Chapter 99: Chapter 69: Consort Selection (Part 3)

The positions of Prime Minister, Three Ministers, First-grade Official, and others, totalling over hundreds of people more.

It can be said that Great Yu is jointly governed by the Royal Family Zheng Clan and the Five Great Clans!

However, in the recent hundred years, with the continuous secret suppression by successive Emperors, the power of the Five Great Clans has diminished considerably.

The Imperial Court supported the Southern Clans and the Upright Officials, bringing them into court as officials, gradually competing with the Five Great Clans, persisting till now.

“This humble woman pays her respects to Your Majesty!”

“Pays her respects to the Empress Dowager!”

“Pays her respects to the Empress Dowager!”

“Pays her respects to Consort Duann!”

These five women, as expected of noble family origins, are impeccable in appearance, conduct, and etiquette, almost like the same person.

However, they also have their own characteristics, like plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, each with different colors.

The most crucial point is that Zheng Yi saw something in their eyes that was different from all the previous concubine candidates.

Confidence.

These five women possess extremely high confidence.

Their presence here is merely a formality.

Since the moment the matter of selection was decided, they had already prepared themselves.

The position of Consort.

That is their goal, a rank readily within their grasp!

Zheng Yi immediately said, “You all are the descendants of the nation’s notable figures, a good match for me, which gratifies my heart greatly.”

“Convey my decree to confer the title of Consort!”

“Understood!”

Liu Cheng’en responded immediately, then brought forth the already prepared Holy Decree, announcing loudly:

“By the mandate of the Emperor, the decree states: The daughters of notable families, entering the palace to serve, are divinely gifted good matches, thus bestowed as follows:”

“Cui Jinyan of the Qinghe Cui Clan is conferred as Consort Jinx, residing in Chengze Palace!”

“Lu Jingxuan of the Fan Yang Lu Clan is conferred as Consort Jing, residing in Jing’an Palace!”

“Wang Chan of the Taiyuan Wang Clan is conferred as Consort Chan, residing in Jingxiu Palace!”

“Li Lingying of the Longxi Li Clan is conferred as Consort Ying, residing in Jingze Palace!”

“Li Meizhuang of the Zhaozhou Li Clan is conferred as Consort Meii, residing in Danxia Palace!”

“This humble woman thanks Your Majesty’s grace!”

“Wishing Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager good health and immense blessings!”

The five women’s expressions of gratitude were remarkably similar, as if carved from the same mold.

The reason they could be conferred as consorts immediately upon entering the palace, each with a separate residence, was entirely due to their status!

As they expressed their gratitude, Zheng Yi also took a careful look at these five women.

Although not stunningly beautiful, they were at least beauties of captivating allure.

After all, to enter the palace as consorts, no noble family, regardless of their audacity, dared to present ordinary women to fill the ranks.

Moreover, even if these five women were not the main branch, they were daughters of the most prominent sects aside from the main family.

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

These five women bore some resemblance to the previous five noble women, yet were also distinct.

Officials of the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Rites began low murmurs upon seeing them.

“I think I’ve seen her before, she’s the youngest daughter of Deputy Imperial Censor Zhang Guo’an.”

“That’s her, and the daughter of Yunzhou General Miaoo Xiu…”

“Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Yuan’s granddaughter…”

This batch of five women were all relatives of second and third-grade ministers in the court!

As officials in the court, if there are any girls of suitable age in the household, they would be sent to the palace to participate in the selection.

The chosen ones would enter the palace as consorts.

However, those entering the palace were not actual consorts, but held the position of concubine.

Only by achieving great merit in the harem, such as giving birth to a prince or princess, or if someone from their maternal family achieved great merit, could they be conferred as consorts!

“Younger sister of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Tian Wenjing, Tian Wenwen, aged thirteen!”

“Daughter of Deputy Imperial Censor Zhang Guo’an, Zhang Lingyin, aged seventeen!”

“Daughter of Yunzhou General Miaoo Xiu, Miaoo Yuesheng, aged sixteen!”

“Daughter of Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice Yuan Fang, Yuan Song, aged eighteen!”

“Granddaughter of Minister of the Ministry of Rites Kong Xiangsi, Kong Lingfang, aged seventeen!”

Faced with these five women, Zheng Yi was not difficult, merely nodding slightly.

Liu Cheng’en then produced the Holy Decree: “By the mandate of the Emperor, the decree states…”

“Younger sister of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Tian Wenjing, Tian Wenwen, conferred as Consort Wen, residing in Wencheng Palace!”

“Daughter of Deputy Imperial Censor Zhang Guo’an, Zhang Lingyin, conferred as Concubine Yinn, residing in Shengying Palace!”

“Daughter of Yunzhou General Miaoo Xiu, Miaoo Yuesheng, conferred as Concubine Yue, residing in Guangle Palace!”

“Daughter of Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice Yuan Fang, Yuan Song, conferred as Consort Songg, residing in Songhe Palace!”

“Granddaughter of Minister of the Ministry of Rites Kong Xiangsi, Kong Lingfang, conferred as Concubine Fangg, residing in Jianjia Palace!”

These five women were all conferred as concubines, only a rank below consorts, yet above noble ladies, beauties, and ladies.

They were also qualified to manage a palace.

However, they lived together with other noble ladies, beauties, and ladies, and could not live alone like consorts.

“This concubine thanks the Empress Dowager, thanks Your Majesty…”

Most of the day had already passed, after all, there were over five hundred people. Zheng Yi was somewhat fatigued, let alone the Empress Dowager, whose health was deteriorating daily.

Although there was a palace maid massaging her back, it was hard to withstand such prolonged fatigue.

The reason she was able to persist this long was entirely for the selection of consort positions.

She was worried that, in her absence, the Emperor would haphazardly select consorts.

Now that the ten consort positions were settled, the Empress Dowager felt at ease and said, “Emperor, I feel a bit tired, the rest is up to your preference, I shall return to Cining Palace.”

Zheng Yi immediately replied, “Since Mother is weary, then please rest first.”

“Elder Chen.”

“At your service.”

Chen Liancang appeared behind Zheng Yi like a specter, the Empress Dowager subconsciously raised her eyebrows.

“Escort Mother back to Cining Palace!”

“Understood!”

“Mother, once you return, rest well, and refrain from unnecessary exertions.”

“The family knows…”

The Empress Dowager nodded, slowly exiting with the aid of palace maids.

“Emperor Brother~!”

With the Empress Dowager’s departure, Lu Lin’er suddenly approached, speaking coyly, “Why did you select so many concubines in this selection event? The noble and official daughters are understandable, but why were so many common women also conferred as beauties and ladies?”

“They are rough in manner; how can they serve you, Emperor Brother?”

“What if by chance they are uncouth and offend Aunt and Emperor Brother, what then?”

Zheng Yi replied helplessly, “Everything I do is following the Empress Dowager’s orders?”

“Though you all have given birth to daughters, they are all princesses. Of course, I cherish princesses, but Mother is intent on having a prince, hence I had no choice but to take this approach.”

“But, but…”

Lu Lin’er’s head spun a bit, she instinctively said, “But this is too many~! Over five hundred concubine candidates, can your body handle it…?”

Zheng Yi immediately replied seriously, “What, does Lin’er not have faith in my capability?”

“Then tonight, I shall visit Kunning Palace and let you see properly~!”

“Really?!”

Lu Lin’er’s eyes shone brightly, she earnestly declared, “A gentleman does not go back on his words! I will go back and prepare!”

After speaking, she hurriedly left with her maid, hastily waving back midway, “Emperor Brother, Lin’er awaits you~!”

Zheng Yi shook his head helplessly, “Finally deceived this girl away.”

Recently he’s been resting at Xianfu Palace, practicing dual cultivation with Luan’er and Jian Yu.

Unfortunately, both women have had their menstrual period these days, otherwise, it wouldn’t be Lu Liner’s turn yet.

At this moment, another eunuch brought in five more women.

Zheng Yi’s eyes brightened once more.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep