The wives of the concubines are empresses

The men selected for the imperial concubine selection this time were between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five, and were selected from among the five thousand one hundred men by eunuchs sent by the Ministry of Rites to various parts of the country.

These men will be sent to the capital for preliminary screening.

The eunuchs would conduct a physical examination, including checks of height, weight, facial features, skin, neck, and back. Men who did not meet the requirements were eliminated. Men who passed the initial screening were led into the inner palace by older maids and eunuchs for a more in-depth examination, including probing their chest muscles, smelling their armpits, and palpating their skin texture. A final selection of 300 candidates would typically be made for a probationary period.

During the trial period, the empress dowager or the grand empress dowager would usually summon these men to examine their calligraphy, painting, poetry, arithmetic, etc., and finally select the three best ones as concubines.

This time, the empress is selecting a concubine. In addition to the two empress dowagers, ministers of the former dynasty and concubines in the harem will also pay attention and ask questions.

When the Ministry of Rites saw the eunuch's sudden arrival, they hurriedly saluted respectfully.

"I will see you, Your Majesty."

"This slave is here to see the Emperor."

All the candidates knelt down and saluted.

"See the Emperor."

Chen Daren-Lin Xueyu helped Shangguan Wanjun sit on the armchair, and then sat beside her respectfully and gracefully.

Shangguan Wanjun said calmly, "Please stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the Minister of Rites Gao Xinghua and asked, "How many people are there now?"

"Your Majesty, there are still three thousand men."

Shangguan Wanjun looked up in surprise: "Three thousand people?"

Are you kidding me? Three thousand people, how can anyone choose?

Chen Daren-Lin Xueyu was so shocked that he stopped drinking tea. He was shocked by the astonishing number.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the young talent in front of her, her eyebrows moved slightly, and she suddenly spoke.

"Let them all come forward one by one, and I will take a look."

Minister of Rites Gao Xinghua bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Two thousand one hundred people were eliminated this time, and there are still three thousand people left. This is unprecedented. Throughout history, only three hundred people would be left in the end of the selection of concubines. This time, the elimination was carried out to the extreme, and there was nothing left.

The Minister of Rites instructed the young Right Vice Minister of Rites.

"Give orders for them to come forward in rows of ten for His Majesty to see."

The Right Vice Minister of Rites bowed respectfully: "Yes, Your Excellency."

He came before all the girls and announced loudly.

"Ten people come forward in a row."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites passed on the message one by one, and all the girls heard it clearly.

Seeing that it was almost time, the Right Vice Minister of Rites looked towards the first row and asked them to step forward five steps for Shangguan Wanjun to watch.

Shangguan Wanjun sighed as she looked at the handsome young ladies. No wonder the Ministry of Rites and the eunuchs had only shortlisted 2,100 candidates. It was quite a challenge for her to personally select them, considering they all had tall, slender figures and handsome features.

I never thought that many years later, I would have to face the situation of choosing a concubine.

"Each one registered, their age, their skills, and what they had done."

After Shangguan Wanjun finished speaking, she sighed that she had foresight and asked the female officials to bring their writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone.

The first Hideko stepped forward and said, "I am Qiu Chi, eighteen years old. I am good at farming and weaving crops. So far, I have only worked in farming, building city walls, and working in kilns."

After he finished speaking, no one sneered or snickered for a while, which made Shangguan Wanjun a little disappointed that she hadn't been able to screen out some people. However, it also made her look at the country with new eyes, and she felt that the quality of the nation had improved a lot.

Shangguan Wanjun was stunned when she heard his name.

"Qiu Chi?"

"Back to the emperor, exactly."

"I think this is the first time I've seen the surname Qiu."

Liu Cheng, standing by, said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is the first time I've seen this, too."

Since there are many sons of common people participating in the draft, many of whom cannot read or write, the policy has been relaxed for them. As long as they have no obvious scars or disabilities, have regular facial features, and no bad habits, they can be accepted.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the court lady Yuan Xinling and ordered, "Xinling."

"The minister is here."

"Remember him."

Yuan Xinling glanced at Qiu Chi and said, "Yes."

She sat down gracefully and wrote down Qiu Chi's name, age and other information.

The eunuchs were responsible for taking those who remained to another hall.

As for the second one, he was a little nervous because the previous one was left behind.

Liu Cheng said: "Continue."

"I am Xiang Zhengqi, 15 years old. I am good at reading and writing. I have worked as a copyist and cleaner."

Shangguan Wanjun raised her eyes and glanced at him: "Scholar?"

"Back to the Emperor, yes."

"Write something, I'll take a look."

Shi Qingxue led him to the desk beside him. He picked up the pen and wrote a piece of calligraphy. After the ink dried, Shi Qingxue picked it up and presented it to Shangguan Wanjun.

Looking at the fairly neat handwriting above, Shangguan Wanjun nodded slightly.

"Not bad. By the way, can you recite this poem?" Let's see how well he can recite. After all, it is not easy for a farming family to raise a scholar.

"There is no need to discuss wealth or poverty, the only sound that is best is the sound of reading." His voice is quite suitable for reading and sounds comfortable.

"This is Weng Chengzan's 'Study Studio Fun'. You read it quite well."

Xiang Zhengqi bowed respectfully: "Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. It's wonderful."

"Soul, stay."

Yuan Xinling nodded respectfully and wrote down Xiang Zhengqi's basic information. She was originally Minglan's personal maid, and now she is one of Shangguan Wanjun's female officials.

Xiang Zhengqi was very happy to hear that he was being kept. The empress's reputation and talent were known throughout the country, and he also yearned for it.

In order to avoid aesthetic fatigue, Shangguan Wanjun decided to arrange the sons of common people in one row and the sons of noble families and officials in another row. This would be fairer and more just for everyone.

Five people were left in the first row, and the second row consisted of children from aristocratic families and sons of officials.

Lu Yan'er (Minglan's former personal maid) looked at Xiuzi, who was not included in the file, and felt sorry for the cruelty of the selection process.

"I am Su Hangjin, a commoner, nineteen years old. I hold the title of Scholar, and am skilled in reading, writing, poetry, and songs. I have never worked as a clerk, but I often help my friends write poems and songs."

In the face of his honesty, Shangguan Wanjun actually looked up to him.

"Su, what does your family do?"

Su Hangjin said calmly, "My family runs a cloth business."

"Then why don't you continue to do business, but choose to take the imperial examination?" Could it be that you also have a desire to become an official?

Su Hangjin said respectfully, "As for studying and taking exams, I am even more happy about it."

"You seem unsatisfied with the status quo and drift with the tide. Let me test you. How about you compose a poem on the spot based on today's events?"

"The grass people follow the order."

He held his head high and puffed out his chest, thinking silently. Shangguan Wanjun drank the honey water quietly, without urging her to drink.

"You come from all sides, and we are selected through the layers. There are thousands of beautiful girls, and whether you stay or not is up to fate."

Listening to the smooth verses of poetry, Shangguan Wanjun smiled and pursed her lips.

"It's okay, it fits the bill and is catchy. Soul, stay."

Hearing this, Su Hangjin felt relieved. Fortunately, he had passed the first level of the empress.

The other children of the noble families had different thoughts, and many were thinking about the conversation between Su Hangjin and the empress.