Following the instructions of the head eunuch, the group lined up in order and entered the adjacent garden one by one.
Goodness!
Although the waiting area was crowded, it was shaded by green trees and didn't get much sun.
Now that they've come in to be chosen, while the Emperor and Empress Dowager sit in the hall, they can only stand in the sun.
Although it's already autumn, the weather isn't very cool yet.
Sun Miaoqing said that her scalp felt hot when she stood in the sun.
However, this did not dampen her enthusiasm for gossiping!
"Your subject, Shen Meizhuang, pays respects to the Emperor and Empress Dowager. May the Emperor live ten thousand years and be blessed with good health, and may the Empress Dowager enjoy peace and well-being."
[Oh dear, as soon as Sister Mei appeared, Big Fat Orange's eyes widened. This world that judges people by their looks is truly despairing.]
Shen Meizhuang clenched the handkerchief in her hand. In the imperial villa, the emperor and empress dowager sat in their seats. Who had the audacity to speak such nonsense?
But why didn't the others react? Did they not hear it?
Just as Shen Meizhuang was lost in thought, the Empress Dowager's voice came, "Have you ever read any books?"
Shen Meizhuang disregarded the sound from before; thankfully, her mother had asked her this question before...
"I am dull-witted and have only read the Book of Women's Rules and the Book of Women's Instructions, and know a few characters."
[Madam Shen's prediction was spot on. No wonder some people say the Shen family has secret connections with the Empress Dowager. Sister Mei was chosen by the Empress Dowager long ago and was destined to enter the palace.]
Shen Meizhuang was certain she hadn't misheard; someone was indeed speaking. Too tense to pay attention to the Emperor and Empress Dowager's words.
She called me Sister Mei, but that voice wasn't Huan'er's.
And how did this person know that his mother had asked him this question before he entered the palace?
And there's the Empress Dowager's connection...?
How come she didn't know at all!
Have you ever read the Four Books?
Da Ju's imposing voice, though not angry, brought Mei Zhuang back to her senses. "This humble woman has never read it."
The Empress Dowager was even more pleased upon hearing this, and said with a smile, "For a young lady, needlework and embroidery are essential skills. It's already very good that you can recognize a few words."
"Write down the names for future reference."
After thanking the Empress Dowager and Daju for their kindness, Meizhuang stood up. Sun Miaoqing secretly glanced at her and saw the smile on her lips, thinking to herself.
[Sigh, Sister Mei thought going to the palace was a good thing!]
[Having enjoyed the emperor's favor for only a few months, she was then subjected to bullying by Consort Hua. After just seven years in the palace, she was framed and suffered a postpartum hemorrhage, leaving behind her daughter and passing away—what a human tragedy!]
Hearing this, Meizhuang was in turmoil, so much so that she didn't even notice Zhen Huan secretly smiling at her.
Is this referring to her?
Consort Hua?
My mother said that she is the most favored person in the palace now. Because of the Emperor's favor and the support of Nian Gengyao, even the Empress has to give her some leeway.
Judging from that voice, was she implying that he would be harmed by her? Not only would he fall out of favor, but he would also lose his life?
No, no, she must have misheard.
When Zhen Huan saw Shen Meizhuang standing there like she had lost her soul after expressing her gratitude, she was surprised but assumed it was because her wish had been fulfilled and she was too happy.
The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the eunuch calling out Zhen Huan's name.
Seeing that Zhen Huan didn't come out, the eunuch could only roll his eyes and call out her name again in a high-pitched voice.
"Zhen Huan, daughter of Zhen Yuandao, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is seventeen years old."
Zhen Huan then realized what was happening and hurriedly knelt down.
[Big Fat Orange: Is this imperial concubine hard of hearing?]
[A memorable scene; the more you dislike it now, the more delicious it will be in a moment.]
Zhen Huan felt that she was probably under too much pressure and was hallucinating. Even if someone dared to talk nonsense in such a setting, they would have been pulled away long ago.
I haven't seen any movement yet, which shows that I'm just being delusional.
Da Ju sat in the main hall, displeased that someone dared to be distracted during the talent show, clearly showing that they didn't take him seriously.
He asked impatiently, "Zhen Huan... that's a rather unusual name..."
Which "嬛" character is it?
Zhen Huan mustered her courage and said loudly, "Huan Huan, with a slender waist like that of a woman from the Chu Palace, is indeed my maiden name."
[Correct answer. Big Fat Orange likes beautiful women with high levels of education.]
However, the Empress Dowager disliked those who were too clever, as they were difficult to control.
It's that voice again! Is it only I who can hear it?
A big, fat orange?
Could it be referring to the Emperor?
It's quite audacious of them to give the emperor such a title.
No one else heard it... Could that sound be a monster?
Zhen Huan was startled by her own thoughts and almost trembled.
Hearing her words, Da Ju felt that she was probably quite talented, and her interest was piqued.
“Raise your head.”
[Ahhh! They're both stunned! Mother and son are completely mesmerized. Huanhuan's life is on an unstoppable upward trajectory!]
[Despite having a good family background, good looks, and an education, and even having an acceptance letter printed on his face, he still ended up in such a miserable state after entering the palace. What a scumbag!]
Zhen Huan raised her head, not daring to look directly at Da Ju and the Empress Dowager, and heard the monster muttering to itself.
What is an acceptance letter? And what does "scumbag" mean?
Also, was her fate tragic after entering the palace?
Zhen Huan was filled with trepidation, but imperial power was more terrifying than any monster...
He knelt on the ground, filled with trepidation, awaiting his fate.
This young lady's surname is Zhen, which is a taboo subject for the emperor.
[How much does the Empress Dowager dislike Zhen Huan? Just one sentence from her could ruin her entire family's life. Luckily, Zhen Huan managed to salvage the situation in time.]
The Empress Dowager's words overlapped with the voices around her.
Zhen Huan tried her best to dispel the monster's voice and explained on the spot that the late emperor had said her family name was auspicious, sounding like that of a loyal and virtuous person, and used it as encouragement.
Da Ju was overjoyed to receive such a figurine, and was unwilling to let the Empress Dowager have her way, so she praised Zhen Huan lavishly.
The Empress Dowager said, "Come forward."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan stood up and slowly moved forward. First, Xia Xiazi poured tea at her feet, and then Zhu Xi threw a large white cat in front of Zhen Huan.
[Even though she's so afraid of cats, she can still hold back. She's truly the female lead; her composure under pressure is a model of ladylike virtue.]
[It's such a poor cat. It was suddenly thrown to the ground, its fur is all wet, I wonder how long it will take to lick itself clean.]
[Let my sister kiss me, hug me, and lift me up high.]
Zhen Huan was initially very scared, but she forced herself to keep it from showing to avoid implicating her family.
However, after listening to the monster's nonsense, I suddenly felt much calmer.
If someone calls themselves "older sister" to a cat, could they be a cat demon?
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