After all, having spent the whole morning practicing Tai Chi with a group of old ladies, hearing Shirley's blunt words at first glance was somewhat unsettling.
"Oh? Is this all they're willing to gamble on?" In the Empress Dowager's eyes, those court officials were all old foxes.
"That's a favor. Otherwise, with the selection of Manchu girls every three years, all girls of age have to participate. Do you think they'd be scared?! Not everyone has my mental fortitude!"
Sherry looked utterly invincible and lonely. Who else could be so calm?
"..." The Empress Dowager and Su Mala Gu looked at each other, and to be honest, it made a lot of sense.
She probably didn't know that this was a rule she set later, which Sherry brought up in advance.
"I didn't realize you were so clever!" The Empress Dowager looked at Xue Li with great satisfaction.
"However, the Emperor definitely won't agree!" Sherry pouted in disdain. "So, why should we make him happy?"
The Empress Dowager was speechless!
Was it appropriate to say that to her?!
That's certainly true.
The twins brought him prestige, but that was all; he remained indifferent to both princes.
The Empress Dowager was at a loss for words. She looked at Su Ma La Gu and then at Xue Li. Su Ma La Gu lowered her head and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, you may leave now, lest my precious grandson wakes up and makes a fuss!"
Sherry immediately stood up, bowed, and took her leave!
The talent show is in full swing with preparations.
The Empress Dowager had already spoken with the families who were interested and given Sherry a list.
Young women from remote areas gradually arrived in the capital.
Some are also hurrying to learn the rules.
This draft lasted for 3 months!
As a result, Emperor Shunzhi did not attend the formal selection of concubines because Consort Dong'e fell ill.
Then Sherry, quite interested, asked them to perform their talents.
Needless to say, I guess everyone knows that the emperor loved women from the water towns of Jiangnan.
Each one of them was as frail as a willow in the breeze.
Sydney patiently tested each student one by one.
What talents and hobbies do they have?
Believe it or not, some of them can sing songs, and their soft Wu dialect makes Shirley's eyes light up.
Sherry went down and took the little beauty's hand. Oh, it was so soft...
She then took the hand of the next one, and oh dear, she lowered her head so shyly.
The next one, with a blank face and unremarkable attire, well, probably doesn't want to enter the palace.
The next one, well, he looks athletic, his face is tanned a wheat color, and he's performing a sword dance for Sherry.
The last one is a great dancer with an incredibly flexible waist; even Sherry felt that Emperor Shunzhi was blessed...
...
Then, except for those who didn't want to go to the palace, Sherry stayed in that line.
The Empress Dowager was speechless.
"Your Majesty, be mindful of your limits..." The Empress Dowager was intentionally reminding her not to choose too many.
As a result, the young ladies-in-waiting thought the Empress had some kind of peculiar hobby, and they were all so frightened that their faces turned pale.
There were a few people staring intently at Sherry, including the athletic one.
Sherry nodded and sat up straight again.
Then they selected many Han women from humble backgrounds.
That style is even more Jiangnan than that of Dong Eshi!
The Empress Dowager was probably somewhat displeased, so she left early!
Then Sherry took the freshly compiled list and began making arrangements.
She preferred to have her palaces located near her, such as Chengqian Palace, Zhongcui Palace, and Chuxiu Palace.
There were singers, pipa players, dancers, and swordsmen.
Sherry was even happier than Shunzhi. After arranging the accommodations, she talked to Granny Asa and the old nanny about the talents of the young ladies-in-waiting.
The two elderly people looked melancholy!
The old woman stared blankly into her eyes, letting the words go in one ear and out the other.
Aunt Asa was used to Sherry's occasional tantrums, but she still found this scene quite indescribable.
A few days later, the young women entered the palace one after another.
Emperor Shunzhi did not go on the first day, after all, normally he had to consider the Empress's feelings.
He didn't go the next day either, after all, his beloved Dong Eshi had fallen ill because of jealousy.
Sydney is different!
They simply held a small welcome banquet.
Then they watched with great interest as Qin danced, Li played the zither, and Zhang played the flute…
Sherry was delighted and generously rewarded him!
Then another batch was quickly replaced.
Shi performs a sword dance, Wang plays the guzheng, and Ma Jia strikes a clay pot...
Sherry couldn't help but clap her hands, and with a wave of her hand, she gave him another reward.
Everyone got excited and rushed to perform.
When the Empress Dowager heard the news, she thought she had misheard!
"What did you say?!" The Empress Dowager thought she was getting old and hard of hearing, otherwise how could she have heard the Empress and the concubines indulging in pleasure?
"Her Majesty the Empress hosted a welcome banquet today to welcome the newly arrived princesses and young consorts, and then everyone began to sing and dance..."
The young eunuch reported with a pained expression.
After all, everyone knows that the princesses received many rewards from the Empress.
Now, some of the imperial concubines have gone to Kunning Palace and suggested holding another banquet so that everyone can have some fun.
The Empress even agreed...
The Empress Dowager and Sumalagu stared at each other for a long time, and Sumalagu was so angry that she almost fainted!
"Were these young ladies chosen for her or for the Emperor?!"
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but shout angrily.
"Of course it's the Emperor! A harmonious harem is a good thing!"
Sumalagu quickly comforted the Empress Dowager.
That makes perfect sense!
After all, the empress may be a bit simple-minded, but she is indeed very popular with the people.
"...Don't be too presumptuous!" The Empress Dowager hesitated for a long time, unsure how to characterize the situation, before finally adding a comment.
Sumalagu nodded in agreement.
Sherry really had to discuss with the concubines what kind of banquet to hold.
The newlyweds watched with great interest.
Upon receiving the news, Emperor Shunzhi's face turned extremely ugly!
He shared the same idea as the Empress Dowager.
The Empress is choosing her own consorts!
After finishing reviewing the memorials, the sullen Shunzhi strode to the Kunning Palace.
He didn't even notice Ao Bai behind him with a dark expression!
When I went to Kunning Palace, I heard the sounds of women laughing and playing.
Emperor Shunzhi was furious; many of his concubines didn't react this way when they were with him.
The sound made his hair stand on end!
The sisters are quite close right now!
Shunzhi immediately noticed some unfamiliar faces.
Surprisingly, a few of them were quite to his liking.
There are a few who are just like the Empress; when they feel like it, they'll argue with her.
He was too lazy to pay attention to the other person, and the other person was too lazy to pay attention to him.
Shi stood beside Xue Li and fed her fruit with a silver fork, while Ma Jia wiped Xue Li's hands with a handkerchief.
Tus was relegated to the shadows.
When Shunzhi saw how much Xue Li was enjoying herself, he was so angry that he laughed.
Sherry noticed the watchful gaze from behind him, a gaze that felt like a thorn in his side.
Looking up, Ao Bai's eyes looked as aggrieved as a little puppy's.
"The Empress certainly knows how to enjoy herself!" Shunzhi sneered.
"I am blessed by Your Majesty!" Shirley said sincerely.
"Ha! I am not as fortunate as the Empress!" Shunzhi said, staring at the fruit that was brought to Xue Li's mouth.
Sherry paused, then opened her mouth towards him, revealing a round grape inside.
Seriously, I'll share a bite with you.
Shunzhi was so angry at Xue Li's appearance that he looked away.
Ag and Bowengku, who were sitting below, couldn't help but lower their heads, their shoulders shaking.
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