C7 (1/2)
The peacock spread its wings to meet the holy eye, and the king accidentally brushed his shoulder;
Without the sorrow of the Holy Grace, the thirst for the grace is difficult to control.
As soon as the eunuchs called for the emperor and the empress dowager to come, Eunuch Sun and Auntie Xiao, the eunuchs in charge of the internal affairs of the courtyard, knelt down and called out together, ”Your servants welcome your majesty, the empress dowager, and the empress dowager.” As she was speaking, the empress dowager led the way into the courtyard, followed by the emperor and the empress dowager. The Emperor shall live for tens of thousands of years, while the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager shall live for thousands of years. ”
Three chairs had already been set up in the middle of the pavilion. While everyone was still shouting, the empress dowager, emperor, and empress dowager had already taken their seats. ”Alright, get up.” The empress dowager spoke.
”Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.” With that, everyone stood up.
When he heard that the Emperor had arrived, Gai Rong'er, who had been rather indifferent, suddenly felt nervous. He didn't dare to raise his head and look around. After all, Auntie Xiao had said in her palace rules that he couldn't look straight at his master. Gai Rong'er secretly glanced at Yin Ruo Lan, his face filled with happiness.
”Yes, Cao Zhong, hand over your plate.” The Empress Dowager said.
”Yes, Old Ancestor. The plate is here.” Eunuch Cao knelt before the empress dowager with a tray bearing the name of the palace maid.
This sign was the one that Aunt gave to everyone after the official examination. It was actually a bamboo tag, one inch wide and one foot long. The upper section was dyed green and the lower section was covered in white powder. The names of the palace maids were written on the card, as well as the names of the emissaries and their fathers. In reality, the imperial concubines' tags were the same as well, only their titles and names weren't written on the board. The morning after they entered the palace, Auntie Xiao called out a name and after verifying the identity of the person, she took the sign away, saying that it would be handed over to the Ministry of the Interior for unified administration. She took it out for the empress dowager to use.
The empress dowager shot him a glance before saying, ”You should start reciting your name. Read five at a time so that those who recite it can come forward.”
”Your servant obeys the decree.” After speaking, Eunuch Cao picked up the tags one by one and read out the names of five people. Yin Ruo Lan stood among these five people and watched as they walked to the front and stood in order.
”Raise your head.” The empress dowager said. The girls then raised their heads, not daring to look at her directly. Yin Ruo Lan couldn't help but be curious, but she still sneakily glanced at her master before quickly avoiding her gaze. However, her small action still attracted Xuan Ye's attention. He felt that she was very interesting, as if she was very happy.
”Introduce yourselves one by one.” The empress dowager ordered.
So everyone introduced themselves one by one. Yin Ruo Lan originally wanted to see the emperor, but when she saw his face full of happiness and his adorable personality, her voice was especially light when she spoke.
”Hmm, this daughter of the branch chief, Yin Xiangxiao, seems to be more quick-witted.” Xuan Ye said.
”Hmm, this girl does seem quite quick-witted.” Cao Zhong, assign this little girl to the Preservation Hall. Call for the next group. ” The empress dowager ordered.
”Your servant obeys the decree.” Eunuch Cao then read out the names of the second and third groups. The Emperor had chosen no one. Not even Wang Jingzhi, whom Gai Rong'er thought was such a beautiful and delicate girl, was chosen.