Chapter 209 (select)
"Miss Fu is named Fu Lanzhu. She was originally a quiet person who did her own thing and did not want to fight with anyone. However, Miss Wang Yu seems to regard both Miss Fu and Miss Chu as her rivals, so she tries her best to make things difficult for them at every turn."
Xiao Qing nodded, thinking that this was quite normal.
Although she didn't know why Wang Yu wanted to enter the palace so much, or why she wanted to be her "concubine," she had heard Fu Mingyi tell her a story from the past.
At that time, they had just entered Nanhua City and settled down in Nanhua Palace.
It is said that when she was resting in the palace, Fu Mingyi was waiting outside the door, and that's when he encountered Wang Yu.
She didn't know how Wang Yu ended up in the palace. But at that time, Wang Yu wanted to enter the palace and even told Fu Mingyi that he could leave and that she would take care of the emperor.
No matter how you look at it, this felt somewhat inappropriate. But Wang Yu actually did it anyway.
Fortunately, Fu Mingyi stood firm and rejected her at the time.
Because of this incident, Wang Yu has never had a good impression of Fu Mingyi.
I heard that when she held banquets at home, she would often mention Fu Mingyi intentionally or unintentionally, but it was always in a critical or belittling way, and she even seemed to have said something like "using the emperor to command the princes".
In her opinion, Wang Yu is indeed straightforward, but she is also a bit silly.
You can't say such things in public.
Zhao Youchen had said that all the daughters in Nanhua City had a very good impression of Fu Mingyi and thought he was the best candidate for engagement.
Who would believe Wang Yu's words and give up her hopes so easily? It's just because of her status that most people have to cater to her.
Who knows what they're thinking?
"How are you making things difficult for me?" Xiao Qing asked, intrigued.
Mingxiu scratched her head. "I heard that they happened to meet in the garden one day."
Who all encountered them?
“It was these three young ladies.” Mingxiu gestured. “At the time, Miss Chu and Miss Fu were enjoying the flowers in the snow when, coincidentally, Miss Wang also went to enjoy the flowers with a few suitors.”
Xiao Qing laughed out loud.
Mingxiu asked, puzzled, "I haven't even spoken yet, and His Majesty is already laughing. What is His Majesty laughing about?"
Xiao Qing laughed and said, "Look at the weather outside. There aren't any pretty flowers to admire in the garden on a day like this."
Mingxiu was stunned, not understanding what it meant.
Xiao Qing shook her head, her gaze somewhat helpless.
"They weren't there to admire the flowers; they were probably just planning to meet up."
Mingxiu understood this time.
"When Miss Wang saw the two of them, she insisted on going up to them, saying that she had long heard of their great reputation and wanted to have a match with them in advance."
"What kind of competition?" This Wang Yu is really interesting. She likes to compete with people wherever she goes. So what if she does compete? When it comes to the final selection, everyone still has to go through her. And she won't choose anyone other than Chu Lianzhou.
"She was skilled in the four arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She competed in poetry with Miss Fu and in chess with Miss Chu."
Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow.
"Chu Lianzhou won?"
Mingxiu shook her head in surprise. "I've never heard that Miss Chu is good at chess. This time, she lost in less than half an hour. She said she was very ashamed and then readily admitted defeat."
Xiao Qing couldn't help but burst into laughter again.
If Fu Mingyi hadn't mentioned Chu Lianzhou, and if she hadn't then looked at Chu Lianzhou's information, she would have almost been fooled by him again.
How could Chu Lianzhou be so bad at chess that he lost in less than half an hour?
"What about Miss Fu?"
"I did exchange quite a few poems with her, and we ended up with a draw."
"It's a draw..." Xiao Qing smiled, not taking it too seriously.
She had never witnessed the abilities of the Fu family's young lady.
However, these competitions usually have winners and losers, and it is rare for them to end in a draw.
Fu Mingyi must have confessed something.
As they were talking, Ma Hong strode in.
"What's wrong?"
"Your Majesty, the preliminary selection is now complete, and there are a total of thirty-seven eligible men. Now we await Your Majesty's selection of beauties and talented women, and the rest will be sent out of the palace to return home."
Xiao Qing knew that this time there was no escaping it.
She nodded. "Then let's set it for the day after tomorrow."
Ma Hong nodded and then left.
After he left, Mingxiu asked curiously, "Why did Your Majesty set it for the day after tomorrow?"
“Of course it will take two days to get the message out.” She looked at Mingxiu, a thought stirring in her mind.
Originally, she only planned to drift through life, and she could tolerate Mingxiu's personality no matter what. But now...
Fu Mingyi had reminded her last time that although Chu Lianzhou was a useful person, once he entered the harem, many things would likely change.
Currently, the inner palace is mainly managed by Mingxiu and Ma Hong, and the Inner Palace Affairs Bureau reports all matters to the two of them.
Once Chu Lianzhou entered the palace and was promoted to the rank of Consort, according to palace regulations, the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau would become a sharp weapon in the hands of the powerful Consorts, depending on how they were used.
Mingxiu and Ma Hong will no longer hold multiple positions. Their main duty will become serving as the emperor's personal attendants.
In this sense, Chu Lianzhou had taken power from them.
Xiao initially didn't pay much attention to these words, but then he suddenly remembered them and had a new perspective.
“Xiu, your grandfather looks much older this time than he did three years ago.”
Mingxiu's expression darkened.
“Grandpa was in good health before, but a few days ago… he didn’t pay attention and caught a cold, which has been lingering on and off.”
Xiao Qing knew that she was referring to the time when Fu Mingyi took her to Yingzhou.
He Shu stayed in the palace until they returned, her emotions tense every day.
As soon as they returned, He Shu fell ill upon arriving home.
Because of her status, Mingxiu couldn't openly go home to see her grandfather. Although she didn't show it to him, she was still unhappy.
Xiao Qing thought for a moment and said, "The Grand Tutor said that someone needs to pray for my wedding at Tianyin Temple. Would you like to go?"
Mingxiu didn't quite understand.
"I'll put in a word with Master Jueyan, and you can find an opportunity to disguise yourself and go back."
Mingxiu shook her head, "Your Majesty, it is precisely at times like these that Mingxiu cannot leave your side. Your Majesty's wedding requires many preparations. Moreover, there will be many people and complicated matters at that time. I wish I had two more pairs of eyes to see clearly. How could I go to Tianyin Temple at such a crucial moment... Grandfather... Grandfather's illness is gradually improving. Although I cannot go back to serve him his medicine, but..."
Mingxiu was a little sad.
Xiao Qing patted her shoulder, "Mingxiu, you have a lot of things to deal with right now, keeping you busy. Once Chu Lianzhou enters the palace, many things in the harem can be handed over to her. Then, I will disguise myself and leave the palace with you, and you can go home."
Mingxiu's face lit up with joy. "Your Majesty, are you really going to take Mingxiu out of the palace?"
Xiao Qing nodded. "It's not difficult at all, but you're someone who can't sit still. I'm afraid you'll feel disappointed if you don't have to do many things."
Mingxiu covered her mouth and chuckled, "What's the big deal? Mingxiu only wants to be by His Majesty's side; nothing else matters!"
Xiao Qing was relieved.
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