NFBE Chapter 394 Wen Yi 23
Chapter 394 Wen Yi 23
Xia Dongchun looked at the handkerchief in her hand, somewhat reluctant to return it to An Lingrong.
Upon seeing this, An Lingrong said, "If Sister Xia likes this handkerchief,
"Take it, and my sister can embroider another one."
Xia Dongchun listened to An Lingrong's words and a smug look appeared on her face. She then put the handkerchief away.
"You're smart to know what's good for you."
At this moment, Granny Tong reminded
"Miss Xia, did you bring a spare qipao?"
The selection of the young ladies will be held soon; they must not behave improperly before the Emperor.
Xia Dongchun then realized what was happening and hurriedly said:
"Don't worry, Granny, I brought a spare Manchu dress."
She was about to change her clothes when she suddenly remembered something.
He turned around, walked up to An Lingrong, and grabbed her arm.
"You come too, I'm afraid you'll run away."
An Lingrong felt a little wronged, but she could only go with Xia Dongchun to change her clothes.
Xia Dongchun ignored Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang throughout the entire process.
As Xia Dongchun passed by the two, she even used her shoulder to lean on their shoulder.
He bumped into Zhen Huan, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, and muttered:
"What a busybody."
Shen Meizhuang frowned when she saw Xia Dongchun deliberately bump into Zhen Huan.
Just as she was about to erupt, Zhen Huan quickly pulled her back and whispered:
"Sister Mei, no need. It was my fault for handling things improperly, which caused this trouble."
Let's not stoop to her level.
Although Shen Meizhuang was displeased, seeing Zhen Huan's words,
He had no choice but to give up, and simply snorted coldly.
"You meant well but ended up doing something wrong. You'd better mind your own business in the future."
Zhen Huan smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, "Sister Mei is mistaken."
I only did it out of pity for Sister An; this Miss Xia is far too unreasonable and unforgiving.
That's why I wanted to lend a hand, but oh well.
Since Sister An has resolved the matter using her Suzhou embroidery skills, everyone is happy.
Zhen Huan was actually somewhat annoyed.
She saw that although this woman, surnamed An, was not particularly beautiful, and was poor and timid.
But it possesses a unique quality.
She wanted to take this opportunity to win him over, but she didn't expect...
The plan was disrupted by a nanny.
She then thought of Granny Tong, and for some reason, she found herself speaking up for Xia Dongchun.
He seemed somewhat displeased with himself.
Zhen Huan thought to herself, "I must be careful after entering the palace."
Although she didn't really want to enter the palace, because the emperor already had too many women around him.
What she desires is a lifelong, monogamous relationship.
But she was also confident that her talent and looks would secure her the selection.
That's why she was thinking of making plans early and trying to win over more people so that she could have someone to look out for her in the palace.
Seeing that Zhen Huan seemed somewhat forlorn, Shen Meizhuang gently comforted her:
"Sister Huan, don't overthink it."
Although things didn't turn out the way you wanted with the An family, you meant well.
The affairs of the palace are complex; we must be more cautious in our actions from now on.
Zhen Huan nodded, but in her heart she still wanted to find an opportunity to win over Lady An.
Unfortunately, Zhen Huan waited for a long time but never found An Lingrong.
When Zhen Huan saw An Lingrong again, she saw her being pulled by Xia Dongchun.
Zhen Huan heard Xia Dongchun ask An Lingrong
"How did it go? Did you get a name tag?"
An Lingrong nodded
Xia Dongchun: "Really? That's great! We've both been reserved!"
It's good that we can look out for each other.
"Let's go back."
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang were standing together, so of course they heard it too.
She didn't expect that both of them had been given name tags.
The Xia family is uncouth, and the An family is of humble origin and not particularly attractive.
Shen Meizhuang said, "I didn't expect that both of them would have such good luck."
Zhen Huan said, "They have all been given names, given Mei Jie's talent and beauty."
They'll definitely keep their name tags.
Soon it was Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang's turn to be chosen in the imperial examination.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang straightened each other's clothes.
After exchanging glances, they entered the hall together with the other remaining ladies-in-waiting.
The big, fat orange cat sat listlessly on the dragon throne.
Looking at these meticulously dressed young women before him, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
He had just ascended the throne and was already busy; the nightmare that night had left him distraught for days.
He hasn't had a good rest these past few days.
Looking at these young women now, he felt even more bored.
However, this talent show cost a lot of money and manpower.
And he didn't completely believe in that nightmare.
He secretly hoped that one of the imperial concubines could bear him several princes.
So even though he was very impatient, he still patiently looked at them one by one.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang stood in the queue, their outstanding temperament drawing attention.
The eunuch's high-pitched yet resonant voice rang out.
"Shen Meizhuang, daughter of Shen Zishan, Assistant Commander of Jizhou, aged seventeen."
Shen Meizhuang lifted her skirt and knelt down
"Your subject, Shen Meizhuang, pays her respects to Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, wishing Your Majesty a long and prosperous life."
May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health and peace.
Upon hearing that Shen Meizhuang was the daughter of Shen Zishan, the Assistant Commander of Jeju Island...
So they decided to keep Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Zishan has governed Jeju Island effectively over the years and is a capable minister.
Leaving his daughter behind is a recognition of Shen Zishan's dedication over the years.
Just as the chubby orange was about to speak, he heard the Empress Dowager speak from the side.
"Have you read any books?"
Big Fat Orange frowned, ever since that nightmare...
He never went to Shou Kang Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager again.
He never set foot in the Empress's Jingren Palace again.
Although Big Fat Orange didn't want to believe everything the King of Hell in the dream said...
But as an emperor, suspicion...
All of this created a rift between him and the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
Moreover, he didn't have much affection for the Empress to begin with.
He had long been dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager's favoritism towards the Fourteenth Prince.
In addition, as the King of Hell said in the dream, the Empress has been controlling his offspring all these years.
And the Empress Dowager, his own mother, actually helped the Empress cover up the truth and clean up the mess.
He couldn't understand why.
Shen Meizhuang heard the Empress Dowager's question,
Shen Meizhuang raised her head slightly and answered respectfully:
"Your Majesty, I have read the Rules for Women and the Instructions for Women."
He knows a few characters.
Big Fat Orange frowned upon hearing this; it was obvious from Shen Meizhuang's words that they were false.
The refined elegance of an educated woman cannot be concealed.
Shen Meizhuang is clearly a woman well-versed in poetry and literature.
Her humble answer made Big Fat Orange feel that she was a bit pretentious.
Perhaps it was because the Empress Dowager seemed to have a particular fondness for Shen Meizhuang.
He felt slightly displeased, but he couldn't afford to offend the Empress Dowager.
But I'm getting more and more unhappy.
The Empress Dowager said, "Both of these books are about female virtues, which is good."
"Your Majesty, what do you think?"
The big, fat orange cat could only nod.
“What the Empress Dowager says is true. Shen Meizhuang, keep the plaque.”
Shen Meizhuang was overjoyed and quickly thanked him before withdrawing.
"Zhen Huan, daughter of Zhen Yuandao, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is seventeen years old."
The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out again.
But Zhen Huan seemed not to have heard, and kept looking in the direction Shen Meizhuang had left.
The chubby orange tree frowned, becoming increasingly unhappy.
The eunuch who was in charge of announcing the names had no choice but to call out again, without complaint:
"Zhen Huan, daughter of Zhen Yuandao, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is seventeen years old."
Zhen Huan seemed to snap out of her daze, a slightly apologetic smile appearing on her face.
She knelt down, lifting her skirt, her voice clear and gentle:
"Your subject Zhen Huan greets the Emperor and Empress Dowager. May the Emperor live ten thousand years and be blessed with good health and happiness, and may the Empress Dowager enjoy peace and well-being."