69: The Grand Selection

Chapter 69: Selection of Consorts

Youzhou, Yan.

Looking at the letter in his hand, the Pseudo-Yan Prince of Yan, Zheng Yuantao, had a young, gloomy face filled with killing intent.

"Refusing Gu's goodwill? When Gu wishes to claim kingship, why would Gu need recognition from the Great Yu Dynasty?"

"Now the world is in chaos, and the Revered Master of the world shall be whoever possesses the strongest troops and sturdiest horses!"

He was the third son of the Prince of Yan, but he was gifted with extraordinary talent. His martial arts cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and now he had already reached the First-Rank Realm.

Behind him were even several martial arts Sects and families supporting him, and he had long harbored ambitions of usurping the throne.

The six northern prefectures were plagued by uprisings, and the Great Yu Dynasty was utterly corrupt. At this moment, it desperately needed a Revered Master of restoration to revitalize Great Yu.

Zheng Yuantao considered himself to be the Revered Master of restoration for Great Yu.

To this end, he secretly won over many officials and troops in Yan. Those who submitted were rewarded with high positions and generous salaries, while those who opposed him were directly murdered in secret.

Under his instigation, his father's ambition continually swelled.

Who would have thought that he was actually assassinated!

It was no longer realistic to investigate where the assassin came from now.

On the day his father passed away, he immediately summoned his subordinates, using thunderous means to kill his elder and second brothers, monopolizing the entire Yan Prince's Estate and becoming the true Revered Master of Yan!

The capital was only three days away from Yan!

As long as he was willing, he could gallop to the capital in three days to execute the act of slaying the monarch.

Unfortunately... heavy snow sealed the mountains!

Over half of the troops under his command were northern cavalry.

Under the snow-sealed mountains, rapid marching was completely impossible. He could only continuously dispatch scouts to explore the surrounding environment of the capital.

Soon, a general clad in armor strode in quickly, stirring up a flurry of wind and snow.

"Your Highness! Scouts report that Tiger Mountain Pass, Baisha, and Fenghe Ferry all have heavy snow on all three routes, and the cavalry cannot deploy."

"It is simply unrealistic to reach the capital in a short time."

Zheng Yuantao stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the boundless snow, and said, "The heavens send down heavy snow; could this be a warning from the heavens to Gu?"

"Has this step taken by Gu been too perilous?"

"If it were according to Gu's intention, it would have taken at least three years before raising arms; I never expected it to be so urgent."

"Your Highness!"

A counselor behind him suddenly said, "As the saying goes, man proposes, heaven disposes. Yu Jian Villa was suddenly sealed by the court, forcing us to raise arms prematurely this time."

"Moreover, the old prince's sudden and violent death, this subordinate suspects, is inextricably linked to Emperor Zhengyong."

"Otherwise, right after an incident occurred at Yu Jian Villa, the old prince was assassinated. This subordinate simply cannot figure out who else would have such great capability to do this kind of thing."

Then someone else said, "Indeed, Your Highness, under Emperor Zhengyong there is a new shadow intelligence organization named the Jinyi Guard, which recruits Jianghu figures of Great Yu with monetary temptations."

"Furthermore, to be able to assassinate the old prince inside the heavily guarded prince's estate, their martial arts cultivation must be at least at the Grandmaster Realm or above!"

"In the entire world, besides Emperor Zhengyong, this subordinate truly cannot think of anyone else who could hire a Martial Artist of the Grandmaster Realm to carry out such an assassination."

"Emperor Zhengyong...!"

Zheng Yuantao gritted his teeth and said, "The Emperor of Great Yu, the Revered Master of the world, to think he would actually resort to such despicable means and assassinate my father!"

"This hatred... is irreconcilable!"

"Cheng De!"

A counselor immediately stood up and said, "This subordinate is here."

"Taking Emperor Zhengyong's assassination of my father as the main theme, write a denunciation manifesto against the emperor. Gu wants everyone in the world to recognize the true face of Emperor Zhengyong."

"After the heavy snow stops, dispatch twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry to trample the capital!"

"Understood!"

Cheng De acknowledged the order, then added, "Your Highness, as the saying goes, a timely snow promises a good harvest. Although this snow is a hindrance to us, to the common people of the six northern prefectures, it is an auspicious sign."

"This sign also portends the righteousness of Your Highness raising troops, supported by the millions of commoners."

"Otherwise, why is it that most of Youzhou and Bin Province are snowing, yet not a single snowflake falls on the capital?"

Hearing this, Zheng Yuantao burst into loud laughter. "Hahahaha, as expected of Gu's premier counselor, Cheng De's words suit Gu's heart perfectly!"

"This is the will of heaven, and Emperor Zhengyong will surely die."

"I am the true Emperor of Great Yu!"

Accompanied by Zheng Yuantao's orders, the entire Yan City began to stir into action.

Under such circumstances, several carrier pigeons flew up from the dark night, soaring far away toward the south.

The capital, Qiankun Hall.

Looking at the secret letter handed over by the Jinyi Guard in his hand, killing intent flashed across Zheng Yi's eyes.

"When the heavy snow stops, will that be the day the Pseudo-Yan makes its move?"

"Twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry!"

"Under the Youzhou warlord Gongsun Bo, there are only six thousand Dragon Cavalry!"

"The strength of the Pseudo-Yan is actually this formidable?"

"Lu Lian."

"This subordinate is here."

"Continue to monitor the movements of the Pseudo-Yan army. Once there is any abnormal movement, immediately send a message via carrier pigeon."

"Understood!"

Lu Lian quickly retreated, while Zheng Yi stood up, gazing far into the direction of the Pseudo-Yan.

"Want to launch a blitzkrieg surprise attack on the capital with the Dragon Cavalry? Unfortunately, you have miscalculated; Zhen awaits your arrival!"

At this moment, Liu Chengen walked in quietly again and whispered, "Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

"Consort Shu... Consort Shu has sent someone to request an audience..."

"Consort Shu..."

Zheng Yi murmured. Zhai Fang was a remnant of Yang Xuansu's faction; would Consort Shu know Zhai Fang?

She had been confined to Yonghe Palace for nearly two years; why did she suddenly want to see him again?

Could it be... she knew Zhai Fang?

And knew about the affair between Zhai Fang and the Empress Dowager?

For a moment, Zheng Yi actually felt somewhat flustered and irritated.

Consort Shu, Yang Huan, was the first woman who had moved his heart, and she had also borne him his first child.

However, her father had committed a grave mistake. No matter what she did, this fact could not be obliterated.

After pondering for a few breaths, he still shook his head and said, "Just say that Zhen has important matters and will visit Yonghe Palace in a few days!"

"Prepare the imperial carriage for Xianfu Palace!"

"Understood!"

Zheng Yi's sedan chair headed toward Xianfu Palace. Behind the rockery, a palace maid from Yonghe Palace was stopped, but Zheng Yi pretended not to see her.

In the past few days, he had newly taken Jian Yu as a Noble Lady, and she also bore the Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber.

Cultivating together among the three of them, the progress was actually several times that of practicing alone.

His proficiency in the Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber was increasing at a rapid pace.

Yonghe Palace.

Seeing her close palace maid return empty-handed once again, Yang Huan's eyes inevitably held a hint of despair.

"Your... Your Majesty, are you truly so heartless?"

"Your Ladyship~"

The palace maid knelt on the ground, with a distinct crying tone in her voice, "this servant is useless and could not see His Majesty. this servant has gone seven or eight times, but His Majesty still refuses to see Your Ladyship..."

"N... No, it's not your fault. It... It is this consort's fault..."

Staggering to the bedside, she gently stroked the little girl on the bed: "Princess Yao, your father is so ruthless, what should mother do..."

"Yaya~"

Princess Yao seemed to be dreaming. Her jade-carved, pink-and-white little face suddenly smiled like blooming flowers, and Yang Huan lovingly stroked Princess Yao's little face.

A few days ago, Princess Yao's high fever refused to subside, and she had almost knelt down to the eunuchs and palace maids outside the door. Only after giving her last piece of jewelry to the eunuch guarding the door did she manage to summon an imperial physician.

Otherwise... Princess Yao might have suffered a great misfortune.

"The conscription... the conscription after the Shangyuan Festival is this consort's last chance."

"On that day, most of the eunuchs and palace maids will go to the Imperial Garden to serve. Only then can I quietly slip out of the palace and find a chance to see His Majesty."

"For Princess Yao's sake, even if I offend the Emperor, I can no longer care about it!"

The Shangyuan Festival was the last important festival in Great Yu's annual customs.

That night, bright lanterns rose across the entire capital, illuminating most of the capital like daylight, making it extraordinarily magnificent.

Pedestrians wove like a shuttle, bustling and sharing the festivities with the common people.

Within the imperial city, it was also exceptionally lively. Palace maids and eunuchs all lit lanterns under the orders of their respective Revered Masters to pray for blessings.

Numerous palace maids gathered by the streams of their respective palaces to release river lanterns, laughing and chattering incessantly.

As for Zheng Yi, he also summoned the Empress Dowager and various imperial concubines to gather in Taihe Hall for a grand banquet with all the officials, partying until midnight.

This night was very peaceful; nothing happened at all.

After the Shangyuan Festival, the weather cleared up rarely with a gentle breeze blowing, though there was still a hint of chill.

Yet even so, it could not extinguish the enthusiasm of a group of maidens with fluttering sleeves, as delicate and charming as flowers.

Early in the morning, urged by their respective instructing maids, they washed up, dressed up, and headed to the Imperial Garden to wait quietly.

Today was His Majesty's grand conscription ceremony.

Over five hundred candidates, after more than half a year of selection, training, and secret struggles, had finally reached this step.

Among these five hundred-odd people, who knew how many would remain in the palace?

Even if they couldn't stay in the palace to become the emperor's favored consort, they could be assigned to other members of the imperial clan.

A lifetime of glory and wealth would be endless to enjoy!

If their maternal Family's influence was strong enough, and they themselves were pleasing or possessed a special skill, catching the Emperor's eye could allow them to ascend to the heavens in a single step and be conferred as imperial concubines!

This was a blessing that countless women could never fight for in a lifetime.

In the Imperial Garden, flowers were brocade-like and tenderly dripping with dew.

Now that it was early spring, a large number of flowers were also budding and waiting to bloom.

But compared to so many fresh flowers, these five hundred-odd young maidens appeared even more delicate.

Some carried an air of majesty, some were dazzlingly brilliant, some were pure, and others were innocent, guileless, and delightfully naive...

"Big sister, your dress is so pretty."

"Little sister is very pretty too; who knows how many men will fall for you the moment they see you."

"What do ordinary men matter? I only want to become Your Majesty's woman~"

"Giggle, giggle, giggle, how old are you anyway? Do you even know what being Your Majesty's woman means?"

"Hmph! Of course I know! Mother secretly taught me so many things!"

"What things?"

"Hmph! I won't tell you~"

"Mother, protect this child and ensure I am chosen by Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty is a dragon and phoenix among men. Rest assured, Mother, this child will definitely work hard!"

"It's a bit cold. Look at those few women; why are they wearing such skimpy clothes? What kind of decency is that?"

"Shh... keep it down. They are people from the Baihua Sect, and since they are all Martial Artists, naturally they aren't afraid of this bit of severe cold."

"Eh? Why is there still a Daoist priestess?"

"What Daoist priestess! That is a Daoist nun of the Taiyi Sect! I heard she is even an Inner Sect Disciple of the Taiyi Sect; I didn't expect her to come as well~"

"So many people..."

Inside the entire Imperial Garden, over five hundred maiden candidates chattered noisily like a flock of birds, discussing animatedly and causing quite a racket.

Yet the voices of these teenage girls were as crisp as larks, making people eager to listen to them a few more times.

However, these five hundred-odd people were vaguely divided into several groups based on status, power, maternal Family influence, and so forth.

Among them, they were further divided into dozens of smaller factions based on their maternal Family's official posts, personal preferences, and relationships.

The most powerful and numerous faction undoubtedly belonged to the daughters of the civil official clique and aristocratic Family groups.

Since childhood, they had been trained in royal etiquette and were well-versed in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all for the purpose of making a single leap to the heavens and becoming the emperor's woman.

The second group consisted of the daughters of military households and the military faction.

They were similar to the children of the civil official clique, yet they were also vaguely ostracized.

The third group consisted of commoner women.

Their maternal families lacked influence, and they were often discovered by local chief officials due to their reputation for beauty and virtue, then sent to the capital in pursuit of a chance to rise in status.

The fourth group had the fewest people and was vaguely isolated by everyone else.

Jianghu women!

There were only seventeen of them, yet their gazes toward the surrounding women were filled with utter disdain and iciness.

Among these seventeen people, even the one with the lowest martial arts strength was at the Third Rank Realm.

If they grew ruthless, a single one of them could slaughter the other five hundred people present entirely.

Of course, this group belonged to orthodox Sects, and their Heart-Nature had been trained by their Revered Master and Sect Head since childhood, so it was impossible for them to do such a thing.

The reason they entered the palace as maiden candidates was that some did so willingly, hoping to win glory, wealth, and honor.

Others obeyed the orders of their Revered Master and had no choice but to enter the palace as a consort, secretly striving to secure a sliver of benefits for their Sect.

The Schools from which these seventeen individuals originated were the Taiyi Sect, the Baihua Sect, the Cihang Nunnery, along with the daughters of three other martial arts halls.

These Sects were closest to the capital, which was why they responded first.

Other Sects like the Zhenwu Sect, Mount Longhu, and Shushan Sword Sect were simply too far away, so there were no daughters from these Sects in this selection.

The sky gradually grew bright, the sun rose, and the weather was still warm.

At that moment, a large group of eunuchs appeared at the main entrance of the Imperial Garden, accompanied by the high-pitched voice of Liu Chengen, followed by a succession of enormous, exquisite sedan chairs radiating imperial majesty.

"His Majesty has arrived~!"

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived~!"

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived~!"

"Her Majesty Consort Duan has arrived~!"

The four sedan chairs entered the Imperial Garden in succession.

According to ancestral regulations, the emperor's selection of maidens was centered around the emperor and the empress dowager, with the empress acting in an auxiliary role.

Yet for this selection, due to special reasons, the empress was restricted, and all related matters were presided over by Consort Duan.

Therefore, Consort Duan also participated in this imperial selection.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

"Greetings, Empress!"

"Greetings, Consort Duan~!"

Over five hundred young maidens knelt down in unison, shouting long live the emperor in chorus, which made Zheng Yi feel a little flutter of excitement in his heart.

So many little beauties, they all belong to Zhen!

As long as Zhen was willing, any single one of them could undress and gently serve him in bed.

"Rise~"

"Many thanks, Your Majesty."

Suppressing his excitement, he led the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Duan to take their seats in the viewing platform that had been set up beforehand.

Besides them, there were also officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Directorate of Ceremonial, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Rites, who were specifically tasked with registering the maiden candidates and verifying their identities.

"Consort Duan has worked hard."

After sitting upright, the Empress Dowager, whose complexion looked somewhat pale and exhausted, spoke first with her tone as usual.

Xu Qingluan immediately stood up and said, "Being able to share worries for the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty is this concubine's good fortune."

"Do not be overly modest. During the time this mourning one spent chanting Buddha's name, I found that the palace under your management was orderly, the palace attendants inclined toward goodness, and no major incidents occurred. You have done very well."

"Your Majesty flatters me; this concubine does not dare accept such praise."

"Sit down, sit down and speak."

"Understood~"

As the two spoke, Empress Lu Liner at the side was filled with resentment in her eyes.

Presiding over the selection of maiden candidates was supposed to be her duty!

And managing the inner harem—that was the empress's job!

Blame her, blame Xu Qingluan!

Looking at Xu Qingluan's smug appearance, Lu Liner harbored secret jealousy and hatred in her heart.

Yet on the surface, she appeared very admiring and said with a smiling, sparkling expression, "With such capability, big sister is truly envious of little sister~"

"Alright, it's about time. Let's begin."

With a single sentence from Zheng Yi, he interrupted the little schemes of the few women, and they immediately backed down.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager's gaze was somewhat uneasy as she repeatedly sized up Zheng Yi's face, muttering inwardly.

"Hua Cao... did she manage to deliver the letter into Eighth Brother's hands or not?"

An official stepped forward and said respectfully, "Paying homage to Your Majesty!"

"This subject, Zhuang Yunqi, Ministry of Revenue Revered Master, is the host of Your Majesty's maiden selection this time. The various maiden candidates have long been prepared, and I wonder if Your Majesty..."

"Good, let's begin."

"Understood!"

Zhuang Yunqi got up, quickly came to the edge of the pavilion, took out a pre-prepared booklet, and shouted, "Your Majesty's maiden selection... begins!"

"Bring in the maiden candidates~!"

Led by various eunuchs, the five maiden candidates standing at the very front walked in sequentially.

"Daughter of Jiaxing Prefect Xia Zhengyun, Xia Ruhe~ Age, seventeen!"

The first maiden candidate, dressed in pink court attire with a smile like a blooming flower, bowed and paid her respects.

"Daughter of Office of Transmission Vice Envoy Fu An, Fu Huanian, age sixteen!"

The second beauty was obviously a bit younger and didn't dare look forward, merely bowing slightly with a blushing face.

"Younger sister of Ministry of Personnel Revered Master Tian Zhengyun, Tian Ruyu, age fifteen!"

The third beauty was even younger, acting just like a little child. Although she had been instructed by her older brother, she still secretly glanced toward the emperor's direction like a clever little imp.

"Daughter of Ministry of Revenue Revered Master Cao Yinghe, Cao Xiangyu, age eighteen!"

The fourth beauty appeared distinctly more poised and sensible, executing her bows with rigid precision like a young lady of a noble Family.

"Daughter of Infantry Camp Deputy Commander Lin Dajun, Lin Qinghe, age seventeen!"

The last beauty was a descendant of a military Family, possessing a straight posture, bright eyes, and she saluted Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the others with great poise.

On the viewing platform, the Empress Dowager said, "Emperor, these few are all daughters of imperial court ministers, and each of them is well-read, courteous, and possesses graceful appearances. I wonder which ones the Emperor fancies?"

"If you fancy any of them, bestow a sachet upon them and let them stay overnight in the palace."

Zheng Yi also slowly nodded. The first five people to appear were not peerless beauties, but they were certainly pleasant to look upon.

Placed in his past life, they would easily be considered the belles of the class.

He also understood that the harem selection was not meant to pick the most gorgeous or bewitching women, but mostly those with dignified appearances and mature Heart-Natures.

What they feared most were seductive foxes bewitching the sovereign!

Moreover, the Family backgrounds of these few women who appeared first were not all that illustrious.

Those daughters of first- and second-rank grand ministers in the court and aristocratic families were still further behind.

These few were merely women serving as the vanguard.

Zheng Yi nodded slightly and said, "Keep them all."

"Wh—What?"

The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment, but she quickly recovered and nodded slightly.

"It seems Consort Duan has done well this time; these women all match the Emperor's desires~"

Zhuang Yunqi immediately declared, "Bestow sachets!"

Five eunuchs stepped forward and bestowed five red sachets of similar designs upon these five individuals.

The five women immediately knelt down in excitement to express their gratitude: "Many thanks, Your Majesty! Many thanks, Empress Dowager..."

"That's wonderful! I've been chosen!"

"Giggle, giggle, giggle, from now on I am Your Majesty's woman, a consort~"

"Mother! I did it! I've entered the palace!"

The five excited women were led away, and immediately another five little beauties, led by eunuchs, walked up.

Zhuang Yunqi turned a page of the document in his hand and immediately shouted, "Daughter of Shanyang County Vice Magistrate Lan Huai, Lan Lingrong, age seventeen!"