70: Selection of concubines

Chapter 70 Concubine Candidates

The leading woman had an arrogant and aloof temperament, but her attire was somewhat crude.

Although they were all daughters of official families, compared to the other women, she paled somewhat in comparison.

Most importantly, what she wore on her head was a silver hairpin, embellished with fresh flowers around it.

Unlike the other women who wore golden hairpins adorned with gold beads, gemstones, and pearls.

"Commoner Lan Lingrong greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. May the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty enjoy robust health and eternal celestial blessings."

"Oh?"

With just a brief remark, Lan Lingrong instantly drew the attention of everyone in the grand hall.

The reason was very simple.

The maidens present were all either nervous, excited, fearful, or curious, and none dared to speak out.

Yet she was the only one who bowed and greeted them when Vice Minister of Revenue Zhuang Yunqi called her name.

By precedent... there was no such precedent, but neither was it forbidden.

The Empress Dowager spoke first, "Good child, you still remember this old one; it is not easy."

Empress Lu Liner's tone carried a hint of jealousy, "With such a solemn and grand rite, you casually spoke without the Emperor's command. Although they were auspicious words, they clearly made you a target for everyone's arrows. You truly are a seductive little minx!"

Lan Lingrong's expression changed slightly; she could only lower her head in silence, her delicate body trembling slightly.

"Forget it."

Zheng Yi spoke first, looking Lan Lingrong up and down as he said, "You are indeed not bad. You have both courage and insight. What talents do you possess?"

"There is no need to perform things like the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting."

Joy blossomed in Lan Lingrong's heart, and she hurriedly replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, my mother once taught me Kunqu opera, so this subject can sing a few tunes."

"Oh? Kunqu opera, let Us listen."

"Understood."

Lan Lingrong said softly, then stood up, took a light breath, and sang: "Regretting that we met too late, resenting that your departure was too swift. The willow threads are long and the jade steed is hard to tether, regretting that I cannot ask the sparse woods to catch the slanting twilight rays."

Her voice was naturally crisp, and now as she sang Kunqu opera, it became even more lingering and melodious, sounding like the wind through forests and springs among rocks, as if weeping and pleading.

Almost everyone in the entire grand hall listened intently, and even Empress Lu Liner could not help curling her lips.

"Seductive minx, her singing is passable."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the tune ceased, and everyone subconsciously looked toward Zheng Yi.

Only Zheng Yi was still tapping on the table, savoring the lingering aftertaste.

"Good!"

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad. Her singing voice is beautiful, and the beauty herself is even more tender and graceful."

"Regretting that we met too late—since you have gone to such pains to enter the palace, then We shall grant your wish."

"Lan Lingrong, daughter of Lan Huai, Assistant Magistrate of Shanyang County, is intelligent and graceful, pure and lovely. She is specially bestowed the title of Noble Lady Lan!"

"Understood!"

The officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately bowed in acknowledgment.

And Lan Lingrong, now Noble Lady Lan, immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager! Thank you, Empress..."

Hearing these words, the Empress Dowager and Zheng Yi did not react, but Empress Lu Liner secretly nodded.

Not bad at all, this little brat.

She thanked this palace, but did not thank that big seductive minx Consort Duan Xu Qingluan!

Zheng Yi spoke up, "Rise, and bestow a sachet."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhuang Yunqi quietly signaled other officials of the Ministry of Revenue to come over and told them to go outside to pass on a message.

Without the command of the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty, no maiden is allowed to speak out casually!

Lan Lingrong's action caused the complexions of the four maidens beside her to turn ugly, their eyes filled with jealousy.

This action directly treated the four of them as mere foils; it was truly hateful.

If there is a chance...

That was the position of a Noble Lady!

According to the selection regulations of Great Yu, in every annual maiden selection, aside from the several imperial consort and concubine ranks that had long been 'predetermined'...

The other maidens could only obtain the ranks of Madam, Beauty, and Noble Lady.

And the rank of Noble Lady was undoubtedly the highest tier beneath the ranks of imperial consorts and concubines.

Not to mention the rank itself, even the monthly stipend alone was much higher than theirs.

Moreover, when meeting in the palace in the future, they would still have to bow and greet her; it was simply hateful!

Lan Lingrong was clever by half; although she obtained the rank of Noble Lady, she had offended quite a few 'colleagues'.

In the future within the palace, every step would be fraught with difficulty.

"Xia Qiuxiang, daughter of Xia Wei, Captain of the Imperial Jinwu Guard, seventeen years old!"

"Wang Qian, daughter of Wang Tianyu, Prefect of Dezhou, sixteen years old!"

"Jing Zehua, daughter of Jing Zhanfeng, Magistrate of Chencang, fourteen years old!"

"Luo Yun, daughter of Luo Bin, Assistant Magistrate of Wolong County in Chencang Commandery, fifteen years old!"

The remaining four maidens bowed in succession.

Zheng Yi glanced at them; they were all ordinary women, though their looks were acceptable.

After all, they were selected maidens, having long passed through layers of screening.

The women who could remain, say nothing else, but purely on the front of looks and appearance, definitely passed muster.

"Do not say that We do not give you a chance. Do you four possess any other talents?"

The four women looked at each other, lowering their heads one after another, not daring to speak.

Zheng Yi shook his head. Just as Liu Chengen was about to shout "Flip the tablets," he suddenly heard Zheng Yi say, "Keep them all, and bestow sachets."

"Ah?"

Liu Chengen was stunned for a moment. Why are they keeping them again?

It was only when Zheng Yi glared at him that he hurriedly motioned for the other eunuchs to bring forward the sachets.

"Bestow sachets!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"This subject thanks Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be blessed with boundless good fortune..."

"I've been selected too, hehehe..."

The five maidens were led away. Taking advantage of this interval, Liu Chengen hurriedly summoned the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"Greetings, Liu Chengen. I wonder what instructions Liu Chengen has?"

Liu Chengen said in a low voice, "Today His Majesty is in high spirits and will likely keep quite a few mistresses. The sachets we prepared are too few."

"Hurry to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and have people prepare more sachets."

"Understood!"

The little eunuch hurriedly asked, "How many sachets should be prepared?"

"Prepare as many sachets as there are maidens!"

"Understood!"

Just as Liu Chengen expected, the next dozen or so waves of maidens all had their tablets kept and were bestowed sachets!

Not a single person failed to be selected!

Your Majesty, this is simply... too vigorous and full of dragon spirit!

Over five hundred maidens, and His Majesty wants to keep all of them?

The others were either shocked or puzzled, but it could not extinguish Zheng Yi's interest in the slightest.

Wave after wave of beauties were led away, and his interest remained high.

Selecting beauties at a KTV in his past life wasn't this satisfying; he could only choose a few at a time, and they were all crooked melons and split dates.

Women in their thirties were everywhere.

But here, they were all young maidens of seventeen or eighteen, like orioles and swallows, incomparably tender and delicate.

As over a hundred young beauties walked past, a faint fragrance lingered throughout the entire grand hall.

Another wave of maidens was brought up, and this time even Zheng Yi's eyes lit up slightly, subconsciously straightening his posture.

"Eh?"

The slightly fatigued Empress Dowager and Empress Lu Liner beside him also subconsciously looked over.

In the center of these five stood two young maidens who were almost identical in both attire and appearance!

With Zheng Yi's sharp eyesight, he could not tell them apart in the slightest.

Zhuang Yunqi changed to a new roster and spoke:

"Huang Yueling, daughter of Huang Xie, Vice General of Jiangxia Commandery, seventeen years old!"

"Qiao Qi, daughter of Qiao Xuan of Wan County, Lujiang Commandery, fifteen years old!"

"Qiao Yun, daughter of Qiao Xuan of Wan County, Lujiang Commandery, fifteen years old!"

"Zhao Yao, daughter of the Magistrate of Yangquan County..."

"This subject greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty..."

The five women performed their greetings one after another, while Zheng Yi's gaze remained fixed on the pair of twins right in the center.

A single pretty woman was nothing special, but if there were identical women whose looks, temperament, and even speech and expressions were completely identical, that was truly a rare treasure!

At this moment, Consort Duan Xu Qingluan spoke up, "Your Majesty, your eyes are almost staring straight!"

"This pair of jade beauties was specially picked out by this concubine for Your Majesty. I wonder if Your Majesty likes them?"

"Like them, of course I like them, hahaha..."

Zheng Yi laughed loudly and said, "Beloved Consort still knows Our heart best. These two women are not bad, truly not bad."

"Do you all have any talents?"

By this point in the selection, the maidens waiting outside already knew Zheng Yi's selection habits.

The maidens present—it seemed everyone would be kept.

But for those who were kept, due to differing ranks, their treatment in the palace in the future would certainly not be the same.

Aside from what His Majesty valued like the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he also looked for whether they possessed special 'talents'.

Martial arts, poetry, literary talent, and so on.

Apart from Lan Lingrong earlier, who obtained the rank of Noble Lady with Kunqu opera.

There were two other maidens who obtained the position of Noble Lady.

One was Wang Ruyu, daughter of Wang Mingzhe, a literary giant of the current age and professor at the Hanlin Academy. She composed a poem on the spot, greatly pleasing the Dragon Emperor, and was bestowed the rank of Noble Lady, titled Noble Lady Yu.

The other was Feng Caiying, nineteen years old, daughter of Feng Rusong, Garrison Commander of Zhuxi, who was already a second-realm Martial Artist.

Upon learning of her martial arts cultivation, the Dragon Emperor was greatly pleased and immediately enfeoffed her as Noble Lady Ying!

And now, it seemed two more Noble Ladies were about to emerge?

After the five waited for a few breaths, Qiao Qi, who was second in line, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, my younger sister and I excel in song and dance. I wonder if this counts?"

"Song and dance?" Zheng Yi's interest was piqued. "What kind of song and dance?"

"My sister excels at the zither, and this commoner excels at dancing. We two sisters can combine song and dance; please listen, Your Majesty."

"Good, then We shall listen respectfully with washed ears!"

"We ask whichever Father-in-law to please fetch my sister's pipa."

"Liu Chengen, go quickly and return quickly!"

The complexions of the people present changed slightly. Liu Chengen was a veteran attendant by His Majesty's side; just to fetch a pipa, he was actually told to go personally...

Qiao Yun's pipa was originally brought along with her and placed at her residence, so it was quickly fetched back.

The two women immediately began to play. One strummed the zither while the other danced, their lake-green light gauze long dresses drifting like lotus leaves in the water, their sleeves fluttering and incomparably breathtaking.

The zither music was also lingering and melodious, like flowing water in high mountains. The two sisters played and danced, complementing each other perfectly.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the tune lingered, and echoes seemed to still exist within the grand hall.

Zheng Yi also applauded and said, "Not bad, not bad. Whether it be your zither music or your dance, both are absolute marvels of today."

"Qiao Qi and Qiao Yun, you are specially granted the rank of Noble Lady, to be known as Noble Ladies Qiao!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"This commoner kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great grace!"

The two women knelt down to express their gratitude, but Liu Chengen asked curiously, "Your Majesty, both young mistresses of the noble rank share the surname Qiao, and both are conferred as Noble Ladies Qiao. How should this roster be copied?"

"Designate them as Daqiao and Xiaoqiao."

Zheng Yi smiled, though his heart was filled with mischievous amusement, "Furthermore, the two sisters share a deep bond, and We cannot bear to separate them in the palace. Let them share the same room."

"Understood!"

Down the platform, the two women, Qiao Yun and Qiao Qi, also hurriedly knelt to express their gratitude.

The others did not know what Zheng Yi was smiling about, only that Consort Duan Xu Qingluan on the side thought of something.

Her pretty face flushed with bashfulness, and she covertly glared at Zheng Yi, her eyes brimming with shyness.

The talent selection continued, and soon it came to the procession of daughters from the true first and second-rank ministers in the imperial court, as well as those from prominent noble families.

"Cui Jiuyan of the Qinghe Cui Family, age seventeen!"

"Lu Jingxuan of the Fanyang Lu Family, age eighteen!"

"Wang Chan of the Taiyuan Wang Family, age fourteen!"

"Li Lingying of the Longxi Li Family, age seventeen!"

"Li Meizhuang of the Zhaozhou Li Family, age nineteen!"

Five young maidens slowly walked in, and all the officials present held their breath, with no one daring to murmur.

These five women hailed from the five oldest and most powerful noble clans of the Great Yu Dynasty, with a Legacy spanning over three hundred years.

Rumor has it that over three hundred years ago, Zheng Mingsen, the founding emperor of Great Yu, established his hegemony and forged the Empire in the contention of a chaotic world precisely with the support of these five major families.

Therefore, these five major surnames possessed the grace of founding the nation, which had been passed down to the present day.

Throughout the more than three hundred years of Great Yu, nearly thirty percent of the officials originated from these five major families.

Those connected to their families occupied even more than seventy percent.

As for the positions of prime minister, the Three Ducal Ministers, and first-rank officials, hundreds had emerged from them.

It could be said that Great Yu was jointly ruled by the imperial Zheng Family and the people of these five major clans!

However, over the past century, with the continuous covert suppression by various emperors, the power of the five major clans had weakened considerably.

By supporting southern families and untainted officials to enter the court as officials, the imperial court gradually stood on equal footing with these five major families, continuing to this day.

"This commoner greets Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

"Greetings, Consort Duan!"

True to their noble origins, these five women were impeccable in appearance, character, and etiquette, almost as if they were carved from the same mold.

Yet they also possessed their own distinct characteristics, ranging like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, each with unique colors.

Most importantly, Zheng Yi saw something in the eyes of these five that was different from all the previous candidate maidens.

Confidence.

These five women possessed an extremely high level of confidence.

Coming here was merely a formality for them.

Ever since the moment the talent selection was finalized, they had already prepared themselves.

Consorts.

That was their goal, and also the rank within easy reach for them!

Zheng Yi immediately said, "You are all descendants of national heroes, and there is also a wonderful match between you and Us. Our heart is greatly gratified."

"Pass the decree, confer the titles of consorts!"

"Understood!"

Liu Chengen immediately acknowledged, then took out the imperial edict that had been prepared long ago and chanted loudly:

"By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees: As descendants of national heroes entering the palace to serve, bound by a heavenly-bestowed match, we specially confer:"

"Cui Jiuyan of the Qinghe Cui Family as Consort Jin, residing in Chengze Palace!"

"Lu Jingxuan of the Fanyang Lu Family as Consort Jing, residing in Jing'an Palace!!"

"Wang Chan of the Taiyuan Wang Family as Consort Chan, residing in Jinxiu Palace!"

"Li Lingying of the Longxi Li Family as Consort Ying, residing in Jingze Palace!"

"Li Meizhuang of the Zhaozhou Li Family as Consort Mei, residing in Danxia Palace!"

"This commoner thanks the Lord for His immense grace!"

"May Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager enjoy robust health and boundless blessings reaching the heavens!"

Even when expressing their gratitude, the five women were remarkably similar, as if carved from the exact same mold.

The reason they could become consorts right upon entering the palace and have separate palaces to live in was entirely because of their status!

Taking advantage of the moment they expressed their gratitude, Zheng Yi also carefully glanced at these five women.

Even if not peerless beauties, they were at least of city-toppling allure.

After all, they were entering the palace to become consorts; no matter how daring these noble families were, they would not dare to find ordinary women to make up the numbers.

Furthermore, even if these five women were not from the main branch, they were daughters of the most prominent collateral branches outside the main lineage.

The five women were led away, and soon another five women were brought up.

These five women bore some similarities to those five noble daughters, yet there were also differences.

Seeing this, the surrounding officials from the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Rites began to whisper among themselves.

"It seems to be the youngest daughter of Lord Zhang Guoan, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. I seem to have seen her before."

"It is her, and also the daughter of Minister Miao, the General of Yunzhou..."

"The granddaughter of Lord Yuan, the Assistant Minister of Dali Temple..."

The five people who came up this time were all relatives of second and third-rank ministers in the court!

As ministers of the court, whenever there were women of appropriate age in their estates, they would all enter the palace to participate in the talent selection.

The best among them were chosen to enter the palace as consorts.

Of course, after entering the palace, they were not true consorts, but held the rank of concubine.

Only by making great contributions in the inner palace, such as giving birth to an imperial prince or princess, or having someone from their maternal Family render great service, could they be conferred as consorts!

"Tian Wenwen, younger sister of Tian Wenjing, the Junior Vice Minister of Personnel, age thirteen!"

"Zhang Lingyin, daughter of Zhang Guoan, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, age seventeen!"

"Miaoyuesheng, daughter of Minister Miao, the General of Yunzhou, age sixteen!"

"Yuan Song, daughter of Yuan Fang, the Assistant Minister of Dali Temple, age eighteen!"

"Kong Lingfang, granddaughter of Kong Xiangsi, the Minister of Rites, age seventeen!"

Facing these five women, Zheng Yi did not make things difficult for them either, but only nodded slightly.

Liu Chengen immediately took out the imperial edict: "By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees..."

"Tian Wenwen, younger sister of Tian Wenjing, the Junior Vice Minister of Personnel, as Concubine Wen, residing in Wucheng Palace!"

"Zhang Lingyin, daughter of Zhang Guoan, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, as Concubine Yin, residing in Shengyin Palace!"

"Miaoyuesheng, daughter of Minister Miao, the General of Yunzhou, as Concubine Yue, residing in Guangle Palace!"

"Yuan Song, daughter of Yuan Fang, the Assistant Minister of Dali Temple, as Concubine Song, residing in Songhe Palace!"

"Kong Lingfang, granddaughter of Kong Xiangsi, the Minister of Rites, as Concubine Fang, residing in Jianjia Palace!"

These five women were all conferred as concubines, only one rank lower than consorts, but far above noble ladies, beautiful ladies, and madames.

They were also qualified to manage a palace.

Of course, they resided together with other noble ladies, beautiful ladies, and madames, and could not live alone in a single palace like the consorts.

"This concubine thanks the Empress Dowager and thanks Your Majesty..."

More than half a day had already passed in the grand hall. After all, with over five hundred people, even Zheng Yi felt somewhat fatigued, let alone the Empress Dowager whose health was deteriorating day by day.

Although there was a maid behind her massaging her back and shoulders, she still could not withstand this prolonged fatigue.

The reason she could persist for so long was entirely for the selection of the consort and concubine ranks.

She was worried that when she was not around, the emperor would randomly assign spots on the consort and concubine registry.

Now seeing that the positions of all ten consorts and concubines were settled, she felt at ease for the moment and spoke, "Emperor, Aiia feels somewhat tired. As for the rest, it is entirely up to your preference. Aiia is returning to Cining Palace."

Zheng Yi immediately said, "Since the Empress Mother is tired, you should go back and rest first."

"Elder Chen."

"this servant is here."

Chen Liancang appeared behind Zheng Yi like a phantom, and the Empress Dowager's brows twitched instinctively.

"Escort the Empress Mother back to Cining Palace!"

"Understood!"

"Empress Mother, rest well when you get back, and by no means overwork yourself casually."

"Aiia knows..."

The Empress Dowager nodded and slowly left, supported by the palace maids.

"Emperor Brother~!"

Taking advantage of the Empress Dowager's departure, Lu Liner suddenly leaned over and said coquettishly, "Why did you select so many imperial concubines in this talent selection, Emperor Brother? Not to mention the daughters of noble and official families, but why were so many commoner women also conferred as beautiful ladies and madames?"

"They are all clumsy-handed and thick-footed, how can they serve you, Emperor Brother?"

"What if their hands and feet are not clean, and they end up offending My Aunt and you, Emperor Brother, what should be done then?"

Zheng Yi said helplessly, "What We have done, is it not by the command of the Empress Dowager?"

"Although you and the others have conceived and given birth, they are all five princesses. Of course We love princesses, but the Empress Dowager herself wholeheartedly desires an imperial prince. Because of this, We had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

"B-But..."

Lu Liner's mind was somewhat in chaos, and she instinctively said, "B-But this is too many~! There are over five hundred candidate maidens, Emperor Brother, your body..."

Zheng Yi immediately put on a solemn expression, "What, does Liner not believe in Our strength?"

"Then tonight We will go to Kun Ning Palace and let you have a good look~!"

"Really?!"

Lu Liner's eyes suddenly brightened, and she said earnestly, "A sovereign never breaks his word! This concubine is going back right now to prepare!"

With that, regardless of the talent selection ceremony, she hurriedly ran back with her maid, and halfway through, she turned back and waved, calling out, "Emperor Brother, Liner will be waiting for you~!"

Zheng Yi shook his head helplessly, "We finally fooled this lass into leaving."

Over the past few days, he had been sleeping in Xianfu Palace, practicing Dual Cultivation with Luaner and Jian Yu.

Unfortunately, both women had their menstrual periods these past few days; otherwise, it would not have been Lu Liner's turn.

Just at this moment, another eunuch led five women in.

Zheng Yi's eyes lit up once again.

In response to the suggestions of several brothers, the daily two-chapter updates will hereafter be changed to three-chapter updates daily.

The update times will be around 0:00 midnight, 12:00 noon, and 18:00 evening respectively. Continuing to ask for monthly votes for support~!

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