After all the concubines were settled in the palace, Shen Qingwan began to take care of the affairs. Even though she was not happy about it, she still had to complete the tasks assigned to her with all her heart.
Lianyun was doing her makeup. Today she was wearing a goose yellow concubine's dress, which made her skin look even fairer and more delicate. With her pretty face, she only needed a little makeup to look bright and charming.
She adjusted the hairpin on one side with her slender fingers and looked at herself in the bronze mirror. "This light yellow seems too bright."
"Your Majesty is so beautiful, and these colors really suit your beauty." Lianyun was very satisfied with her outfit today, which was bright but not eye-catching.
Normally Shen Qingwan wasn't in the mood to spend too much time on her clothes, but today was the day she was hosting a talent show, so it was nothing to take lightly.
Thinking of the women who were about to enter the harem, Lian Yun's face showed a hint of displeasure, and her voice was inevitably mixed with a bit of resentment, "Let them see how pretty our queen is, don't let them look down on her!"
"You care more about it than I do." Shen Qingwan joked with a smile. Although she firmly believed that prestige was created rather than clothes, she also felt that what Lianyun said made some sense.
Youyou stood up. It was time to set off to the front of the palace. "Let's go."
This year's talent show was organized by Shen Qingwan, who also decided the location. Unlike previous years, all the beauties were brought into the Imperial Garden and had the maids in the palace bring them in and line them up in a certain order.
Before Shen Qingwan arrived, these ladies were curious about the affairs in the imperial garden and gathered in groups of three or five to play around.
The nanny who was in charge of the rules had seen this many times and didn't think it was a big deal. She just said in a cold voice, "You can't be so unruly in front of the queen! This is the imperial palace, not your backyard!"
In previous years, there were concubines who offended the nobles in the palace and were severely punished. After all, there were too many women in the harem, so how could they tolerate the selection of concubines
"We know, Madam." A young lady with high eyes, a flattering smile, and a flattering look on her face, secretly took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and stuffed it into the madam's hand, "Madam, can you give me a few more tips? What will the noble like later?"
The girl's name was Li Xinyu, and although she didn't look very experienced, she knew a lot about the rules of the palace. The nanny had received a lot of benefits on weekdays and was used to it. She wanted to take it, but she didn't expect to hear a salute behind her.
"Your servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Concubine."
The nanny was startled and immediately withdrew her hand. She glared at Li Xinyu with dissatisfaction, and then led the concubines to pay their respects. "Your servants pay their respects to Her Majesty the Consort." After paying their respects, she reminded the concubines behind her, "Why don't you pay your respects to Her Majesty!"
The ladies who were just strolling around immediately bowed respectfully in a goose yellow dress. After all, this nobleman was the one who decided whether they could enter the palace!
"Your humble servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Concubine."
A goose-yellow figure was approaching. Mammy couldn't help but glance at it as it passed by her, and then sat down in the pavilion in front.
"No need to be so polite." Her voice was so calm that no emotion could be heard. "The emperor has entrusted the selection of concubines to me. I hope you can cooperate with me." Seeing her so friendly, everyone thought she was easy to talk to, and the fear on their faces faded a little.
"Your Majesty, this is really embarrassing for them. It would be best if they don't cause trouble for Your Majesty." The nanny who was just indifferent had changed into a fawning look, and she just glanced at it indifferently and followed the nanny.
She glanced at the neatly lined-up beauties, all of them young and beautiful, some of them were secretly expecting something, some were nervous and uneasy.
Taking in all these expressions, she didn't want to delay and said, "Let's start registering."
Lianyun took the order and waited at the table on the other side with a pen and paper to record. There was a certain distance between the pavilion and the position of the concubine, but people could still hear the conversation, which reflected fairness.
"The first one is Lin Lianlian."
Lianyun called out her name, and the woman in pink slowly stepped forward. She had high eyebrows and eyes, but she looked gentle and generous, like a lady from a wealthy family.
Shen Qingwan looked up at her and asked coldly, "Lin Lianlian, the daughter of Minister Lin?" She didn't accept the gifts Minister Lin had given her these days, but she knew how generous they were. It must be for this woman in front of her. She was beautiful and looked good on the surface, but she didn't know what was wrong with her.
"Hmm." But the woman in front of him just snorted.
Seeing her cold look, the nanny carefully observed Shen Qingwan's expression, fearing that she might upset her, "Watch your words!"
Hearing this, Lin Lianlian frowned slightly, and Shen Qingwan raised her eyebrows without comment.
"Your Majesty, I am Lin Lianlian, the daughter of Minister Lin." In contrast to her previous attitude, she was now very gentle.
"Class A, step back."
Lin Lianlian returned to the queue, and everyone around her looked at her secretly. The daughter of Minister Lin was truly majestic.
"The second one is Li Xinyu."
When Li Xinyu's name was called, she smiled brightly, stepped forward to pay her respects, and said sweetly, "Your Majesty is so beautiful."
Shen Qingwan just smiled at such praise, hiding a burst of interest in her eyes, "Father is a fifth-rank official?"
"Your Highness, that's right." Having learned her lesson, she answered very obediently, lowering her voice, "Your Highness, I brought a lot of treasures into the palace. I wonder if there is a chance to give them to you?"
Her hint was very obvious. Shen Qingwan's eyes were slightly cold, and a playful smile appeared on her delicate face. "Miss Li should be more cautious in the harem. This palace has no shortage of good things, and I will not be partial to corruption."
Her voice was loud, but everyone could hear it clearly. Even if they didn't know what Li Xinyu said just now, they could probably guess it now.
Li Xinyu glared at her angrily, then lowered her eyes unwillingly. She didn't expect that she would reveal it in front of everyone, and she held a grudge against her even more.
Some people sneered, but no one dared to be presumptuous.
"Next one, Shen Qingyan."
Shen Qingwan's eyebrows slightly raised when she heard the name. She looked at the person who was slowly walking out of the queue. She lowered her head so that people couldn't see her face clearly. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito, "Your servant greets Her Majesty the Concubine."
Shen Qingwan didn't expect Shen Qingyan to be among the selected ladies, and was a little surprised. "Is your family engaged in business?"
"Yes, Madam."
When Li Xinyu heard about doing business, she couldn't help but sneer, and couldn't help but mutter, "How petty! It turns out that businesswomen are not good enough!"
Hearing this, Shen Qingyan lowered her head even more, clenched her hands tightly together, and bit her lips until they turned white.
Shen Qingwan glanced at her coldly, "What about a business woman? Even if Miss Li is the daughter of a fifth-rank official, she may not have good character." Seeing Li Xinyu's face turn pale, "Lianyun, remember this for me!"
"Yes!" Lianyun was also displeased with her behavior.
Li Xinyu felt unwilling but couldn't say anything.
Shen Qingwan did not spend any more time on Shen Qingyan and registered the remaining beauties.