Chapter 204 Announcement of the List
The Queen sighed.
Nanny Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there's nothing wrong with this. It's a good opportunity to see the abilities of the concubines! We want to see who will be the victor in the end..."
The Queen's heart moved, and she nodded and smiled softly: "That's not wrong."
The waters were already muddy anyway, so she didn't mind if they got muddier still. Even though her cousin was among the selected girls, and her family had already told her to leave her, deep down, the queen didn't agree.
Would it be useful to stay? I'm afraid not.
The queen ordered the two aunts in charge of Chuxiu Palace to come, told them the emperor's decree, and together they selected the candidates for the flower-viewing banquet.
The two aunts in charge were very surprised, but they had no right to speak in front of the Queen. Since the Queen had said so, they just did as she said.
The two of them are not without selfish motives. They have a clear idea in their minds about who they should take care of and who they don't. Naturally, the queen also has people she needs to take care of.
After some consideration, the list was finalized. The two aunts in charge returned to Chuxiu Palace, summoned all the concubines, and announced the list.
The whole audience was in an uproar!
The concubines were knocked dizzy.
The names were read out one by one by the aunt in charge. The feelings of those whose names were called out and those who were not were completely different.
After the list of names was read out, the atmosphere in the room became tense.
Some people were excited and looked happy, some smiled calmly but gritted their teeth in their hearts, and some lowered their eyes and their expressions could not be seen clearly, and no one knew what they were thinking.
The two aunts in charge saw it all and remained calm.
Since the Queen Mother has finalized the list and ordered them to announce it at this time, it means that she doesn't mind how they fight.
As long as no one is killed, they can just stay out of it.
I wonder what this year's draft will turn out like in the end...
After the two aunts in charge finished reading the names, they said calmly, "Young ladies, please study the etiquette as usual. Those whose names have been read out should prepare well over the next two days. Not everyone is eligible to attend the Empress's flower viewing banquet. You must be sensible and not do anything impolite that would only make the Empress and the other ladies laugh at you. Also, remember your current status and be careful with your words and actions, and don't bring trouble upon yourselves."
"Don't be discouraged if you weren't chosen this time. There will be other opportunities in the future!"
"Yes, auntie!"
No matter what they thought in their hearts, the concubines all said the same thing.
When this matter reached the harem, it caused another uproar.
Concubine Lin couldn't wait and went to Concubine Shu quietly.
She now had to rely on Concubine Shu and obey her orders. She had to avoid suspicion on the surface, and the two of them hardly interacted with each other on weekdays.
We occasionally interact with each other, but it’s also behind the scenes communication.
This was the first time that Concubine Lin came to see Concubine Shu secretly after that day.
Concubine Shu didn't seem too surprised and smiled: "I didn't expect that. You are quite capable."
Concubine Lin smiled and said, "How could this concubine have such ability? It is the ability of Concubine Chen..."
Concubine Shu sneered softly and said calmly, "Yes, Concubine Chen...she is the one with real talent! I underestimated her. I didn't expect..."
Concubine Lin also sighed and blurted out, "Who in the palace dares to compare with her now? The Emperor didn't miss a step when she was pregnant. Others originally hoped that her pregnancy would win the Emperor's favor, but who knew that she was worse off than before. I originally thought that the selection would be disadvantageous to her, but who knew that these concubines were so useless. Before they even got selected to stay in the palace, more than a dozen of them have already been eliminated. Now that the list of concubines for the flower viewing banquet has been announced, I wonder what kind of commotion will break out in Chuxiu Palace!"
"No matter which concubines remain in the palace, I'm afraid the Emperor won't have a very good impression of them. They haven't even fought each other yet, but they're already far inferior to Noble Concubine Chen! I think it's really difficult for them to share Noble Concubine Chen's favor."
"After the baby in Concubine Chen's belly is born, I wonder how much the Emperor will dote on her and the child! If it's a prince—uh, please forgive me, Concubine Shu!"
Concubine Lin suddenly came back to her senses, hurriedly concealed the second half of her words, and knelt on one knee to apologize.
The smile on Concubine Shu's lips deepened, and she glanced at her lightly: "What are you doing? Get up quickly and sit down."
"Yes... Thank you, Madam!"
"You are right. After the baby in her belly is born, the emperor will definitely like it!" If it is a prince... I am afraid that the eldest prince will be outdone.
Although Concubine Shu looked indifferent, she was actually troubled in her heart.
But she would never show this kind of worry in front of Concubine Lin.
After chatting for a while, although Concubine Shu still looked calm and as if nothing had happened, Concubine Lin felt uneasy for no reason and soon took her leave.
Concubine Shu's face darkened and she remained silent for a long time.
No one can threaten her son's position! She will clear all obstacles for her son! Concubine Chen... She can't do that either!
As expected by everyone, these past two days, Chuxiu Palace has been very lively.
The two aunts in charge said they would intervene and not intervene, and in short, nothing too serious happened. However, there were constant small conflicts, both overt and covert, sarcastic and mocking, etc., which made the whole place a mess.
But no concubine was sent out of the palace again.
The beauties selected in the beauty pageant were carefully chosen to reach this final step and live in the Chuxiu Palace. The last time more than a dozen of them were driven out, it was enough to shock and cause an uproar in the previous dynasty. If they drive people away again now, what will happen?
It's not a good look even for the royal family!
After all, these people moved into Chuxiu Palace only after the emperor and empress had given their approval.
Although no one was driven away, everyone knew what had happened in Chuxiu Palace under the attention of all parties, and they all shook their heads and complained that these concubines were probably too young. Young people are bold and act more unscrupulously and without considering the consequences, so they caused a lot of trouble.
Xu Lanshan was stunned by many things she heard.
Emperor Yuan Yong sneered countless times. "Go ahead, make a fuss. Just because they're not being driven out now doesn't mean they'll stay. They're just being kept for the final drive."
He was so disappointed that he couldn't help feeling a little disgusted.
What's the point of keeping such a beautiful girl?
He didn't want people like Fu and Concubine Yu to appear in his harem again.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day for the flower viewing banquet.
The twenty concubines were dressed up beautifully under the envious gazes of other concubines. They followed the head aunt out of Chuxiu Palace and headed for the Imperial Garden.
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