Chapter 1: 001 - This is a Very Intelligent Person

Purple City, Shougxiu Palace.

Aunt Xu greeted Empress Dowager De and her attendant, Lady Sun, with a beaming smile. She welcomed them in and said repeatedly, “What matter requires you to make this personal trip? A simple message would have sufficed; I would have ensured the matter was handled perfectly.”

Auntie Sun smiled warmly and said after sitting down, "Your Majesty has been thinking about the Fourth Master and wants to send two people to the Prince's Mansion. That's why she came to ask you. Find two people with good character and appearance, not those who would cause trouble."

Aunt Xu was a clever woman and understood immediately upon hearing this. It was rumored that the Fourth Prince had recently lost his legitimate son, and Consort Li of the side was pregnant. Empress Dowager De's intention was to send these two individuals to comfort the Fourth Prince.

"I don't know what kind of [blank] the Empress Dowager wants, whether it should be from the bannermen or the Han army?" Aunt Xu smiled and asked.

If you were to ask who's in the running for the position, it's hard to say. After all, this year's new recruits have already been claimed by various lords and ladies. There aren't many outstanding ones left.

The Empress Dowager said that she wanted a girl who was beautiful. If one were to truly choose a girl from the Banners, it would be quite difficult.

The Han army flags are always striking.

Auntie Sun couldn't have failed to see the probing and distress in Aunt Xu's eyes. Feigning ignorance, she smiled sweetly and said, "The Song GeGe from Fourth Master's residence and Li Ce Fujin both came from your place, and you know their sons as well. This time, the Empress wishes to choose someone more lively, without a particularly powerful family background, so that she won't be uncomfortable after entering the household."

One's family background needn't be too prominent, naturally not compared to what the Fushou (principal wife) would say. The Fushou's family is full of people from a distinguished surname. If it's not compared to the Fushou, then it's the Side Fushou (secondary wife). The father of the Side Fushou is a prefectural magistrate, so one should choose someone whose rank is slightly lower than that.

Goodness gracious, this Lady Li is truly favored... even the Imperial Consorts have to bow down a little.

Aunt Xu let out a long sigh of relief, her smile becoming much more genuine. She quickly said, "The Han army banner has one." As she spoke, she picked up the portrait album, flipped through it a few times, and pointed to one, saying, "This girl is surnamed Geng. Her mother is a leader, but her son isn't dull at all."

Grandma Sun took a glance at the young woman. Her features weren't particularly stunning, but she looked pleasant and composed. Grandma Sun gave her a slight nod of approval.

Aunt Xu's smile deepened, she hesitated for a moment, then flipped through a few more pages and pointed to the person on top, saying: "This young lady surnamed Wen, her father is an official working as a magistrate outside, she is beautiful and lively, what do you think?"

Aunt Sun's eyes fell on the painting book, and her heart skipped a beat. The face was so realistic, with bright eyes, rosy cheeks, willow brows, and cherry lips, sparkling like a peach. But thinking of the current situation in the Fourth Master's mansion, she hesitated for a moment before saying: "Just the two of us, I always trust you."

Aunt Xu repeatedly said, "As a servant for the Empress, I dare not be negligent. What about those two? When can they be brought to the Empress's presence?"

"I've paid my respects to the Empress outside Yonghegong and will deliver this directly to the Fourth Master's residence. The Four Fujins know about it already." Auntie Sun stood up and started walking towards the door.

Aunt Xu was taken aback. Was this something that the Imperial Noble Consort wouldn't even glance at?

tsk tsk.

>

"The girl was overjoyed. Let's pack up and leave with me right now,"

She looked at Aunt Xu, who had just come in, with a warm and surprised expression. She quickly stood up and a sweet smile spread across her face, as if she had been dipped in honey. With a graceful bow, she said, "Aunt, what good news brings you here? You should have told me beforehand, otherwise I've been feeling anxious all over!"

He said as he tucked a big purse into Aunt Xu's hands, and lightly tugged at her sleeve.

Aunt Xu gently pushed the purse back into her hand, her expression becoming serious. She sighed and said, "Why did you enter the palace for the Selection? My dear girl, how can you still not understand? You have a bright future ahead of you!"

Warm and cozy...

She had been dreaming of leaving the palace and marrying for herself, but now that freedom was within reach, she was forced into a marriage. It was truly shocking news!

A person who traveled through time from modern times, truly doesn't want to be a concubine for others.

Those chosen as official wives were decided from the very beginning of the selection process. The rest of you, all of you here, are merely candidates to become concubines.

What good fortune is there in becoming a concubine for someone?

Seeing that Wen Xin’s face had turned pale, Aunt Xu didn't know that she was secretly planning to marry herself off and return home. Thinking she was worried about going to an unsuitable family, she whispered, "The Fourth Master's residence is cleaner than other master residences. At most, there are only three people in the outer court. If you go there, you will always have a chance to rise."

Staying in the palace isn't easy, Your Majesty. The emperor's harem is already full of concubines and ladies-in-waiting. Even if you were favored, there wouldn't be much room for advancement.

The direct governor's mansion had a deeply virtuous wife, the third master was exceptionally fertile with countless mistresses. The number of concubines in his household was uncountable. In the fifth master's mansion, things were chaotic; the mistress and concubines constantly fought for power.

Though Fourth Master was not known for smiling or speaking much, and had a serious demeanor, the household remained peaceful. It was all thanks to Miss Wen's beauty; as long as she didn't act foolishly, she would always manage to find her way.

My mind buzzed with electricity, like flashes of lightning and thunder... Four... Four Ye?

Yongzheng!

How is that possible?

How could there be any people surnamed Wen in history during the Yongzheng era? After crossing time, she has to become a concubine for Yongzheng?!

Before the speaker arrived, a little maid had tidied up all the warm and comforting things. There weren't many items; they could fit into just one small bundle.

She was led out by Aunt Xu with her little arm in hers.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw a girl standing at the entrance of Shougxiu Palace, being led by a palace maid. When she saw us coming, the maid smiled and greeted us, "Aunt, Miss Geng has been waiting for you."

Miss Geng curtsied slightly.

Aunt Xu nodded faintly, without the warmth of a private meeting. She didn't say a word, instead, she walked out with a stoic expression, taking them both with her.

My heart was filled with a huge sense of warmth at this moment, Lady Geng?

Isn't this the person who lived the longest in the Yongzheng imperial court?

Because of the poison of all kinds of Qing dynasty costume dramas and novels, people around me are really familiar with them.

In the era when people generally had short lifespans, this Geng family member lived to the age of ninety-six and was even buried as a Royal Noble Consort.

Sister, I'm really impressed!

And not only did she have a son who was raised well and shielded from all sorts of turmoil, but he also prospered throughout his life, becoming a prince during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and ultimately enjoying a good death.

This is a brilliant person.

Being in the Fourth Master's residence with such a person, I just want to spit out a mouthful of old blood.

This is too pathetic.

Along the way, young Lady Geng walked with her head bowed, not even glancing at anyone. Even Wenxin followed Aunt Xu's lead and kept her head down. It was clear that Lady Geng felt apprehensive and displeased.

There's no way, born of this, the two standing together, just made the Geng clan look like trash.

Of course, there are also people who dislike it.

Dazed, I followed Aunt Xu to the outside of Yonghe Palace and kowtowed. Then, Aunt Xu handed us over to the matron waiting at the palace gate to receive us.

Before I could even say goodbye to Aunt Xu individually, I was helped into the carriage. I shared a ride with Lady Geng as we swayed and rattled towards the Fourth Master's residence.

A new pit has opened, do you like it, my dear?

(Editor in charge:classic novels)