Chapter 436

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

In March, along with the warm wind came increasingly rampant rumors throughout Jingcheng, big and small.

Previously, one could still say things relatively tactfully—for example, whose Young Lady fell ill today, whose Young Lady sprained her foot tomorrow, whose Young Lady bumped her head the day after.

But since entering March, all the above rumors have been upgraded and replaced, becoming whose Young Lady has a childhood sweetheart, whose Young Lady is secretly intimate, whose Young Lady is two-faced; the list of those implicated keeps expanding, truly an indiscriminate sweep.

Even Shen Yao, who rarely goes out, was verbally wounded, and Shen Rong returned home complaining in various ways, feeling wronged on Shen Yao's behalf.

"Third Sister, take it easy; now that the water is muddy, it's better," Shen Yao poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to Shen Rong, "before, it was noisy and no one knew who was behind it; now that more people are involved, we can catch the person using despicable methods."

Shen Rong held the teacup in her hands, "Sister, do you mean who keeps themselves pure, who is most likely?"

After all, other official's daughters are not clean on their persons, but just a few who pretend to be spotless—no matter how you look at it, something feels off.

Shen Yao smiled and shook her head, "Not necessarily; perhaps someone thought of these things and acted the opposite way, using an unimportant rumor to wound themselves, then turning around to pin this black pot on others."

Shen Rong:...

Shen Rong half-leaned on the table, "So they think that much?" Before even entering the palace, they're fighting to the death; once inside, wouldn't it be even more dangerous?

Shen Rong once again worried about Shen Yao's safety in the palace, but her maid had an expression of unbearable sight; after all, only her own Young Lady was foolishly oblivious, while Shen Family Fourth Daughter clearly pointed out the suspects—she herself definitely could not be simply harmless and easy to bully; perhaps Shen Family Fourth Daughter was the one hiding the deepest.

The maid's thoughts did not affect Shen Rong and Shen Yao's conversation; the two sisters chatted from the current situation in Jingcheng to possible future developments, and Shen Yao reminded Shen Rong, "Third Sister, if you have nothing to do recently, you should still reduce going out."

"Some things may have nothing to do with Third Sister, but certain people will implicate the innocent."

Don't expect anyone to have a kind heart when fighting; since ancient times there's the saying that when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer; since Shen Rong does not participate in the Imperial Selection, she should keep a low profile, endure this period, then think of other things.

Shen Rong thanked Shen Yao for the reminder; she indeed did not plan to go out recently, but it was a pity that not going out meant she couldn't help her sister investigate useful news; with the Imperial Selection in half a month, she could only rely on her sister herself.

Shen Yao:... she can do it

Smiling as she saw off the reluctant Shen Rong, the system in her mind jumped out at the right time to sigh about the cruelty and cold-bloodedness of palace intrigue.

'They are all women like flowers'

Shen Yao had no expression, 'Those who enter the palace, who is simply there to live?'

Some things can be used to fool others, that's fine, but never fool yourself.

'Ambition, power, profit, family glory,' official's daughters are domesticated by this from childhood, and long ago can no longer take the simple path back.

Besides, can one live well without entering the palace? It's just a matter of the size of the residence.

Comparing her marriage with Shen Rong's, which of them can guarantee that the path they walk will be happy? Shen Rong today firmly chose the Yuan biaoge; who knows if tomorrow he will disappoint her.

'We have little time left outside; if you're bored, prepare the pills in advance, then go have a good look around the lively streets and alleys,' Shen Yao raised her head and gazed into the distance at the magnificent Imperial Palace, 'Entering the door now, who knows when one can come out; the scenery outside, look at it while you can.'

…………

On the night before the Imperial Selection, after Shen Yao left the Main Courtyard, the old General Manager asked her to go to the Study in the Front Courtyard halfway.

Shen Chunbai and Shen Zhanghe, father and son, were both there; both wore regular clothes, one standing, one standing.

"Father, Eldest Young Master"

"Yao'er," "Fourth Sister"

Shen Chunbai stroked his beard and opened his mouth, "I called you over today because the Imperial Selection is imminent; some things should be made clear."

Shen Yao thought in her heart that it finally came; she thought Shen Chunbai would wait until she formally entered the palace to mention these things.

It seems Shen Chunbai has high expectations for her; in the future, she must properly grasp the measure of getting along with the Shen Family.

Although Lady Shen cannot be put on the table, other people in the Shen Family can still be used (Shen Zhanghe just lacks social beatings, unlike Lady Shen whose some concepts are deeply ingrained and simply cannot be brainwashed).

"I hope Father will give guidance"

Shen Yao lowered her head slightly, giving Shen Chunbai just the right amount of respect.

Shen Chunbai felt increasingly comfortable in his heart; the hand stroking his beard sped up by two points, "If it's not particularly important, does Yao'er know the current situation in the Huang Hou?"

"The Empress, Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort stand in a tripod balance; below them are the Nine Pin and twenty-seven Imperial Consorts not to be underestimated; although many ranks below Second-Rank Official are vacant, even Consorts can die in the palace; among those above, who can guarantee they will never fall?"

Shen Yao:...

Good fellow, Cheap Father indeed dares to say this; this is directly cursing the Imperial Consorts in the harem to short lives.

But indeed, originally there were already four Consorts in the harem, plus two Ladies; now only two Consorts and the Empress remain; everyone else long ago turned into a cup of yellow earth, not even knowing where their graves are.

"Father, since Sheng Di ascended the throne thirteen years ago, there have often been pregnancy news in the harem but no offspring born; Daughter dares to say, I believe it's not entirely human calamity."

Not being able to bear children cannot be entirely blamed on palace intrigue; there are always those with deep schemes who can protect themselves, but children simply cannot be born.

Shen Zhanghe nodded, "When Sheng Di first ascended the throne, he was once assassinated by an assassin and his body was injured."

"That year, the Empress was pregnant and suffered a premature birth from fright; several Pregnant Consorts also had various troubles, resulting in no imperial heirs surviving in their wombs."

"After that, it is now often said there is pregnancy news, but no offspring are born."

Shen Zhanghe's gaze looked toward Shen Yao, reminding that back then the Empress and several Imperial Consorts had miscarriages; they gave birth to the children in their wombs, but for various reasons ultimately died young.

"I don't know about the situations of the several imperial princes' mansions? I've heard there are offspring born, but rarely seen appearing."

Shen Yao changed the topic, but still revolved around the Yu Guo Imperial Family.

"Sheng Di treats the several princes well, but the matter of offspring cannot be forced; although the Imperial Family has commandery princes and princesses born every few years, their bodies are weak and it's extremely difficult for them to grow up," Shen Chunbai finished speaking and followed with a sigh. He was very satisfied with his daughter in every way, it's just this matter of offspring; he truly fears there is no hope.

Shen Yao thought in her heart about the Emperor adopting a child; it seems the circumstances did not allow it; otherwise, an emperor in his thirties should long ago have been urged by the ministers to establish a Crown Prince.

But one cannot deny that the sons of the imperial princes were indeed born; then in a few more years, the Emperor, unwilling or not, will have to choose an Heir from among this group.

"Yao'er, now is not the time to rush to talk about offspring; the key is still the Emperor's harem situation."

Shen Chunbai hurriedly pulled the deviating topic back, saying the Empress is the principal wife, but her background is not prominent, and in recent years she has been eating vegetarian and reciting Buddha, not participating in some harem disputes; instead, Noble Consort is the daughter of Zhou Taishi; Zhou Taishi, though old, is still vigorous and active in the Court; Virtuous Consort's grandfather is the Academy Scholar who retired several years ago.

"These two need to be dealt with carefully; also, the daughters of the University Scholar and the Regional Inspector participating in this selection—their starting point upon entering the palace is Nine Pin; try not to conflict if possible."

Shen Chunbai also hated that he was a military officer, naturally making his daughter a step shorter than others.

"Father, rest assured, your daughter will remember."

Later in the Imperial Selection there will be time to learn the Family Rules; these people eat and lodge together, the Easiest opportunity for Friction and Black Hands.

Shen Yao Guaranteed inside there would certainly be dishonest people; she hoped they would not implicate her, Otherwise she would definitely chop off the opponent's Claws and return them.

"Fourth sister, for this Imperial Selection, please cherish yourself."

Shen Changyu wanted to say something, but in the end it all turned into blessings for her.

…………

In mid-March, Shen Yao wore the candidate Clothes specially sent from the Imperial Palace, bade farewell to her parents and relatives, turned around and boarded the departing Carriage.

Behind her, family grew ever more Distant; ahead, the Palace Wall grew ever nearer.

Shen Yao closed her eyes to nurture her spirit; the system in her mind chattered away with a face full of novelty.

"Not Tired?" Truly Lively/Active.

"Host very Tired?" They didn't do anything, just got up early and went out.

"Thinking of the days to come, Heart Tired," Shen Yao said Casually, "But these are what I chose myself; Tired, I must endure."

System: ……

The System paused for a good while, then stammered and Exclaimed that there were many Carriages on the Road, all heading toward the Imperial Palace Not Far away.

"They are Opponents."

Shen Yao looked outside through the Window curtain lifted by the Wind; the shops on both sides of the Street had not yet opened, and all that could be heard was the clip-clop of horse hooves.

As the Carriage slowed, increasingly noisy voices came from outside the Door; Shen Yao Raised her Hand to smooth her slightly wrinkled Clothes, and taking advantage of lifting the Door curtain, slowly alighted.

The Imperial Selection has no maids following; each enters the Palace alone, and after about half a month leaves the Palace to await the final Notification and the entry list and rank conferment.

The Imperial Selection rules differ in every world; overall, the Hardest stage is still the one where a group of people eat and lodge together.

Nainai's Reminders rang in their ears; the candidate women handed their Packages to the responsible Personnel, queued where they should queue, registered where they should register, and when their Team was full, followed the foremost Nainai into the Palace.

For the first three days the candidate women underwent physical examinations and questioning; during this period the Unqualified were sent directly out of the Imperial Palace and did not participate in the later Palace Rules training.

But everyone knows that even if unwilling, one must strive to persist until the final departure from the Palace to salvage Reputation; withdrawing halfway is no good term.

"If truly so, better to have early found an excuse not to come to the Imperial Selection; among the sisters at Home only I stood out, not merely to go through the motions."

"Elder Sister's words are Reasonable; with Elder Sister's talent and looks, she will certainly succeed in being chosen to Companion the ruler's side."

"……"

Shen Yao had just come out of the Room where candidate women's bodies were examined when she saw someone unable to contain themselves; sighing at the spectacle, she quickened her pace to leave this Right and Wrong Place.

"Not yet formally entered the Palace and already so Gaochao; loathing that one's life is too good?"

Truly all kinds of people exist; seeking death they still have to Strive for it.

"System, help me Monitor the Surroundings in real time; too many Buried mines, easy to Fry us."

Shen Yao instructed the System without changing expression, feeling her Opponents indeed possessed lethal force in a certain sense.