In early July, the imperial concubine selection officially began.
Although Xu Linghe was only going through the motions, she still had to follow the proper etiquette.
Feng Qingyi and Zhao Yiqing were hiding behind a large tree outside Feiluan Hall.
"Miss Feng, what are we doing here?" Zhao Yiqing asked.
Feng Qingyi replied, "I'm here to see the beautiful ladies. As for you, aren't you here to watch Linghe?"
"It's against the rules for us to sneak into the palace like this," Zhao Yiqing said.
Feng Qingyi retorted, "Be quiet. Aren't you worried that Xuanyuan Yan might take a liking to Linghe?"
"Didn't His Majesty already say he wouldn't select her?" Zhao Yiqing inquired.
Feng Qingyi explained, "That may be what he said, but what if something unexpected happens and he suddenly changes his mind? We need to keep watch here."
"His Majesty's word is his bond. How could he go back on it?" Zhao Yiqing disagreed.
Feng Qingyi continued, "That may be true, but look how beautiful Linghe is, and how unique. When compared to the others, if she stands out too much, it wouldn't be surprising if she were chosen."
"We're here just in case. If something like that really happens, we can whisk Linghe away."
Zhao Yiqing warned, "If His Majesty truly intends to choose her, our actions could be punishable by death."
"If something really goes wrong, I'll take the blame. Don't worry. Look how beautifully Linghe is dressed today," Feng Qingyi said, pointing in Xu Linghe's direction.
In truth, she had only come to join in the excitement after hearing that Xuanyuan Yan was selecting concubines today. She wanted to see the spectacle and admire the beauties. She had brought Zhao Yiqing along because watching alone would be boring; she needed someone to discuss it with.
The selection was taking place inside Feiluan Hall. It hadn't officially started yet, so the candidates were waiting outside.
Compared to the other candidates' elegant demeanor, Xu Linghe stood out. She had simply sat down on the steps of the staircase.
The others tacitly kept their distance from her, but Xu Linghe paid no attention to this. After all, she was only here as a formality.
Before long, the selection officially began. Since it was happening inside the hall, Feng Qingyi couldn't see anything.
"Zhao Yiqing, let's move closer," she suggested.
Zhao Yiqing shook his head vigorously. "We'll be discovered."
Feng Qingyi said, "If you won't go, I'll go by myself. Who knows if Linghe will be selected or not."
"Miss Feng, I'll accompany you," Zhao Yiqing quickly replied.
Feng Qingyi slowly made her way to the entrance of the great hall, with Zhao Yiqing following behind her.
Ming Jiu, leading a group of Imperial Guards on patrol in the palace, quickly noticed Feng Qingyi and Zhao Yiqing crouching by the door.
"Who goes there?" he called out.
Feng Qingyi turned and met Ming Jiu's gaze. "Hi! Long time no see!"
Ming Jiu asked, "Miss Feng, what brings you here?"
Feng Qingyi replied, "I'm just here to take a look, that's all."
"I see. And who might this be?" Ming Jiu inquired, looking at Zhao Yiqing.
Feng Qingyi explained, "He's my friend. He came to look with me."
Ming Jiu asked, "What exactly are you here to see, Miss Feng?"
"Beautiful women, of course. What else would I be looking at? Would you like to join us?" Feng Qingyi suggested.
Ming Jiu shook his head. "No, thank you. I have matters to attend to."
After Ming Jiu left, Zhao Yiqing asked, "Miss Feng, that seemed to be the newly appointed commander of the Imperial Guard. Do you know him?"
"We've met a few times. The selection has started, let's hurry and watch. It's a pity we can only see their backs from here," Feng Qingyi said, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Zhao Yiqing stood to the side, unsure of how to respond.
Soon, five women entered, each dressed differently. Feng Qingyi leaned forward, catching a glimpse of their profiles as they walked to the center of the hall. Once they were in position, only their backs were visible.
"I bet the lady in pink is absolutely gorgeous. Did you see that profile? So beautiful. What do you think?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Zhao Yiqing, who hadn't seen anything, simply replied, "Mm-hmm."
Feng Qingyi continued, "That one looks so voluptuous. I bet she'd feel wonderful to touch!"
Zhao Yiqing: "..."
Feng Qingyi mused, "Is this the joy of being an emperor? To be able to embrace so many beautiful ladies!"
Zhao Yiqing: "..."
"..."
After several groups had been presented, it was finally Xu Linghe's turn.
Zhao Yiqing was uncharacteristically nervous, while Feng Qingyi continued chattering away to him.
Although he rarely responded, Feng Qingyi didn't seem to mind.
"It looks like Xuanyuan Yan is keeping his word after all. He hasn't gone back on it," she remarked.
Zhao Yiqing, for once, said more than a few words. "His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. His word is golden."
The selection process took the entire morning, with nearly a hundred candidates presented. Xuanyuan Yan retained five of them.
Although Ming Qi stood nearby, advising him to select more to expand the royal lineage, Xuanyuan Yan had made his decision, and Ming Qi didn't dare say more.
Feng Qingyi was disappointed that she couldn't see the candidates' full appearances. After the selection ended, she and Zhao Yiqing hid behind the tree again to watch as the women filed out.
"They're all more beautiful than the last. If it were me, I'd keep them all. I'd have a different one every day, never repeating," she said.
A mellow voice came from behind them. "Does Chuan know you think this way?"
"He's not here, and besides, they're all girls. What's the problem?" Feng Qingyi replied.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Feng Qingyi realized something was amiss. That voice hadn't been Zhao Yiqing's.
Feng Qingyi turned around to see Xuanyuan Yan in his imperial robes.
"...Long time no see!" she stammered.
Xuanyuan Yan replied, "Indeed, it's been a while. What brings you to the palace today?"
"I came to keep Linghe company. To accompany her," Feng Qingyi insisted.
Zhao Yiqing contradicted her, "But you just said you were worried that His Majesty might keep Linghe, and that you wanted to see beautiful women."
"..." How could he be so honest at a time like this?
Xuanyuan Yan asked, "Does Miss Feng not trust me?"
"No, no, I just came to see these beautiful ladies," Feng Qingyi said with an awkward smile.
Xuanyuan Yan probed, "Did you see any you liked?"
"...Ah, well..." This question felt oddly unsettling.
Xuanyuan Yan pressed on, "None of them met your standards?"
"No, they were all quite beautiful," Feng Qingyi replied, feeling uncomfortable.
Xuanyuan Yan suggested, "Perhaps I should send a few to Chuan's household?"
"...That won't do at all. If he dares to flirt with other women, I'll leave him," Feng Qingyi declared. What was he trying to accomplish?
Xuanyuan Yan chuckled, "I was only joking. It seems Miss Feng is quite possessive."
"I see Linghe and the others are about to leave the palace. We'll chat another time. We should be going now. Goodbye!" Feng Qingyi gave Zhao Yiqing a meaningful look.
Zhao Yiqing bowed respectfully to Xuanyuan Yan before following Feng Qingyi away.
Ming Qi asked, "Your Majesty, you gazed at that Miss Yin for quite some time. Why didn't you keep her?"
"Why should I have kept her?" Xuanyuan Yan questioned.
Ming Qi explained, "She bears some resemblance to Miss Feng. I thought Your Majesty might..."
"Resemblance? I would never stoop to such a thing!" Xuanyuan Yan retorted.
She is who she is. How could a mere substitute ever truly be her?
