[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-life-as-false-emperor":3,"chapter-eternal-life-as-false-emperor-eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-96":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Eternal Life as False Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1682742,2149,"Chapter 96 - 68: The Grand Selection of Concubine Candidates (Part 3)","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>Female Martial Artists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are only seventeen of them, but their gaze towards the surrounding women is filled with disdain and coldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among these seventeen, even the lowest martial dao strength is the third-grade realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If driven ruthless, one of them could kill all the other five hundred present without exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these people are from renowned and righteous sects, their temperament has been nurtured by their masters and sect leaders from a young age, so it’s impossible for them to do such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for their entry into the palace as concubine candidates varies; some willingly come, seeking glory and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others are sent by their master’s order, forced to enter the palace as consorts, while secretly seeking benefits for their sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sects these seventeen women hail from include Taiyii Dao, Baihua Sect, Compassion Temple, as well as three other martial arts halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These sects are nearest to the Capital City, hence they responded first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sects like True Martial Sect, Longhu Mountain, Shushan Sword Sect are too far away to participate in this selection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the day brightens, the sun rises, and the weather remains warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a large group of eunuchs appears at the entrance of the Imperial Garden, accompanied by Liu Cheng’en’s loud voice, a series of magnificent and elegant palanquins exuding royal authority appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty is arriving~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress Dowager is arriving~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress is arriving~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Consort Duann is arriving~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four palanquins enter the Imperial Garden in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to ancestral tradition, Your Majesty’s selection of concubines is primarily led by Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, with the Empress assisting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This selection is unusual; the Empress has been restricted, and the proceedings are hosted by Consort Duann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, in this selection, Consort Duann is also involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Empress Dowager!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Empress!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Consort Duann!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over five hundred young women kneel together, shouting long live, stirring Zheng Yi’s heart with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many little beauties, they all belong to me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as I wish it, any of them can disrobe and cater to my desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rise~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He restrained his excitement and, along with the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Consort Duann, took their seats in the prepared stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides them, officials from the Imperial Household, Ritual Department, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Personnel were present, tasked with registering and verifying the identities of the concubine candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve worked hard, Consort Duann.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seating, the pale and weary Empress Dowager spoke first, her tone as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qingluan immediately stood up and said, \"It’s an honor for me to relieve the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty of their burdens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be modest, during my time worshipping Buddha, I noticed that under your management, the palace is orderly, the attendants virtuous, with no major incidents occurring. You’ve done well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your praise is too generous, Empress Dowager, I’m unworthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit down and speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the Empress Lu Lin’er was filled with resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The selection of concubines was supposed to be hosted by her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with managing the harem, which is the Empress’s duty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s all her fault, all Xu Qingluan’s fault!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Xu Qingluan’s smug expression, Lu Lin’er secretly harbored resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But outwardly, she appeared admiring, smiling and saying, \"Sister is so capable, I truly envy her~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, it’s about time. Let’s begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few words from Zheng Yi, the women ceased their thoughts and voices immediately quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager appeared somewhat uneasy, occasionally glancing at Zheng Yi, her mind pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did the flowers... deliver the message to the eighth brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An official stepped forward respectfully, \"Greetings, Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Zhuang Yunqi is the host for this selection, the ladies are ready. How would Your Majesty like to proceed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, let’s begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Yunqi rose swiftly, came to the pavilion edge, took out the prepared booklet, and loudly announced, \"Your Majesty’s selection... begins!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring the concubine candidates~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by the eunuchs, the five concubine candidates at the forefront stepped forward in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The daughter of Jiaxing Prefecture Xia Zhengyun, Xia Ruhu~ Age, seventeen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first candidate in pink palace attire smiled beautifully, bowing with grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of the Vice Director of the Ministry of Communication Fu Anx, Fu Huanian, age sixteen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second beauty was clearly younger, she dared not look ahead, merely bowing slightly, her face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Younger sister of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Tian Zhengyun, Tian Ruyu, age fifteen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third beauty was even younger, like a child, guided by her brother but still sneaking glances at the Emperor, like a little spirit ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Cao Yinghe, Cao Xiangyu, age eighteen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth beauty was noticeably more composed, greeting formally, like a young lady of noble birth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of the Deputy Commander of the Infantry Camp Lin Dajun, Lin Qinghe, age seventeen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last beauty, of military descent, stood tall, with bright eyes, greeting Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and others gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated above, the Empress Dowager said, \"Emperor, these are daughters of Imperial Court officials, each well-educated and beautiful. Which ones does the Emperor fancy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you fancy them, bestow them with sachets, and have them stay in the palace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi nodded slowly, the first five to appear were not absolute beauties, but enticing enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the previous world, they could be described as class beauties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood, the harem selection isn’t for picking the most attractive, seductive women, but rather those composed, mature in temperament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The concern is about seductive charm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, these first few women, their families weren’t exceedingly prestigious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daughters of first and second-grade officials, noble families remained behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These women were merely the forerunners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi nodded lightly, \"Keep them all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wha, what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned but quickly understood, nodding slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems Consort Duann has done well, these women fit Your Majesty’s wishes~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Yunqi promptly said, \"Bestow the sachets!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five eunuchs stepped forward, bestowing five similarly designed red sachets to the five women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five were instantly excited, kneeling to express their gratitude, \"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So wonderful! I’ve been chosen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, hehe, I’m now the Emperor’s woman, a consort~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother! I did it! I’m entering the palace!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excited five were taken away, and soon another five beauties were led forward by the eunuchs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Yunqi flipped the document in his hand and immediately shouted, \"Daughter of the County Magistrate of Shanyang Lan Huai, Lan Lingrong, age seventeen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1094,"2026-06-06T13:34:09.114Z",1,"novelbin.me","86b6f80fad2d3737325221952ea17917b8690cf199c77130a29327b03ed27a81","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-97","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-95",358,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-life-as-false-emperor-cover.jpg"]