Soon it was the day for the selection. The candidates would be sent to the gate of the Imperial Palace by the seniors of their families. After taking a bamboo card from Deputy Minister of Revenue, they would be led into the Imperial Palace by the eunuch and checked by the senior maids. This was all for the first round of the selection. If the senior maids recorded a candidate's name in the list, it meant she had passed the first round. And those who didn't pass could come back home and arrange their own marriage.
Yun Shang had already prepared a carriage and waited at the palace gate, even though she was not a noble lady. The candidates arrived one after another. Deputy Minister of Revenue enrolled their names, handed out the bamboo cards and asked them to line up. When a certain number of people arrived, he asked the eunuch to take them into the Imperial Palace.
Yun Shang lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the young ladies. In fact, the first round of the selection in the Imperial Palace was not their first test.
The pre-selection took place a month ago. Local officials selected out all ladies who are at the suitable age and reported their background to the Ministry of Revenue for check. As a result, most of the candidates were young and good looking. But some of them are not that good. Yun Shang looked carefully at everyone. If they looked outstanding, she would inquire Qian Liu and Qian Zhuo in a low voice and asked them to remember them.
The first round almost lasted the whole morning. Yun Shang was exhausted after looking every young lady from head to toe.
As she was about to leave, a gentle and elegant voice came from outside, "Is it A Yun?"
Yun Shang frowned at the words. It was Liu Yinfeng. Every time she went out, Luo Qingyan's secret guards would follow to protect her. She was afraid that Luo Qingyan would know she had met Liu Qingyan very soon. Luo Qingyan was a jealous man. Yun Shang could even imagine that he would come home with a cold face and said nothing to her.
However, Liu Yinfeng had called out her name. It seemed odd that she made no response.
Yun Shang beckoned Qian Liu to open the door of the carriage and looked at the man in green with a smile, "Mr. Liu, why brought you here? Are you here to watch the first round of selection? "
Liu Yingfeng nodded, "His Majesty asked Prince rui and me to monitor the selection. Prince ray was sorting out the materials of selection in the Ministry of Revenue, and I came down to have a look. I felt that the person in the carriage looked like you from afar. But I was busy with my work, so I didn't come to greet you."
Liu Yingfeng smiled, but lowered his voice all of a sudden, "I saw the eunuch who was sent to distribute the cards beside the Deputy Minister of Revenue looked at you from time to time..."
Yun Shang froze and thought for a while. Then she realized that the eunuch was probably working for the Empress.
"Thanks for your reminding, Mr. Liu." Yun Shang smiled gently and her eyes were calm.
The eyes of Liu Yinfeng curled up, but there was some worry in his eyes. "You shouldn't have come today. It's easy for you to know who has passed, you don't need to come here in person. If you are noticed by someone, it would only cause some trouble."
Yun Shang didn't care much about it. Of course she wanted to be noticed, or she wouldn't come. But at the same time, she appreciated his concern.
"Thanks for your concern." Yun Shang said politely with a faint smile.
The smile on Liu Yingfeng's face became bitter. "I'm being an idiot. You are so smart that you must have considered it. I'm just worrying too much. I have something to deal with, so I'll leave now."
Yun Shang felt a little guilty when she heard him. But then she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Do as you like."
Liu Yingfeng turned around and took two steps before turning around suddenly. He pondered for a moment before he said, "There is something I think you should know."
"What?" Yun Shang was confused, "Tell me please."
Liu Yingfeng paused and said in a lower voice, "Not all the candidates who are chosen by the Emperor and Empress in the last round of the selection will enter the Imperial Palace. Some of them might be appointed to princes... A few days ago, I heard from Liu Wenan that the Empress had mentioned to the Emperor many times that you and Prince Rui have been married for more than one year but still have no baby. She said Prince Rui has already been 29 years old, but he doesn't have a descendant. Liu Wenan said the Empress seemed to want to choose two or three ladies to be Prince Rui's concubines."
Hearing this, Yun Shang's heart skipped a beat. After a long while, she said, "Thanks for telling me."
Liu Yinfeng looked at Yun Shang with a look of concern. After a while, he bowed to Yun Shang and left.
Yun Shang frowned. Liu Qingyan didn't have to lie to her. Some people had told her that the State of Xia pays great attention to the descendant. At that time, she just thought it might be an disadvantage for Luo Qingyan to contend for the throne if he has no descendant. But she never expected that the Empress had this plan.
The Empress intended to marry ladies selected by her into Prince Rui's mansion.
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