vrcanaries Chapter 438 Draft
Chapter 438 Draft
Three days later, in the Tiyuan Hall.
Following a high-pitched and penetrating voice, "Ladies, get ready—" the heavy palace door was slowly opened with a dull sound.
In an instant, golden sunlight poured in, illuminating the long corridor inside the palace gate that seemed to have no end.
The beauties from all over the country, each with a beautiful face and graceful figure, dressed in carefully prepared Manchu clothing, lined up in neat rows and entered one after another.
There was a different light in their eyes, and each of them had different thoughts.
Some dream of being chosen by the emperor in this magnificent Forbidden City because of their stunning looks, saying goodbye to their ordinary lives and embarking on a palace journey full of splendor, wealth and unknown surprises.
Some were anxious, hoping to end their journey into the palace by receiving the "scented sachet" bestowed by the emperor, so that they could return to their original peaceful lives and no longer have to struggle to survive in this bottomless palace.
In the palace.
When Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang arrived, Yongzheng had not yet arrived. The Third Prince Hongshi and the Fourth Prince Hongli were already waiting there. When they saw the two of them come in, they hurried forward and saluted respectfully: "Greetings to the Imperial Noble Consort and to the Noble Consort Hui."
Both of them were wearing dark blue uniforms, with a four-clawed python on their chests, showing their noble status as royal children.
The Third Prince had obviously dressed up carefully. The sachet hanging around his waist emitted a faint fragrance that drifted away with his every move. When he saluted, the jade ring on his hand was particularly eye-catching, faintly reflecting a soft light in the sunlight.
In contrast, the Fourth Prince Hongli had a reserved look, wearing only a jade pendant tied around his waist with a plain silk ribbon that held down the corners of his robe just right.
"No need to be polite!"
Zhen Huan smiled and raised her hand slightly.
"The Third Prince has grown taller again."
When the Third Prince heard this, his face flushed and he said modestly, "I am already eighteen years old. How can I grow any taller?"
There was still a hint of boyish shyness in his voice.
"Eighteen years old is an adult. Today, your Royal Father will help you and the Fourth Prince choose a wife. This is a major event in life, so you must choose carefully. In the future, when you have your own families and careers, you will share your Royal Father's worries."
The two of them bowed together and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will keep this in mind."
Zhen Huan looked at the Fourth Prince, but for some reason she felt a little displeased with his face, so she simply ignored him and stopped talking.
Shen Meizhuang looked at the scene before her, a trace of doubt in her heart. She knew that Zhen Huan was always thoughtful and tactful in dealing with people, but in such an occasion today, she ignored the Fourth Prince, which was really unusual.
Thinking of this, she smiled slightly: "I see that the Fourth Prince has become more calm. Is everything going well in his study?"
Hongli said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. Everything in the study is going well. I, your son, have also benefited a lot from your guidance."
"I often hear Sixth Prince say that you are an excellent student and that you have taught him diligently in the study. Today, I would like to thank you on his behalf."
Upon hearing this, Hongli's slightly reserved expression instantly relaxed, and a sincere smile appeared on his face. "Your Highness, you are too polite. My sixth brother is intelligent and eager to learn. As his elder brother, it is my responsibility to teach him."
"He has a capricious temper. You must help me discipline him."
"Yes, I obey your orders."
As the few people were talking, Yongzheng was wearing a solemn dragon robe with a golden dragon embroidered on it with bared fangs and claws. Every scale of the robe reflected light, illuminating his stern face and making his already majestic face even more inviolable and sacred.
He walked straight to the dragon throne in the middle and sat down. His eyes swept over the crowd and landed on the Third and Fourth Princes. His expression softened a bit. "Today, we are selecting your wives. This is a matter of great importance to the royal heirs and family heritage. It must not be taken lightly."
"Your son will follow the instructions of the Emperor."
Yongzheng nodded and waved casually.
Zhao Yingjiu understood and shouted, "The beautiful lady enters the palace."
The first group of concubines entered the hall one by one, taking light, small steps. Zhao Yingjiu sang the name and family history of each concubine in a clear voice. When the concubines heard their names, they immediately knelt and saluted politely, raising their heads slightly, revealing their delicate faces, but not daring to look directly at the emperor. Then they spoke a few words.
However, as one team after another of beautiful girls entered the hall, Yongzheng's eyes swept over them one by one, as if he was examining the monotonous flowers and plants in the imperial garden, without any ripples on his face.
Shen Meizhuang appeared dignified and gentle on the surface, but she rolled her eyes silently in her heart, thinking that she was really picky.
Another group of beauties came slowly.
"Xilute Tinglan, daughter of Sichuan Governor Xiande, is sixteen years old."
As Zhao Yingjiu's steady singing voice fell, a graceful young lady came out. The woman was petite and delicate, with a little baby fat on her face, revealing a natural cuteness.
She took a step forward and knelt gracefully on the ground with bent knees. Her movements were smooth and effortless, without any drag, showing the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.
Yongzheng turned the beads in his hand, and after a moment, he shook his head slightly.
The Governor of Sichuan, second rank, his father held a high official position. Now that the harem is stable, he does not want to break this hard-earned peace.
"Put down a sign and give flowers."
Upon hearing this, Tinglan's slightly tense shoulders relaxed instantly. Before entering the palace, she had heard that the Imperial Noble Consort was the only favorite, and the Noble Consort Hui was the only powerful. She knew her own limitations, and it would be incredibly difficult to win the Emperor's favor from them. Furthermore, she had a straightforward and hot temper, and in this strict harem, it was inevitable that she would cause trouble. She decided to go home!
Zhen Huan, who was sitting at the top of the table, looked quietly at the woman in front of her. There was a glittering light in her eyes, and her every move revealed an unpolished naturalness and innocence. Her every frown and smile was like the brightest warm sunshine in spring.
He looks like a person with a clean mind.
After thinking for a moment, Zhen Huan called out softly, "Your Majesty!"
Hearing the voice, Yongzheng turned to look at her.
Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I find this woman playful and lovely. Her eyes are pure and innocent, and her every move is full of the lively and agile spirit of a young person. I am very fond of her!"
After hearing this, Yongzheng nodded slightly and his eyes fell on the woman again. He saw that she had a graceful figure and was well-behaved. He thought to himself that this candidate was indeed a good one.
The Xiluo family was the maiden family of Emperor Kangxi's elder brother, Prince Yu's wife, Fuquan. Although there were some talented people in the court, it was not really a big family.
He looked at Zhao Yingjiu, "I remember the Fucha family also sent a beautiful girl."
Zhao Yingjiu flipped through the booklet and sang along loudly, "Fucha Langya, daughter of Li Rongbao, the governor of Chahar, is sixteen years old."
Immediately, a young eunuch led a woman into the hall.
She walked with graceful steps, a dignified demeanor, and a perfect smile on her face. It was obvious at first glance that she was a woman who was carefully brought up in a wealthy family.
"Your servant pays respects to the Emperor and the two ladies."
She and Tinglan stood side by side, one calm and the other playful.
These are also the two girls with the highest family backgrounds among this year's beauties.