Secrets of Yuqing Palace

As soon as the emperor issued the order to select a concubine, the entire Qing Dynasty became lively.

It has been six years since the last draft, and many ambitious families and princesses have missed the opportunity.

Now that the draft has been ordered again, a new wave of girls has grown up, and the chance for those people has come again!

In March, spring is in full swing in the capital, peach blossoms are in full bloom, willow catkins are flying, and the scene is full of vitality.

Many people and horses enter the city gates every day.

Many of them were beauties from other places who had undergone preliminary screening by local officials and were brought to Beijing by local officials to participate in the re-selection.

Nowadays, the inns in the capital are crowded every day. Even many ordinary households in the city have started to run temporary inn businesses and made a lot of money.

Early in the morning, just as the sky was getting light, Wanyu began to do her simple dressing surrounded by her nanny and maids.

Because Fu Cha was worried, she also came to Qiyunyuan early.

While watching the servants dressing Wanyu, she was thinking about giving her daughter a few more instructions in advance.

"Yu'er, today is just the primary election."

"Don't worry, just follow your second sister's instructions."

"The preliminary selection is just a preliminary screening based on the appearance, temperament, demeanor and family background of the concubines."

"It's mainly the responsibility of the officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Your uncle Maska is now the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. No one will embarrass you two sisters."

"But we can't ignore the rules we should know."

"Mother has prepared the purse for you. When you come into the room for inspection, just give the purse to the inspecting nanny."

"After the re-selection, you will all be arranged to enter the palace together."

"Then you can stay with your second sister. We can feel more at ease if she is there to look after you."

"In this election, all you have to do is protect yourself without any mistakes or merits."

"Remember, protect yourself and don't cause trouble for your second sister."

Wanyu nodded, "Mother, I understand."

By the time Wanyu was fully dressed and arrived at the gate of the mansion, it was just dawn.

Sisters Wanyu and Wanlin, accompanied by their respective maids, rode in a gorgeous carriage with the emblem of Guwaljia Prefecture and headed to the primary election location arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Looking at her somewhat nervous sister, Wanlin held her hand.

"Don't worry, just watch me."

"Our family has benefited. The people on duty in the Ministry of Internal Affairs are all talented people. No one dares to show up in this situation."

If she had to do it again, she would be calm as water about this election.

Wanyu nodded obediently, "Yes, I'll listen to my sister."

When the carriage drove into the courtyard arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the solemn atmosphere around it formed a sharp contrast with the busy scene in the courtyard.

All the beautiful ladies in the capital gathered here, waiting for preliminary screening by the eunuchs and maids.

As soon as they arrived, they were taken into an elegant side room, which was a temporary resting place for the concubines while waiting for the preliminary selection.

The concubines were required to keep their faces natural, not to wear heavy makeup, and to wear uniform, specially made plain clothes.

The fabric is light and breathable, with a simple and elegant color, which perfectly shows the natural beauty of the concubines.

The maids were also asked to conduct preliminary checks when changing clothes to see if there were any flaws on their bodies.

Although it was very embarrassing, I had no choice but to let them check.

Because they already knew the requirements for the primary election, the two of them did not dress up too much.

Wanlin winked at Wanyu and whispered before leaving, "I'll go in first, and then you go in."

"Don't be afraid when you go in. Give the prepared purse to the maids and go straight to change your clothes. They will turn a blind eye."

When Wanyu went in, before she could give the purse, the two old maids inside lowered their heads and said.

"Princess, the Lord has already given the order, you don't have to worry."

"Sir, are you talking about my uncle?"

Wanyu thought about it with some uncertainty, but still followed the instructions of her mother and sister and handed the purse to them as soon as possible.

"Okay, please have some tea, ladies."

"You're welcome, ma'am." The two maids took the purse and smiled gently.

I really didn't check carefully when she was changing clothes. I just took a quick look and turned my head away.

After changing clothes, she was politely asked to leave the room by the smiling maids, and then led into the spacious hall.

Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and several senior female officials had already gathered here, and they were jointly responsible for the preliminary screening work.

They looked at each of the concubines with sharp eyes, from their standing posture, salute to their face and body shape.

Every detail cannot escape their sharp eyes, and they want to select the beauties who meet the royal standards.

Especially this year, the emperor specifically issued an edict to punish the four concubines, so they, the servants, dared not be negligent.

The two sisters had a smooth journey and simply demonstrated their talents, successfully passing the preliminary round.

All the beauties who passed the preliminary selection were arranged to ride in carriages.

The convoy slowly drove out of the yard and headed towards the palace.

Because there were other beauties in the carriage, Wanyu and her sister did not speak to each other even though they sat together.

There was complete silence in the carriage.

After the carriage arrived at Shenwu Gate, at the reminder of the eunuchs and maids, the ladies got off the car and stood politely and quietly, waiting to be led into the layers of high walls.

Because the Wanyu sisters are from the upper three banners and their family is powerful, they are ranked higher.

Out of curiosity, Wanyu looked back at the long line behind her.

Wow, there were at least dozens of horse-drawn carriages and mule-drawn carts. To be honest, she was very shocked.

The slightly childish faces all had different expressions, some nervous, some expectant, and some indifferent.

Looking up again, I saw the same building in front of me as the Forbidden City Museum that I visited later, but it gave me a different feeling.

She seemed to be in the intersection of time and space, and looked a little dazed.

When people in later generations visit the Forbidden City, they see the excitement and listen to the stories.

And now that I am standing here, I feel the supremacy of imperial power and the painful struggles of the people in the palace.

Inside and outside the palace are two different worlds, and the past and present lives are also different.

Wanlin, who was standing side by side with her, looked at her sister with a strange face, reached out and gently pinched her palm, with an inquiring look in her eyes.

Wanyu came back to her senses, just shook her head, and then regained her spirits.

"It's okay, I'm just a passerby."

"However those within the palace walls struggle to survive is none of my business."

After the concubines were led through the imperial garden and arrived in front of two courtyards, they were called out by their names by the maids and led into the courtyards.

When Wanyu heard that she and her sister were arriving one after the other and were arranged to live in the same yard, she felt much more relieved.

After entering the yard, Wanyu looked around and found that this yard had three entrances.

The front hall is three bays wide, the middle hall and the rear hall are five bays wide, with a green glazed tile hip roof. There are three side halls on each side of the main hall, east and west.

The main hall of the front hall was empty, and the maids did not arrange for anyone to live there.

Because of their prominent status, the two sisters were arranged to stay in the same room in the main hall of the central courtyard.

The room was spacious and open, with two beds placed on the left and right, and a table, chairs and stools in the middle.

The dressing table and washstand are all located not far from my bed. Although there are two people living in the same room, it is very convenient and we don’t disturb each other, and it doesn’t even seem crowded.

Not long after the two entered the room, two young palace maids wearing the same emerald green palace dress and with pretty and simple faces walked in respectfully.