Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

The emperor took a deep look at the queen, thoughtful: "So in Zitong's eyes, I am a mean and ungrateful person. Da Lang is your grandson, and also my eldest grandson. You are still resentful about the matter of King Wei. Zhen?" The emperor didn't mention his grandson's marriage, but instead changed the subject and began to doubt the queen's feelings for him.

The queen immediately changed her face and stood up, she knew that what the emperor was worried about now was not his grandson growing up, but starting to doubt himself.These years of forbearance and those grievances held in her heart were beyond comprehension. She tried her best to manage the harem tremblingly, but who knew that the decades of hard work turned out to be suspicion.The queen heard a crisp sound, and something seemed to break in her heart.The queen squeezed out a sad smile, and she didn't look at the emperor's face, but felt a sense of relief.Without waiting for the emperor to speak, the queen sat down as if talking to herself. She slightly raised her hand to stroke the white hair on her temples: "It has been 30 years, and I see the little girl of the Wang family as if I saw myself back then. That At that time, I also had the same ignorant expression, full of enthusiasm in my heart, but I didn’t know that the most difficult thing in the world is to be a human being. I am old and confused, and I am enlightened by His Majesty’s holy candle, or I should do everything according to His Majesty’s will Go." The queen stood up slowly, she moved slowly, like an old man.

The emperor found that the queen's mood was not right. He never thought that the gentle and gentle wife would be so dissatisfied.In the emperor's heart, the queen is the one who knows the most about the general situation and will not make conditions with him.The queen's cold tone and eyes made the emperor feel a little uncomfortable.The young couple had been together for decades in the blink of an eye. Facing their lifelong partners, the emperor lost the firmness and indifference he had just had in his heart.

He stretched out his hand to hold the Queen's hand, and told her to sit beside her: "Zitong, you misunderstood what I mean. Dalang is my eldest grandson, I don't feel sorry for him, and who else would. The crown prince, actually left before me. You just lamented that the years are not forgiving, so I am not. The emperor Taizu left me a huge stall, and the state affairs are complicated. Emperor Taizu looks at the spirit of heaven, I, a rebellious son who often disobeys his old man, can also govern the country well."

The emperor put both hands on the empress' shoulders and forced him to look directly into his eyes. The empress looked at the wrinkles on the emperor's face and the gray beard. She suddenly remembered when they were the prince and concubine. It's young, and it's already a lifetime in a blink of an eye.The queen's anger subsided a little, and she still wanted to fight for happiness for her grandson.Or in the queen's subconscious, she regarded Zili as her back then.

"Your Majesty is not old at all when he is at the peak of spring and autumn. The courtiers and concubines are dull and don't understand what Your Majesty means. Although the choice of the grandson Liangdi is of great importance. But the grandson's marriage, it is good that the two children can get along well. If you choose If a big man doesn't like it, or if the two people's personalities are not suitable, it will be easier to seize the heir and win the favor in the future, which will be even more detrimental to the stability of the harem and the emperor's heir. Your Majesty has not seen the situation where the big man and the girl of the Wang family get along. , The two of them have a crush on each other—" Thinking of her grandson's expression on Zili when she mentioned it, the queen couldn't help but look gentle, and her tone became indescribably gentle.

The emperor glanced at the queen in surprise, coughed, and said in a sour voice: "The queen is talking about Dalang's affairs. It is clearly complaining that I have neglected the queen. Waiting for Dalang's marriage to be finalized, I will accompany the queen to go for a walk How about a few days?" The emperor dishonestly touched the queen's cheek.

"They are all old couples, and His Majesty is still teasing the courtiers and concubines. Dalang's marriage should be fulfilled by Your Majesty—" the queen was interrupted by the emperor before she could finish her sentence. "You said that the personalities are compatible. Do you think Da Lang and the girl from the Wang family have compatible personalities? What kind of personalities do they have?" The emperor sat down, took an orange and slowly peeled it.

"Your Majesty, don't you know Dalang's temperament? He is a loyal person. The girl from the Wang family is also cute and cute. She is sensible and obedient, and very attractive. One of them is bright and the other is calm. They complement each other and just make up for each other." Queen He thinks that Zili is lively and not frivolous, and grandson is the best anyway.It's just that the grandson sometimes has soft ears and loses his mind when encountering embarrassing things.You Zili has a quick mind and considerate actions, which is just right for him.

"You also know Dalang's character flaws. He is a good boy, but unfortunately he is a bit cowardly and uninitiated. What sounds good is kindness, and what sounds bad is indecision. Da Lang can rely on us now, but we can't always accompany him. Watching him for the rest of his life, the princess, she has no vision, she is just a good-looking person, can she rely on her to make up her mind when encountering important matters? Wait until we are gone, if Dalang can't get rid of his personality defects, he will be ruled by others in the future It's not impossible." In the eyes of the emperor, the grandson must first be the perfect heir to the throne and then be his own grandson.

"Your Majesty means—" The queen vaguely understood the emperor's concerns in her heart. The emperor's temperament is to prepare for the worst when encountering something, and then plan according to the worst situation.This is still the case when it comes to choosing a wife for the grandson.

"The little girl of the Wang family seems to have a good temper, but Wei Chaozhong said that Dalang was influenced by her emotions without knowing it when he was with her. Wei Chaozhong said that Dalang first looked at her when he spoke. Think about it, Da Lang had always been affectionate towards her, but as time went by, Da Lang became a plaything in her hands. Da Lang's temperament is a bit uninhibited, but Da Lang is also a cautious person. If there is no guard of honor around him, he will slowly He also learned to make up his own mind. But there is always someone smarter than him around him, who is quietly pointing fingers behind his back. People are lazy, and they will not be able to learn to walk if they are supported for a lifetime." The emperor said very much to his grandson. I understand that Da Lang was born in the wilderness, he has not gone through hardships and is naturally weak, but the emperor is the last person who needs indecision.The girl from the Wang family is too determined, and Da Lang can easily become inert towards her.How could the heir to the throne be controlled by a woman.

The queen fell silent after listening to the emperor's words. She thought carefully about Zili's every move. Zili was a girl who spoke frankly, lively and calm, and she never saw that there was such a city as the emperor said. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that you have never seen a girl from the Wang family. The concubines can't see what Wei Chaozhong said. She is a girl. The girl's family is spoiled and noble, and she is a guest in the palace. Dalang treats her courteously." It's a well-educated young master. How come in the eyes of Lao Wei, she is holding Da Lang under control." The queen thought that Wei Chaozhong was making a fuss, and his eyes were crooked.That eunuch man and woman don't know what's going on, and they are still talking nonsense in front of His Majesty!

"Wei Chaozhong didn't say anything about the girl of the Wang family. He just recounted the situation at that time. If you also believe that the girl of the Wang family is not a person with a city mansion, I will be more firm in my original idea. She is a little girl entering the palace. You can win your favor once, not only you, but even the queen mother told me that the girl is good. She is such a little girl, she is definitely not an ordinary person. Although she marries a wife and a virtuous person, this virtuous person is not hers Virtue is the law. Women without talent are virtue." The emperor didn't rub the sand in his eyes, Wang Changchun was just a cunning old cunning, and his granddaughter inherited his mantle.His own grandson might not be able to have his own emperor's mind and methods, and with a girl who was too cunning by his side, the emperor was worried that his grandson would not be able to hold on.

The queen still didn't give up: "Your Majesty has far-sighted vision, but as the saying goes, time can tell people's hearts. Although the girls of the Wang family are clever, they may not really hide traitors in their hearts. It would be too hasty to draw conclusions casually. Since Your Majesty is worried about the future granddaughter-in-law The concubine has an idea. Why don't you confer the grandson Liang Di first, but ask her to serve in the palace first, and give her the title of a beloved man. If she is a good person, then she can be conferred the title Liang Di. If it is as His Majesty expected , being the grandson's concubine is not wronged." It is impossible for the grandson to have only one woman, since the grandson likes it, it is fine to be a concubine.A concubine only needs to serve a man to please him. It doesn't matter to run a family, serve parents-in-law and elders to teach children and concubines.

"I know you dote on your child. It doesn't matter if it's someone else's girl. But have you ever thought about it? The Wang family also needs face. Being a side concubine will make the Wang family swallow the thorn in their hearts." The emperor was determined not to scream. Li entered the palace.

But at this moment, if he suddenly changed his mind, would the Wang family accept it?Besides, no matter how powerful she is, she is still a child, so I just teach her to the fullest. The new daughter-in-law needs to be taught slowly by the elders when she enters the door. It's easier.Da Lang is not a person without his own opinions, just wait for the young couple to get along slowly.The Queen thinks that things have come to this, let nature take its course, it is only natural for a mother-in-law to teach a daughter-in-law.

"I'm worried. We're all old. If one day we step away, who will be able to control her. At that time, the Wang family has military power outside, and the whole world belongs to their family. As for whether the Wang family can Accepting the change, Wang Changchun didn't have the guts to resent me. But the little girls of the Wang family can be regarded as a disaster for no reason. I am not a stingy person, and I will always give them a decent step down. It depends on their own good fortune." The emperor had made up his mind, he had already made up his mind and would not change it.

Seeing the resolute brilliance in her husband's eyes, the queen knew that it would be futile to say anything else, she could only sigh in her heart and said weakly: "Your Majesty, please don't harm the innocent, the little girl of the Wang family is also a cute girl. It's just a pity that there is no such fate."

In a few days at the court meeting, the right minister pointed out that the prince's filial piety period has passed, and the grandson is close to the age of the crown, and it is time to start a family and start a business. For the future of the country and the consolidation of the foundation, the emperor asked the emperor to appoint the grandson Liangdi, and the grandson to start a family.As soon as Zhan Shi's words in the Dangzong Mansion fell, countless eyes seemed to fall on Wang Changchun.Wang Changchun looked calm and pretended to be a normal person.It's just that Wang Dingqian was a little uncomfortable being looked at, he lowered his head and cleared his throat slightly.

While the officials were waiting for the emperor to announce the answer, the emperor's words caused the ministers below to drop their jaws and eyeballs. "I was ordered by the Empress Dowager to tell the world to select women from good families and grandsons to choose a good match and enrich the back court."

The emperor wants to draft for his grandson!This is different from the script!The ministers no longer covered up their eyes and peeked at Wang's father and son. The group of mature and prudent ministers forgot their identities and where they were, and stared at Wang Dingqian and Wang Changchun with gossipy eyes, wishing they could immediately Forced to come up with some gossip secrets.Could it be that the emperor had some opinion of the Wang family, the favor of the Wang family would be like a flower in the mirror, coming vigorously and leaving swiftly.

Before the ministers digested the news that the grandson Liangdi was about to change hands, the emperor made a big move.

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Zili was sitting under the window watching Zimeng doing needlework, Zimeng was a calm and peaceful person, she was obediently learning needlework from the nanny and the foster mother all day long.Before she knew it, her handicraft was even better than Zili's. "Sister's skillful hand, this flower is the same as the real one." Zili fidgeted with the silk thread and praised her sister's craftsmanship.

"My sister helped me choose this pattern, and the second sister has a good eye, otherwise it wouldn't be so good-looking. I guess I gave this to my sister. Although it's rough, it's fine for everyday use." Zi Meng He stopped the embroidery needle in his hand, raised his head and smiled at Zili.After meeting the queen in the palace, Mrs. Tang asked Zili to hurry up and do needlework. When a girl gets married, she always prepares some needlework. When she arrives at her in-law's house, it means that the girl is proficient in women's work and has a deep understanding of women's morals. It is also a very face-saving thing to give a meeting gift to the elders.It's a pity that Zili lost her mind outside the customs and couldn't sit still in front of the embroidery frame all day, but Zimeng helped her do a lot of needlework without saying a word.

Zili's face was secretly hot. She peeked at Mrs. Tang who was ordering her servants and said to her sister in a low voice, "Thank you. It's not that I like to be lazy. It's just that I'm not good at work. Thank you, sister."

"You still have the face to say, my face is ashamed and flustered for you. You started to do needlework for me seriously today, and you ran around outside the customs all day, and your heart was running wild. Take care of me. Go." Mrs. Tang gave Zili a murderous look, and angrily told her maids and nuns to keep a close eye on Zili and stop her wandering.Zili sighed and leaned to the side, covering her face with her hands: "I wish I had a relaxing day, and I would be exhausted that day." In fact, what Zili was afraid of was not sewing, but waiting for her fate.What life in the palace is like, from the few times she entered the palace to greet the empress dowager, she has already got a glimpse of it.There is loneliness and emptiness hidden in the queen's eyes, and there is never a lack of beautiful faces in the palace. Concubine Dong Gui is so arrogant and domineering that King Wei is restless.All these make Zili have no expectations and longings for the future life.

Where she got married, she obviously went to do the most difficult job.Those who are not good at being an official are at most the last resignation letter and found a reason to go home to farm and raise children.It's just that the emperor doesn't like it. If he accidentally annoyed the emperor or his boss with a word that day, at most he would just lie down and be beaten, and then go home separately.As long as you don't make a fatal mistake, you can still get out of it.But entering the palace means opening the bow without turning back, and there is no way out in good times and bad times.How can there be a divorced concubine in this world?Is this the Legend of Zhen Huan?Being locked up in the cold palace for a lifetime will hurt the family, which is worse than death.Who said that women in feudal society had no right to work?The emperor's woman is the most difficult job in the world. Although the benefits are good, there is no guarantee, and you can't resign!

With the passage of time, the urge to nibble on the young grandson was gradually diluted by worries about the future.Desperately eating fugu is just a moment of courage, and the grandson is not so tender that Zili can spend his whole life chewing on it without complaint or regret.Moreover, this little fresh meat will soon be shared by many women, and the shelf life of the little fresh meat will be greatly shortened under the baptism of saliva.The more Zili thinks about it, the more she feels that the future will not be so wonderful, and the resistance to this marriage in her heart becomes deeper.

Mrs. Tang didn't know what her daughter was thinking, she just thought that the little girl's family wanted to say that her husband's family was ashamed.She came over to look at Zimeng's needlework, and praised her for being sensible, while Zili played the drums along with her, asking her mother to praise Zimeng, Zimeng always wanted to be close to her aunt and was a little in awe of her.Suddenly she blushed when she was praised by her aunt, she just smiled shyly: "I can't compare to second sister, mother should not listen to second sister."

Of course you are good, you are a girl from our Wang family, let's see who underestimates you.According to her mother's wisdom, she did not praise the wrong person.Zili smiled and helped, she knew that if she entered the palace, there would only be two children left in the family, Wang Ziteng and Zimeng.Although Mrs. Zhang is very filial, it's a pity that her daughter-in-law is not a daughter after all, and she doesn't have that kindness.Even if Zimeng married into Xue's family in Jinling, she would still have the opportunity to visit her mother in the capital.Zili was looking for someone who could talk to Mrs. Tang to relieve boredom in the future.Zimeng's temperament is gentle and quiet, and she doesn't have the resentment and ambition like Ziqian. It is best to be with Madam Tang.

How could Mrs. Tang not know Zili's plan, she put her arms around her two daughters and said with a smile: "You are all good boys." While talking and laughing, a girl suddenly came in beaming: "Congratulations to Madam, the master and the old master have been promoted again Yes. The master of our family has entered the cabinet, and even the uncle and the second master have received the emperor's reward. The old lady over there has sent a message to tell the wife and the girls to go over there." Mrs. Tang looked at the girl in surprise, she thought it was the son The matter of Li being the grandson Liang Di was settled, and Wang Changchun and Wang Dingqian were regarded as relatives of the emperor.A Cheng Engong can't run away, she said to the girl: "You are a fool, and you don't know what to say. Since it is a reward from the emperor, can the father-in-law who passed the decree come? Is there someone from the Ministry of Rites?"

"There is no father-in-law who passed the decree, our old man's promotion has nothing to do with the Ministry of Rites." The girl was baffled by Mrs. Tang's words.She tilted her head and thought about it, but she was still at a loss. The emperor himself said that her lord's promotion was the emperor's own words, so there is no eunuch to deliver the decree.

Mrs. Tang sensed that something was wrong, she thought for a while and sent the girl away, the mother and daughter straightened their clothes and hurried over.The family's promotion is naturally great news. Zili helped Mrs. Tang along the way, seeing the smiling faces of the servants, and the whole family was immersed in excitement.Zili didn't feel any excitement or joy in his heart.She was not the one who was promoted, and although her grandfather and father had meritorious service, the emperor's reward seemed to be too much.His meritorious deeds are overwhelming, and the current Holy Majesty is the most suspicious person.It's too cold under the great favor.

Waiting for Zili and their mother and daughter to arrive at the main room, the old lady was receiving congratulations from everyone in the family.Seeing Mrs. Tang coming, the second wife came up to her with a smile on her face: "With the grace of the emperor, Ziji was even rewarded with Jinshi background, and asked to study in the ministry, so that he can fill in the gaps. If it weren't for the support of his uncle and aunt , how could Ziji have what he is today?"

Mrs. Tang held the second wife's hand: "It's all the grace of the emperor. Besides, Ziji has a calm temperament, and he handles things prudently and thoughtfully at a young age. You don't have to be too modest, just be at ease. The better days of younger brothers and sisters are yet to come. Ziji His marriage can be done more decently." It seems that the royal family likes Zili very much, and for the grandson's face, the emperor rewards the grandson's Yue family.

Everyone was beaming and talking about the emperor's grace. The old man had been awarded the crown prince's protection, the special permission to enter the cabinet as a counselor for government affairs, and the title of Fengtai Pingzhangshi. He was a first-rank high position comparable to the prime minister.Not only did Wang Dingqian walk like a cabinet, he was also appointed by the emperor as the censor of Zuodu and became the president of the Supreme Procuratorate.One of Wang Ziteng and Wang Ziji joined the Department of General Affairs, and the other joined the Ministry of Officials. Both of them were good jobs with bright futures.It is absolutely certain that the Wang family will flourish in the future.Zili and Zimeng sat in the green gauze cupboard and listened to the congratulatory people coming and going outside, but they began to feel uneasy.According to the convention, even if Zili became the grandson Liangdi, the emperor only needs to give Wang Changchun a Cheng En Gong.Why is it that the emperor's rewards are strange, what should be given is not given, but those fat and vacancies are poured down like they don't want money.

"Sister, why is she so preoccupied? It's bustling outside, don't let there be too many people making you have a headache." Zi Meng looked at Zili's complexion, and took her hand with concern: "Now my sister is our family. Baby. If it wasn't for my sister being appreciated by the emperor and queen, our family would never be so prosperous again. In the future, our whole family will be blessed by my sister. I am happy for my sister. I just think that our sisters will not be able to see each other in the future. A little sad and lost." Zimeng held Zili's hand reluctantly and looked at her reluctantly.

"You girl is also learning badly, and what you say is what you say. Who am I, what a treasure! Our family's glory is the result of grandfather and father fighting with swords and guns on the battlefield. That aristocratic family is the The prosperity of a family is built on women. Only the credit earned by oneself can last for a long time! Relying on a daughter or something is not a long-term solution. The family still has to rely on a man. The most important thing in teaching children is to educate their sons well To put it bluntly, the daughter belongs to someone else's family, and if she can't teach her well, she will harm other people's family. My son is the foundation of my family's prosperity." Zili suddenly remembered that Zimeng's marriage was decided by the Xue family in Jinling. She couldn't help exhorting her sister.

"What's wrong with sister, you suddenly said this." Zi Meng was a little shy by Zili's words, she pursed her lips and looked at Zili helplessly.In the past few days when their sisters were talking idlely, Zili was always distracted and said some strange things to her. Zimeng thought maybe the second sister was getting married, so she was worried about herself.Although she is grateful for the concern of the second sister, Zimeng has a tender skin, and she doesn't like to discuss how to be a good wife and mother.

"It's nothing, I just saw that the eldest brother and the second brother are going to learn to be officials. How did my grandfather teach them back then. Now that they can enter the official career smoothly, grandfather and father have put a lot of effort into it." Brother Wang Zi and Ji may not have much talent, but in terms of worldly relationships and understanding and mastery of various unspoken rules of officialdom, they are outstanding among children of the same age.

"The old lady and the old man are back!" With a notification, Wang Dingqian has already entered, "Greetings to the old lady, and my father is back, the old man asked me to spread the word that this is all the grace of the emperor, from now on I will devote myself to repay the favor of the emperor. I also invite all relatives and friends who came to congratulate you to go back first, and please take back those gifts." The old lady nodded after listening to her son's words: "That's exactly the case, we can't rely on the emperor's favor to be arrogant and frivolous. Those congratulatory people have left their names, and I asked them to take those gifts back."

"That's good, father asked Ziteng, Ziji and Zili to go over and ask questions." Wang Dingqian looked at the shadowy figure behind the green gauze cabinet, and there was no joy of promotion on his face.

"Just call Ziteng and his brothers and let them go. Why are you still called Zili?" Mrs. Tang sensed that Wang Dingqian seemed to have something on her mind as soon as her husband came in. Listening to her husband conveying the old man's words, she keenly sensed that something important was happening.

Zili followed Wang Ziteng's two brothers into Wang Changchun's study room. The old man had already changed into his court clothes and put on a sky-blue crane cloak, sitting on a chair with his eyes closed.

"Ziteng, you two go out and guard the door, and no one can come near. Zili, I have something to ask you." Wang Changchun opened his eyes suddenly, and scanned the three children in front of him brightly.

Sure enough, something happened, Zili felt nervous, but a small voice rang in his ears: "Maybe you will get a blessing in disguise, and be able to stay away from the palace."

"That day you met Wei Chaozhong who was next to His Majesty in the palace, and you told me the situation at that time verbatim. Not only do you need to have a verbatim conversation with Wei Chaozhong, but also the expressions of the people around you. , Say what you said in detail." Waiting for only Wang Changchun, Wang Dingqian and Zili to be left in the room, the old man looked Zili in the eyes seriously and said every word seriously.

"Don't be afraid, Zili. Today, His Majesty suddenly issued an order to select two sons from all over the country to choose a good match for the grandson, so as to enrich the backyard. Your grandfather is worried that something went wrong, which aroused His Majesty's suspicion." Wang Dingqian looked at his daughter's nervous expression Pale, unable to bear it in her heart, she comforted her not to be nervous or afraid.

Did the emperor not fancy himself?Hearing his father's words, Zili's eyes flashed doubts. He was so cautious that day that he even took the initiative to pimp his grandson.Just like this, the emperor is still not satisfied. I have never seen such a picky in-law's family. My old lady is already low-key and obedient. Don't bully others just because the world belongs to your family!Zili was depressed, but she didn't have time and dared not show her dissatisfaction.She calmed down, thought carefully about the situation that day, and told Wang Changchun in detail.

"What was your grandson's expression when you were talking to Wei Chaozhong?" Zili said that Wei Chaozhong had given his grandson a maid, and Wang Changchun suddenly interrupted Zili.

Zili thought about it, and said uncertainly: "The grandson doesn't seem to have any expression, but I think he turned his head to look at me first when he heard Wei Chaozhong's words. But I couldn't turn my head to look at the grandson at that time, so I wasn't quite sure."

Listening to his granddaughter, Wang Changchun was speechless for a while. After a long time, he waved his hands: "That's it, it's your grandfather and father who blocked your good marriage. Your Majesty is telling our family not to expect to be so high on your grandson." Your Majesty is worried that the relatives of the Wang family will control the government. My granddaughter is loved by everyone, and they are not blessed to accept it." Wang Changchun patted his granddaughter on the head comfortingly, and told her to tell Zili to go out.

"Sister is out, we'll take you back." Wang Ziteng and Wang Ziji greeted Zili with smiles when he came out, and they insisted on sending Zili back in person. Li is happy.It seemed that they heard what Wang Changchun and Zili said.

"My brother is now an official, so he can still play around with us all day like before. I'm fine, thank you brothers for caring about my little sister. I'm not a child anymore, I know the way." Zili didn't want to listen to the weak comfort , she smiled and drove away the two brothers who had been clinging to her.

Everything seems to be the same, but there is a strange atmosphere that grows silently.The emperor issued an edict to the whole world to select the sons of good families to enrich the inner veil for the grandson, but the whole court focused on the Wang family.The world has just been stable for decades, and many things have not yet been established. In the past, the emperor enriched the harem, and there was no special rule for the marriage of princes and princes. They must be selected from the world's good women, and there is no rule that they must be relatives of the court. Your sister and daughter.Generally, for the marriage of the prince or prince, girls of the right age are selected from the relatives and noble families in the court, and they are selected from them.In addition to the women of relatives and noble families, the emperor's harem also has many folk beauties.This time the emperor suddenly issued a decree to formulate the rules for the imperial court's beauty pageant. It seemed that the emperor was formulating a system for the future, but in fact, many people began to drum in their hearts. Could it be that the grandson Liang Di, who the Wang family was about to acquire, had flown away?

The Ministry of Etiquette quickly decided on the selection rules. Officials with a third rank or higher in the capital, officials with a fifth rank or higher in other places, and those whose families were Jinshi, no matter whether they have an official position or not, they must send girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Go to the capital to wait for election.There are also families of relatives and nobles, and families of nobles will also send their daughters to the palace for election.Those who have not passed the royal draft cannot privately engage in marriage.

Zili also received a notification from the Ministry of Etiquette to be elected. Under Mrs. Tang's worried eyes, Zili bid farewell to her family and got into the car again to enter the palace.

Entering the palace this time was different from before, there were hundreds of girls who followed Zili into the palace, and there were tens of thousands of women waiting to be selected in the vast world.It would be impossible for all of them to come to the palace at once, and the beautiful women in the capital were the first candidates to enter the palace.Hundreds of little girls suddenly added a touch of color to the solemn palace.After the first round of screening, most of the people were selected, and those who were not selected were sent out of the palace on the same day.The rest were about a dozen people who were staying in the palace.

Zili was very surprised that she passed the primary election. Since the royal family didn't like her, why didn't they send her home quickly?We eliminated her during the primary election so that she could go home early and save herself from being pointed at with strange eyes in the palace.

When he first entered the palace, Zili saw a lot of familiar faces, whether they were officials or relatives in the capital, most of them knew each other.Zili has not been in the capital for a short time, and the Wang family is on the rise.Mrs. Tang receives many banquet invitations every month.What about the birthday of the old lady in the state's family, the birth of the eldest grandson in the high-ranking official's family, general weddings and weddings, there are more than a dozen miscellaneous things in a month.For those families with good relations, Mrs. Tang would take her daughter-in-law Zhang and Zili for a walk.

Therefore, during the few months in the capital, Zili got to know many leaders in the capital's boudoirs.When we meet again in another place, the atmosphere seems to have changed subtly.Those girls who are acquainted with each other are polite to each other when they meet, and there is nothing to say after a few pleasantries.It is far from the intimacy and casualness when meeting outside.First of all, this place is not someone's back garden, the ladies are just having fun while watching a play and drinking tea.Second, everyone has their own little abacus in their hearts.The background is not bad, and everyone is suffocating in their hearts.

Who says women are not self-motivated.At least there are not a few of these girls who are ambitious.There is only one grandson, and even if the backyard is enriched, they will not all be required to enter the palace. Competition is inevitable due to limited resources.Zili looked at these girls coldly, thinking that he was just watching a play.

However, these girls to be elected respected Zili very much, as if they respected their elders.Many people with discerning eyes could sense the deeper meaning of the emperor's arrangement.There is a saying that blessings never come singly, but misfortunes never come singly. I am afraid that the matter of the Wang family's girl entering the palace will be blown away.At that time, I got some advice from the elders in the family, although these girls are all at an innocent age.But because the growth environment is very precocious.

They treated Zili with respect, just like soldiers rushing to the battlefield respect their companions who fell on their way.What they are doing now is to step on Zili's body and rush up.It's uncomfortable to be revered as a martyr.But Zili is very good at adjusting her mentality, and she just smiles at those who look at her with pitiful or gloating eyes.This is not a good time to make friends.

What made Zili depressed was not the girls who were candidates, but the attitude of the servants in the palace.As soon as Zili entered the palace, he was looked at differently by the servants and maids.The house she lives in is the most comfortable, and she won't be blamed if she makes a small mistake while learning the rules.Those inner eunuchs who manage the candidate girls are very cold to others, but they are very polite to Zili.Being treated preferentially was not a comfortable thing.Especially this preferential treatment of being treated as a scapegoat.

God knows how much courage Zili must muster in his heart every morning to go out and face all kinds of eyes.Although he was upset, Zili couldn't show any clues to make people laugh.She has to be careful, too proud to be annoying.If he complained about himself, he would become a joke in the eyes of others, so Zili simply put on a straight face, and pretended to be paralyzed by saying a few words about the topics he liked and those he didn't like.Facing the servants and maids, she was not surprised by favor or humiliation, and gave rewards to those who should be rewarded.If you make her angry, you can't be a bun.

Zili pretended so bravely for a few days, but he felt better.Those who were waiting to see the joke saw that they were bored, so they hid away embarrassingly.Even the palace servants who waited on her and the eunuchs who were in charge of the girls who were to be selected had a much more natural attitude towards Zili.

The day just passed, Zili was sitting in the room looking at the teacup in his hand, lost in thought.Seeing that tomorrow is the last moment, the queen and queen mother will personally test the selected girls.She must have been sent home by then.Zili stood up and pushed open the window. No matter where she was in the palace, all she could see when she looked up was the square sky and the high red wall. Maybe she would never set foot in this place in her lifetime.Thinking of this, she suddenly felt Dandan's sorrow in her heart, and a face appeared vaguely in her mind.What does Taisun mean now?

Everyone has vanity, Zili really wants to know whether the grandson is a little regretful now, or is he being dazzled by those Yingying Yanyan who are waiting for election. "Miss Wang, the empress dowager invites the girl to come over. Hurry up and tidy up and don't make the empress dowager wait too long." A spy's voice sounded abruptly, and Zili turned around just in time to see the little maid opened the curtain and called an eunuch to come in.

Just as he was about to agree, Zi Li froze when the messenger raised his head.Isn't this someone's little one—why didn't Dai Quan, beside the prince, send a message to the Empress Dowager's Compassionate Ning Palace?Zili suddenly understood, why would the queen mother want to see her at this juncture?What's more, I am someone who will definitely not be selected. Does the queen mother spend time on her?This must be the handwriting of His Royal Highness Taisun.

Seeing Zili's knowing expression, Dai Quan didn't hide it, he looked at the little maid who was standing at the door listening to the message, and the little maid immediately bowed her head and left quietly. "Hello Eunuch Dai, I haven't seen Eunuch Dai in the past few days, why is he working with the Empress Dowager?" Zili smiled and asked Dai Quan to sit down, and poured a cup of tea in front of his eyes.

"Don't dare, working girl