The Empress was gravely ill, and the Guifei was her biological niece.
Empress Dowager Liu naturally hoped that the Guifei could become the next Empress.
Though this showgirl was of low birth, she possessed a naturally seductive charm that would surely divert much of the Guifei's favor, affecting her status!
"The Emperor, having just ascended the throne, should prioritize state affairs and not indulge in beauty; the selection of showgirls should focus on their virtuousness."
The implication was that Shen Zhinian's beauty was too alluring, and if she entered the palace, she would surely entice the Emperor away from his political duties.
Nangong Xuanyu and Empress Dowager Liu were not biological mother and son, so how could he be manipulated by her?
"A showgirl selection is not an empress enthronement; only an empress needs to be dignified and virtuous."
"Moreover, I am responsible for the myriad people and should naturally be diligent in state affairs; how could I be influenced by a mere young woman?"
Empress Dowager Liu was instantly speechless.
The eunuch, being very perceptive, announced, "Shen Zhinian, keep her plaque, bestow a sachet!"
Shen Zhinian lowered her eyes, concealing the fleeting cunning in their depths, and bowed gracefully.
"This humble subject thanks His Majesty and Empress Dowager for their great benevolence!"
As she left, she raised her head and met the gaze of the Emperor on his high seat, instantly blushing and quickly averting her eyes.
It was the first time Nangong Xuanyu had seen such a bold showgirl, and he couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
Tsk, a bit interesting.
Everything that happened today was within Shen Zhinian's expectations.
She didn't wear that light green dress, so she wasn't immediately bestowed the title of Guiren like Shen Nanqiao was in her previous life.
A tall tree in the forest is bound to be toppled by the wind. If she, the daughter of a mere sixth-rank official, had caused a huge stir upon selection, she probably wouldn't even know how she died.
Keeping a low profile in the early stages, biding her time, would allow her to live longer and gain more wealth.
But if she was too low-key, with so many showgirls, she would be forgotten by the Emperor and find it hard to rise.
The balance of this needed to be grasped by herself, which was why Shen Zhinian made her move when leaving.
Under normal circumstances, a humble showgirl directly looking at the Emperor's face would, of course, be a great disrespect.
But she had been selected and was already the Emperor's woman; this was a playful intimacy between her and the Emperor.
Most importantly, in her previous life, to help Lu Jianglin get promoted, Shen Zhinian had carefully studied Nangong Xuanyu's character.
This young Emperor liked people who followed rules, but he didn't like those who were too rigid.
If she could grasp the right degree and hit his sweet spot, she could pique his interest.
Outsiders only thought Shen Zhinian had successfully been selected, but they didn't know how much effort she had put in.
...
Shen Zhinian found Zhao Yungui among the showgirls leaving the palace, and the two left together.
Seeing that the other party's plaque had been dropped, yet there was a hint of joy between her brows, Shen Zhinian curiously asked, "Other showgirls who weren't selected are all dejected, but Zhao Meimei seems quite happy. Don't you want to enter the palace?"
Zhao Yungui admitted it candidly.
"Some people are worldly-wise and meticulous, yearning for high positions, and can truly shine brilliantly in the deep palace; while others are naturally simple-minded and prefer a free and unconstrained life outside."
"Zhinian Jie, you are the former, and I belong to the latter. If I were truly made to enter the palace, I probably wouldn't survive three months..."
"And... and..."
As she spoke, a blush flashed across Zhao Yungui's face.
"I already have someone I admire, the young general from the Zhou family, so I was hoping my plaque would be dropped. Perhaps Heaven heard my plea and made my dream come true!"
The young general Zhao Yungui spoke of was named Zhou Yuxi.
Shen Zhinian remembered that in her previous life, he repeatedly achieved merits in the Border Region and was eventually ennobled as a marquis for his military achievements, but he remained unmarried his entire life, saying he already had a beloved, but that person had passed away.
The entire capital speculated on who Zhou Yuxi's beloved was, but no one knew the answer.
Now it seemed he and Zhao Yungui were mutually in love.
In this life, her friend could finally pursue her own happiness, and Shen Zhinian was genuinely happy for Zhao Yungui!
Thinking of that delicate, willow-like beauty, her eyes turned cold, and she reminded, "Zhao Meimei, it's best if you don't associate with Liu Ruyan anymore, and you should also tell the Zhao family to be careful of the Liu family!"
Shen Zhinian originally wanted to warn her to be wary of Liu Ruyan, but considering Zhao Yungui's personality, she probably couldn't outplay her, so not associating at all was the safest option.
"Why?!"
Although Zhao Yungui was very surprised, she still had complete trust in Shen Zhinian.
"After Father was transferred to Jiangnan, Yan'er became my best playmate, and she has taken great care of me over the years..."
"Zhinian Jie, did you discover something?"
Shen Zhinian took out a handkerchief and handed it to Zhao Yungui.
To find a reasonable excuse, she falsely claimed that she had read some medical books in her leisure time while in her chambers.
"...The tea Liu Ruyan gave you today, its taste was a bit off."
"It's just that I don't have absolute proof, and in that situation, it wasn't good to make a big fuss. So I used this handkerchief to dab some tea. When you go back, you can find a trustworthy doctor to test it."
"If there's no problem, then consider it my petty suspicion; but if there is a problem..."
In the imperial palace's inner court, at the foot of the Son of Heaven, Zhao Yungui naturally understood the consequences if something went wrong.
It was just that she truly couldn't believe that Yan'er, who was like a sister to her, would harm her. With a pale face, she took the handkerchief, thanked her, and hurried away.
At this moment, Zhao Yungui still held a last glimmer of hope, wondering if Zhinian Jie was just overthinking things.
There must be a misunderstanding!
...
The eunuch who reported the good news from the palace had already arrived at the homes of the selected showgirls to convey the good news.
The entire Shen family became busy, preparing to welcome Shen Zhinian's return with the highest etiquette.
Even the usually lively main madam's courtyard became empty.
Zhou's complexion was somewhat displeased.
"A mere lowly concubine's daughter, now she's flown onto a branch!"
"Nan Qiao, if you hadn't given this good opportunity to her, you would be the one being revered by the Shen family now!"
Shen Nanqiao sat on a soft chair, maintaining a detached and elegant posture, yet the smugness in her eyes and brows could not be concealed.
"Mother, what's the glory on the surface worth?"
"Just you wait and see, when Shen Zhinian returns, her mouth will surely be swollen from being slapped! After entering the palace, she'll have plenty of 'good' days to live!"
Zhou asked in surprise, "Nan Qiao, what do you mean by that?"
News from the palace wasn't easy to inquire about, and the eunuch who came to report the good news just now was also very tight-lipped. The Shen family still knew nothing, so why was Nan Qiao speaking so confidently?
Shen Nanqiao's lips curved into a cold sneer.
In her previous life, she was immersed in the joy of being immediately bestowed the title of Guiren, but who knew that before she even left the imperial palace, the Guifei, who had received the news, sent people to "invite" her over.
Seeing her attire, the Guifei was furious, saying that the daughter of a ruined family dared to imitate her attire from her first meeting with His Majesty, and immediately ordered the Ma'am by her side to slap her mouth!
Shen Nanqiao fell from heaven to hell, her beautiful face was directly beaten into a pig's head!
When His Majesty found out, he surprisingly couldn't bear to reprimand the Guifei, and she completely became a laughingstock in the palace!
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