On the day of the Palace Selection, Mu Li wore a light green misty blouse and a water-mist green long skirt. Her waist was slender, her skin as smooth as congealed fat, and her aura as delicate as an orchid.
Her fragrant and jade-like beauty outshone flowers, her fingers like peeled scallions and her lips like cinnabar. Every frown and smile captivated the soul, so beautiful that one could not look away.
The Palace Selection proceeded according to the official ranks of the candidates' families, from highest to lowest, with five candidates in each group. Mu Li's father was the Vice Minister of Personnel, holding the third rank, so Mu Li was placed in the third group.
After about three quarters of an hour, it was the turn of Mu Li's group of candidates. They entered the hall one by one as their names were called by the eunuch outside the hall.
"Candidates Li Yuling, Mu Li, Chu Weiwei… enter the hall in order to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress, and Consort Rong!"
According to tradition, the emperor would attend every Imperial Selection, but this time, Jun Yi claimed to be busy with state affairs and entrusted the selection to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Rong.
Hearing her name, Mu Li closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath in secret, and slowly stepped into the hall.
Upon entering the hall, Mu Li and the other candidates knelt and bowed to the three noble figures seated behind the beaded curtain: "Your humble daughters pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress, and Consort Rong."
"Rise, all of you," a kind yet authoritative voice rang out, undoubtedly that of the current Empress Dowager.
Mu Li and the others knelt and kowtowed once more before slowly rising. Mu Li kept her head slightly lowered, listening to the questions the three seated figures asked the other candidates. She was still somewhat nervous.
Until the Empress Dowager's voice sounded: "That candidate in the green dress, lift your head and let this old one take a look."
Mu Li curled her lips in a place no one could see. The current Empress Dowager favored elegant colors like green—she had gambled correctly. Then she bowed slightly: "Yes."
Mu Li lifted her head, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face. Seeing this, the Empress could understand why Jun Yi had said upon leaving Fengxi Palace for the morning court after staying the night: "I think the legitimate daughter of the Mu Mansion is quite good, and she could keep the Empress company…"
Thinking of this, the Empress smiled slightly and said to the Empress Dowager: "Mother, in my opinion, she is a lovely girl. I believe the Emperor would like her. Why not keep her?"
"Indeed, she looks like a good one," the Empress Dowager nodded in agreement.
However, Consort Rong, who had originally intended to go through the motions, was admiring her newly painted nails with her head lowered. But upon hearing Mu Li's clear and lovely voice, she looked up.
She then saw Mu Li's exquisitely beautiful face, which carried the gentle elegance of a Jiangnan woman yet was not without allure.
Consort Rong immediately grew restless, accidentally smudging her newly painted nails in the process.
If this face entered the Imperial Consorts' Palace, it would surely cause ripples. Although the Emperor was not fond of women, it was hard to say whether such a face might catch his eye.
Consort Rong spoke up: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, this is only the third group. Not to mention there are many more candidates to come, the first two groups have already selected quite a few…"
"How dare you! Consort Rong, do not think that just because the Emperor favors you and allowed you to assist the Empress in organizing the selection, you can question this old one," the Empress Dowager said sharply before Consort Rong could finish.
It was well known in the Imperial Consorts' Palace that the Empress Dowager disliked Consort Rong.
Seeing Consort Rong's reaction and glancing at Mu Li standing below, the Empress understood the reason. Noticing the Empress Dowager's anger, the Empress spoke to soothe her: "Mother, be careful not to harm your health with anger."
She then turned to Consort Rong and said sternly, "Consort Rong, the Imperial Selection is meant to recruit Candidates into the palace to expand the royal lineage. The Emperor has only one son and two daughters, which is truly too few. You should not have spoken those words. Do you admit your fault?"
The Empress Dowager patted the Empress's hand, quite pleased with her words just now. "The Empress understands propriety, unlike some who only know how to upset this old one."
"This concubine admits her fault and begs Empress Dowager for forgiveness," Consort Rong said through nearly gritted teeth.
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and ignored her.
"Since you admit your fault, you shall be confined to Yong'an Palace for half a month after the Imperial Selection concludes," the Empress said.
Consort Rong was filled with resentment. "I obey Empress's decree. Since this concubine has displeased Empress Dowager, I shall return now to reflect on my mistakes. This concubine takes her leave."
With that, she led a group of Palace Maids and Eunuchs away. Watching Consort Rong depart, the Empress Dowager said angrily, "Look at her, look at her. How can someone like her properly educate The First Prince?"
"Mother, please do not be angry. Your health is what matters most. This concubine has already punished her. If you harm your health, The Emperor and I would be heartbroken," the Empress said softly.
"Enough, enough, let us continue," the Empress Dowager waved her hand.
As a Eunuch announced, "Mu Li, legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel, receives the plaque!"
Thus, Mu Li became one of the Imperial Consorts' Palace.
After the Imperial Selection ended, the selected Candidates had to return to their mansions to await the imperial decree.
At Mu Mansion, Mu Yuan, Liu Qing, and others were waiting at the gate. The news of Mu Li's selection had already been relayed back to the mansion.
Chang Xiu helped Mu Li down from the carriage. Mu Li walked step by step up the stone steps before the gate. Looking at the crowd before her, she thought to herself that one day she would break free from Mu Mansion. However, she must strive to climb higher. Being selected was only the first step.
Liu Qing stared fixedly at Mu Li. Upon seeing that stunningly beautiful face, she tightly gripped the brocade handkerchief in her hand, then glared fiercely at Hong Chun standing nearby. Under such a gaze, Hong Chun fearfully lowered her head.
"Father, Concubine Liu," Mu Li stood still and gave a slight bow.
Mu Yuan looked at his daughter before him and nodded with satisfaction. "A Li, truly my good daughter."
Upon hearing the address "Concubine Liu," Liu Qing's expression faltered slightly. Yet, she could not show it in front of Mu Yuan. She could only step forward, intending to take Mu Li's hand, but Mu Li subtly avoided it.
Liu Qing's face stiffened. She looked at Mu Yuan and forced a smile. "Husband, look, it has only been a few days, yet A Li has already grown distant from me!"
"Father, the Imperial Selection has just ended, and your daughter is truly quite tired. I shall return to my courtyard to rest first," Mu Li said before leaving without even a glance at the others.
Liu Qing stared at Mu Li's retreating back, gnashing her teeth in hatred. She stepped forward to link arms with Mu Yuan, saying pointedly, "Husband, A Li has really grown up! She's become distant from us all. Once she enters the palace, will she forget about us…"
"Enough! Don't think I don't know what you're scheming. Now, A Li entering the palace is destiny. In these coming days, you should trouble her less. Taking good care of Mother and properly managing Yu'er and Wan'er are the important matters!" Mu Yuan shook Liu Qing off.
The Yu'er mentioned by Mu Yuan was the Second Young Master of Mu Mansion, Mu Wan's full brother. The two were the same age. Spoiled rotten by Liu Qing, he was a notorious little tyrant in the capital.
"Yes, husband." Liu Qing's face was filled with anger. Over all these years, Mu Yuan had always been completely obedient to her and rarely lost his temper with her.
This time, it was actually because of Mu Li. Liu Qing naturally placed the blame squarely on Mu Li's head.