“The two women walking at the front— the one on the left in the rose-colored cloud-patterned dress is Chu Mingrou, Fourth Miss of the Duke of Chu’s estate. She is the younger sister of the Noble Consort in the palace. The one on the right in the purple gown is Shen Lanxin, the eldest daughter of the Yongding Earl’s household…”
Qiao Xuening carefully introduced them one by one to Ye Jinyun.
Ye Jinyun listened quietly while observing the beautiful young women before her.
Who said Ye Jinrong was the most beautiful woman in the capital?
These ladies were no less stunning than Ye Jinrong. Shen Lanxin in particular was breathtaking—seductive and charming, with soft, watery eyes and a graceful, curvaceous figure.
The emperor really is blessed with an abundance of beauties, Ye Jinyun thought.
Suddenly, Qiao Xuening’s eyes lit up as she looked toward someone approaching from behind.
Curious, Ye Jinyun followed her gaze.
Walking toward them was a young woman dressed in light green robes. Her features were sharp and heroic, her expression cool and composed. She carried herself with a refreshing aura of independence and confidence.
Ye Jinyun was instantly captivated.
Wow, this sister is so cool! I absolutely love her!
“That is Lin Qingtang, Third Miss of the Zhenyuan General’s Manor. Both her father and brothers are renowned generals in the court. Her father has long been stationed at the border, helping His Majesty secure the empire.”
Ye Jinyun nodded repeatedly.
Not bad, not bad. Only a family of loyal and honorable warriors could raise a daughter with such a temperament. Even as a woman, she possessed a distinctive strength all her own.
Turning to Qiao Xuening, Ye Jinyun was about to ask whether she was tired and wanted to rest inside.
Instead, she noticed that Qiao Xuening’s gaze remained fixed on Lin Qingtang. She seemed lost in thought, and the tips of her ears had turned slightly red.
Huh?
A strange thought flashed through Ye Jinyun’s mind.
No way… no way… it can’t be what I’m thinking, right? Would girls in ancient times really have such bold ideas?
“Xuening, what’s wrong? Why are your ears so red?” Ye Jinyun teased.
Qiao Xuening’s face immediately reddened as well. Lowering her head shyly, she replied softly,
“It’s nothing. I just remembered something from the past. Once, when I was out, my carriage horses became frightened and ran wild. It was Lin Qingtang’s second brother, Lin Qingfeng, who saved me.”
Ye Jinyun instantly understood.
So it was a classic tale of a hero rescuing a beauty and a young girl falling in love.
Completely different from what she had imagined!
She knew it. Something that explosive was far too modern for this gentle young lady. Clearly, it was her own imagination running wild.
Eventually, all the candidates arrived.
After a brief period of rest, the chief eunuch responsible for the selection arrived to announce the procedures.
“This servant is Kang Xi, the chief supervisor of this year’s selection. You may address me as Supervisor Kang. Now, please form pairs and line up in order. Follow the palace maids to the registration hall.”
With that, Supervisor Kang flicked his whisk and led the way out.
Ye Jinyun and Qiao Xuening stood together and followed the line into another palace hall. There, they registered their names and their fathers’ official positions before waiting outside for their summons.
One by one, the candidates ahead of them were led into the hall by palace maids.
When they emerged, some held wooden plaques while others did not.
Those who received plaques remained waiting outside on one side. Those without plaques stood on the opposite side and were escorted out of the palace by maids.
Many of the rejected girls were wiping away tears.
Qiao Xuening entered before Ye Jinyun. As expected, she emerged without a plaque. Relief was written all over her face.
After saying goodbye to Ye Jinyun, she happily followed the palace maids out of the palace.
Soon it was Ye Jinyun’s turn.
A palace maid led her into an inner chamber where two elderly matrons were waiting.
The examination required her to remove her clothing for inspection.
Even though Ye Jinyun had been reborn from the twenty-first century, standing completely naked before strangers was still unbearably embarrassing.
The two matrons examined her as though inspecting merchandise, occasionally exchanging glances with each other.
Their behavior only made her blush harder.
By the time the inspection finally ended, Ye Jinyun hurriedly dressed herself and handed over a purse that Father Ye had prepared beforehand.
“Thank you for your hard work, Aunties.”
The matrons happily accepted the purse and said politely,
“You are too kind, Miss. This old servant has never seen skin as beautiful as yours in all my life. Smooth and flawless as jade.”
Ye Jinyun’s face flushed even redder.
“Thank you for your praise.”
After the physical examination, a palace maid escorted her to the next room, where an imperial physician checked her pulse.
As soon as the physician placed his fingers on her wrist, he froze briefly.
Then he narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard thoughtfully.
After a moment, he nodded repeatedly before quickly writing something on a sheet of paper.
He handed it to the palace maid beside him.
After reading it, the maid turned around, retrieved a plaque, and handed it to Ye Jinyun.
She had passed the first round.
Holding the plaque in her hand, Ye Jinyun wailed inwardly.
Seriously? I passed? Don’t tell me I’m really going to be that unlucky and get selected!
After exiting, she joined the group of successful candidates.
Soon she saw Ye Jinrong emerge as well, carrying a plaque of her own.
Ye Jinyun casually counted the remaining candidates.
There were still quite a lot of them—nearly half of the original participants. The young ladies she had heard about earlier were all among them.
It seemed the first round wasn’t very difficult at all.
It’s fine, she comforted herself.
There are so many beauties here. Surely the emperor won’t choose someone plain like me.
After everyone had completed the first examination, Supervisor Kang announced the arrangements for the following day’s audience with the emperor.
Once he finished speaking, the palace maids escorted the candidates out of the palace and sent them home.
After half a day of exhausting procedures, they could finally return.
Ye Jinyun was so hungry that her stomach felt glued to her back, and Ye Jinrong was no better.
As soon as they left the palace gates and climbed into their family carriage, they urged the coachman to hurry back to the Ye residence.
Upon arriving home, they received an enthusiastic welcome.
A crowd of family members surrounded them and escorted them to the main hall.
Father Ye had already ordered a banquet to be prepared, and the Old Madam had arrived as well.
Once everyone was seated, Father Ye instructed the servants to begin serving the meal.
After eating and drinking their fill, Father Ye asked a few questions about the day’s selection process.
Satisfied with their answers, he dismissed them and told them to return to their rooms and rest.