A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: The Time of the Election

The Fourth Year of Jiayuan, May sixteenth.

The weather remained fine, the sun cheerful and bright. By the time noon arrived, it had grown somewhat sultry, yet it was still bearable. After all, the heat of summer had not yet descended, not to the point of leaving one gasping for air.

In front of Ningshou Palace, and separated by a high wall, stood Ninghe Hall. The courtyard was vast, usually left empty.

It was only during the year-end when ladies from official families would enter the palace to offer their salutations that it would be utilized. Given its size and spaciousness, with numerous courtyards, these ladies would receive the banquet after entering the palace, rest for a while, and take a stroll before exiting. The selection of the Fine Ladies could neither take place in Taihe Hall nor in Jiaofang Hall. The most spacious option was this Ninghe Hall.

After rounds of selection scrutinizing family background, appearance, character, and health, some would be eliminated with each round. By the time the palace selection was reached, from the thousands of Fine Ladies, fewer than a hundred remained.

Actually, this was also Zhao Junyao’s intention. He wasn’t lacking women. Selecting a few unnecessary concubines, causing such upheaval and filling the civil and military courts with turmoil, was utterly annoying! There were already plenty of women in the Harem, weren’t there? But the grand selection couldn’t be canceled. Therefore, he had to select fewer. If none were chosen, the whole country might rise in immediate protest. But by selecting fewer, no one would have anything to say!

「Ninghe Hall」

All the Fine Ladies were dressed in identical pink dresses, their hair coiffed into the same round chignons, each adorned with identical pink Zhu Hua. They stood neatly arranged, their postures demure and graceful in the sunlight, fresh and tender like flower buds on the verge of blooming.

”The Empress has arrived! The Noble Consort has arrived! Consort Ning has arrived!” the Little Eunuch called out loudly.

The Fine Ladies immediately tensed up, rushing to follow the etiquette taught by their Sisters. They parted to either side, forming a passageway, and then knelt to pay their respects.

”We pay our respects to the Empress, the Noble Consort, and Consort Ning!”

The Empress walked slowly, her crimson Phoenix Robe trailing with a long train, flitting past enchantingly. Her gaze swept over each lowered face. The corners of her mouth subtly lifted, bearing her usual dignified and gracious smile.

In her heart, though, it was not so easy. They are really fresh and young! So fresh and young it makes my heart shudder. Who knows who might capture the Emperor’s favor, or who might be fortunate enough to bear an imperial heir. In the Harem, the Noble Consort is no longer a threat; no one can stand against me anymore. But why do I still feel so uneasy in my heart?!

Noble Consort Shih was not much better off. She had lost her child and his favor, with only the title of Noble Consort remaining. It was as if she were merely an empty shell! This woman, usually so proud, who had overshadowed all others with her beauty and charm, was now suddenly and cautiously following behind the Empress, watching her adorned in bright red, walking at the very front, while she herself could only wear rose red. The feeling in her heart was no better than the Empress’s.

The Palace Attendants at the side were stunned. Was this the same Noble Consort they had seen before?

Consort Ning, however, didn’t feel much. I have a Princess, and the Emperor won’t mistreat me out of consideration for his daughter. What I need to do is to defer to the Empress and curry favor effectively. This way, I can secure a fine match for The Eldest Princess in the future. Then, I’ll just be an Imperial Noble Consort, enjoying my later years in peace!

Passing through the midst of the Fine Ladies, the Empress took her place in the main hall of Ninghe Hall. The Fine Ladies formally paid their homage.

The Empress swept her gaze around them and said with dignified grace, ”You may rise.”

No sooner had her voice fallen, and before the Fine Ladies had a chance to express their gratitude, a eunuch bellowed, ”The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

The Empress’s expression momentarily stiffened, then she quickly rose to receive her. This was followed by another round of salutations and inquiries after her well-being. Ultimately, the Empress Dowager sat in the principal seat, with the Empress attending at her side.

The Empress sneered inwardly. The selection of the Fine Ladies has always been under the Empress’s control. For the Empress Dowager to impose herself like this... her audacity is somewhat unsightly! Isn’t it just because there’s a girl from the Shih Family standing among them? But whether she’ll be selected is still uncertain. Everything depends on the Emperor’s wishes!

Of course, outwardly, the Empress remained gentle and obedient.

The Empress Dowager glanced around. Seeing that the girl from the Shih Family was still there, she felt very satisfied and regarded the Empress much more favorably.

”I know my uninvited presence has made you all feel constrained!” the Empress Dowager said, feigning affection as she patted the Empress’s hand.

The Empress felt as though she had swallowed a fly; it was becoming harder to maintain her smile. I feel as though I’ve swallowed a fly; it’s becoming harder to maintain my smile. But outwardly, she still had to say against her will, ”Mother, what are you saying? I am young and inexperienced. I was just thinking of how I might invite you over!”

Seeing her sensibility, the Empress Dowager’s smile grew even wider. She patted her hand. ”Don’t worry, you have me!”

The Empress: ...

The smile on her face was about to break. Just then, the Emperor arrived.

After several exchanges of formal greetings, Zhao Junyao took his place in the center. On one side was the Empress Dowager, and on the other, the Empress, the Noble Consort, and others. With everyone present, the selection began.

The Fine Ladies were divided into groups of five and went in together. When the eunuch called out a name, the lady in question stepped forward, announced her name, and greeted everyone respectfully. All these women were official’s daughters. Their official ranks varied, some low, some noble. But at this point, status and position were useless; it all came down to fate and luck.

Zhao Junyao was distracted throughout the process. To be honest, I don’t want to choose any of them.

The Fine Ladies came in group by group and left just as they had come. As thirty or forty women passed by, the Emperor had not kept a single name-tablet!

The Empress Dowager grew restless. The beauty of these Fine Ladies leaves nothing to be desired, so why not properly choose a few? How can things go on like this?

”Imperial Son, is there something you are displeased with?”

Zhao Junyao finally came to his senses. ”AHEM.” He evasively replied, ”Er... Mother, I have yet to see someone who satisfies me!”

The Empress Dowager looked around; not even half the candidates had been seen yet, so she didn’t press further.

Another group came in. Zhao Junyao glanced over them and picked one. That woman looks quite sincere; presumably, she would cause less trouble upon entering the Harem!

A eunuch nearby hurriedly came forward and announced, ”The daughter of the Seventh Rank County Magistrate from Jiangnan Prefecture, Lady Du, has been selected...”

Having announced it, he proceeded to collect the card from Lady Du and presented her with a Jade Pendant. The eunuch whispered a reminder to her, ”Lady Du, won’t you thank His Majesty quickly!”

Being selected meant she was now addressed as ’Lady’. Lady Du was momentarily flustered but immediately knelt down to kowtow and express her gratitude. ”Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Empress Dowager, thank you, Empress...”

Zhao Junyao waved his hand. ”Rise!” His voice was utterly emotionless.

Lady Du blushed as she stood up and, under the envious gaze of the other candidates, followed the Little Eunuch’s directions to another place. The remaining four were likewise not selected.

The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. It’s good as long as he’s choosing someone. If he’s choosing, there’s hope. The Shih family’s girl is still further back; no need to hurry.

The Empress watched the Empress Dowager breathe a sigh of relief, scoffed inwardly, and said nothing.

Noble Consort Shih sat to one side, initially calm. If I’m just a decoration, then so be it.

Later, when she saw her own cousin among one group of Fine Ladies, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Cousin?