Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 568

Although Luo Qingyan was grounded, the selection was not affected at all. Yun Shang and Luo Qingyan read, played chess, and enjoyed flowers every day at the mansion, but they were still concerned about the selection."

"I have three in a row with one side being blocked. It will be four in a row with one more move. Be careful, Your Highness!"

Yun Shang held the piece in her hand and smiled.

Luo Qingyan raised his eyebrows. "I have an open three. You should be careful."

Yun Shang was amazed. She took a close look at the chessboard and found that Luo Qingyan had made a double headed snake in no time. Yun Shang frowned and snorted, "You're so crafty. But it's still unknown who will emerge victorious. Let's continue."

Luo Jinyan smiled, "the second round of the selection will be held tomorrow. Are you ready, your highness?"

Yun Shang looked at the chessboard and put one piece on it. She smiled, "I've also made an open three."

Then she replied, "I've already figured out how to get Su Ruying out of the selection."

"Eh?"

Luo Qingyan looked up at Yun Shang and asked, "How?"

"Not only Su Ruying, but also those who have a close relationship with the Empress or Lady Shu, I will not let them pass the second round. But I have to keep the means a secret for now."

Yun Shang said with a smile.

Luo Qingyan raised his eyebrows and placed his piece on the table, smiling, "Well, I will see."

The next day, Yun Shang got up early and accompanied Luo Qingyan to the training ground for martial arts practice. Having had breakfast, she read and practiced the calligraphy in the study. After taking a nap at noon, she got up and went for a walk in the yard. When she came back, Qian Yin was waiting for her. "Your Highnesses, I have received the shortlist of the second round."

Yun Shang nodded, took it, unfolded it and looked through it with Luo Qingyan. Her smile became brighter. "How do you feel, Your Highness?"

A ray of light flashed in Luo Qingyan's eyes. He gave a thumbs up gesture to Yun Shang and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you are so brilliant. Now, can you tell me how you got them out?"

Yun Shang's eyes flashed a smile. "Well, the method is not aboveboard. Ask Qian Yin to tell you."

Hearing this, Qian Yin laughed with her mouth covered. "In the second round, candidates' bodies would be inspected for skin flaws, body odour and some other things. However, those supported by the Empress or Lady Shu were being well protected. We couldn't got the chance to add some scars on their bodies. And even if we could, the Empress would certainly try her best to investigate. It's too risky.

The spies we placed in the palace came in handy..."

Qian Yin chuckled, "The girls need to take off clothes in separated rooms, and then receive inspection from the senior maids.. We had someone put some powder in the tea in their dressing room. It was not toxic and couldn't be detected by silver needles. It would only make them emit some strange smell.

The girls would be selected to serve His Majesty, body ordour was definitely not allowed. There are four or five senior maids who were in charge of the examination, but only two or three of them were bribed by the Empress. Therefore, those girls were eliminated."

"Luo Qingyan laughed. He raised his hand to touch Yun Shang's nose, and said, "What a smart girl! Who made the medicine?"

"Of course Her Highness made it."

Qian Yin giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "And in order not to be suspected by the Empress, we made different kinds of powder. So the odour would not emit from the same body parts after drinking different medicines. It could be the armpit, the feet or the mouth..."

Yun Shang felt a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and said, "I was so anxious that I have no other ideas. But looking at the list, I think it works."

Luo Qingyan nodded with a smile, "However, we cannot let our guard down. Ladies on the list will be taught by the senior maids in the Imperial Palace from today. Half a month later, They will be selected by the Empress and His Majesty. That means they will all live in the Imperial Palace for the next half month. It will be the best chance for the Empress if she wants to take actions."

"Hm, I know."

Yun Shang also said seriously, "I've told them to be careful. Don't let anyone grab their short braids. Also, I've told the people I arranged in the Imperial Palace to look after them. I'm afraid the Empress will target at them especially Lin Youran."

The empress sat in her chair, sneering, and kicked the man kneeling in front of her. "I have raised you for so many years. You can't do anything. What can you do for me? You've been staying in the palace for so many years, how could you not know that the emperor goes out for a walk every day. I told you to trouble Lin Youruo, but you took her directly to the emperor's bed. I really suspect whether you are sent by Ning Yunshang Yun Shang?"

Neither the Empress nor Yun Shang had expected that Lin Youran could get favored by the Emperor so soon.

"Stupid?" The empress snorted, "at the second round of the selection, Su Ruying was eliminated for no reason. I asked you to take care of her, but you still haven't found the reason. What's the use of you? I'd rather raise a dog. A dog could guard the yard. You can't even do such a small thing!"

Early in the morning of the third day after the candidates entered the Imperial Palace, Ning Qian secretly sent a message to Yun Shang, saying that Xia Huanyu had bestowed the title of Lady Hui on her.

Yun Shang was having her breakfast when she heard the maid's words. She turned around and looked at Luo Qingyan. After a while, Yun Shang asked, "What happened?"

Lin Youran hasn't attended the third round of the selection. Why is she suddenly recognized as Lady Hui?

The maid hastily answered, "I heard that while His Majesty idling around yesterday, he saw Lin Youran sweeping fallen leaves along the path as a punishment by a senior maid. She was singing softly while sweeping. Hearing her singing, His Majesty was attracted. So he issued an order to make her Lady Hui. And last night, Lady Hui was asked to serve His Majesty."