The girl is married to the crown prince
A major selection is always a matter of course, and even though the Shi family is currently quite confident, they still take this matter seriously. Specifically, they maintain a low profile. No matter what others ask or congratulate them, they always say, "We haven't heard any such rumors. How can we possibly guess what the higher-ups are thinking?"
Internally, the family members were strictly prohibited from speaking nonsense. Shujia was strictly forbidden from leaving the house, and at most, she went to her uncle's house with Xiluo. Even at Qingde's wedding, Shujia only showed up briefly, spoke a few words to the female relatives, and was then taken by Wendu to see the bride. She didn't even have time to be looked at.
Other than that, it's time to prepare for the big pick.
There was no need to learn the various rules; the proper habits had already been formed. Needlework and cultural studies also needed to be reviewed. In the eyes of the Silut family, studying was unnecessary; the essential skills for a girl were what mattered. While makeup techniques were already mastered, the art of combing one's hair had to be perfected, including various hairstyles, done quickly and effectively.
But Hua Shan didn't think so. He went out for a walk and picked up a small booklet. When he came back, he went to the study he hadn't used for a long time and found another thicker booklet. He dusted it off. He sat down in the room and called his granddaughter over, "Come, take a look at this."
Shujia took them and looked at them. There was nothing written on the thin cover. When she opened it, she found that it was a handwritten copy with some poems in it, including five-character, seven-character, regulated verse and quatrain. The thick one was actually a collection of poems by Kangxi, in printed form, and it was still brand new. It even smelled of old books hidden in the bottom of a library box - probably it had not been read often.
Shujia looked at Huashan in confusion. She knew Kangxi's poetry collection, but what was a handwritten copy?
Hua Shan twirled his beard. "That one is the emperor's collection of poetry, and this one is the East Palace's poetry. You should also take a close look at it, at least to understand the allusions used in it. You have some education, right? Take a look and see if you recognize any of them. If you don't, ask your teacher."
Damn! Reciting quotations?
Shujia accepted it with resentment. Hua Shan continued, "Some things should have been said by your father, but he is not here, and your brothers are not in tune..." Shujia thought to herself, are they even more out of tune than you?
Hua Shan, who was criticized for being equally out of tune, said: "Your mother is afraid that I can't explain it to you clearly, so I will tell you directly!"
Huh?
Hua Shan sat up straight, and Shujia couldn't help but straighten her back.
"I never thought you would have such a promising future," Hua Shan set the tone. "Now it's rumored that this year you will be married to the Crown Prince. You should be aware of this."
Shujia said casually: "You also said it was a rumor, it's uncertain, this -"
"That's why we didn't say anything! Listen to me," Hua Shan waved his hand, "I can guess almost everything, and this time it's quite accurate. Where were we talking about before? Don't interrupt."
Shujia: ... "Speaking of rumors."
"Oh, it's just a rumor. It's almost a rumor, so you'd better be extra careful. Originally, your future would have been much better if our family had been registered as Manchus. I only dreamed of becoming a prince or a duke's wife, or at most, the Third Prince's wife. But that position in the Eastern Palace is so precious! I never dared to think about it, but it actually happened."
Shujia curled her lips. It was true. It wasn't like the early Kangxi era, when the four regents were at the forefront of the selection process, and the position of empress was essentially guaranteed to be chosen from these few families. Now, the imperial power was unprecedentedly strengthened, while the power of the lower powers was weakened. No one had the righteousness to insist on a chance of becoming empress. As a result, the position of future mother of the nation, now so popular, was now a hot commodity, and it was just a chance for her!
Hua Shan smiled and said, "Anyway, now that the job is done, don't mess it up. Take these and look carefully. Oh, and here's this," he pulled out a few pages of paper from his sleeve, "you need to be aware of this as well."
Shujia went to pick it up again. She already had an idea in her mind that it was probably some kind of information.
Hua Shan muttered to himself, "I've been so bored at home that hair has grown on my bones..."
Shujia's ears twitched, and she pretended not to hear: "Mafa, I'll go back and check it out."
"Go ahead, go ahead. Hey~ Your mother won't cook for you anymore? Make some soup..."
Shujia couldn't help laughing: "You haven't had enough to drink yet?!"
"How dare you say that! Why did you only give it to that brat Qingde and forget about Mafa?"
"You robbed a lot later!"
"Go ahead, go ahead. A girl can't be kept home when she grows up."
Shujia: Actually, I really want you to keep me.
Back in the room, I opened the book and saw that, besides the works of the two, there were also some preferences I had heard about from somewhere. For example, the Crown Prince was very well-educated (Hua Shan underlined this), and Kangxi was frugal while the Crown Prince had no concept of wealth and spent it as he pleased. For example, the backgrounds of the concubines in the palace, their children, the palaces they lived in...
Okay, memorize it! Circle any questions and ask Fu Dali directly; after all, he's in the palace.
Other than that, I followed Sirut's instructions. I knew the procedures and basic standards for the selection process, so I prepared accordingly. I also practiced daily self-care skills, including hair and makeup, dressing, and eating.
Shujia said that personal qualities are the most important factor. Someone with a good temperament and good looks will naturally stand out, and even if their family background isn't great, there's no guarantee they'll have a good outcome. If someone is unattractive and has a shabby temperament, no matter how good their family background is, they'll be out of luck.
The Shi family had no concerns about her personal qualities. After more than a decade of careful feeding, her braids were jet-black and smooth, her face rosy and fair. A budding girl, at her prime, was at her peak tenderness and juiciness, making it hard to imagine her looking bad. She also studied diligently, maintained good manners, and handled household chores for a long time, so she looked good wherever she went. Such conditions were the kind that could give a roadside stall the air of a five-star hotel.
However, you can't be careless about your attire, or it will appear that you don't take the imperial examination seriously. If you do, the palace will punish you.
The attire for the preliminary selection was set in stone: a blue Manchu dress, no makeup, pigtails, and minimal jewelry—the Manchu dress style was also fixed. This meant that with minimal adornment, your true self could be seen. With the personal qualities and a "bright future" waiting for you, you naturally had to be careful.
For clothing, the focus should be on the material and craftsmanship, reflecting a noble family background while remaining understated. Jewelry should be simple in design but high quality, perhaps with a single bead, but it must be round and lustrous.
After the selection process, you can choose from a variety of clothing options, but they still need to be simple, elegant, and stylish. Since you've already been practically designated as the Crown Princess, you can't go overboard; you need to exude elegance. First, the material—patterns can be simple, but they can't be street-sale goods. Trimming can be minimal, but the workmanship must be meticulous. You also need to prepare several pairs of shoes that fit you well, both flat and wide. Underwear, socks, and handkerchiefs—all need to be a complete set.
The clothes should be in light colors, and the shoes and handkerchief should match the clothes, but the color of the edging should be steady and able to hold the tone, so that the clothes appear lively but not frivolous.
The jewelry can also be more complicated, with necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hairpins, and rings, and several boxes were made.
If staying overnight in the palace for observation, one would also need to prepare dressing tools, a purse, silver notes of various denominations and gold and silver of varying weights for rewards, as well as daily necessities such as a fan.
In a word, just preparing these personal belongings is very troublesome.
Shujia stood up straight, stretched out her arms, and let the tailor measure her height. As she listened to her daughter's constant praise, "You have a well-proportioned figure, and the clothes made for you will be the most beautiful," Xiluotai asked Wendutai to take care of putting away the colorful tent and other items used for Qingde's wedding. She had some time to watch her daughter's clothes being made, but she didn't respond. Instead, she asked, "You are still growing. If you measure me this winter, will it be too tight for me next spring?"
"Girl, you can put your hands down now. Madam, you're being measured for winter clothes now, so we've left some room. It'll take... three or four months, and your growth won't be too great. It'll be enough. It would be best to wait until spring, but you'll have quite a few pieces of clothing to make, and we'll have to put in the right amount of work, so it'll take a while. Madam, don't worry, I'll make sure it's done perfectly."
Xiluo Te said, "Make them according to these measurements first... Make two sets of single-layer blue flag bindings and two sets of double-layer bindings. Bring them to me after the New Year. If the measurements are different, I won't accept it!"
After the tailor left, Shujia asked Xiluo: "Isn't there someone at home who can do it? Her skills are not bad."
Xiluo Te said, "They can make everyday clothes, but how many clothes do they make in a year? They only make clothes that are easy to use. They also have to make clothes for the servants, so they don't do much fine work. How much needlework do the experienced craftsmen in the shops do in a year? They all do the finest work. How can anyone compare with their skills? And they know what's the latest fashion. I choose reputable and time-honored brands, so I can rest assured."
She also started making jewelry and asked the seamstress to make purses, and she made dozens of them.
Shujia quietly returned to her room to memorize her materials. Although she didn't think highly of Yinreng, she had to admit that the Crown Prince's poetry skills were far superior to his father, the Emperor. This... could be considered a strength? Although Li Houzhu lost his country and Yinreng was historically deposed, at least it was a bonus now, right?
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The Lunar New Year was a prime time for visiting and gossiping, but with the upcoming selection of a crown princess in the 31st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, how much more gossip would there be? Unfortunately, the Crown Princess had already been chosen, and everyone knew about it. The biggest gossip was gone, and the capital surprisingly calmed down considerably.
After the Lunar New Year, preparations for the grand selection process began. First, each family reported their eligible daughters. Those who were overage, ill, or in mourning were all checked by a zuoling (aide-de-camp). Qingde, now a zuoling (aide-de-camp), was incredibly busy. Another family had a young woman who had already registered, but unfortunately, her grandmother died, forcing Qingde to re-list her. The list wasn't completed until mid-February. Once the list was complete and submitted, name tags were created.
The thin piece of wood, about twenty centimeters long and three or four centimeters wide, was painted green at the top and white at the bottom. The characters were written vertically—the middle line, in larger characters, read, "Erniu, sixteen-year-old daughter of General Shi Wenbing of Fuzhou." To the left and right of this line, two vertical lines of smaller characters read, one reading, "Grandfather, Heshuo Efu, Former Imperial Household Minister Hua Shan," and the other, "Great-grandfather, Third-class Uncle, Former Zhenhai General, Junior Protector, and Prince Taibao, Posthumously Posthumous Junior Tutor, and Prince Taifu Shi Tingzhu." In the upper left and right corners, in smaller characters, were inscribed, "Manchu Guargiya clan" and "Plain White Banner," respectively. At the bottom, "Zuoling Qingde" was written. This was the sign mentioned in the "hanging sign" section.
Correspondingly, there should be another piece of cloth on the front of the lapel with the same content written on it, but the strip of cloth is a little larger, three inches wide and one foot long. This is pinned under the second button on the lapel.
Shujia almost fainted when she saw it. Erniu, erniu, erniu, erniu, erniu... Fortunately, her name was written on the back of the sign, which saved her some face.
The primary election was at the end of February, and Shuxian returned to her parents' home the day before. She kept saying, "It's easy enough." As Xiluo checked her outfit for the next day, she said, "You should bring two purses for gifts. Remember, don't give them to them yet; you can show them and give them after the event."
That day, Aunt Zheng personally combed her hair. The weather was still a bit chilly, so she wore a padded cheongsam and dark blue shoes. Her dress had only a single hem, and her shoes were decorated with a few small floral patterns. She wore a pair of South China pearl pendants in her ears, two rings, and a bracelet. She wore her hair in a braid, with only a hairpin in her hair.
For breakfast, they only had a little white cake and didn't dare drink much water. Qingde, taking on such a major task for the first time, and with his sister running for the position, he had done his homework. "We're from the upper three banners of Manchuria, so we're in the front. We can even come back for dinner." Actually, that wasn't the case. While there was a rule of thumb for this order, the more powerful families in the lower five banners were actually the ones who rushed to the carriages and grabbed a spot. But Qingde rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight his way.
They arrived at Shenwu Gate in the morning. It was a bit chaotic outside the gate. It wasn't possible to do anything too outrageous outside the palace, but squeezing in was manageable. Shujia's heartbeat quickened, but she sat steady and remained silent the entire way. Aunt Zhou accompanied her in the car, saying, "Young lady, usually, the Empress Dowager summons her to the palace for a talk. This time, let's do the same."
Qingde overcame all difficulties, grabbed a relatively front position, and escorted his sister forward.
First, they signed in. Several tables were set up, and several literate eunuchs checked off the names one by one. The eunuchs spoke softly now, and there was no hint of flattery or slighting. "This way." "Next."
Shujia handed over the green-headed stick. The eunuch glanced at it and straightened his back. Even if he couldn't read, just looking at the three generations of officials in the family, he knew it was a noble family. And then looking at the long list, he knew it was a high-ranking position.
Looking up at Shujia, her hands were definitely not what an ordinary family could cultivate. The clothes she wore were well made, and in the eyes of those in the palace who were used to seeing fine things, they were also top-notch. The jewelry she wore was also extraordinary.
When he took another closer look at the sign, he almost fell down in shock. The princess was already chosen.
You walked over this way, almost giving a wink and sending someone to escort you in.
Walking further in, there were many little girls, all wearing blue Manchu dresses, tall and short, fat and thin. Each of them had a white ribbon on their collar and long braids hanging behind their heads, which made people dizzy.
A moment later, a middle-aged eunuch arrived. "Girls, stand according to your banner..." He held a list and began reading. "Plain Yellow Banner, here. Bordered Yellow Banner..." The girls hurriedly sought their places. Shujia carefully dodged a round-faced girl who stumbled, turned around and helped her up. The girl blushed and smiled at him, whispering, "Thank you." Shujia smiled back.
They were classified, and a eunuch looked at the strips on the girls' collars and instructed them on their positions based on the list in his hand. Shujia was placed in the middle of the first row of the Zhengbai Banner.
By this point, she had fully grasped the situation. Everyone's future prospects had been determined long before the grand selection. Like a secret operation, the key positions had already been decided. She looked around, and there was no one on either side. Not far away, standing in the same row, was Dong E, whom she had met before.
If you came from a good family, you'd be ranked higher. Those from poorer backgrounds would have to rank lower. Unless you had exceptional qualities, enough to impress someone after glancing at a crowd of young women, you were likely to be eliminated. This was evident in everyone's clothing: from the first row to the last, the job titles written on the strips on their lapels descended in rank.
The initial selection process was essentially to eliminate those with poor physical conditions; it wasn't a very technically demanding process. Each candidate entered a room in order, where two maids and two eunuchs were already waiting. First, their names were checked, and then they were evaluated like a bunch of random people.
Being fat is a sign of good fortune, but if your radius is the diameter of someone else's, then you should go home and enjoy your life. Thinness is beautiful; if you're as beautiful as a bamboo, then you should go home and sway. Too tall, do you still want to wear a crotch bottom? Too short, how high a crotch bottom would you wear? Those with dark skin, out! Those with facial blemishes, out! Those who look like a male Zhang Fei, out! ...
All were eliminated. The eunuch wrote down the reason for elimination with a flourish of his pen. Each person was asked to pick up the green-headed stick they had just handed in, facing their name on the cloth strip. They were then asked to take it home, turn right, and leave the way they came. From then on, they were out of the loop. Of course, there were exceptions. If you had a good father, he might save your face by letting you participate in the next round, and then eliminate you again, making your defeat more graceful.
Those who are qualified, come and take off your clothes! Of course, you will go into the inner room and be inspected by the maid.
After sniffing for any unpleasant body odor, the nanny will also reach out and touch you a few times to test your touch. Finally, they'll give you a gynecological exam or something. If you pass this test, congratulations, your future is bright. If there are any flaws, then the touching was in vain and you'll be sent home. If they also find any lifestyle issues, you're doomed!
The above information is based on Shujia's comprehensive analysis. Sources: several aunts who have spent time in the palace, sisters who participated in the imperial examination, and brothers who have participated in palace gossip.
When everyone was gathered, the eunuch asked who had been named last time. A few girls came forward—all of them were a bit older. He then asked if there were any relatives of the Empress in the harem. Two or three of them also came forward, and these people were dealt with separately. The rest went into the room for inspection.
Shujia entered the room awkwardly. A eunuch, holding a pen and a book, asked, "Daughter of General Shi Wenbing of Fuzhou, a member of the Guarjia clan and a member of the Manchu Zhengbai Banner?" He knew who she was, knowing the book, but he still had to go through the necessary procedures. Another eunuch, holding a tray containing a basin of green-headed sticks, looked at one of the sticks and thought, "No need to return this one."
Shujia nodded, it was written on the clothes.
The maids had known for a while that there was a designated Crown Princess for this issue. They saw the literate eunuchs' respectful demeanor, and finally heard firsthand about the legendary "Guargiya clan of the Manchu Plain White Banner." The eunuchs and maids took a deep breath, priming themselves—they'd been told to be attentive when they were assigned this position. They asked the person to stand properly, first checking their height, then their body type and features. After the review, they almost wanted to slap themselves—the Empress Dowager had seen it, so how could we say otherwise?
Then Shujia was ushered into the inner chamber. The maids said, "Young lady, please undress." Shujia was stunned for a moment. She didn't mind it as a physical exam, but the procedure was a bit perverse. Their son was already a fallen woman, having been through countless other things, yet he insisted on a virgin. Well, considering our current patriarchal society, considering that even school and work require physical exams, considering... considering that this very exam would make one shudder, right?
They had to be serious. There had to be no mistakes in the appointment of the Crown Princess. If they were held accountable later, they wouldn't be able to bear the consequences. But they also had to be very careful. If they offended the future Queen Mother, would they still want to continue?
The maids explained softly, "Are you a little embarrassed? All the girls who are selected have to go through this. Bear with it. Just close your eyes and think of it as a sleep. Everything will be fine when you wake up."
Shujia silently undid her buttons, straightened her clothes, and put them away. The pouch in her sleeve made a dull thud. The two maids looked at each other, carefully observing Shujia's movements and mentally giving her a high score.
The nanny below kept talking to distract her: "You look blessed with these hands...and such beautiful hair..." She was very measured in her actions.
Soon, the examination was over. The maids stepped aside, and Shujia put on her clothes with a stern face.
After getting dressed, they all emerged. The maids told the eunuchs everything was fine, and the eunuchs took note. Shujia's face wasn't particularly good, but she didn't forget to give each of them a purse. The four men smiled and accepted it, saying, "Thank you for the gift," and then some auspicious words.
This job was originally a lucrative one, often with people offering advance bribes. This time, they really didn't dare to extort money first; they were naturally happy to receive the reward. As for Shujia's lust... even the most prudent girl wouldn't be able to remain like that after this.
Shujia's expression softened. This perverted system was here. Why would she turn her back on them? When the eunuch extended his hand to lead her out, she said, "Thank you."
As I came out, I saw girls coming out of other rooms. They all looked grim. Some had stern faces, while others were twitching as if about to explode but were suppressing their anger. Some had been examined, and when they were told they didn't meet the physical requirements, their faces turned even worse, some even had tears in their eyes. No one had tried to commit suicide this year, thank goodness.
Under the eunuch's guidance, Shujia returned along the same route. Qingde saw her empty-handed, with only the handkerchief in her hands, knowing that she had passed the test, and asked with a smile, "Are you okay?"
Shujia was unhappy at first, but seeing his ruffian look, she twitched her lips and felt much better.
When they got home, Xiluo Te took her hand and said, "Thank you for your hard work. The kitchen has already cooked some soup. Have a sip first, and we'll have dinner soon." Qingde asked, "Mother, what about me?" She was slapped in the face. "I can't forget you! Go tell your Mafa."
Although she hadn't done anything, she felt incredibly tired. Shujia silently drank some soup. "Eat more," Xiluo said. "Are you feeling unwell today?" She reached out and stroked her hair. "You'll be fine after a while."
Things must get better in the future, otherwise I'll be sorry for being so depressed today! Shujia thought viciously.
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After the primary election comes the runoff, which takes place a few days after the primary. These few days are used by the higher authorities to compile the list and count the results.
This time, she could wear her own clothes. The shop that Xiluo found had excellent craftsmanship. The clothes she brought in were simple in style, yet the workmanship was extremely fine. The aunts inspected them and even modified some details. Shujia put on light makeup and a set of South China pearl jewelry.
The reselection process was familiar. Shujia estimated that there were only a few dozen people left, some of whom were not very good-looking. Shujia didn't consider herself a beauty, but at least above average. There were others who were not as good-looking as her. Ahem, anyway, she suddenly felt a little more confident.
There were also some pretty girls, one of whom was particularly pretty in a bright red dress, with a touch of squeaky demeanor. The round-faced girl who had been supported by Shujia during the primary election snorted, and Shujia tilted her head slightly. The girl smiled, probably feeling friendly, and came over to talk to Shujia.
"Thank you for that day."
Shujia smiled and said, "I was standing close to him at that time, so it was only natural for me to give him a hand."
The round-faced girl pouted. "Not everyone can help. I see you're from the Plain White Banner. How old are you?"
Since there was nothing else to do, Shujia patiently answered, except that she didn't say who her father was when she registered. When they found out they were both from the Guarjia clan, the round-faced girl, after discussing their ages, called Shujia her sister.
"I heard that this time there is a designated Crown Princess..." It's not the round-faced girl's fault. The Guaerjia clan is a big Manchu clan with a very large population. The Guaerjia clan of the Plain White Banner may not be the legendary Crown Princess. The round-faced girl herself is a Guaerjia clan.
"Ahem," it was Dong E who coughed. She saw Shu Jia and thought they knew each other, so she came to say hello. Unexpectedly, she heard this as she walked over. She almost stumbled and fell to the ground. She quickly interrupted, "Hello, Sister Shi."
Shujia: ...
At this point, the eunuchs arrived to form the line, and the girls quickly lined up. The eunuch explained the procedure: "Girls, stand in line. You'll go to Yanhui Pavilion later. The Empress Dowager and the ladies of the other palaces will be here. It all depends on your luck. Once you get to Yanhui Pavilion, enter one row at a time..."
He was led to Yanhui Pavilion, where the Empress Dowager sat on the upper side, and below her sat Imperial Concubine Niohuru. Tong and the Four Heavenly Kings of Kangxi's harem were also there. They were the examiners today.
The girls lined up, this time disrupting everyone's order. Shujia was still in the front row, with Dong Eshi beside her, and the round-faced girl in the second row.
The Empress Dowager looked at the little girls with a smile and said, "How pretty! They are all beautiful." The concubines all agreed.
The eunuchs read out names row by row, calling out each one and having them step out. The concubines followed the Empress Dowager's lead, each with their own agenda, their smiles reserved yet kind. Shujia kept her gaze level, clutching her handkerchief. She had been nervous, but upon seeing the Empress Dowager's innocent face, she suddenly relaxed and gave her a wider smile.
The Empress Dowager remained tense, hoping to give the illusion of fairness. For the past few months, she had refrained from inviting Shujia into the palace to speak, lest anyone else start gossiping. Unbeknownst to her, after her good son had promoted members of the Shi family, the matter had become essentially public knowledge. The gossip had died down, and the quiet had returned. Especially when Shujia smiled at her, she unconsciously returned a brilliant smile.
What's the point of picking? The position of Crown Princess is gone, so the position of Third Lady will probably go to Dong E. Even if there are relatives running for the position, they should consider other positions.
Niuhulu glanced down and asked the Empress Dowager, "Shall we begin?" The Empress Dowager nodded, indicating that she would observe for a while longer. Niuhulu said, "Shumulu, under the Red Banner."
A short and fat girl stepped out of the line, and Concubine Yi twitched her lips. This was definitely an unspoken rule to get in. Several concubines exchanged glances and put down their signs!
Then a few people with ugly looks were given signs and led out by eunuchs.
Then came the needlework test. Eunuchs filed in, carrying tables, and then came stools. The women sat down in order, and then were given materials: a few pieces of cloth, a few balls of thread, a needle, a pair of scissors...
The standard task was to embroider a flower, then place a stick of incense in the incense burner and burn it, and that was the end of the task. This year, the Empress Dowager added a new task: to make a purse, and she even wanted a layer. This really stumped many people! Embroidering a flower or making a purse was commonplace these days. However, under the supervision of the master, and under time constraints, it became very difficult to achieve more complex crafts.
Shujia checked the time and cut out the purse first. Since there was no time for more elaborate work, she chose the fabric carefully, using the color differences between the pieces to create a pattern. This was much simpler than embroidering the purse. She was quite adept at sewing, and it took only a short while to complete. She then tied a string and hung it up. Then, she estimated the time to embroider.
It was done, and with a little time left, I checked to see if there were any loose threads and trimmed them. Sitting in the front row, I didn't dare look around, just glanced out of the corner of my eye. Dong E was also working pretty quickly.
The time was already insufficient, so anyone who could produce a perfect piece would be considered a perfect scorer. Some women who couldn't do their needlework well were eliminated, simply because they couldn't bear the sight of them. The Empress Dowager ignored them, only finding the purse she had assembled fascinating. After showing it to the concubines, she calmly tucked it away in her sleeve.
The girl in the bright red dress burst into tears. She could embroider, but she wasn't very good at it. She could also make purses, but she was very slow, so she couldn't even make a lining. Concubine Hui frowned, "How can this be?" and was about to give up.
Instead, De Fei said softly, "Don't cry yet. Tell me slowly. What's wrong with you? Why can't you do it?"
The little girl sobbed and stammered, "Slave, slave... I have four older sisters at home..." Shujia saw that her clothes were not very gorgeous, and guessed that her family was not very well off. She could not take needlework classes like the Shi family, and could only rely on daily practice.
But the little girl happened to be the youngest daughter, and since she was young she was beautiful, so she was naturally pampered. She didn't have to do anything herself, and the work done by her sisters was enough for her. She was not very skilled in needlework.
Concubine De was also speechless.
Put down the sign!
…
…
…
There were still more than thirty left. The Empress Dowager said politely, "They are all good children." Tong nodded and said, "They all look blessed." Concubine Yi smiled and said, "Aren't they blessed?" Concubine Rong had been looking at the concubines. She rarely spoke, but kept evaluating them patiently.
Finally, Niuhulu said, "It's getting late. Your Majesty should be leaving the court. I guess he'll go to Ningshou Palace to pay his respects."
The Empress Dowager said, "Yes, yes, let's all go."
The concubines naturally stood up and stood aside to wait for them to leave first, and then the eunuchs came to collect their belongings. Then another eunuch came and said, "Congratulations, everyone." He then said that they were all qualified to stay overnight in the palace for inspection, and told everyone to go home, pack their belongings, and gather at the appointed time.
Finally, he added, "The rooms and furnishings in the palace are ready-made. As for clothes and dressing supplies, you must bring them yourself. But one thing: don't bring too much. If you have any books you like to read, you can bring some in, but it's best not to bring any in, so as not to bring anything in with you. You can bring in needlework, but don't bring scissors or other sharp tools..."
In short, just bring what you need for life, and don't cause trouble for yourself or others.
After making sure that everyone had remembered it, he led the concubines out of the palace.
The Empress Dowager returned to Ningshou Palace, but Kangxi hadn't arrived yet. She couldn't hold back any longer: "How is it? Looks good, doesn't it?"
What else could anyone say? Niuhulu smiled and said, "Of course it's good. Besides the appearance, her needlework is also quite good." Concubine Yi continued, "She's quite clever. It's hard to come up with such a thing."
The Empress Dowager held her latest collection and smiled from ear to ear: "Let's have someone do the same thing tomorrow."
As they were speaking, Kangxi arrived.
After their first meeting, Kangxi asked the Empress Dowager, "Are you tired today?" The Empress Dowager was in high spirits, "Not at all," and even held out her purse to reveal her treasures. The concubines' needlework had been delivered to him, each labelled. Kangxi glanced at them, finding some good, some not so good.
It's true that a royal daughter-in-law doesn't need to do anything herself, but needlework is a basic skill, which you don't need, but you must know. As for knowledge, we can test it later.
The Queen Mother was still happy: "Another wedding is coming!"
In March of the 29th year of the Kangxi reign, the daughter of Kangxi's adopted daughter, the eldest Princess Changning, was given the title Princess Heshuo Chunxi and married Bandi, the Taiji of Khorchin, Mongolia. In June of the 30th year of the Kangxi reign, the second Princess, Princess Heshuo Rongxian, born to Concubine Rong, married Urgun, the son of Prince Balin of Mongolia. So the Empress Dowager mentioned the word "again," and Concubine Yi nudged Concubine Rong: "You just married off your daughter, and now you're getting your son married. Congratulations!"
Kangxi asked, "Congratulations to her, why not to me?"
Concubine Yi said, "You have so many happy events. How long should I congratulate you?"
The Empress Dowager shook her head and smiled, "You have a very sharp tongue."
The Ningshou Palace was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
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At this time, everyone in the Shi family was packing their belongings.
Aunt Zhou said, "Don't listen to them. If you have extra, bring a little extra with you. It would be bad if the laundry at Xinzheku is slow and you don't have enough clothes to change into. Don't bring too many books, but do some needlework..."
In a short time, she packed two large bundles and a bunch of purses—they contained cash. Shuxian had returned since she heard she was going to stay in the palace. She reminded her, "If... your period comes, be careful." She also prepared menstrual products.
In mid-March, Shujia went alone to an unfamiliar environment. Her baggage was not criticized much during the inspection, and someone even carried it for her.
The concubines were separated into two palaces, Qixiang and Changchun. Shujia lived in Qixiang Palace, sharing a large courtyard with a dozen concubines. Qixiang Palace is no longer visible in later generations - Cixi rebuilt it so hard that several walls were torn off.
It is still the same now, with five front halls and five sleeping halls.
Before they could finish their inspection, the aunts who stayed behind in the palace arrived. As everyone had said, the staff were seriously understaffed. The leading aunt said her surname was Hu, and she had only four maids to serve as errand boys. Aunt Hu introduced herself, then introduced the four maids to everyone else. Then, her face turned serious, "I think it's a good thing for everyone to come to this palace. However, the palace is different from other places. Rules are very important. There are some things that I have to say a few words about."
The concubines all stopped and listened. Aunt Hu said, "No one in the palace would give or take anything privately. Even if you are related to a noble in the palace, you have to endure it now. You cannot leave the palace without being summoned by the master. If there is anything taboo, please hand it over in person first to avoid trouble later..."
Accommodation will be allocated only after the conversation is over.
The concubines of the imperial court were not eligible to live in the main palace halls, so they could only live in the surrounding rooms, which were classified as good or bad. Generally speaking, rooms on the east side, facing the sun, were better, while rooms on the west side, facing the sun, were worse. Shujia was given a good room. She looked at the bed and saw it was clean and tidy. The room was not very furnished, just a table, a chair, a bed, and a wardrobe. After putting her things away, she went out and saw that Dong E was next door.
Regardless of whether it was raw before, it now felt a bit more intimate in this environment. She smiled and greeted him, then saw the round-faced girl again. She was very embarrassed, because now she knew what the 'legendary designated Crown Princess' looked like.
Shujia smiled and invited them inside to sit. People from the adjacent and opposite rooms kept looking in, some greeting each other, some gossiping about acquaintances, and some trying to make friends. Some even whispered, "Which one is the Shi family girl?"
The round-faced girl was very embarrassed when she sat down, twisting her clothes and refusing to speak. Dong E smiled and asked Shu Jia, "Are you used to living here?" Shu Jia said, "We live quite well. They live across the street and it's not very comfortable. The weather is getting hotter and hotter..."
The round-faced girl relaxed as the conversation began. From her words, it became clear that she came from a high-class background, the daughter of Minister Sa Bihan. The three of them continued to talk about needlework. Shujia noticed the unique pattern on Dong E's dress and asked, "Is this a new design? I haven't seen it before."
Dong E was a little proud: "I just figured it out when I had nothing to do." The round-faced girl was very envious: "Your craftsmanship is really good."
After a while, dinner was served. Some people ate together in the hall, while others took their time in their rooms.
Shujia and the other two decided to have a meal in the hall first. If the environment was good, they would eat there. If not, they would go back to their rooms to eat later.
The three of them were onlookers, and someone had probably guessed who was who from the housing allocations. It didn't matter to Shujia. Everyone knew who she was, and her family had been arranged, so who wouldn't be looking for trouble to plot against her? What a waste of time and energy. Better to think of something else.
At the first meal, everyone was still relatively unfamiliar with each other. Having just arrived at the palace, everyone was still quite tense. They all focused on eating, minding their appearance. There were no incidents of tripping each other up or spilling food or tea on others. After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms to rest. Gradually, in the afternoon, groups of people formed friendships, chatting together or doing needlework together.
Dong E brought a few books, and Shujia happened to exchange ideas with her.
In the evening, the Empress Dowager invited people to dinner again. Shujia was among them, along with Dong E, Ning Hui and other girls. When they arrived, they saw that several of the imperial concubines were also there.
This meal was extremely awkward.
Not only did she have to eat, but she also had to look bad. Fortunately, she was 'not talking while eating,' otherwise it would have been even worse. Even so, she couldn't stand the constant scrutiny from the Empress Dowager. Finally, she broke the rules and openly chatted at the table about her partner, Shujia. "Are you comfortable living here?" "Tell me if you need anything."
The concubines also joined in: "When is your birthday?" "Which dish on the table is to your liking?"
In the end, all the girls were asked the same question. When they saw Shujia being asked the same question, they felt a little envious and jealous. But when they were asked the same question, they couldn't help but admire her. After all, she was the designated Crown Princess, and she spoke so calmly.
That evening, after returning, the maid had prepared water for washing. Shujia smiled and thanked her. The maid said, "It's our duty. I'll collect it when the young lady has used it up." Shujia took out a purse containing five taels of silver. The maid waved her hands repeatedly. Shujia smiled and said, "I'll need you more in the future. This is a meeting gift. You won't get it every day. My well-educated aunt also came from the palace. I know how hard it is. It's good for you to save it as a support. You never know when it will be useful. It's my sincere token of my appreciation." The maid then accepted it.
The little palace maid estimated that she would receive a lot of such red envelopes tonight, and then, according to the introduction of her aunts, she would probably have to give a lot of them to her superiors and eunuchs when she returned.
That night, just as Shujia was about to go to sleep, Aunt Hu came to check on her. The questions were standard: "Are you feeling comfortable here? Is there anything you'd like to add? Is there anything out of place?" Shujia looked at the handkerchief in her hand and found it odd. Aunt Hu glanced at her own handkerchief, and Shujia, feeling a little embarrassed, returned her gaze to her own handkerchief. Suddenly, she understood. That needlework technique seemed like Aunt Wu's unique skill.
Now, discussing their relationship, it was revealed that Aunt Hu was personally trained by Aunt Wu. Of course, Aunt Wu herself wasn't the most prestigious, and Aunt Hu wasn't originally in Qixiang Palace, but rather in a remote palace nearby. Now, after a major selection, they've drafted her in. Shujia said, "So there's this connection. Aunt Wu is very cautious when she's out in public, and she doesn't talk about palace affairs. I had no idea."
The rest of the process was easy, and the red envelopes were delivered without delay. After Aunt Hu left, Shujia wiped her sweat. Fortunately, she was an acquaintance of Aunt Wu. If she was her enemy, it would be troublesome.
After the Empress Dowager's banquet, the concubines often invited several of them for tea and chat. Rong Fei and De Fei were concerned about the selection of their daughter-in-law, and Shu Jia was often used as a pretext by them, while the other concubines came to express their opinions.
Just go. Given the level of attention the concubines currently receive, the concubines won't be tempted to make trouble. Even the eldest prince's biological mother remained calm when dealing with the crown prince's prospective wife. Someone probably crouched by the window to listen for her snoring and then report it to the higher-ups. And if they found out, they'd be asking for trouble.
Dong E received a bit more attention, not just from the imperial concubines but also from the imperial concubines. At this point in their family's career, the target was a young man of marriageable age. The Crown Princess had been chosen, but the Third Lady hadn't, and the Fourth Lady position was also vacant. Kangxi had previously secretly considered several daughters, and everyone understood they might be the Crown Prince's wives. Then, word spread that the Crown Prince had been chosen, and by now, it seemed like a fait accompli. Most people considered Dong E a competitor, and the round-faced Ning Hui was also considered a competitor.
Only those whose families held less senior positions were even remotely friendly towards these three. They were eyeing the Emperor's harem. Even if they weren't deliberately aiming, they knew the Emperor was beginning to favor beautiful and graceful young women, and that girls from well-off families wouldn't be able to join the harem. Imperial Noble Consorts, Imperial Noble Consorts, and Imperial Concubines were all vacant, but there was no limit on the number of honored ladies. The first two weren't even considered possible, but were the second two still allowed to dream?
After all, Shujia was the most comfortable. If only everyone didn't talk to her all the time.
She was so lucky, yet she didn't know how to appreciate it. At least they were talking to her, not making sarcastic remarks. Dong E was once said to have a certain literary air about her literary talent, a term that, coming from a competitor, was clearly meant to be sarcastic. Dong E's face was impassive: "Oh, girls don't show off their skills in this kind of thing. I'm just doing needlework to pass the time. What does this have to do with literary air? If my little ink and brush are considered noble, then all the scholars in the world should have words written all over their faces." She smiled.
Poisoning a girl this young is out of the question, as depicted in TV dramas. Everything was inspected before entering the palace, and all weapons were confiscated. Remember, the palace housed not only concubines but also the emperor's entire family, minimizing the risk of harm. As for a push or a trip, even if it were a coincidence that someone would fall and be disfigured, it never happened.
The legendary Imperial Garden was open once or twice. A stream ran through it, and eunuchs watched over the women as they entered. No dangers arose. And as far as Shujia knew, the scenario of encountering a prince while on a private walk and being noticed or even becoming an enemy didn't occur.
In fact, the most difficult thing about being in the palace wasn't getting along with the girls. Even if you were bullied or excluded, you could just be magnanimous and laugh it off. How could you not know if these things would reach the ears of the higher-ups? Those with a bit of sense, or those who had been warned by their families, would only say mild, insincere things when speaking, and would never make blatant sarcasm.
Anyway, Shujia didn't have a brain attack that tripped her up. But a girl living in a row of houses to the west sprained her foot and had to rest for two days - unfortunately, she missed the emperor's personal review.
The most difficult part was being inspected by her superiors. That day, the Empress Dowager invited her to dinner—noodles! It was Shujia's birthday, and she had to eat. Fortunately, she had practiced eating noodles without slurping or making noises while sipping the broth. Later, she encountered many other dishes: boneless fish, boneless chicken, unshelled shrimp... Shujia learned to adapt to each one, gradually settling in.
Other than that, everything was fine. Even until Kangxi's personal review, she wasn't particularly nervous. Kangxi had tested her once before, so she had some experience, and she felt she wasn't panicking. Shujia even managed to calm herself down and survey the room calmly. She remained in the front row, her observation limited to the small area before her. The Empress Dowager arrived, along with the principal concubines. None of them interrupted, simply watching Kangxi's actions unfold.
First, the eunuchs reported that a beautiful woman from the Zhenglan Banner in Qixiang Palace was injured and unable to attend the ceremony, and that two people in Changchun Palace had contracted a seasonal illness and had been moved out of the palace. Kangxi frowned and said, "Tell the Imperial Hospital to send someone to examine them and ensure that no one is left with any injuries."
Despite this minor hiccup, the conversation went smoothly for the most part. Since we couldn't look directly at the emperor, we all lowered our heads slightly, answering one question at a time. The front row performed well, but the more we moved toward the back, the more nervous we became. Of course, there were also those who weren't as nervous, so they stood out a little.
The questions asked by Kangxi were not difficult. The first two rows would ask what books they were reading, but Shujia was asked in more detail: "Are you still reading history? How far have you read the "Zizhi Tongjian"? " Shujia replied: "I have finished reading the "Tongjian" and am reading the "Book of Sui." Kangxi then asked about several allusions involving several dynasties.
Dong E was asked about the "Bizhentu" and the question and answer revealed a lot about calligraphy.
By the time the conversation was over, everyone knew these two men had been tested and their futures were assured. The subsequent questions were general, some stuttering, others unable to answer. Kangxi didn't take it seriously; there were always those times; it was perfectly normal. Even when he was on his southern and eastern tours, some men were nervous when summoned to his presence to answer questions.
Shujia heard an unfamiliar voice, the ending syllables of each word trembling. It was probably one of the concubines living in Changchun Palace. Only when summoned could those living in Qixiang Palace see those living in Changchun Palace.
After the emperor finished reading it, he had basically reached a conclusion. Whether it would succeed or not, there was rarely any back-and-forth. Everyone returned to their quarters, prepared to pack up, and awaited news. The group of young girls, like prisoners on a whirlwind of fresh air, were fine on the way, but once they entered Qixiang Gate, they could no longer contain themselves.
One said, "Oh, my heart almost jumped out of my chest." Another said, "You're fine. I don't think I said all I wanted to say." They chattered.
Shujia walked in the middle, with Dong E on her left and Ning Hui on her right. The other girls gathered around and talked. A girl in green next to them said, "You two are talking so well. I didn't understand anything you said." They smiled at each other, and before they could say anything, they heard the door of a room to the west creak open and then close again.
Everyone was silent.
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In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Kangxi was listening to Yinreng's report: "This year, Pingyang in Shanxi has a good harvest. I think we should send officials to buy grain to prepare for years of famine." Kangxi raised his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?" Yinreng said, "In recent years, the capital has been plagued by drought. The Khan Ama is also worried about this and has personally prayed for rain in previous years. I think that droughts and floods are impermanent and ordinary people are powerless to change them, but we can prevent them from becoming disasters. Where there are good harvests, we should store the surplus. In years of poor harvest, we can open the granaries and sell the grain at a fair price..."
Kangxi took a sip of tea, nodded approvingly, and pushed a plate of fresh fruit onto the table. "Try this," he said, weighing one himself. After finishing his meal and wiping his hands, he said indecisively, "Why do I remember that the current prefect of Pingyang, Shanxi is Shi Wensheng?"
Yinreng said, "It's him. He's quite capable." Kangxi hummed, "He's Shi Wenbing's brother, right?" Yinreng coughed twice and said, "The name sounds like him."
Kangxi couldn't help laughing: "I think so!"
Kangxi was surprised to find that his son actually had a shy expression and was a little awkward in his movements. Kangxi laughed and said, "The concubines will be leaving the palace soon. Your grandmother might be reluctant to let the girl from the Shi family go, so she wants her to speak. Wei Zhu, go to Ningshou Palace and tell her."
Shujia was inexplicably called by the Empress Dowager to talk to her again, and she had no idea that the Crown Prince had been watching her for a quarter of an hour.
Shujia's nerves were on edge. When the palace announced the end of their stay and everyone could go home and wait for further notice, she felt a little confused. Only after returning home did she completely relax. If she was asked to eat those "two and a half pairs" of food in front of her in the palace again, she would vomit blood!
The next step is to wait for notification.
Countless families were anxiously awaiting the results, especially the Shi family. Just as Xiluo had said, there had been rumors that if Shujia didn't make the cut, it would be difficult for her to find a good marriage.
Finally, the news of the arranged marriage came late, and the first one was given to the Shi family. It turned out to be "Guaerjia, the daughter of Fuzhou General and Earl Shi Wenbing, as the Crown Princess."
The Shi family finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fu Dali gave a red envelope to the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, and Qingde sent him out.
When Xiluo Te and his brothers returned, she called Fu Dali, "Write a letter to your father to announce the good news!" Fu Dali readily agreed, "Son, I'll go right away." Qingde said happily, "I dare not say anything else, but father will know about this in two days. Our messenger is still on the way, and it will be in the court's official bulletin or in the folder." Fu Dali glanced at him and said, "Then you have to announce the good news too."
That’s great. I finally don’t have to worry about my sister not being able to get married.
Hua Shan laughed three times in the room. "It's done. We've done justice to our ancestors. Although our family is a later-returned Guwalja clan, we are worthy of being the largest clan in Manchuria."
Shujia: The worry-free days are gone forever.
The author has something to say: This chapter is very fat
Oh no! I've been coding for a whole day! My claws are almost broken... (I'm about to die)
The story of Miss Ning Hui is based on a certain person.
A certain person was studying for a master's degree. Before the interview, they were chatting in the waiting room.
Someone: "I really want to know what that XX looks like~"
The girl opposite: "Why do you want to know?"
Someone: "She got first place in the exam, and I only got fourth..."
The girl opposite: "That's me." She pointed her index finger at her nose.
A certain meat: ...Luckily I didn’t say that those who do well in the exam might be ugly!
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