Mu Mansion, Liuchun Courtyard
"Mama Li, that wretch is about to marry into the Chengan Prince's Mansion as a concubine. So what if she's the daughter of Princess Ning'an? So what if she has an elder brother who's a general?"
"She still has to become a concubine, trampled under my Wan'er's feet. From now on, no one in the mansion will stand in my way. My Wan'er will be the only Legitimate Daughter in the mansion."
On the bed reclined a woman. Though approaching forty, she was well-maintained and dressed lavishly, yet her face bore a hint of sharpness.
She was Concubine Liu, Mu Yuan's concubine, deeply favored by Mu Yuan. Currently in charge of the mansion's household affairs, everyone in the mansion respectfully addressed her as Madam Liu.
Beside her, Mama Li was massaging Liu Qing's legs while saying, "This servant congratulates Madam."
"Madam, Madam," Liu Qing's chief maid, Hong Chun, rushed in and whispered, "Madam, news just came from the front courtyard that the master has submitted the Eldest Miss's name to the Imperial Selection list. She will be participating in the selection soon."
Liu Qing abruptly sat up from the bed, her face filled with disbelief: "What did you say! How is she worthy of participating in the Imperial Selection?"
"The master clearly promised she would marry into that Chengan Prince's Mansion. How could it have turned out like this? Where exactly did things go wrong?"
Hong Chun glanced at Liu Qing and cautiously said, "Madam, perhaps you should speak with the master again?"
"Preposterous! What the master cares about most is the glory of the Mu Mansion and his official career. How could he give up such a great opportunity right before him?"
It must be said that Liu Qing had some brains to establish herself in the mansion; otherwise, she couldn't have won over so many servants' hearts in just two short years.
"It's just a pity my Wan'er is too young, otherwise that wretch wouldn't have had this chance," Liu Qing continued.
The Second Miss of the Mu Mansion, Mu Wan, was two years younger than Mu Li and only thirteen now. Though she possessed a face as beautiful as flowers and the moon, she was quite scheming. Her pitiful appearance had captured the hearts of countless young men in the capital.
Mama Li beside her hesitated and said, "Madam, but the Eldest Miss's appearance…"
"That wretch indeed resembles her short-lived mother, blessed with good looks." Even though she was at odds with Mu Li, Liu Qing had to admit that Mu Li greatly resembled her mother and was extremely beautiful.
Then, after thinking for a moment, Liu Qing said fiercely, "Hong Chun, find a way to put some medicine on that wretch's face on the day of the selection. I want to see how she can be chosen with a damaged appearance. When that time comes, she'll have no choice but to go to the Chengan Prince's Mansion!"
Hong Chun hesitated, "But Madam, all our people in Fufeng Courtyard were dismissed by the Eldest Miss for various reasons. It's very difficult to insert someone now, especially in such a short time…"
Before Hong Chun could finish, Liu Qing sharply interrupted, "I don't care what method you use. In short, I want to see that wretch fail the selection. I want to pave the way for my Wan'er."
"Yes, Madam. This servant will go handle it immediately," Hong Chun had no choice but to agree.
Lanxiang Courtyard
This was the courtyard of the Mu Mansion's Old Madam. Although Liu Qing managed the household affairs, the authority over the mansion still lay in Old Madam Mu's hands. Though Mu Yuan prioritized profit, he was also filial. Liu Qing usually treated Old Madam Mu with respect and never dared to be negligent.
"My little girl has grown up in the blink of an eye. Grandmother had hoped to wait until you found someone to entrust your life to, then marry you off with great fanfare. But who knew this wait would lead you into that place that devours people without spitting out bones."
"Grandmother has failed your mother's dying wish. Our Mu Mansion has failed you and your two siblings…" Old Madam Mu spoke slowly, tears streaming down the corners of her eyes.
Princess Ning'an, An Yue, had married into the Mu Mansion and gotten along extremely well with the old madam. Having no daughters and only one son, Mu Yuan, the old madam truly cherished An Yue as her own daughter.
Unfortunately, heaven did not grant her wish—Princess Ning'an passed away early. Because of this, Old Madam Mu held resentment even toward her own son, Mu Yuan. After Mu Li's older brother, Mu Chen, left for the border three years ago, the old madam poured all her affection into Mu Li…
Mu Li held Old Madam Mu's hand, comforting her: "Grandmother, don't say such things. Over the years, you've taken such good care of A Li. Mother's spirit in heaven will be at peace."
Old Madam Mu sighed deeply: "A Li, the palace is full of treacherous people. You've been pure-hearted since childhood—how could you be suited for the scheming Imperial Consorts' Palace? Grandmother is worried!"
"Grandmother, you've always praised A Li for being clever since I was little. Don't worry—if I'm selected to enter the palace, I'll definitely take good care of myself."
That night, in the Eastern Tombs Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study
The current emperor, Jun Ji, was reviewing memorials on the dragon desk. He wore a purple court robe, tied at the waist with a black jade-patterned belt embroidered with gold thread. His black hair was tied up and secured with a gilded crown, his entire bearing both dignified and handsome, exuding an innate nobility.
The Chief Eunuch Li De hurried in from outside, holding a vermilion booklet. He had served Jun Ji since the latter was still the crown prince.
Later, when Jun Ji ascended the throne, Li De naturally became the Chief Eunuch—the foremost person by the emperor's side. Even someone as favored as Consort Rong dared not easily offend him.
Li De presented the booklet in his hand, saying: "Your Majesty, this is the list of candidates for this year's Imperial Selection, brought by order of the Empress Dowager."
Without looking up, Jun Ji said casually: "Isn't the Imperial Selection the Empress's responsibility? Take it to Fengxi Palace and give it to the Empress."
"This… the Empress Dowager instructed this servant to ensure Your Majesty takes a look. Would you care to glance at it?" Li De steeled himself, opening the booklet and placing it beside Jun Ji's hand.
It was no wonder the Empress Dowager was anxious—the Emperor was nearly twenty-six this year, yet he had only one son and two daughters, far fewer than previous emperors in history.
Jun Ji set down the memorial in his hand and picked up the vermilion booklet, flipping through it page by page until his eyes stopped on one name.
Li De couldn't help but glance over and saw two large characters: Mu Li. Li De wondered: Could the Emperor be interested in this young lady from the Mu Mansion?
Before Li De could ask, Jun Ji suddenly looked up and inquired: "Is this Mu Li's older brother Mu Chen, the one I sent to guard the Western Pass three years ago?"
"Your Majesty, that is correct," Li De replied. He was still puzzled as to how the Emperor knew so clearly—could he truly be interested in this young lady from the Mu Mansion?
Jun Ji lowered his gaze, his mind recalling once more that spirited young man from three years ago. The ten years of peace at the Western Pass, bought with the life of Prince Zhenbei An Xiaotian, had been disrupted again the year he ascended the throne. At that time, his foundation was unstable, and there were no trustworthy generals in the court.
Yet he recalled his late father's final words: the Zhenbei Wangfu was worthy of great trust, and Mu Chen, the grandson of Prince Zhenbei, had achieved considerable success in the military. Thus, he dispatched Mu Chen to guard the Western Pass.
Jun Ji still remembered asking Mu Chen at the time what he desired. Mu Chen replied, "My mother passed away early, and I have only a young sister at home whom I cannot set my mind at ease about. I do not know when I shall return from this journey, so I beg Your Majesty to look after her a little."
After a long while, Jun Ji raised his head and said, "Prepare the carriage for Fengxi Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."