Chapter 21: Arranged Marriage

  When the crowd watching the show and onlookers dispersed, the ayis also left, leaving only Lin Qingyu, Niu Kui Yu Ya, and Geng Qiwen in the room, which suddenly became empty from being crowded.

  Suddenly, the room fell silent.

  "Where did the bangle go? How can it be gone? That was a gift from Her Majesty, something that cannot be lost! Who knew that in just a moment, the bangle would disappear. If only I had worn a different piece of jewelry, now I'm left with nothing but regret, my intestines are all twisted up!"

  Geng Qiwen was already somewhat taciturn, and after something like this happened, she had even less desire to speak.

  Lin Qingyu saw that both of them were sitting on the bed in a daze, and after feeling again, she realized that the monitoring gaze had not followed her into the house. So she used her Lingbo Micro Steps to put the handcuffs at the entrance of the door!

  At this time, Yu Lian returned, and as she stepped into the house, her sharp eyes caught sight of a bright green crystal-like bangle that looked very familiar. Wasn't this the bangle that Nalan Xiangyue had been flaunting just a few days ago, saying it was a gift from Empress Dowager De? Now it should be considered one of the items stolen by Lin Qingyu, so why was it here?

  She knew because before going to the Imperial Garden, she had forgotten to bring a handkerchief and when she came back to get it, she saw Nalan Xiangxue secretly putting it into Lin Qingyu's bag! Yu Lian liked this bangle very much and wanted to keep it for herself, but this was something bestowed by the Emperor. If it were really found on her, who knows, she might be accused of theft and punished, which would be a terrible injustice to her.

  "Huh? Niú Kuài's wristlet, isn't this yours? How did it end up here?" Yu Lian asked with feigned surprise.

  Button cobalt loop sound look, indeed! Quickly ran over to pick up with joy, carefully put on hand! Nor to pursue the matter how the ring will be here, long sigh, really a false alarm!!

  The next day, as soon as the night sky had just begun to brighten, the entire Chuxiu Palace was in a state of 'army chaos'.

  More than 20 Xiuning girls were going in and out, some washing their faces, others putting on makeup, and changing clothes. Accidents kept happening, either unintentionally or intentionally. Some spilled water and dropped cups, some dropped rouge during makeup, some had their clothes torn, some splashed water on people's bodies, and there were even two people colliding with each other.

  To know that today is the last day of the draft, Old Man Nai personally reviewed the selection, can you say it's not nerve-wracking?

  This is the most important part of the entire selection, no matter whether you want to be selected or want to be eliminated, you must prepare well, after all, losing face in front of the emperor is a great sin, not a small crime that a small official's daughter can afford.

  Lin Qingyu was originally not in a hurry, planning to sleep for a while longer, but the noise of the crowd made it impossible for her to fall asleep, so she got up and started washing and dressing.

  Lin Qingyu put on a festive outfit, a peach-red cheongsam with light purple trim, floral embroidery on the cuffs and collar, and several butterflies embroidered at the hem. She had two buns on her head, secured with a hairpin adorned with a pearl flower, from which tassels hung down, swaying gently as she spoke, exuding a fresh and sweet charm like a delicate flower.

  Having breakfast is even more chaotic!

  Two of the showgirls' clothes were stained, it was unclear whether it was intentional or unintentional, and they could only rush back to change their clothes; one of the showgirls had a stomachache, and another showgirl who started growing red bumps on her face while eating, these two showgirls were taken away by the ayahs, needless to say, they must have been sent home.

  Lin Qinyu didn't even dare to eat breakfast, fortunately, I had the foresight to take out some pastries from my storage space last night, now eating a few pastries to fill my stomach, anyway, after the selection is over today, I can go home.

  The garden, golden sunlight filtering through the leaves, shining on the petals and grass under the trees, sparkling, round dew drops, refracting a kaleidoscope of colors.

  All the beautiful girls lined up according to their respective banners and followed the eunuch leading them to the Imperial Garden. Lin Qingyu was relieved that she belonged to the Upper Three Banners, as they were at the front of the line and would be chosen early, so she could go home soon and not starve!

  The concubines arrived and sat down according to their ranks. The Kangxi Emperor then came over, and as soon as he took his seat, everyone bowed to him in greeting.

  Lin Qingyu and the other candidates stood respectfully outside, in such a solemn atmosphere, who dared to speak, what if they disturbed the noble people inside? During the waiting time, many of the candidates were so nervous that they twisted the handkerchiefs in their hands into knots!

  Lin Qingyu's sharp eyes saw that some of the girls had big drops of sweat on their foreheads, and some were standing with trembling legs. Some girls clenched their fists, and the veins on their hands were clearly visible. Under this infectious atmosphere, Lin Qingyu also started to get nervous, her palms sweating.

  About the time it takes to have a cup of tea, the long-awaited eunuch's sharp and fine voice sounded, and the girls controlled their slightly tense emotions, tidied up their clothes, wiped the sweat from their foreheads, noses, and hands, and then walked naturally with both hands hanging down, stepping in unison towards Emperor Kangxi.

  "The slaves and servants wish Your Majesty good health, and all the ladies good fortune."

  The neat and uniform voices of the girls rose, after all, they had been trained for a month, if they still shouted in disarray, it would be strange! Just one of the imperial guards' hat buttons fell off, which was enough to make people drink a pot!

  After being called up, Kangxi used his eyes to indicate that Concubine Yi could start.

  Five people in a row, sometimes it was Kangxi asking questions, and sometimes it was a certain imperial concubine asking questions. The content was unpredictable, sometimes they were asked about poetry, songs, or embroidery, it all depended on the mood of the questioner.

  After five people in a row are done, they can leave, then the next row moves forward and asks questions one by one.

  Lin Qingyu was in the second row, so it would soon be her turn.

  "Who is second from the left?"

  "Isn't that yourself? Lin Qingyu stepped forward, bowed and replied: 'In response to Your Excellency's words, I am Xilin Jueluo Qingyu, a servant of the Zhengbai Banner.'"

  "Raise your head and let Us take a look."

  Lin Qingyu honestly and quietly lifted her head slightly, allowing the Kangxi Emperor to see what she looked like, but she didn't dare to glance around randomly, instead staring obediently at the buttons on the Kangxi's clothes.

  Kangxi looked at her and saw that she had a slightly chubby face, fair skin, and a delicate complexion. Compared to the other tall and slender palace maidens, she was slightly shorter, with a plump and tender figure, looking like someone who had been well taken care of.

  "This appearance is quite decent."

  *sigh*...

  Lin Qingyu can only be described with this one word at the moment, can it be understood that she has passed safely today? However, Emperor Kangxi clearly does not want to let her off.

  "Is your mother the second-rank official's wife, Lin Ruhai?" As soon as the words fell, the gazes of the various ladies-in-waiting on the side shot over, seemingly unintentionally.

  "Yes!" Lin Qingyu's heart was lifted. She actually wanted to say "no", but she didn't have the guts. In her heart, she kept praying for it to be over soon, damn it, it's really a big deal!

  "What's your specialty?"

  "Replying to Master Wan, I'm skilled in embroidery!" Lin Qingyu didn't want to show off, so she replied modestly. As a young lady from a good family, it's basic etiquette to be proficient in needlework, nothing to brag about.

  "Then choose one that you're good at and embroider it!" Heaven seemed to have heard her prayer, Kangxi finally let her off.

  Lin Qingyu immediately went to one side and started embroidering! Kangxi continued to look at the rest of the showgirls.

  In less than a moment, Lin Qingyu finished. She embroidered a pair of silly and lovely little black dogs and white dogs rolling on the lawn.

  After the eunuch presented it, Kangxi looked at it and actually smiled: "Not bad, this silly and cute look, looking at it is quite interesting! It looks very auspicious."

  He thought to himself: This girl, judging from the information provided by the secret guard, is quite clever and able to avoid that Nalan Hongwu's trap without leaving any clues, which shows that she has some good fortune! She is also Lin Qing's legitimate daughter, and her family background and character are suitable for Ah Ge. He remembered that his fourth brother liked dogs and had even raised one when he was young, it seems that the two of them have a pretty good affinity, thinking this way he made up his mind.

  The rest of the showgirls cast envious, jealous and hateful glances at Lin Qingyu, being praised by Master Wan was a sure thing.

  After the draft, the girls only knew whether they were being kept or discarded, and to whom they were assigned. They had to go home and wait for the imperial edict from the palace.

  Lin Qingyu returned to Chuxiugong to pack up her things and then went home.

  The horse carriage was still some distance away from the Lin's residence, but Lin Qingyu had already spotted Chen Lanxi looking out for them at the entrance, with Lin Ruhai standing beside her. Her elder brother and sister-in-law, as well as her three younger brothers and Dai'er, were all standing behind the two of them.

  Lin Qingyu felt a sense of relief in her heart and jumped down from the carriage as soon as it stopped. She ran quickly towards Chen Lanxi and threw herself into her arms, saying "Mother, Qing'er misses you so much!"

  "Qinger, let me take a good look at you!" Chen Lanxi hugged her with tears in her eyes. "You've lost weight, turned dark, and look haggard! It seems that it'll take some time to nurse you back to health! My Qinger is still lovely when she's plump and fair!"

  Lin Qingyu's forehead was filled with black lines, she should have been very touched, but she really felt awkward. Was this going to raise her as a pig?

  "Mother, I'm fine!" Lin Qingyu lifted her hand to let Chen Lanzhi see the bulging package on her arm.

  "What's good about it!" Chen Lan Ci looked at Lin Qing Yu and said with concern: "Look, your face has thinned out so much!"

  Lin Qianyu was silent, that obviously meant she had been scolded, okay?! But looking at the current situation, Chen Lanxi would definitely not believe it!

  Lin Ruhai coughed on one side.

  Lin Qingyu heard this and smiled at Lin Ruhai: "Auntie, I miss you too!" Then she turned to the people standing behind Lin Ruhai's couple and said: "Big brother, sister-in-law, little brother, Dai'er, I miss all of you!"

  Lin Ruhai looked at Lin Qingyu with a sympathetic expression, "Tired? Come in and talk!"

  Lin Qingyu chatted with her relatives in the living room about the major and minor events in the palace, then returned to her own courtyard.

  Inside the house, Mo Jue and others had already prepared fragrant hot water. Lin Qingyu took a good bath from head to toe, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated afterwards, eating lotus seed porridge brought by Zhang Yiniang.

  Congee had just been eaten halfway when Lin Mama hurried in and said urgently: "Princess, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace, Master and Mistress are asking you to go over quickly."

  So soon?

  Lin Qingyu's mouth was agape in utter disbelief. To think that only imperial princes were betrothed on the first day!

  Put down the leftover porridge and walked quickly to the hall. Lin Qingyu took a look, and the person who came was actually Li Dequan, the most trusted eunuch by Kangxi's side. His heart couldn't help but feel a little nervous, what is it...

  "By the Mandate of Heaven, I hereby declare: Lin Ruhai's eldest daughter from the Imperial Academy, born into a renowned family, with beauty and intelligence, virtues and talents in abundance... I appoint her as the consort of Prince Yongzheng, Beile, and confer upon her the title of Fu Jin. Let it be so!"

  "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty's great kindness!"

  Lin Ru Hai took a deep breath, accepted the imperial edict with both hands, and respectfully put it away. He then handed over a prepared package to Li De Quan, who smiled as he received it.

  After seeing Li Dequan off, the Lin residence fell into an eerie silence.