"Are they all here for the Beauty Contest?" Honored Consort Ya sat on the carriage, with a smile on her face and asked gently.
She was beautiful and refined, so she was very popular in the palace. Besides, she had a son. Compared with the Empress, who had no children, she was the most influential person in the whole palace. Of course, she was in charge of the Beauty Contest.
"Yes, Your Highness. They are all daughters of noble families." The first eunuch, who led the ladies into the palace, came in a hurry and answered respectfully, when he heard that the Honored Consort Ya was in front of him.
"They're beautiful. It seems that there will be more younger sisters in the palace this time." Honored Consort Ya smiled gently and gazed at them with a soft look.
"They look good, but how can they compare with you, Honored Consort Ya?" The chief eunuch said with a smile. Everyone knew that Honored Consort Ya was the Emperor's most trusted p
Ning Qingshan was secretly taken away by the people of Honored Consort Ya that night."Aunt." Seeing Honored Consort Ya sitting high in the hall, Ning Qingshan felt wronged and immediately burst into tears. She went forward and knelt in front of Honored Consort Ya's knees, tears streaming down her cheeks."What's wrong? Why don't you come up and talk?" Seeing Ning Qingshan so aggrieved, Honored Consort Ya rubbed her forehead and gestured for her to sit down. Then she waved her hand and all the other palace maids and eunuchs left, leaving only one confidant behind."Aunt, do... are you feel satisfied with Ning Xueyan? Don't you want me?" Ning Qingshan stood up obediently, and looked at Honored Consort Ya pitifully, with tears in her eyes."Shan'er, how can I not want you? You're my closest relative. I'm relieved that the Third Prince is with you." Honored Consort Ya's head ached. She sighed and comforted her niece.One
Once they entered the palace, they had to learn the rules and etiquette of the palace. Although all of them had studied it in their manors before, it was still not enough, according to the imperial palace's standards. Therefore, all of them were supplied with maids who specialized in palace etiquette. They were required to be well drilled in all aspects of palace manners.If there was something wrong, they would have to do it all over again. They were not cut any slack because of their noble status. At the end of a day, even Ning Qingshan's knees were sore, and her legs were numb. When the maid helped her back to her room, she could not stand it. Honored Consort Ya did not take care of Ning Qingshan in this aspect. It expressed that she made no exception for anyone."Third Sister." After walking a few steps, she saw Ning Xueyan being helped by a maid. Ning Xueyan looked pale and haggard. It was evident that she was not feeling good.Seeing Ning
As the door was pushed open in the darkness, Ning Xueyan opened her eyes calmly. She looked at the slender but elegant black figure walking to the bed. The figure seemed to be gloomy and cool wherever he went. She sighed softly like Lanning, and then she tried to get up by holding the edge of the bed."Well, you know I'm coming. Were you waiting for me?" Ao Chenyi lowered his head and saw Ning Xueyan calmly sitting up. His long and narrowed eyes seemed to have water flowing through them , which made it difficult for people to guess what he was thinking.The moonlight shone through the window, but Ning Xueyan could still see his sly eyes. She leaned back against the cushion with a slight smile on her lips. "Prince Yi, you don't want me to be sifted out tomorrow!"Tomorrow would be the first round for eliminating people, which would be the most basic one. A noble lady was always good at playing Qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even if she w
The most famous double-sided embroidery made by the imperial palace of the previous dynasty had become unique and rare, with the fall of the former dynasty. There were only a few pieces that remained in the world. She did not expect Ao Chenyi to have such an exquisite piece of embroidery in his possession. Moreover, it was embroidered on the dancing dress that she had hastily decided to wear."Young Lady, please try it on first. If there is any alteration to be made, I can do it immediately!" Lanning was not familiar with this kind of embroidery technique, but she could feel the texture of the material. The lotuses on the embroidery were all delicately done. She could not help, but want Ning Xueyan to try it on."No. Take it out. You should go to bed early. Maybe there could be some unexpected incidents tomorrow." Ning Xueyan released the hem of her dress, and said softly.Ao Chenyi had sent this to her, so there would not be any issues with th
Lanning followed Caifen in and came to Ning Xueyan's side. She squatted down and whispered to Ning Xueyan. At this time, some childes from noble families came in from outside the hall. After they made their obeisance to the emperor and the empress, they went to the left side of the hall.There were rows of male guests, and three chairs were placed at the front. One chair was covered with light yellow brocade that was similar to a bright yellow color. It was at the right side of the emperor, and located slightly below the steps where the emperor sat, and a little to the side. The handsome and cold person sitting on it was Prince Yi, the emperor's younger brother.Below him were the Third Prince Ao Mingyu and the Fourth Prince Ao Mingwan.It was an impressive scene!The ladies were both shocked and happy. If they managed to create an impression on such an occasion, perhaps the emperor would remember them. Maybe then, this would be th
"Okay, thank you, Third Sister." Ning Xueyan's lips curved, and she did not refuse her offer anymore. Since Ning Qingshan insisted on helping her with "good intentions," how could she refuse?Since they were going to perform together, it was normal for them to get ready now. After thinking for a while, Ning Xueyan quietly stood up and walked to the wing room at the side. She had to go down to prepare. Ning Xueyan saw that all the ladies who were ready for their performances were waiting in the wing room, on the left side of the hall. They would come out when the eunuch in the hall called their names."Fifth Sister, it's still too early. Let's go down together later," Ning Qingshan said with a smile, when she saw Ning Xueyan going down at this moment. Although they were only going to play music, they had to change their clothes and make the necessary preparations.Ning Qingshan had already got her zither and dress ready. Now she deliberately del
"Fifth Sister, you don't want to play the zither?" Looking at Ning Xueyan's gorgeous dancing dress, Ning Qingshan turned blue in the face. Even though she was usually quick witted, she was stunned this time.After all kinds of calculative moves and plans, when she heard Ning Xueyan's consent in the hall, she told the palace maid earlier that she would be performing with Ning Xueyan, and even chose the longest song. Unexpectedly, Ning Xueyan would not be playing the zither, and wanted to dance at the last moment. When did she bring this gorgeous dance dress in? How could she not have known?Ning Xueyan said calmly, "Yes. Mother taught me some dance movements previously. I decided to dance when I saw that the song you chose is suitable for dancing.""But, but, I..." Ning Qingshan was anxious and angry."What's wrong? Third Sister, don't you think it's good?" Ning Xueyan looked at Ning Qingshan with her clear, black eyes.
"Is that the Fifth Young Lady of the Lord Protector's Manor? Didn't they say that she was uncultured?""It must be another rumor. I heard that the Lord Protector's Manor's wife is jealous. It must have been said on purpose. Otherwise, the Second Young Lady won't be famous. With such a sister, the Second Young Lady will definitely have a rival.""That's right. That must be the reason. Otherwise, the Fifth Young Lady will already be well-known." Some childes from the aristocratic families whispered from the sidelines. They were sitting behind Prince Yi, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince. At this time, several of them even craned their necks to get a better look.Those who were not married yet planned to ask their families to propose marriage to the Lord Protector's Manor, when they got back. They would propose to the Fifth Young Lady. Although she was still young, everyone knew that she would be indescribably beautiful and striking in two years, wi