Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Household Department had built a Dragon and Phoenix Platform a month ago just north of the Imperial Garden.
The platform was made of golden stone, carved with dragons and phoenixes, and topped with an ornamental canopy, displaying the majesty and prestige of royalty.
There were also sixteen ice trays, surrounded by countless palace women fanning with palm leaf fans.
Even at the hottest noon when the sun was most scorching, sitting in the Dragon and Phoenix Platform one would not feel a hint of heat.
At this moment, Xiao Jingheng sat upright in the chief seat, with the Empress Dowager seated to his left and Consort Chen to his right.
In front of the platform, about six zhang away, was a wide purple road paved with cloud-patterned red silk satin, symbolizing the arrival of purple qi from the east, steadily rising.
The beauties participating in the palace selection crowded together in the pavilion to the west.
Whenever the eunuch at court called out someone's name, she would step forward on the auspicious carpet, walking all the way to appear before Xiao Jingheng on the Dragon and Phoenix Platform.
This whole morning, watching group after group of beauties come and go, Xiao Jingheng must have seen at least seventy to eighty people, but only three were given plaques to formally stay.
Xiao Jingheng had always been very selective. In addition, the daughters of important ministers at court had basically already entered the harem during the wedding upon his accession to the throne last year or been granted in marriage to princes during the registry selection.
For these beauties to get selected now, they would have to either be daughters of newly eligible age whose mothers’ families were powerful in the previous dynasty, or possess exceptionally outstanding looks.
Xiao Jingheng had seen countless beauties. Only someone as peerlessly beautiful as Song Zhao could catch his eye.
But he already had the best, so the ones he saw today were just some ordinary mortals beneath his notice.
Moreover, for a summer palace selection held outdoors in the garden, the beauties were soaked in sweat, with their make-up either faded or running.
Far from being peerless beauties, there weren’t even a few who still looked fresh and clean.
Xiao Jingheng grew increasingly impatient.
As a result, for the beauties lined up later, he just glanced at them before uniformly rejecting them all.
Naturally, the Empress Dowager was unhappy about this.
“Right now, there are many vacant concubine and consort positions in the harem. If His Majesty continues to be so picky, I’m afraid it will be detrimental to producing an heir.”
Xiao Jingheng said languidly, “They are all vulgar rouge and powder. Even if they entered, they would be useless.”
The Empress Dowager's expression darkened slightly. “There is no perfect solution in this world. Even if they don't fully satisfy His Majesty, as long as they are adequate, giving them lower ranks and keeping them on hand is also possible.”
Xiao Jingheng did not respond.
Seeing that mother and son were on the verge of conflict, Consort Chen peeled a grape and handed it to Xiao Jingheng, saying,
“Your Majesty, this concubine has prepared willow branch syrup with added ice below. The new cooling effect can dispel the summer heat and also calm one’s mind and spirit. Your Majesty has been watching for so long that your eyes must be tired. It’s time to take a break.”
This whole morning, Consort Chen had prompted Xiao Jingheng to take a break three times already.
The longer he took breaks, the hotter it became under the sun, and the more miserable the waiting beauties would look.
No matter how delicate a flower she originally was, wilted by the sun, how could she still look good?
The Empress Dowager could see that Consort Chen was up to her old tricks again.
Just as she was about to scold her,
Jiang Deshun stepped forward and said hurriedly,
“Your Majesty, the Minister of Personnel requests an audience for important matters.”
Seeing Xiao Jingheng lean forward, seeming about to get up, the Empress Dowager quickly said sternly to Jiang Deshun,
“He knows today is the day His Majesty is selecting beauties. What could be more important? Go back and tell him to wait.”
Xiao Jingheng didn’t even look at the Empress Dowager, but his gaze sank as he spoke.
“It’s precisely because he knows today is the selection and still comes to see me, it must really be important matters.”
He coldly cut off what the Empress Dowager had said, just short of declaring that the harem should not meddle in politics.
Actually, Xiao Jingheng could have chosen not to go. But after what the Empress Dowager said, he left without the slightest hesitation, simply rising and walking down from the platform, finally ordering,
“It’s not good to keep these beauties under the sun like this either. There aren’t many batches left. The Empress Dowager and Consort Chen can select those remaining as they see fit.”
“Your Majesty!”
The Empress Dowager called Xiao Jingheng once, but without a single pause, Xiao Jingheng had already boarded his palanquin.
The waiting beauties had also noticed something was off as they whispered secretly to one another in groups of three or two.
Seeing the Empress Dowager was quite angry, Consort Chen advised:
“His Majesty governs diligently. The Empress Dowager is His Majesty’s imperial mother. A mother and son are of one heart. Of course the Empress Dowager understands His Majesty’s intent. It's not unreasonable for the Empress Dowager to make selections on His Majesty’s behalf.”
While she spoke as such, in her heart she was happier than anyone.
Now that Xiao Jingheng had left, whoever the Empress Dowager chose would inevitably not get to become close to him even if they entered the palace.
Later, the little eunuch called out in succession:
“Beauties paying respects.”
Watching six beauties walk out of the pavilion in order, the little eunuch announced their names one by one.
“Daughter of the Prefect of Yuzhou, Song Qing, Song Abi, 15 years old.”
“Daughter of Meng Yu, Transport Commissioner of South Bin City, Meng Shuran, 17 years old.”
“Daughter of Tong Chishan, Commander of the Jiangdu Navy, Tong Rongyue, 18 years old.”
“...”
The Empress Dowager didn’t pay much attention to the first few who were announced.
It wasn’t until the little eunuch announced Tong Rongyue that the Empress Dowager suddenly said softly,
“The navy commander is a first-rank official. This Dowager remembers that she missed selection for the palace last year because she was ill. How could Tong Chishan's daughter be lined up so late for this year’s palace selection?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Consort Chen. “You were in charge of the selection order. Did you neglect this?”
