After the death of the previous emperor, the Empress Dowager became arrogant

We know that fate cannot be defied and we can only obey it. There is nothing we can do about it.

So I slowly calmed down and said to the people around me: "I want to be alone for a while, you guys go out first."

After sending everyone away, I realized that I had to adapt to this kind of life and get used to this identity as soon as possible.

Sitting on the bed in a daze, my mind was filled with all the past events. I really missed the days with my family and friends.

At night, someone knocked on the door and asked, "Come out to eat, the food is cold."

He mustered up the courage to answer, "Mom, I'll be out in a minute, you guys eat first."

"Okay, then hurry up, there are guests outside."

"Oh, I see."

She quickly washed her face, put on her clothes, rolled her hair up out of habit, and hurried out.

When I was about to push open the door to the living room, I hesitated for a moment, but still plucked up the courage to push the door open and go in.

"Oh, why don't you ask the servants to comb your hair? How can you meet guests like this? Your hair is messy. It's not decent. You don't care about your image. You will lose the demeanor of a lady from a noble family. Come on, I will accompany you to change and wash your hair. Fortunately, no one saw it, otherwise..."

"Okay, Mom, stop talking. It's just a habit. I can just change it."

I smiled at my mother, who looked helpless and said, "I really can't do anything about you."

After entering the dressing room, the servants changed her into a new set of clothes.

Afterwards, she combed her hair carefully and dressed herself up.

It really doesn't feel good, wearing so many clothes in the middle of summer and carrying a heavy weight on your head.

Forget it, what's the point of thinking about it.

Mother said, "Don't act crazy like usual when you go out later. Pay attention to etiquette and leave a good impression on the guests. After all, this is the first time we meet. Promise me, okay?"

She pouted and said, "Mom, what are you doing? It's really awkward. By the way, who is this person?"

"You'll know in a moment."

I followed Xu Xu towards the guest room, feeling very nervous. After a while, I reached the door and pushed it open and went in.

He looks like a Confucian scholar.

He quickly asked me to come over and introduced me to the guests, "This is my little daughter."

Then he followed the example of his old friend.

I only saw him saying, "You are really well-educated and sensible, but I am unlucky and don't have that kind of luck."

He hurriedly said, "What are you talking about, sir? It's just that the emperor's order cannot be disobeyed, and none of us can do anything about it."

Sitting aside pretending to be indifferent, he suddenly stood up and said, "Dad, I'm a little tired. I want to go back to my room to rest."

Then he turned and left.

On the way back to the room, I was thinking about their conversation as I walked.

What is the divine command? What is the lack of blessings? Why do you say this?

I returned to the room with a series of questions.

The next morning, after getting familiar with the place, I went to say hello to my parents.

When I arrived at this place, before I could even take a good look around, I asked my parents to let me go out for a while.

Fang Ran, it’s easy to deal with my mother, but it’s not easy to deal with my father.

She was also scolded by her father: "How can a grown-up girl run around the streets all day? You have no shame, but I still have my dignity to protect. Don't go out and embarrass yourself, so as not to cause trouble. The selection of concubines is imminent, so don't make any mistakes, otherwise I, your father, will lose ten heads."

After saying that, he threw his sleeves and left angrily.

After being scolded for no apparent reason, he turned around and asked: "Sit down first, tell me what's going on."

"Do you still remember the guest who came to our house yesterday? He is our family's great benefactor. Although he is weak and gentle, he is very capable and talented. Not only him, but also his father has done us a favor. Ten years ago, you were only eight years old, but your family fell into poverty. In order to avoid the pursuit of enemies, you had to flee all the way here. Fortunately, with their help, we were able to cheer up again. At that time, you were only ten years old. Due to the deep feelings between the two families, they made the decision. But since your father was promoted, he moved home, and you two have never met again. Isn't this just in time for the imperial examination? After ten years of hard study, you finally have a good reputation. Your father took this opportunity to let you meet. But things are unpredictable. Who would have thought that the newly established emperor would choose a concubine, and chose our family, and specified that you must participate. In desperation, I had to give up and let you participate in the selection of concubines. Don't blame your father for being cruel. Disobeying the order is a capital crime, and the whole family will be ruined."

Only then did I understand their conversation that night.

Seeing his mother begging desperately, he felt a little sad, but he didn't want his life to be ruined in the palace.

A few days later, I heard a commotion outside my room. I opened the door and asked, "What happened outside? Why is it so noisy?"

"Miss, don't you know? The emperor issued an edict to the master today."

"What imperial edict?"

"I don't know either. It seems to be about the Emperor's selection of a concubine."

"what?"

Why is it so fast? What should I do? What should I do?

And at this moment the desire to escape is even stronger.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw my parents and a group of people kneeling on the ground. My father was holding the imperial edict in both hands, ready to kowtow to express his gratitude.

"Dad, wait a minute."

The eunuch who announced the decree then turned around and looked at me, and said in a sissy tone: "Oh, this must be your daughter, right? You will have a good life in the future. You will be chosen as the imperial concubine in no time. Choose a day to enter the palace!"

He hurriedly said, "Thank you, Lord."

Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, he said, "I don't agree."

Before anyone else could react, he ran out.

I couldn't help but feel anxious and wanted to know what would happen next.

When I woke up again, I found that everything around me had changed.

There are no thick walls, only a few sheets of gauze covering it.

With an uneasy heart, he gently pushed aside the veil and walked out cautiously. He found that the surroundings were all wooden houses and his original room was nowhere to be seen.

It's a bit like an ancient style building.

When he walked to a bronze mirror in the guest room, he was stunned and hurried forward to take a closer look.

Oh my god, that's horrible.

As he stepped back, he accidentally knocked over the teacup on the table next to him.

Suddenly, several people dressed like maids pushed the door open and said, "Miss, are you okay? Let the servants dress you up quickly. You should pay your respects to the master and the mistress soon."

As he spoke, he saw them coming over with basins of water, clothes, etc.

"Miss? What Miss? I'm not your Miss. You've got the wrong person."

They hurriedly said, "Miss, what's wrong with you? Are you okay? Stop joking with me and get familiar with me."

Suddenly, his hands flashed and he pushed them away.

I don't know where I got so much strength from or if they didn't use enough force, but I easily broke free from their restraints.

They rushed over and tried to catch them, throwing things at them and shouting loudly, but there was nothing they could do.

Just when they were happy, there were a few coughs outside the door, and the maids next to them said, "The master is here."

Then he stepped aside, and after a while, a man with a serious face walked in.

Is this the master?

I thought this in my heart, and didn’t dare to think too much about it.

Even if he was unwilling a thousand or ten thousand times, the fact was indisputable. He simply refused to listen to the advice of the strangers around him and just kept making trouble.

The "master" who had been standing aside without saying a word suddenly said, "Stop arguing."

This was a shock, like a bolt from the blue.

Everyone was silent, so quiet that only breathing could be heard.

I saw him walking towards me slowly.

When he gradually approached, without looking up at him, I could feel his sharp gaze coming straight at me, and the thumping heartbeat seemed unusually terrifying at this moment.

Unexpectedly, he came over, threw down a few words and walked away.

The old man did not show any gentleness when he came over. Instead, he said sternly, "Have you had enough of the trouble?"

I was so scared that I didn't even dare to breathe, how could I dare to speak?

The room was as silent as a stagnant pool of water. No one dared to say a word. Everyone just stood there motionless.

About ten minutes later, the lady standing by spoke up: "Don't blame your father for being so strict with you. He has lived on the edge of a knife since he was a child and has been through many battles. He had no choice but to develop this kind of character."