Soon it was the day for the selection. The candidates would be sent to the gate of the Imperial Palace by the seniors of their families. After taking a bamboo card from Deputy Minister of Revenue, they would be led into the Imperial Palace by the eunuch and checked by the senior maids. This was all for the first round of the selection. If the senior maids recorded a candidate's name in the list, it meant she had passed the first round. And those who didn't pass could come back home and arrange their own marriage.
Yun Shang had already prepared a carriage and waited at the palace gate, even though she was not a noble lady. The candidates arrived one after another. Deputy Minister of Revenue enrolled their names, handed out the bamboo cards and asked them to line up. When a certain number of people arrived, he asked the eunuch to take them into the Imperial Palace.
Yun Shang lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the young ladies. In fact, the first round of the selection in the Imperial Palace was not their first test.
The pre-selection took place a month ago. Local officials selected out all ladies who are at the suitable age and reported their background to the Ministry of Revenue for check. As a result, most of the candidates were young and good looking. But some of them are not that good. Yun Shang looked carefully at everyone. If they looked outstanding, she would inquire Qian Liu and Qian Zhuo in a low voice and asked them to remember them.
The first round almost lasted the whole morning. Yun Shang was exhausted after looking every young lady from head to toe.
As she was about to leave, a gentle and elegant voice came from outside, "Is it A Yun?"
Yun Shang frowned at the words. It was Liu Yinfeng. Every time she went out, Luo Qingyan's secret guards would follow to protect her. She was afraid that Luo Qingyan would know she had met Liu Qingyan very soon. Luo Qingyan was a jealous man. Yun Shang could even imagine that he would come home with a cold face and said nothing to her.
However, Liu Yinfeng had called out her name. It seemed odd that she made no response.
Yun Shang beckoned Qian Liu to open the door of the carriage and looked at the man in green with a smile, "Mr. Liu, why brought you here? Are you here to watch the first round of selection? "
Liu Yingfeng nodded, "His Majesty asked Prince rui and me to monitor the selection. Prince ray was sorting out the materials of selection in the Ministry of Revenue, and I came down to have a look. I felt that the person in the carriage looked like you from afar. But I was busy with my work, so I didn't come to greet you."
Liu Yingfeng smiled, but lowered his voice all of a sudden, "I saw the eunuch who was sent to distribute the cards beside the Deputy Minister of Revenue looked at you from time to time..."
Yun Shang froze and thought for a while. Then she realized that the eu
ed in the State of Xia, I felt that you were walking on the tip of a knife. If I really hope that we could go back to the State of Ning. Then you won't be bullied by anyone."
Yun Shang felt sad after hearing her words. But she still smiled, "Silly girl. I'm afraid that we can't go back to the State of Ning anymore. But it doesn't matter. I still have you. You won't let me feel wronged. "
Qian Yin hurriedly answered, "Of course. If anyone dares to hurt you, I will be the first one to rush over to him with my sword."
With Qian Yin's comfort, Yun Shang calmed down a little.
Qian Liu and Qian Yin brought the materials. Yun Shang took them over and told Qian Liu to bring the writing brush and ink to the couch. Yun Shang leaned on the couch and read carefully.
As the sun set, Yun Shang finished reading and handed it to Qian Liu. "Keep an eye on the people I have marked."
Qian Yin also had a look and asked, "Is there anything wrong with these people?"
Yun Shang shook her head, "It's not a big deal. They have some relationship with Lady Shu or the Su clan. If they enter the Imperial Palace, they will be their helpers. Although Lady Shu is in the Cold Palace now, she can't put our guards down. I won't let them pass the selection."
Qian Liu responded and left the room with the materials.
When the signal of the secret guards came from outside, Qian Yin got up and hurried out. After a while, she came back with a parchment in her hand. "Your Highness, here is the shortlist of the first round." Then she gave it to Yun Shang.
Yun Shang took it and scanned it. Then she nodded, "It's almost the same as I expected."
Qian Yin smiled and said, "it's a good thing that none of our ladies was eliminated."
Yun Shang smiled too. Then a greeting came from outside, "Your Highness."
Luo Qingyan came back. Yun Shang stood up and gave the list back to Qian Yin. Luo Qingyan opened the curtain and came in.