Balala the Magic Fairy

Under Zhou Ninghai's rule, the Zhou Kingdom was peaceful and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

However, the emperor's harem seemed a little deserted. In order to continue the royal bloodline, Zhou Ninghai decided to hold a grand ceremony to select a concubine.

As soon as the news came out, aristocratic families from all over the country sent their daughters to the capital, hoping to win the emperor's favor.

In the palace, Ruyi learned about this. Although she felt a little complicated, as the queen, she knew her responsibilities.

Ruyi sat in her palace and whispered to her maid, Jinniang, "Jinniang, how are the preparations for the imperial concubine selection ceremony going?"

Jin Niang replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, the beauties from all over the country have arrived in the capital one after another."

Ruyi nodded, a trace of worry in her eyes: "Your Majesty is selecting concubines this time for the sake of the heir. We must ensure that every concubine is dignified, virtuous and talented."

Jin Niang understood what the Queen meant, and she said softly, "Don't worry, Queen, I will strictly check and ensure that every concubine meets your standards."

Ruyi smiled slightly: "Okay, Jinniang, thank you for your concern. By the way, what has Concubine Li been busy with recently?"

Jin Niang replied: "Lady Li has been assisting Lady Yan Lili in handling some palace affairs recently. They are all preparing for the imperial concubine selection ceremony."

Ruyi nodded, she stood up, walked to the window, looked at the garden outside the window, and said softly: "This selection of concubines is not only for the emperor, but also for the future of Zhou country."

At this moment, Yan Lili walked into Ruyi's palace with a serious look on her face: "Empress, the preparations for the imperial concubine selection ceremony are almost complete, but I am a little worried."

Ruyi turned around, looked at Yan Lili, and asked softly, "Lady Li, what are you worried about?"

Yan Lili stepped forward and answered respectfully: "I am worried that some of the concubines may feel too much pressure because of their family's expectations, which may affect their performance at the ceremony."

Ruyi's eyes flashed with understanding, and she slowly said: "Lady Li, your worries are not unreasonable. As a member of the imperial palace, we should give them the right guidance and care. Let them understand that being a concubine is not only an honor, but also a responsibility."

Yan Lili nodded, with a hint of admiration in her eyes: "Your Highness is right. I will do my best to help them so that they can better adapt to life in the palace."

Ruyi smiled slightly, with a hint of warmth in her eyes: "Lady Li, with you here, I believe this imperial concubine selection ceremony will go smoothly."

As the day of the concubine selection ceremony draws closer, the atmosphere in the palace becomes more and more lively.

Ruyi and Li Guiren were making final preparations for this grand ceremony.

/

The day of the concubine selection ceremony finally arrived. The palace was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and it was full of joy.

The beauties from all over the country were dressed in festive costumes, with anticipation and nervousness on their faces, waiting for the emperor's selection.

Ruyi wore a phoenix robe woven with gold thread and a phoenix crown on her head, and her temperament was dignified and majestic.

She stood at the main seat of the ceremony, her eyes swept over each of the beauties calmly, and she silently prayed in her heart that they could all show their best side.

Zhou Ninghai sat next to Ruyi, his eyes were scrutinizing, but also gentle.

The ceremony began with a talent show by the beauties.

In the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, poetry and prose, every concubine tried her best to show her talent.

Ruyi watched carefully, nodding her head from time to time to show her appreciation.

After a dance performance, Ruyi whispered to Zhou Ninghai: "Your Majesty, these ladies are very talented. Their dedication and hard work are worthy of praise."

Zhou Ninghai smiled slightly and turned to Ruyi: "Queen, which concubine do you think is the most outstanding?"

Ruyi smiled slightly and replied, "Your Majesty, each of the concubines has their own unique charm. Choosing concubines should not only look at their talents, but also their character and virtues. I believe that Your Majesty will make a wise decision."

Zhou Ninghai nodded. He was satisfied with Ruyi's answer: "The Queen's words make sense. I will consider them comprehensively."

After the talent show, the characters of the contestants will be assessed.

Ruyi personally asked them questions, asking them about their views on life in the palace and their concern for the country and the people.

The ladies answered one by one, some were witty, some were sincere, each one was different.

After the assessment, Ruyi said to Zhou Ninghai: "Your Majesty, these concubines all have their own ideas and opinions. When choosing concubines, we should not only look at their appearance, but also pay attention to their inner qualities."

Zhou Ninghai agreed: "Queen, your words are always so pertinent. I will carefully consider the performance of each of the concubines."

Finally, after careful consideration, Zhou Ninghai selected several beauties who not only had outstanding talents, but also had good character that was recognized by Ruyi.

The ceremony ended successfully amid joy and blessings.

After the ceremony, Ruyi said to Yan Lili, "Lady Li, what do you think of this imperial concubine selection ceremony?"

Yan Lili replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, this ceremony was a great success. The selected beauties all have great potential."

Ruyi nodded, with a hint of expectation in her eyes: "Lady Li, you are right. I hope they can quickly adapt to the life in the palace and become the emperor's good wives."

Yan Lili also nodded, her eyes full of determination: "Your Majesty, I will do my best to help them adapt to their new life."

Ruyi smiled slightly. She knew that with Yan Lili's help, these new concubines would be able to integrate into the palace better.

/

After the imperial concubine selection ceremony, Zhou Ninghai and Ruyi began to discuss the positions of the new concubines.

They need to decide the starting rank of each concubine, which will be based on their performance at the ceremony and their family background.

Zhou Ninghai flipped through the list in his hand and said thoughtfully, "Ruyi, you see that Su Lujun's piano skills are extraordinary and her behavior is decent. Can you consider giving her a higher starting point?"

Ruyi thought for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty, Su Lujun has indeed performed outstandingly, but she has just entered the palace. If she is given too high a position from the beginning, it may cause criticism from other palace people."

"I think we can first grant her the title of 'Changzai' and observe her for a period of time, and then decide whether to promote her based on her performance and the situation in the palace."

Zhou Ninghai nodded and agreed with Ruyi's suggestion: "Okay, then, let's follow the Queen's opinion."

Then they discussed the status of other concubines.

"Balin Meiruo's dancing skills are impressive. Her tribe has close ties with our Zhou Kingdom. Perhaps we can give her the position of 'Yingying' to show respect for her tribe." Zhou Ninghai suggested.

Ruyi nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is very considerate. Meiruo is indeed worthy of such courtesy."

As for the other concubines, Ruyi and Zhou Ninghai also discussed their status one by one.

They decided to give the title of "official girls" to Lu Muping, Sheyue, Siqi, Yuchuan, Ping'er, Jinchuan, Liu Wu'er, Qianxue and other concubines.

"These beauties are carefully selected. I believe they will make a difference in the palace." Zhou Ninghai said with satisfaction.

Ruyi smiled and replied: "Your Majesty is wise. I will do my best to guide them and help them adapt to life in the palace as soon as possible."

As the status of the newly promoted concubines was determined, they began their life in the harem.

/

Early that morning, according to palace rules, the newly-arrived beauties had to go to Ruyi's palace to pay their respects together with the existing concubines.

The early morning sunlight shone into Ruyi's palace through the exquisite wooden lattice windows. Ruyi was already sitting in the main seat, waiting for the arrival of new beauties and former concubines.

Soon, the newly selected concubines entered the palace one after another, guided by palace maids and accompanied by the original concubines.

They wore their own carefully selected clothes. Although they had just entered the palace, they all tried their best to show their dignity and elegance.

At the instruction of the palace maids, the newly selected concubines paid their respects to Ruyi in order of their rank.

Although their movements were a little awkward, they all tried their best to show respect for the queen.

"Your servants pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty live a long and healthy life." The newly selected concubines said in unison.

Ruyi nodded slightly, her voice gentle but full of authority: "Sisters, please don't be polite. Stand up."

After the newly selected concubines stood up, Ruyi's eyes slowly swept over each of them. She said softly: "From now on, we are a family. In this harem, we must not only support each other, but also share the worries of the emperor and pray for the country."

The new contestants responded one after another.

Ruyi turned to the original concubines, with a hint of kindness in her eyes: "Dear sisters, the new sisters have just arrived. I hope you can take good care of them and help them adapt to life in the palace as soon as possible."

On the right, from near to far, are Concubine De Zijuan, Concubine Li Yuanyang, Concubine Fang Ying'er, Concubine Wang Chuyao, Concubine Li Banhe,

On the left, from near to far, are Concubine Zhen Xiren, Noble Lady Zhi Mingyan, Concubine Xu Saohong, and Concubine Zhao Qingwen.

They responded one after another.

He said he would do his best to help the new beauty.

At this time, Ruyi's eyes fell on Su Lujun, and she said gently: "Sister Su, your piano skills have impressed me and me. If there is a chance in the future, you might as well show your talent in the palace more."

Su Lujun blushed and replied respectfully: "Thank you for your praise, Queen. I will work hard and live up to your expectations."

Ruyi looked at Balin Meiruo again and said with a smile, "Sister Meiruo, your dancing skills are equally amazing. There will be a banquet in the palace soon, and I hope you can perform a song then."

Balin Meiruo's eyes flashed with excitement, and she bowed: "I will do my best to bring glory to the Queen and the Emperor."

/

The aroma of tea wafted in the air, the sound of piano lingered in the air, and the concubines in the palace sat around in Ruyi's palace, drinking tea and chatting.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful tea party, undercurrents were surging.

"Sister Su's piano skills are truly unforgettable. However, in this harem, talent alone may not be enough." Balin Meiruo said lightly, with a hint of provocation in his tone.

Su Lujun's face changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and replied with a smile: "Sister Meiruo is right. Talent is just the icing on the cake. What is really important is to be able to share the emperor's worries and bring harmony to the harem."

Ruyi gently put down the teacup. Her voice was calm but powerful: "In the harem, harmony is the most important. All of you sisters were carefully selected by the emperor, and each has his own strengths. We should learn from each other and support each other, instead of competing with each other."

"Your Highness is right," Zhen Fei agreed softly, with a hint of deep meaning in her eyes, "We are all the emperor's concubines. We should put the emperor's happiness first, instead of fussing over these trivial matters."

Concubine Li chuckled, with a hint of disdain in her tone: "Sister Xiren is always so generous, but who in the harem can really be so indifferent? We are all fairies, and we always have our own little thoughts."

Ruyi's eyes swept across the faces of the concubines one by one, and there was a hint of unquestionable majesty in her voice.

"I know that there are bound to be some minor conflicts in the harem, but we are all the emperor's concubines and should put the overall situation first."

She turned to Balin Meiruo and Su Lujun and said in a gentle tone: "Sister Meiruo, Sister Lujun, your talents are all appreciated by the emperor. In this harem, you should help each other."