The first imperial concubine selection during the Yongzheng reign finally arrived after much anticipation.
The quality of the young women selected this time is extremely high. After all, the Emperor has just ascended the throne and only has three sons, far fewer than Emperor Kangxi's large family. Below the Emperor are the young princes and nobles, all of whom are highly desirable candidates. Not to mention, considering the eldest prince's age, there will definitely be a selection process this time, which makes the effort even more intense.
There is a perfect example: the Empress and the Emperor were childhood sweethearts who have been together for many years and have a deep and enviable relationship.
The capital city, which had been quiet for a long time, became lively again. Every day, young women from other places came to the palace, and those with business acumen set up stalls early in the morning to make some quick money.
Some busybodies even compiled a list of all the young ladies participating in the selection, listing their names and lifelike portraits. For a time, almost every playboy in the capital had a copy, and some gambling dens even opened betting on which young ladies would be chosen and have a bright future.
In short, the biggest event in Beijing these days is the talent show; everything else has taken a backseat.
Fucha Mansion
Fucha Fujin frowned and stared at the nanny beside the master: "Master, who is this?"
"I thought about it, and Wanling has learned the rules quite well, but she looks a bit rigid. She is Ma Ma, who came from the palace. The girls she taught have always been highly praised. I had to put in a lot of effort to compete with others."
"Madam, find a private courtyard for Granny Ma, and assign two maids to serve her. From now on, Granny Ma will teach Wanling and make sure she is completely transformed."
Fucha Fujin reluctantly made arrangements for Mama Ma, feeling uneasy.
If a child enters the palace, it is naturally a good thing for the family. However, if the child is not of one mind with them, it can be quite distressing.
Granny Ma was a shrewd woman from the palace. Within two days, she had a clear understanding of Consort Fucha's thoughts, and she felt a pang of regret for Princess Wanling.
Born into the Fucha family, and being the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, if she had been carefully taught from a young age, she would be incredibly dazzling now, leaving no room for her talents.
Wanling studied very hard. Regardless of whether she could be selected this time, she had to make sure that no one could find fault with her. This was her way of surviving.
Uya's family
Looking at the clothes and full set of headdress bestowed upon her by the Empress Dowager in the palace, Wu Ya Huixia felt a toothache.
She's reached the age where she should participate in talent shows; if she doesn't, she'll be too old to get married on her own.
Huixia never expected that even after being pushed away by the Empress Dowager twice without success, she still harbored illusions. It was unclear whether she was overconfident or had developed an obsession.
She didn't want to be a victim in the power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The head of the Wuya family is now very well-behaved. He had previously tried to persuade the Empress Dowager to support the Fourteenth Prince, but he was taught a lesson by the Fourteenth Prince. Thinking of the Fourteenth Prince's methods, the head of the Wuya family shuddered. He never wanted to experience that again. Therefore, he did not respond to the Empress Dowager's explicit or implicit suggestions in the palace.
Wuya Huixia was bound to participate in the imperial concubine selection. As for the result, he couldn't control it. After all, she wasn't his daughter. If she could enter the palace, it would be her good fortune. If she couldn't, he would just give her a dowry.
Ulanara Prefecture
Mingxuan has been studying even harder lately. Every day, he either goes to the yamen or returns to his study to read. Occasionally, he accompanies his grandfather, Fei Yanggu, to run around on the training ground, living a life like an ascetic monk.
Xinghui's wife was pleased with her son's ambition, but he was getting on in years and would make excuses whenever it came to finding a partner, leaving her with a lot of unspoken difficulties.
She had nowhere else to turn but to her mother-in-law for solace: "Mother, I made a mistake before, and Mingxuan has borne the consequences. I know I was wrong."
“But Mingxuan is tormenting himself. Even if he doesn’t marry now and doesn’t indulge in women, the eldest princess has already married and there’s no way he can turn back.”
"Mother, could you please talk to the Empress and ask her to reserve one for Mingxuan in this selection? As long as the Empress takes a liking to him, he will definitely be good."
Of course, Consort Ulanara felt sorry for her grandson. She had seen Mingxuan's behavior during this time and knew that only time could make this matter pass. Perhaps after a few years, when the eldest princess had both a son and a daughter, Mingxuan would be able to let it go completely.
But she couldn't say this to her daughter-in-law, she definitely wouldn't accept it: "Alright, I'll go and tell Her Majesty."
“But if Mingxuan is unwilling, you can’t force him,” said Consort Ulanara very seriously.
"Don't worry, Mother, I understand."
Consort Ulanara was worried, so she found some time to chat with Mingxuan: "You've grown taller recently, it seems that practicing with your grandfather is having an effect."
Mingxuan smiled and said, "My grandson thinks so too. Not only is his health better, but he also has more energy for studying."
"You study much harder now than you did in school."
“Working in the Hanlin Academy, I can feel the gap between myself and other adults. I need to catch up as soon as possible.”
"The eldest grandson of the Zhu family is your colleague, isn't he?"
Mingxuan paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
"My grandson is not as good as him."
Hearing Mingxuan's low, somewhat dejected voice, Ulanara gently comforted him: "No, you just made a mistake when you were still ignorant."
"But this is a fatal mistake. My grandson often thinks how wonderful it would be if time could be turned back."
Princess Ulanara calmly shook her head: "You know, the world changes, and time always flows forward."
"Mingxuan, have you ever thought about this? If you never get married, will the young master of the Zhu family think that you still can't let go of the eldest princess?"
"I've heard that the eldest princess and her husband are very loving and harmonious. You don't want to be the source of her unhappiness, do you?"
Mingxuan held his head in his hands, and after a long period of painful contemplation, he managed to squeeze out a broken sentence through his teeth: "Grandson understands."
“Mingxuan, you’ve already made a mistake once, so don’t hurt others in the same way again.”
"Getting married means you have to take on responsibilities and give another woman a bright future."
After Ulanara finished speaking, she left, leaving Mingxuan sitting there silently for a long time.
The next day, Xinghui Fujin excitedly came to pay her respects to Ulanara Fujin: "I have good news for you, Mother. Mingxuan says he wants to get married. You really have a way with me, Mother."
"Go ahead and choose. Bring your favorite person to me for me to see. If she's good, I'll ask Her Majesty the Empress for a favor." Consort Ulanara didn't interrupt Consort Xinghui's good mood, giving her something to do to prevent any further trouble.
And so, in the capital, regardless of east, west, south, north, rich, or poor, everyone did their utmost to try and seize that chance to rise to the top.
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