The Concubine Candidates rested for a day, and then the day of the Grand Selection finally arrived. This was another day of good weather, sunny and warm with fragrant greenery. Every now and then, the crisp cries of cuckoos and orioles could be heard through the window.
ng Sangyu helped to straighten Emperor Zhouwus lapels while inquiring, Your Majesty, are you really not going to select a few that suit your taste to stay? This concubine fears that you will not like the ones this concubine selects.
Emperor Zhouwu lowered his head and gave her a kiss on the cheek, smiling. Apart from you, no one else is to Zhens liking. Whether or not they go or stay is completely up to you.
Your Majesty doesnt need to select the daughters of your honoured selfs important ministers or trusted aides to form marriage connections? This concubine simply doesnt understand the twists and turns of the imperial court and is afraid of making a blunder and ruining your plans. ng Sangyu wasnt moved by the mans honeyed words and continued to question him.
Presently, the imperial court is entirely in Zhens grasp. Why would there be any need to rely on marriage ties to win over the ministers hearts? Emperor Zhouwu scoffed.
Pinning a luxurious flower-shaped hairpin[1]near Sangyus temple, he tried to appease her in a gentle voice. You can choose whover you want to stay. Zhen has no objections.
He had absolutely no interest in attending this round of the Grand Selection and had left all the decisions to Sangyu. If it werent for the rules set down by his ancestors, he would abolish the practice of the Grand Selection. However, considering that his sons would need to marry in the future, he was obliged to suppress this idea.
ng Sangyu looked askance at him and asked, arching an eyebrow, What if this concubine decides that not a single one should remain?
Then not a single one will remain! Zhen will deal with the aftermath for you! Emperor Zhouwu hugged her close while laughing heartily. As he nibbled her lips, he softly whispered, Vinegar jar.[2]
He then imdiately headed over to the imperial court, in an unprecedentedly joyful mood. He liked the thought of Sangyu monopolizing him because he felt the sa way.
ng Sangyu stood outside her palaces gates and watched him depart, a complicated expression on her face.
Nurse Feng stepped forward and softly asked, Your Ladyship, are we truly not going to let anyone stay? She was excited at the very idea! Yincui and Bishui also looked over with shining eyes.
Is His Majesty joking? If I truly didnt let anyone stay, then there would be no need for to remain as Imperial Noble Consort. ng Sangyu waved a hand and returned to her inner chambers to catch up on sleep.
The Grand Selection could only start after Morning Court had adjourned, and there were still two hours left,[3]thus there was no need to rush.
Two hours later, the new group of Concubine Candidates, who had long since gotten dressed up, stood in an orderly manner in the courtyard of Chuxiu Palaces main hall in groups of five, waiting for the Grand Selection. Without the support of one of the imperial concubines, this would be their only chance to see the Emperor. Naturally, they needed to put on a good performance.
ng Ruizhu was dressed in a pink and green muslin dress. With the addition of her fresh and clean, simple yet elegant makeup, she did not lose out to anyone in the crowd of candidates. Her features had always been quite extraordinary, but beside Yu Yage, she had gone unnoticed.
Now that Yu Yage was no longer present, her looks were naturally revealed.[4]
Those in her group knew that she was the Imperial Noble Consorts younger sister. One after another, they approached her to curry favour but were all repelled by her cold expression.
Hearing the surrounding Concubine Candidates discuss the scandal of Yu Yage being driven out of the palace as unclean, she pursed her lips and coldly sneered, an ambitious light flashing in her eyes.
Inside Chuxiu Palaces main hall, apart from the Imperial Noble Consort, the Four Consorts had already arrived.
Worthy Consort sat alone in a corner with a dark expression. Her fierce aura made others feel intimidated. The three other, newly-appointed consorts had originally intended to chat with her, but after eting her gaze, all of them decided to retreat. Worthy Consort had already been difficult to get along with, but now she was like a malicious spirit, frightening others to the bottom of their hearts.
Furthermore, there was also that group of imperial concubines who had once been favoured by the Emperor. Nowadays, they all stayed inside their own residences and seldom stepped out, making it a rare event to see them.
This transformation had been too abrupt, and no one knew exactly what had happened that day.
Even though they were dying with curiosity, all of the imperial concubines were well-versed in the imperial harems unwritten rules of survival. There were so matters that werent for them to investigate.
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A short while later, ng Sangyu led a group of servants into the main hall in an orderly fashion. Once she was seated in the hosts seat, the Four Consorts paid their respects. Seeing that she had co alone, the newly-appointed Gracious Consort and Pure Consort[5]couldnt help but show their disappointnt. It had been several months since they had last seen the Emperor.
All of you may rise. ng Sangyu lifted a hand, wearing a tired expression. Spring weather was great for sleeping. Recently, she always felt like she hadnt had enough sleep.
Venturing to ask Your Highness, does your honoured self know why His Majesty did not co? Gracious Consort boldly inquired without rising from her kneeling position.
The corners of ng Sangyus mouth pursed. The Emperor is occupied with governntal affairs, and did not co.
Once the visibly disappointed Gracious Consort and Pure Consort were seated, she ordered the eunuch standing at the doorway, Invite the first group of Concubine Candidates inside.
A group of five slender and elegant young ladies slowly entered the hall and knelt down in salute. They were truly as beautiful as hibiscus flowers, with the voices of orioles, making those watching forget themselves even though they had already seen their paintings.
Despite knowing that this years group of Concubine Candidates was exceptionally outstanding, it was still entirely different to see them in the flesh.
Pure Consort and Gracious Consort, who had been extrely disappointed up until now, couldnt help but secretly rejoice that the Emperor hadnt co. Otherwise, he would have been bewitched by their beauty.
The two consorts glanced at the Imperial Noble Consort with relieved expressions.
The Imperial Noble Consorts thods were out of the ordinary. Just the day before yesterday, she had used a small pup to dispose of Yu Yage. Today would likely be no different. She wasnt soone to let a formidable opponent remain.
However, they quickly realized that they were mistaken. The Imperial Noble Consort selected candidates who were extrely earnest and responsible. Each and every one was a talented individual with outstanding features or a prominent family background. She kept all of their naplates, and, to the endless surprise of Pure Consort and Gracious Consort, unexpectedly seed to have no intention of suppressing them in the least. Even Virtuous Consort and Worthy Consort glanced her way several tis.
ng Sangyu took notes on the roster of nas. After she put down her brush, she summoned in the next group.
Taking advantage of the ti between groups, she massaged her throbbing temples. When she had first entered the palace hall, she had only felt tired, but after slling the incense inside the hall for a long ti and listening to the Concubine Candidates musical performances, she unexpectedly felt dizzier and dizzier. Her stomach also seed like it was churning and made her want to vomit.
The next group of Concubine Candidates quickly entered and paid their respects in a reverent and respectful manner. She collected herself at lightning speed and scanned the five peoples faces. Catching sight of the smiling ng Ruizhu, her eyes darkened.
Begin. She waved a hand and a Concubine Candidate answered, stepping out of the row and giving a simple self-introduction. After answering the questions of the Four Consorts, she began to exhibit her painting skills.
ng Sangyu leaned back against the chair and sipped the tea that Nurse Feng had handed her. A sourness surged in the back of her throat, and she clenched her teeth, resisting the urge to vomit with great difficulty.
When it was ng Ruizhus turn, she leisurely stepped forward and introduced herself in a soft, gentle manner. From beginning to end, her movents were graceful, her smile tranquil. Her beauty was a gentle kind, not at all as sharp or intense as ng Sangyus.
Virtuous Consort wore the sa expression as usual and didnt ask her any questions. Gracious Consort and Pure Consort, on the other hand, repeatedly questioned her. Even the cold-faced Worthy Consort, who always put on airs/put down others, deigned to ask her a few questions as well.
Seeing their attitudes/behaviour, how could ng Sangyu not know what they were thinking? Sisters serving the sa husband[6] they were looking for soone to split the favour she received. Even if [ng Ruizhu] couldnt split that favour, it would still leave her disgusted.
ng Ruizhu also had a few sches up her sleeve. After leaving Bixiao Palace yesterday, in the blink of an eye, she had t with Worthy Consort.
After she heard the news of Shen Huiru being bestowed with death by imperial decree, [ng Sangyu] imdiately guessed that [Worthy Consort] had disclosed the matter of the body double. If it were her, she would have done the sa if she was seeking a quick death. At least she would have been able to pull down several others to serve as sacrificial victims to share her fate.[7]
The Emperor keeping Shen Huirus life didnt necessarily an that he didnt have so kind of sinister motive. After all, a large group of thirsty won was very difficult to handle. Why not let them give up completely?
[ng Sangyu] was the only one amongst the high-ranking imperial concubines to have avoided an unpleasant fate. With Worthy Consorts twisted personality, it was natural for her to resent ng Sangyu.
After the Grand Selection was over, it was ti to make Worthy Consort acknowledge reality.
At that thought, ng Sangyu lifted her head and gave a playful smile. Her razor-sharp gaze made ng Ruizhu, who was sitting below giving a musical performance, play several wrong notes. ng Ruizhus expression changed abruptly, but she quickly adapted.
When her performance was over, the Four Consorts looked towards ng Sangyu, waiting for her to speak.
Rejected. ng Sangyu carelessly waved a hand.
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The Four Consorts expressions showed that they had all expected this outco.
Following the Imperial Noble Consorts example, Virtuous Consort also raised a hand and simply declared, Rejected! making ng Sangyu smile as she glanced at her.
Worthy Consort put down her teacup and smirked, clearly full of malice. Bengong is truly fond of Miss ng. Keep her naplate. Saying this, she giggled, giving everyone the feeling that she was unhinged.
Keep her. Pure Consort and Gracious Consort spoke one after the other. If sothing were to make the Imperial Noble Consort unhappy, they would be willing to support it.
Amongst the five senior imperial concubines, if there were three in favour of keeping her naplate, then she could smoothly pass the evaluation. This implied that after ng Ruizhu was selected, then she would be able to be appointed to the position of a minor mistress,[8]becoming one of the Emperors low-level concubines. ng Ruizhu knelt and expressed her thanks. Her eyes showed a hint of ambitious hope and satisfaction.
ng Sangyu smiled ambiguously at her and circled her na. Just as she was about to set down her pen, suddenly the world started spinning and her body couldnt help but fall to the side.
Nurse Feng cried out in fear, Your Highness! and quickly advanced forward to catch her as her body slumped. Afterwards, she imdiately called for an Imperial Physician.
The Four Consorts promptly stood up to see what was going on, and the Concubine Candidates who had yet to withdraw also looked as if they would lose their heads out of fear. The scene in the palace hall imdiately beca chaotic.
ng Ruizhu raised her eyebrows in astonishnt and proudly thought to herself:Was she provoked by ? How weak! ng Sangyu, this is just the beginning! After today, theres still more for you to suffer!
After they carefully and cautiously carried the Imperial Noble Consort to a side chamber and paused the Grand Selection in the main hall, Yu Yaan imdiately sent soone to notify the Emperor. Considering how much His Majesty cared for the Imperial Noble Consort, if one didnt notify him first, he was bound to be provoked into a fit of rage.
It was just as Yu Yaan had predicted. The Emperor arrived faster than the imperial physician. The bright yellow sleeves of his robe were stained with ink. From this, it could be seen how much of a rush he was in.
How could she suddenly faint? Where is the imperial physician? Hurry up and send soone to rush him! He sat at ng Sangyus bedside and gently caressed the womans pale complexion with both hands. His gloomy tone could cause rain to fall.
Changxi bowed and accepted the command. He withdrew from the main hall and gave a few hand signals, and the normally concealed hidden guards made for/were dispatched to the Imperial Institute of dicine[9]posthaste.
Virtuous Consort was about to reply but Gracious Consort rushed to speak first, Replying to Your Majesty, we lowly concubines observed that the Second Miss of the ng familys virtuous words and accomplishnts were extraordinary and had decided to keep her naplate. Who would have thought that Her Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, would suddenly faint?
Pure Consort followed suit and said a few words in agreent.
Since the Emperor entered the hall, only Worthy Consort cowered in fear and withdrew to a corner of the room, deathly afraid of being seen by him.
Virtuous Consort remained silent. Sweeping her gaze over the Emperors terrified eyes and slightly trembling fingertips, she inwardly gave a mocking smile.
[ng Sangyu] rely fainted yet the Emperor was frightened to this extent. It was clear just how much he cared for the Imperial Noble Consort. If one were to imply that the Imperial Noble Consort was jealous and wanted to oppress the competition within her own clan under these circumstances, they had best take care that their losses dont outweigh their gains![10]
Keep her naplate? ng Ruizhu? Emperor Zhouwus expression beca even darker upon hearing what was said.
Sisters serving the sa husband were they looking to humiliate Zhen or Sangyu? Zhen feels disgusted even just hearing the words. No wonder Sangyu fainted!
Imperial Duke ngs morial requesting exemption from being selected is on Zhens desk. After the Grand Selection, he would like to personally make arrangents for ng Ruizhus marriage. Who asked you all to act on your own accord? His voice cut through the room like the biting chill of winter,[11][12]making Worthy Consort, Pure Consort, and Gracious Consort all turn deathly pale with fright.
On Zhens order, reject ng Ruizhus naplate!
Noticing Sangyu move slightly with a countenance filled with unease, he imdiately lowered his voice and tightly grasped her hands.
Worthy Consorts eyes were blood-red; Pure Consort and Gracious Consort silently cried in protest but didnt dare to speak, showing aggrieved expressions. Only Virtuous Consort stepped forward and softly acknowledged the order.
She lanted inwardly:As expected, this was the outco. The Emperor truly loves the Imperial Noble Consort as much as his own life![13]
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