Chapter 215 Selection
"What does this mean, sir?" someone couldn't help but ask.
Ma Hong said calmly, "It's too cold outside. Please rest in a warm place, lest you get frostbite."
Chu Xiangning was one of the people who received the designer brand in this batch.
Her face flushed red and then turned pale, especially when she saw that Chu Lianzhou hadn't received the name tag and was standing there quietly. At that moment, the fire in her heart burst out involuntarily.
"Does Father-in-law want everyone to stand until only she is left?" She pointed at Chu Lianzhou.
Many people around her turned to look at her, their eyes revealing a range of emotions, from knowing envy to resentment and jealousy, or disdain and contempt.
Wang Yu thought to herself, "That was close!"
His Majesty's choice of concubines was indeed ingenious.
Without saying a word, without selecting based on talent or appearance, they eliminated more than half of the people.
She glanced at the emperor furtively, and when she realized he was looking at her too, her heart skipped a beat.
His Majesty is looking at her.
Xiao Qing was actually surprised.
She paid special attention to Wang Yu, Fu Lanzhu, and Chu Lianzhou.
Chu Lianzhou knew what was going on, so it didn't matter whether he made a move or not.
However, Xiao Qing believed that even if they had to stand for another hour, Chu Lianzhou could still persevere.
Fu Lanzhu came from a prestigious family and was a true lady of high society. Although the weather was cold, she showed no sign of impatience.
I wonder if Fu Mingyi's older sister is also this kind of person.
Then there's Wang Yu.
Unlike her behavior at the Winter Solstice banquet, Wang Yu seemed to have suddenly become enlightened today.
This made her take a second look.
Their eyes met right there.
Wang Yu wasn't here to cause trouble today. She was sensible, so she remained silent.
Who cares who loses? She's definitely not going to lose.
So when Chu Xiangning said those words in anger, she ignored her completely.
Ma Hongdao said, "Gentlemen, please come this way."
After a moment of awkward silence, Chu Xiangning knew that what she was doing was inappropriate, but since she had already said it, she couldn't take it back, so she suddenly felt like she was going to throw caution to the wind.
"Your Majesty, I, Chu Xiangning, beg Your Majesty to uphold justice."
In any group of people, there will always be one or two individuals with particularly strong opinions, who are also very outspoken and daring. These are usually the troublemakers.
Xiao Qing just didn't expect that Chu Xiangning would be the one to take the lead first.
Xiao Fu thought Chu Xiangning was incredibly stupid. And she was so audacious as to speak to His Majesty like that.
Xiao Qing slowly curved the corners of her mouth into a smile. "What justice?"
Before Chu Xiangning could speak, Xiao Qing spoke again.
"Isn't this my selection of concubines?"
Not only Chu Xiangning, but many people were stunned.
"Even if you stand as well as they do, if I don't like it, I can still bestow a nameplate upon you and send you out of the palace."
She laughed and said, "Is there any fairness in matters of liking or disliking someone?"
Chu Xiangning's face flushed red and then paled. For some reason, she blurted out, "Does Your Majesty like Chu Lianzhou?"
She didn't have such courage at the Winter Solstice banquet.
"I like it." Xiao Qing composed himself slightly and answered her clearly.
Chu Lianzhou raised his head, his gaze towards Xiao Qing somewhat lost in thought.
Chu Xiangning hadn't expected the emperor to be so blunt, and for a moment her eyes widened, unsure of what to say.
Wang Yu was actually furious inside.
Xiao Fu slammed her hand on the table and said coldly, "Chu Xiangning, do you have the right to ask His Majesty questions here? How dare you!"
Xiao Qing waved his hand, and Ma Hong said, "Seeing you off, my esteemed guests."
Soon, palace servants surrounded them.
Chu Xiangning knew she was doomed.
Wang Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer.
She's not brainless; she's just spoiled and domineering.
She thought that if she didn't do something, she would be quietly eliminated like those who were given name tags.
His Majesty himself admitted that she liked Chu Lianzhou.
Wang Yu felt both angry and pained, knowing she couldn't just sit and wait to die.
The father's account is different. His Majesty is perhaps lost in thought; he may very well be taking an unconventional path.
"Your Majesty, I have a request." She steeled her heart and bowed down.
"Go ahead," Xiao Qing said calmly.
Xiao Fu didn't have a good impression of her at the winter banquet, and now that she heard her speak, she felt that she was up to something bad.
"Your Majesty, I am applying for the Talent Selection. Although Your Majesty has been kind enough to test my character and integrity in this cold wind, I would like to add some difficulty to the test, as a way to amuse Your Majesty and everyone here. What does Your Majesty think?"
Oh my, Miss Wang can talk now.
Xiao Qing thought for a moment and asked, "How do you plan to increase the difficulty?"
Wang Yu smiled and said, "The winter plum blossoms bloom in winter, their fragrance wafting beyond the red walls. I wish to perform a dance called 'Winter Plum Blossoms'."
She paused, then added, "It would be even better if Miss Fu could accompany me with her vocal music."
Fu Lanzhu bowed to Xiao Qing and said softly, "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's command."
Xiao Qing became somewhat interested.
"Let it be so."
She added, "If any of you gentlemen get bored standing here, you may join us."
Someone breathed a sigh of relief.
She was even somewhat grateful to Wang Yu.
This is much better than just standing there.
Now, only fifteen good men remain present.
They each thought about how they wanted to join in, and asked the palace servants to prepare all the necessary utensils, making it much more lively than before.
Only Chu Lianzhou remained standing, motionless.
Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow. "Chu Lianzhou, why aren't you moving?"
Chu Lianzhou bowed, seemingly with some regret and some helplessness.
“Your Majesty, I am skilled in playing the zither, but due to an unhealed hand injury, I am unable to play for you. I am aware of my fault and beg Your Majesty for punishment.”
Xiao Qing narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Then you can stay standing."
"Yes," Chu Lianzhou replied.
Wang Yu glanced at her with disdain and stretched her body on the spot.
At this time, the palace servants had brought out various tools for the gentlemen to choose from.
Xiao Fu smiled. "Your Majesty, it looks like something fun is about to happen."
Xiao Qing smiled, then turned to Xiao Yan and asked, "Isn't it much more fun than going to school?"
Xiao Yan replied, "Diligence leads to mastery, while idleness leads to ruin; success comes from careful planning, while failure comes from following blindly. Your Majesty, how can this be compared to going to school?"
Xiao Qing's lips twitched, thinking to herself that Xiao Yan was really a little old man.
So I stopped talking to him.
"Your Majesty, we women are ready." Wang Yu exchanged a few words with Fu Lanzhu and then stood in the center.
Fu Lanzhu stood beside her, holding her pipa, her expression serene.
The others had their own preparations, but dared not perform at the same time as them, so they stood obediently, waiting for them to finish their songs before performing.
Xiao Qing said, "Then let's begin."
She looked at Ma Hong and said, "Please offer Miss Fu a seat."
Fu Lanzhu said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
After she sat down, she tilted her head slightly and lowered her neck. Then, her slender fingers gently plucked the pipa, and a series of soft notes, like the sound of flowers blooming in winter, entered everyone's ears clearly.
Wang Yu's eyes lit up.
Fu Lanzhu was indeed quite capable.
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