Chapter 2

Chapter 2

If state affairs were pressing, Emperor Yongchang could order the beauty selection process to be delayed, but the candidates had no choice in the matter. Nanny Fang had already received an oral decree from the Empress, instructing her to bring the candidates to the Wanchun Pavilion in the imperial garden by 10 AM.

From dawn to 10 AM, there were a full two hours, during which the only task for the candidates was to get dressed up.

From the day they entered the palace, the candidates who could stay could only wear clothes and jewelry provided by the palace. Apart from slight differences in color and style, there was no significant distinction in quality. This was to ensure that the candidates focused on learning etiquette and rules, rather than getting caught up in comparisons and rivalries.

While staying in the Chuxiu Pavilion, the clothes issued by the palace were just a step above those of ordinary palace maids. Today, the candidates were finally going to appear before the nobles, so Nanny Fang had to make sure they looked their best, ensuring that each candidate presented her most beautiful appearance.

In truth, whether the candidates could rise to high positions had little to do with Nanny Fang, but if their appearance displeased the nobles, it would become Nanny Fang's fault.

After the fifty candidates had a simple breakfast and lined up neatly in the courtyard, Nanny Fang appeared on time.

The candidates were all observing behind Nanny Fang, where a long table was set up, on which were placed sets of brightly colored, luxurious garments.

Nanny Fang once again emphasized the rules for meeting the Emperor, pointing to the long table and saying, "These are the dresses specially prepared for you by the Imperial Wardrobe at the Empress's command. I have also assigned them based on your looks and body types, ensuring that each of you gets the most suitable one. Once you get your dress, head straight back to your room to change. After the last person enters the room, I will light an incense stick. When the incense burns out, we will depart. Those who are late will be accused of disrespect, and those who intentionally or unintentionally cause others to be late will be equally guilty."

The candidates' hearts tightened, and they quickly resolved to keep their distance from others.

Nanny Fang began distributing the clothes.

The fifty candidates stood in ten rows, with five in each row, arranged in the order of their arrival.

Yao Huang had gotten up late and thus ate late. Chen Ying insisted on waiting for her, so the two stood side by side in the last row.

The earlier one received their dress, the more time they would have to dress up. Seeing that the candidates in the first row had already entered their rooms, Chen Ying couldn't help but look anxious.

She clenched her hands and turned to look at Yao Huang.

Yao Huang smiled at her and whispered, "Don't worry, we have half an hour."

Her hair was already styled, with the same jade hairpin as the others. Just changing into a dress would take no more than a few minutes.

Chen Ying had been anxious because she saw the candidates in front of her tiptoeing and looking around. But now, seeing Yao Huang's calm and cheerful smile, she gradually calmed down.

Nanny Fang worked quickly, and soon it was the turn of Yao Huang and the other four.

Chen Ying received a set of pink clothes and a white skirt. Yao Huang looked at the pale yellow top and a bright red skirt in her hands and couldn't help but raise her head.

Even the usually stern Nanny Fang smiled at her: "Go and change quickly."

Yao Huang, clearly feeling this favor: "..."

Could it be that a prince, or even Emperor Yongchang himself, favored someone like her? Did Nanny Fang know something and thus particularly favored her, certain that she would be chosen?

Her mother's anxious words before she left echoed in her mind: "If I had known there would be a selection, I would have raised you to be thinner. Look at your big chest and slim waist, which prince wouldn't be captivated? But your father is just a minor official, so the princes would only choose you to be a concubine..."

Yao Huang didn't believe it: "Li Tingwang always teases me for being fat, saying I'll be hard to marry off. If even the son of a mid-ranking official looks down on me, the princes' standards will only be higher. They prefer refined and virtuous women from noble families."

Her mother: "Nonsense, if Li Tingwang didn't like you, why would he keep coming to our house? He teases you on purpose, but deep down, he’s probably eager to marry you."

Yao Huang still didn't believe her mother's analysis. She was so angry at Li Tingwang's words, and he could clearly see that. Unless he was a fool, he wouldn't like her in that way.

But Nanny Fang's growing favoritism made Yao Huang's heart beat faster. She never dared to imagine becoming a prince’s main wife, but if she were to be a concubine, even with wealth, she wouldn't be happy. A concubine, always second to the main wife. Yao Huang, who had been pampered by her parents, how could she bear such humiliation?

She followed Chen Ying back to their room, her thoughts weighing heavily.

The three candidates who were changing clothes glanced over, noticing the bright red color in Yao Huang's hands. Some were envious, while others gritted their teeth in secret.

There was no screen in the room, and after living together for a month, the five girls had no privacy left. With time running short, after closing the door, even Chen Ying, who was the most modest of them all, directly removed her outer garment, revealing her jade-like upper body. Yao Huang was even more nonchalant, standing by the closed window in front of the kang, removing her plain outfit.

The first girl to finish dressing glanced over, her face flushed, and her mouth went dry.

Yao Huang changed into her new clothes as if she were alone. She looked down to see a light yellow blouse edged with peony embroidery peeking out from the collar, and below it, a tightly cinched red skirt. Her fair skin, highlighted by the red skirt, made the area below her neck appear dazzlingly white.

Once she made sure everything was in place, Yao Huang looked up to find Chen Ying staring at her. Their eyes met, and Chen Ying quickly averted her gaze, stammering a compliment, "Yao Yao, you look so beautiful in this."

Yao Huang sighed inwardly; being beautiful today wasn’t necessarily a blessing.

Glancing at Chen Ying, who looked like a peach blossom, Yao Huang took her wrist and said, "Let's go, we’re still in the back."

There were nine rows of beauties ahead; perhaps the nobles would have already made their selections by the time they reached the back, their interest would wane. It was like the peonies in a flower bed—the first few blooms were stunning, but as more and more opened, they lost their charm.

When they arrived in the courtyard, they saw the girls who had come out earlier standing in two long rows on either side of Nanny Fang.

Yao Huang was briefly taken aback.

Nanny Fang glanced at her and first told the two to fill in the left row, then said, "Today, line up in the order I announce."

The first two rows of ten were all daughters of high-ranking officials, nobles, and influential families from the capital.

Just as Yao Huang was relieved that they were being arranged by status, when it came to the middle position of the third row, Nanny Fang called her name.

Yao Huang couldn’t conceal her shock.

Nanny Fang gave her a stern look, urging her to join the line immediately.

Yao Huang struggled to stay composed and walked over.

The timid yet beautiful Chen Ying stood diagonally behind her.

Half an hour later, Nanny Fang led the girls out.

From the remote Xiu Pavilion in the West Palace to the Imperial Garden, it took half an hour.

Flanked by high red walls, the girls walked in silence as they turned corner after corner, passing through one moon gate after another, finally arriving outside the Wanchun Pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

The Wanchun Pavilion had red windows and a golden roof, with five steps leading up to each of its four doors. Surrounding the pavilion were peonies in full bloom, their red and purple colors vivid.

The sun was shining brightly, but the nobles were not due to arrive for another half an hour. Nanny Fang had the girls stand in the shade of the trees to avoid breaking a sweat.

On a path diagonally across, a maid arranged by Nanny Fang kept an eye out for the nobles. While the Emperor and Empress had not yet arrived, Nanny Fang allowed the girls to stretch their legs a bit to ensure they were in good condition for the audience, avoiding any accidents from standing too long.

Chen Ying was still nervous, frequently looking at Yao Huang, hoping for reassurance.

But Yao Huang had no energy left to comfort her, as her thoughts were in disarray. She felt like a fat duck placed in a pot, the water slowly warming, and she desperately wanted to jump out. Nanny Fang, standing nearby, was like the cook guarding the pot, leaving her no way out.

The sadder part was that while a real duck could instinctively flap its wings, she was human and couldn’t even attempt to flee, as doing so would violate court rules.

In her torment, the maid on the path waved to Nanny Fang, who immediately changed her expression and quietly ordered the girls to quickly get into position, moving to a spot suitable for kneeling before the Emperor and Empress.

After another quarter of an hour, the figures of the Emperor and Empress finally appeared in the girls' view.

While they were still far away, Yao Huang secretly looked up.

Walking side by side at the front were undoubtedly Emperor Yongchang and Empress Zhou. Emperor Yongchang, in his bright yellow dragon robe, was tall and imposing. Though in his fifties, he looked no older than forty. His broad frame mostly obscured Empress Zhou, revealing only the hem of her luxurious gown.

Behind the Emperor and Empress were three concubines, hard to distinguish from one another. Yao Huang's gaze shifted to the very back, where a wheelchair was being pushed.

The wheelchair was pushed by a eunuch, and the person seated in the wheelchair...

Nanny Fang’s low cough from the front likely warned Yao Huang and the other bold girls against peeking.

Yao Huang immediately lowered her gaze, not daring to look again.

When the emperor and his consorts arrived before the group, Nanny Fang led the girls to kneel.

Emperor Yongchang casually glanced over and said, "You may rise," then walked with Empress Zhou through the stone path amidst the peonies and entered Wanchun Pavilion.

After the nobles entered, Nanny Fang led the girls to the steps outside Wanchun Pavilion’s main entrance to await their summons.

Inside the pavilion, Emperor Yongchang first joked with the consorts for a few moments before having Empress Zhou preside over the selection.

Empress Zhou had borne two princes in her youth, but sadly, both had died young. Now, she only had one princess by her side, so this time, she was merely overseeing the selection of consorts for the princes, content to enjoy the spectacle.

Following Emperor Yongchang’s cue, Empress Zhou turned to the three consorts on her left and smiled, "Shall we follow the order of their ages? Let Virtuous Consort Liu first choose a principal consort for Prince Kang?"

Virtuous Consort Liu, nearing fifty, was the second most senior in the palace after Empress Zhou. Her former beauty was no longer prominent, but she had become increasingly dignified and virtuous.

At Empress Zhou’s words, Virtuous Consort Liu smiled modestly, "Prince Kang has already chosen a principal consort once. This time, it’s more important to select principal consorts for his two younger brothers. Let the younger ones choose first."

Emperor Yongchang nodded, "That makes sense. Let the second prince go first."

At his words, the three consorts stopped deferring.

Emperor Yongchang then turned to his son, seated in a wheelchair on his right, and said, "I’ve made the decision. Later, don’t hold back. Choose whichever one you like, and I will agree."

Emperor Yongchang had four sons, but he had never shown such affection to any of them, not even Prince Hui, Zhao Sui, before his accident.

Everyone knew that Emperor Yongchang’s favor toward Prince Hui was born of pity.

Zhao Sui lowered his eyes in thanks.

The chief matron beside Empress Zhou went to the door and signaled Nanny Fang to bring the girls in.

Five girls entered together. If the nobles favored any of them, they would first offer a silk flower. Those who received a flower advanced to the next round, while those who didn’t were dismissed.

The first row of five girls, hearing Prince Hui would choose first, kept their eyes firmly lowered, not daring to glance at Prince Hui, fearing they might catch his eye and be chosen.

Fortunately, Prince Hui merely glanced over the faces of the five, unmoving and silent.

Seeing he had no preference, Virtuous Consort Liu, Noble Consort Du, and Gentle Consort Shen each offered a flower.

The five girls, depending on whether they received a flower, exited through the side doors to the east and west.

Yao Huang watched the second row of girls being summoned, her heart racing.

Which consort would choose her to be a secondary consort or a mere concubine for their sons? Or perhaps, could she be chosen by Emperor Yongchang himself?

Emperor Yongchang was the most noble, but he was even older than her own father!

In the brief moments these thoughts flashed through her mind, it was already their turn!

Yao Huang was still nervous, but fortunately, a month of training had ingrained the etiquette into her bones. On the surface, apart from the flush caused by her racing heart, she appeared no different.

Stopping in her tracks, Yao Huang stood before the emperor with her eyes lowered, right in the center, directly facing the imperial couple.

The imperial consorts first noticed Yao Huang. Whether she was beautiful or not, her plump face and figure were a fresh sight in the palace, giving the impression of a fortunate person.

Empress Zhou was intrigued and glanced at the roster of the candidates arranged according to their positions, saying to Yao Huang, "Yao Huang, right? Raise your head and let me see."

Yao Huang obediently complied.

Empress Zhou saw a pair of eyes as black as grapes, beautiful and lively.

She was quite taken with them, but since she had no son, she simply nodded without further comment, letting Prince Hui choose first.

It was only then that Yao Huang realized Prince Hui had the first pick!

Prince Hui...

When the consorts choose principal consorts for their sons, they likely value lineage and temperament, emphasizing a noble and dignified background, neither of which Yao Huang possesses. Her beauty made her more likely to end up as a concubine.

But if the princes themselves were to choose, would they care more about the candidates' beauty and figure?

Yao Huang's heart raced for a different reason.

Today, she probably couldn't escape the fate of becoming a concubine or a minor consort. So, rather than being someone's concubine, she might as well strive to become a principal consort to a prince!

Prince Hui's disability was an issue, but Prince Qing, who was healthy, was out of her reach!

With Prince Hui as the only option, Yao Huang suddenly realized that the wheelchair wasn't a big issue at all. After all, the prince's mansion had so many maids and servants; she wouldn't need to personally attend to him!

Once she made up her mind, Yao Huang secretly glanced at the only wheelchair in the room.

Glancing at others might be noticeable, but with Prince Hui in the wheelchair, Yao Huang only needed to slightly raise her eyes to see him—a strikingly handsome face, though devoid of life...

Suddenly, the lifeless prince turned his eyes and directly met hers.

Yao Huang's heart fluttered, and she quickly averted her gaze.

But then she thought, if she avoided his gaze, would Prince Hui think she was rejecting him and didn't want to marry him?

Yao Huang quickly stole another glance.

Prince Hui was still looking at her.

Yao Huang suppressed the urge to avoid his gaze and, both afraid and unafraid, continued to meet his eyes, her lips slowly turning up in a smile, trying to convey her feelings.

Her little actions couldn't escape the notice of the emperor and consorts.

Emperor Yongchang thought, this candidate named Yao Huang has a pleasing appearance; she would be a good match for his second son.

Virtuous Consort Liu and Gentle Consort Shen had no particular emotions, but Noble Consort Du, Prince Hui's foster mother, sneered inwardly. How pitiable Prince Hui seemed; with his legs crippled, even the daughter of a petty official dared to aspire to be his concubine.

In what felt like a long but was actually a brief moment of silence and observation, Zhao Sui picked up an artificial flower from the tray held by the eunuch beside him, looked at Yao Huang, and asked, "I want to choose you as my principal consort. Are you willing?"

He was unsure why this candidate kept glancing at him, so he inquired to prevent any misunderstanding.

He had no desire to marry, but given his father's insistence, Zhao Sui could only comply. However, he didn't want a principal consort who would secretly lament her husband's disability.