[{"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-97":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},1682743,2149,"Chapter 97 - 69: Consort Selection Candidates","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>The leading woman had a proud and aloof temperament, but her attire was somewhat simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she was a daughter of an official family, compared to the other women, she seemed a bit inadequate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main point was, she wore a silver hairpin adorned with fresh flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the other women, who wore gold hairpins decorated with gold beads, gemstones, and pearls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This humble girl, Lan Lingrong, greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, wishing you both good health and eternal blessings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just a simple statement, Lan Lingrong attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the concubine candidates present were either nervous, excited, fearful, or curious, not daring to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she alone, when her name was called by Assistant Minister Zhuang Yunqi of the Ministry of Revenue, bowed and greeted respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Customarily... there was no such precedent, but it wasn’t forbidden either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager was the first to speak: \"Good child, it’s not easy that you remember me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress, however, spoke with a hint of jealousy: \"Such a solemn gift, you speak without the edict of the Emperor. Although it’s auspicious words, it clearly puts you in the spotlight, little enchantress~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Lingrong’s expression changed slightly, and she could only lower her head in silence, her delicate body trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi was the first to speak, sizing up Lan Lingrong as he said, \"You are indeed remarkable, you have courage and insight, but do you possess any other skills?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no need to perform things like playing zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overjoyed, Lan Lingrong quickly replied, \"In response to Your Majesty, my mother once taught me Kunqu Opera, so I know a few pieces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Kunqu Opera, let me hear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Lingrong replied softly, then stood up, took a light breath, and sang: \"Alas, we met too late, grudging that departure comes too swift. The willow strands are long, hard to tether the jade horse, I begrudge not borrowing the sparse woods to hold the slanting rays~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was clear and crisp, and now singing Kunqu Opera, it was more melodious and graceful, like forest melodies and spring sounds, like gentle weeping and recounting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the grand hall listened intently, even the Empress Lu Lin’er couldn’t help but purse her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little enchantress, sings quite well~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the song ended a moment later, everyone instinctively looked towards Zheng Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi alone was still patting the table, savoring the aftertaste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excellent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi nodded, \"Not bad at all, the song is beautiful, and the beauty is gentle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alas, we met too late, since you have worked hard to enter the palace, I shall grant your wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Having the many talents and elegance of Lan Lingrong, daughter of County Magistrate Lan Huai of Shanyang, I bestow upon you the title of Noble Lady Lan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An official of the Imperial Household immediately bowed and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lan Lingrong, now Noble Lady Lan, immediately knelt and said, \"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager! Thank you, Empress...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing such words, neither the Empress Dowager nor Zheng Yi reacted, but the Empress Lu Lin’er secretly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not bad, this little girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thanked me, without thanking Xu Qingluan, that big enchantress!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi spoke, \"Rise, bestow a sachet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Yunqi subtly signaled to the other Ministry of Revenue officials to come over and relay the message outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No concubine candidate may speak without orders from the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Lingrong’s actions caused the four concubine candidates beside her to look displeased and jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her actions immediately made them appear as mere foils, truly detestable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was ever a chance...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is the position of a Noble Lady!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the selection regulations of Great Yu, apart from the several predetermined Consort and Concubine positions each year,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>other concubine candidates can only obtain the status of Lady, Beauty, or Noble Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The position of Noble Lady is undoubtedly the highest rank below that of Consorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the rank, even the monthly stipends are much higher than theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in the future, when meeting in the palace, they must bow and greet, which is truly vexing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Lingrong, although clever enough to gain the position of Noble Lady, has offended many ’colleagues.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life in the palace will be tough indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of Captain Xia Wei of the Imperial Guard, Xia Qiuxiang, seventeen years old!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of Dezhou Prefecture Wang Tianyu, Wang Qian, sixteen years old!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of Chencang County Magistrate Jing Zhanying, Jing Zehua, fourteen years old!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daughter of Wolong County Magistrate Luo Bin of Chencang County, Luo Yun, fifteen years old!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining four women all performed their salutations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi gave them a glance, all were ordinary women, but their looks were passable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was a selection of concubine candidates, they had long passed through numerous screenings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Girls who had made it this far, whatever else, had surely passed on looks and appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t say I’m not giving you an opportunity. Do any of you four have any other skills?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four women exchanged looks, then all bowed their heads, not daring to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi shook his head, just as Liu Cheng’en was about to call for \"drawing lots,\" he suddenly heard Zheng Yi say, \"All of you stay, bestow a sachet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Cheng’en was stunned for a moment, why all stay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Yi gave him a glance, and he hurriedly signaled the other eunuchs to bring the sachets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bestow the sachet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was selected too, hehehe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the five women were led away, during this interval, Liu Cheng’en quickly summoned the people from the Imperial Household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Eunuch Liu, how may we serve you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Cheng’en whispered, \"Today, Your Majesty is in high spirits, likely to retain many young masters, we are short on sachets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quickly go to the Imperial Household, have them prepare sachets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little eunuch promptly said, \"How many sachets should be prepared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare as many sachets as there are concubine candidates!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Liu Cheng’en anticipated, in the following dozens of batches of concubine candidates, all were retained and bestowed a sachet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was left out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your Majesty, this is too... so vigorous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over five hundred concubine candidates, Your Majesty wants to keep them all?\u003C\u002Fp>",1085,"2026-06-06T13:34:09.114Z",1,"novelbin.me","bb39e0d9fd9891823f3e277382ebace32a6f9d4979820bb5fb087647b5ac5d3c","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-98","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-96",358,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-life-as-false-emperor-cover.jpg"]