In the following days, the Shen Mansion became busy.
They had to prepare for Shen Zhinian's selection and also arrange Shen Nanqiao's marriage.
In her previous life, Shen Zhinian married nothing more than a poor scholar, while Shen Nanqiao was to enter the Imperial Harem as a Your Ladyship, so naturally, all good things were prioritized for the latter.
But in this life, the situation was completely reversed.
Even if Madam Zhou had the intention to subsidize Shen Nanqiao, Shen Zhinian's clothes and jewelry were still far superior to hers, which was something she didn't have in her previous life.
Shen Nanqiao felt a bit unbalanced mentally, but thinking of her future as a first-rank Madam, her mood quickly improved.
After a series of tedious and strict selections, Shen Zhinian advanced all the way, with only the final Imperial Selection remaining, and her status in the Shen Mansion became increasingly noble.
The night before entering the Imperial Harem.
Shen Nanqiao, with a haughty demeanor, came to Shen Zhinian's courtyard and smiled at her.
“Meimei, I spent a lot of money to inquire, the current Emperor likes light green the most. If you wear light green clothes tomorrow, you will definitely be selected!”
“Not only did I give you the opportunity for the selection, but I also thought of you so much, you must know how to be grateful!”
Shen Zhinian lowered her eyes, concealing the fleeting amusement in them.
In her previous life, Shen Nanqiao did happen to wear a light green dress, which made her appear exceptionally fresh and refined among the many exquisitely dressed noblewomen, thus catching the Emperor's eye and being exceptionally conferred as a Guiren on the spot.
Given the Shen's family background, she should have only been a seventh-rank Daying upon entering the Imperial Harem, and could only be promoted to a sixth-rank Changzai after serving the Emperor.
Because of that light green dress, Shen Nanqiao became a fifth-rank Guiren as soon as she entered the Imperial Harem, which was truly glorious!
However… Shen Zhinian did not believe that her legitimate older sister would be so kind as to help her; there must be some conspiracy she didn't know about.
But to avoid complications, Shen Zhinian still feigned gratitude.
“Thank you, legitimate older sister!”
“Coincidentally, the residence just made me a light green Suzhou embroidery dress, I will definitely wear it tomorrow!”
Shen Nanqiao smiled faintly and left contentedly.
In her previous life, she also initially thought it was her good luck.
It wasn't until she was repeatedly tormented by the Noble Consort that Shen Nanqiao realized that when the Emperor and the Noble Consort first met, the Noble Consort was wearing a light green dress.
On the day of the selection, her attire greatly resembled the Noble Consort in her youth, which was why she was exceptionally promoted.
Because of this, the Noble Consort hated her to the core, and she became a living target in the Imperial Harem, suffering countless schemes.
This time, she could finally stay away from the Imperial Harem, as pure and aloof as the bright moon. Let Shen Zhinian, that vain woman, follow in her footsteps!
...
The next day.
Seeing that Shen Zhinian was indeed wearing a light green dress when she left, Shen Nanqiao completely relaxed.
In the carriage.
Shen Zhinian ordered, “Change me into the light blue dress I asked you to bring this morning.”
Handan, the maid, asked in confusion, “Second Miss, didn't the Eldest Miss say that the Emperor likes light green the most? Did she lie to you?”
Shen Zhinian smiled slyly.
“Silly girl, the Emperor granted an Imperial Selection spot to reward Father. No matter what color the Shen's daughter wears, she will definitely be selected, so why go to such trouble?”
Fuqu nodded while changing Shen Zhinian's clothes, saying, “Chu'er also doesn't trust the Eldest Miss.”
Before long, the two finished re-dressing Shen Zhinian.
She wore a light blue smoke gauze and cloud silk dress, with no superfluous decorations on her head. Her ink-black long hair was simply held by a magnolia hairpin, combining charm and purity in a natural blend.
Handan worried, “Second Miss, today is the final round of selection, the maidens must all be dressed to the nines. Won't you be too plain?”
Shen Zhinian held a bronze mirror in her hand, looked at the beauty within, and smiled.
“Among a group of exquisitely dressed maidens, what will you notice first?”
Even knowing that the Shen's daughter would definitely be selected, she still wanted to leave an impression on the Emperor today.
Soon, the carriage entered the Forbidden City, stopping in front of Shunzhen Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Harem.
The maidens had to alight here and then walk together to the side of Tiyuan Hall to wait.
The maids were not allowed to enter. Shen Zhinian, led by the eunuch guide, walked inside with the other maidens.
The maidens arrived one after another, creating a lively scene.
Although the maidens who made it to the final round were all beauties among beauties, the moment Shen Zhinian appeared, many eyes still fell upon her.
There was no other reason.
The Imperial Harem never lacked beauties, but a beauty like her, with innate charm, who exuded a sense of allure even when standing quietly, was truly unique!
Many maidens felt their alarm bells ring and secretly cursed her as a “seductress”!
However, on such an important day, no one dared to cause trouble. Even if they harbored jealousy, the maidens remained well-behaved on the surface.
Shen Zhinian's gaze had been searching through the crowd, and finally, she found a familiar figure.
Her heart filled with joy, and she strode over.
“Zhao Meimei!”
Zhao Yungui was Shen Zhinian's best childhood playmate.
Her father was a fourth-rank official, yet she never despised Shen Zhinian's humble status as a concubine's daughter.
Shen Zhinian liked Zhao Yungui's cheerful and generous personality, and the two often played together. Because of this relationship, Madam Zhou dared not treat Shen Zhinian too harshly, and she lived several comfortable years in the inner residence.
Later, when Zhao's father was transferred to Jiangnan, they never saw each other again.
In her previous life, Shen Zhinian only learned from Shen Nanqiao that Zhao Yungui was also among the maidens participating in the selection. But because she committed an impropriety before the Emperor, she was reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, ordered to be dragged away by guards, and forbidden from participating in the selection ever again.
The Royal family did not remove Zhao Yungui's name from the list, so she remained a maiden, but she could no longer participate in the selection, nor would anyone dare to marry her.
She could only remain at home for a lifetime, an old maid in the eyes of the world, bringing shame to her family.
Even with Zhao Yungui's carefree personality, she could not endure such humiliation and Strike, and she drowned herself in a lake after returning home.
Shen Zhinian was heartbroken for a long time after hearing the news.
This was her biggest regret in her previous life!
Therefore, in this life, when Shen Nanqiao asked her to participate in the selection, Shen Zhinian had been searching for Zhao Yungui. However, there were too many maidens participating in the previous rounds, and they never met.
“Zhinian Jie?! Is it really you?!”
Zhao Yungui also recognized Shen Zhinian, and a burst of surprise erupted on her radiant face as she enthusiastically came over to greet her.
“We haven't seen each other for seven or eight years, have we? You've grown even more charming than when you were little!”
“I heard that the Shen received a selection spot. I thought it would be your legitimate older sister who would come. How could they give such a good opportunity to you?”
Seeing her living friend again, Shen Zhinian was very happy and decided in her heart that she must change Zhao Yungui's fate!
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