Chapter 96: Chapter 68: The Grand Selection of Concubine Candidates (Part 3)

Female Martial Artists!

There are only seventeen of them, but their gaze towards the surrounding women is filled with disdain and coldness.

Among these seventeen, even the lowest martial dao strength is the third-grade realm.

If driven ruthless, one of them could kill all the other five hundred present without exception.

Of course, these people are from renowned and righteous sects, their temperament has been nurtured by their masters and sect leaders from a young age, so it’s impossible for them to do such things.

The reason for their entry into the palace as concubine candidates varies; some willingly come, seeking glory and wealth.

Others are sent by their master’s order, forced to enter the palace as consorts, while secretly seeking benefits for their sect.

The sects these seventeen women hail from include Taiyii Dao, Baihua Sect, Compassion Temple, as well as three other martial arts halls.

These sects are nearest to the Capital City, hence they responded first.

Sects like True Martial Sect, Longhu Mountain, Shushan Sword Sect are too far away to participate in this selection.

As the day brightens, the sun rises, and the weather remains warm.

At this moment, a large group of eunuchs appears at the entrance of the Imperial Garden, accompanied by Liu Cheng’en’s loud voice, a series of magnificent and elegant palanquins exuding royal authority appear.

“Your Majesty is arriving~!”

“Empress Dowager is arriving~!”

“Empress is arriving~!”

“Consort Duann is arriving~!”

The four palanquins enter the Imperial Garden in succession.

According to ancestral tradition, Your Majesty’s selection of concubines is primarily led by Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, with the Empress assisting.

This selection is unusual; the Empress has been restricted, and the proceedings are hosted by Consort Duann.

Therefore, in this selection, Consort Duann is also involved.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Greetings, Empress Dowager!”

“Greetings, Empress!”

“Greetings, Consort Duann!”

Over five hundred young women kneel together, shouting long live, stirring Zheng Yi’s heart with excitement.

So many little beauties, they all belong to me!

As long as I wish it, any of them can disrobe and cater to my desires.

“Rise~”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He restrained his excitement and, along with the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Consort Duann, took their seats in the prepared stands.

Besides them, officials from the Imperial Household, Ritual Department, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Personnel were present, tasked with registering and verifying the identities of the concubine candidates.

“You’ve worked hard, Consort Duann.”

After seating, the pale and weary Empress Dowager spoke first, her tone as usual.

Xu Qingluan immediately stood up and said, “It’s an honor for me to relieve the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty of their burdens.”

“Don’t be modest, during my time worshipping Buddha, I noticed that under your management, the palace is orderly, the attendants virtuous, with no major incidents occurring. You’ve done well.”

“Your praise is too generous, Empress Dowager, I’m unworthy.”

“Sit down and speak.”

“Yes~”

As they spoke, the Empress Lu Lin’er was filled with resentment.

The selection of concubines was supposed to be hosted by her!

Along with managing the harem, which is the Empress’s duty!

It’s all her fault, all Xu Qingluan’s fault!

Watching Xu Qingluan’s smug expression, Lu Lin’er secretly harbored resentment.

But outwardly, she appeared admiring, smiling and saying, “Sister is so capable, I truly envy her~”

“Alright, it’s about time. Let’s begin.”

With a few words from Zheng Yi, the women ceased their thoughts and voices immediately quieted.

The Empress Dowager appeared somewhat uneasy, occasionally glancing at Zheng Yi, her mind pondering.

“Did the flowers… deliver the message to the eighth brother?”

An official stepped forward respectfully, “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Zhuang Yunqi is the host for this selection, the ladies are ready. How would Your Majesty like to proceed?”

“Very well, let’s begin.”

“Yes!”

Zhuang Yunqi rose swiftly, came to the pavilion edge, took out the prepared booklet, and loudly announced, “Your Majesty’s selection… begins!”

“Bring the concubine candidates~!”

Led by the eunuchs, the five concubine candidates at the forefront stepped forward in succession.

“The daughter of Jiaxing Prefecture Xia Zhengyun, Xia Ruhu~ Age, seventeen!”

The first candidate in pink palace attire smiled beautifully, bowing with grace.

“Daughter of the Vice Director of the Ministry of Communication Fu Anx, Fu Huanian, age sixteen!”

The second beauty was clearly younger, she dared not look ahead, merely bowing slightly, her face flushed.

“Younger sister of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Tian Zhengyun, Tian Ruyu, age fifteen!”

The third beauty was even younger, like a child, guided by her brother but still sneaking glances at the Emperor, like a little spirit ghost.

“Daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Cao Yinghe, Cao Xiangyu, age eighteen!”

The fourth beauty was noticeably more composed, greeting formally, like a young lady of noble birth.

“Daughter of the Deputy Commander of the Infantry Camp Lin Dajun, Lin Qinghe, age seventeen!”

The last beauty, of military descent, stood tall, with bright eyes, greeting Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and others gracefully.

Seated above, the Empress Dowager said, “Emperor, these are daughters of Imperial Court officials, each well-educated and beautiful. Which ones does the Emperor fancy?”

“If you fancy them, bestow them with sachets, and have them stay in the palace.”

Zheng Yi nodded slowly, the first five to appear were not absolute beauties, but enticing enough.

In the previous world, they could be described as class beauties.

He understood, the harem selection isn’t for picking the most attractive, seductive women, but rather those composed, mature in temperament.

The concern is about seductive charm!

Moreover, these first few women, their families weren’t exceedingly prestigious.

Daughters of first and second-grade officials, noble families remained behind.

These women were merely the forerunners.

Zheng Yi nodded lightly, “Keep them all.”

“Wha, what?”

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned but quickly understood, nodding slightly.

“It seems Consort Duann has done well, these women fit Your Majesty’s wishes~”

Zhuang Yunqi promptly said, “Bestow the sachets!”

Five eunuchs stepped forward, bestowing five similarly designed red sachets to the five women.

The five were instantly excited, kneeling to express their gratitude, “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager…”

“So wonderful! I’ve been chosen!”

“Hehe, hehe, I’m now the Emperor’s woman, a consort~”

“Mother! I did it! I’m entering the palace!”

The excited five were taken away, and soon another five beauties were led forward by the eunuchs.

Zhuang Yunqi flipped the document in his hand and immediately shouted, “Daughter of the County Magistrate of Shanyang Lan Huai, Lan Lingrong, age seventeen!”

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