Chapter 61

The selection of palace maidens was handled by the Imperial Household Department. Although the Empress Dowager appointed Pure Consort and Noble Consort to oversee the process together, her true intention was to have them keep each other in check to prevent any interference in the selection.

After all, the consorts in the palace feared that outstanding new palace maidens might take away the Emperor’s favor.

The selection process in Jun Kingdom was divided into three stages: the preliminary selection, the second selection, and the final selection held in the palace.

For this selection, young women from all cities of Jun Kingdom were allowed to participate. Since Emperor Jun Zechen was still young, the number of applicants was exceptionally high.

During the preliminary round, thousands of eligible young women took part. However, this round screened candidates based on appearance, posture, and manners. They also had to demonstrate their talents, and their character was evaluated. In the end, only 1,500 maidens were chosen to enter the palace.

Once in the palace, the second selection took place, which involved even stricter assessments, including further talent evaluations and tests of their composure.

Today, the Imperial Household Department finalized the list of 150 palace maidens who would participate in the final selection tomorrow.

By the end of the final selection, only thirty-five would remain.

In the Palace of Reserved Elegance

Jingxiang, a young maid, beamed with excitement. Her eyes sparkled with pride as she spoke cheerfully.

“Miss, you will definitely be chosen tomorrow! During all these days of the second selection, I have carefully observed every maiden in the palace. None of them are as beautiful as you!”

Jingxiang had grown up with her mistress and accompanied her to many noble gatherings. In all those years, she had never seen anyone as stunning as her lady.

Even with so many outstanding young women from across the kingdom, none could compare to her lady’s beauty.

Chu Yinxue’s face held a trace of arrogance, her upturned eyes glimmering like hooks.

Her rosy lips were irresistibly alluring, and her bright, exquisite features combined into a mesmerizing beauty that captivated anyone who looked at her.

“I thought joining this selection might allow me to meet someone who could rival my beauty,” Chu Yinxue said while elegantly sitting at her dressing table, gazing at her reflection. “But all I’ve seen are ordinary women with no charm at all.”

Jingxiang eagerly agreed. “Indeed, Miss! No one can compare to your beauty! His Majesty is also incredibly handsome and young. Once you enter the palace, you will surely win his favor!”

If her lady became favored by the Emperor, as her personal maid, Jingxiang’s status would naturally rise as well. When the time came for her to leave the palace, she could even be freed from servitude and find a good husband.

Chu Yinxue’s lips curled into a smile, as if imagining the bright future awaiting her in the palace.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and her smile faded.

“I heard that the most favored women in the harem right now are Noble Consort and Pure Consort. I was already aware of Pure Consort when I was still at home.”

“They say she is the most talented and beautiful woman in the capital.”

At the mention of Pure Consort, Chu Yinxue’s expression darkened. After all, her father was technically under the command of Pure Consort’s father, Minister Su.

However, if she could surpass Pure Consort in the harem, then her father might one day replace Minister Su in power.

Jingxiang quickly reassured her. “Miss, Pure Consort was very reserved before entering the palace. She never attended noble gatherings, and her reputation for talent and beauty is just based on rumors. It may not even be true.”

“Besides, Pure Consort has already given birth to the First Prince. No matter how beautiful she once was, childbirth must have taken a toll on her looks and figure. She can’t possibly be as dazzling as you now.”

Hearing this, Chu Yinxue’s mood improved. She raised an eyebrow slightly and smirked.

“That’s true. A woman who has given birth could never compare to me.”

“Miss, the weather is lovely today, and the flowers in the garden of the Palace of Reserved Elegance are in full bloom. Would you like to take a stroll?”

Seeing that her lady was in a good mood, Jingxiang suggested an outing.

Chu Yinxue gracefully stood up and flicked her sleeve. “Let’s go out for a walk.”

The garden of the Palace of Reserved Elegance was bustling with activity.

As palace maidens, they were not allowed to leave the palace freely. Fortunately, the Palace of Reserved Elegance was spacious and grand.

Small groups of maidens gathered in different spots, some standing, some sitting, all chatting softly while admiring the flowers.

In the center of attention was Ye Yaqin, the most noble of all the candidates. She was surrounded by admirers, treated like the brightest star in the sky.

Her family was a military aristocracy, having produced many renowned generals. In her generation, her father had risen even higher, becoming the Grand Marshal, the highest-ranking military commander in the kingdom.

In the Kingdom of Jun, there was no clear preference for scholars over warriors, but civil officials always held a slightly higher status than military generals.

The Ye family did not want their daughter to have any prejudice against military families, so they carefully raised Ye Yaqin to be graceful and elegant.

Ye Yaqin herself was gentle, like a flowing stream.

“Sister Ye, tomorrow is the palace selection. I’m feeling really nervous.”

“I truly envy you, sister. Not only do you come from a noble family, but you are also one of the most talented and beautiful among the candidates. You will surely be chosen tomorrow.”

The speaker was Yan Xiaofei. Her father was a high-ranking official, a Guanglu Minister of the second rank.

However, Yan Xiaofei was a concubine’s daughter. If the main daughter of the family wasn’t still too young at thirteen, she wouldn’t have had the chance to participate in the selection.

Most of the candidates this year were daughters of noble families, and even those from smaller officials’ families were legitimate daughters.

When facing girls from less influential backgrounds, Yan Xiaofei often showed a sense of superiority.

But standing before someone like Ye Yaqin, a true noble lady, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of inferiority.

Ye Yaqin gently turned her head, gazing softly at the blooming crabapple flowers in front of her, her face always carrying a warm, spring-like smile.

“Miss Yan, you are joking. Everything depends on His Majesty’s decision. How could I possibly know the outcome of tomorrow’s selection?”

Just then, Chu Yinxue gracefully entered the garden. Her proud gaze didn’t even glance at the other candidates.

With just one look, she immediately spotted Ye Yaqin, who was surrounded by admiration.

Among this year’s candidates, only Ye Yaqin could be considered a true rival to her.

However, Chu Yinxue disliked Ye Yaqin’s overly perfect and composed demeanor. But there was nothing she could do—people of similar status always gathered together.

Among all the candidates, if she had to choose someone to associate with, Chu Yinxue certainly wouldn’t lower herself to befriend those beneath her.

So, she walked straight towards Ye Yaqin.

However, she wasn’t paying attention and accidentally bumped into someone.

The sudden impact made Chu Yinxue take a few steps back, her delicate eyebrows instantly furrowing in anger.

She was tall and elegant, and she immediately snapped, “Are you blind? How dare you bump into me!”

The girl she had bumped into froze for a moment. She had simply been focused on finding her close friend on the other side of the garden and hadn’t noticed someone walking past.

“I’m sorry, Miss Chu. I didn’t see you,” she said apologetically.

Her name was Lin Miaoyin. Her delicate brows knitted slightly—she truly hadn’t done it on purpose.

Chu Yinxue glanced down at her and noticed that she was quite beautiful.

Then, she lifted Lin Miaoyin’s chin with her hand.

“Which family are you from? I haven’t even done anything to you, so why are you looking so pitiful?”

“I am the daughter of the Governor of Jinzhou. My name is Lin Miaoyin. Please forgive me, Miss Chu.”

Lin Miaoyin’s eyes started to well up with tears because of Chu Yinxue’s harsh and condescending tone.

Chu Yinxue was bold and outspoken, but she wasn’t foolish.

Jinzhou?

That was one of the wealthiest cities in the kingdom. If Lin Miaoyin entered the palace, at least she wouldn’t lack money. It might be beneficial to befriend her.

But Chu Yinxue didn’t like her delicate and timid appearance—it seemed too weak and small-minded.

“Well, I suppose this accident has allowed us to meet. I won’t hold it against you,” Chu Yinxue said casually.

“Thank you, sister,” Lin Miaoyin replied gratefully.

She had been pampered at home and was always kind to others, never having conflicts with anyone.

If she were selected for the palace tomorrow, she only wished to live peacefully, avoid trouble, and not bring any danger to her family.

Chu Yinxue smiled slightly, then took Lin Miaoyin’s hand affectionately and led her to Ye Yaqin.

“Sister Ye, the garden is so lively today. I just had a little accident and bumped into such a lovely beauty.”

She deliberately brought Lin Miaoyin forward, just to provoke Ye Yaqin.

After all, Lin Miaoyin looked somewhat similar to Ye Yaqin.

However, Ye Yaqin had a more noble and composed aura, while Lin Miaoyin appeared softer and more delicate.

Chu Yinxue had met Ye Yaqin before at various banquets. Their families were equally powerful, so they had interacted many times.

She knew very well what Ye Yaqin cared about the most.

It was her appearance.

Although Ye Yaqin was beautiful, in a palace filled with stunning women, only her unique elegance could make her stand out.

When Lin Miaoyin heard Chu Yinxue call her a “little beauty,” her cheeks turned pink.

Miss Chu really spoke so boldly.

Feeling a little shy, she said softly, “Greetings, Sister Ye. I am Lin Miaoyin, the daughter of the Governor of Jinzhou.”

Ye Yaqin carefully looked Lin Miaoyin up and down, and a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Then, she smiled gently and said in a warm voice, “Little Sister Lin truly is a delicate beauty.”

Lin Miaoyin was indeed stunning. Among the many candidates, she and Chu Yinxue had completely different types of beauty, but both were eye-catching.

Ye Yaqin cared about her looks, but she knew that entering the palace wasn’t just about beauty.

Her real goal was the position beside the emperor.

If not for that, why would she even want to enter the palace?

The emperor had not yet chosen an empress, and since they were the first group of candidates selected after his coronation, she naturally wanted to compete for that position.

Chu Yinxue was incredibly beautiful but had an arrogant and bold personality—she was definitely not a suitable choice for empress.

Ye Yaqin never saw her as a real threat.

No, in fact, she didn’t take any of this year’s candidates seriously. The ones she truly saw as rivals were the Noble Consort and Pure Consort.

Yan Xiaofei, standing nearby, glanced at Lin Miaoyin’s face and was visibly surprised.

There were many candidates in the second selection round, and they were divided into different groups, each trained and assessed by different mentors.

Because of this, not everyone had met before. Seeing Lin Miaoyin for the first time today, Yan Xiaofei couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Lin Miaoyin had the kind of delicate beauty that made men instinctively want to protect her.

Suppressing her jealousy, Yan Xiaofei smiled and said, “I still like Sister Chu’s looks the most—bright and dazzling, just like the sun in the sky, shining brilliantly.”

Hearing the compliment, Chu Yinxue felt pleased and proud.

Even though Yan Xiaofei was just a concubine’s daughter—someone she didn’t really think much of—being flattered always felt nice.

“Miss Yan, you really have a sweet tongue. But aren’t you afraid that Sister Ye will feel upset by what you said?”

As she spoke, Chu Yinxue purposely turned to glance at Ye Yaqin.

However, Ye Yaqin showed no reaction, which made Chu Yinxue lose interest.

Chu Yinxue had never intended to get along with Ye Yaqin. In her eyes, Ye Yaqin was her biggest rival.

As long as she could annoy Ye Yaqin, she would do it without hesitation.

Yan Xiaofei hadn’t expected Chu Yinxue to openly try to stir up conflict between her and Ye Yaqin. Her smile became a little stiff.

“Sister Chu, Sister Ye is as gentle as water, graceful like a fairy. Both of you are truly beautiful.”

Chu Yinxue rolled her eyes and then took Lin Miaoyin’s hand, leading her toward where Lin Miaoyin had originally been heading—to find her close friend.

Since she would inevitably have to compete with Ye Yaqin in the palace, she might as well start forming her own alliances now.