12dz Chapter 640: Feng Shui of the Forbidden City
Chapter 640: Feng Shui of the Forbidden City
There was a hint of sadness in Xiao Yunxiao's eyes. She stared at the afterglow of the setting sun in the distance and murmured, "Even the fact that I can't help myself is so much like her."
Nian Susu did not respond. They had not been in touch for a long time, and they did not know whether Li Yaoyuan was doing well in Jiangnan.
……
As the day of the draft approaches, Nian Susu, as the master of the six palaces, is busy and dizzy. Although the Ministry of Households is in charge of most of it, many processes need to be reviewed and approved by her before they can proceed.
The results of the candidates who took the imperial examination in advance have come out. The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel and other ministers are discussing how to transfer them to local places and who is suitable for what position. All of this requires careful negotiation. Qin Junyu stayed in the Yangxin Palace 24 hours a day for several consecutive days.
The general direction was finally decided that day. After seeing off all the ministers before dark, Qin Junyu walked out of the Yangxin Palace with a tired look on his face.
Lin Shoude stood behind him, feeling distressed, "Your Majesty, it's time for dinner. What would you like to eat? I will ask the imperial kitchen to prepare it."
The setting sun was as red as blood. Qin Junyu stared at it for a long time, then walked down the stairs with his hands behind his back. Lin Shoude followed closely.
He hadn't said what to eat yet, and Lin Shoude was undecided and looked embarrassed.
"Go to Zhongling Palace."
-
Nian Susu is having dinner.
"Your Majesty, the things you asked us to prepare have been prepared and will be put into storage as soon as they are registered." Zhihua had just returned from the warehouse at this time.
Nian Susu's food tasted like chewing wax and he had no appetite at all. She poured an extra bowl of soup and placed it on the side. "Come sit down and eat. Put the other things aside for now."
Zhihua didn't dare to do so, so she went to the side to serve her meal, picking up dishes and serving rice. Since she didn't like fatty meat, Zhihua removed the fat from the Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables and put the lean meat into her bowl.
"My lady, you should rest early tonight. I will do the rest of the work."
"Thank you for your hard work. You haven't enjoyed much happiness following me, but you have suffered a lot." Nian Susu looked at her with a distressed look.
Zhihua didn't notice and smiled happily, "It's not bitter. Being able to follow the Majesty is the happiest thing in my life."
As the master and servant were talking, footsteps were heard behind them.
They both turned their heads at the same time, only to see Qin Junyu standing behind her with a half-smile on his face.
Zhihua bowed and quietly retreated to the outer corridor.
"Do you mind if I eat with you?" He sat down as he finished speaking.
Nian Susu shrugged, "Please."
The extra set of bowls and chopsticks on the table were prepared for Zhihua, and now naturally became Qin Junyu's.
The two of them ate in silence. Perhaps they were both too busy and too tired these days. They hadn't seen each other for five or six days. It was a rare opportunity to have a meal together like tonight, so even though they didn't talk, they still felt happy.
After eating and drinking, Qin Junyu put down his chopsticks and wiped his hands with a towel. "By the way, the test results of the candidates have come out. There are more than 20 candidates who have met the standards. We are discussing how to assign them positions."
Nian Susu nodded, "The selection is almost ready. The final list of concubines confirmed by the Ministry of Revenue will be sent to the Yangxin Palace tomorrow. Remember to take a look."
"Also, if you don't have any special requests... I'll just arrange their accommodations as you like."
Qin Junyu threw the handkerchief aside and said, "Just follow your instructions."
He already has many opinions about the draft, let alone letting him make the final decision.
After finishing his meal, Qin Junyu returned to the Yangxin Palace. The problems of the candidates had been basically solved, and there were other official business waiting for him to deal with.
Nian Susu had nothing to do, so he went to the warehouse to register and store each gift, so that he would not have no idea how many had been given away.
The two are the same. Once they are busy, they don't even have time to eat or sleep, let alone think about each other. After that meal, the next time they meet is the day of the audition.
-
Early July.
The beauties were waiting outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, some gathered in groups of three or four, talking and laughing, while some stood in secluded places away from the crowd, quietly observing them.
The eunuch came with a list and called out the names of the people. Those whose names were called followed and were questioned in front of the hall. Ten people were divided into groups. Those who were selected would be given a green card. Those who were not selected would be given a jade pendant and sent back home.
People left one after another, and the remaining people couldn't help but become nervous.
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Qin Junyu sat in the main seat, looking at the various beauties below. Since Qin Junyu's biological mother was no longer alive, he invited Empress Dowager Chunyi to attend the screening.
Empress Dowager Chunyi and Nian Susu sat on either side. After looking at so many people, their eyes became a little tired, so the palace servants immediately brought them new tea and snacks to relieve their fatigue.
"Chen Rourou, daughter of Chen Niansheng, the Minister of the Imperial College, is eighteen years old—"
"Lin Huiyan, daughter of Cabinet Secretary Lin Yuliang, is seventeen years old—"
"Qiu Minjing, daughter of Minister of Personnel Qiu Simiao, is seventeen years old—"
……
The eunuch introduced the family background and age of the concubines from left to right. Qin Junyu picked two of them at random and asked a few questions as if following the procedure. Then he looked to see if there were such people on the list given to him by Nian Susu. If there were, they would be kept. If not, they would be moved to the next batch.
Of course, there are some beauties that Nian Susu doesn’t know, but if her father has great power or reputation in the court, Qin Junyu will also keep her.
Nian Susu gave him a wink.
Qin Junyu cooperated very well.
"Qiu Minjing?"
"Good name."
"Intelligent and dignified."
"Have you read any books?"
Qiu Minjing kept her eyebrows lowered and her eyes drooped. She leaned forward and replied, "Your Majesty, I have not read many books. I mostly read The Book of Women's Virtues, Women's Instructions, and The Book of Songs."
The sound is crisp and pleasant, like a breeze suddenly blowing by on a hot summer day.
The more Nian Susu saw it, the more he liked it. He said with a smile, "The feng shui of the Forbidden City is good for health, so it will definitely not make you lose your beauty and fragrance."
Qiu Minjing bowed to express her gratitude and returned to her original position.
Among this group of beauties, only Qiu Minjing got the green card.
……
The selection lasted for two hours, and finally only twenty or so people were able to stay. The selected beauties returned home at dusk, and after receiving the edict of enthronement, they had to pack their luggage and enter the palace.
The Ministry of Revenue prepared a list of the selected concubines and sent it to Qin Junyu's case. After his consideration, he gave each concubine a title.
The Shangshu Ling drafted the imperial edict in accordance with the emperor's will and delivered it to various palaces without stopping. The concubines followed the summoner Ma Lian back to the palace on the same day after receiving the imperial edict. The whole process took less than half a day.
The concubines entered the palace on the second day of the selection. Once they stepped through the door, they became masters and had special maids to take them to their respective residences.
The accommodation was arranged by Nian Susu, and since she didn't know many people there, most of them were just randomly crammed into a palace.
The new concubine was unfamiliar with the place and probably couldn't even call the names of the sisters who lived in the same palace with her. They were quite harmonious when they first met.