Before the wedding date of Yu Shu and Xue Rui arrived, there was a major event that was put on the agenda. It was the selection of the harem and the Yan Emperor would choose an Empress. Yu Shu would personally organize it. The Kun Ling Bureau would select women of suitable age in Jing, considering their family background, appearance, and conduct. Thirty-two outstanding people would be sent to the palace to see the Emperor and be decided by the Yan Emperor.
That morning, after the selection girls were dressed, they first went to the Kun Ling Bureau to verify their identities. Then they boarded carriages and were escorted into the palace by the Shen Wei Army. Because Yu Shu had to attend morning court, she wasn't among them. She was led into the palace by the female official of the Kun Ling Bureau, Qinglan.
Of the thirty-two xiongnu, there were three candidates most likely to ascend to the throne of Empress. One was the golden daughter of Cheng En Marquis Fu, Wei Manshu. As the niece of Empress Dowager Wei, she had a higher chance of winning than the others. Another was the precious granddaughter of the Duke of Ning, General Dai, Dai Ying. Not mentioning the Dai Family's contribution in founding the country, this Miss Dai was said to be an outstanding beauty and good at riding and archery. With the Yan Emperor's background, he should like this kind of girl. The last one was the Yan Emperor's teacher, the youngest daughter of the great scholar Ji Hede, Ji Jianjia. Ji Hongru was admired by the literati of the world. It could be said that after the Yan Emperor moved the capital to Jing, no literati of the previous dynasty died for the country. It was all because of his persuasion.
As to who the final winner would be, it would depend on the Yan Emperor. He wasn't a weak ruler that relied on the support of the officials to sit on the throne. He didn't need to listen to the officials. He could make his own decisions.
The beauties had to enter the palace through Xi Hua Gate. Getting off the carriage, they had to walk. Fortunately, it was a good time of autumn. Otherwise, if they walked all the way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, sweating and ruining their makeup, how would they be able to enter the Emperor's eyes?
Situ Qinglan had been an imperial official for five years and had entered the palace many times. She and the eunuch sent by the Department of Rites led the way, passing through the side of the Imperial Garden without looking sideways. The autumn scenery was particularly enchanting. In the distance, the maple forest was like fire, and near them, there was a turbulent silver spring. There was a slight commotion among the group of women behind them, and laughter could be heard. Situ Qinglan did not stop them. She thought of the situation when she first entered the palace. She had never been in such a mood. At that time, she was trembling with fear, afraid that she would make a mistake. How could she care about the beautiful scenery in front of her?
She turned her head and glanced at the group of teenage girls, her eyes filled with envy. She knew that one of them would rise to the top with a single step and become the Empress of Great Yan Dynasty, the motherly model of the world. She could only sigh at her own fate.
Six years ago, when the Yan Emperor was still the Dong Jing Wang of the North, his mother Wei Guo Furen, who was now Empress Dowager Wei, brought her daughter to Jing and held a birthday banquet in the wang fu, using this as an excuse to choose a wang fei for Dong Jing Wang. Who still remembered that day when she had correctly guessed the four riddles of Wei Guo Furen, seen the heirloom of the Jiang Family, and had a chance to compete for the throne of Dong Jing Wang Fei.
It was a pity that it wasn't the right time and she missed this marriage. After she became the Celestial Commissioner, it wasn't that there weren't good families that came to propose, but she wasn't willing. She begged the Grand Secretary to tell a divination for her, saying that the marriage hadn't come yet, and wanted her to wait. She waited until now. She was twenty four years old. If she kept waiting, when would it be?
When Situ Qinglan's drifting thoughts reached the outside of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, she immediately stopped. She first had Eunuch Sun go in to pass on the message, and then heard the summons for her to come in to answer, leaving behind the thirty two xiuzhe outside to wait for their names to be called.
In the side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Empress Dowager Wei and the Eldest Princess had arrived first. They didn't see the other feipin of the hougong. It must be that Empress Dowager Wei cared for her niece and didn't want her to lower her head to the low ranking palace fei so she didn't let them come out.
"This subject kowtows in salute to Empress Dowager. May niangniang have ten thousand blessings and peace," Situ Qinglan first kowtowed. When Empress Dowager Wei told her to rise and rise, she went to greet Princess Jiang Ya. She was slightly nervous. She didn't know if the Empress Dowager and the Princess still remembered her.
Empress Dowager Wei saw it was a female official with a flower embroidered patch on her shoulder. Her head was lowered and her face couldn't be seen clearly so she didn't pay much attention to her. She asked with a faint expression: "Where is the Great Advisor? Why did he send you? Didn't aijia say that she would personally supervise?"
Situ Qinglan had been in the bureaucracy for a few years and could hear that Empress Dowager Wei was purposefully finding fault. Her words were full of dissatisfaction towards Yu Shu. She respectfully answered: "Empress Dowager, there is a court conference on the seventh. The Great Advisor has gone to court. He was afraid that he wouldn't make it in time and delay the important matter, so he ordered this subject to manage for him."
Empress Dowager Wei glanced at her. She raised her hand and a palace servant brought the list of xiu nu in front of her. Opening it, she scanned it and said: "The Emperor hasn't left court yet. Call a few people in to take a look."
As she spoke, her finger pointed at seven or eight names. The palace servant took a look and memorized them. He quickly walked to the door to call out the names. Situ Qinglan's ears perked up. Among them was the name of Wei Manshu, the daughter of the Marquis of Cheng En Fu. There were also a few names that weren't well known. But there weren't any of the other two popular candidates for the title of Empress. He even had people wait outside.
A procession of young girls gracefully entered the side hall and bowed. The hem of their dresses spread on the ground like flowers blooming on the branches. It was unspeakably pleasing to the eye. Situ Qinglan sneaked a glance and saw a smile appear on Empress Dowager Wei's face. Her expression instantly became benevolent. It wasn't as cold as it had been before, and seemed overly dignified. She looked at Jiang Ya. She was lazily sitting next to the Empress Dowager, looking disinterested.
"Stand up."
Situ Qinglan turned her eyes again. The first thing she saw was Wei Xiaojie with a face as red as a peach. Sixteen years of age, as delicate as a cherry that had just been picked. That pair of spirited eyes. With one look, it could be seen that this was a treasure that had grown up in a honeypot.
"The Emperor is busy every day and will come later. Since there's nothing to do, aijia should find something to do. Aijia knows that you are all daughters of noble families. Which one of you is skilled in something? Why don't aijia take a look? "
The girls looked left and right. The first one to step forward was a sweet looking young girl. When she smiled, two dimples appeared on her cheeks. She was very likable: "Empress Dowager, this one is Gu Qing Chen. My father is the Minister of Works, Gu Jing Xue. This one isn't talented, and isn't very skilled in the four arts. I did learn a technique to use the flute to play the sound of a hundred birds. Please allow this one to show my incompetence."
Maybe it was that older people liked this kind of lively and cute little girl. Empress Dowager Wei didn't have a cold expression because she stole her niece's limelight. She smiled and asked her: "Did you bring a flute?"
Miss Gu nodded in response. She took the short flute hanging at her waist as a decoration. Putting it to her lips, she blinked her eyes and started to play. First she imitated the lark, then the oriole. Sometimes it was clear, sometimes it was melodious. In a row, she imitated more than ten kinds of birds. It was amazing that she could pass off the fake as the real one.
At the end of the song, Empress Dowager Wei gave her face and clapped her hands, "This flute isn't bad. Aijia will remember you. In the future, I'll be counting on you to relieve aijia's boredom."
This sentence was equivalent to sealing Miss Gu's future. Receiving the Empress Dowager's favor, as long as she wasn't stupid, she would hug this thigh tightly. Her days in the future wouldn't be bad.
Miss Gu was overjoyed, but Wei Manshu wasn't. Pouting, she said coquettishly: "Empress Dowager likes the Gu Family's meimei to know how to play the flute. What to do? Zhu Zhu doesn't know those playful tricks. Does Empress Dowager not like this child?"
Everyone present knew what relationship Wei Miss and Empress Dowager were. To be able to act coquettishly in front of others, it could be seen that the Empress Dowager doted on her. As expected, Empress Dowager Wei wasn't angry. She reached out with a finger and pointed at her from a distance. She teased: "You like to be pretentious. Since you don't know anything, you still dare to come into the palace. Aren't you afraid that aijia will kick you out?"
Wei Manshu smiled, not afraid at all. She pretended to be helpless as she said: "Then Zhu Zhu can only play a song, so that you won't kick me out."
Empress Dowager Wei calculated the time. The Emperor should be on his way so she sent someone to the back to bring a zither that had been prepared beforehand. She placed it in the middle of the hall, set up a tea table and embroidered stool, put up an incense burner, everything was ready.
Wei Manshu dignified and magnanimous sat in front of the zither, stretching out her slender white fingers, wearing pink fake nails. The beauty was happy and angry at the same time, quiet and active at the same time. After the sound of the zither started, the surrounding people all shouted at her, turning into the background.
Her skills on the zither were extraordinary. Just now, that Miss Gu had taken advantage of Qiao'er. It was rare to play a few bird cries on the flute, but compared to this powerful movement of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, it was a far cry. When the women waiting outside the hall heard this song, they didn't know what they would feel.
But when Situ Qing Lan saw this scene, the corners of her eyes started to sting. No one knew that many years ago, she had placed a man she had never met in her heart. She had had hopes and fantasies, but it would all become bubbles today.
When the song reached a high place, two people walked in from outside the hall, one in front and one behind, without a sound. The beauties in the hall were sensitive. When they turned their heads and saw a bright yellow robe embroidered with a five clawed golden dragon, they hurriedly knelt down. The sound of the zither didn't stop. Wei Manshu lightly closed her eyes, playing the zither. The side of her beautiful face was exposed to the Emperor's gaze.
This should have been a stunning entrance. According to Empress Dowager Wei's plan, the Emperor's heart should have been moved by now. But she had missed one thing – the Emperor of Yan recognized this zither-playing biaomei.
The Emperor of Yan was in his thirties and didn't care much for women. It would be hard to use beauty to move him. Even more, he knew that this biaomei was younger than him by half his age. No matter how beautiful she was, in his eyes, she was just a little girl that hadn't grown up yet. Where did she come from, where did his heart come from?
The Emperor of Yan's gaze only paused on his biaomei for a moment before moving away. He knew what the Empress Dowager was planning. She just wanted the Wei Family to have a proper Empress. Good things should be kept within the family. If this had happened half a month ago, he would have fulfilled his mother's wish and made the Wei Family even more prestigious. But what had happened in between had reminded him. Filial piety was necessary, but if it was foolishly filial, it would cause disaster sooner or later. It was better to cut off this seed early to avoid future trouble.
"These are the beauties chosen from Jing?" The Emperor of Yan walked past the crowd. Behind him was Yu Shu who had come after the court. The sound of the zither suddenly stopped. Miss Wei turned her head to look and hurriedly left her seat. Shyly and timidly, she lifted the corner of her dress and knelt down.
"That's your Wei Family biaomei. You don't recognize her?" The Empress Dowager teased. The Emperor of Yan praised: "A girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood. Biaomei is even more beautiful, and plays the zither better."
On this side, Jiang Qiya was so bored she was about to fall asleep. When she raised her head and saw Yu Shu, she instantly woke up. She stood and walked out, completely forgetting what the Empress Dowager had told her before.
"I lost something important on the road. I have to go back and find it."
"Wait," Empress Dowager Wei didn't stop her. She was furious but she couldn't criticize her daughter in public. The Emperor of Yan walked forward and urged: "Hua Lan can't sit still. Just let her be."
Empress Dowager Wei didn't know what to say. She had originally arranged for Jiang Qiya to add fuel to the fire so that the Emperor of Yan could directly choose the daughter of the Wei Family to be the Empress. Without a helper, how could this show continue?
Yu Shu clearly saw that Jiang Qiya had run when she saw her. She was puzzled inside but pretended nothing had happened. The Emperor of Yan bestowed a seat and she sat down to watch the spectacle. The hall was filled with beautiful young girls, too much for the eye to take in. The most outstanding was the young miss that had just played the zither. She was from the Marquis Cheng En Fu.
Tsk tsk, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl was as tender as a spring onion. Could the Emperor really do it?
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Situ Qinglan standing in the corner. The corner of her mouth rose. She beckoned for her to come over and stand behind her. Situ Qinglan had followed her for five years. She couldn't compare to Wen Shao An who was dead set on her, but at least she was loyal. It was worth her helping her and letting her get what she wanted. Even more, the Empress Dowager didn't know that she, Yu, wasn't easy to deal with. Then she would let her have a taste of her power.
"Reporting to the Holy One, this time, there are thirty-two beauties that entered the palace. No matter if it's talent or family background, they are all of the best. Here is the birth and eight characters that this subject has personally written for them. Holy One, please take a look."
Yu Shu took out a red invitation that she had prepared beforehand from her sleeve and handed it to Situ Qinglan behind her for her to present. Even Empress Dowager Wei hadn't seen this before. Seeing this, she couldn't help but frown, slightly worried that Yu Shu would mess things up. The Yan Emperor didn't think so much.
The Yan Emperor did not think so much. He looked at the female official walking forward with her head lowered. Because he had never seen her before, he could not help but take a few more glances. He saw that she was wearing a well-tailored robe, her figure slender and graceful. She did not wear a wig on her head, and her hair was neatly bundled behind her head. There was only a palm-sized jade crown on her head. Two strands of hair fell from her forehead, shadowing her gentle and pleasant features. She was actually a very pleasing beauty. She stood in front of those young girls, showing off the beauty of her age.
Situ Qinglan lowered her head as she raised the red invitation. She didn't step out of line at all, but in reality, her heart was beating rapidly. Last night, when she knew that she was going to the palace to meet the Emperor, she had been so flustered she hadn't slept well. Just now, when the Emperor had walked in from outside, she had only dared to sneak a peek. After a hurried glance, the handsome and extraordinary figure merged with the person she was hiding in her heart. She couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. This was the most noble man in the world. She couldn't have wishful thinking. How could she be worthy?
Empress Dowager Wei's attention was all on the red invitation. She didn't even notice the slight reaction between the Emperor and that female official. She patiently waited for the Emperor to read it before reaching out to take it. With one look, her brows relaxed. Wei Manshu's fate was very good. It was a sign of good fortune. There was nothing wrong with it. Empress Dowager Wei raised her head to glance at Yu Shu. She gave a satisfied smile, thinking: She probably wouldn't dare to make a fuss about this.
The Emperor of Yan didn't say a word about the invitation. Empress Dowager Wei gave the order for the xiongnu waiting outside the hall to all come in. There was no need to split into groups. Luckily, the side hall was spacious enough. It wasn't crowded for twenty people to come in at once. But the eight that came in first stood at the very front. The ones that came later could only stand at the back. This way, no matter how beautiful that daughter of the Dai Family was, she wouldn't be very eye-catching among the flowers.
The xiongnu all reported their families and exchanged a few words. The Emperor of Yan recognized the people and had a plan. He turned to ask Empress Dowager Wei's opinion: "There are so many people, this son is dazzled. In your view, who is suitable for the position of Empress?"
Empress Dowager Wei clearly had a candidate in mind, but she couldn't be too impatient. Her son might be filial, but he wasn't someone she could control. She deliberated and said: "The pearl of Grand Scholar Ji's family is virtuous and talented, and has an extraordinary bearing. The daughter of Duke Ning Fu is lively, generous and intelligent. Your jiujiu's Man Shu is quiet and dignified, and has a long fortune. All of them are good, aijia really can't choose. Which one did the Emperor choose? "
The hearts of the three girls she called trembled, their palms sweating. They knew that the Emperor of Yan's next words could decide their fate. A short silence appeared in the Great Hall. The thirty-two xiongnu all held their breaths, waiting for the Emperor's decision.
The Emperor of Yan's gaze flitted across the young and immature faces. He smiled slightly, saying: "Zhen still feels that to be the Empress, the mother of the world, one's heart must be broad and able to tolerate others. Benevolent teacher is a great scholar of a generation. His daughter has been well taught and will not disappoint zhen. Come, send down the order — — the daughter of the Ji family is virtuous and talented, her bearing is generous. Zhen likes her. Today, she will be made Empress. The coronation will be a month later. Have the Celestial Commissioner and the Ministry of Rites prepare. "
The last sentence was directed at Yu Shu: "Pick a good day." "This subject obeys."
Empress Dowager Wei's smile froze at the corner of her mouth. The Emperor didn't even leave any room to maneuver and just made the decision. She couldn't persuade him otherwise. The situation that she had thought was in the bag became nothing. Looking at the little face of the daughter of the Wei Family, there was no trace of her previous satisfaction. She bit her red lips and almost cried.
After that, the Emperor of Yan bestowed Wei Manshu the title of Shu Fei, Dai Ying the title of Li Pin. For the remaining women, he bestowed two Jieyu, two Zhaoyi, four beauties, four talents. The rest were virtuous women to fill the inner palace.
Empress Dowager Wei managed to hold on until the end before leaving with the excuse that she wasn't feeling well. The Emperor of Yan knew that he had angered his mother this time but he wasn't in a hurry to apologize. He waved his sleeve and called for Yu Shu to go with him to the Imperial Study. After that, the Bureau of Rites sent the newly promoted feipin and nobility to the inner palace. Situ Qing Lan, because she had an errand, also followed.
Coming out of the Supreme Harmony Hall, the Emperor of Yan didn't mention the matter of the Empress. He was slightly absent-minded and didn't speak. Yu Shu was a few steps behind. She suddenly gave a low laugh and disturbed his thoughts. He turned his head and saw the smile on her face. He asked: "What wonderful thing are you thinking about?"
Yu Shu's face quickly tensed. She lowered her head and said: "This subject doesn't dare to speak."
If she didn't dare to speak, then it had something to do with him. The Emperor of Yan raised an eyebrow and his curiosity was piqued: "Speak, and I will forgive you."
Yu Shu's expression was a bit awkward. He braced himself and said, "I just remembered that when Your Majesty was a hidden dragon in the abyss, the Empress Dowager came to the capital to help you choose a concubine. She even held a banquet in the mansion and invited many noble young ladies. I also went with Big Brother."
"Oh?" The Emperor of Yan did remember this, but he hadn't been present at that time. He didn't know what was worth her laughing at. "Continue, what are you laughing at?"
"Oh, the Empress Dowager must have wanted to test one's character so she gave four riddles. She said that one of the four riddles was the heirloom of the Jiang Family. Whoever could guess it would get a prize. Cough cough, who would have thought that the so-called heirloom was a pair of cloth shoes. When people saw it, they didn't take it seriously. They all thought that the Empress Dowager was making fun of them. "Yu Shu's point of humor was clearly here.
The Emperor of Yan also laughed and asked her casually: "Then did anyone guess it correctly?"
Yu Shu hesitated for a moment and said: "There is indeed one person. Speaking of which, this person is the one Your Majesty saw just now. She is the female imperial official in front of this subject. "
The Emperor of Yan suddenly stopped walking and turned around. Against the warm autumn sun, his expression couldn't be seen clearly: "It's her. Is she married?" This question was a bit redundant. At that age, she had both talent and appearance. She was probably married long ago.
"Not yet," Yu Shu lowered her head and didn't look at the Emperor's expression. She explained a bit more: "Her life is indeed a bit pitiful. Her parents passed away early and she lived under someone else's roof at a young age. Later, she relied on her own hard work and passed the Dayan Examination and became a Celestial Commissioner. As a woman, I couldn't help but take care of her. Perhaps it was I who gave her a bad idea. She was good at everything and never agreed to anyone who proposed marriage. That's how it has been delayed until now."
The Emperor of Yan listened patiently to Yu Shu finish talking about her life, and a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart. A figure flashed in front of his eyes. At that time, he only felt that she was gentle and pleasing to the eye. Now that he knew that she was a woman who was gentle yet strong, he missed her even more. She hadn't married until now. Was it because of him?
"What's her name?" he asked suddenly.
"Situ Qinglan." Yu Shu hid a smile in her eyes. He had to get closer to see it.
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