Chapter 439: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 440: The Rise of a Bystander (8)

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Noble Consort Virtue, do you know what hour the Emperor will arrive?"

Noble Consort Tang waved her hand casually, dismissing the maidens who had just come over.

The maidens dared to be angry but not speak; even if Noble Consort Tang did not take them seriously, they could only keep their frustration in their hearts.

Virtuous Consort shook her head with an innocent expression, "Even Noble Consort Tang doesn't know, how could I have any news?"

Hearing this, Noble Consort Tang laughed scornfully, "Virtuous Consort truly likes to joke. Compared to Sister, who rarely sees the Emperor all year, you are often honored to accompany him."

Still saying she doesn't know? Virtuous Consort knows best!

Noble Consort Tang despised Virtuous Consort's affected ignorance, as if she were pure and innocent, while her heart held who knows how many schemes.

The two said nothing, but exchanged a glance, sparks and lightning flashing between them.

"Wow, Noble Consort Tang and Virtuous Consort are on such bad terms, surely they won't start fighting right here?"

Seeing the liveliness, the system couldn't help but voice its opinion—how rare this was.

"Don't dream it, the Emperor is coming."

Shen Yao stood at the edge of the third row, shifting her toes inward to half-reveal her profile. As the sharp, piercing cry of "The Emperor Arrives" rang out, everyone performed a half-squat salute to offer greetings.

The breeze lifted a few stray hairs at Shen Yao's temples, carrying a wisp of fragrance into the current Emperor's nose.

The Emperor paused slightly as he stepped forward, then continued ahead, his peripheral vision naturally noticing the girl's exquisite curves and lovely profile.

Li Guiquan, following a step behind the Emperor, secretly sighed that a new favorite had appeared; it seemed Noble Consort Tang's dream of becoming a Jieyu would come to nothing.

He should have someone ask the name of this new master just now. Having caught the Emperor's eye, she could at least be raised to Fifth-Rank Talented Lady, and if her birth was not low, Fourth-Rank Beauty or Third-Rank Jieyu were also worth considering.

Apart from the clear restrictions on the Four Consorts Three Ladies and Nine Pin, other positions in the Huang Hou were at the Emperor's whim; as long as he was satisfied, nothing was impossible.

"Your subject greets the Emperor, long live the Emperor."

"Noble Consort Tang, Virtuous Consort, exempt from salute."

The Emperor nodded to the two consorts and casually asked about the maidens' situation.

Though the Emperor had his back to them at this moment, the maidens dared not speak casually, nor even raise their heads, for gazing directly at the imperial countenance was an offense.

Shen Yao:...

"Absurd palace rules. Back during the Upper Yuan Festival, the Emperor ascended the city tower to celebrate with the common people and officials, and there was no rule forbidding direct gaze at the imperial countenance."

Moreover, to catch a glimpse of the imperial countenance, many commoners pushed forward, causing many Yulin Guards to be injured while intercepting them, yet the commoners came to no harm.

Even the Emperor allowed such behavior, because he was confident in his appearance and felt it was only natural for commoners to want to see him; even if someone always caused trouble during the Upper Yuan Festival, the Emperor still did as he pleased.

Now, in the Imperial Palace with the tightest defenses, the palace rules were even more numerous—truly enough to make one's complaints overflow.

"Host, you must know, the whole world is just a giant shoddy troupe."

The absurdities of the Imperial Palace were not limited to this one thing; why take them seriously?"

The system began to advise the host, telling her to focus her energy on the final selection, since the Emperor had arrived and she must perform well.

"Playing small tricks in front of so many people is no different from asking for suffering."

"Rest assured, I already showed off a little earlier; now we just wait for the final selection to end."

Perhaps her file was already before the Emperor—what need was there to deliberately reveal anything?

"Please, all maidens, step forward and offer greetings."

As the maidens in front withdrew, Shen Yao's row finally got to show their faces.

"Your concubine-born daughter greets Noble Consort Tang and Virtuous Consort, may you enjoy ten thousand blessings."

After offering greetings without changing expression, Shen Yao lowered her eyes to look at the hem of her skirt.

"The one at the very edge—is she Canjun Shen's daughter?" The Emperor sat in a chair, casually flipping through the maiden roster Li Guiquan had sent.

This man had just come from Qianqing Palace, worn to death by the ministers' state affairs, and now discovering a maiden who could attract him among the candidates, he immediately took notice.

"In reply to Your Majesty, she is indeed Canjun Shen's daughter," Li Guiquan tacitly suppressed Shen Yao's concubine-born status; since the roster recorded her background, it was not suitable for him to say more.

"Hmm, do you know why Canjun Shen's other daughter did not participate in the selection?"

The Emperor wore a stern expression, and his simple question carried immense pressure.

Li Guiquan bowed and explained softly, "It is said that the other is in poor health, and moreover, this maiden before us has long admired Your Majesty. Canjun Shen, loving his daughter dearly, after much consideration, finally registered her and sent her into the Imperial Palace."

Nothing could be hidden from the Imperial Palace's investigations, though Shen Yao and Shen Chunbai, father and daughter, did not wish to conceal it either.

After hearing this reason, the Emperor was visibly interested and waved his hand for Li Guiquan to continue.

Li Guiquan retold the Upper Yuan Festival story Shen Yao had once related; those who didn't know would think he had seen it with his own eyes—it was a pity he didn't become a storyteller.

"Hahahahaha, originally so. This time I forgive Canjun Shen's act of reporting after the fact."

"You record her; the Palace will be Furong Palace. It is near Qianqing Palace, suitable for her to live there."

In just a few words, the Emperor casually decided Shen Yao's arrangement, yet everyone who heard it thought it was good.

Indeed, to be remembered by the Emperor was a great honor; wasn't that what the participating maidens were all striving for?

The system observed the Emperor's entire course of action, finally leaving only a few points to represent its speechlessness.

No wonder they say Yu Guo is doomed; with such a willful and self-centered emperor, and an unhealthy (zero) number of offspring, it would be hard for Yu Guo not to be doomed.

Watching the host emerge unscathed from questioning by Noble Consort Tang and Virtuous Consort, the system wanted to share the good news it had heard, but felt saying it now lacked mystery—a truly heart-scratching, liver-itching dilemma.

Shen Yao:...

Although the system was silent when off-mic, it existed in Shen Yao's mind; as her mission experience grew, her perception strengthened, and she could vaguely sense the system's emotional state.

Even though the system was not human.

【What on earth is going on? Can't your Consciousness Space hold you?】

Shen Yao mocked the system for having ADHD; the manifested cloud of consciousness drifted up and down, occasionally changing its appearance and color.

Hmm, kind of like those colorful balloons, changing colors in all sorts of hues, especially active.

【Host, the Emperor just mentioned you; he plans to arrange for you to enter Furong Palace.】

The system still said it, not speaking would be uncomfortable, it couldn't hold back its words.

【Doesn't this mean my entry into the palace is certain? Great news.】

The Imperial Selection final selection wasn't even over yet, and Shen Yao already knew her ending—how was that not cheating? Much easier than some people.

System:...

【Doesn't the Host think this is a farce?】No process followed, entirely relying on the Emperor's whim.

This only proves the Emperor is useless; palace rules are all useless decorations.

Shen Yao:...

【What farce? I'm not entering the palace to talk romance with the Emperor,】some things can't just look at shortcomings and ignore advantages.

The Emperor granting ranks and arranging palaces so readily doesn't that prove that in the Huang Hou, as long as you hold the Emperor in your grasp, whatever you want can be easily obtained.

Compared to an emperor with strict rules where everything must follow palace regulations, Shen Yao preferred a slightly casual emperor.

【What we seek is different from the previous world; following the rules step by step is unsuitable here,】such a harem is very suitable for overnight success.

Hair strands hanging on both sides of her temples covered the flame named ambition in Shen Yao's eyes.

With the Imperial Selection final selection over, they were led back to Weiyang Palace by Nainais, put away their respective packages, were sent to the Palace Gate by dedicated personnel, and it was also announced that their selection journey had ended.

「Fourth sister, fourth sister」

Shen Rong stood in front of the carriage waving hard, and seeing Shen Yao come over, she ran over and hugged her.

「Fourth sister, how is it in the palace? The family has been worried sick about you these days, 」Shen Rong said eagerly, talking about the people who came out early, talking about some big and small things that happened at home, and finally cautiously glancing at Shen Yao's expression, seriously confirming her emotion.

After all, not everyone who survives the selection process can definitely enter the palace to become a mistress or consort; a small portion are also bestowed upon several imperial princes.

Shen Rong had an indescribable worry in her heart; she hoped Fourth Sister would get her wish, but also felt it would be better if she wasn't selected—so many Imperial Consorts couldn't bear offspring, it definitely couldn't all be personal reasons.

What if Fourth Sister was like them, staying in the palace and growing old alone?

「Third Sister, I'm fine, it's just that the final selection ended, and I've been standing for a while, so I'm a bit tired. 」

Shen Yao held Shen Rong's wrist, smiling as she leaned against the soft pillow behind the carriage to relax.

After Shen Rong finished listening, she cried out 'aiyo' and began to massage Shen Yao's hands and legs on her own.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Rong had never done this kind of serving work; letting her do it could only be good intentions leading to bad results.

Shen Yao hurriedly pulled Shen Rong to sit down, indicating she only needed a simple rest, and as for the selection result, her probability of entering the palace was extremely high.

Extremely high probability? That's as good as done!

Shen Chunbai and Shen Zhangyu both looked happy, Lady Shen and Shen Zhanghe each had their own awkwardness, as for where Shen Rong was? She was sending Shen Yao back to her room.

After having her nerves tense for over half a month, Shen Yao returned to the mansion and only had time to exchange a few words before finding an excuse to go back and recuperate.

The palace's decree would take three days to arrive; Shen Yao could stay at home for a few more days.

Some things didn't need to be asked in a hurry; Shen Chunbai and Shen Zhangyu were very willing for Shen Yao to rest. The most critical step had been passed safely, and the rest had little to do with the entire Shen Family.

After all, they were a Military Family; the imperial family guarded against the court, and even they themselves were somewhat hesitant and fearful. Being able to reach this step today was truly not easy.

「We must fully support Yao'er, 」Shen Chunbai stroked his beard, asking Lady Shen to take out the Shen Family's silver taels for reserve. Although consorts entering the palace weren't allowed to bring too many items, it was understandable to take some things to press the bottom of the box.

「Father, we need to arrange manpower at the Imperial Hospital, 」Shen Zhangyu felt palace attendants couldn't be sent in temporarily, but they could put effort into other aspects. This was also inspired by the Imperial Astronomy Bureau; food, clothing, and daily necessities all required one's own people to feel at ease.

「What Zhangyu said is right; this matter is entrusted to you to handle. The Shen Family will still rely on you in the future, 」so getting as close to Shen Yao as possible would do Shen Zhangyu no harm.

Shen Zhangyu smiled and nodded in agreement, then turned around and went out to get busy.

Shen Chunbai, seeing this, was even more satisfied; only Lady Shen and Shen Zhanghe, who were completely ignored, were sulking.