Chapter 97: Chapter 69: Consort Selection Candidates

The leading woman had a proud and aloof temperament, but her attire was somewhat simple.

Although she was a daughter of an official family, compared to the other women, she seemed a bit inadequate.

The main point was, she wore a silver hairpin adorned with fresh flowers.

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

“This humble girl, Lan Lingrong, greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, wishing you both good health and eternal blessings.”

Oh?

With just a simple statement, Lan Lingrong attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.

The reason was simple.

All the concubine candidates present were either nervous, excited, fearful, or curious, not daring to speak.

Yet she alone, when her name was called by Assistant Minister Zhuang Yunqi of the Ministry of Revenue, bowed and greeted respectfully.

Customarily… there was no such precedent, but it wasn’t forbidden either.

The Empress Dowager was the first to speak: “Good child, it’s not easy that you remember me.”

The Empress, however, spoke with a hint of jealousy: “Such a solemn gift, you speak without the edict of the Emperor. Although it’s auspicious words, it clearly puts you in the spotlight, little enchantress~”

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

“Enough.”

Zheng Yi was the first to speak, sizing up Lan Lingrong as he said, “You are indeed remarkable, you have courage and insight, but do you possess any other skills?”

“There’s no need to perform things like playing zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting.”

Overjoyed, Lan Lingrong quickly replied, “In response to Your Majesty, my mother once taught me Kunqu Opera, so I know a few pieces.”

“Oh? Kunqu Opera, let me hear.”

“Yes~”

Lan Lingrong replied softly, then stood up, took a light breath, and sang: “Alas, we met too late, grudging that departure comes too swift. The willow strands are long, hard to tether the jade horse, I begrudge not borrowing the sparse woods to hold the slanting rays~”

Her voice was clear and crisp, and now singing Kunqu Opera, it was more melodious and graceful, like forest melodies and spring sounds, like gentle weeping and recounting.

Everyone in the grand hall listened intently, even the Empress Lu Lin’er couldn’t help but purse her lips.

“Little enchantress, sings quite well~”

After the song ended a moment later, everyone instinctively looked towards Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi alone was still patting the table, savoring the aftertaste.

“Excellent!”

Zheng Yi nodded, “Not bad at all, the song is beautiful, and the beauty is gentle.”

“Alas, we met too late, since you have worked hard to enter the palace, I shall grant your wish.”

“Having the many talents and elegance of Lan Lingrong, daughter of County Magistrate Lan Huai of Shanyang, I bestow upon you the title of Noble Lady Lan!”

“Yes!”

An official of the Imperial Household immediately bowed and agreed.

And Lan Lingrong, now Noble Lady Lan, immediately knelt and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager! Thank you, Empress…”

Upon hearing such words, neither the Empress Dowager nor Zheng Yi reacted, but the Empress Lu Lin’er secretly nodded.

Not bad, this little girl.

She thanked me, without thanking Xu Qingluan, that big enchantress!

Zheng Yi spoke, “Rise, bestow a sachet.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Zhuang Yunqi subtly signaled to the other Ministry of Revenue officials to come over and relay the message outside.

No concubine candidate may speak without orders from the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty!

Lan Lingrong’s actions caused the four concubine candidates beside her to look displeased and jealous.

Her actions immediately made them appear as mere foils, truly detestable.

If there was ever a chance…

That is the position of a Noble Lady!

According to the selection regulations of Great Yu, apart from the several predetermined Consort and Concubine positions each year,

other concubine candidates can only obtain the status of Lady, Beauty, or Noble Lady.

The position of Noble Lady is undoubtedly the highest rank below that of Consorts.

Not to mention the rank, even the monthly stipends are much higher than theirs.

Moreover, in the future, when meeting in the palace, they must bow and greet, which is truly vexing!

Lan Lingrong, although clever enough to gain the position of Noble Lady, has offended many ’colleagues.’

Life in the palace will be tough indeed.

“Daughter of Captain Xia Wei of the Imperial Guard, Xia Qiuxiang, seventeen years old!”

“Daughter of Dezhou Prefecture Wang Tianyu, Wang Qian, sixteen years old!”

“Daughter of Chencang County Magistrate Jing Zhanying, Jing Zehua, fourteen years old!”

“Daughter of Wolong County Magistrate Luo Bin of Chencang County, Luo Yun, fifteen years old!”

The remaining four women all performed their salutations.

Zheng Yi gave them a glance, all were ordinary women, but their looks were passable.

After all, it was a selection of concubine candidates, they had long passed through numerous screenings.

Girls who had made it this far, whatever else, had surely passed on looks and appearance.

“Can’t say I’m not giving you an opportunity. Do any of you four have any other skills?”

The four women exchanged looks, then all bowed their heads, not daring to speak.

Zheng Yi shook his head, just as Liu Cheng’en was about to call for “drawing lots,” he suddenly heard Zheng Yi say, “All of you stay, bestow a sachet.”

“Ah?”

Liu Cheng’en was stunned for a moment, why all stay?

But Zheng Yi gave him a glance, and he hurriedly signaled the other eunuchs to bring the sachets.

“Bestow the sachet!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity…”

“I was selected too, hehehe…”

As the five women were led away, during this interval, Liu Cheng’en quickly summoned the people from the Imperial Household.

“Greetings, Eunuch Liu, how may we serve you?”

Liu Cheng’en whispered, “Today, Your Majesty is in high spirits, likely to retain many young masters, we are short on sachets.”

“Quickly go to the Imperial Household, have them prepare sachets.”

“Yes!”

The little eunuch promptly said, “How many sachets should be prepared?”

“Prepare as many sachets as there are concubine candidates!”

“Yes~!”

Just as Liu Cheng’en anticipated, in the following dozens of batches of concubine candidates, all were retained and bestowed a sachet!

No one was left out!

Your Majesty, this is too… so vigorous!

Over five hundred concubine candidates, Your Majesty wants to keep them all?

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