bookrandom Chapter 196 Noble Lady Fucha
Chapter 196 Noble Lady Fucha
This isn't the first time the palace has held a talent selection.
Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan are quite experienced when it comes to talent shows.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, this talent show has reached the final stage of the final selection.
In the main hall, the chubby orange cat sat upright on the high dragon throne.
Empress Fucha Peiyun and Empress Nian Shilan sat on either side of him.
The purpose of this selection process is to choose wives and concubines for the three princes, Hongshi, Hongli, and Hongzhou.
And incidentally, arrange marriages for members of the imperial clan.
The large, chubby man sat upright, his gaze slowly sweeping over the young women.
This talent show is, after all, about choosing a wife for her son, so it's naturally different from the previous two.
Not only should the talents of the women chosen for the imperial concubine selection be considered, but also whether their figures would be conducive to having offspring.
Fucha Peiyun wore a gentle smile, occasionally exchanging glances with Nian Shilan.
This talent show has little to do with them, so they don't need to worry about it too much.
The two of them sat there, just there to join in the fun.
Those who are not suitable to participate in this palace selection have already been arranged beforehand.
The hall was completely silent; so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The women selected for the imperial concubine selection, dressed in magnificent qipaos, lined up in order and slowly walked to the center of the main hall.
They all lowered their eyes, not daring to look directly ahead.
It was as if they were afraid that even the slightest action of theirs would displease the emperor.
The consequences of misbehaving in front of the emperor can be very serious.
This batch of young women came from the Han Banner Army.
Among Manchu, Mongol, and Han women, those from Han bannermen had relatively low social status unless their families possessed significant power.
Otherwise, they would most likely be given to princes or members of the imperial clan as princesses or concubines.
These young women dared not be negligent in the slightest.
Everyone dressed up carefully, hoping to stand out in this life-changing selection.
The chubby orange-haired man sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze slowly sweeping over the group of young women before him.
Upon seeing this, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies quickly announced loudly:
“Sheng Jinshu, daughter of Sheng Yongcheng, the Director of the Jiangzhou Textile Bureau, is sixteen years old.”
As the eunuch announced the ceremony, a graceful woman stepped out from the procession.
She wore a light blue cheongsam, and her steps were light and graceful.
She walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and then slowly curtsied, saying:
"Your subject, Sheng Jinshu, greets Your Majesty and the two Empresses."
"May Your Majesty and Empress enjoy boundless blessings, peace, and longevity."
The chubby orange cat looked the woman up and down with great interest and asked slowly:
Do you have any special talents?
Sheng Jinshu, neither humble nor arrogant, replied calmly with a smile:
"Your Majesty, I am somewhat skilled in playing the zither and would like to play a piece for Your Majesty and the empresses to please you."
Big Fat Orange had always admired talented women, and upon hearing this, a hint of anticipation appeared on his face.
He gently waved the eighteen coins in his hand, signaling Su Peisheng to make the arrangements.
Su Peisheng understood immediately and had the eunuchs bring over a beautiful guqin.
Sheng Jinshu walked gracefully to the zither, and sat down elegantly.
She gently stroked the strings, adjusted her posture, and then lightly plucked the strings with her delicate fingers.
A series of clear and melodious piano notes poured out like flowing water.
The music was melodious and ethereal, sometimes like a gently flowing stream.
At other times, it feels like a gentle breeze in the mountains, making you feel as if you are in the forest, feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Everyone in the hall was captivated by the beautiful music, completely engrossed and immersed in it.
Fucha Peiyun nodded slightly, her eyes revealing appreciation.
Over the past few years, Nian Shilan has appreciated the talents of palace maids, and her appreciation skills are quite good.
He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
They seemed fairly satisfied with Sheng Jinshu's zither playing.
As the music ended, the lingering notes faded, and the hall was initially quiet before bursts of applause broke out.
Big Fat Orange smiled broadly and said with satisfaction, "Your playing is indeed quite good, very charming."
Seeing this, the eunuch announcing the ceremony knew that the fat orange-haired man had a good impression of this young lady, so he called out loudly:
"Leave the sign, and you'll be given a sachet!"
As the chief eunuch announced the names, a junior eunuch immediately retrieved an exquisite sachet from a nearby table.
It was handed to Sheng Jinshu with utmost respect.
Sheng Jinshu accepted the sachet, curtsied again, a faint joy on her face, and said softly:
"Thank you for your generous gifts, Your Majesty and the two Empresses."
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and turned to Nian Shilan, saying:
"This young lady from the Sheng family is indeed quite skilled at playing the zither; it seems His Majesty is very fond of her."
Nian Shilan nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips:
"Yes, the music is indeed beautiful. To please the Emperor so much, this girl is truly blessed."
I wonder which son Big Fat Orange will leave this girl to.
Seeing this, the eunuch announcing the ceremony quickly repeated loudly:
"Shen Yuyao, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Shen Wenxing, the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan."
A woman dressed in a pink cheongsam walked out from the group.
Her steps were slightly hesitant, but she still maintained an elegant posture.
Shen Yuyao walked to the center of the main hall, curtsied, and said softly:
"Your subject, Shen Yuyao, greets Your Majesty and the two Empresses. May Your Majesty and Empress enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The chubby orange cat nodded slightly and asked gently, "Shen Yuyao, what talents do you have?"
Shen Yuyao was a little nervous, and her voice trembled slightly:
"This humble woman...this humble woman can dance."
Big Fat Orange didn't mind Shen Yuyao's nervousness and nodded, signaling her to perform.
The eunuchs immediately brought Shen Yuyao what she needed.
Shen Yuyao walked to the center of the hall, holding a pink umbrella, took a deep breath, and then slowly began to dance.
Her dance was light and graceful, like a butterfly fluttering in the air.
The skirt fluttered gently as she danced, making her appear exceptionally graceful.
Everyone in the hall was captivated by Shen Yuyao's dance.
Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan nodded slightly, indicating they were fairly satisfied with her dance.
After the dance ended, Shen Yuyao stopped dancing and curtsied again: "Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
The chubby orange cat smiled slightly and said to the eunuch who was announcing the ceremony beside him:
"Leave the plaque, and I will bestow a sachet upon you."
The eunuch announced loudly, "Keep the plaque, and bestow a sachet!"
The eunuchs handed her the sachet again, and Shen Yuyao accepted it with a hint of joy on her face.
Next, the eunuchs continued to call out the names, and one by one, the young ladies stepped forward to showcase their talents.
Some of the candidates were skilled in poetry, some in painting, and others in singing.
Big Fat Orange carefully observed each of the young ladies-in-waiting, occasionally exchanging a few words with Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan.
Finally, the eunuch announced the last name:
"Fu Yurao, daughter of Fu Wenju, the Director of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau, is sixteen years old."
Upon hearing this name, Fucha Peiyun immediately perked up.
Fu Yurao stepped out of the group, her steps steady and confident.
He walked to the center of the main hall, curtsied, and said softly:
"Your subject, Fu Yurao, greets Your Majesty and the two Empresses."
May Your Majesty and Empress enjoy boundless blessings and peace.