"A kind person?" Qian Shengyan immediately thought of the young man she had seen at the banquet and wanted to ask more, but Foerguchun had not seen the man's appearance clearly at the time, and only nodded and said: "Yes, he was a bit taller than Zhang Qinglan, but I didn't see what he looked like. Then Fourth Brother scolded Zhang Qinglan and we came back."
"It's alright, Mother saw Ai'er searching for you everywhere. From now on, no matter where you go, you must not lose the people with you, understand? Take at least three with you." Qian Shengyan earnestly advised, "Mother rarely asks where you go, but you must protect yourself. And remember to take Xiao Luzi with you, okay?"
Folgochun immediately agreed: "Mother, don't worry, I remember everything. I only went to change clothes at the New Year's Eve banquet and that's why I didn't bring anyone with me. Who knew I'd be so unlucky..."
Qian Shengyan also sighed. Oh well, at least things are clear now.
In March, the talent show began, but Qian Shengyan also had another event to attend to – the silkworm ceremony in mid-March.
For the previous two years, it was Ulanara who went. Although Qian Shengyan was also in charge, she was too lazy to deal with it, so the Empress attended instead. This year was the first time she went to Taiye Pond. Fortunately, during the Kangxi era, the Imperial Noble Consort performed the silkworm ceremony on behalf of the Emperor many times. The Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites had corresponding regulations. Qian Shengyan only needed to follow the ceremony guide step by step.
The silkworm ceremony lasts for three days. The first day is mainly for worship. On the second day, Qian Shengyan needs to pick mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms. On the third day, she only needs to do some finishing work and then worship the silkworm goddess Leizu before returning to the palace.
After fasting for three days and performing rituals for three days, Qian Shengyan was exhausted. Before she could catch her breath, it was time for the selection of the imperial concubines.
Qian Shengyan secured a spot for Hongli and Hongzhou to choose their own concubines. Both were shy yet expectant, but they couldn't go directly to the Imperial Garden to choose. Instead, they secretly found a high platform nearby and used the long-range eyes they had acquired from the Thirteen Factories of Guangzhou to watch from afar.
Now that there is only one Imperial Noble Consort and one Consort in the harem, and Hongzhou is also about to be betrothed, Qian Shengyan simply invited Gengshi to watch the selection of candidates together—anyway, Yinzhen is not going to watch.
Moreover, not only did he not look at it, he also made a promise with Qian Shengyan long ago that no one would be left in the harem this year.
Qian Shengyan was speechless.
Qian Shengyan wanted to say a few more words of advice, but Yinzhen didn't need her to say anything more. He said directly, "The national treasury is short of money. There is really no need to bring in any more people to the palace. Just remember to take a few more candidates. There are plenty of women waiting to marry a primary wife or a secondary wife."
Qian Shengyan: ...
Qian Shengyan really wanted to ask him, didn't he need it? Just look at this harem, even the youngest, Lady Guo, is already over thirty. As the emperor, isn't he too shabby?
Moreover, she really wanted to find two people who could read and do math to come into the palace to help her with accounting and palace affairs!
Unfortunately, his words were law, and the harem ultimately belonged to Yinzhen. He said he wouldn't admit any new women, and that meant he couldn't. Otherwise, if he did admit any, it wouldn't be to favor them, and he would just waste his life.
For this reason, Qian Shengyan even began to draft a major plan—she wanted to establish a girls' school.
Imagine, even a girl as privileged as Folgochun, encountering a scoundrel when she first fell in love. Girls in this dynasty were truly unfortunate. The biggest reason they had no choice was the lack of income. If women could read and write and have a job, earning money to bring home, their status could be improved to some extent.
However, this matter was truly earth-shattering in this dynasty, and Qian Shengyan could only proceed cautiously. Fortunately, she now had some small plans, which might allow her to take the first step and see how things went.
In particular, after Qian Shengyan learned about the imperial concubine selection, she discovered that since the Kangxi era, there had been female officials in the palace. However, unlike those in the Tang Dynasty, these female officials could only move around in the various palaces of the inner palace. They were subordinate to the main empress of a palace and did not have any specific duties. They only assisted with internal affairs. Moreover, unlike the palace maids, these female officials could leave the inner palace after working for five years.
However, the requirements for female officials are extremely demanding. Some even have to start from the rank of a lowly palace maid and register themselves before the preliminary and general elections. It is quite a thankless task, and they are becoming increasingly rare nowadays.
Qian Shengyan wondered if she could recruit a group of women who were interested in this, train them first, and then put them to work. They would not only belong to one palace or one hall, but would be like the "Military Affairs Office" established by Yinzhen, specifically responsible for managing the affairs of the six palaces.
Unfortunately, she hadn't had this idea for long, and her plans weren't detailed enough. This year's general election had already started in October of last year, so she couldn't make it in time no matter what. She could only make a plan first and try to launch it before the palace maid selection this year.
On the day of the selection, the young women had to ride mule carts to the Shenwu Gate, where they would disembark and be led in by eunuchs through a side gate to gather in front of the Shunzhen Gate. They would then enter the Shunzhen Gate in the order of the pre-arranged list to be selected.
During the selection process, the women to be considered had to be arranged in rows of six in order. They were not allowed to look up or glance around while being selected, and the women were not close to each other. Qian Shengyan tried hard to look for a long time, but the faces were still blurry and not clear.
Fortunately, Yinzhen had previously drawn up a list for her. All the girls on that list who looked decent were to be kept and prepared for marriage to the Eight Banners princes.
Those who received a plaque were naturally delighted, while those who didn't could go home and get married on their own. Qian Shengyan felt that each had its own merits, and she treated these girls with great kindness and friendliness. It was just a pity that these girls, who were entering the Forbidden City for the first time, were nervous no matter what.
After the audition ended, neither Hongli nor Hongzhou mentioned any specific candidates. Hongzhou said somewhat unhappily, "They all had their heads down, like quails, and we couldn't see their faces at all."
Geng pinched his cheek, saying, "The Imperial Noble Consort has already shown you extraordinary mercy by granting you this opportunity. What do you want? Just listen to your mother. Zhangjia Shi would be perfect!"
“Alright, alright, if Mother says it’s good, then it must be good,” Hongzhou said helplessly.
Hongli also said, "I will just follow my mother's orders."
Qian Shengyan couldn't interfere with Hongzhou's affairs, but she could still meddle with Hongli. She planned to have Hongli and Fucha meet before the wedding, so that the young couple could at least get to know each other, which was better than meeting for the first time after the wedding.
As for whether Hongli would dislike it... considering how many poems Qianlong wrote for Empress Xiaoxianchun in history, Qian Shengyan thinks it's unlikely.
Since no new women were to enter the palace this year, the palace maids who had left their names on the list could leave the palace and return home to await the imperial decree for marriage. So, Qian Shengyan found a sunny day, summoned the young girl to the palace, gave her some trinkets, and had her eldest son deliver things to her on time, so that the two of them could meet face to face.
Hongli entered with a calm demeanor. When Qian Shengyan asked how it went, he replied, "Mother's judgment has always been excellent."
Qian Shengyan: ...
"Your father chose it."
"Oh, did Father Emperor say when the wedding will be?" Hongli casually picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Isn't next year a bit too late?"
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