Everyone in my harem is talented

At this time in Chuxiu Palace.

The Queen Mother sat calmly at the head of the main hall, on the left side of the main seat, with Concubine Yi Meng Wuyue sitting below her. Concubine Rou Liu Yiren and Concubine Ying Li Sisi sat below the main seat on the right side.

"I heard that Concubine Yi's sister is also among these beauties. Which one is she?" The empress dowager turned her head to Concubine Yi, then looked at the beauties in the hall.

There were thirty beauties in the hall, standing in five rows.

"In reply to the Empress Dowager, the second one from the left in the third row is my sister." Concubine Yi Meng Wu Yue replied softly.

"Stand out and let me take a closer look at you," the Queen Mother said in a gentle voice.

The second girl from the left in the third row of concubines came out gracefully in a floor-length dress made of moon-white satin and snow-blue with silver thread edges. She bowed her head and lowered her brows to the Empress Dowager, Concubine Yi, Concubine Rou and Concubine Ying.

"Your servant Meng Xinghe, respectfully wishes the Empress Dowager Ci'an, Concubine Yi, Concubine Rou, and Concubine Ying Shu'an!"

"Meng Xinghe? 'After getting drunk, I didn't know the sky was over the water, and the boat was full of clear dreams pressing down on the stars.' Meng Xinghe, Meng Xinghe, what a good name." The Queen Mother exclaimed.

"Raise your head and let me see you." Meng Xinghe raised his head slowly, his black eyes were as bright as stars, his lips were red and his face was fair, with the appearance of an immortal.

"She is as pretty as a flower and as charming as peach and plum. What a beautiful girl. Go back." After hearing the Queen Mother's words, Meng Xinghe bowed again and then returned to the team.

The emperor was still on his way, and the atmosphere became silent again.

When Concubine Yi Meng Wuyue saw that the Queen Mother had just praised her sister Meng Xinghe's name, she joked and started the conversation again.

She said: "My name is not bad. My father said that my name comes from 'I want to dream of Wu and Yue, and fly across the mirror lake in one night'. It can still be heard by the Queen Mother. Now that the Queen Mother has seen my sister's fairy-like appearance, she can't completely forget about me."

The Queen Mother seemed to be unable to hold back her laughter when she heard this, but she suddenly straightened her face and said:

"You little girl, you are jealous of your sister in front of me. You should go to the emperor and tell him about this."

The Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh as she spoke.

"The eldest princess will be four years old after her birthday. How could I not know your name?"

"When I first heard your nickname before I met you, I thought it was very pleasant. Later, when I saw your aura, I realized that the words 'transcendent and unworldly' are not just a lie. Your sister has an angelic appearance, so aren't you also transcendent and unworldly?"

"Your Majesty the Queen Mother is so good at praising people. I feel like my cheeks are getting hot." Concubine Yi Meng Wu Yue raised the corners of her lips, her eyes curved into crescent shapes, and she was smiling.

The Queen Mother asked, "Were all your names chosen by Meng Liu?"

Meng Wuyue: "The Queen Mother is right. Father loves us three siblings very much. He carefully considered and personally chose our names."

The Queen Mother said: "He is a loving father. Doctor Meng Liumeng is indeed worthy of being the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, whose students are all over the world. He is well-educated and has a loving father's heart. This is a great name for his children."

"What's your younger brother's name?"

"My youngest brother is named Meng Xingye. My father told us that his name comes from the phrase 'stars hang low over the vast plains, the moon rises over the great river'. My father was very much attracted by the scene of the stars hanging low over the vast plains, the fusion of heaven and earth."

"Has your younger brother married?"

"Not yet. Xingye and Xinghe are twins from the same womb. They haven't even reached adulthood yet, so there's no talk of marriage yet!"

The Queen Mother chatted with Concubine Yi about her family and interesting things that happened at home before she got married.

Concubine Rou Liu Yiren and Concubine Ying Li Sisi sat together, listening with their ears perked up, and whispering to each other from time to time.

"Sister Roupin, which one of these beauties do you think is qualified to become our Empress?" Yingpin secretly glanced at the beauties below.

"I dare not speak rashly about the selection of the Empress. It all depends on your Majesty's wishes." Concubine Rou looked down at her plain hands. Because she was pregnant, she had never used rouge.

"Roupin, you are so boring. No wonder His Majesty doesn't visit you often even though you are so beautiful."

"Sister Yingpin, what you said, His Majesty often visits you, so why don't you seem to be pregnant?" When Roupin heard this, she retorted sarcastically.

Three months ago, the imperial physician took Concubine Rou's pulse and found out that she was more than a month pregnant, so she was confident in saying this.

"Besides, which concubine in the harem is not beautiful?"

"Yan Shu'er, the concubine appointed by His Majesty some time ago, was born as a palace maid, but she was also very beautiful and charming, and was favored by His Majesty for more than a month."

"What's more, Your Majesty has visited Sister Yingpin's palace no more times than I do. Before today, there were only four of us concubines in the palace, and the two of us have always been at the bottom. Why do you say that to me?" Concubine Rou snorted coldly.

Yingpin decisively admitted her mistake: "Sister Roupin, I spoke too quickly and without thinking. I said something nonsense. I apologize to you. Please keep your voice down. The Queen Mother is sitting upstairs."

Thirty beauties stood in five rows. They didn't dare to gather together like Concubine Rou and Concubine Ying and whisper to each other.

They dared not make any small movements and endured it all. The Queen Mother and several concubines were sitting at the top, and they could see everything that happened below.

No matter what their status will be in the future, they are still unclear about their status now, so they dare not be rude and just stand there quietly.

I have come to the last scene but have not yet met the emperor. If I am impolite, all my previous efforts will be wasted.

It would be fine if I could just go home, but what I fear most is bringing trouble to my family.

Of course, no one wants to go home. Those who want to go home can make some small mistakes in the first few rounds and be demoted.

Some of those who have come this far only want to enter the palace before doing anything else, while there are also those who have become overconfident, covet high positions, and have the ambition to covet the position of the Empress.

No matter who it was, no one was willing to be driven out of the palace.

The concubines were all silently waiting for the arrival of the real master.

But the main host still hadn't arrived, the main seat was empty, and Qin Zhi was still on his way.

"Zhi Er, why hasn't he come yet? Did he forget that today is the day to appoint concubines?"

"Xinyun, have you asked anyone to ask?" The Queen Mother asked Xinyun, the head maid beside her.

"Empress Dowager, I sent someone to ask Your Majesty just now. I think Your Majesty is busy with government affairs and cannot get away for the time being." Concubine Yi Meng Wu Yue slightly raised the corner of her mouth and smiled gently.

"You are quite clever."

"Look at the faces of the beauties below. They are so fresh and youthful! They are all in their 15th or 16th years old. When I see these young people, I feel like my old bones are about to be rejuvenated."

"Thinking back, I was also one of the beauties. Emperor Taizu and Empress Taizu chose me from among a group of beauties and promised me to the late emperor who was still the crown prince at that time. I became the late emperor's concubine and gave birth to Princess Zheng and Princess Xu successively. Later, I was lucky enough to give birth to Zhier, and I became the principal wife. Now, many years have passed in a flash." The empress dowager sighed.

I couldn't help but sigh:

"The future queen mother is chosen from among these beautiful ladies. I wonder which one will be so lucky."

"Now that the Empress is established, there will be a legitimate son in the future."

"You three should also do more to serve the emperor and our royal family and have more children!" The empress dowager suddenly turned the topic to the three concubines present.

As for Yan Shuer, due to her low position and little experience, the Queen Mother completely forgot about her existence. Yan Shuer was unable to come to the Chuxiu Palace to see the Emperor's imperial concubines.

"It's been three years since Concubine Yi gave birth to the eldest princess. It's time for her to get pregnant again."

"Roupin had an accidental miscarriage before, but she is pregnant again. Now you are four months pregnant, you must always pay attention to your body and the baby in your belly, and listen carefully to the instructions of the imperial physician."

"Yingpin, you too, have served the emperor for three or four years, and you still haven't given birth. You need to work harder."

After the Queen Mother finished expressing her feelings, she gave instructions to the three concubines one by one.

"Your servants and other concubines will obey the Empress Dowager's order. We don't have to worry about it." Concubine Yi, Concubine Rou and Concubine Ying answered in unison.

Concubine Yi Meng Wu Yue nodded, her expression very sincere, without a trace of perfunctory tone.

She thought to herself, she did want to have a baby, but could she do so whenever she wanted?

If, if she had given birth to the eldest prince...

Meng Wu Yue's eyes dimmed and he looked a little lonely.

She didn't dare take any fertility-aiding drugs, because all medicines are toxic. If something unexpected happened and she got hurt, there would be no hope at all.

Concubine Rou lowered her eyelashes, with a hint of pride in her eyes.

Although the Empress is going to be appointed now, she is still not appointed. She is pregnant now and will give birth in five or six months. If she can give birth to the Emperor's eldest son, she will be the most proud person in the harem.

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Qin Zhi may be late, but he will never be absent.

Well, I'm late.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Qin Zhi was nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and a tall and slender figure.

His eyebrows were like ink paintings, his eyes were like cold stars, his nose was high, his thin lips were slightly raised, and he was wearing a black wide-sleeved uniform with twelve-chapter patterns. He strode into the Chuxiu Palace with big strides.

"Your son pays respects to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and happiness."

The Yong Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety. Although the emperor was the master of the world and the highest ruler on earth, he also needed to pay respects to the empress dowager.

The Empress Dowager has her own etiquette, and the Emperor's performance of courtesy to the Empress Dowager is an example of filial piety set by the Emperor to the people of the world.

"My dear, get up and come and sit down."

He walked forward, turned around and sat in the main seat, his eyes deep and sharp, looking down at everyone from above, with a majestic aura without being angry.

"Your Majesty, I, your concubine, servant, and servant respectfully wish you the best of health and happiness!"

"Everyone, get up."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time, mother. I've been so busy with government affairs these days that I even forgot that the day of the imperial selection has arrived." The sharpness in Qin Zhi's eyes was instantly dispelled by a gentle smile, and the corners of his lips curled up.

"It's okay. State affairs are more important. There's nothing wrong with me waiting for a while. My son, you also have to take good care of your health!" The empress dowager showed a kind look on her face.

As the concubines looked at the scene of loving mother and filial son in front of them, the tension in their hearts seemed to have dissipated a lot.

"I have important matters to attend to today, so let's get started." Qin Zhi said seriously.

Qin Zhi didn't think there would be any big events in today's imperial selection, so he wasn't very interested.

Those who wanted to leave could have left in the first few rounds. All the concubines who stayed in the palace until now were intended to become concubines.

The arrogant, maskless fool, the fool who claims to be extremely intelligent but creates trouble in an unfamiliar away field, has been eliminated early.

Qin Zhi doesn't like stupid people.

How the women in the harem will scheme against each other and fight for favor are all things that happen after entering the palace. The real drama can only be performed on the stage.

The competition for favor, the competition among the ladies in the harem, the intrigues and deceptions for the so-called favor, are actually the same as the competition for power and profit among the men in the previous dynasty. People have ambitions and do not need others to criticize them.

What the women in the harem fight for is not some illusory love, but a chance to advance, wealth, power, treatment, status, and the future.

As for the love-brained, that is a freak who can create pink bubbles when looking at everything, and cannot treat things with common sense. Oh, yes, there are also strange people.

Qin Zhi admired the ambition of smart people and was amazed at their endless variety of tactics and strategies.

If the previous dynasty fought too hard, it would affect the country and the people, and Qin Zhi would not allow it.

The harem is far away from the people and cannot cause much trouble. After all, Qin Zhi is not a love-minded person.

Qin Zhi said, although I love watching shows and making trouble, I still have some sense of propriety.

At least for now.

"I am your servant, Lu Xinyin, the daughter of Lu Jingren, Marquis of Cheng'en." Lu Xinyin's thin voice sounded, with her unique shyness.

As soon as the queen mother finished speaking, she was interrupted by Qin Zhi's words.

"Stay, next one."

Qin Zhi saw a flash of surprise in Lu Xinyin's eyes and didn't look at her again.

Logically, the emperor should ask the concubines what books they have read, what skills they are good at, and what their hobbies are. They can talk about things like calligraphy, playing the piano, chess, painting, embroidery, cooking, and housework. However, Qin Zhi did not want to talk.

The Queen Mother's breathing stopped for a moment, and then she lowered her eyelashes to hide the emotions in her eyes.

"Your servant Fu Mengli is the daughter of General Fu Buyi of Yunhui."

"Your servant Meng Xinghe is the daughter of Meng Liu, the chief priest of the Imperial Academy."

"Your servant Shen Ningyue is the daughter of Shen Siheng, the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy."

"Your servant, Li Xihua, is the daughter of Li Ren'an, the governor of Jingji."

"Your servant Jiang Lanzhi is the daughter of Jiang Baichuan, the Minister of Rites."

"Keep."

Qin Zhi did not allow any discussion and quickly selected the beauties to be taken into the harem. The first selection of beauties during the Jingzheng period ended at lightning speed. The Queen Mother did not say a word and seemed a little depressed.

"I see that each of these beauties is beautiful and intelligent, with graceful manners. This year's selection is all thanks to my mother. Today's selection was very efficient. You have worked so hard for me, my mother." Qin Zhi's eyes were filled with a soft light of touch and a look of gratitude.

"The arrangements for the selected and unselected concubines to go home or be transferred to female officials will be left to Consort Yi and Consort Ying. I see that you are tired, so go back and rest. I will also return to Zhaozheng Palace, and I and my ministers will arrange the canonization."

The Queen Mother smiled kindly, with some fatigue in her eyes.