eurekapd Chapter 436: Showgirl
Chapter 436: Showgirl
As the rich fragrance of osmanthus blossoms permeated every corner of the Old Summer Palace, the Mid-Autumn Festival quietly arrived. The cool breeze and the cool dew of the golden sky were a time for family reunions and joyful celebrations. However, for those within the palace, despite the festivities, the melody of stringed instruments, the graceful movements of singing girls and dancers, and the constant laughter and joy, a sense of emptiness remained.
The towering palace walls isolate the palace from the noise and warmth of the outside world. Only the bright moon remains as it always did, hanging quietly in the sky, casting its cool light and reflecting the lonely thoughts of the palace people.
As September arrived and the autumn wind began to pick up, Xianyue Pavilion was once again filled with chrysanthemums. Golden, white, lavender... chrysanthemums of all colors bloomed freely, eclipsing the surrounding flowers.
Caiyue led the palace maids through the flowers, carefully picking petals to prepare brewing chrysanthemum wine.
After returning to the Forbidden City, the triennial talent show began again.
Two days before the draft, in Yonghe Palace.
An Lingrong, dressed in a light blue Manchu dress, sat bored at the table, supporting her head with one arm and casually fiddling with the mahjong tiles in front of her with the other finger, forming various shapes, sometimes into a small castle, sometimes into irregular patterns.
The wet nurse stood quietly by, holding the delicate and graceful Princess Jinghe in her arms. Princess Jinghe opened her big, watery eyes and looked around curiously. She babbled from time to time and occasionally waved her hands to break the dull atmosphere.
Shen Meizhuang was talking to Zhao Yingjiu about the various procedures of the audition.
"Your Majesty, all preparations for this beauty pageant have been made. Here is the latest list of beauties, please take a look." Zhao Yingjiu respectfully presented a beautifully bound booklet with both hands.
Shen Meizhuang took it, opened it, and glanced through it casually.
Zhao Yingjiu continued, "There are a total of 125 women participating in this selection, 80 from the Manchu military flag, 42 from the Han military flag, and three people recommended by the three princes' palaces."
An Lingrong, who was playing dice idly on the side, suddenly noticed something when she heard this. She dropped what she was holding, stood up, walked over to Shen Meizhuang, picked up the booklet, and began to read.
There was a familiar name in it: Jiang Caiping.
It seems that Yu Yin didn't listen to my warning at all.
She slammed the book shut, a hint of anger on her face.
Shen Meizhuang was a little confused and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Manager Zhao, please go back first. My sister and I have some things to take care of. Please come back later!"
Zhao Yingjiu didn't dare to ask more questions. He bowed and left Yonghe Palace.
After he left, An Lingrong reopened the booklet and pointed at one of the names: "Is this someone from Prince Guo's mansion?"
Shen Meizhuang nodded: "Yes!"
"Why are there people from Prince Guo's mansion?"
"It's not uncommon for the palace to select people to serve the emperor. Now that Yu Yin is in charge of the household affairs at Prince Guo's palace, this person must have been chosen by her. What's the matter?"
"Let's go to Yongshou Palace."
When they arrived at Yongshou Palace, Zhen Huan had just woken up from a nap and was being helped by Liu Zhu to put on makeup.
An Lingrong didn't exchange pleasantries with her and said directly, "Sister Zhen, go and summon Yu Yin. I want to see her."
Seeing her serious expression, Zhen Huan did not dare to delay and called Xiao Yunzi over and said, "Take the Imperial Noble Consort's order and go to Prince Guo's mansion in person to have Concubine Yu enter the palace immediately."
Xiao Yunzi quickly went to do her errand.
An hour later, Yu Yin came hurriedly.
"This subject greets the three ladies!"
Yu Yin bowed and performed the usual rituals.
An Lingrong looked at her deeply without saying a word.
Seeing that An Lingrong's face was so gloomy that it seemed like water was about to drip out of it, Zhen Huan did not dare to ask her to excuse herself.
Yu Yin was polite and confused when no one spoke. She raised her head and saw An Lingrong's dark eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
Finally, An Lingrong's voice came:
"You didn't take my words to heart."
This sentence made Yu Yin's face flush red. She said hesitantly, "I don't know what your Majesty means."
"Why send Jiang Caiping to the palace?"
"The Emperor wants to select a beauty, so I just randomly picked a pretty one. Don't worry, Madam. She has always been honest and will not compete with you for your favor..."
quibble!
An Lingrong interrupted her sharply: "Tell the truth!"
Yu Yin gritted her teeth, raised her head, looked at her, and quickly lowered her head: "Your Majesty, I am telling the truth!"
"Hmph!" An Lingrong laughed coldly, "In that case, then do as you wish. I don't care!" After saying that, she stood up, grabbed Shen Meiyu's arm, and was about to leave.
There was something of a temper in these words, so Zhen Huan quickly stopped her, "Rong'er, don't be angry!" Then she looked at Yu Yin, "Yu Yin, what's going on?"
Seeing that she still didn't speak, Zhen Huan also became a little angry: "Speak!"
By this time, Shen Meizhuang had already guessed what had happened. She pushed An Lingrong back onto the couch, came to Yu Yin and said, "Jiang Caiping has been in Prince Guo's mansion for several years as a maid. It's obvious that Prince Guo has no interest in that kind of thing. Why did you send her to the palace?"
Only then did Zhen Huan know what Yu Yin had done.
Seeing that her thoughts were exposed, Yu Yin no longer hid them and said, "Although the prince doesn't have that intention, it is still a hidden danger. Besides, I gave her the choice, and she was willing to do it!"
An Lingrong sneered, "She's willing? You were also born a maid, how could you not tell if she's really willing or not?"
Although this may sound a bit harsh, it is the truth.
Seeing her mention her past without mercy, Yu Yin's face turned pale and blue in an instant.
An Lingrong completely ignored her expression and continued, "You clearly have several ways to deal with Jiang Caiping. Find her a good family and marry her off in style; or give her more money so she can leave the house with dignity and find another way out; or even send her to a remote farm, away from all this trouble. Which of these methods wouldn't be better than the one you've chosen now? Yet you chose the worst option and threw this hot potato to us."
She became angrier and angrier as she spoke, pointing at Zhen Huan and angrily saying, "She's really your good sister!"
Yu Yin was left speechless by her questioning and could only lower her head and remain silent.
Zhen Huan had no choice but to step forward and press down the finger she was pointing at her. She then grabbed her arm and said, "Rong'er, calm down first. I know who Yu Yin is. I was just confused for a moment..."
An Lingrong's anger was still lingering, and she forcefully pulled her arm out of her embrace. "What's the matter? You two sisters are so close, am I meddling in your affairs?"
Zhen Huan was knocked off balance by her sudden and powerful blow and stumbled backwards.
Shen Meizhuang was quick to move forward and support him.
Seeing her so angry, Zhen Huan was a little stunned.
"What are you talking about? I didn't mean that. Now that it's happened, it's useless to scold her. You're so angry that you're going to make yourself sick!"
As Zhen Huan spoke, she looked at Shen Meizhuang for help.
Shen Meizhuang received her signal, came to An Lingrong, and held her hand: "Alright, calm down first and talk properly."
Seeing that Zhen Huan was almost pushed down by her, An Lingrong felt a little embarrassed. Most of her anger subsided, and she sat down on the couch under the force of Shen Meizhuang.