Chapter 163 Palace Selection
The beauties from each family had spent more than half a month learning the rules in the palace, and finally it was time for the final test.
Shi Miaowan had a hard time recently. The noble ladies from various families excluded and troubled her openly and covertly. But when the day of the palace selection came, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Early in the morning of that day, Shi Miaowan got up early and asked Yushan to help her dress up.
At about the hour of Mao, Shi Miaowan went out and headed for Baohedian.
Along the way, compared to Shi Miaowan who was alone, the other princesses were traveling in groups of three or four.
Seeing Shi Miaowan coming over, no one dared to dance in front of her. After all, the news in the palace had been circulating for so long and had not been suppressed. The ladies of the various families were not stupid and naturally understood that this matter was probably true.
Shi Miaowan is now a confirmed future Crown Princess. Who would dare to say anything bad about her? At most, they would say behind her back that she is so lucky.
Since no one came near her, Shi Miaowan was happy and at ease, standing alone in a corner.
Only then did Shi Miaowan notice that Ulanara was also standing alone in the corner.
She knew her and heard that Concubine Jin also summoned her to Yongshou Palace. She thought that this person must be the wife that Concubine Jin had chosen for the Fourth Prince.
Then Shi Miaowan thought again that the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince seemed to be very close. As a future sister-in-law, she should step forward and establish a good relationship with them early on.
She seemed to remember that Ulanara's maiden name seemed to be Jingzhi.
So, Shi Miaowan moved.
She approached Ulanala Jingzhi and took the initiative to greet her: "Princess Jingzhi."
Ulanala Jingzhi had finally managed to send away the other ladies who came up to talk to her. Now when she saw the Crown Princess coming over to greet her, a trace of fluctuation flashed across her indifferent eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
Presumably, the Crown Princess, like those concubines, thought that she was the future Fourth Prince’s wife, and that’s why she came to make friends with him. But she couldn’t say it out loud that she didn’t like the Fourth Prince.
Everything will only be revealed after she fails in the palace selection today, and before that, she still has to deal with the Crown Princess.
After all, she is no longer the Fourth Lady, but she is still the Crown Princess.
So she also greeted Shi Miaowan, "Girl Shi, how are you?"
Shi Miaowan smiled gently, "Princess Jingzhi is too polite. If you don't mind, you can call me by my maiden name - Miaowan."
"Okay, Princess Miaowan."
So Shi Miaowan took the opportunity to start a conversation with her, from what she had seen and heard in the palace to clothes and jewelry, and finally to the place where she grew up - Hangzhou.
However, Ulanara Jingzhi behaved very calmly the whole time, until she talked about the interesting things that happened in Hangzhou when she was young and the scenery of Hangzhou. Then Ulanara Jingzhi's eyes warmed up a little. Shi Miaowan was encouraged and spoke more enthusiastically.
It was not until her mouth was dry that Ulanala Jingzhi asked her to rest for a while.
They have been standing until now without having breakfast or tea, because they are afraid of delaying the palace selection. So even if Ulanala Jingzhi asked her not to stop, Shi Miaowan could not move.
Feeling that her social skills were already in place, Shi Miaowan tactfully left Ulanara Jingzhi alone.
Because she saw Dong E Gege! She knew that this person had been received by Concubine Rong!
It was not until Shi Miaowan left that she realized belatedly that she was the only one talking just now, and Princess Jingzhi did not mention herself.
Shi Miaowan couldn't help but look back. Princess Jingzhi's presence was very low, like a pool of stagnant water. She couldn't help but think divergently, wondering if the Fourth Prince could tolerate Princess Jingzhi's temper.
But she couldn't control the Fourth Prince's affairs, so it was always right for her to have a good relationship with Princess Jingzhi.
Shi Miaowan wanted to go up and talk to Dong E Gege for a while to avoid being accused of not treating her fairly, but seeing that Dong E Gege was surrounded by people, Shi Miaowan did not go up in the end.
Presumably, Dong E Gege wouldn't care either.
Shi Miaowan thought so in her heart, so she found a quiet place and waited for the palace selection to begin.
As for your question why she knew Princess Jingzhi's maiden name but didn't know Princess Dong'e's maiden name?
Alas, although we should treat everyone equally, people are always close to each other. The Fourth Prince is closer to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so she will naturally pay more attention to the Fourth Lady! As for Dong E Gege's maiden name, she hasn't had time to think of it yet.
After all, it was only after she met the prince that she began to think about building good relationships with her future sisters-in-law. Before that, she turned a deaf ear to everything else and just waited to be eliminated and go home.
Shi Miaowan was thinking a lot in her mind but she didn't show it on her face. In the eyes of others, it seemed that she knew she was going to become the Crown Princess, so she ignored the other concubines in the same batch as her.
——She hasn’t even become a Crown Princess yet, but she’s already acting like one.
Everyone thought so in their hearts, but deliberately forgot that they were the ones who isolated others first. After all, people are like this, looking for reasons in others and can't bear to blame themselves.
Until the hour of Si, sedan chairs carrying concubines arrived one after another.
The first to arrive was Concubine Rong, followed by Concubine Niohuru, followed by Concubine Yi and Concubine Hui. The four arrived at about the same time. Almost as soon as one person got off the sedan chair, the next one's sedan chair arrived.
The four of them greeted each other outside the Baohe Hall and seemed to be in harmony.
The Queen Mother will not be in attendance today.
Ever since the passing of the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager has been living in seclusion and would not appear on ordinary occasions. After all, she also understood that she was different from the Grand Empress Dowager, and she did not have much affection for Kangxi. It would be better for her to appear less often as time goes by.
Moreover, even if she came, she would not have much say in the matter of the selection. The Queen Mother would not come, and Concubine Xuan was accompanying the Queen Mother in Shoukang Palace, so naturally she could not come either.
At this point, except for Kangxi and Yuying, everyone who can come to host the talent show today has arrived.
The few of them didn't stay outside the hall for too long. They just said hello and then followed the palace maids into the hall and took their seats.
Everyone was an old acquaintance, and this was not the first time they hosted a talent show. At this moment, the palace selection had not yet begun, and the few people were at ease, chatting with each other while waiting for Kangxi and Yuying to announce the start of the palace selection.
What are you talking about?
Since today is the palace selection, naturally we will talk about things related to it.
But when it comes to this, one person cannot be left out - Depin. After all, among the old acquaintances who came before the last election, except for the death of Queen Tongjia, all of them except Depin were here. Sure enough, the next moment, Concubine Hui sighed and said, "Oh, it's a pity that our Depin sister doesn't like these new colors today."
Rong Fei was concerned about the beautiful girls who would be entering the palace soon, so she didn't say anything to help.
However, Concubine Niu Hulu changed her usual peaceful temperament and gave her a warning look, "This is not an easy job. I feel very tired. I am happy to have some free time if Concubine De is not here."
However, given Concubine Niohuru's past image, her deterrent power was not enough to make Concubine Hui shut up.
"That's what the Queen thinks. I don't think Depin thinks so."
Concubine Niohuru frowned.
"Sister Hui Fei, you have just been released from house arrest, so don't commit the crime again. After all, next time, I don't know if the eldest prince will have military merits to atone for your sins."
Concubine Yi's refreshing voice sounded. She was much more powerful in attack than Concubine Niohuru. As soon as she said this, Concubine Hui's face changed.
"Concubine Yi, you..." Concubine Hui pointed at Concubine Yi with her fingertips trembling slightly, which showed that she was very angry.
But Concubine Yi was not afraid of her.
"Besides, since you care so much about Concubine De, you might as well care about yourself first. After all, Concubine Jin will be here soon. I don't know if she will think of the days when the Eighth Prince was in your palace when she sees you."
"Concubine Yi!" Concubine Hui gritted her teeth, wishing she could cover Concubine Yi's mouth.
"I'm here. Sister Huifei, there's no need to be so loud. I'm not blind or hard of hearing yet."
Concubine Hui's rage was not a small matter for Concubine Yi. Concubine Hui wanted to continue speaking...
"The Emperor has arrived, Concubine Jin has arrived—"
Several people who were originally sitting on the chairs stood up one after another, waiting to salute the two.
Concubine Hui's words were forced to be stuck in her throat, and her face turned red, which was very funny. But as an old lady in the palace, her face returned to normal after a few breaths. But thinking of Concubine Yi's words that threatened her just now, she was really a little worried, so she took a step back from the situation, so that she would not be so conspicuous among the four people.
Several people lowered their heads.
After a while, footsteps were heard.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, and to your Highness, Concubine Jin."
They only watched two figures, one in a bright yellow dragon robe and the other in a vermilion palace dress, pass by them, and then walk hand in hand to the main seat.
"Everyone, get up."
Fortunately, Kangxi had not forgotten that they were still squatting.
The four of them stood up and saw Kangxi and Yuying's clasped hands.
After Kangxi and Yuying sat down, Kangxi motioned for the four of them to sit down as well.
Now that everyone is present, the palace selection has finally begun.
While waiting for the first batch of concubines, several people chatted with Yuying. As for Kangxi? They all caught a glimpse of Kangxi's stern face and agreed that they should not make themselves look bad.
"I heard that Her Majesty Concubine Jin also summoned some concubines to the Yongshou Palace a few days ago? I wonder if she has chosen a suitable candidate for the Fourth Prince's wife?" Concubine Rong spoke first, and took advantage of the fact that both of them had princes who needed to get married to find a common topic with Yuying.
Concubine Yi also spoke up: "I heard it's from the Ulanara family?"
When Yuying saw Ulanara Jingzhi, she did not hide the matter like she did when she saw Shi Miaowan, so everyone knew who the concubine Yuying had met was.
This is a very common thing in the palace and there is no need to hide it.
"The Fourth Prince is still young, and he said he wanted to wait a little longer." Yuying tactfully indicated that the Fourth Prince might not take advantage of this selection to choose a wife.
Everyone present understood what Yuying meant.
So, Concubine Yi changed the subject with sympathy: "I heard that Concubine Rong is interested in Princess Dong'e? Then this Princess Dong'e must be a lovely girl. I will take a good look at her later."
When Rong Fei heard this, she smiled and agreed. After all, she was not fighting for anything now, and her biggest hope was that Yinzhi could marry a good wife. Now that it was about to be achieved, she couldn't help but be happy.
However, this still requires the emperor's approval.
When Rong Fei thought of this, she glanced at Kangxi who was sitting next to Jin Guifei. Kangxi had an unfathomable look on his face, and he was still playing with a string of eighteen tourmaline beads in his hand as usual, as if he was not listening to their conversation. Or maybe he was not not listening, he just didn't care.
After all, it was clear that when Concubine Jin was speaking, the emperor would turn his head to look at her.
Rong Fei thought that if the emperor did not agree to make Dong E the legitimate wife of Yinzhi, then she would ask Jin Guifei for help.
Thinking of this, Rong Fei's expression became even more enthusiastic, and she followed Yi Fei's words to praise Dong E. Then even Niu Hulu Noble Concubine joined the topic, saying that although Yin was still young, she also wanted to choose a sensible and polite wife for Yin, and it would be best if she could take care of Yin for her.
The people present had all heard about Yinzhen and Yin's deeds of teasing cats and dogs in the palace, and they all couldn't help but smile.
A few people were chatting and laughing, which made Concubine Hui standing next to them look out of place.
Yuying saw it but didn't care much about it. After all, she didn't care whether Concubine Hui was happy or not.
But fortunately, the time has come.
Everyone stopped talking and focused their attention on the concubine.
It must be said that those who can enter the final palace selection are naturally not bad, and can even be said to be excellent. This glance over is extremely pleasing to the eye.
Beauty lies in the bones, not in the skin. Compared with the portraits, the one standing in front of you is more vivid, after all, a painting is just a painting.
The beauties were divided into groups of four. Those who were selected were given a name tag and a sachet, while those who were not selected were given flowers.
Concubine Hui wanted to pick two people for Yinzhi as well. After all, Yinzhi's wife had given birth to several daughters in a row, which had caused Concubine Hui great dissatisfaction.
The same went for Concubine Rong. In addition to marrying Dong E to Yinzhi, she also wanted to choose a few concubines for him.
Yuying watched as the two men enthusiastically asked each other about the concubines they were interested in. The concubines being asked looked flattered, but Yuying felt uncomfortable.
But she couldn't leave.
Before coming, Kangxi had already told her that there were several princes and nobles of marriageable age in the royal family waiting for him to grant marriage, and that the right candidates would have to be chosen today.
Even Kangxi chose several concubines for Yinreng, including Li, who later gave birth to Yinreng's eldest son Hongxi.
Yuying gradually lost interest until Shi Miaowan and Ulanara Jingzhi entered the venue with two other beauties.
Only then did Yuying perk up.
She asked Shi Miaowan many questions, and Shi Miaowan answered them all very beautifully, and even Kangxi was satisfied with her.
But everyone knew that today was just a formality, and apart from Yuying speaking up, no one made things difficult for Shi Miaowan.
Yuying then looked at Ulanala Jingzhi who was standing on the far right, and happened to meet Ulanala Jingzhi's gaze.
Yuying's heart skipped a beat, but she soon relaxed. She didn't feel offended, she just thought that this Ulanara Gege was quite courageous. After all, not everyone had the courage to look directly at her. After all, besides her, there was also Kangxi sitting there.
However, Ulanara Jingzhi soon looked away as if frightened.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
