Chapter 3 Selected
After an incense stick of time, everyone finally saw the figures of the emperor, his concubines and the princes.
Because she was at the back of the line, Chu Sishui plucked up the courage to take a quick look.
Sitting on the high seats and wearing costumes of six-clawed golden dragons and phoenixes are Emperor Rong and the former Empress. Emperor Rong has dragon eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a tall and strong figure. Even in his forties, he still has the charm of the past.
On either side of the Emperor and Empress were two concubines, but due to the distance they were quite far it was difficult to tell who was who.
Chu Sishui's eyes followed her steps again and again. When a wheelchair appeared, she was about to look up to see how the legendary fairy-like beauty...
Ahem…
Eunuch Chang at the side coughed lightly, interrupting the gazes of these bold women from official families.
Chu Sishui collected his thoughts, lowered his brows and knelt down with the team. "Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress."
Emperor Rong glanced at them casually and said lightly, "No need to be polite." Then everyone stood in the pavilion according to the rules.
The former queen's second prince had already married the daughter of a general, and the eldest princess had just made an engagement. She was just here to host the event and join in the fun. "Your Majesty, since all the women from the imperial family are here, let's get started. After Prince Rui has chosen his princess, Prince Jing can choose a woman he likes as his concubine. But Prince Jing will have to wait a little longer, so please don't mind, Concubine Xiao."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Xiao chuckled, but she had also served the emperor for decades, so she immediately returned to her normal expression, "Your Highness, what are you talking about? This is to select a concubine for Prince Rui, and Prince Jing is also taking advantage of his brother's blessing. I am more than happy, why would I mind."
Emperor Rong nodded and said, "Well, this is also for the sake of Prince Rui. Let Prince Rui choose for himself."
After saying that, he turned sideways and said to Rong Zhuo beside him, "This time you can choose according to your preferences. We will not interfere."
When the princes and princesses standing by heard the emperor's loving and caring words, they couldn't help but look up at the person in the wheelchair. In an instant, everyone understood that their father just wanted to make amends.
For a moment, all the concubines and princes encouraged King Rui with smiles on their faces, but the person concerned just hummed lightly, "Hmm." to show his gratitude.
The former Queen did not mind, and asked Aunt Xu beside her to start calling the guests.
There are two rounds in this selection of concubines, namely appearance evaluation and talent show. There are no restrictions on the talent show.
The one who obtained the most jade pendants in the two rounds was Princess Rui.
The ladies from official families in the first row were all of noble status. When they heard that the first round would be Prince Rui and the next round would be Prince Jing, they all held their breath, fearing that they would be picked by accident.
Unexpectedly, King Rui just glanced at it quietly and let the second round in.
So fast? Chu Sishui looked up and saw that all the female executives in the first row who were eliminated were secretly suppressing their joy and had no regrets at all.
Seeing that it was her turn soon, Chu Sishui was so nervous that her heart was beating like thunder.
Although she had delivered the medicine last time, he didn't know what she looked like. How could she get the prince to notice her? Although she had tampered with her skirt, if she was too flattering, she would definitely be accused of being a seductive woman; if she was not too flattering, based on the situation in the past few rounds, she would probably just have to go over there.
What should I do? I absolutely cannot stay in the Chu Mansion anymore. I must be chosen.
"The official woman from the sixth row came forward."
Chu Sishui was still panicking at this time. She happened to stop right in front of the Queen and couldn't do anything. She could only wait until she passed by King Rui to express her feelings.
In fact, Chu Sishui was not the only one who noticed these imperial concubines and Prince Rui around her. The imperial concubines also noticed her.
First of all, Queen Yuan noticed Chu Sishui's fresh and elegant makeup and delicate eyebrows and eyes early on. Even her hair bun was designed in a unique way. The two crabapple flowers in front and behind made her look extremely refreshing, and she felt relaxed and happy at first sight.
The former queen picked up the roll call list and smiled at the emperor, "This is the daughter of Chu Bianxiu, Chu Sishui. The name is refreshing and she is also cheerful and cheerful."
Emperor Rong understood and said, "Well, raise your head."
Chu Sishui did as she was told, and the emperor felt his eyes brighten. Her eyes, as dazzling as stars, made the woman look excited.
He nodded immediately. Although the officials did not tell anyone about the selection of concubines this time, the emperor knew it. Who would be willing to marry their beloved daughter to a disabled person? Therefore, all the female candidates today were chosen as plain as possible. Seeing such a clever, refreshing and pleasant Chu Sishui, he immediately became interested.
"Stand on King Rui's side."
"Yes." Chu Sishui suppressed her panic. It turned out that the selection of a concubine had to pass two levels. One was the emperor and empress, and the other was Prince Rui.
King Rui?
Chu Sishui began calculating the time in her mind as she knelt and saluted. She had smeared honey on the lotus flowers early in the morning and had just added some scented powder on the two flowers. She thought a butterfly should fly over at this moment, so she raised her eyes and looked at King Rui in front of her. Their eyes met and, luckily for her, the butterfly landed on the crabapple flower.
The amazement in Rong Zhuo's eyes was fleeting. A fresh and elegant fragrance came towards him, and a breeze blew. The woman in front of him was in high spirits. A butterfly landed on the pink crabapple flower. Rong Zhuo was in a trance for a moment, lowered his eyebrows, and saw the dogwood pattern on the hem of the skirt, and was stunned for a moment. Cornus officinalis has the effect of warding off evil spirits and curing diseases.
Three days ago, this woman showed up at Tingfeng Pavilion and recommended herself, firstly to offer medicine, and secondly to show her good relationship with him.
He didn't know why the editor's daughter wanted to marry him. He had no intention of getting married. Although these women who came to participate in the election pretended to be good on the surface, they all despised his disability behind his back.
Suddenly, Rong Zhuo turned his eyes and met Chu Sishui.
This was the first time Chu Sishui met Prince Rui. He was dressed in royal blue auspicious clothes and sat upright in a wheelchair. His handsome and ethereal temperament made him look like a god.
But his drooped eyelids and indifferent look all tell of his loneliness and sadness.
So Chu Sishui blinked at him and smiled, instinctively trying to dispel the loneliness around him. It also sends him the most direct signal: I do!
Rong Zhuo looked at the woman in front of him indifferently. In this brief and careful observation, he clearly received all the signals. Last night when he was sleeping, he touched her legs which were a little warm. Even though his heart had been dead for a long time, it still moved. Since she was interested...
"Appreciating jade..."
………
There was complete silence for a moment. Chu Sishui covered her heart that was about to jump out of her chest and tried her best to regain her senses from that divine face. "Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Rui."
Emperor Rong and Empress Yuan on the side finally reacted, and joy immediately appeared on their brows.
Concubine Shu didn't show any expression. When Concubine Xiao heard that, she felt relieved. Since Prince Rui had taken a fancy to the editor's daughter, then Prince Jing didn't need to be humble and could directly choose He Yaoguang, the daughter of General He. This was what the two had discussed last night.
The first round of appearances finally ended. In addition to Chu Sishui receiving the jade pendant, He Yaoguang also received a jade gift from King Jing. Together with the other dozen women who were given jade by concubines, Chu Sishui's relaxed heart became alert again.
There are still many opponents, and I only got a jade pendant.
While everyone here had their own thoughts, the official girl over there was concentrating on thinking about her next talent.
Chu Sishui looked at the beautiful women, some painting, some dancing, some playing the flute, and some playing the piano. It was so lively.
An hour later, it was finally her turn. Because she had just been given the jade by King Rui himself, dozens of eyes were staring at her. Some were scrutinizing, some were expectant, and some were curious, but no one was jealous...
Chu Sishui presented the eternal masterpiece "Spring River Moon Night" that she had prepared. When Eunuch Chang's shrill and steady voice finished reading the last word, Rong Zhuo put away his surprise. He held a jade pendant in one hand and carefully explored it, raising his indifferent eyes, "Miss Chu is very talented, and she has painted such a vast and peaceful moonlit night. But I am a disabled person, I am afraid that I will not be able to accompany you to enjoy the beautiful scenery in the future..."
Chu Sishui immediately understood King Rui's temptation. It turned out that he was afraid that his disability would lead to resentment between husband and wife in the future.
Chu Sishui thought calmly for a while, then immediately smiled to indicate that she didn't mind. Just as she was about to open her mouth to encourage him, King Rui's voice rang out again, "Reward the jade..."
………
For a moment, the entire imperial garden was silent again. Chu Sishui's heart, which had just been silent, finally came back to life and began beating wildly.
It really worked!
She was chosen!
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