Lingrong? Why was An Lingrong appointed before the selection was even over?
"I never expected her to have such good luck!" Nian Shilan said to Qi Yuebin.
"Who can say for sure what will happen in the palace!" Qi Yuebin said thoughtfully. [I wonder if this is a good thing for An Lingrong? But the Empress seems easy to get along with!]
"Huan'er, let's go!" Shen Meizhuang reminded Zhen Huan when she saw that Zhen Huan was looking in the direction An Lingrong had left.
"She's here, Sister Mei!" Zhen Huan snapped out of her reverie and walked towards Chen Meizhuang.
After returning to her room, Zhen Huan dismissed everyone else, leaving only herself and Shen Meizhuang inside.
"Sister Mei, what's so special about An Lingrong that she caught the Emperor's eye and became the first among us to be granted an official title?"
Besides, didn't the Emperor say he wouldn't select any more women to enter the palace? Isn't the Emperor going back on his word and contradicting himself by doing this now?
"How many men are truly devoted to love? Especially the current emperor!" Shen Meizhuang thought Emperor Jingning was a deeply affectionate man, but it turns out he's nothing special.
"If you, sister, could meet the Emperor, with your beauty and knowledge, he would at least bestow upon you the title of Noble Lady!" Zhen Huan teased with a smile.
"Huan'er, you're always teasing me!" Shen Meizhuang said, blushing.
How could they possibly meet the Emperor so easily? Given their current positions, it was impossible for them to bump into the Emperor by chance, unless they planned it on purpose. However, they dared not try such a thing lightly.
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