Prince Tan Yiji of Earl Wende and Princess Xinxing were born to Earl Wende's original wife. The brother and sister have depended on each other since childhood.
Earl Wende disliked his eldest son and preferred his second son born to his second wife, and was reluctant to appoint a crown prince.
Princess Xinxing volunteered to become a princess in order to get Tan Yijie the position of crown prince.
Tan Yiji was very important to Princess Xinxing. His abduction almost caused Princess Xinxing to collapse.
Just when Princess Xinxing was worrying about her brother, someone said to her, "Luck is never just luck."
Princess Xinxing instantly realized who had kidnapped her brother.
But does that beautiful girl who looks weak have such great ability
Although Princess Xinxing did not believe that Jiang Changning had this ability, she did not dare to act rashly.
Moreover, she also found out that she was indeed not qualified to decide on the selection of concubines.
The man added: "Princess, you have received what you have sought. You should be content and not create unnecessary trouble or make enemies."
Princess Xinxing calmed down completely and no longer dared to take her anger out on others.
Soon the Imperial Astronomical Observatory selected an auspicious day, April 16th.
Princess Xinxing put on her wedding dress and walked out of the palace. When she reached the city gate, the ceremonial officer stepped forward and said, "Princess, please pay your respects from afar and express your gratitude."
She got off the carriage, faced the direction of the palace, knelt down and kowtowed.
When she stood up, she saw her elder brother Tan Yijie standing in the crowd with a haggard face, his eyes slightly red, but a relieved smile on his lips.
She got back on the carriage and left with the delegation, and from then on her homeland became a foreign land.
On the third day after Princess Xinxing left the capital, the Empress Dowager in the palace issued an imperial decree. The decree was very long, and the main idea was: "… an imperial decree is issued to all the people to select girls from good families to serve in the imperial court and to give birth to heirs for the emperor…"
The present emperor is holding the first national talent show.
Three years ago, it was a small election, and only the daughters of officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital city could participate.
This time, it is a general election, and all good girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen can run for election.
In addition to Zhuang Qingyan and Zhuang Qingchan, Jiang Changning was also on the government's list.
Jiang Changning couldn't believe it, "I'm also on the list?"
"Yes, Miss Jiang." The young eunuch who came to the mansion to call the name said politely.
Although Jiang Changning was full of doubts, he didn't dare to ask in public.
She didn't know why she was on the list, but Prince Jin knew very well that it was the Queen Mother's oral order.
After a moment of silence, King Jin ordered, "Youzhong, make arrangements and don't let her suffer any injustice."
Chang Youzhong was stunned at first, "Yes, Your Majesty." He also retreated with a strange look on his face, just like Cao Jiang a few days ago.
When a loyal servant of the Jiang family learned that Jiang Changning had become a concubine, he arranged for her to enter the palace.
Jiang Changning rubbed his forehead and said, "Tell Uncle Nan that there is no need to send anyone in. Find the right person and bribe him."
It takes time and luck for a little palace maid to climb up after entering.
But she was about to enter the palace and couldn't wait that long.
"Girl, the person who is bribed is unreliable." Shu Fei said.
Jiang Changning pondered for a moment, "Then let's arrange a few palace maids, but no need for eunuchs. Bribing people can also be done at the same time. It doesn't matter how reliable they are, as long as they can be used when needed."
"I understand, girl." Su Fei replied.
From the announcement of the talent show to the actual entry into the palace for the talent show, there is a month and a half of time for the girls to prepare.
All governments are quite positive about the talent show, after all, the current population is very young.
In order to make the girl in the family stand out in the selection and stay in the palace as a noble lady.
Each mansion sent people released from the palace back to teach the girls the rules.
However, the number of people leaving the palace every year is fixed, and most of the capable ones have already been invited back by wealthy families.
There are also a small number of people who either returned home or disappeared.
Just when the Zhuang family was desperately looking for someone, the Queen Mother of Runan sent an aunt named Peng. "Aunt Peng served the Queen Mother."
The Zhuang family knew that Zhuang Qingyan and Zhuang Qingchan were benefiting from Jiang Changning's help.
Not long ago, Mrs. Wu had angered Old Madam Zhuang and was also beaten by Mr. Zhuang.
When it came to arranging for the girls to learn the rules, she didn't dare to do anything rash.
Someone cleaned up the open flower courtyard so that the girls could learn the rules.
That day, after the girls had breakfast with Old Lady Zhuang, Jiang Changning, Zhuang Qingyan and Zhuang Qingchan went to Changhuayuan under the leadership of Mrs. Dong.
"Miss Cousin, Miss Three, Miss Four, this is the aunt we invited from the palace to teach you etiquette and rules. Her surname is Peng." Mrs. Dong introduced both parties to each other.
"Hello, Aunt Peng." The three girls bowed.
Aunt Peng looked at the three girls, each with their own unique characteristics, and a faint smile appeared on her serious face.
Her gaze lingered on Jiang Changning for a moment longer.
She is indeed an exquisite and unrivaled beauty, no wonder that gentleman is thinking about her.
"Hello, three ladies." Aunt Peng returned the greeting gracefully.
"Aunt Peng, I'll leave the three girls in your care." Mrs. Dong said politely.
"I will do my best." Aunt Peng bowed.
After Mrs. Dong left, Aunt Peng coughed lightly and said, "Don't be nervous, young ladies. Although time is tight, you just need to learn the rules one by one slowly."
"Yes." The three responded respectfully.
"Starting from tomorrow at 3:15 am to 5:00 pm, we will learn the rules. Now, please, three ladies, move around the house freely as usual," said Aunt Peng.
The three of them gasped, they had to learn the rules for five hours a day.
Zhuang Qingyan and Zhuang Qingchan looked at Jiang Changning worriedly. Jiang Changning is frail and sickly, can he handle it
Jiang Changning smiled at the two of them. She was really not that sickly.
Her poor health was Wu's excuse to separate her from Zhuang Jike, and she was happy to go along with it.
The three of them followed Aunt Peng's instructions and moved around the house freely.
Aunt Peng quietly observed the three people's walking, sitting and other manners. After all, they were girls from official families, so there was no big problem.
She completely followed the principle of not looking back when walking, not lifting her lips when talking, not moving her knees when sitting, and not shaking her skirt when standing.
Of course, there are still many flaws and areas that need improvement. For example, Zhuang Qingchan often hunches her back, and Zhuang Qingyan likes to stare with bulging eyes, giving people a sense of ferocity.
After two quarters of an hour, Aunt Peng called a halt. "Okay, girls, that's enough for today. Please go back and have a good rest. We'll see you tomorrow."
The three of them bowed and said, "Aunt, see you tomorrow."
At three quarters past noon the next day, the three girls arrived at Changhua Courtyard, where Aunt Peng was already waiting for them.
Aunt Peng taught them how to lower their heads when standing so as to appear gentle.
When looking at people, you should not look sideways.
How to walk when holding a handkerchief.
How to walk when holding a fan.
Aunt Peng explained and guided everything in detail, and Zhuang Qingyan and Zhuang Qingchan learned very seriously.
Jiang Changning studied carelessly. She thought that since the Queen Mother wanted to let her enter the palace, no matter how poorly she learned the rules, she would still be kept on the list.
So, why does she have to work so hard
Sorry, Lulu, I remembered it wrong. The talent show was in Chapter 18.
(End of this chapter)