Chapter 176: Imperial Selection

Chapter 176: Imperial Selection

The following day.

Lady Qin and the old Marquis returned to the estate.

In Ningxin Courtyard.

Cheng Qi, dressed in new clothes, stood before everyone with Cheng Hui.

The two were freshly groomed, looking worlds apart from their ragged refugee appearance.

It must be said, the Cheng family has strong lineage; their sons were all handsome.

Cheng Qi bore a bit of a resemblance to Cheng Yunshuo, looking very dashing.

However, Cheng Yunshuo had been raised in the Imperial City, pampered and living a life of luxury, his skin fair and refined, making him a pale and refined young nobleman. Cheng Qi, having grown up on the frontier, had a tan complexion with a gritty texture from the wind and sand. His sharp features gave off a fierce and rugged aura, giving him a distinctly robust and passionate appearance of a young warrior.

The old Marquis' eyes lit up when he saw Cheng Qi.

"Is your father Cheng Ying?"

"Yes."

The old Marquis had met Cheng Qi's father before. At that time, the old Marquis was very young, and he had gone to the frontier with his father. They had met the Cheng family relatives once, when Cheng Qi's father was only eight or nine years old.

After his father's death, the frontier battles mostly ceased, and the old Marquis didn't go there more than a few times. He hadn't visited the frontier since Cheng Yunshuo was born, completely losing contact with their ancestral home.

"How are they doing now?"

"Most are dead or scattered; only the two of us survived," Cheng Qi lowered his head, looking at his younger sister Cheng Hui.

The old Marquis fell silent for a moment.

At this, Lady Qin waved at Cheng Hui, "Come here, dear, and meet your grandmother."

Cheng Hui glanced at Cheng Qi and curiously walked to Lady Qin.

"How old are you?"

"Seven."

Lady Qin stroked her head, "Who did your hair?"

Cheng Hui pointed behind her to Xia Mei, "Sister Xia Mei, she's very skillful. I've never had such a pretty hairstyle back at the frontier."

"Do you like to play with her?"

Cheng Hui nodded vigorously, "I like her very much. She's very good to me, taking me around the garden and treating me to delicious food every day."

"Would you like to stay here?"

"Of course! Sister Xia Mei is good to me, and that auntie is good to me too!"

Lady Qin, satisfied, glanced at Lu Lingyun, who sat nearby.

This was all due to Lu Lingyun's attentive care.

The old Marquis, hearing this, also smiled. He reached out and patted Cheng Hui's head, "If you like it here, stay at the estate. Our household is small, so a few more will be welcome."

He then turned to Cheng Qi, "Xiao Qi, you should also stay at the estate. I'll find you a position later. All of you will remain in the Imperial City from now on."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Cheng Qi bowed gratefully.

The old Marquis was pleased. "This is how a true Cheng family member should behave—dignified and composed!"

Having been to the battlefield, he always believed men should be tough and resolute.

Cheng Qi was exactly to his liking.

"I agree as well," Lady Qin said with a forced smile.

"You have an older cousin named Yunshuo. When you meet him, teach that rascal a thing or two!"

"You're too kind, Uncle."

"You don't know how much of a troublemaker your cousin is! Having someone as steady as you is a blessing."

At that moment, Wen Mama came to report.

"Madam, young miss Shaojing has arrived."

Hearing the name Qin Shaojing, Lady Qin's forced smile immediately turned to genuine delight. "Shaojing is here too? Quickly, bring her in."

"Yes."

In no time, Qin Shaojing, dressed in elegant and luxurious attire, entered with a large group of people.

As soon as she entered, she greeted warmly, "Aunt!"

"How have you been? Are you getting used to the Imperial City?" Lady Qin reached out as Qin Shaojing, bypassing the crowd, sat next to her.

"Very well. Tonghua has introduced me to many new friends. They always invite me for tea and flower viewing. Each one of them is so much fun."

"I'm glad to hear that." Lady Qin held her hand, then noticing Cheng Hui and Cheng Qi still standing nearby, said, "By the way, let me introduce you to Yunshuo's cousin brother and sister. They've come from the border."

Qin Shaojing immediately noticed the two strangers in the room.

Upon hearing they were from the border, she recalled the street urchins she had seen in Lu Lingyun's courtyard a few days ago.

"She's Cheng Hui, and he's Cheng Qi, both children of the Cheng family," Lady Qin introduced.

With the old Marquis present, Qin Shaojing immediately put on a smile. She reached out to touch Cheng Hui's head, "I've seen her before. Huihui sister, my name is Qin Shaojing. You can call me Shaojing sister."

Cheng Hui immediately stepped back, looking at her with disdain. "I remember you. You called us beggars last time."

Qin Shaojing: "..."

Caught off guard, her expression froze. Before Lu Lingyun could speak, Cheng Qi interrupted, "Huihui, mind your manners!"

"But Brother, she called us..."

"Cheng Hui!" Cheng Qi's stern tone made her obediently fall silent. He then stepped forward and bowed to Qin Shaojing. "Miss Qin, my sister is from the countryside and doesn't understand proper etiquette. Please don't take offense."

Grateful for the rescue, Qin Shaojing gave him a bright smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Brother Cheng Qi, you're too polite."

The way she said "Brother Cheng Qi" made Cheng Qi feel a slight shiver.

He quickly lowered his head, as if the sight of Qin Shaojing, smiling like a blooming flower, had scorched his eyes.

Lady Qin quickly tried to smooth things over, "Someone must have misunderstood. The Cheng family only has fine young men; there’s no such thing as a beggar among us."

Qin Shaojing also spoke up to change the subject, "By the way, Aunt, Uncle, Sister-in-law, I came today to tell you all something important."

"What’s so important?"

All eyes turned to Qin Shaojing.

With an elegant smile, Qin Shaojing said, "The Lady of Nanping told me that in ten days, the palace will hold a selection for the consorts. I will be participating in this selection."

The imperial selection!

Her words left everyone stunned.

Lady Qin looked at Qin Shaojing with surprise and delight, "Is it settled?"

"Yes, it’s settled. The Lady of Nanping has submitted my name to the palace."

The old Marquis, who had been silent until now, also spoke up, "This is good news."

"Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?" Lady Qin said excitedly, taking Qin Shaojing’s hand, "I hadn’t heard anything about it."

"I wanted to wait until everything was finalized before telling you, Aunt."

"We need to make sure we’re fully prepared for this selection," Lady Qin said excitedly, turning to Lu Lingyun, "Lingyun, you must take full responsibility for Shaojing’s selection. Make sure everything is prepared—food, clothing, and all necessities. Nothing should be overlooked!"

"Yes, I understand," Lu Lingyun responded, rising to her feet.

Back in the room, Lady Qin, now knowing Qin Shaojing would participate in the selection, kept engaging her in conversation, asking about various trivial matters. Lu Lingyun appropriately took her leave from them, and Lady Qin didn’t even look back as she agreed, telling them all to go.

Lu Lingyun led Cheng Hui and Cheng Qi out of the room.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Cheng Hui pouted and said, "Brother, why didn’t you stand up for us just now? That woman called us beggars."

"Enough, don’t say anything bad about Qin Miss!"