Wow, this rough-around-the-edges pregnant wife is something else, she's incredibly ruthless!

Tai'an Hall.

Dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, Zhou Yan was bent over his desk reviewing memorials. The man's face was cold and serious, and his aura made Zhou Fu, who was standing at the door, take a deep breath.

This is his third time here.

After catching his breath, the man carried the tray into the hall.

Setting down what he was holding on the table, Zhou Fu glanced at Zhou Yan and said, "Your Majesty, this is the list of candidates for this year's imperial selection, you..."

"You don't need to ask me about such matters." Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yan put down his pen, looked up, and said, "Just choose a few."

what! ! !

Zhou Fu was stunned. "Your Majesty, shouldn't you look at what you're saying?"

This is your talent show, not your subordinates'!

"Your Majesty, I have no choice!"

"Why? Looking across the entire palace, you are probably the only one who knows me best."

"Can……"

Zhou Fu felt a little embarrassed. What he said was true, but something still didn't quite sound right!

Looking at the conflicted Zhou Fu, Zhou Yan knew that this was a tricky matter.

The harem is now empty, and the court is constantly recommending people.

The man's dark eyes darkened slightly, then he picked up a calligraphy brush and said, "Let's select from ordinary families this year!"

"As long as they have decent features and are upright, that's fine. As for the empress, let's put that aside for now!"

"But I'm afraid those ministers won't agree to that."

Zhou Fu expressed his concerns, as he had been extremely busy with the talent show these past few days.

This palace is really no place to stay!

Upon hearing Zhou Fu's words, Zhou Yan's already furrowed brows deepened even further.

The man's deep, dark eyes flashed with coldness as he said, "Just do as I say. Anyone who disagrees can come and find me."

Zhou Yan was most annoyed by the fact that his harem was entangled with too many affairs of the previous dynasty, and he had his reasons for choosing women from ordinary families.

Even so, Zhou Fu didn't say anything more.

He picked up the list from the table and turned to leave the hall.

……

Five days later.

The talent show notice was finally posted, and some curious people gathered around to take a look.

This is an incredible sight.

"Are the emperor's women so sought after? A mere concubine can receive ten taels of silver a month."

“I feel like I meet the requirements here, so why don’t we sign up and give it a try?”

Several girls huddled together, looking at the requirements on the document, and felt that their future was secure.

"Hey! I think I can do it too."

"I'm very beautiful. The aunties in the village even said I'm likely to have a son! If I could give the Emperor a prince..."

"Let's go, let's hurry up and register, it'll be terrible if we're late."

They all rushed towards the palace gate, leaving only a few little beggars studying the notice board.

When they heard that they would receive ten taels of silver a month, their eyes widened in surprise, and they ran toward a dilapidated temple.

"Sister, sister, wake up! We've found a really great job! Ten taels of silver a month!"

"You can also eat delicious food."

Lying on a dry straw mat, a woman in her early twenties was fast asleep.

Hearing the chattering sounds around her, the woman slowly opened her eyes and looked over.

A bunch of random kids were looking at her with expectant eyes.

Upon seeing that the woman had regained consciousness, the beggars quickly helped her sit up.

"Sister, we've found you a job."

"What kind of job?"

The woman's name was Xiaoya, and she was twenty-three years old. Her entire family had died because of the famine.

Later, relying on her strength and determination, she came to the capital and survived. Gradually, she also adopted several children.

She used to work as a waitress in a restaurant in Beijing. She dressed herself up as a man and was willing to do any dirty or tiring work.

Her true identity was only revealed when she met a man with unusual interests.

From then on, Xiaoya lost her right to work in the capital.

Not only because she was a woman, but also because of the man she had offended.

Having spent over a month in the dilapidated temple, Xiaoya had tried many ways to earn money, but none of them were sustainable.

As a result, the children they were raising have also become little beggars.

After wiping her face, Xiaoya sat up straight and asked the children.

"What kind of job are you looking for? Ten taels of silver a month? You're probably trying to sell me off."

"No, sister. It was a notice posted by a brother in the palace today. It says that a talented woman will receive ten taels of silver a month, and we've seen many people sign up."

A talented person?

Xiaoya was stunned for a second before she realized what was happening.

This looks like a palace talent selection!

A bitter smile appeared on the woman's slightly malnourished face. She touched the children's little faces and continued, "Do you know what a talented person does?"

The child shook his head, his big eyes filled with clarity.

Xiaoya was momentarily at a loss for how to explain to them, but seeing their expectant eyes, the woman ultimately couldn't bear to dampen their spirits.

Xiaoya got up and brushed the dry grass off her body, then took a child's hand and said, "Come on, let me see what kind of work it is. It pays ten taels of silver a month."

"If I really get this job, I'll make sure you all eat meat buns every day."

"Really!"

The children were ecstatic.

He took Xiaoya's hand and ran into the street.

……

Arriving at the notice board, Xiaoya looked at the words on the notice.

She recognized each word individually, but the way they were put together felt unfamiliar.

When did being in the emperor's harem become a job?

"Does my sister receive ten taels of silver every month?"

Seeing the woman's stunned expression, a child asked a question.

Xiaoya glanced at the price; even becoming a concubine required five hundred taels of silver per month!

Five hundred taels of silver—what does that even mean?

In a rural area, one could feed and care for the whole family for a lifetime.

Holding the child's small hand, Xiaoya unconsciously tightened her grip, then turned and headed straight for the palace gate.

Zhou Fu had expected a large number of people, but he never imagined that married women would sign up.

Is their emperor really that likable?

The smile on Zhou Fu's face froze. He couldn't really send the people away, so he had no choice but to order someone to record the list.

The queue was very long, and among them were many women from official families who came to register.

Standing behind Xiaoya is the youngest daughter of the current Minister, an inconspicuous concubine's daughter.

She had heard that the emperor was going to hold a selection of concubines when her mother was arranging her eldest sister's marriage.

To be honest, she really hoped to enter the palace. Even if she couldn't win the emperor's favor, at least she wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing.

Having heard about the notice today, she rushed to the palace gate to register.

Unexpectedly, she saw a woman with her family, and a look of disdain immediately appeared on her face.

"Hey! Auntie, this is the emperor's selection of concubines, not a market selection of pork. Can you please stop interfering with all this fuss?"

"Look at you! You're so bloated you look like a pig, and your face is turning yellow like a haggard old woman. And these five children! I mean, do you really want the Emperor to raise your children?!"