The Legend of Concubine Su

The triennial beauty pageant, like a gentle spring breeze, sweeps across the imperial city, bringing a breath of fresh air and endless anticipation. It's not only a feast for the honors of the court's ministers and their families, but also a dazzling stage for countless young women to cherish their dreams and hopes. When the day of the palace examination arrives, the Forbidden City seems to be given new life, adorned with lights and resplendent splendor. Every corner is filled with a solemn and welcoming atmosphere, as if even the very air is filled with the longing for a bright future.

The young women participating in this palace examination were all daughters or sisters of prominent officials. They came from distinguished backgrounds, nurtured by a scholarly family from a young age, and mastered the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, composing poetry with ease. They wore magnificent palace attire meticulously crafted by skilled craftsmen, adorned their heads with dazzling pearls and jade, and slipped on light, flowing embroidered shoes. Like blossoming peonies, they competed for splendor on the stage of the palace examination, displaying their unrivaled elegance and grace.

Each of these young women possesses unique characteristics and strengths. Some are gentle as water, their eyes revealing a hint of sadness and longing, seemingly able to touch the softest part of the human heart; others are heroic, their brows revealing unyielding pride and tenacity, and one cannot help but be impressed by their courage and determination. Some lower their brows and smile gently, revealing a subtle and restrained beauty; others hold their heads high and chests puffed out, displaying a confident and assertive posture. Every movement and every look reveals their unique personality and charm, leaving the audience dazzled and captivated.

The palace examination was a thrilling spectacle, a test of both talent and soul. These young women, gazing upon countless pairs of eyes, shone like glittering stars in the vast night sky. They were compelled to unreservedly showcase their talent and wisdom, using their melodious voices, graceful dances, masterful zither playing, and brilliant poetry to touch the noble and sensitive hearts of the Emperor and Empress.

However, this is more than just a dazzling display of skill; it's more like a stern test of one's inner self. Amidst the bustling and clamorous stage, the young women must maintain a heart as pure as water, unperturbed by the clamor of the outside world and unencumbered by the lure of fame and fortune. Only in this way can they truly earn the emperor's favor and admiration, rewrite their own destiny, and become the most dazzling sight in the palace.

As the stifling tension of the palace examination permeated the air, the instructor arrived like a guardian angel. Her face was cold, her eyes sharp as a knife, and she sternly admonished the beautiful girls in an unquestionable tone: "Don't speak! This is forbidden ground in the imperial palace. Maintain a solemn and respectful demeanor!" The girls shuddered in fear, their lips tightly sealed, fearing the slightest mistake would anger the awe-inspiring instructor. Under her guidance, they quickly formed their formation and marched in an orderly and well-organized manner toward the magnificent palace, like a well-trained army marching towards the dawn of victory.

When the girls stepped into the magnificent and solemn hall, it was as if the whole world froze. Their hearts seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, beating violently, almost jumping out of their throats; at the same time, deep in their hearts, they were filled with indescribable anticipation, like butterflies about to break out of their cocoons, eager to spread their wings and fly high.

At the front of the hall sat the almighty Emperor and the graceful Empress. Their figures stood tall and straight like pine trees, their expressions dignified and solemn, like two immovable mountains, emanating an awe-inspiring aura. The young women approached with trepidation, performing a perfect salute in unison. In unison, they shouted, "Your Highnesses, we pay our respects to the Emperor and the Empress! Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" Their voices were clear and melodious, like the cry of an oriole, echoing throughout the vast hall.

The emperor nodded slightly, a genial smile on his face. His voice was low and magnetic, revealing a reassuring power: "Stand up, everyone." Hearing these words, the girls felt as if they had been pardoned. Their tense nerves finally relaxed a little. They were secretly glad in their hearts and thanked the emperor again with tears of gratitude.

Then, the thrilling palace examination officially began. Beautiful young ladies took turns taking the stage, each showcasing their talents and wisdom to the fullest. Some, with their rosy lips, sang melodious songs, their captivating melodies like heavenly sounds, captivating the audience. Others danced gracefully, their figures like fairies descending to earth, their graceful steps dazzling. Still others captivated the audience with their exquisite qin skills, their notes flowing from their fingertips as naturally and fluently as flowing water, captivating the heart. Even more celebrated for their exceptional talent, their poems were profound and profound, their meanings profound, their words exuding endless poetic and philosophical meaning.

The Emperor and Empress watched each girl's brilliant performance with rapt attention, sometimes nodding in approval, other times lost in thought, seemingly savoring the profound meaning within. The Emperor's eyes lit up especially when he saw a woman as unique and remarkable as Su Jingyue, secretly marveling at the existence of such a talented individual. In this fierce competition, each girl gave her all, hoping to stand out and become the center of attention. As for the ultimate winner, only time would reveal the answer...

The emperor secretly admired these young women, not only for their outstanding appearances but also for their inherent talent and resilience. He particularly noted several who stood out, some displaying exceptional wisdom through their quick wits and fluent responses, others with delicate emotions and heartfelt performances that moved the audience. Among them was Lin Wan'er, who captivated the audience with her self-composed qin piece, "Dreaming of Jiangnan." The melodious, mournful sound of the qin transported the audience to the misty waterside villages of Jiangnan, leaving them mesmerized.

The Empress was also full of praise, gently stroking the delicate round fan in her hand, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She knew these young women were not only the pride of their families, but also the future of the nation. The best among them might become future concubines or the Emperor's right-hand men. Therefore, she attached great importance to this selection ceremony, hoping to select the most outstanding women for the imperial family.

As the palace examination progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The girls, knowing this was their only chance to change their fate, gave their all, showcasing their best selves. The Emperor and Empress, in turn, took the exam with increasing seriousness, focusing not only on the girls' talent and wisdom but also their moral character and cultivation. In their view, a truly outstanding woman possessed not only talent and beauty, but also kindness, gentleness, and virtue.

Finally, after several rounds of intense competition, several of the most outstanding girls emerged. They not only earned the high praise of the Emperor and Empress, but also became the focus of everyone's attention. The triennial beauty pageant concluded successfully amidst laughter and joy. It not only injected new vitality and hope into the imperial palace, but also opened a door to dreams and hope for countless girls.