The ground paved with fine white stone was spotless, the palace on the hundred-step jade stone staircase was shrouded in misty water vapor, looking a bit unreal, the green glazed carved floating windows, the sandalwood carved flying eaves, everything showed the majesty and dignity of the imperial family.

  Su Jing stood along with a large group of Xiū girls in the huge square, waiting to be summoned.

  "This mornings selection is to replenish the imperial harem, to proliferate the imperial family lineage. All those who are selected must be from families of officials of the seventh rank and above, with pure bloodlines, robust physiques, and outstanding appearance. Each one will undergo scrutiny, and follow our arrangements without dissent."

  Before long, an older man with a dustpan in his hand walked over, his face stern as he said, his slightly oppressive gaze sweeping across the lower area.

  No matter what they thought in their hearts, all the candidate girls showed a gentle and soft attitude, responding in unison.

  Su Jings head slightly lowered, her eyes gazing at the hem of a nearby beautys skirt, without showing any dissatisfaction.

  Preliminary, is the first round of selection, namely checking the five senses of all candidate girls, including hair, ears, forehead, eyebrows, nose, mouth, chin and shoulders, which is also the most eliminated.

  It goes without saying that it is very strict, and even if there is a mole on the body, it will be eliminated directly.

  Almost two-thirds of the people are eliminated, and those who are eliminated in this first round, even if they are sent back home, are considered unpromising for marriage.

  Eliminated in the preliminary round means having a certain physical defect.

  Stripped of her clothes, standing here, waiting for Mu Mus inspection, no matter how much construction and preparation she had done in her heart, Su Jing still felt a hint of humiliation.

  On the side, Mu Mu occasionally picked up a pen and recorded something on the paper in her hand. Su Jing saw Mu Mus expression with the corner of her eye and knew that she had passed this test.

  At this moment, she is a real showgirl.

  She handed a purse to Mu Mu, Su Jingyi slightly bowed her head, Mu Mu hastily dodged to the side, Su Jingyi didnt mind either, people in the palace wouldnt be so blind.

  A small palace maid took them to a small palace on one side, saying it was a palace, but not quite, just to let these show girls who passed the first selection live together and experience court life.

  After all, this is also the second probe.

  Su Jingxi entered the room assigned to her with a calm demeanor. Her father was only a fifth-rank Hanlin Academy attendant reader, which in this vast capital city was completely insignificant.

  According to her understanding, among these women, there is also the late Empresss niece, Shangguan Mi, daughter of the late Princess, and Yu Xiumei, daughter of the Left Capital Governor, known as the number one beauty in the capital. There is also An Shuyi, the number one talented woman in the capital, who is also the daughter of the Auxiliary King.

  No matter who it is, they cant compare with Su Jing, so she lives here and they live somewhere else.

  There has always been a gap between people.

  "Miss, this is your room. If you need anything, just call me, Ill be in the next room," said the little maid assigned to her, somewhat nervously, fearing she might not like the room.

  Su Jing smiled and said, "You dont have to be afraid, come here, tell me, whats your name?"

  "Nú bì bàn lán," Xu stepped forward, raised his head and took a quick glance at her, then lowered it again.

  "Are you a newly appointed palace maid? How old are you?"

  Ban Lan revealed a smile and visibly relaxed a lot, "Im a newcomer from the previous selection, Im already 14 this year."

  "Fourteen? Fourteen is great, same age as me," Su Jing also smiled along, her face full of warmth.

  "The girl looks very beautiful, I have never seen a girl as beautiful as her, like a fairy..."

  "Hanlan, Im tired. Can you help me get some hot water? I want to wipe myself down," Su Jing said, interrupting her and rubbing her shoulders.

  His face turned slightly blue with a hint of regret, feeling that he had misspoken. "Alright, young lady, wait for me, Ill be right back."

  Su Jingxu looked at her back and sighed, also didnt know whether it was really unintentional or another test.

  It shouldnt be the latter, her status is really not high enough to be looked up to by those in power, they probably wouldnt even notice her.

  Its always better to be safe than sorry.

  After wiping her face with a hot towel, Su Jing ate a few mouthfuls of food and then went straight to bed after taking off her shoes.

  It would be better if she were at home. The Su family was not a big family, but Su Jing had two older brothers and was the only legitimate daughter in the family, so she had been spoiled since childhood.

  At least taking a bath is still okay.

  The next day, Su Jing got up at three oclock in the morning. In the palace, everything was naturally not as good as her own home, so she had to be careful and steady to ensure a smooth journey for the rest of her life.

  She dressed herself up, with a clear and elegant double braid, paired with a honey-colored crystal hairpin, wearing a butterfly-playing water fairy dress, looking simple and quiet.

  Not contending, not showing off, is the superior way.

  She declined the proposals of several other ladies to visit and go see chrysanthemums together, Su Jing quietly stayed in her own room, perhaps being overly cautious, but she really didnt want to stir up any trouble.

  After all, she is now just an ant that anyone can trample on. If she were to offend some noble person or stumble upon something she shouldnt have seen, any one of these would be enough to cost her her life.

  As for meeting the emperor, this probability is really small and can be directly ignored.

  "Miss, miss, have you heard?" Ban Lan rushed in and said to Su Jingxiao who was doing embroidery.

  Su Jing raised her head and glanced at her, without stopping her movements, "Whats up?"

  "As for that, Ruans daughter had just met the Emperor in Mei Garden and was taken away by him directly."

  "Oh," she really did encounter it, looks like even if the probability is small, it doesnt mean its impossible.

  Ban Lan urged, "Miss, why arent you responding? You shouldnt..."

  "What should I do? Are you telling me to cry or laugh?" Su Jingchu said with a smile.

  Ban Lan heard this and also smiled, "Miss would still be better off doing her embroidery, just regret it in your heart."

  "You little scamp, how dare you tease me..."

  Su Jing didnt show any expression on her face, no matter what she thought in her heart. When the Emperor made a decision, it was naturally not up to the lower-ranking officials like herself to interfere, unless someone wanted to risk their life.

  And she, for now, just needs to stick to her own duties, at least until she has the ability, she must do so.

  Otherwise, one step wrong, all steps wrong.

  The next morning, Ruan Yuning was granted the title of Mei Ren and was given residence in the Chuxiu Palaces Haoyue Pavilion.

  As soon as the news came out, I dont know how many people will be so angry that they will cry and cant sleep at night.

  But Su Jing was very calm, every day except for following her aunt to learn etiquette, the rest of the time she still chose to stay in her own room.

  Every day, there are still other palace maids imitating her, but the effect is not obvious. Not only did they not meet the emperor, but it was also rumored that someone had collided with Xiang Yu and was punished to kneel for two hours.

  And this person is Ruan Mei Ren, who was just blocked two days ago.

  Its also unknown who benefited from this in the end, as many palace maids were mobilized, disturbing the tranquility of the emperor and high-ranking officials in the imperial harem. Xiang Feiyu took action to punish someone, and others didnt dare to follow suit casually, thus satisfying everyones intentions and establishing her authority.

  Xiang Ye is indeed one of the most favored concubines of the current emperor.

  She waited for the right moment to make her move, and naturally she also targeted the right person. Ruan Yuening was just the daughter of a Taibao Temple official, with an official position that was neither too high nor too low, just enough to intimidate those below her.

  After embroidering several lotus-leaf pouches, Su Jingxiang calculated the time and finally felt that she could almost hold on.

  In the evening, "Ladies, tomorrow will be the day of the final selection, and it will also be the day that determines your future. If I have been remiss in any way before, please forgive me," said the aunt who taught etiquette, bowing as she spoke.

  Su Jing and other Xiū girls all returned the courtesy, repeatedly responding with "I dare not".

  Indeed, I dont dare. The aunt who was sent to teach Xiu Niang must have a high status behind her back. Only a fool would rush forward.

  "Well then, ladies, you may take your leave. I shall no longer learn the rules of propriety. I wish each and every one of you a brilliant future."

  Su Jing returned to her own room, "Half Blue, this is for you, consider it a memento."

  To be honest, after spending these few days together, she still quite likes this little girl, and its also a bit of comfort during the many dull days.

  "I dare not, I..."

  Su Jing stuffed the purse into her hand, and she didnt dare to give any hairpins or jewelry either. First, this time entering the palace, she herself hadnt brought much, secondly, in order not to trigger any unnecessary trouble again.

  "Its just a little silver trinket, consider it a small token of my feelings. The pouch is embroidered by myself, if you like it, keep it; if not, do whatever you want with it."

  "Miss, I...I thank you, Miss," said Half Blue with tears in her eyes, choking.

  Su Jing shook her head. A person who is too simple cannot survive in this deep palace. "From now on, you must think deeply before doing anything. Only the living can do things."

  Ban Lan knew that she was being subtly reminded, and her heart was moved. "Dont worry, miss, Im only like this in front of you, I have several hearts."

  "I wish you victory tomorrow, young mistress. I will be waiting for you in the palace."

  Su Jing raised an eyebrow and smiled wryly, "Is this what victory is in sight really means?"

  Its not just about saying it, whether or not someone has a conscience isnt necessarily determined by their words. Some people who claim to have a conscience may not actually have one, and conversely, some people who dont say they have a conscience may still possess one.

  However, no matter what, her reminder was only this much, and it was enough to fulfill the master-servant relationship of these days. After all, after tomorrow, they might not see each other again in this life.

  Half-blue looked a bit embarrassed, "I havent read any books, I just heard it from other sisters. Anyway, thats what I mean, Miss knows."

  Su Jing nodded with a smile, and after tomorrow, no matter what the situation was, whether she was selected or not, she could go home.

  Can go home, its great.