Chapter 138
Zhou Li died and did not immediately return to the quick-travel game because her mission was not completed.
Gong Yinai had not yet become an empress and ushered in a prosperous reign.
After his death, Zhou Li could not go anywhere, so he just floated around his own corpse, watching Gong Yinai go crazy and watching the imperial doctors being called one after another, all shaking their heads and sighing.
It was a horrific sight to see a group of people studying a corpse.
It was hot in the summer, so Gong Yinai asked someone to move an iceberg to press down the corpse, but even so, it could not stop the decay of the corpse. She wanted to ask for Baixiang Pills for Liu Yingzi. Baixiang Pills, when placed under the tongue of the corpse, can prevent the corpse from decaying for a hundred years. However, the saint directly refused and refused to open his private vault.
Gong Yinai looked at Liu Yingzi's body blankly, not knowing who he should hate?
Did he hate her for believing the saint's words so easily? Or did he hate Liu Yingzi for being determined to die? Or did he hate the saint for being so cruel?
She should have felt resentful, but Liu Yingzi's departure seemed to have taken away half of her soul as well. She seemed to be living like a walking corpse.
Is Liu Yingzi important to her? Gong Yinai originally thought it was unimportant, but now she feels like there is a hole in her heart that no one can heal.
Zhou Li saw her in a daze every day, floating around Gong Yinai and sighing, thinking that time should heal everything.
In the end, the sage gave an order to bury the prince's concubine with great honor. At the same time, he criticized Gong Yinai for his poor manners and said that he was ashamed of the people of the world for being willing to die for a woman.
Gong Yinai had already gone mad.
When she received the imperial edict, her clothes were tattered and her lips were blue with cold. She laughed loudly: "Father, you lied to me! You lied to me so badly!"
"Prince." The servants knelt and persuaded, "Let the concubine go. Ashes to dust, earth to earth, the living must rest in peace."
Gong Yinai's mouth trembled, "What about me? What about my heart? Who will let her rest in peace?"
The servant kowtowed vigorously, "The Emperor has already decreed a grand funeral for the concubine. If you continue like this, the Emperor will be furious. What will happen to the concubine's affairs after her death? You must always think about her. I'm afraid the concubine would not want to see you in such an embarrassing state."
Gong Yinai's body was swaying. She had no appetite in the past few days. Her body could no longer hold on. She fell to the ground and murmured, "Liu Yingzi, is this what you want?"
I don’t know where the love comes from, but it grows deeper and deeper.
Gong Yinai killed her lover with her own hands, and she could never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
She stumbled and shook off the palace maid's hand, running to Liu Yingzi's bed.
Even though the iceberg was shaking, it was still ugly when people died.
Gong Yinai held Liu Yingzi's hand and burst into tears.
A palace maid wanted to go forward to comfort him, but was stopped by Gong Yinai's old servant, who said sadly: "Let the master cry, and everything will be fine after she finishes crying."
People can't keep it tense all the time. Once you let out your emotions, the matter will pass.
Gong Yinai finally came to his senses and ordered the burial of Liu Yingzi. However, from then on, no palace maids saw a smile on the prince's face. She became more majestic and people dared not look at her directly.
Three months after the death of the Crown Prince's concubine, the Kingdom of Qing entered a long winter.
An Qinan was disliked by the prince and was almost divorced and sent home. Before the New Year, someone finally had the courage to submit a memorial, requesting a nationwide selection of concubines to fill the prince's harem.
Gong Yinai, who always refused, did not say a word this time.
The sage issued an edict, summoning young ladies from all over the country to the capital for a beauty pageant, and the Kingdom of Qing became more lively than ever before.
At the beginning of spring, as soon as the willow branches sprouted tender buds, the capital city became bustling.
Large ships for beauty pageants sailed from the south and anchored at the shore. Passersby on both sides stopped to look. The bows of the ships were full of beauties. Everyone looked at them and felt that the scene before them was very beautiful. They had never seen so many beautiful women in their lives. Zhou Li was naturally among them.
This time she plays a concubine who is going to enter the palace for selection. Her family is under the command of Master Wen. Master Wen knows that the prince dislikes him, so it is not easy to arrange for someone from his family to enter the palace. Instead, he sends women of appropriate age from his subordinates' families to enter the palace.
Everyone wanted to enter the palace and win glory, so they took it positively.
Zhou Li's father was originally a minor official in the south and was also a member of Wen Taifu's faction. He seized this opportunity to force Zhou Li into the palace and told her to perform well so that the whole family could prosper. Naturally, Zhou Li had to work hard.
After arriving in the capital, Zhou Li was picked up by Wen Taifu's men. She was accompanied by several other sisters. They were all of similar age and sat in the same carriage, chattering on the way. When someone asked her about something, Zhou Li would just say a few words casually.
She had a calm temperament and was quickly distinguished from the other sisters, and was silently remembered by the accompanying nanny sitting in the car.
For those who want to be royal, good looks are only one of the requirements. One must also be obedient, understand human nature and hearts, and most importantly, be able to endure loneliness.
This nanny had met so many people. She was originally a maid in the palace and had lived in the palace for half her life. She rose from a maid to an old nanny. She had a pair of sharp eyes and quickly drew up a list from this group of people and handed it to Master Wen. Zhou Li's name was even on this red list.
Entering the palace is not that easy. It depends on whether the concubines have a clean family background, etiquette and appearance, and they must pass five levels of inspection before they can enter the selection.
Some better families will receive training in advance, and those who are not so lucky will be rejected even if they enter the palace.
On the day of entering the palace, carriages were parked at the palace gate. When there were enough people, a small team set out to enter the palace. The beauties all lived in the Suiyu Palace. They had to be checked before entering the Suiyu Palace. Those with no problems could enter the palace, and those with problems were taken away. The spots on their bodies, skin, facial features, and even their figures were criticized. Fortunately, Zhou Li had a well-proportioned figure, relaxed eyebrows and eyes, and was taken care of by Wen Taifu's people, so she did not suffer any insults. She just took off her clothes and walked around in front of the nanny.
Zhou Li put on his clothes and calmly tidied up his appearance. He took out a purse from his sleeve pocket and put it into the hand of a nanny without attracting attention.
"Excuse me, Madam. I want to ask you for tea."
The nanny smiled happily and gave Zhou Li a top grade in his booklet.
This selection was the largest selection held in the Qing Kingdom since the beginning of the year, except for the saint's enthronement. Everyone was determined to choose a suitable princess and other concubines for the prince's harem, vowing to fill the harem. Even the queen mother, the queen, and Concubine Jing were alarmed.
Gong Yinai could feel the atmosphere in the palace even as she sat in the study. She reviewed the memorials expressionlessly, without any joy at all about the selection of her own concubine.
"Prince, the beauty pageant has begun, and the Queen is calling you over."
Gong Yinai scoffed, "Let's go."
This selection was not for choosing a wife for her, but for the people of the world, for the court, and for the harem, but not for her. Gong Yinai had already given up hope. She used to expect the humanity of the royal family, but facts have proved that people cannot have expectations for things that they already know.
"The prince has arrived!" The loud announcement made the beautiful ladies who were lined up in an orderly manner waiting to be seen by the emperor excited. A person wearing a bright yellow four-clawed python robe came from the east. Behind her, a bright sun rose to the sky. The whole person was shrouded in a beam of light. She came with her back to the light, and her posture was upright.
The dazzling sunlight made it difficult to see her face. All that could be heard was a clear and sweet voice like pearls falling on a jade plate: "The child is late."
The concubines couldn't help but feel shy, and the bold ones secretly looked up, but they only saw a pretty figure from behind.
The Dowager Concubine Jing and the Queen Mother who were sitting in the upper seats both had kind faces. Even if they did not like Gong Yinai, they would never ruin the royal scene on such an occasion.
"You're not too late. We've just started, and we're waiting for the prince to come and take charge."
The long-gone queen sitting beside them also smiled and said, "Today we are choosing a concubine for you, so of course we have to wait for you to come. It doesn't count just because we see her. The prince must like her first."
The queen's words made many concubines blush again.
Gong Yinai sneered in his heart, but his expression did not show it, and he remained calm.
"With my mother, the Queen Mother, and the Concubine Dowager watching over me, the person I choose will definitely be the right one."
The two sides were fighting back and forth. Zhou Li, who was standing below, was calm and composed, not even raising her eyes. She saw that when Gong Yinai arrived, the nanny next to him secretly took note of a few people who couldn't keep calm.
If you want to become a royal family, it is not easy to make the leap from a carp to a dragon.
The rules in the palace are very strict, and if you take a wrong step, you will be doomed.
"Let's start." Gong Yinai said lightly and sat down in her seat. The expectant concubines finally saw her face.
The prince had a pair of eyebrows that were more delicate than a woman's, but this did not diminish her imposing presence at all. Her shoulders were not broad, but she sat upright, and her uprightness revealed a sense of casualness and laziness, as if she was strolling in her own courtyard. Her gaze fell on the crowd below, her eyes were indifferent, and no expression could be seen on her fair face.
Eyebrows and eyes like a painting, a gentleman like a jade, these are the words that come to most people's minds after seeing the prince. He is worthy of being the most beautiful woman in the capital. Even the concubines who are famous for their beauty have to be reserved in front of the prince.
Zhou Li heard a gasp beside her. She lowered her eyes, her demeanor was perfect, and she didn't seem to be curious at all.
The names were called one by one, and finally it was Zhou Li's turn. Zhou Li had a calm demeanor. Although she was not the most beautiful among the concubines, she had a very majestic face. Her face was like jade, white and flawless, and she had a round and smooth face, which showed that she was fertile.
The Queen and the Queen Mother both nodded in satisfaction.
Zhou Li's family background is not prominent, and this kind of pretty girl is most suitable to fill the harem, without that kind of coquettish charm.
Gong Yinai saw that they automatically divided the people with good looks, and the beauties with good family background and good looks had the upper hand. Those with bad family background would not be selected even if they had good looks. He was afraid that someone who would disrupt the harem would come in, and he was afraid that Liu Yingzi would be classified into this category.
The palace maid asked Gong Yinai for her opinion. Gong Yinai's eyes were empty. The Queen asked Zhou Li to look at the prince. It was just a matter of procedure. Gong Yinai could just say whether to keep the card or not. However, Gong Yinai felt suffocated in her chest. From the death of Liu Yingzi to now, she felt that being the prince was like a puppet. She could only act the way the audience wanted to see.
Gong Yinai didn't see Zhou Li. She said to the palace maid calmly, "Let them all stay."
They looked at three people at a time, and Zhou Li was ranked at the end. The ones behind her were basically from poor family backgrounds but good looks. Originally, the empress dowager and the queen only liked Zhou Li, but when the prince kept three, the empress dowager and the queen's faces changed color instantly, because there was a woman with extremely good looks standing in a row with Zhou Li. She looked charming and seductive, and it was obvious that she was not a good person.
"Thank you, Your Highness." The three of them knelt in gratitude.
The woman's voice was particularly gentle.
In fact, Gong Yinai didn't notice the woman. She kept her because the Queen Mother and the Queen were finding fault with her, and she was unhappy about it, so she kept the woman next to her as well.
Gong Yinai was tired of looking, so after selecting this row, she stood up and said, "I suddenly remembered that there are still some unfinished official business. I hope the Queen Mother and mother will take care of the rest of the people." After that, she strode away, and the bright yellow hem of her clothes brushed against Zhou Li's head as he knelt down to thank her. Zhou Li couldn't help but smile. After so long, Gong Yinai was still so frank.
The Empress Dowager and the Queen both looked unhappy and had no intention of choosing anymore. After they had chosen the people who needed to be chosen, they told Zhou Li and the others to stand up, and the rest of the people were left with their names according to the list that had been prepared in the morning.
The meeting was just the last step. In fact, the decision on who would stay had already been made when the list was submitted.
The selected beauties were brought back to Suiyu Palace to wait for the canonization. The beauties who were originally in the same row with Zhou Li were all shy, and many people were jealous of her. In fact, she was the most outstanding in appearance, so it was possible that the prince would stand up for her.
Someone said sourly: "Sister is about to become famous."
Some people praise, while others step on. Several beautiful ladies from good families snorted coldly: "Those who serve others with their beauty will lose their favor when their beauty fades."
The beautiful lady turned pale immediately. When everyone saw these noble ladies coming, they dispersed immediately. Zhou Li also walked away quietly without competing with others.
The imperial edict of enthronement arrived soon, and several people were selected from the prince's backyard. Of course, the most important position of the Crown Princess was also selected. The Crown Princess was from the Xiao family in the cabinet.
It was originally thought that the granddaughter of Master Wen would be elected, but unexpectedly, the Xiao family would benefit in the end.
Zhou Li still remembered that Xiao Feilan didn't like An Qinan. Seeing the situation in the court, Gong Yinai probably joined forces with Xiao Feilan's grandfather Xiao Cheng'an.
Indeed, Xiao Cheng'an was the last person to enter the cabinet. He was basically no better than the other four. The number of cabinet members remained at five all year round. The other four had been working in this position for many years. Xiao Cheng'an remained silent and actually found another way.
Zhou Li sighed, but these had nothing to do with her, a mere concubine.
Although these people were carried into the prince's backyard first, the prince had to prepare to marry the princess first and had no time to see them.
The palace was lonely. Li Didi, who originally thought that she had good looks and could get married before the Crown Princess, looked reluctant.
She was the one who was left behind by the prince himself during the selection.
Li Didi had no say with the others who were lifted up together. The others were all noble ladies, and people of the same status as her looked down on her because she was born a concubine's daughter. Only Zhou Li seemed to be noncompetitive and could sit together and talk to them peacefully.
Li Didi had just finished complaining that she couldn't even see the prince when she saw Zhou Li embroidering with a calm face.
Li Didi was anxious and asked, "I see you embroidering every day, every day. We've been in the palace for so long, and we haven't even seen the Crown Prince. Aren't you anxious?"
Zhou Li looked down at the peony on the embroidery that was almost taking shape. A gentle smile appeared on the corner of her lips. "I think this is good too. I have food and clothing, and I don't have to worry about food and clothing. Why should I worry about those things? The prince will come naturally if he wants to."
Li Didi looked at Zhou Li with a look of disgrace. She was a concubine's daughter, and had to fight for everything. Otherwise, how could she survive? Even this time, entering the palace selection was won by her, relying on her good looks, and she was indeed selected to enter the palace. Her father even said that it must have rained yellow rain to produce such a thing as her, who brought honor to the family.
Li Didi has little education and believes that the decision she made is right.
She murmured to herself, "This won't do." She didn't know what tricks she had in mind. Zhou Li tried to persuade her, but Li Didi didn't listen and left in a hurry.
Zhou Li looked at her back and sighed.
Gong Yinai is a woman. How could she possibly enter the harem before her identity is exposed? No matter how much she does, it will be useless. It is better to wait quietly.
A few nights later, a scream suddenly came from the prince's back house.
Gong Yinai stood in the yard, disheveled, holding a bloody blade. She threw the knife to the guard leader and said coldly, "My yard, is it a place where just any cat or dog can enter? Everyone on duty today, go down and be punished! This will serve as a warning!"
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