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If state affairs are busy, Emperor Yongchang could order a delay in the selection process, but the ladies-in-waiting had no say in this. Matron Fang had already received an imperial edict from the Empress, instructing her to bring the selected ladies to the Wanchun Pavilion in the Imperial Garden at the appointed time.
From dawn until the appointed time, there were a full two hours. During this period, the only task for the selected ladies was to dress up in their finest attire.
The ladies who were kept in the palace from the day they entered could only wear the clothes and accessories provided by the palace. Except for slight differences in color and style, there was little to distinguish them in terms of quality. This was to ensure the ladies focused their attention on learning proper manners and etiquette, rather than engaging in comparisons or scheming.
While being confined in the Chuxiu Pavilion, the clothes provided by the palace were rather simple, only slightly better than the garments of ordinary palace maids. Today, however, the selected ladies were finally going to make their appearance before the noblewomen, so Matron Fang had to make sure the beauties were dressed exquisitely, ensuring that each lady presented her most beautiful self.
In fact, whether the selected ladies could rise to high positions had little to do with Matron Fang, but if the ladies’ makeup was improper and they looked ugly in the eyes of the noblewomen, it would become Matron Fang’s fault.
After the fifty selected ladies had eaten a simple breakfast and stood neatly in the center of the courtyard, Matron Fang arrived on time.
The ladies all observed the long table behind Matron Fang, where several sets of brightly colored, splendid clothes were arranged.
Matron Fang once again emphasized the rules for meeting the Empress. She pointed to the long table and said, “These are the clothes the Empress specially ordered the Royal Tailor to prepare for you. I have also assigned them based on your appearances and figures, ensuring that each of you gets the most suitable outfit. I will distribute them to you one by one. After receiving your clothes, go back to your rooms and change. When the last person enters, I will light an incense stick. Once it burns out, we will depart. Those who are late will be punished for disrespect, and anyone who causes others to be late, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will be treated as equally guilty.”
The selected ladies’ hearts tightened, and they all quickly made a unanimous decision to keep their distance from others.
Matron Fang began distributing the clothes.
The fifty selected ladies stood in ten rows, with five in each row, naturally arranging themselves according to the order of arrival.
Yao Huang woke up late, and so had her breakfast later. Chen Ying insisted on waiting for her, so the two of them ended up standing together in the last row.
The earlier one received their clothes, the more time they had to prepare and dress. Watching the ladies in the first row already entering their rooms, Chen Ying couldn’t help but show signs of anxiety.
She clenched her hands and turned her head to look at Yao Huang.
Yao Huang smiled at her and whispered, tilting her head, “Don’t worry, we have two quarters of an hour.”
Her hair was already done, and she was wearing the same jade hairpin as everyone else. Changing into a new dress would only take a quarter of an hour at most.
Chen Ying had only started to feel anxious because she saw the ladies in front of her craning their necks to look around. But now, seeing Yao Huang’s relaxed and bright smile, she gradually relaxed.
Matron Fang worked quickly, and before long, it was time for Yao Huang’s group of five.
Chen Ying received a set of pink clothes with a white skirt, while Yao Huang looked at the light yellow top and bright red long skirt she was handed, unable to resist looking up.
To her surprise, the usually stern Matron Fang smiled at her and said, “Go change quickly.”
Yao Huang clearly felt the favoritism and thought: “……”
Could it be that some prince, or even Emperor Yongchang, really liked women like her? Matron Fang must have known this and was particularly favorable toward her, certain that she would be chosen.
Before she left, her mother’s worried muttering echoed in her ears: “If I had known there would be a selection, I would have raised you to be thinner. Look at this large chest and slim waist—what prince could resist? But your father is just a small official, and the princes will only choose you as a concubine…”
Yao Huang didn’t believe it: “Li Tingwang mocks me every day for being fat, saying I’m hard to marry off. If a son of a thousand households dislikes me, the princes will surely have higher standards. They prefer dignified and virtuous young ladies from noble families.”
Her mother replied, “Pah! If Li Tingwang really disliked you, would he keep running to our house? He’s just teasing you with his mouth, but deep down, he’s probably eager to marry you.”
Yao Huang still didn’t believe her mother’s analysis. She was nearly driven crazy by Li Tingwang’s words. He wasn’t blind, and unless he was a fool, there was no way he would use such a method to show affection for her.
But the increasingly obvious favoritism from Matron Fang made Yao Huang’s heart race. She never imagined she could become the main wife of any prince, but to be made a concubine, even with wealth and status, was something she wouldn’t be happy with. A small concubine, always beneath the main wife—Yao Huang had been spoiled by her parents and raised with great care. How could she tolerate such humiliation?
With a heavy heart, she followed Chen Ying back to their small room.
As the three ladies-in-waiting who were changing clothes noticed Yao Huang holding the bright red outfit, some of them felt envious, while others gritted their teeth secretly.
There was no screen in the room, and after living together for a month, the five ladies had long since lost any sense of privacy. Time was limited, and after closing the door, even Chen Ying, who had the thinnest skin, casually took off her outer robe to reveal her youthful, jade-like upper body. Yao Huang, with even fewer reservations, faced the closed window and stood in front of the bed, unfastening her plain-looking gown.
The first lady to finish dressing quietly glanced over at her. With just one look, her face turned red, and her mouth became dry.