The Favored Consort Who Can Read Mind

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel dot net. Beware edited mtl.

1. 00 to 10

With the ability to read others' thoughts, she should have been able to ascend the ranks of the officialdom effortlessly. Unexpectedly, a plane crash sent her hurtling into an era that doesn't exist in history, becoming the fourth daughter of a minor fifth-grade official's household.

In a time when men dominate and women are subordinate, her ambition to enter politics and serve in government has become unattainable. Since marriage is inevitable, she decides to marry the most exalted man in the world. With her mind-reading ability, she fears no lack of favor!

Unable to become an official, she sets her sights on becoming Empress, even Empress Dowager, and placing her own son on the throne!

Warning: The author's writing skills are limited and unable to produce a story about power struggles; this is simply a light-hearted sweet daily life tale of a protagonist with a golden finger entering the palace.

Chapter 1: The Fourth Lady of the Fan Family

In this world, perhaps everyone wishes for a chance to start over. However, no matter how envious one might be of the heroines in time-travel novels who thrive and even marry princes, eventually becoming empresses or dowager empresses, it would be a different story if a woman from the twenty-first century were to be transported to ancient times. In a society where men are subordinate to women, not only would they have no say in their marriages, but even going out for a stroll would be difficult.

If born into a wealthy family, every movement would be accompanied by servants and maids. Even if a relative lived next door, a lady would need to be carried there in a sedan chair.

For those born into common families, daily life would involve working in the fields, serving in-laws, and dealing with petty squabbles among neighbors. Such a life would be suffocating.

Moreover, the inconveniences of daily life would be overwhelming. If the marriage were unhappy, divorce would be almost impossible. A woman could not survive independently in ancient times; it was not a matter of ability but of societal norms. After all, the sea is vast and unpredictable, and human hearts are hard to fathom. Bullies and ruffians existed in both ancient and modern times, and a lone woman, even if wealthy, would struggle to protect herself. Not only would she face harassment from such men, but even slaves and servants might bully her. Even slaves would oppress their weak masters, let alone outsiders.

So, upon serious reflection, few women from the twenty-first century would truly wish for such a fate.

Yet for Fan Xueyao, none of these issues mattered. To her, this era was a world better suited to her ambitions. Before her lay a vast ocean of possibilities, and her aspirations would be realized here.

A slender maid, dressed in a water-red jacket and blue satin vest, quietly pushed open the door. Behind her, another maid in a blue jacket and pink satin vest led four maids, each carrying toiletry items.

This was a spacious suite, divided by an intricately carved multi-treasure screen. The screen displayed various exquisite decorations and artifacts. Inside the room stood a black lacquer screen with gold-painted flowers and birds, bold and magnificent yet delicately detailed, adding a touch of feminine grace.

The maid in the blue satin vest approached the bed, lifted the pink gauze curtains, and hung them on golden hooks, calling softly to the girl lying there. "Lady, it's time to rise."

The girl slowly turned over, revealing her fair face.

Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes half-closed, and her beauty was like blossoming pear and peach flowers, radiant and charming.

Despite being woken up before fully rested, the girl, known for her strong self-discipline, did not linger in bed. She merely closed her eyes for a moment to gather her thoughts before rising. Her beautiful face still bore a faint blush, making her porcelain-like skin appear even more delicate. As she bent down to rinse her mouth, her long, thick lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, exuding a gentle allure that invited affection.

"Has Father and Mother risen?" Fan Xueyao asked softly as the maid washed her face.

Her voice still carried the drowsiness of morning, yet it was clear and pleasant, reminiscent of trickling spring water, captivating anyone who heard it.

The maid moved gently, careful not to hurt her, and replied, "I heard movement in the main house earlier and sent hot water over. They must have risen."

Fan Xueyao nodded, finished washing, and sat down at the dressing table as the maid began to comb her hair.

Looking at her reflection, though still young, she saw the beginnings of a breathtakingly beautiful face, which pleased her.

Everything else she could achieve through effort and planning, but her appearance was a gift from her parents, unchangeable. Without plastic surgery, if she had been born plain, it would have been much harder to attain her goals. In her previous life, her clear and elegant features had certainly helped her reach the position of deputy mayor by the age of thirty.

However, compared to her current face, her past appearance seemed inferior. The smooth, fair skin she now possessed was something even noble ladies rarely achieved. Her natural beauty, warm in winter and cool in summer, made her mother envious.

It had been fourteen years since she arrived in this world. At the time, she was flying to a neighboring province for a stadium opening ceremony when turbulence struck, leading to her death.

Before dying, she felt immense regret, having always dreamed of reaching the pinnacle of her political career. With her unique abilities, she could have become the first female prime minister. But everything depended on her survival.

The plane crash, however, shattered all her plans.

But when she woke up as a prematurely born infant, she realized that the crash was the beginning of her true ambition.

Her life was just beginning!

"Lady, how does this hairstyle look?" Yan Ran's soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

Coming back to reality, Fan Xueyao looked at her reflection. Her loose black hair had been styled into twin buns adorned with pearl flowers, enhancing her natural beauty.

"Good. Very nice," she nodded, smiling in satisfaction.

In her previous life, to avoid being seen as relying on her looks, she had kept her appearance understated, often wearing simple hairstyles and makeup. Now, she could freely adorn herself with the finest jewelry and wear the most beautiful clothes.

Yan Ran smiled, pleased with the praise.

Leng Xiang stepped forward, saying, "Lady, it's time to change your clothes." She moved aside to reveal a black lacquer screen with red clouds, on which hung a set of robes. Two other screens held a bright red jacket and a light brown jacket.

After changing into the robes, Fan Xueyao's gaze fell on the bright red jacket.

The jacket was made of exquisite brocade, with intricate floral patterns, extremely luxurious. Her mother had splurged to buy this expensive material. Though she usually disliked such bright colors, her recent good mood made her choose the bright red jacket.

Seeing this, Leng Xiang smiled inwardly, knowing she had guessed correctly.

The maids' eyes widened in awe as Fan Xueyao emerged in her new outfit. She was truly beautiful!

Four little maids stared, unable to look away.

Yan Ran and Leng Xiang raised their chins proudly, sharing in her glory.

When the eldest lady married, everyone said she was a beauty, but few knew that the second lady was the true unparalleled beauty. If not for her dislike of social gatherings, her fame would have surpassed everyone else's. No matter how beautiful others were, they would pale in comparison to her.

Fan Xueyao stood before the mirror, admiring her reflection. Wearing a soft pink robe under the bright red brocade jacket and a saffron skirt, she smiled, like a blooming peach blossom, filling the room with radiance.

Satisfied, she smiled at her reflection. With her unique abilities and such beauty, what could she not achieve?

"Let's go. Don't keep Father and Mother waiting."

"Yes, Lady!" Leng Xiang escorted Fan Xueyao out, while Yan Ran stayed behind to give instructions to the maids.

The Fan family was not large, and due to the high cost of living in the Capital, their residence was somewhat cramped. Nevertheless, Fan Xueyao had her own small courtyard, a luxury even by modern standards. The matriarch lived in the main house, while her father and mother resided in the adjacent courtyard.

Others shared courtyards, but no one dared to challenge her exclusive use of a courtyard, as her parents were the ones in charge.

Fan Xueyao walked to her parents' courtyard daily, a path she knew well. Along the way, nurses, maids, and wives greeted her.

Reaching the main house, she saw Chen Shi standing on the steps, looking relieved to see her.

Ye Ye: A term used in the Song Dynasty to refer to one's father.

Chapter 2 Discord Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

Seeing this scene, Fan Xueyao immediately understood that her mother Li Rong had once again snubbed her sister-in-law Chen Shi.

She couldn't help but bitterly smile inwardly.

Her sister-in-law Chen Shi, in terms of family background, conduct, and etiquette, was commendable in every aspect. There was only one issue that had always been a sore spot for her mother.

Since Chen Shi married her eldest brother Fan Yelin at the age of sixteen, it has been four years now, yet there has been no good news. If there had been miscarriages or other issues, it would at least prove she could conceive, even if disappointing. But the problem was that her belly remained still. If her brother had many concubines, there might be reasons to neglect the main wife. However, her brother, guided and disciplined by her since childhood, was not particularly fond of women. Apart from Chen Shi, he only had two maids originally arranged by Li Rong. After Chen Shi entered the household, these two maids naturally took a back seat.

According to the information Fan Xueyao had gathered, her brother and sister-in-law's marital relations were at a normal frequency for their age—every two or three days. Yet, they could not conceive.

Li Rong had only Fan Xueyao and Fan Yelin as her children. Her daughter was obedient, sensible, and self-reliant, requiring no worries. Naturally, her concern focused on her son.

After four years of marriage without a pregnancy, and with the couple living together daily, Li Rong naturally became anxious. She began to show less kindness to Chen Shi, often hinting or outright stating her dissatisfaction. But Chen Shi genuinely wanted to have a child; she just couldn't conceive. All she could do was serve her mother-in-law more diligently.

Fortunately, Fan Xueyao mediated between them, so Li Rong merely treated Chen Shi coldly and did not resort to any real mistreatment.

Dispensing with the enthusiastic greetings from the little maids who approached upon seeing her, Fan Xueyao smiled warmly and said, "Oh, Sister-in-law waited here specifically for me? I should have gotten up earlier. I'm sorry for making you wait." As she spoke, she affectionately linked arms with Chen Shi and led her into the room naturally.

Li Rong, already inside, heard Fan Xueyao's voice. Seeing her bring Chen Shi in, she didn't say anything, merely giving Chen Shi a faint glance before warmly pulling Fan Xueyao to sit down on the couch. She asked tenderly, "Did you sleep well? It's all my fault for keeping you up late last night. I told Yan Ran to come later today. Why didn't you sleep in a bit longer?"

Fan Xueyao leaned against Li Rong, smiling and cooing, "Not at all late, I slept well. Thinking about the future, I may not have many chances to be close to Mother like this. If it weren't for Father, I'd want to sleep with you."

Hearing this, Li Rong's cheeks flushed red, her gaze involuntarily drifting to the study room behind the green curtain. Inside was the head of the Fan family, Fan Minghui, Li Rong's husband and Fan Xueyao's father.

Last night, after Fan Xueyao left, thinking about her daughter entering the palace for selection, Li Rong felt an overwhelming sense of loss. She knew that once her daughter became a consort, they would rarely see each other again.

Fan Xueyao had also helped her mother maintain her beauty. With meticulous care, Li Rong, though nearing forty, looked like a woman in her early thirties, with smooth skin and a graceful figure, exuding a mature charm that surpassed youthful beauty.

This crying episode moved Fan Minghui deeply, and he comforted her, eventually leading to intimate moments.

Recalling last night's tenderness, Li Rong blushed even more, feeling embarrassed to think about such things in front of her daughter. She instinctively turned slightly to avoid her daughter's gaze.

Seeing Li Rong's blush, Fan Xueyao thought back to her childhood.

The relationship between her father and mother wasn't always so harmonious. Perhaps there was initial affection during their early marriage, but it inevitably cooled over time.

Li Rong gave birth to her eldest son Fan Yelin within two years of marriage, but her belly remained quiet afterward, leaving her with only one son, which seemed too sparse.

Originally, Fan Minghui had two maids in his chambers. One was assigned to a servant due to misconduct before Li Rong's marriage, while the other was promoted to concubine according to the customs of the time. This concubine was Lin Concubine, who was quite favored by Fan Minghui. However, due to excessive use of cooling herbs, she only bore a daughter when Fan Yelin was three, her only child.

Given the status of daughters in those times, Li Rong faced criticism from her mother-in-law and had to elevate two maids to concubines, leading to a further cooling of the couple's relationship.

Though both concubines were originally Li Rong's maids, their personalities differed greatly. Wang Concubine was honest and gentle, remaining unchanged even after becoming a concubine, especially compared to Liu Concubine's deviousness. Liu Concubine, knowing she was meant for the master, saw an opportunity when Li Rong and Fan Minghui grew distant and began to sow discord. After bearing a son named Fan Yi, she became even more arrogant.

Li Rong, unable to lower her pride, refused to act like a concubine to please her husband, allowing Liu Concubine's schemes to succeed.

Eventually, Fan Xueyao intervened, using small tricks to reconcile her parents and expose Liu Concubine's misdeeds, leading to her falling out of favor. Liu Concubine's arrogance and vulgarity were revealed, causing Fan Minghui to despise her, and her son Fan Yi lost status in the family.

To mend her parents' relationship, Fan Xueyao worked hard, understanding that the key lay in Li Rong's pride and dignity. Despite her efforts, Li Rong's stubbornness made it difficult.

Fan Minghui, being a man of the era, did not fully grasp the emotional impact of his actions on his wife. He believed their marriage was legitimate and would last forever, so he did not prioritize reconciliation.

It took Fan Xueyao considerable effort to understand their psychology. She initially thought improving Li Rong's appearance and dealing with Liu Concubine would solve everything, but the core issue was Li Rong's pride.

After learning from Liu Concubine's incident, Fan Minghui stayed mostly with Li Rong, occasionally visiting Lin Concubine. Over time, Li Rong's attitude softened, and their relationship improved, becoming even sweeter than their early marriage.

Noticing Li Rong's embarrassment, Fan Xueyao pretended not to notice her flushed cheeks and continued chatting.

"Mother, shouldn't we go to Grandmother now?" Chen Shi, seeing her mother-in-law engrossed in conversation with her sister-in-law, reminded them of the time, fearing they would be late.

Li Rong, already displeased with Chen Shi, gave her a cold look, realizing the time was indeed late. She angrily stood up, taking Fan Xueyao's hand and leaving.

Chen Shi hurriedly followed, feeling wronged. She wanted to conceive but had tried countless remedies without success.

Fan Xueyao subtly glanced at Chen Shi, offering a sympathetic smile.

Chen Shi returned a smile, thinking: Thank goodness for Sister Xueyao, unlike other sisters-in-law who compete with their sisters-in-law. She is understanding and supportive. Without her mediation, my mother-in-law wouldn't just give me the cold shoulder. After four years without a child, my husband remains faithful to me, unlike others who would have taken many concubines.

Chapter 3: The Art of Coquetry

Turning her head, Fan Xueyao felt secretly satisfied. As expected, the sister-in-law she had personally chosen was indeed of good character and could keep her composure. It was good that there was no resentment in her heart; it didn't go to waste the effort she had put into speaking well of her in front of her mother.

The group soon arrived at the main house, where they heard laughter and joy from inside.

A group of maidservants greeted Li Rong with smiles as she led the group of women and servants forward. "Madam, you're here. Just now, Old Madam was mentioning you, and here you are." They vied to lift the door curtain, revealing the splendid decorations inside. The room was filled with dazzling objects, making one's eyes dazzle. The maidservant reported, "Madam is here."

As Fan Xueyao and the others entered the room, they saw several elegantly dressed ladies and young misses looking towards the door, their expressions varied. A few children, hiding behind their mothers, winked at Fan Xueyao.

Upon entering the parlor, a fragrant scent wafted towards them.

Fan Xueyao took a deep breath.

Old Madam Fan suffered from heart problems, so incense was always burning in the room. Although incense was an expensive luxury in this era, beyond the reach of commoners, Fan Xueyao found its spicy scent unpleasant. She never burned incense in her own room, preferring to use seasonal flowers and fruits to freshen the air, which felt more natural and less overwhelming.

Li Rong stepped forward with a smile and clasped her hands, saying, "Mother, I'm sorry for being late."

"Eldest Sister, you're really late today. Not to criticize you, but among us, it's fine if you're late, but being late when visiting Old Madam is not appropriate. Both our families have been here for a while, and we know it's unintentional, but others might think you're getting arrogant because your Fourth Daughter is about to enter the palace selection."

Lu Shi, sitting beside Old Madam Fan, spoke in a sarcastic tone. She was the Second Lady, and although she entered the family around the same time as Li Rong, her status was vastly different due to having a second son. Li Rong naturally took over the household management, while Lu Shi had to rely on communal funds for everything, even being questioned by the steward when trying to buy extra items. Thus, Lu Shi had always disliked Li Rong.

In the past, when Li Rong was not favored by her husband, Lu Shi felt pleased and consoled herself that Li Rong's control over the household didn't matter since her husband still favored the concubines. But later, something changed, and Fan Minghui started favoring Li Rong again, ignoring his previous favorites. Lu Shi couldn't understand why Li Rong, an older woman, could regain her husband's affection.

"Look at what Second Sister-in-Law is saying. I was just busy arranging matters for Yao'er, hence the delay. Mother hasn't said anything. For over ten years, I've never missed a day of morning and evening visits. Why would I be criticized now? If you know me, you'd understand you're doing this out of kindness. If you don't, you might think you're jealous that my Fourth Daughter is going to the palace selection." Li Rong replied calmly, smiling. Seeing Lu Shi's face turn red with anger, she felt secretly pleased.

Lu Shi and she had never gotten along. In the past, Lu Shi's barbs about her husband's favoritism used to hurt, but now, with a loving husband and capable children, Lu Shi's words were like water off a duck's back. However, she hadn't forgotten the past slights and relished seeing Lu Shi flustered.

Lu Shi's eyes widened, her face turning red with anger. "I'm jealous of you? Whether she'll be selected or not—"

"Enough! What nonsense are you spouting!" Old Madam Fan suddenly interrupted, glaring at Lu Shi. This Second Daughter-in-Law was truly clumsy! Old Madam Fan cursed inwardly, then hurriedly recited "Amitabha," praying for good fortune. Fourth Daughter was a gem, destined for great wealth and honor...

"Fourth Daughter, come to Grandmother." Old Madam Fan said kindly, her face full of affection.

Hearing her silent prayer, Fan Xueyao shuddered slightly. While she was used to compliments about her beauty, hearing an old lady call her a "gem" gave her goosebumps. Seeing the usually haughty Old Madam smiling at her made her even more uncomfortable.

What was this old lady thinking? Just moments ago, she let Lu Shi criticize her mother, yet now she was acting as if nothing happened. Did she really think she was a naive girl who couldn't see through pretenses?

Though she silently criticized Old Madam Fan's opportunism and quick change of face, Fan Xueyao kept her expression neutral, gracefully walking towards Old Madam Fan. Her demeanor was delicate and charming, giving no hint of her inner thoughts. She was always adept at maintaining the right expression, a natural actress.

Old Madam Fan pulled Fan Xueyao close. At fifteen, she was like a budding flower, her small face blooming with beauty, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with a subtle allure. Truly a beauty in the making.

Examining her closely, Old Madam Fan grew increasingly pleased. Despite her eldest daughter-in-law's shortcomings, this granddaughter was truly exceptional. With such beauty, how could she not be favored in the palace?

Old Madam Fan's wrinkled face broke into a smile, asking kindly, "My dear, how is your study of poetry and literature? Have you been learning etiquette from your aunt?"

This "aunt" wasn't Fan Xueyao's real aunt but a former palace official hired by Li Rong to teach her court etiquette.

"Grandmother, I recently finished reading *The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons*. My teacher was quite satisfied with my progress. I've also been diligently learning etiquette from Aunt, without any slack," Fan Xueyao replied calmly. Though not truly moved by Old Madam Fan's kindness, she maintained a composed demeanor, neither too cold nor too eager.

Old Madam Fan, whose father was merely a minor official, had little understanding of literature. Hearing *The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, she nodded approvingly, praising Fan Xueyao's intelligence.

Old Madam Fan wanted to show her affection for Fan Xueyao, hoping she would remember it after becoming a royal consort. However, her display of favoritism irked another granddaughter.

"Grandma, you always say Xiufang is smart. Why do you ignore her when Fourth Sister is here?"

Fan Xueyao looked over and saw a girl leaning against Old Madam Fan, pouting and cooing. This girl, named Xiufang, was the legitimate daughter of the Third House. Though four years younger than Fan Xueyao, she was already dressed in fine silk and adorned with gold and silver, her face lightly powdered. Without considering her age, one might mistake her for a young maiden.

Despite being from the Third House, Xiufang was favored by Old Madam Fan because her father was her beloved youngest son. She received special treatment, dressing better than her sisters and developing a somewhat arrogant personality. However, she knew her privilege came from her grandmother's favor and acted like a spoiled granddaughter, always seeking attention.

Fan Xueyao knew Xiufang was deliberately interrupting, as they had never gotten along. Xiufang envied her beauty, feeling inferior despite her efforts to enhance her appearance. Fan Xueyao's natural beauty contrasted sharply with Xiufang's efforts, causing her frustration.

In the past, Fan Xueyao found Xiufang annoying, with her constant jealousy and petty criticisms. Today, however, Xiufang's attempt to compete for attention indirectly relieved her from Old Madam Fan's scrutiny. So, she remained silent, letting Xiufang take center stage.

Old Madam Fan, not truly valuing a granddaughter, habitually embraced Xiufang, tapping her forehead playfully. "You naughty girl, Grandma has pampered you all these years, and you're jealous of a little conversation with your sisters."

Xiufang snuggled closer, pouting, "Grandma only pays attention to Fourth Sister and ignores me..."

Saying this in a sweet voice, she glanced at Fan Xueyao triumphantly, signaling that Grandma still favored her. No matter how beautiful and intelligent Fan Xueyao was, she couldn't match her coquetry.

However, to her disappointment, Fan Xueyao's face showed no signs of disappointment or envy. Instead, she smiled and winked at Xiufang.

Chapter 4: The Former Dynasty's Favored Consort

Not only did Fan Xueyao not feel aggrieved or resentful, she even winked at her.

Fan Xiufang felt humiliated and angry, sensing that she was being looked down upon. Her anger flared up, and she intensified her efforts to cajole and charm Old Lady Fan, hoping to completely push Fan Xueyao out of the old lady's sight.

Fan Xueyao remained composed on the surface but was secretly very pleased inside.

Fan Xiufang didn't understand the situation, believing that Old Lady Fan could do anything in the Fan family. As long as the old lady favored her the most, she would be the most prominent among her sisters. So she focused all her efforts on pleasing the old lady. However, Fan Xueyao didn't care because she knew who truly held power in the family. It certainly wasn't Old Lady Fan, who, though respected as the eldest matriarch, had all the younger generations showing her respect.

In reality, the one who made decisions and held real power in the Fan family was her father, Fan Minghui, her mother, Li Rong, and the couple Fan Minghui and Li Rong.

The three brothers of the Fan family: the eldest was her father, Fan Minghui, who held an official position, albeit not high, as a vice magistrate of the Ministry of Justice, a fifth-grade official. The second brother, Fan Xiaoru, barely managed to become an eighth-grade assistant lecturer at the Imperial Academy through Fan Minghui's influence. The third brother was not worth mentioning, being lazy and unambitious, still without any official status.

Thus, the entire Fan family relied heavily on Fan Minghui for support. Unfortunately, many people were shortsighted and couldn't see who they truly needed to rely on.

While Old Lady Fan was still alive, Fan Minghui and Li Rong maintained appearances and kept things peaceful by giving some benefits to the elders, as long as it wasn't too much. With Li Rong's business thriving under her guidance, money was not a concern. They were willing to spend some to keep things quiet. Therefore, the third branch still received some benefits and lived comfortably.

However, if they didn't know when to stop and continued to push their luck, really annoying Li Rong and Fan Minghui, even with Old Lady Fan still alive, it would be easy for them to discipline the third branch.

Currently, the expenses of the second and third branches were covered by the common fund. From men's outings and women's clothing and jewelry to kitchen expenses and servant tips, everything came from the common fund.

The so-called common fund referred to ancestral property, but the Fan family's history went back only three generations, and the first official was Old Lady Fan's father-in-law, who served less than a hundred years ago and wasn't a high-ranking official. There was no substantial ancestral property. Without the common fund, the family would have starved long ago, let alone having servants.

Although Fan Xiaoru had a salary, it barely covered his own needs, leaving little for socializing. The third branch's Fan Cheng was even worse, indulging in pleasures and neglecting his duties, spending all his time drinking with concubines. His wife, Yu, was also extravagant.

People often say that spending other people's money doesn't hurt. Yu frequently bought new clothes and cosmetics for herself and her daughter, Xiufang. This made Lu, from the second branch, envious, secretly urging her daughter-in-law Li to please Old Lady Fan to divert some benefits to their branch.

From the outside, it seemed like just a fifth-grade official's residence, yet the family lived more extravagantly than some impoverished noble families.

In fact, all the expenses were covered by the first branch. Li Rong, born into a minor official's family, was well-educated and didn't like to argue, which made it seem like the third branch had the upper hand.

But in reality, the saying "money talks" was true. If Li Rong ever got annoyed, she wouldn't need to exert much effort to teach the third branch a lesson. Just a word to the accountants would be enough.

Without fine clothes and decorations, and without money for outings, the third branch would realize who truly supported them.

Fan Xueyao understood this clearly and didn't mind showing some tolerance and humility to her cousins. After all, they were all girls destined to marry out. Marriage decisions were entirely in the hands of their parents, so what else was there to compete over? As for clothes and jewelry, if she truly cared, they couldn't take them away, so there was no need for conflict. This earned her a good reputation among the servants.

After a while, the grandmother and granddaughter finished their conversation, and Old Lady Fan remembered the rest of the family present. Her gaze fell on Chen, standing behind Li Rong, and she suddenly asked, "Still no good news?"

Chen was taken aback. Among the three sisters-in-law, Old Lady Fan favored the third branch's Xu the most. She knew that the old lady doted on her youngest son, making the third branch's pets and people more likable. So it was normal for her to favor Xu.

Since she married into the family four years ago, Old Lady Fan had never shown her any special attention. Despite her infertility, the old lady never asked about it, instead focusing on Xu and even giving her supplements. Why did she single her out today?

Chen was young and didn't fully understand the complexities of human nature, but Li Rong saw through it and sighed inwardly: human thoughts can be incredibly complex. Old Lady Fan, influenced by the third branch, had always been critical of the first branch. But now, because of Fan Xueyao's upcoming palace selection, she was trying to show concern for the first branch.

"Yes, it's been four or five years since we married, and there's still no pregnancy. I don't mean to be nosy, but I see other couples around our age with children running around, while our eldest son is still unmarried. It's worrying," Yu said, pretending to be concerned but unable to hide her glee.

Li Rong smiled calmly and replied, "I, as the mother, am not worried, but my sister-in-law is." Regardless of how she felt about Chen, she was her son's wife, and it wasn't anyone else's place to comment.

Fan Xueyao noticed her sister-in-law's quick glance at Li Rong, revealing surprise and gratitude. Chen didn't expect her mother-in-law, who had been critical of her, to speak up for her.

Lu nodded, smiling and covering her mouth with a handkerchief, "Yes, why should you be worried, sister-in-law? Are you eager for a grandson? Perhaps you should urge your own son and daughter-in-law to give you a proper grandson."

"I'm not eager for a grandson; I'm just worried because our eldest son has been married for four or five years. He's the eldest grandson of the Fan family, unlike my third son... Oh, I spoke out of turn!" Yu pretended to slap her own mouth.

Old Lady Fan intervened, "Even if the third daughter-in-law speaks out of turn, her heart is in the right place." She wanted to show concern for the first branch but was thwarted by Xu. To avoid further complications, she decided to end the topic. "Enough, the eldest son is still young. We don't need to rush. It's getting late, let's have dinner."

Yu wasn't genuinely concerned about the first branch; she just wanted to upset Li Rong. If Fan Yelin had a son, she would be truly worried. Her son had only been married for a few months, and Xu was still young. It was likely that Chen would give birth first. If the first branch had the first great-grandchild, Old Lady Fan might change her attitude. So she stopped talking.

Everyone moved to the west room, where the servants quickly set up tables and chairs. Old Lady Fan sat in the main seat, with Li Rong, Lu, and Yu seated on either side. The grandchildren sat according to age.

Chen, Li, and Xu stood beside the table, and the servants announced, "Dinner is served." They brought in trays of dishes, filling the table with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and seasonal vegetables.

After everyone had eaten, the servants cleared the table. The Fan family, despite being a small household, maintained a grand appearance due to Old Lady Fan's preferences. All the expenses were covered by the first branch.

No one spoke during the meal, and after Old Lady Fan put down her chopsticks, everyone followed suit. The servants brought tea, and after everyone had rinsed their mouths and sipped tea, they exchanged a few words before excusing themselves.

Old Lady Fan habitually kept the third branch, but then remembered something and wanted to ask Fan Xueyao more questions. Seeing Li Rong and the others already gone, she thought Li Rong understood the rules and that Fan Xueyao, raised well, would not overstep. She decided to let it go.

Li Rong returned to the courtyard with her daughter and daughter-in-law. Since it wasn't an official day, Fan Minghui was still eating in the front yard. She told Chen, "Go ahead, let us talk freely." Chen left with her maids.

Entering the main room, Li Rong sat down with her daughter, holding her delicate hand, feeling deeply emotional. After a moment, she said, "If it were up to me, I would never want you to go to the palace. My daughter may be beautiful, but the palace is never short of beauties. I know you are thoughtful and have your own plans, but the palace can be a dangerous place. People often think heroes and beauties make the perfect pair, but a beauty in a hero's arms may not find happiness."

Li Rong sighed softly, "My daughter may not know this, but in the former dynasty, there was a favored consort who was skilled in singing and dancing, captivating the imperial court. The emperor adored her, and even the empress had to yield to her. Eventually, the emperor even considered making her son the crown prince. But what happened to this favored consort, do you know?"

Chapter 5: Persuading Li Rong

Fan Xueyao had already understood what Li Rong wanted to say from her thoughts, but she did not interrupt Li Rong. Instead, she held Li Rong's hand and listened quietly as Li Rong continued.

"This Empress might have lost the battle for the Emperor's affection to the favored concubine, but her son was the legitimate Crown Prince, whose position could not be easily shaken. When the Emperor fell ill, he had no choice but to bestow the title of Xin Wang on the prince born to the favored concubine and entrusted him to loyal ministers who accompanied him to his fiefdom to ensure his safety. However, after the Emperor passed away and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the Empress became the Empress Dowager. Her first decree was to send the favored concubine to the cold palace. She pulled out the concubine's hair strand by strand, chained her neck like a dog, dressed her in coarse prisoner's clothes, and made her wash the clothes of the palace slaves. To prevent her from committing suicide, eunuchs were assigned to watch over her day and night. The favored concubine could not bear the torment and soon withered away, her once delicate hands now rotting to the bone, a pitiful sight."

"Xin Wang heard about this and sought help from his elder brother, the newly enthroned Emperor. Upon learning this, the Empress Dowager sent someone to poison Xin Wang. She then had the favored concubine's eyes gouged out, her ears pierced, and her voice silenced. She was forced to crawl on the ground like a dog, eating spoiled food. Finally, the once glorious favored concubine was thrown into a latrine to drown in filth."

At this point, Li Rong gazed deeply into Fan Xueyao's eyes before continuing.

"The favored concubine, once so powerful that even the Empress had to yield to her, met such a tragic end. Who would have thought it possible when she was at the height of her glory? The Empress, although not favored, still held the status of a wife, which gave her the respect due to her position. Even though the Emperor had grown cold towards her, upon his death, loyal ministers supported her. When the favored concubine was in favor, everyone fawned over her, eager to curry favor. But once she fell from grace, they all disappeared! Those who had been so eager to please were merely sycophants. When you are in favor, they will be more devoted than your own kin, but once you lose favor, they will turn their backs on you. Some may even kick you while you're down."

"A woman who relies on her beauty will lose favor when her beauty fades. Look at your father; he has four wives and concubines, and among them, Lin Concubine is the most beautiful." Li Rong used herself as an example without hesitation, disregarding maternal propriety and openly discussing intimate matters between her and her husband.

"When I first married into the Fan family, I heard that Lin Concubine had also received some favor from your father. Even after I entered the household, your father never neglected Lin Concubine. During festivals, she always received what was due to her, and sometimes even more. Whenever fresh fruits were available, Lin Concubine would receive her share. Sometimes there wasn't much left for my mother-in-law or our branch of the family. Your father would still send some to Lin Concubine. This level of care was quite rare. Yet, every time your father spent the night with her, he would send cooling medicine the next day without fail."

"Later, Wang Concubine and Liu Concubine came along. Neither was as beautiful as Lin Concubine. Wang Concubine was kind and well-behaved, a rare good woman. I thought she would be favored, but it was the cunning Liu Concubine who gained favor. After that, both Wang Concubine and Lin Concubine were forgotten. Sometimes, when I saw them, their eyes were as cold as strangers'. If not for my frequent inquiries and care, their lives would have been unbearable."

Finally, Li Rong smiled meaningfully, a mix of disdain and something else.

"You see, men are like that. They can discard what they once cherished. Sometimes it's not because you've done anything wrong, but simply because their affection wanes and they seek new pleasures."

At this moment, Fan Xueyao heard Li Rong's inner sneer: "Hmph, only now do they realize their mistakes when the children are grown. It's just that they've grown tired of their mistresses and remembered the virtuous wife who manages the household."

Fan Xueyao understood that despite Li Rong and Fan Minghui reconciling long ago, resentment still lingered within her. She knew that reconciliation could never fully heal past wounds. No matter how much they tried to mend things, the scars remained.

Water spilled cannot be收回。Once the damage is done, even if it heals, the scar remains. A woman's youth is so precious, and Li Rong's ten years were wasted in Fan Minghui's doting on his concubine. Even later, when Liu Yiniang's true colors were exposed through her machinations and Fan Minghui came to his senses, it could not reclaim the lost decade.

Li Rong's heart had long since grown cold over the course of those ten years. Even after they reconciled and appeared to be a loving couple, resentment still lingered in her heart. She resented Fan Minghui for doting on his concubine, for believing the concubine's provocations and neglecting her, making her feel humiliated. She tasted the bitterness of countless lonely, sleepless nights.

Fan Xueyao felt a twinge of pain in her heart. As a woman, she truly understood Li Rong's feelings all too well. However, Fan Xueyao had a calm disposition and was adept at analyzing pros and cons with reason. She knew that Li Rong could never let go of that tangled resentment, but it would be better for Li Rong to reconcile with Fan Minghui than to live for decades in the cold embrace of neglect.

At least from now on, she wouldn't have to endure the provocations from the concubines anymore. With a loving husband, she could stand tall when facing Grandma Fan, Lu Shi, and Yu Shi, without being painfully reminded of Concubine Liu and Fan Minghui every time. She truly couldn't bear to hear her own sobs in her heart while maintaining a dignified smile any longer.

Fan Xueyao suddenly felt a surge of pity. Although Li Rong was her mother, when considering both of her lifetimes combined, Li Rong was not much older than her. Moreover, she had always been mature for her age, which made her feel a sense of protectiveness whenever she faced Li Rong.

Unable to resist, Fan Xueyao reached out and placed her hand on Li Rong's hand. Meeting Li Rong's touched gaze, she smiled slightly. "Ye Ye does have a bit of a history with new attractions, but now he is wholeheartedly devoted to Your Majesty. Last time, when Mother suggested giving Cuiyu to Ye Ye, he refused outright. I must say, Cuiyu has clear features and a graceful figure, not inferior to Lady Lin. She is in the prime of her youth, around sixteen or seventeen, and who wouldn't be moved by such beauty? Yet, Ye Ye didn't even hesitate before rejecting her."

It's just that your Yeye has grown old, has had his fill of fluttering among the flowers, and no longer cares. In his youth, don't even mention a single emerald feather; even if seven or eight red, blue, or purple feathers came his way, he would never think they were too many.

But Li Rong merely smiled, not bothering to respond verbally.

She ultimately didn't wish to thoroughly criticize her husband in front of her daughter; it was better to let her husband maintain his dignified and towering image as a father in her daughter's heart.

Fan Xueyao couldn't help but laugh. Where was her father's dignified and imposing image in her heart? Ever since she was just a little baby, when she heard from Fan Minghui and Lady Liu's inner thoughts about what they had done the night before, that image of her father ceased to exist.

"You almost had me fooled." Li Rong suddenly remembered her purpose and couldn't help but tap Fan Xueyao's forehead. "I'm not talking about your father; I'm talking about you! Don't think that just because your father now harmonizes with me, it's because Lady Liu went too far and he saw through her. If she had been more cautious and subtle, who knows, your father might never have seen her true colors and would have ended up like the emperor, his heart completely swayed by his concubine and illegitimate children, only caring about their well-being and ignoring the lives of our family of three."

Thinking of this, Li Rong couldn't help but secretly feel fortunate that the man she married wasn't too foolish. Although he favored his concubine, he didn't intend to undermine his wife. Otherwise, as a weak woman, unloved by her husband and uncared for by her mother-in-law, it would be next to impossible to protect her children on her own in her husband's home.

"I am still in a decent position, at least as the legitimate wife, with a proper title. But considering our family's status, if you were to join the royal family, your rank might not be high. At that time, a single word from someone could make you serve, and you would have to obey. If they wanted to punish you to kneel, they wouldn't even need a reason. They might not even bother to find a pretext. You were raised with my favor and indulgence; how could you endure such mistreatment?"

Li Rong shuddered at the thought of the torment that legitimate wives in noble and powerful households might inflict upon their concubines, knowing that one day it could befall her beloved daughter.

She grabbed Fan Xueyao's hand urgently and pleaded, "Let's forget it, Nunu. The palace is really hard to enter. Why don't I find you a good family instead, where you can be a proper and respectable wife? With your beauty, grace, and talents, you could even be a marquise's lady! Then you would enjoy endless glory and wealth. Why take the risk of snatching food from the mouths of tigers in such a dangerous place?"

Fan Xueyao remained calm and composed in her heart. She had long known that Li Rong was not entirely supportive of her decision to enter the palace for the selection, but Li Rong could not resist her and her father's insistence. Moreover, due to the era's twisted expectations that women should instinctively obey their elders and husbands, Li Rong had reluctantly gone along with it up until now.

However, her decision to enter the palace was made long ago and cannot be changed.

Fan Xueyao's face remained calm and composed, her smile soothing Li Rong's agitated emotions. Once Li Rong had calmed down slightly, Fan Xueyao spoke softly and slowly, "What difference is there between a wealthy family and the imperial court? Essentially, they are the same. Even if I marry into the marquis's household, with our family's status, I fear I won't be highly regarded by my in-laws. Instead, my appearance might bring me much trouble. At that time, no matter how deep the marital affection, it would likely be hard to sustain. Not entering the palace doesn't guarantee a good future either. Entering the palace also doesn't mean there won't be a good outcome. Given that both paths are fraught with difficulties, why not choose the supreme one?"

Fan Xueyao had studied psychology in her previous life and was skilled at swaying people's minds, gradually guiding their thoughts to align with her own. Her tone was calm and persuasive, slowly convincing Li Rong that her reasoning was sound. As a mother, however, Li Rong still hesitated to let her daughter enter the palace to compete for favor.

If her daughter were not favored, Li Rong would be heartbroken. If she were favored, Li Rong feared she would be envied, and envy could lead to malice and plots against her.

Chapter 6 Mud Cannot Be Molded into a Wall

Hearing Fan Xueyao's words, Li Rong couldn't help but recall her daughter's extraordinary qualities that had been evident since childhood.

Fan Xueyao wasn't particularly clever. She never showed exceptional talent in music, chess, calligraphy, embroidery, or sewing. The skills she is now praised for in the household are the result of her persistent efforts from a young age. Every achievement was earned through hard work and sweat.

From a young age, this child displayed an unusually strong will and incredible perseverance.

While other girls her age were still playing and having fun, she would practice music and writing day after day, even when her arms ached and her fingers were covered in blisters. She never missed a day of her studies. As her mother, Li Rong felt heartbroken seeing her daughter's dedication and urged her to take a break and play with her sisters.

Unexpectedly, she agreed and did play with her sisters during the day, but made up for the lost time by studying late into the night.

Seeing her daughter's exhausted appearance, Li Rong knew she could not persuade her to change. Fortunately, all her hard work paid off. Now, everyone in the Fan family knows that her Fourth Young Lady excels in music, chess, calligraphy, embroidery, and sewing. Even her culinary skills are highly praised.

What's more remarkable is her clear-mindedness and keen insight. Her perspective on matters and her approach to handling situations are thoughtful and well-considered. When Li Rong was still estranged from her husband, her position in the Fan family was precarious. Despite being the eldest daughter-in-law and managing the household affairs, she faced constant conflicts with the second and third branches due to her mother-in-law's favoritism. This tension also affected the younger generation.

Although they were just children, their conflicts were no less intense. Many children who suffered at the hands of their siblings developed twisted personalities that were difficult to correct later in life.

Li Rong worried about her daughter and often asked her wet nurse for detailed updates. At that time, the First, Second, and Third Young Ladies had not yet married. The Second Young Lady, Zijing, was the daughter of Wang Shi and shared a similar temperament with Li Rong, always following her elder sister Yao's lead. The challenge lay with the First and Third Young Ladies.

The First and Second Young Ladies came from the second branch and, despite their different statuses, stood united against outsiders. Li Rong feared that Yao might suffer at their hands. However, Yao not only held her own but also skillfully drove a wedge between them. With her sisters preoccupied with their own conflicts, they had no time to bully her.

At first, Li Rong thought her daughter was simply clever, without giving it much thought. But as events unfolded, she realized that her daughter was far more capable than she appeared. Despite her delicate appearance, she was incredibly astute and strategic, like a wise advisor from history.

Thinking about her daughter's excellence, Li Rong couldn't help but feel admiration and pride.

In her three decades, she had met countless young ladies, but none compared to her daughter. While many talented women in Chang'an excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, few possessed true wisdom. Her daughter not only had this wisdom but also kept it hidden. Even Li Rong herself only discovered it through daily interactions because her daughter trusted her.

Now, reflecting on everything, Li Rong realized that her daughter was truly extraordinary. With such intelligence and foresight, how could she be content with a mundane life? She deserved a grand future!

Li Rong felt a twinge of anxiety and a hint of disappointment. She had always thought her daughter needed her care and protection. Yet, her daughter was more capable than she imagined, navigating sibling rivalries with ease and even helping reconcile her parents. Thinking that her daughter's brilliance reflected well on her, the disappointment faded, replaced by pride.

Since Li Rong mentioned talking to her, Fan Xueyao focused intently and sensed her mother's change of heart. She seized the opportunity to reassure Li Rong, eventually convincing her completely.

With this, Li Rong no longer opposed and devoted herself to preparing Fan Xueyao for the palace selection.

Time flew swiftly, and before long, the day of the selection arrived.

Early that morning, Fan Xueyao, under Xu Auntie's guidance, put on the clothes prepared for her.

It was early spring, slightly warm but still cool. Wearing a coat might be appropriate but could look bulky. Wearing too little would make her appear weak. Therefore, Xu Auntie chose a set of robes with a matching jacket. This outfit highlighted Fan Xueyao's graceful figure without drawing undue attention.

To avoid dirtying her clothes, Yan Ran styled Fan Xueyao's hair into a double-looped hanging bun, adorned with a silk jasmine flower. Small pearl flowers were pinned casually yet neatly, complementing the jasmine flower perfectly.

Then, she helped Fan Xueyao into a peach-colored embroidered blouse and a saffron skirt. Xu Auntie did not choose the popular gold-embroidered or pearl-encrusted dresses, as Fan Xueyao's beauty was already striking enough. This initial selection called for a more understated elegance.

The saffron skirt struck the perfect balance, neither too casual nor too extravagant. It enhanced Fan Xueyao's fair skin, making her appear even more radiant. Xu Auntie could imagine her standing out among the candidates, like a gentle breeze, captivating and unforgettable.

After dressing, Fan Xueyao left the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard with her maids. Not far away, a girl wearing a half-old robe emerged from the third branch's courtyard, accompanied by two maids. Seeing Fan Xueyao, she nodded politely but nervously.

This girl, around the same age as Fan Xueyao, had a delicate appearance but lacked confidence. Her demeanor made her seem ordinary and unappealing.

She was Fifth Young Lady, named Chunxiang, a concubine-born daughter of the third branch. Fifth Young Lady's personality could be described as either meek and gentle or weak and timid.

Fifth Young Lady's mother was originally a maid of the matriarch, favored by her third uncle. The matriarch indulged her youngest son and readily granted him the maid. Later, she bore Fifth Young Lady.

Fan Cheng, known for his fickleness, soon lost interest and abandoned the maid. Yu Shi, jealous by nature, took advantage of this and treated the maid harshly.

The maid remained a concubine, and Fifth Young Lady grew up timid and fearful. She spoke softly, almost inaudibly, and others rarely engaged with her.

Until today, Fifth Young Lady was like a shadow in the Fan family, cared for only by her mother.

Fan Xueyao nodded at Fifth Young Lady and continued walking.

Others' lives were not her concern; if someone cannot stand on their own, no amount of help can change that.

Fan Xueyao knew Fifth Young Lady was genuinely timid, always choosing to yield rather than fight back.

Yu Shi deliberately burdened her with endless needlework, even when she barely slept. Despite knowing Yu Shi never used her creations, Fifth Young Lady obediently complied. Even when her servants stole her jewelry, she dared not confront them, fearing ridicule.

Such passivity was something Fan Xueyao could not admire. Sometimes, even a rabbit fights back when cornered. Retreating too far leads to a cliff.

Fan Chunxiang watched Fan Xueyao's graceful figure disappear, filled with envy. However, envy was useless. Everyone has their fate; Fourth Young Lady was born into nobility, while she was a lowly concubine-born daughter. While Fourth Young Lady entered the palace with honor, she remained in the household, hoping for a good marriage.

Their fates were predetermined from birth, and she could do nothing about it.

After a moment, Fan Chunxiang turned and headed towards the main house, as usual, to greet her grandmother, who never spared her a glance.

Chapter 7: The Preliminary Selection

At dawn, the sky was faintly lit, and the scenery was ethereal. As soon as the gates of Chongxian Lane opened, carriages began to roll out one after another. Fan Xueyao sat in the bumpy carriage, feeling as if her bones were about to fall apart. This was precisely why she disliked going out; without modern shock-absorbing vehicles, travel in ancient times was a torment.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth, and just before Fan Xueyao was about to be sick, the carriage finally came to a stop.

Aunt Xu helped Fan Xueyao out of the carriage. She quickly scanned her surroundings and saw young maidens standing by the palace gates, each dressed uniquely but all equally beautiful. Those who recognized each other gathered in small groups, whispering softly. In no time, the majestic walls of the palace were filled with the scent of perfume and the sounds of laughter, making it quite lively.

Most of the maidens wore veiled hats, but the sheer fabric did little to conceal their faces in the morning light.

Fan Xueyao looked at these youthful, flower-like faces, untouched by the ravages of time. Each face was filled with excitement, and the murmurs around her revealed their hopes for future glory and honor.

From now on, she would be competing with these women.

Who would ultimately emerge as the winner?

Fan Xueyao slightly curled her lips, confident in her determination.

Aunt Xu did not leave immediately. Instead, she led Fan Xueyao aside, away from prying eyes, and gently adjusted the jasmine flower in her hair. She whispered softly, "My lady, I can only accompany you this far. I have done everything I can. From here on, it's up to you." Aunt Xu, hired to teach Fan Xueyao, was not a servant of the Fan family, so she always referred to herself as "I."

Fan Xueyao held Aunt Xu's hand, looking into her eyes, sensing her unspoken concern. Her heart warmed. She too was moved by genuine care. Smiling gently, her lightly powdered face seemed to melt like snow, blooming with spring flowers, captivating everyone around her.

"Thank you, Aunt Xu. Your guidance has been invaluable. I will not disappoint you."

Hearing Fan Xueyao use the formal term for herself, Aunt Xu felt a mix of warmth and sadness. Though she was hired, others called her "Lady Xu," yet she was merely a former palace maid. She had seen many people treat her respectfully on the surface but use her as they pleased. With Fan Xueyao, however, she felt genuine respect and closeness, which made her more dedicated and sincere in her teaching.

Having spent her youth in the palace, she married a merchant after leaving. Unfortunately, her husband died within a few years, leaving her childless and alone. Over the past few months, she had come to regard Fan Xueyao as her own daughter.

Seeing Fan Xueyao about to enter the palace, Aunt Xu worried that she might suffer. She wanted to give her some last-minute advice to help her avoid pitfalls.

"Do you remember the favored concubine Li during Emperor Ren's reign?"

Fan Xueyao nodded. "Of course, I do." Not just Emperor Ren, she knew the histories and anecdotes of every emperor since the founding of the dynasty, especially those related to the palace. Knowing more about the palace would increase her chances of success.

Aunt Xu sighed, her eyes filled with concern. "I had the fortune to meet her a few times. She was graceful and charming, and her favor was unparalleled. However, she suffered three miscarriages and then a difficult childbirth, losing both her son and her health. She passed away shortly after... You must understand that once you enter the palace, it's like rowing upstream against a waterfall. It's hard and dangerous. If you don't succeed, you'll fall off the cliff."

Fan Xueyao understood Aunt Xu's meaning. Even being the most favored concubine didn't guarantee anything. Throughout history, emperors had many favored concubines. A clear-minded emperor would still have at least one favorite, let alone those who indulged in pleasures. Beauty alone couldn't secure a place in an emperor's heart. Aunt Xu was reminding her to stay alert and see through the glamour to the darkness and danger behind it.

As the time approached, the Xiao Huangmen came to usher the maidens inside. Aunt Xu quickly gave a few more words of caution before leaving.

As the sun rose, the bell rang at dawn, and the palace gates opened. Servants from various families presented the name cards of their maidens.

Leng Xiang supported Fan Xueyao, and Yan Ran soon returned. Both Yan Ran and Leng Xiang had been with Fan Xueyao since childhood. Although Fan Xueyao rarely attended social gatherings with Li Rong, she often involved them in her affairs, making them very useful. Yan Ran remained calm despite the grand occasion.

Soon, the Xiao Huangmen led the maidens into the palace. Fan Xueyao noticed that her group was the largest, followed by the ladies from Chang'an and then the officials' daughters from outside the capital.

The Xiao Huangmen guided thousands of maidens through the gates. Everyone fell silent, the only sounds being their footsteps and the rustling of their clothes.

After walking for a while, the Xiao Huangmen stopped. Fan Xueyao quickly glanced around, realizing they were in a vast open space, large enough for two football fields. Thousands of maidens stood there, each looking like tiny ants from above.

Without delay, the Xiao Huangmen began organizing the maidens into rows of a hundred, sorted by age. Fan Xueyao, being younger, was placed near the front. She kept her gaze forward, standing straight like a lotus in the wind.

The Xiao Huangmen inspected each maiden, occasionally saying, "Step aside," "Step aside," "Step aside." As the maidens were eliminated, some cried, causing the remaining ones to become even more nervous, trying to present their best selves.

Soon, the Xiao Huangmen reached Fan Xueyao, examined her height and build, nodded, and moved on to the next maiden.

She had passed the preliminary selection.

Fan Xueyao knew that she would likely pass based on her physique, but she had prepared for any unexpected situations. Now that she was certain, she breathed a sigh of relief.

The preliminary selection was simple, eliminating those who were too tall, too short, too fat, or too thin. About a thousand maidens were eliminated.

An hour later, the preliminary selection ended, and the Xiao Huangmen led the successful maidens out of the palace to register and return home, awaiting the second round the next day.

The eliminated maidens wept as they boarded their carriages, returning home with the label of "unqualified." Some had traveled long distances to Chang'an, only to be rejected before even entering the inner palace.

The second round was the next day. When Fan Xueyao returned home, her sisters were waiting eagerly. They crowded around her, asking about the selection process and the grandeur of the palace.

Before she could answer, Li Rong came to shoo them away.

Once the room was quiet, Li Rong took her hand and asked detailed questions.

Relieved to hear everything went smoothly, Li Rong sighed, "It breaks my heart to send you to the palace. Forget about glory and wealth; what matters is our family staying together. Once you're in the palace, who knows when we'll see you again."

Fan Xueyao was about to comfort her when Li Rong patted her hand, as if anticipating her response. "I know my dear child has her ambitions. I won't stop you. Just remember, you are a part of me. Stay safe and make us proud."

"Yes, Mother, I understand," Fan Xueyao replied sincerely. Parents who selflessly sacrifice for their children are rare. Li Rong and Fan Minghui had their own motives, but their love was genuine.

"You've been busy all day. Go rest for a bit. I'll send someone to wake you for dinner," Li Rong said kindly. "Stay here tonight."

Exhausted from the early start, Fan Xueyao agreed and went to rest.

In the evening, after dinner, Fan Minghui asked about the preliminary selection. Soon after, Grandmother Fan summoned her, and she stayed for a while before returning to He Xiang Courtyard. Exhausted, she went to bed early, preparing for the next day's second round.

Chapter 8: The Physical Examination

After the initial selection came the second round, which was even more challenging. The remaining young ladies lined up in the same venue as the day before, and Xiao Huangmen meticulously inspected each one. This time, it wasn't just about height, weight, and body shape.

Xiao Huangmen used extremely picky standards to examine every detail of the young ladies' faces, hair, skin, chests, waists, and hips. If any aspect did not meet the criteria, he would say, "Step aside," signaling their elimination.

Once the physical screening was complete, the young ladies were asked to report their family background, names, and ages to assess their voice quality and demeanor. Those with rough voices, unclear speech, or poor posture were immediately told to step aside. In this way, another two thousand candidates were eliminated.

The next phase involved a more detailed examination. First, the young ladies' hands and feet were measured, then they were asked to walk a short distance to evaluate their gait and grace. Those with slightly larger feet, thicker wrists, or improper conduct were ruthlessly eliminated. Most of the young ladies from Chang'an passed this stage, with only a few being eliminated due to minor imperfections in their hands and feet, but their demeanor was deemed acceptable.

After all, these young ladies from Chang'an, even those from humble backgrounds, had been carefully nurtured since childhood. However, the candidates from outside the capital varied greatly in terms of demeanor and upbringing. Some were as refined as those from Chang'an, while others were coarse and unrefined.

Fan Xueyao smoothly passed the detailed examination and was allowed to stay in the palace. Before that, there was one more round—the physical examination.

At this point, only one thousand out of the initial five thousand candidates remained. These one thousand young ladies would be taken into private rooms by experienced palace maids for the physical examination.

The physical examination not only verified the candidates' purity but also checked for body odor, breast shape, scars, and moles. The process was complex and time-consuming due to the elaborate ancient attire, which made undressing and redressing cumbersome.

The one thousand candidates were divided into fifty groups, each entering the room for the examination. Each group took about fifteen minutes to complete the examination of one candidate. As time passed, many candidates began to feel restless. Fan Xueyao, however, remained calm due to her consistent physical training, including yoga and fitness routines. To blend in, she pretended to be struggling like the others.

Since Fan Xueyao was among the younger candidates, she was placed towards the end of the line. It was nearly four hours before her turn arrived.

Entering the room, a palace maid led her inside. Fan Xueyao quickly glanced around and noticed that the room was divided into five small chambers by screens. Although small, each chamber could accommodate several people.

The palace maid led her into one of the inner chambers where three middle-aged palace maids stood. Fan Xueyao smiled politely, nodded in greeting, and handed over a pouch from her waist. "Thank you for your hard work. This is a small token of appreciation."

The middle-aged palace maids felt the weight of the pouch. They knew from experience that it contained pearls and were pleased with its contents. Impressed by Fan Xueyao's appearance and demeanor, they nodded approvingly and conducted the examination with extra care and kindness.

One of the palace maids apologized and began helping her undress.

Standing naked before them, Fan Xueyao, though visibly shy, extended her limbs gracefully for inspection. Despite her young age, her body, shaped by years of training, already showed signs of maturity. Her figure, hidden under thick clothing, now revealed its graceful curves.

Fan Xueyao took pride in her physique, checking herself daily after exercise to ensure perfection. Over time, her body had developed a perfect balance, neither too thin nor too plump. This was the result of years of dedication, making every drop of sweat worth it.

The four examiners marveled at the soft, radiant glow of her snow-white skin, her slender waist, and the subtle yet firm muscles beneath. Even the women examining her were captivated by her beauty. Moving upwards, her chest featured a pair of perfectly rounded breasts, not overly large but full and well-proportioned, resembling ripe peaches.

Her flawless, smooth skin was a marvel to touch, evoking an irresistible urge to caress it. The experienced palace maids handled her gently, fearing their rough hands might damage such delicate skin. They silently admired her, noting that even noble ladies could not match her silky, flawless complexion.

After a thorough examination, Fan Xueyao redressed and left the room. The candidates who passed this stage were not allowed to leave but were led into a hall by Xiao Huangmen to await further results. Fan Xueyao had researched previous selection processes and knew that although this one differed slightly, the outcome would be similar. Only three hundred candidates would ultimately remain, but currently, there were over four hundred waiting in the hall. Therefore, the experienced palace maids would need to eliminate another hundred candidates based on their qualifications.

Remaining calm and composed, Fan Xueyao waited patiently.

Sure enough, after half an hour, the experienced palace maids arrived with a list. Those whose names were called were eliminated and escorted out of the palace.

When the list was closed without calling Fan Xueyao's name, it was clear she had passed.

The senior palace maid then addressed the remaining candidates. "Congratulations, ladies. You have all passed this stage."

Despite anticipating this, the candidates still burst into joy and excitement, exchanging glances to convey their elation.

"From now on, you will reside in Chuxiu Palace for a month. Please be cautious with your words and actions. Reaching this point has been no easy feat, so do not let a momentary lapse ruin everything." The senior palace maid spoke sternly, her gaze filled with warning.

Though she referred to herself as a servant, her demeanor was dignified, impressing some of the less privileged candidates. They marveled at the authority of even a senior palace maid and wondered how grand their own status would be if they became concubines.

After the reminder, the senior palace maid summoned junior maids to lead the candidates to Chuxiu Palace. Upon arrival, Fan Xueyao saw a row of palace maids standing at the gate, one of whom wore a different uniform, indicating her leadership role.

The junior maid leading Fan Xueyao and the others approached respectfully and presented the register.

The senior maid smiled upon reviewing the register. "Please wait a moment. I will arrange for someone to show you to your quarters." She then called over a junior maid named Songxiang. "Songxiang, please escort these five ladies to their quarters." She handed over the register and added, "Your luggage and personal maids will be delivered to your rooms. Please proceed with confidence."

Although she addressed the group as "ladies," her eyes lingered on one particular candidate beside Fan Xueyao.

This action drew the attention of several candidates, who began to scrutinize the chosen lady. During the selection, candidates only reported their names without mentioning their backgrounds, but familiarity and connections often revealed their identities.

Fan Xueyao, despite her humble background, knew through her unique ability that the lady beside her was Li Xiuyun, the daughter of the Duke of Qi's second son and a high-ranking official. Her noble birth was evident.

Although both their fathers held the same rank, their backgrounds were worlds apart. No wonder the senior maid favored Li Xiuyun.

Fan Xueyao blinked, showing no envy. High birth had its challenges, and low birth had its advantages. Indeed, the other candidates now viewed Li Xiuyun as a rival, forgetting about her.

Li Xiuyun smiled and thanked the senior maid without further action.

The senior maid then instructed Songxiang to lead the group to their quarters.

Entering the courtyard, they found a path paved with stone slabs leading to a modest-sized residence with three main rooms and side chambers. Initially, they thought the six of them would share the space, but more candidates arrived.

Li Xiuyun frowned and asked Songxiang, "Is this courtyard meant for all eighteen of us?"

Songxiang, unlocking the door, replied, "Yes, Lady. Chuxiu Palace has limited space, so this courtyard will house eighteen ladies."

Eighteen?

The middle room served as a reception area, meaning each side chamber would accommodate at least three ladies. Li Xiuyun's delicate eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Fan Xueyao was unfazed, having anticipated this situation. With three hundred candidates, it was impossible for each to have a separate room, even in a spacious palace.

The other candidates seemed indifferent, either unconcerned or resigned to the reality of palace life.

Seeing Li Xiuyun's reaction, one candidate rolled her eyes, thinking her overly dramatic.

Songxiang unlocked the door and was about to lead everyone inside when she noticed someone missing.

"Lady Li, it's time to go inside," Songxiang called to Li Xiuyun, who was still standing in the courtyard.

Li Xiuyun gestured slightly toward the main room and said in a soft voice, "I see that the rooms over there are quite nice, so why did you specifically assign me to the western wing?"

Song Xiang explained, "This arrangement was decided by the aunts beforehand. I am merely following the rules."

Hearing this, Li Xiuyun pursed her lips, glanced at the main room, and then turned to enter the western wing.

Fan Xueyao and the others had entered the rooms earlier and had already taken five of the beds in three rooms, leaving only one bed by the window in the southernmost part for Li Xiuyun. As soon as Li Xiuyun came in, she saw this and her expression changed. She looked at the other girls with an unfriendly gaze.

"I am not used to sleeping by the window. Will anyone switch with me?"

Chapter 9: Striving for Supremacy

"I'm not used to sleeping by the window. Can someone switch with me?"

Li Xiuyun felt a mix of anger and grievance, thinking to herself: These people have no manners at all; they've already divided up the beds without waiting for her.

Another maiden in the room heard this and was quite indignant but lacked the courage due to her lower status. Seeing that Fan Xueyao remained silent, she feared an argument with Li Xiuyun and thus got up to give her bed near the corner to Li Xiuyun.

Fan Xueyao had long known that although Li Xiuyun came from a good family, her temperament did not match that of a proper lady. She didn't expect Li Xiuyun to reveal her true nature so quickly. Slightly shaking her head, she thought it was unwise for Li Xiuyun to act so imperiously even within the palace.

She had already noticed someone peeping outside the room, so she chose not to take sides. In such a situation, agreeing or disagreeing would both be inappropriate. Arguing over the bed would make her seem petty.

If she gave in, others might think she was easy to bully, leading to more trouble later. Fortunately, the maiden surnamed Chen was afraid of conflict and silently switched beds before Li Xiuyun could say more, saving everyone the trouble.

The person outside slowly entered. Two young palace maids, dressed in the uniform green attire of the palace, about fifteen or sixteen years old, one went to the north room, and one entered the south room. The palace maid who entered bowed formally to the three of them, speaking clearly though softly.

"This servant is Songxiang, sent by the Yeting Bureau to serve you ladies."

The other palace maid had been observing them on orders. Hearing the thoughts of this seemingly well-behaved maid, Fan Xueyao knew she had made the right decision earlier.

Just as she was about to speak, Li Xiuyun interrupted, "Is it just you?"

Songxiang bowed again and replied, "Yes, only this servant."

Li Xiuyun nodded unsatisfactorily, slightly frowning, her eyelashes fluttering as she looked at Songxiang. "Please bring me a basin of hot water. I've been traveling all day and feel covered in dust. I want to freshen up."

Chen Duofu also chimed in, "Bring me some hot water too."

Songxiang bowed again, looking at Fan Xueyao, who shook her head slightly. Songxiang then left to fetch hot water for Li Xiuyun and Chen Duofu.

Noticing that Fan Xueyao acted differently, Li Xiuyun glanced at her, then looked away, walking around the room. She inspected the furniture, tables, chairs, and decorative items, all of which were exquisite and luxurious. She nodded, pleased that they hadn't been given shoddy accommodations despite being mere maidens.

Her actions carried an indescribable air, seeming to disdain Fan Xueyao yet not overtly so. Though raised as a proper lady, Li Xiuyun didn't bother hiding her attitude, making even Chen Duofu notice and keep glancing at Fan Xueyao while tidying her bed.

Fan Xueyao didn't mind, even if Li Xiuyun thought her timid and petty.

The courtyard became noisy as the Xiao Huangmen from the Yeting Bureau arrived with their luggage.

Fan Xueyao hurried out to help the Xiao Huangmen sort and move the luggage into the rooms, making the courtyard lively.

The Xiao Huangmen were busy, but Fan Xueyao's luggage was minimal and quickly moved. She opened her trunk to pick out clothes for the next day, making it easier to iron or hang them.

As they were sorting things out, Li Xiuyun stopped a Xiao Huangmen preparing to move luggage for another room. Pointing at her own luggage, she said matter-of-factly, "Organize my things; the room is such a mess, how can I live here?"

Her luggage was extensive, nearly reaching the limit allowed for maidens entering the palace.

The Xiao Huangmen hesitated, surprised by her imperious tone.

Seeing this, Li Xiuyun took out a purse and handed a few silver beads to the Xiao Huangmen. "Here, hurry up."

The Xiao Huangmen saw the gleam of silver, exchanged a glance with his companion, and immediately started organizing Li Xiuyun's numerous trunks and bags into the wardrobe.

There was only one wardrobe in the room, and it seemed Li Xiuyun intended to use it exclusively. Chen Duofu grew anxious; she had brought only one trunk and several bags. Bags left out could gather dust and dampness, especially since spring rains were frequent.

"Um... Lady Li..."

Li Xiuyun turned, looking puzzled.

Seeing Chen Duofu hesitate, her eyes darting between the wardrobe and her luggage, Li Xiuyun understood. Taking out more silver beads, she smiled sweetly. "I have many items, including valuable ones. Mixing our belongings could lead to loss or damage. Your luggage isn't much, so leaving it out won't be a problem. Please bear with it."

Chen Duofu, afraid of conflict, lost her nerve and accepted the beads. She marveled inwardly: Lady Li is indeed remarkable; her family usually gives only copper coins, but she gives silver beads to Xiao Huangmen. How generous!

After dealing with Chen Duofu, Li Xiuyun turned to Fan Xueyao with a friendly smile. "Lady, you see..."

Fearing Li Xiuyun would dismiss her with money, Fan Xueyao shook her head and smiled. "You can use the wardrobe. I don't have much luggage, so I'll manage."

Seeing Fan Xueyao's agreeable nature, Li Xiuyun's smile became genuine. She had expected Fan Xueyao to be spoiled, but found her sensible instead. Though she wasn't afraid of conflict, it was better to be cautious on the first day.

With the wardrobe settled, Li Xiuyun stood straighter, directing the Xiao Huangmen to organize her luggage. "Oh, don't put that there; it will wrinkle my cloud silk." "Put that on top; how clumsy can you be!" She continued giving commands and complaints.

Fan Xueyao organized her luggage, hearing the Xiao Huangmen's grumbling, finding it amusing. Li Xiuyun seemed oblivious to the fact that these servants were resentful despite her generosity.

Fan Xueyao's luggage was neatly arranged, and seeing the room still in disarray, she stepped out to get some fresh air. The room was cool and had a faint musty smell despite the incense.

Outside, she saw another maiden standing in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, the maiden turned, revealing her face. Dressed in bright red robes adorned with golden pearls and a pomegranate stone hairpin, she looked striking.

At first glance, her attire was dazzling, but upon closer inspection, she was merely average-looking despite her elaborate dress.

Recognizing her, Fan Xueyao decided against greeting her, knowing that today was the physical examination day when maidens typically dressed simply. This maiden seemed either naive or lacking in judgment. Moreover, her family should know better.

However, the maiden approached her.

"Which family does this sister come from?" she asked warmly.

Fan Xueyao nodded politely. "My surname is Fan, and I am the fourth daughter. My father holds a minor position in the Ministry of Justice. May I ask your name?"

"Ah, Lady Fan," the maiden said, her eyes brightening. "My surname is Qin. My father is merely a deputy commander, unworthy of mention."

Fan Xueyao was surprised; she thought her family barely met the selection criteria, but Lady Qin's family was truly on the threshold. A deputy commander was a sixth-rank official, and the requirement was sixth-rank or higher.

Introducing themselves, they quickly became friendly. The maiden named Qin Zhuyuan was fifteen.

Qin Zhuyuan smiled. "You're staying in the west wing, and I'm in the east wing. We'll be neighbors this month. I hope we can become close. I'm clumsy, but you're very composed. I'll need your guidance."

Fan Xueyao smiled, "It's not a matter of guidance. Being placed in the same courtyard is a sign of fate. If you don't mind, let's visit each other often."

"Then I'll come to the west wing often. Don't mind me," Qin Zhuyuan said enthusiastically. "I wanted to invite you inside, but my room is a mess. Let's sit by the stone table in the east corner."

Fan Xueyao agreed. The east corner had a large banyan tree, its branches providing shade over the stone table, emitting a refreshing scent.

Think about inviting a few close friends on a summer day, sitting under the shade of a tree to cool off, sipping tea and playing chess while listening to the cicadas. When you get tired of it, just set it aside and chat idly. How delightful and comfortable it must be. Lost in thought, Fan Xueyao couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

It's such a pity that this wonderful place is only entered during the selection process. What a waste.

"The furnishings here in the imperial villa truly differ from elsewhere." Qin Zhuyuan suddenly spoke, interrupting Fan Xueyao's thoughts. Lifting her eyes, Fan Xueyao saw that Qin Zhuyuan was gazing slightly to her left, clearly lost in memory, her eyes sparkling.

"This courtyard, meant for the selected ladies to stay in for just a month, is furnished with such meticulous care. Even the bedcovers in my room are made of the finest brocade silk. One can tell they are brand new and have never been washed."

Chapter 10: Beyond One's Capacity

"It's just a courtyard for the candidates to stay in for a month, yet it's decorated so meticulously. Even the quilt covers in my room are made of the finest brocade. Clearly, they're brand new and haven't been washed yet."

Hearing Qin Zhuyuan's envious words, Fan Xueyao was taken aback. Qin Zhuyuan, adorned with gold and jewels, didn't seem like someone from a poor family. The golden pearl peony hairpin she wore could easily be exchanged for two bolts of brocade.

Then, Fan Xueyao heard what Qin Zhuyuan was thinking but not saying, and she understood why Qin Zhuyuan appeared so well-dressed yet lost her composure over such trivial matters.

It turned out that Qin Zhuyuan came from a humble background, and only her father had any status. The entire extended family relied on him, making their lives quite difficult. Fortunately, her mother's family was in business and relatively wealthy, often sending money to their daughter married into an official family, which helped maintain the family's appearance of respectability.

When they learned that the selection process had changed and officials of the sixth rank and above could participate, Qin Zhuyuan's maternal relatives went all out to outfit her, hoping she would be chosen as a concubine. If she succeeded, they too would benefit from her newfound status.

At fifteen, Qin Zhuyuan was fortunate enough to participate in the selection and dress well for the first time. Having never experienced such luxury before, she was naturally impressed by the grandeur of the palace, with its ornate carvings and opulent decorations.

The palace indeed had many fine things. The quilt covers were just one example; even the teapots and cups on the table were top-quality porcelain from the imperial kilns. These kilns produced ceramics with a heavy, lustrous glaze, smooth as jade, exuding both imperial grandeur and elegance.

Such high-quality imperial porcelain was only available in the palace, where hundreds of candidates could use them. Ordinary families couldn't afford or obtain them even if they wanted to.

"Madam, you should take good care of your eyes," Fan Xueyao said unexpectedly, without continuing the previous conversation.

Qin Zhuyuan was puzzled, unable to understand why Fan Xueyao suddenly said this. She asked, "Why do you say that?"

Fan Xueyao smiled gently, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with charm. "There are countless wonderful things in the palace. After a month, when you become a concubine, your eyes might be dazzled. Shouldn't Madam Qin take better care of them now?"

This comment was slightly teasing. A noble lady might feel offended, thinking Fan Xueyao was implying she was petty. A proud and haughty person might even leave in anger.

However, Qin Zhuyuan took it differently. She was delighted, feeling that Fan Xueyao's words were very agreeable. She imagined that as a concubine, she would have access to anything she desired. Perhaps she wouldn't even care about brocade anymore. Her excitement, which had been pounding since entering Chuxiu Palace, gradually subsided. She began chatting with Fan Xueyao, who occasionally responded, and soon revealed much about her family.

After some time, the courtyard became noisy as the Xiao Huangmen finished their tasks. The two ladies returned to their rooms.

Entering her room, Fan Xueyao found everything neatly arranged. Chen Duofu was combing his hair by the window, looking awkward. Li Xiuyun sat on the bed, examining a dress with a look of frustration.

Curious, Fan Xueyao wondered what had happened. When she left earlier, Li Xiuyun seemed arrogant. She noticed Li Xiuyun's grip on the dress and, combining it with her thoughts, understood the situation.

While Fan Xueyao was away, the Xiao Huangmen accidentally dropped a dress on the floor and stepped on it. The dress, made of delicate chiffon, was beautiful but fragile. Even washing required extreme care. Although the Xiao Huangmen only stepped on it once, the damage was noticeable and irreparable, rendering the dress unwearable.

The chiffon dress was expensive and precious to Li Xiuyun, who had specially purchased it for the palace. Now ruined, she was furious but could not report it, as bribing the Xiao Huangmen was against the rules. She could only endure the loss silently.

Although Li Xiuyun blamed the Xiao Huangmen for clumsiness, Fan Xueyao had a different view. She had heard the Xiao Huangmen's resentment towards Li Xiuyun's arrogance and suspected one of them intentionally damaged the dress.

Smiling wryly, Fan Xueyao did not approach the upset Li Xiuyun. Instead, she sat down by her bed and picked up a book she had brought. This action surprised Li Xiuyun, who looked at her curiously.

Earlier, Chen Duofu had tried to comfort Li Xiuyun, but she dismissed him coldly. Now, with her favorite dress ruined, she had no patience for pleasantries.

Soon, a gong sounded outside, signaling dinner time. Each candidate's meal was delivered to their room, and they gathered in the main hall to eat. The hall had a low couch facing the front, where the candidates introduced themselves.

In the north wing, three candidates were present: Lin, Yu, and Yang. Among them, Yang Sunu was the most distinguished, with a great-grandfather who was Lord Yang Deyu and a grandfather who was a vice minister of revenue, a fourth-rank official.

Yang Sunu quickly befriended Li Xiuyun, and they chatted together, though they did not exclude the others entirely.

Li Xiuyun and another Yang candidate sat on the low couch, while the others used rosewood chairs and tables.

Fan Xueyao disliked the furniture, especially the chairs and tables, which were the same height, making it difficult to maintain proper posture during meals. Despite her dislike, she had grown accustomed to it over the years.

As they sat down, the palace maids brought the dishes. Each candidate received two soups, two dishes, and seasonal fruit. The food was not extravagant, but it was not meager either. Some high-ranking officials served similar fare at banquets.

However, not everyone was as unperturbed as Fan Xueyao. As she began eating, she heard a voice of displeasure.

"What is this? Is this what we're supposed to eat? Even my servants eat better than this. We are here by the Emperor's grace, and if selected, we will be concubines. And this is how you treat us? Bring us better food immediately."

Everyone turned to see Li Xiuyun, visibly upset. Yang Sunu looked at her in surprise, as did the others.

Usually, Li Xiuyun wasn't so easily angered, but today's events had exhausted her. Seeing the modest meal triggered her pent-up frustration.

Li Xiuyun's anger was understandable, but others were shocked by her lack of composure. Some lower-ranked candidates felt secretly pleased.

The palace maids looked at each other, unsure how to respond. Songxiang, the responsible maid, stood up respectfully but firmly.

"Please calm down, Madam. We follow the palace regulations. Every candidate receives the same meal. We do not intend to neglect anyone."

Seeing Songxiang refuse her, Li Xiuyun frowned angrily. "What does regulation matter? If others can eat this, must I eat it too?"

Songxiang was about to reply when Li Xiuyun reached for her purse, taking out ten taels of silver and placing it on the table. She raised her chin slightly.

"Though it's the regulation, there's always room for flexibility. Use this silver to make two additional dishes. I don't ask for much—just wine-steamed Huai white fish and soft lamb."