The first branch of Dongfeng (upper)
"Master——" Li Yu gasped heavily, "The result is out..."
"How is it?" Hongli was a bit nervous, knowing that Yunzhu's needlework was very good, but he couldn't help worrying. "Which of the girls performed better?" Only Wu Shu knew his intentions, and even if others knew that he had sent Li Yufeng to inquire, it was also to know which girls performed better, caring about the selection of his future wife, which was normal for a prince who was about to get married.
"Outstanding performances by Ma Jia, Zhen Yuexiu, Fu Cha Yunzhuxiu, Wu Zaku Haikuo Xianxiu, Zuo Jia Wenxianxiu, Yang Jia Meishanxiu......" Li Yu recited a long string of names, and it was hard for him to remember them all clearly.
As soon as Hong Li heard the name Yunzhu, he felt elated and didn't bother to listen to Li Yu reading on. Smiling at Wu Shu, he said: "Well done, Wu Shu! As a reward... Ah, you two can also have the pheasant soup on the table!" Returning to his desk, he found that he could focus on his book again, his calligraphy was improving, and even his poetic inspiration had returned...
Wu Shulai smiled and handed Li Yu a purse, "The kid is quite clever, not bad."
"Thanks to Director Wu's reminder." Li Yu also smiled, not caring about the reward, what's important is that he can show his face in front of the Fourth Prince. Wu Shu came nodded, quite right, he had a mind to pull one more time, and reminded: "The selection of beauties is a big deal, you pay attention to some, pick up some important ones to report..."
"Yes." Li Yu suppressed the excitement in her heart, what was most important, of course, was the most likely to be tied up for the master's concubine... Just about to leave, but was caught by Wu Shu, "Where are you going? Forgot this?" Raised the food box in his hand.
Haha, Li Yuxiao smiled foolishly and suddenly thought of it: "Wu Zongguan, in two days the imperial garden will have its final selection, will Master go to watch? I know a good spot..."
Wu Shulai gave him a glance, "Don't be too clever." The emperor and the master must have some arrangement.
Li Yu was splashed with a basin of cold water, but he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he sincerely bowed to Wu Shu: "Thank you, Director Wu, for your advice."
"They are all serving their masters, not worth anything." Wu Shu didn't care, after a long time seeing people's hearts, he knew that if someone was good, he would help him out, but if someone was ungrateful and had an evil heart, there would be a time for retribution.
Li Yu was truly convinced by this "general manager" who was only a few years older than himself.
Actually, the real eunuch in charge of Yuqing Palace was Chang Qing. He was personally assigned by the emperor to assist Hongli in managing trivial matters in his daily life and could be considered as half a teacher to Hongli in household affairs. He was highly respected by Hongli, but if it came to intimacy and trust, it was Wu Shu who had been with Hongli since he was seven years old.
Several princesses examined the candidates for the position of female red after the emperor's mother, and some outstanding girls were summoned for questioning. This time, many imperial princes needed to point out the legitimate empress, so many girls had a share of being pointed out, and the number of times was around one or two (I guess the empress and Xi Fei, Yu Bin, they were also busy), so Yunzhu being summoned by the empress and Xi Fei did not arouse particular jealousy. However, when Yiru Gen Ruo Shulan and Ke Li Ye Te Guoxin looked at her, their eyes already hid a hidden hostility.
Fu Cha: Yun Zhu has been almost perfect since entering the palace for selection...
However, there is still a final hurdle, and it's hard to say whether her good luck can last until the end.
On the day of the selection at the Imperial Garden, Yunzhu noticed that a segment of thread on her apricot-yellow flag dress had been pulled loose. She quietly changed into another set of clothes and, in front of everyone else in the room, gave the damaged dress to Xiaoye: "Since entering the palace, I've been grateful for your care. This dress I haven't worn yet, it has a broken thread, if you mend it, it can still be worn...I'll give it to you." She also gave her a purse.
"Thank you, young master." The little palace maid was overjoyed. The fabric and workmanship of this dress were extremely good, something that couldn't be bought even with money.
Yiru Gen Ruo. Shulan saw her doing so, and her face turned alternately red and white, her fists clenched tightly, originally thinking she would cover it up... Hmph.
I regret being unable to hold back this bit of anger, and instead of defeating the enemy, I may have ruined my own future.
Yongzheng indeed arranged a secluded place for his two sons, Hongli and Hongzhou, who were about to get married, where they could clearly see the performance of the selected beauties outside - truly an unspeakable act of paternal kindness. Hongli and Hongzhou were overjoyed and repeatedly promised not to tell anyone.
In the imperial garden, there are many beautiful trees and lush vegetation. Although there are not a few buildings, most of them are built against the wall, only a small number of exquisite pavilions stand in the garden, making the space inside the imperial garden spacious and comfortable. Cypress, wisteria, and various rare flowers and grasses are scattered throughout, with strange rocks, jade seats, potted flowers, and scenic pillars adding to the changing scenery within the garden, enriching the layers of the garden scene, and dotting the garden with a rich atmosphere. The piled-up Xiushan Mountain in the garden is the place where the emperor climbs high on the Double Ninth Festival, with unique stone piles, winding paths, stone-carved dragons spouting water below, and the imperial scenic pavilion built above, overlooking the surrounding scenery. Of course, walking around the imperial garden can also easily see its beautiful scenery.
The emperor's selection was not a matter of all the girls rushing into the imperial garden, but rather it was conducted under the arrangement and leadership of the chief eunuchs and the ladies-in-waiting, with each group being led in one by one.
Yunzhu was glad that she was born in the Huang Banner, no matter what she did, she was always the first one to do it. Unlike other girls who had to dress up and wait for a long time... It was really suffering.
This time, the draft persisted until the last moment, with a total of 24 Manchu, Mongolian and Han bannermen women, including 7 Manchu bannermen in the front row, 6 Mongolian bannermen and 11 Han army bannermen.
"The slave pays respects to Your Majesty and wishes you ten thousand blessings."
"Begin." Yongzheng sat down in the pre-arranged position, looking at the three rows of Xiuniang standing below, his gaze paused for a moment when he saw Yunzhu.
"The young lady of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner comes forward to pay her respects." The eunuch in charge shouted.
Yunzhu and others elegantly swung their handkerchiefs and stepped on the flower pot base to walk forward, paying homage to the emperor again. Under Yongzheng's scrutinizing gaze, even the psychologically strong Xiu Nu couldn't help but tremble a little. Yiru Gen Ruo Shulan, who was ranked first on the left, almost felt that her legs were not hers and nearly fell over after taking a few more steps.
"They all looked up."
Everyone quietly raised their heads, staring at the ground a few steps away without looking sideways.
"First on the left, whose is it?"
"Your Majesty, I am a servant of the Imperial Household, belonging to the Bordered Yellow Banner. I am the eldest daughter of Yikeshan, and my name is Ulanara Shulan."
Yongzheng saw that she was wearing a pink agate-colored flag dress, with two small braids on her head adorned with an exquisite ruby hairpin, and earrings studded with bright pearls. She looked elegant and refined, with a melon-shaped face, long eyebrows, and sparkling eyes. She was born to be beautiful. He asked: "What special talents do you have?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I am relatively good at painting and calligraphy."
"Write a few lines for me to see." Next to him, there was already a desk with paper and pen ready. Yiru Gen Ruo Shulan walked in front of a desk, began to concentrate on writing. She chose a poem of the present day "Reciting Jade Spring Mountain Bamboo": The imperial garden's famous bamboo has been renowned for a long time, tender shoots sprouting early out of the wall. Rain washes away the fine dust, newly moistened green, wind whisks through dense leaves, faintly scented. Low-lying valleys add green to the waves, quiet windows cast shadows sending coolness. Even more admirable is the ability to endure snow, long stalks standing upright, crystal clear.
As soon as he finished writing, a eunuch presented the poem for imperial review. Yongzheng scanned it with his eyes, and thought that although the handwriting was not bad among the banner girls, it still lacked spirit compared to Yunzhu's work, and only knew how to be clever. He nodded his head, and the eunuch retreated with the poem.
Yiru Gen Ruo. Shulan let out a soft breath.
"Second from the left, whose is it?"
Yunzhu stepped forward and bowed: "I am reporting to the Emperor, I am a servant of the Imperial Household Department, belonging to the Yellow Banner, I am the eldest daughter of Li Rongbao, a high-ranking official of the fifth rank, my name is Yunzhu."
Yongzheng's eyes flashed with a hint of interest: "What do you think Manchu girls are like?"
Yunzhu was taken aback, and replied off the top of her head: "Of course, I can ride a horse and shoot a bow while mounted, and manage the household when dismounted." But in her mind, she couldn't help but think of the phrase "leaving the hall, entering the kitchen, getting into bed..." and broke out in a cold sweat.
As soon as this was said, Irgen and the other Mongolian girls cast sympathetic glances at Shulan. The emperor then said, "Well, let's get on horseback and shoot arrows." He instructed the eunuchs beside him, "Take her down to change into some clothes."
"Hmm."
Yunzhu wore a light purple embroidered flag dress with jade orchid patterns today, with a string of pearls hanging from her neckline, and two tender yellow jade orchids on her temples. She also had Dongzhu earrings on her ears and flower pot-shaped shoes on her feet. Indeed, she was not suitable for horseback riding and archery, so she bowed to Yongzheng and followed the nanny away.
As she changed into a red riding suit and came out, Hongli's eyes, hidden behind the fake mountain, flashed with surprise. He had originally thought that she was elegant and quiet like a orchid, but he didn't expect her to be so bright and bold like a red lotus. The red dress sparkled like pearls, making her skin look like the glow of sunset on white jade, delicate and beautiful. Her slender eyebrows, clear and long eyes, and those flower-like tender lips with a hint of smile, were even more charming and elegant...
Riding and shooting in the imperial garden, I don't know if she counts as the number one person of the Qing dynasty?
When she came out, the girls with yellow flags had already finished watching, and only she was left. Yunzhu stroked the horse's head, using her ten years of meditation to convey her kindness to the horse, calming its anxiety among the crowd. Perhaps it was her effective method that the horse quickly warmed up and nuzzled her gently, Yunzhu smiled and mounted the horse, starting to run along the set route, gradually increasing speed, releasing the reins, taking down the longbow from her shoulder, and pulling out three arrows from the quiver... Drawing the bow, nocking the arrow, her legs tightly gripping the horse as it turned, avoiding trees, bending her waist and shooting at the target...
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Three arrows hit the red heart!
The girls present were all stunned, she actually... hit the target?! Three arrows fired at once?! On horseback?! Oh my god, it must have taken a lot of strength to draw that bow, what has she been eating?! She looks delicate like a flower, but she actually drew... that bow is three stones heavy, right? The distance from the arrow target is at least fifty steps, isn't it?!
Don't judge a person by appearance!
When Yunzhu dismounted her horse, everyone's gaze at her was like looking at a giant monster.
Hongli was extremely pleased when hiding in the fake mountain cave, feeling that his vision was indeed extraordinary. Humph, didn't these ordinary people know that Saiyunzhu grew up in Chahar? Riding and shooting were as familiar to her as home-cooked meals.
Hong Dou glanced at Fu Cha Yun Zhu, who had just appeared on the scene and was already captivating the attention of his fourth brother, who raised an eyebrow. He thought to himself that Fu Cha Yun Zhu was indeed as exceptional as his mother had described, but unfortunately, she had already caught the eye of his fourth brother. In his heart, he had long been thinking of a beautiful woman, Wu Zha Ku Shi, the daughter of Vice General Wushi Tu from the Manchu Plain Red Banner, who his mother said was also a woman of exceptional talent and beauty...