NFBE Chapter 120: Check-in to the Body Yuan Palace
Chapter 120: Check-in to the Body Yuan Palace
Chapter 120 Check-in at the Tiyuan Palace
On the last day of March, the triennial general election officially began. Just as the Yin hour arrived, Zhen Huan rode a mule cart into Di'anmen and stopped outside the Shenwumen, the north gate of the Forbidden City.
After waiting for the palace gate to open, these selected beauties will get off the car in order according to their family background and flags, and then the eunuchs in the palace will call out their names and lead them into Shunzhen Gate.
Because there are so many beauties, the first round is divided into three days. According to the order of Manchu, Mongolian and Han, those who come today are all noble ladies from the Eight Banners of Manchu.
Nanny Wu had already taught Zhenhuan about this stage in advance, so after her name was called, Zhenhuan read a simple Three Character Classic according to the instructions of the palace maids, and then measured her height and weight. This was the last stage of the day, a physical examination.
This step was really embarrassing for the conservative ancients, but Zhenhuan didn't feel anything unusual. At most, she just treated it as a physical examination she had experienced before.
After she entered the small room, she quickly sat down on the makeshift small bed as instructed by the nanny, and then quietly handed over the two purses in her sleeves.
The two maids wore solemn expressions, but their hands moved quickly. In the blink of an eye, the two purses were gone. Feeling the light weight and texture of the purses, the maids concluded that they contained silver bills. One of them took the opportunity to open them and saw a silver bill worth fifty taels. She nodded to the maid opposite her, and the two maids let Zhenhuan sit in the room for a while longer, estimating that the time was about right, before letting her go.
Zhenhuan walked out of the room with ease, and following the guidance of the young eunuch, she waited with the other ladies who had passed the examination until everyone's inspection was completed.
She thought it was just the same physical examination as in her previous life, but when she came out, she saw many women with ashamed and angry expressions, and some women kept crying after the results of the examination. This made Zhenhuan think that this physical examination might not be as simple as she imagined.
However, everyone should take care of their own business. Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem. Just like Aunt Wu taught us, the important thing is not to let yourself be wronged.
Zhenhuan, who had left, had no idea that shortly after she left, the two maids who had examined her were quickly sent to the Imperial Household Department by Kangxi, and they would never have the chance to come out again in this life.
Because Zhenhuan had Nanny Wu by her side, Kangxi would not doubt Zhenhuan's innocence at all. However, there was no need for a servant who could embezzle money during the selection and then cheat and not work seriously.
It can be said that this time Zhenhuan's selection was a sting operation for Kangxi.
It was almost noon when this wave of Manchu beauties ended, and the governess quickly came over and brought all of them into the Tiyuan Hall.
Zhenhuan looked up and took a quick look. There were probably over a hundred people, but this was normal. The largest number of concubines were Manchu women. After the Mongolian and Han army flags moved in tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, the number should reach two hundred.
After everyone stood in the central open space of the Tiyuan Hall, an old maid with a serious face and simple attire walked out. She began to introduce herself: "Greetings to all the ladies. You may address me as Aunt Rong."
Zhen Huan looked up in surprise. "Is this Rong Mama? The legendary Rong Mama who had been waiting for over a decade by the Daming Lake?"
Zhen Huan's gaze was filled with surprise and scrutiny, causing Rong Mama to pause her introductions and ask, "Does this princess have any opinions?"
Zhen Huan saw that everyone was staring at her, and her face flushed unconsciously: "No, nothing, sorry to bother you, Madam."
"Well, this is the first time, so I won't blame you. I hope you won't do unnecessary things next time." Seeing that Zhenhuan was not a troublemaker and had a good attitude in admitting her mistakes, Rong Mama didn't pursue the matter any further.
Then she continued the previous topic: "Okay, for the next month or so, this Ti Yuan Hall will be under the supervision of Mammy. If any of you feel uncomfortable or have any problems, you can come to Mammy at any time. Of course, if you want to cause trouble and are discovered by Mammy, I will not show mercy to you. I hope you will not regret it when the time comes.
By the way, there won't be any formalities taught for the next two days, but you can get to know each other. We'll then teach you all together once the other two banners of beauties arrive. The rooms have been arranged as needed. Now, each of you, please follow the maidservants beside you to your rooms to rest. A maid will guide you to dinner.
Also, during the selection period, no one is allowed to leave the Body Yuan Hall without the permission of the Palace Master. I hope you will forgive me and not cause trouble for Madam. Otherwise, Madam will also tell you what it means to not be afraid of trouble. Okay, let's disperse."
After saying that, Rong Mama left with a team of maids. The remaining concubines stood in the yard, not moving for a while. It was Guo Luoluo Jiayan who spoke first: "Wake up, don't stand there like an idiot, and take this princess's luggage back to the room. You are such a foolish girl."
The little palace maid following behind Jiayan nodded repeatedly, and quickly picked up the big bag that Jiayan was carrying and trotted to lead her into one of the rooms.
Zhenhuan was a little doubtful at this time, wondering if this was the Princess Jiayan she knew. This was the Tiyuan Palace, under the watchful eyes of all the masters in the palace. Was it really okay for you to be so true to your nature?
However, this time someone took the lead, and soon the concubines left in groups of three or two. Seeing this, Zhenhuan hurriedly followed the little palace maid assigned to her into the room that had already been arranged.
The room faced south, and even though it was late afternoon, the sunlight still lingered by the windows. There were four beds in the room, and when Zhenhuan entered, someone else had already been there. Seeing Zhenhuan, the other person quickly stood up and greeted her, "Hello, my name is Zhang Jia Ruhui, and my father is a third-rank military minister. You can just call me Ruhui."
Zhen Huan quickly put down the bag she was carrying and replied, "I am Niu Hulu Zhen Huan, and my father is a fourth-rank ceremonial officer. You can just call me Zhen Huan."
Zhang Jiaruhui smiled and nodded, but she was wondering in her heart, "A Nianhulu family? Her father is only a fourth-rank official. Could he be a member of the Nianhulu family?" But why had she never met this princess before? If she was just an ordinary fourth-rank official, how could she be qualified to live in such a nice room?
After saying hello, Zhang Jiaruhui knew that she would be living with her roommate for a month. Even though she had some doubts in her heart, she did not show it on the surface. Before she knew the other person's specific identity, it was best to stay put.
Zhang Jiaruhui: "Sister Zhenhuan, should I call you sister? I was confused just now and didn't seem to ask how old you are."
Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "I am sixteen years old. I don't know you, sister?"
Ruhui: "Then it's right for me to call you sister. Sister happens to be seventeen years old this year, older than you, so it's appropriate for you to call me sister."
Zhenhuan: "Sister Ruhui."
Ruhui: "Sister Zhenhuan. Mammy just said that these two days are free time, but it's not early today, so we should hurry up and pack up, otherwise it will be dinner time and we will be late."
Zhen Huan: "Sister Ruhui is right, let's clean up now."
One was a native noble lady, and the other was a fake noble lady who changed her career halfway. While Ruhui was still struggling with the bed sheets, Zhenhuan had already put all her belongings in order, and some items that did not need to be used immediately were also placed in the allocated small boxes.
Zhen Huan finished her work and turned around to see Ru Hui Gege still struggling with her stubborn bed sheet that she couldn't make flat. Seeing this, Zhen Huan quickly walked over to Ru Hui's bedside and asked, "Sister Ru Hui, do you need my help?"
Ruhui blushed when she heard Zhenhuan's voice, but when she saw that she had already made the bed, her eyes suddenly lit up and she nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, thank you, sister."
Zhenhuan smiled slightly and said nothing more. Instead, she silently stepped forward to help her carefully make the bed and tidy up the bedding. The remaining personal belongings were left untouched, waiting for their owner to arrange them.
Seeing the sheets that she couldn't straighten in her hands become neat and tidy after Zhenhuan's left and right movements, Ruhui clapped her hands in admiration: "Sister Zhenhuan, you are really amazing. The nanny at home called me several times, but I couldn't make them straight every time. If it weren't for my sister, I would have thought of paying a palace maid to help me."
Zhenhuan smiled at Ruhui. "It took Nanny several times of hands-on instruction for my younger sister to succeed. What I just did was already very good. I just need to practice a few more times and it will be fine. But in a family like ours, we don't need to do it ourselves, so it doesn't matter whether I learn this skill or not."
Ruhui: "Yes, great minds think alike. Sister has never done these things by herself since she was a child. Mother also said that it would not be necessary in the future. If the nanny had not asked to teach her before the selection, Sister would not have learned it.
Sister, please sit down and talk to me about what you usually do to pass the time at home.
Zhenhuan knew she had passed this first hurdle. Although Zhang Jiaruhui was a year older than her, it was obvious she was a pampered little princess, the apple of her eye. If she acted timid and petty from the start, she would definitely ignore her. Although she looked innocent, her inherent pride wouldn't allow her to lower herself to befriend an ordinary bannerman. Even if Zhenhuan's father was a fourth-rank official, in the eyes of a third-rank official, he was just a lowly official.
Zhen Huan obediently sat opposite Ru Hui. There happened to be a kettle and cups on the table. Zhen Huan picked up the teapot and poured a glass of water for each of them: "Sister, please."
When Ruhui saw the other person's graceful and elegant demeanor, she was even more certain that he was not from a poor family. A person's clothes can be dressed up and his face can be beautified, but the confidence that radiates from the inside out cannot be cultivated in a small family.
As Hui Gege had no idea, that was not something that the Niuhulu family could cultivate. It was the confidence that came from modern people, and it was the national confidence formed by living in a democratic, equal and free social environment.
Both of them were thirsty. They had neither eaten nor drunk water since this morning and were extremely hungry and thirsty. If it weren't for the rules and the fact that this was the imperial palace and they couldn't do whatever they wanted, they would have wanted to have a meal long ago.
After two more drinks, Zhen Huan replied, "Usually at home, I basically learn housekeeping and accounting from my mother. Occasionally, I learn etiquette and practice calligraphy from the nanny. How about you, sister?"
Ruhui felt like she had found a kindred spirit when she heard Zhenhuan's answer. "Oh, so you're learning this at home too. It's pretty much the same for me. Every day I have to learn housekeeping with Mother, or learn the rules with Nanny. I hate this the most. If I want to go out for a horse race, Mother will definitely stop me. I haven't been out for a long time."
Hearing about horse racing, Zhenhuan's eyes sparkled: "Mother likes quiet girls, so my younger sister has never touched a horse since she was a child, let alone learned riding and archery. I really envy my older sister for being able to race horses since she was a child."
Hearing Zhenhuan praising her favorite sport, Ruhui's spirits immediately brightened, and she told Zhenhuan some interesting stories and tips about her horseback riding. The two strangers who had just met quickly opened up and chatted enthusiastically.