The day I first entered the palace was a very sunny day.In the twelfth year of Qianyuan, August 20 of the lunar calendar is an auspicious day for the zodiac.Standing in the empty courtyard of the Forbidden City, you can see the extremely clear sky, as blue and clear as a piece of jasper, without a trace of cloud, and occasionally geese fly by in groups. Swan geese fly high, which is said to be a very good omen. Outside Yuxiang's gate were lined up neatly and countless carriages dedicated to escorting beautiful ladies, all the people were silent and kept an unusual silence.I stood with beautiful girls from all over the world, a group of black and white people, with green, fat, red and thin, tender face, moth-shaven, and fragrant powder.Few people speak, they only concentrate on taking care of their makeup and clothes, or stealthily observe the beautiful girls nearby.

The draft is the fate of every girl in the official family. It is held every three years. After layers of selection, unmarried girls with both talents and looks are selected into the palace to enrich the rear court. This draft doesn't mean much to me, I just come and go around to fill up the numbers and then go back.Daddy said, our daughter is so pampered, how can she stand the constraints of the court.That's all, just marry a good husband in peace and security. My mother always said that I have a family background like my daughter, not to mention that she must choose the best husband for me because of her character and talent.I've always thought this way too, I, Zhen Huan, must marry the best man in the world, and I will be happy if I get married with him and grow old peacefully.I can't let myself down so easily.

But the emperor sits on the world, but he may not be the best man in my heart.At least, he couldn't concentrate on me. Therefore, I don't dress up carefully.The face is thinly covered with powder and daisy, and she is dressed in a light green and fashionable palace dress with two nests of clouds and wild geese. It is tailored according to the rules. The upper skirt and the lower skirt are ordinary styles and colors that are absent from the public. mean.On the head is a newly picked white hibiscus, other than that, there is only an exquisite jasper seven-treasure hairpin, adorned with thin silver thread beaded tassels, a little self-confident, to show that she is not an ordinary Xiaojiabiyu, and can be easily underestimated go.

So unwilling to bother, I just need to wait for the emperor to "put down the sign" and let me lose the election. The place where the show girls are selected is Yunyi Hall, the main hall of Changchun Palace in the Forbidden City.The show girls were divided into groups of six, and the eunuch led them in to be selected for viewing, while the rest waited in the Dongxinuang Pavilion of Changchun Palace.The choice is very simple, kowtow to the emperor and queen, and then stand and wait for orders. The emperor may ask someone a few words, or don't ask, just thank you.Then the emperor decides whether to "put down the brand" or "retain". "Put down the brand" means to be eliminated, and "retain" means to be selected, to live in the family temporarily, and to enter the palace as a concubine on an auspicious day.

The emperor has long been married and has many domestic pets.The draft this time is nothing but a wide selection of concubines to enrich the Ye Court and continue to have heirs for the emperor. The room is full of beautiful women, and the only one I know well is Shen Meizhuang, the daughter of Jeju Governor Shen Zishan.My family's mansion lives next to her ancestor's mansion in Beijing and abroad, and she and I grew up together since childhood, and our friendship is extraordinary.She smiled when she saw me from a distance, came over and held my hand, and said with concern with joy on her face, "Huan'er, I feel relieved that you are here. Last time I heard from my grandmother that my sister had a cold, is she okay?"

I Yiyi got up and said: "It's just coughing twice, it's already gone. Please worry about my sister. The road is bumpy, my sister has suffered from the wind and dust." She nodded, took a good look at me, and said with a smile, "After resting in Beijing for two days, I feel much better. My sister is dressed so neatly today, and she looks more and more outstanding, outstanding and outstanding." My face flushed, and I said shyly, "Isn't my sister a beauty? Doesn't saying that make me ashamed?" She smiled and said nothing, and lightly scratched my cheek with her fingers.Only then did I take a closer look at her. She was wearing a rose-purple dress with a thousand-petal chrysanthemum pattern, a moon-white pleated moon skirt, and jet-black hair combed into an upside-down bun. Inlaid with golden flowers, the ruby ​​earrings on the ears are swaying and shining, with a graceful and calm demeanor.

I smiled and couldn't help admiring: "I haven't seen you for a few days, my sister looks even more beautiful. The emperor will never forget it when he sees it." Mei Zhuang pressed his finger on his lips to signal me to keep silent, and said in a low voice, "Be cautious in your words and deeds! There are so many outstanding women in this year's show, and my sister is just beautiful, so she may not be selected." I knew I had made a mistake, so I stopped talking, and just chatted with her about some homework. There was only a sound of "clang" in the distance, and the sound of teacups knocking over the ground.Mei Zhuang and I stopped talking and looked up.I saw a woman in a dark green satin dress full of pearls and emeralds holding the hem of her skirt in one hand, and grabbing another beautiful woman violently with the other, shouting in her mouth: "Don't you have eyes? I want to pour such hot tea on me! Are you dead? Which family's show girl are you?"

The beautiful woman who was caught by her was not outstanding in clothes, but she had delicate features and charming features.At this time, he has shrunk into a ball, not knowing how to deal with himself.He could only lower his eyebrows, and replied in a low voice: "My name is An Lingrong. My father... my father... is... is..." Seeing that she was dressed in plain clothes, the beautiful woman had long since ignored her, and became more and more fierce: "Can't you even tell me about your father's official position?" An Lingrong was forced to be helpless by her, her face turned purple, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito: "My father... the county magistrate of Songyang County... An Bihuai."

The beautiful girl raised her face, showing a look of contempt, and snorted: "Sure enough, she came from a small family! Such a lack of etiquette." Someone next to him interrupted to remind An Lingrong: "Do you know that the one you offended is Xia Yuejing, the daughter of Xinfu Sijun who joined the army." An Lingrong was terrified, so he could only bow down and salute, and apologize to Mrs. Lin: "Lingrong just thought that he would meet Shengjia later, and he was uneasy, so he accidentally spilled tea on Sister Lin. Please forgive me, I hope my sister will forgive me."

With a look of disgust on Xia's face, he frowned and said, "You want to see Shengjia too? What a fantasy! You can let go of today's matter, you just need to kneel down and kowtow to me for forgiveness." An Lingrong's face immediately turned pale, tears rolled in his eyes, he looked very weak and helpless, which made people feel pity.None of the beautiful girls around was willing to persuade Xia Shi for her.Everyone thought how the emperor would choose the daughter of a county magistrate to be his concubine, but this Xia family was somewhat likely to be selected.There is a huge disparity in power, who would be willing to offend the daughter of a secretary who joined the army for the daughter of a small county magistrate.Seeing that An Shi was bound to suffer this humiliation.

I looked down on such bullying in my heart, and I frowned unconsciously.Seeing me like this, Mei Zhuang took my hand and whispered, "Don't just stir up trouble." Where do I agree, I broke away from her hand, stepped forward in a row, raised her hand to hold An Shi by her side, then turned to Lin and said softly: "It's just a piece of clothing, sister Xia, don't be angry. The change of clothes, my sister can go to the back compartment to change. Today's general election, my sister is so noisy that I am afraid that it will alarm Sheng Jia. If Longyan is angry because of this, it is not something you and my sister can bear. Besides, even today Sheng Jia I'm not surprised, if it spreads to others in the future, it will also damage my sister's reputation of virtue. A small loss of a piece of clothing is not worth the gain, I hope my sister thinks twice." Xia Shi thought about it for a while, but he didn't hesitate, but he didn't get angry after all, and walked away with a "hum".The show girls onlookers dispersed, and I smiled at An again: "Zhen Huan is talking too much here today, sister An must not make fun of her. Huan'er sees that her sister is alone, can you come over and be with me and sister Meizhuang, please take care of me, Don’t panic and be overwhelmed.” An Lingrong's face was full of gratitude, and she lowered her head in thanks cowardly: "Thank you sister for your words of help. Although Lingrong came from a humble background, today's kindness will never be forgotten." I smiled and said: "It's just a matter of raising your hands, everyone is a sister to be elected, why bother to care about it like this." She hesitated slightly: "It's just that my sister offends others for me like this, isn't it just adding trouble to myself?" Mei Zhuang came up to me and said, "This is the imperial palace, you are so lawless! It makes me worry." Then he said with a smile to An Shi: "Look at her nonsense. How can she want to be selected? Not afraid of offending people." I took a look at An Shi's clothes, the clothes were brand new, obviously newly made, but the materials were ordinary, obviously common materials in the market, not elegant.Apart from two plain silver hairpins and velvet flowers on the head and face, and an ordinary gold bracelet on the hand, there are no other accessories. It seems a bit shabby among the beautiful women dressed in colorful clothes.I frowned slightly, and saw a pot of begonias in full bloom in the corner of the wall. I casually took a pair of scissors from the desk, and cut off three hairpins and put them on the temples of the mausoleum, instantly adding a bit of beauty to her.He took off a pair of emerald jade rings from her ears and put them on for her, saying: "People need clothes, but Buddhas need gold clothes. My sister's clothes are ordinary, and those who judge people by their appearance will despise my sister. This pair of earrings is a gift for meeting today. I hope to help my sister to be selected successfully.” Anshi was moved, and said with tears: "Sister Lao spends money, and my sister comes from a humble background. Naturally, she will be 'put down'. Instead, she will live up to her kindness." Mei Zhuang comforted: "A hero never asks about his background. My sister is beautiful, so why belittle yourself." Just as he was talking, a eunuch came to pass An Lingrong and several other beautiful girls into the palace.I smiled and encouraged her, and then held hands with Meizhuang and returned to my seat to continue waiting. As soon as Fang sat down, a little maid came up to serve tea.Mei Zhuang and I each took a piece of broken silver from our purses to reward her, and the court lady thanked her with a happy smile.Seeing the maid retreat, Mei Zhuang said worryingly: "I had a sharp mouth just now. I'm not afraid of offending the new concubine." I took the tea bowl and slowly blew away the hot air in the cup. Seeing that no one was paying attention to us, I said leisurely: "I don't know that you care about me. Just think about it carefully, the emperor's draft, family background is important, but De Rong's eloquence is also indispensable. Although Xia Yuejing's background is not low, but with such a virtuous behavior, she will definitely not be able to win the eyes of the emperor. Even if she enters the palace, she may not end well. So why offend?" Mei Zhuang nodded, and said with a smile: "What you said really makes some sense. No wonder your father has looked at you differently since you were a child, and praised you as 'Zhuge of the Girl'. Of course, Mrs. An is indeed pitiful." I smiled and said: "This is the first floor. It is expected that my sister's family background and beauty will be selected. Although An's family background is not good, but she advances and retreats politely, and has a charming appearance. The selected one may be older than Xia's. The younger sister has no intention of entering the palace. If Anshi gets chosen, my sister will take care of her in the palace. Of course, there are so many beauties at present, whether Anshi can be chosen is another matter, it's just Huan'er's foolish opinion." Mei Zhuang was moved, and stretched out his hand to hold my hand and sighed: "Huan'er, thank you for your troubles for me. It's just that you are so beautiful but have no intention of entering the palace. If you fall into an ordinary family, it will be a hidden gem." I didn't comment, just smiled and said: "Everyone has his own ambitions. Besides, Huan'er is dull and not used to life in the palace. I only hope that my sister can go straight to the sky." There are so many women in this year's draft, and when it's my turn to enter the palace with Mei Zhuang, it's already dusk on the willow shoots on the moon.Most of the show girls have already gone back, only a dozen or so people are still waiting anxiously in the Nuan Pavilion.There are two rows of Heyang Anthurium candles in the hall, from the throne to the entrance of the main hall. There are hundreds of them, each branch is as thick as an arm, and the candles are filled with agarwood crumbs. The flames are bright and the fragrance is strong. I, Meizhuang and four other beautiful women dressed up and walked in solemnly. We listened to the command of the inner warden and knelt down to salute.I only heard the hoarse and thin voice of the one-year-old inner eunuch shouting one by one: "Ye Fangchun, the daughter of Yejian in Yandao, Jiangsu Province, is eighteen years old." "Sun Miaoqing, sister of Sun Changhe, weaving in Suzhou, is seventeen years old." "Fu Xiaotang, the daughter of Fu Shuping, the magistrate of Xuancheng, is thirteen years old." I lowered my head and stared at the ground without squinting. The three-foot-square large bluestone bricks were collaged seamlessly.Listening to the first few beautiful girls kneeling and worshiping Ruyi, the skirts of their clothes and the jewels and jewelry on their heads made a slight whistling sound.I glanced curiously at the side, and there were a few beautiful girls whose hands were shaking slightly from nervousness, and they couldn't help laughing secretly. I couldn't help but peek at the empress on the throne.The Yunyi Hall is large and spacious. The walls, beams, and pillars in the hall are decorated with cloud patterns, which are colorful and colorful. There are no dragons and phoenixes, which are commonly used in palaces.Sitting above the resplendent throne of red gold nine dragons and golden treasures is Xuan Ling, the fourth monarch of our Great Zhou Dynasty.The man was wearing a sky-reaching crown with twelve white jade beads hanging down in front of his face, covering the dragon's face, making it impossible to see his expression clearly.It's just that his posture is slightly tilted, showing a slight tiredness, he thinks that the show girls who have been watching for a day are already dazzled, and he only nodded when he heard their greetings, and waved them to leave without asking anything.Pitiful for these show girls who have been nervous for a day, they dare not even eat lunch in order to cherish their beauty, and they come to the election tremblingly, so they are easily "put down" by the brand.The empress sits on the right side of the emperor's throne, wearing a crown of pearls and a phoenix dress, which is very solemn.He is also dignified and beautiful, with kind eyebrows, and although he is tired after a day of hard work, he still sits self-improving, with no loss of momentum. "Shen Meizhuang, the daughter of the governor of Jeju, Shen Zishan, is sixteen years old." Meizhuang came out of the row, with a light figure, bowed her head and gave a blessing, and her voice was like a warbler: "My daughter, Shen Meizhuang, sees the emperor and the queen. May the emperor live forever and the queen live forever." auspicious." The emperor sat up straight and asked with interest in his tone, "Have you ever read any books?" The hall was empty, and the emperor's voice had a vague and empty echo, which sounded unreal from a distance, buzzing like an illusion. Mei Zhuang replied in a gentle and polite manner: "The minister is dull, she seldom reads, she has only read "Nv Ze" and "Nv Xun", and she can know a few words." The emperor said with a "huh": "These two books focus on the virtues of women, not bad." The queen agreed with a pleasant face: "My daughter's family mostly relies on needlework girls. It is very good that you can read a few words." Mei Zhuang didn't dare to show too much joy when he heard the words, and replied with a slight smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty and Empress, for your appreciation." The queen spoke with a smile, and ordered the internal supervisor of the ceremony: "Hurry up and write down the name for future use." Meizhuang retreated, turned around and stood beside me, heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at me.Meizhuang is generous and decent, with outstanding appearance. It is expected that she will be selected, and I am never worried. Just as I was thinking about it, the internal supervisor of rites had already sung my name, "Zhen Huan, the daughter of Zhen Yuandao, the servant of the Ministry of officials, is fifteen years old." , May the emperor live long and be blessed, and the queen a thousand years auspicious." The emperor gave a soft "Oh" and asked, "Zhen Huan? Which 'Huan' is it?" I lowered my head and blurted out: "Cai Shenci: Huanhuan curls up at the waist of the palace of Chu. It is the name of the minister's daughter." I regretted it as soon as I said it.It's too bad, the quick talk is too sharp, and the words in the book may have attracted the attention of the emperor, which is really contrary to the original intention.Regret it! Sure enough, the emperor clapped his hands and said with a smile: "You are very good at poetry and books, and Zhen Yuandao is very good at teaching girls. I just don't know if you deserve this name. Look up!" I know that I can't avoid it, I regret that I was too sharp just now, and now I can only look up, I hope the emperor has seen so many beauties from the north and the south, and will not be interested in seeing me dressed so well. The queen said: "Come forward." As she spoke, she glanced sideways, and the eunuch next to her immediately understood, picked up a cup of tea and poured it in front of me.I didn't understand what it meant, so I had to pretend to ignore it, and walked forward two steps steadily with the tea. The queen smiled and said, "It's very dignified." Seeing the emperor raised his hand and slightly raised the twelve-pronged white jade beads hanging in front of him, he was taken aback for a moment, and praised: "You are soft and charming, you really deserve this name." The queen said, "The dress is also very elegant. It is just like the Shen family just now, and it matches well." I lowered my head, my face was hot, and I thought it was already red like a cloud, so I had no choice but to keep silent.I just feel that there are candles flickering like gold in front of my eyes, and the fragrance is pottery, rippling on the tip of my nose continuously. The emperor nodded with a smile, and ordered the eunuch, "Write down her name for future use." The queen turned her head to the emperor and said with a smile: "The concubines selected today are all stunning. Some are proficient in poetry and books, and some are virtuous and gentle. They really add to the peaceful atmosphere in the palace." The emperor smiled but did not answer. My heart sank, the man sitting high above is the husband I will rely on for life in the future? !I bowed and gave a salute, and returned silently.Seeing Meizhuang smiling brightly at me, I had no choice but to smile back.I was confused, I didn't know how to deal with this sudden election, and I didn't want to pay attention to other things.When the class of show girls is over, according to the pre-guided internal supervisors, no matter whether they are selected or not, they all kowtow to thank them and then file out with the class. He just came out of Yunyi Palace, heard a "bang" behind him, turned to look, it was Ye Fangchun, daughter of Jiangsu Yandao, who was in the same row just now, her complexion was pale, her forehead was covered with cold sweat, and she passed out.Presumably it was not able to "keep it in use" so that the sadness was excessive and the phlegm surged up. I sighed and said: "The ones who wanted to stay failed to stay, and the ones who didn't want to stay did stay." While speaking, Ye Fangchun was helped away by the inner prison maid serving in front of the palace gate. Mei Zhuang helped Furong, which was about to slip off my bun, and said softly, "Sister, why should you sigh? It is a blessing to enter the palace, and it is something that many people can't wait for. Besides, when you and I enter the palace together, we can take care of each other. Announcing the decree The inner prisoner has gone, Uncle Zhen must be happy." I twisted the plum blossoms hanging on the skirt with my fingers, and just kept silent.After a while, he said in a low voice: "Sister Mei, I really didn't mean to." She grabbed my sleeve and said softly: "I understand. As I said earlier, with your talent and appearance, you can't avoid it on your own." She paused, and said with a restrained smile, "What's more With your and my qualifications, do you really want to commit yourself to those mediocre people?" Mei Zhuang was trying to comfort me, an elderly court lady came up with a lantern to guide us out of the palace.The palace lady was full of smiles, and blessed us and said: "Congratulations to the two young masters for being selected as a concubine." Mei Zhuang and I smiled reservedly, rewarded her with silver, and walked slowly towards Yuxiang Gate go outside. There were only a few carriages waiting outside Yuxiang's gate, and the glazed lanterns hanging in front of the carriages swayed in the wind, as if they couldn't help themselves.Waiting in the carriage were my servants Liuzhu and Huanbi, who saw us coming from afar, and hurriedly jumped out of the carriage with their cloaks to greet us.Huanbi held my arm and said softly, "Miss is tired." Liu Zhu put the brocade cloak on me and tied it up. Meizhuang was helped into the car by Caiyue, her maidservant, and drove to my car, raised the curtain and said with concern: "Aunt Jiaoyin will come to your house to teach etiquette in the palace in a few days. Before the imperial decree comes down and officially enters the palace, you My sister can't meet for the time being, so take care of me, sister." I nodded, and Liuzhu and Huanbi helped me into the car together.The maid under the car stood there respectfully with her hands down, and said respectfully, "Send off the two young masters." I opened the curtain and took a deep look back. The twilight sky was half black as if dripping ink, and half was the magical purple and gold sunset glow, like a long strip of colorful brocade.Under such ecstasy and ecstasy, the magnificent Zi'ao City has an indescribably awe-inspiring aura, which impressed me deeply.