Taihe Hall Front
Over three hundred candidate maidens stood there, as the eunuch at the entrance loudly instructed them to line up, six per row. Due to her family background not being low, Chu Yanzhi stood in the fourth row. Those her grandmother had mentioned earlier all entered in the first three rows.
Round after round, the announcing eunuch soon called her name. Chu Yanzhi lowered her head and followed the line inside.
“Your servant pays respects to the Empress, Consort Shu, and Consort Zhao Yi.”
“Sister, this year’s candidate maidens are each as beautiful as flowers. Your servant is delighted just looking at them and wishes for them to enter the palace and become sisters with us.”
A gentle and elegant voice came through.
Chu Yanzhi dared not raise her head to look, but she could guess this was the highly favored Consort Shu. After all, aside from the Empress, only Consort Shu and Zhaoyi Xin could be in this hall. And Zhaoyi Xin was a bright and flamboyant woman—this voice did not resemble hers.
The Empress lightly stroked the nail guard on her hand and spoke with a smile, “Since Younger Sister likes them, This Palace will select a few more to enter your Jingren Palace.”
Consort Shu’s eyes darkened slightly, and she smiled without saying more.
Seeing she did not respond, the Empress did not press further. Looking down at the kneeling crowd, she said, “Rise. What talents do you all have?”
From left to right, each stepped forward one by one to perform their talents. In their group, the first in line was also the daughter of a third-rank official. She performed a dance, breathtakingly beautiful, with a face that could make fish sink and geese fall—though her expression carried a hint of arrogance, likely accustomed to being indulged at home.
“Keep—!”
Chu Yanzhi felt surprised. She had originally thought this woman would be eliminated, but on second thought, such a woman was probably favored by the mistresses of the Imperial Palace. Though arrogant and unrestrained, she was also unlikely to rise too high.
When it was her turn, Chu Yanzhi stepped forward, toning down her charm and delicate allure, and spoke clearly, “Reporting to the various Consorts, your servant’s talent is the qin.”
The Empress above looked at her, frowned slightly at her appearance, but then glanced at the stunning faces of Consort Shu and Zhaoyi Xin and smiled again, “Mm, begin.”
Chu Yanzhi played a piece on the qin, with no particular highlights but also no flaws.
At this moment, Zhaoyi Xin, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke, “This piece isn’t particularly outstanding.”
“As long as it’s neither exceptional nor lacking,” the Empress glanced at her, unhurriedly, and before they could say more, added, “Keep.”
Seeing her insistence, Zhaoyi Xin said nothing further, letting out a delicate laugh. In this Imperial Palace, a pretty face alone was not enough to laugh last.
Of the six in their row, only she and the candidate maiden from the third-rank official’s family passed the secondary selection and were kept.
Soon, the secondary selection concluded. Out of over three hundred candidate maidens, only one hundred twenty remained—truly strict.
Those who passed the secondary selection were to stay in Chuxiu Palace for a half-month training period.
The instructress matron walked over, “Young Mistresses, for the next half-month, this servant will be your instructress matron. You may address this servant as Nanny Zhang. The palace rules have already been explained to you before, so this servant will not repeat them. I hope you all study etiquette and rules diligently in the coming days, in preparation for the final selection.”
Though this Nanny Zhang was strict and showed little leniency, no one dared to defy her. She was a matron from the Empress Dowager’s palace, specially sent by the Empress Dowager to instruct them.
Author's Note: Ahem, let me recommend something (covers face, quickly runs away)
She Is Gentle as Jade
Tagline: The female lead wants to steal my husband, but I stole him back instead!
Synopsis:
Yi'er transmigrated into a rebirth revenge story where she becomes the white lotus supporting female character.
The female lead tries every possible way to tarnish her innocence, ruin her life, and take her life.
Luo Yi'er thinks: I haven't lived enough yet, so why don't you go first?
Seeing the man approach, she instantly becomes weak, pitiful, and helpless.
Tugging on the man's sleeve, she says in a delicate voice, "I'm scared."
The man who saw through her entire act: …Don't be afraid.
A fake white lotus drama queen female lead × a shrewd, cunning male lead who lets her do as she pleases.