From cute to empress

"What happened to the emperor?" I asked hurriedly, and the sword in my hand fell to the ground with a clang.

"The emperor... wants to choose a concubine for the third prince!" Nanny Yang said breathlessly.

I was stunned for a moment, my heart slightly relieved. It turned out to be a false alarm. I thought the Emperor... Oh, what's wrong with me? I've been so nervous lately.

"Just choose a concubine, what does it have to do with me?" I patted my chest and tried to calm myself down.

"Why is it okay? The emperor said that all women of appropriate age must participate in this concubine selection, including...including you!" Nanny Yang said, looking at me meaningfully.

My mind went blank. They wanted me to participate in the imperial concubine selection? How could that be possible? I promised Brother Zhen that I would help him find out the truth. How could I possibly marry the Third Prince?

"This...what should I do?" I was suddenly panicked and muttered to myself in a daze.

Seeing this, Nanny Yang quickly comforted her, "Niu Jieyu, don't worry too much. This is just the emperor's wish. Whether she will be chosen in the end is still uncertain."

I smiled wryly and shook my head. This was a concubine selection, not a market. How could it be that easy? Furthermore, my opponents were those well-born, talented, and beautiful ladies from prominent families. How could I compare with them?

"No, I can't just sit there and wait for death!" I suddenly raised my head, a determined light flashing in my eyes, "I want to participate in the selection of concubines, I want to prove my worth!"

Nanny Yang was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting me to say such a thing.

"Niu Jieyu, you..."

"Mammy, I know what you're going to say, but I've made up my mind," I interrupted. "Instead of sitting here in fear, I might as well give it a try! If I can gain the Emperor's favor, perhaps I'll have the opportunity to learn more about the matter, making it easier to uncover the truth."

Nanny Yang looked at me, silent for a moment, and finally sighed and said, "Well, since you have made up your mind, then I will not say anything more. However, the palace is not a good place, you must be careful."

I nodded, watched Nanny Yang leave, and immediately went to find Brother Zhen to discuss countermeasures.

"You want to participate in the selection of concubines?" After hearing my idea, Brother Zhen frowned, "This is too dangerous. I don't agree!"

"I know it's dangerous, but..."

"No buts!" Brother Zhen interrupted me, "Do you know that once you step into that vortex, there's no way out!"

"But if I don't do this, I will never find out the truth, nor will I be able to clear your name!" I raised my head and looked directly into Brother Zhen's eyes. "Brother Zhen, believe me, I can do it!"

Brother Zhen looked at me, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance. He knew that this was my personality. Once I made up my mind, I would never change it easily.

"Okay, since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you." Brother Zhen finally compromised. "But you must promise me that you will be careful and take care of yourself."

"Well, I promise you!" I nodded vigorously, my heart full of gratitude and emotion.

I know that this road will be full of thorns and challenges, but I will not give up. For myself and for Brother Zhen, I must stick to it!

Over the next few days, with the help of Brother Zhen, I began diligently studying court etiquette, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Although my aptitude was average, I did make some progress under Brother Zhen's careful guidance.

However, I know that this is far from enough. Because my opponents are those ladies from wealthy families who have received strict training since childhood...

The day of the talent show for the palace concubine selection has finally arrived. I feel like a suckling pig in an oven, so nervous that I am about to be burnt.

Today, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was festooned with lights and a festive atmosphere. Along with the other women participating in the imperial selection, I dressed in my finest attire and awaited the Emperor's inspection. Looking around, I saw women of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique charm, many with exceptional temperament and unparalleled talent. This only deepened my uneasiness.

Brother Zhen specially prepared a pale pink skirt for me, which set off my fair skin and made me look delicate and charming. I secretly took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my nervousness.

"Niu Jieyu, it's your turn." A eunuch's shrill voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I quickly stood up, took a deep breath, and slowly walked into the hall.

In the great hall, the Emperor sat high atop the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping majestically below. My heart raced, and my legs felt heavy as if they were filled with lead. I tried to remain calm and saluted the Emperor.

"Your humble servant, Niu Mengmeng, pays respect to His Majesty. Long live the Emperor."

"Stand up." The emperor's voice was low and deep, without any emotion.

I secretly raised my head and glanced at the emperor. I saw that he had a handsome face and was intimidating without even being angry. I suddenly felt even more nervous.

For my next talent show, I chose to play the guzheng. This piece was taught to me by Brother Zhen, and I practiced for a long time, thinking I could play it perfectly.

But, perhaps because I was too nervous, my fingers lost control and plucked the strings, producing harsh notes. I panicked and beads of sweat oozed from my forehead.

The judges in the audience began to whisper, and I could even feel their strange looks, and my cheeks suddenly became hot.

At this moment, Concubine Mei, who was sitting next to the emperor, suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I also know a little about music. How about I accompany Concubine Niu with a song?"

The emperor nodded slightly and agreed.

Concubine Mei stood up and walked slowly to my side. She was dressed in a purple palace dress, elegant and gorgeous. She smiled at me, then sat across from me and began to play.

Concubine Mei's qin skills were truly well-deserved. Her fingertips seemed imbued with magic, and every note she played flowed as smoothly and naturally as water, beautiful and melodious. With her accompaniment, my originally flustered qin playing gradually calmed down and became smoother.

When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted in the hall. I breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to the Emperor and Concubine Mei to express my gratitude.

However, I couldn't feel happy in my heart. I knew that my performance just now had been completely outdone by Concubine Mei.

Sure enough, just as I was about to leave, an old gentleman in official uniform and with a goatee stood up. He was none other than the Grand Secretary of the dynasty, Lord Zhao.

"Niu Jieyu," Lord Zhao said sternly, stroking his beard. "Your zither skills are truly unacceptable! Such a clumsy performance is a disgrace to society!" As soon as Lord Zhao had spoken, the hall fell silent. I felt so ashamed I wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground, tears welling in my eyes. Indeed, my zither skills were nowhere near those of these ladies who had studied from childhood, and my performance just now was full of mistakes. The criticism was only natural.

"Lord Zhao is right. Concubine Niu's qin skills do need improvement." At this time, a short, fat, middle-aged man with a mustache also spoke up. He was the palace music theory instructor, Instructor Sun. "However, since this is Concubine Niu's first time attending such an event, she is inevitably nervous. I hope Lord Zhao and the others will bear with her."

"Master Sun is right," a beautiful woman in a simple silk dress spoke up for me. She was Su Xiuniang, the head embroidery manager of the palace. "Although Concubine Niu's qin skills are a little lacking, she's very clever and skilled at embroidery. A while ago, she embroidered a painting of birds paying homage to the phoenix. It was so lifelike it was breathtaking."

I looked gratefully at Su Xiu Niang, who had taught me embroidery and had always taken such good care of me. I knew she was deliberately trying to help me out, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart.

"Madam Su is right. Everyone has their own strengths. We can't expect everyone to be proficient in everything." Brother Zhen, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. He was wearing a guard uniform and stood not far from me, looking at me firmly. "I believe Concubine Niu will definitely demonstrate her talents in other areas. Please wait and see."

Brother Zhen's words gave me great encouragement. I secretly glanced at him. His eyes were full of trust and encouragement, and my mood gradually calmed down. I knew I couldn't give up like this. I had to prove myself and live up to the expectations of everyone who cared about me.

At this moment, a young man in a long, blue robe, holding a folding fan, stepped out from the crowd. He had a handsome face and an elegant demeanor. He was none other than the palace musician Qian Leshi. He walked to the center of the hall, bowed to the emperor, and then turned to me with a meaningful smile on his face.

"Niu Jieyu, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not?" Musician Qian's voice was clear and pleasant, as smooth as jade.

My heart moved, and I vaguely felt that Master Qian’s next words might be helpful to me, so I raised my head, looked at him, and nodded slightly.

"Please give me some advice, Master Qian."

Musician Qian smiled faintly, a smile that seemed to carry a certain confidence of insight. He waved his folding fan and spoke slowly, "Niu Jieyu, your zither skills do have a lot of room for improvement. But you know, this palace is full of women who are proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If you want to win the first place in the talent show, relying solely on traditional skills is probably not enough."

His words shocked me. Yes, there are three thousand beauties in the harem, all of them proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. How easy is it to stand out? I didn't have much confidence in my talents to begin with, and now after hearing what Music Master Qian said, I was like a deflated ball, losing all my fighting spirit.

As if sensing my disappointment, Music Master Qian continued, "However, Concubine Niu, there's no need to be too discouraged. Although you don't have an advantage in traditional skills, you possess a unique temperament that other women don't possess."

I raised my head in confusion, looked at Master Qian, and asked, "What temperament?"

Musician Qian smiled mysteriously, but didn't directly answer my question. Instead, he asked, "Niu Jieyu, have you ever wondered why the Emperor would confer the title of Jieyu upon you?"

I've asked myself this question countless times, but I've never found the answer. I come from a humble background, my looks aren't stunning, and my talent isn't even up to par with those ladies from prestigious families. So why does the emperor look upon me with such special regard?

Seeing my bewildered expression, Music Master Qian continued, "The reason the Emperor likes you is because you possess a naive and innocent temperament, which is particularly precious in the treacherous harem. So, instead of competing with the other concubines in traditional talents, why not find a new way and incorporate this unique temperament into your performance? Perhaps you will have unexpected results."

Qian Leshi's words were like a ray of light, illuminating the confused corners of my heart. Yes, why should I be like everyone else? I can try to forge my own path.

"Master Qian, you're right!" I looked at him gratefully. "I will definitely work hard!"

As soon as Musician Qian finished speaking, the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause. I looked up in surprise and saw the Emperor smiling at me, his eyes filled with encouragement and anticipation. Brother Zhen, also standing in the crowd, smiled at me with satisfaction.

"Niu Jieyu, I believe you can do it." The emperor's voice was low and magnetic, but it carried an irresistible power.

I took a deep breath, my heart filled with confidence and strength. Master Qian's words made me realize that I wasn't completely useless; I had my strengths. All I had to do was leverage them and let everyone see my brilliance!