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nAnother year passed, and it was time for new beauties to enter the palace. Countless horse-drawn carriages brought the stunning maidens there, and after passing through layer after layer of inspection, the remaining beauties were finally able to head to the imperial gardens and see the emperor.

nAlthough Xu Ru’s father was merely a fifth-rank assistant minister, and her background wasn’t the best, she had an outstanding appearance. Not only that, she was skilled in the four arts: zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Ever since she had stepped foot within the imperial palace, she did not experience much difficulties, a smooth and unhindered journey to the emperor’s personal selection.

nWhile she was still in her boudoir, Xu Ru had heard of Noble Consort Zhao’s famous reputation. She had also read some novels regarding the emperor and Noble Consort Zhao in secret. However, she was clear on the fact that these authors were all scholars down on their luck; one would fear they did not even know what direction the gates of the imperial palace faced.

nThe emperor was amorous; beautiful women aged easily. She did not believe that the emperor’s affection toward Noble Consort Zhao would never change. What the imperial harem lacked was not women, but women who were ambitious.

nThe candidates for the imperial selection stood in order. Despite the poor weather today, most of them still dressed lightly. Among the cold wind, they stood in a neat and orderly manner.

nThe comparatively high-ranked imperial concubines who had arrived at the palace earlier were Consort Rou, Noble Consort Shu, and Consort Xian. Word had it that Consort Xian used to be a noble consort. But after Fourth Prince was born, she was demoted for some reason and lost the emperor’s favor. Although she still possessed the position of consort, she was not as respected as Consort Rou.

nNowadays, Noble Consort Shu no longer bothered with the matters of the harem. Although she was still present at the selection of new imperial concubines, her attention was not on selecting winners from these hopeful candidates, nor was it on this lovely scene of blossoming plants swaying in the wind.

n“Noble Consort Zhao has arrived!”

nThe hopeful candidates present were startled. This was the rumored most-favored woman in the imperial harem, Noble Consort Zhao. They bent their knees low in a deep curtsy, their line of sight only falling upon the long, long tail of her dress winding on the ground.

nAfter Xu Ru had listened to the imperial concubines returning salutes to each other, she heard Noble Consort Zhao tell the hopeful candidates to rise. As Xu Ru did, she seized an opportunity to glance at the other woman. And for a moment, she was shocked. Noble Consort Zhao was indeed beautiful. Yet, her appearance could not compare to either Noble Consort Shu’s or Consort Rou’s. She seemed very young, skin fair and hair as dark as ink. Her eyes held a smile, and she did not have the overweening attitude typical of pampered imperial concubines.

n“There are many beauties among this year’s selection,” said Zhuang Laoyan, sitting across from Noble Consort Shu. She picked up a cup of tea that a palace maid had presented to her. A light smile on her lips, she looked at those women below. Adjusted her jadeite earring. Then she turned to Consort Rou. “Consort Rou, what do you think?”

nTo which Consort Rou shot a glance at those women below. She snickered. “There’s a few who are fit to be shown in public, perhaps.” Following that, with not a care on what the hopeful candidates would think, she continued, “Our imperial harem does not lack these kinds of beauties.”

nXu Ru, who stood below the imperial concubines like the others, felt somewhat resentful. However, she dared not retort, simply following the other women in keeping her head bowed in a well-behaved fashion.

nFifteen minutes later, they heard a court eunuch announce the arrival of the emperor and empress.

nXu Ru was so excited that she blushed. But her could only kneel on the ground wellbehavedly, head dropped low. Could only look at the vein lines of the green stone tiles before her.

nThe emperor’s voice proved very deep. Very pleasant to the ears. Xu Ru’s face grew ever more red. She already started to imagine how handsome he was.

nFeng Jin and the empress sat in the seats of honor. In an unenthusiastic manner, he glanced at the women below. “Begin at once. We have matters to attend to in the afternoon,” he said to the empress.

nThe empress knew that the emperor would be having the noon meal with Noble Consort Zhao and Fourth Prince. She nodded. Hinted to the court eunuch holding the book of names to begin. The empress picked up her teacup for a sip of tea. Sent a sideways glance at Zhuang Laoyan. While there was a smile on the other party’s lips, it held a reluctant flavor. Left with no other option, the empress sighed. “Noble Consort Zhao, the dishes you recently sent to this palace’s residence were decent. However, this palace’s cook could not achieve the same flavors no matter what. In a few days, this palace will send him to your residence to learn from your cooks.”

n“If Your Majesty the empress likes them, this concubine can send those cooks to your palace. How could we allow such an inconvenience for you?” said Zhuang Laoyan with a smile. “A few days ago, this concubine received one of your honored self’s cooks. This can be considered returning them to you.”

n“Then this palace will accept your offer. You better not regret it in the future,” said the empress, a smile tugging on her lips. Following that, her gaze fell upon those women below. The emperor had already rejected all the candidates in the last three groups of this selection, not a single nod given. The empress was not in the mood to do anything about it; she turned and continued to alternate between speaking and listening to Zhuang Laoyan.

n“Daughter of Xu Jia, Assistant Minister of Works. Xu Ru, sixteen years old.”

n“This official’s daughter salutes the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines.” Xu Ru took her time with her curtsy, the smile on her face the picture of perfection. A bit more and it would be a hint too much. A bit less and it would be a hint too mild.

nFeng Jin waved, indicating for people to withdraw. When he realized there weren’t many candidates left at the back, he nodded faintly, indicating for her to stay.

nJoy filled Xu Ru’s heart. Despite this, she still wore a serene expression as she saluted. She moved to the side. Xu Ru was the first candidate invited to stay; at the very least, this was proof that the emperor took a fancy to her.

nZhuang Laoyan shot a glance at the chosen woman. Picking up her teacup, she said neither too quickly nor too slowly, “Your Majesty indeed has good taste. What a remarkably beautiful woman.”

nThe empress also had a look. Smiled. “Indeed.”

nFeng Jin looked at the two. He waved for a group of the women below to withdraw, then casually chose another person, before saying, “That’s enough. The rest of these people can retire.”

nIn that moment, surprise coursed through everyone’s veins. Only two beauties were chosen for this grand selection of imperial concubines? But when they noticed the emperor’s annoyed expression, they dared not say anything. Rather, they started to arrange for those not chosen to leave the palace.

n“These two shall be given the position of cairen. Empress, you will be in charge of the arrangement.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. He said to Zhuang Laoyan, “Let’s go.”

nA smile gracing her lips, Zhuang Laoyan did not so much as glance at the two new imperial concubines.

nIn a daze, Xu Ru watched as the imperial sedan departed. That’s the emperor? I can’t believe he’s that handsome and dignified. She held her slightly red cheeks. They felt burning hot.

nBy lucky coincidence, Consort Rou caught her action, a smile of ridicule appearing on the former’s lips.

nToday, Xihe Palace bustled with noise and excitement. The nearly-four-years-old Fourth Prince, Feng Qi, was in his inquisitive age. At this moment, he was right in the middle of asking Feng Jin why was it that during the night, although the moon was not as bright as the sun, the bright glowing pearls and candles still seemed brighter than the moon.

nThe majestic Emperor Chengxuan was actually stumped by a little child. After pondering over this question for a good while, Feng Jin replied, “That’s because the sun is larger than the moon, but is farther away from us. So it appears to be the same size as the moon.”

nZhuang Laoyan, who was situated at the side, arched a brow. Although this answer seemed correct, unfortunately the people here were unaware that the moon fundamentally could not shine.

n“Then why is it that large candles that are farther from us don’t seem as bright as smaller candles closer to us?” asked Feng Qi, blinking his large black eyes and tilting his head up at Feng Jin. It was clear that in his eyes, his imperial father was omnipotent.

nFeng Jin was speechless. He felt slightly regretful toward reading so many of the so-called “stories for prenatal education” to this child back then. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be caught in this crisis of not having enough knowledge to explain things.

n“Because the moon also needs to sleep at night,” said Zhuang Laoyan, deciding to help Feng Jin keep some dignity. “That’s why it isn’t that bright.”

n“But the moon doesn’t come out during the day, so why does it still have to sleep at night?”

n“Because the moon is lazy.” Zhuang Laoyan stroked the top of his head. Then she continued in a solemn fashion, “That’s why people mustn’t be lazy, otherwise they would resemble the moon, not being bright even during the night.”

nFeng Qi took in his mother’s serious expression. Serious as well, he nodded. “Mm, I won’t be lazy!”

n“Good.” Zhuang Laoyan continued to pat his head. In a lazy manner, she sat in a chaise lounge. “Then let’s have our noon meal. In the afternoon, we will take a nap. Huangyang will take you to see the flowers you planted. Once your imperial father comes over, you will study again.”

nOnce more, Feng Qi nodded obediently. He didn’t need anyone to carry him, making his way to Zhuang Laoyan’s side and taking a seat. Following that, he turned his head in Feng Jin’s direction. “Imperial Father needs to eat more. Consort-Mother said you’ve worked very hard.”

nFeng Jin took a seat next to Zhuang Laoyan as well. He flashed her a smile, then said, “Then our Baozi should eat more too. And when you’re grown, you can protect your imperial father and consort-mother.”

n“Yeah!” Feng Qi nodded enthusiastically.

nA smile on her lips, Zhuang Laoyan looked at father and son. She turned her body to the side and began to wash her hands. When it came to men, if they learned that their wife and children regarded them as important, they would more often than not do even better. Such was a method of encouragement.

nIn a flash, people forgot about the two cairens that had just entered the palace. After all, they had been here for a month, yet the emperor had yet to summon them. It was thus evident that these newcomers would have no chance to make waves.

nXu Ru resided in the cold and cheerless Changtian House. Word had it that a favored imperial concubine had once lived in this residence. However, nowadays, only she and the other newly-arrived cairen resided here. Apart from passing every day in a daze, she would have her meals. They did not even have the qualifications to pay respects to the empress. Not only that, they dared not go to other places as they pleased, afraid of offending a noble personage.

nDuring the Qixi Festival, imperial concubines of all ranks could finally leave their residences. Each and every one of them were dressed to the nines, trying to have a chance encounter with the emperor.

nWith the utmost care, Xu Ru groomed and dressed herself up, heading for the imperial gardens with her palace maid. On the way there, she met many low-ranked imperial concubines. These women were all older than her and not as beautiful as her. She adjusted the corner of the lower hem of her clothes, expending much effort in order to appear more natural.

nHowever, before she could travel more distance, she caught sight of the court eunuchs and palace maids before her moving away into two sides like tides splitting. She stared. It turned out that the emperor and Noble Consort Zhao were arriving together. Xu Ru rushed to step forward and curtsy. “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

nFeng Jin looked at the woman in pink before his eyes. He furrowed his brows a hint. “Who are you?” Did she not hear Gao Dezhong clap to indicate for everyone to withdraw?

n“This concubine is the new arrival called…”

n“Ignorant of palace rules. Drag her away.” Feng Jin wrinkled his brows again, fed up with her appearance. “A little cairen actually dresses so splendidly. Demote her to the lowest-rank, gengyi. From now on, she must not appear in front of Us.” Following that, he walked away, not sparing her an inkling of care.

nZhuang Laoyan followed behind him. She looked back at that little cairen, and only saw her kneeling on the ground having lost her head from fear.

nZhuang Laoyan smiled faintly. Look, another one threw away her life.

nShe turned her head back to facing front. And Zhuang Laoyan saw the figures of people giving way to her and the emperor one by one. The corners of her lips held a cold smile. Always having a clear view of things would allow one to live a better life. This Cairen Xu had even forgotten who she was.

nPower Ranks

nPosting this and TSP 37.2 a bit earlier today since I won’t have time later.

nThe harem does not lack stupid women bwahaha

nThree more extras, guys ? Thanks for the ko-fis (I believe I had an anonymous supporter)

nNext release is Saturday, September 25, 2021.

nFor those of you interested in advanced chapters, there are no chapters remaining this month! If you pledge a tier that gives 2 chapters now, you’re basically my suga daddi. A patreon post detailing October’s release schedule will be out sometime next week.

nIMPORTANT Patreon announcement!!

nALL TJOAIC TIERS WILL BE DELETED AFTER SEPTEMBER 2021. Please note that even if I delete a tier, as long as you do not delete your pledge (which is something entirely different), Patreon will continue charging you the pledge amount every month!

nFurthermore, after September 2021, all double-novel tiers will be discontinued

/re-purposed, but NOT deleted. I’m still thinking of what to do with those tiers in the future. Patrons of double-novel tiers, please delete your pledge by the end of September 2021, or else Patreon will keep charging you every month, and I will assume that you are simply donating to me.

nLast but not least, I’ve decided that for October, I will be giving early access to the last two chapters of TJOAIC (120 and 121) to September patrons of all tiers except Wide Awake. Think of it as a last thank you.

nIf you like this novel, please rate

/review

/add this novel to your reading list on NU!

nThirty-seventh chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

nBy the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

nBy the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

nIf you’re interested, you can find it here.

nAlso, plugging me and my friends’ website focused on BL! Click here if you’re interested.

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