flstandardbreds Chapter 325 Consort Fucha
Chapter 325 Consort Fucha
The argument between the two was witnessed by all the noble ladies present in the shop.
They didn't know the girl from Jiangnan, but some of them recognized her.
That haughty noblewoman was none other than the granddaughter of Neqin, the current Minister of War.
Niohuru Jinyao, a famous pampered young lady in the capital.
She was used to being domineering and arrogant in the capital; everyone treated her with utmost respect.
Today, however, she was rebuffed by a girl from Jiangnan whom she had never met before. How could she swallow this insult?
There's probably going to be a show to watch from here on out.
The girl in the pale yellow dress was composed and at ease.
He spoke eloquently and, despite being a newcomer, showed no fear of Niohuru Jinyao's imposing presence.
Instead, he refuted her until she was speechless. This composure aroused the curiosity of the noble ladies present.
Some people couldn't help but feel worried for this girl from Jiangnan.
Although the emperor strongly advocated for unity between the Manchus and Han people,
However, the status of the Manchus remained deeply entrenched in the capital.
Especially high-ranking official families like the Neqin family,
His granddaughter, Niohuru Jinyao, was a well-known pampered young lady in the capital.
She's used to being domineering and arrogant, so everyone has to treat her with respect.
This young lady today is clearly from Jiangnan, and is obviously a Han Chinese woman.
Although it was spoken in an official tone, the manner of speaking...
The Manchu noblewomen present still sensed something different in their expressions.
Some Manchu noblewomen, like Niohuru Jinyao, looked down on Han women from the bottom of their hearts.
They looked down on Han women, considering them all to be lowly.
A vixen who likes to seduce men using despicable methods.
If that fool Niohuru Jinyao could teach this Han woman a lesson, they would be happy to watch the show.
"Hmph, a Han woman, how dare she be so arrogant in our capital."
A Manchu noblewoman spoke in a low voice, her tone clearly contemptuous.
"Yeah, who does she think she is?"
"So what if he has a little money?"
Another noblewoman chimed in, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes.
"This Niohuru Jinyao seems formidable on ordinary days..."
"I can't believe he's so useless; he can't even discipline a Han woman."
However, some noble ladies also expressed their admiration for the poise and composure of this girl from Jiangnan.
Although they were of Manchu ethnicity, they were not as arrogant and rude as Niohuru Jinyao.
They felt that this girl from Jiangnan was elegant in demeanor and spoke eloquently, appearing to be someone they could befriend.
"Look at her temperament, it's truly extraordinary."
A Manchu noblewoman whispered to her companion, her tone tinged with envy.
"Yes, I've heard that every woman in Jiangnan is like a fairy in a poem."
Today, it seems its reputation is indeed well-deserved.
Another noblewoman nodded in agreement.
Furthermore, their elders had already given instructions.
This year, the Emperor granted special permission for the daughters of Han officials who had not joined the Manchu banner system to participate in the selection of imperial concubines.
This talent show has a high chance of producing Han Chinese women who will be selected for high positions.
Compared to the others, he is not as good as the one in front of him.
Some people couldn't resist going up to chat with this girl from Jiangnan.
I want to know more about her background.
"Young lady, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hesheli Wanqing. May I ask your name?"
A Manchu noblewoman with delicate features and a gentle demeanor stepped forward.
He smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity.
The girl in the pale yellow dress turned around, still wearing a faint smile, and gave a slight curtsy in reply:
“My name is Liang Wanyi. I am from Jiangnan. I came to Beijing with my father to participate in the talent show.”
Hesheli Wanqing noticed that Liang Wanyi was friendly and well-mannered.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly said:
"So you're the younger sister from the Liang family. I could tell you came from a prestigious family just by looking at you."
Liang Wanyi smiled slightly and said modestly:
"Sister Wanqing, you flatter me. I am just a daughter from an ordinary family in Jiangnan."
How could they be said to have come from a prestigious family?
But Sister Wanqing, she's clearly a lady from a prominent family in the capital, with an extraordinary air about her."
Hesheli Wanqing smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Sister, you're being too polite. I don't deserve to be called a lady of such high birth."
"My sister is sure to stand out in this talent show. Don't forget our meeting today!"
Liang Wanyi said softly, "Sister Wanqing will definitely be selected as well."
"We might even be able to keep each other company in the palace then."
Hesheli Wanqing nodded, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Time flew by, and soon it was time for the talent show.
The day of the talent show finally arrived, and the weather in Beijing was exceptionally clear.
Sunlight shone on the ancient palace, making it appear solemn and majestic.
The young women from various regions boarded carriages early and entered the palace gates under the arrangement of their respective banner lords.
Led by palace maids and eunuchs, they entered the designated waiting area in turn.
This talent selection was arguably the grandest and most solemn in the history of the Qing Dynasty.
The reason is not only because this is the first imperial selection after the new emperor's ascension to the throne,
More importantly, this talent selection process was unprecedented in that it allowed the daughters of Han officials who had not been incorporated into the Manchu banners to participate.
This move was unprecedented in the history of the Qing Dynasty.
Therefore, the entire palace attached great importance to this selection process.
Starting from the palace gate, it extends all the way.
Every corner was decorated in an exceptionally grand and festive manner.
Red lanterns hung high, and colorful silks fluttered in the wind.
The ground was covered with a thick red carpet, as if welcoming a grand festival celebration.
The girls participating in the talent show also strictly followed the rules.
Dressed in either gorgeous or elegant qipaos, they were like blooming flowers vying for attention.
Their qipaos were brightly colored and exquisitely embroidered.
Some are embroidered with intricate patterns, while others are outlined with simple lines to create a clean design.
They wore various styles of headdresses, adorned with exquisite hairpins and jewelry.
Or they can be adorned with delicately crafted velvet flowers as tassels, making each one look charming and beautiful.
I am determined to show my best side.
As the daughter of a Han official, Liang Wanyi was arranged to enter the palace in the last group.
She was wearing a pale yellow cheongsam.
She wore a white gauze dress that was as thin as a cicada's wing.
It was embroidered with several pale blue flowers.
It complemented her temperament perfectly. Her hair was styled in a meticulously combed bun.
She only had a small velvet flower tucked in her hair, which made her look fresh and refined.
She stood in a corner of the Imperial Garden, quietly waiting for the selection to begin.
A faint smile graced his face, and his eyes revealed a sense of composure and confidence.
As the selection process officially began, the young women were divided into several groups of five, and entered the palace in turn.
Inside the hall, Hongchang sat high on the dragon throne, flanked by Empress Dowagers Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan.
Inside the hall, there are gilded dragons and incense burners adorned with gold-plated beasts.
Hongchang, dressed in a bright yellow court robe, held a folding fan and waved it slightly, his gaze sweeping across the steps below.
On the left, Fucha Peiyun's gaze was indifferent, while on the right, Nian Shilan slightly raised her phoenix eyes, her expression carrying a hint of scrutiny.
"First group—" the eunuch announced loudly.
Five girls in qipaos gracefully bowed, their voices delicate yet unified:
"Your Majesty, I kowtow and respectfully wish the two Empress Dowagers good health."
After the young ladies paid their respects, the eunuchs began to call out their names one by one.
"—Niohuru Jinyao, aged sixteen, grandfather Neqin, Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard and Minister of War."
Upon hearing her name called, Niu Hulu Jinyao stepped forward gracefully and bowed to Hongchang and the others:
"Your subject, Niohuru Jinyao, greets Your Majesty and the two Empress Dowagers."
Hongchang gently closed the folding fan between his fingers. He did not call out, but simply looked down and examined the fan.
Jin Yao is wearing a bright red Manchu-style dress today, with layers of sea and cliffs embroidered in gold thread on the neckline.
A jade pendant hung at her waist, swaying slightly with her breath and making a soft, tinkling sound.
She lowered her head meekly, but couldn't hide the smug smile on her lips—her grandfather, Neqin, was a "Minister of State Affairs."
She was certain she would save face.
"Niohuru clan, raise your head."
The young emperor finally spoke.
The voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire Golden Palace.
Niohuru Jinyao was overjoyed upon hearing this; given her noble status, the Emperor would surely favor her.
The position of Empress is definitely hers.
Niu Hulu Jinyao, her face slightly flushed, confidently raised her head.
However, what met her eyes was not the young emperor's gentle smile,
Instead, they were a pair of emotionless eyes.
Hongchang's gaze lingered on her face for only a moment before he casually looked away.
Before Niu Hulu Jinyao could react, she heard...
"How dare you look directly at the Holy One's face!"
The eunuch's shrill voice pierced the stagnant air in the hall.
Niohuru Jinyao's shoulders trembled violently, and the blush that had just been on her cheeks instantly drained of color.
She hurriedly bent down, her forehead hitting the gold brick again with a crisp "thud".
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I was merely admiring your countenance and momentarily lost my composure; I had absolutely no intention of overstepping my bounds!"
The gold brick was cold, but a red mark instantly swelled up on Jin Yao's forehead.
She didn't dare to raise her hand to rub it, and could only bite her lower lip tightly, letting the pain remind her not to lose control again.
The main hall was eerily quiet; even the incense smoke from the golden beast-shaped incense burner seemed frozen.
...Upon hearing this, Nian Shilan chuckled, lazily covering her lips with the tip of her nail guard. Her voice was not loud.
But it was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly:
"To think that a mere expression of admiration could transcend ancestral etiquette and law is truly the first time I've ever heard of such a thing."
Is this the family education of your Niohuru family?
Niu Hulu Jinyao listened to Nian Shilan's words,
His body trembled like a leaf, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he kowtowed repeatedly, saying:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was out of line. The Niohuru family would never dare to be so disrespectful."
Which of these young ladies in the capital hadn't heard of Niohuru Jinyao's reputation?
They all wanted to see Niu Hulu Jinyao make a fool of herself during this talent show.
Unexpectedly, this moment came so quickly, with the Emperor and Empress Dowager seizing the opportunity to launch their attack.
Are the Emperor and Empress Dowager going to give them a warning?
The group of young ladies knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
Fucha Peiyun lowered her eyes and blew on the tea, the rising steam obscuring the faint curve of her lips.
This Niu Hulu Jinyao is more than just ignorant of the rules.
Arrogant, domineering, and ruthless—she would never allow such a person to remain in the palace.
No matter how high-ranking her grandfather or father was, it was unacceptable.
Nian Shilan's words were still too polite.
It wasn't that Fucha Peiyun wanted to target this teenage girl.
Some people are just born evil. Don't let Niohuru Jinyao's age fool you; she's only sixteen.
His ruthlessness was already deeply ingrained.
Over the years, the "small things" she had done had already become a topic of conversation among the elite families of Beijing.
When I was ten years old, a maid spilled a cup of hot milk.
She then ordered her men to press the maidservant down on the snow, forcing her to kneel barefoot for two hours, holding pieces of ice in her hands.
All ten fingers turned purple, leaving him disabled from then on;
At the age of twelve, she accompanied her mother to the Prince's mansion to admire the flowers. A white cat in the mansion rubbed against her and dirtied the hem of her skirt.
She smiled as she held the cat, but then turned around, stuffed the cat into her embroidered pouch, and sank into the lotus pond.
At the age of fourteen, while offering incense at Xiangshan Temple, she encountered a young novice monk who accidentally knocked over her silk flower.
She ordered her servants to tie the man up on the pretext of "theft," hand him over to the temple official, beat him half to death, and then expel him from the temple.
Every single thing was done by his birth mother using money, social status, and...
The secret was sealed off with a series of "accidents," making it completely secure.
Fucha Peiyun frowned; this Neqin was also a muddle-headed person.
No matter how shrewd one is in politics, one cannot change the fact that one is muddle-headed at home.
Hongchang wasn't the type to tolerate injustice.
...After this talent show, Neqin will probably suffer a major setback.
Fucha Peiyun lowered her eyes, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of the teacup.
The ripples spread out, as if gathering even the last trace of warmth within them.
Fucha Peiyun: "Niu Hulu Jinyao doesn't know the rules, stares directly at the Emperor's face, and lifts the plaque."
"The Niohuru clan member is to be immediately expelled from the palace and never allowed to participate in the selection process again."
Fucha Peiyun's voice was not loud at the end, but it was like a muffled hammer blow, making the gold bricks hum.
As soon as Empress Dowager Fucha Peiyun spoke, two eunuchs immediately stepped forward.
Niu Hulu Jinyao was set up on the left and right.
She then snapped out of her daze of fear.
She hurriedly cried out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this humble woman acted unintentionally!"
"I beg Your Majesty and Empress Dowager to spare my life this once."
Seeing this, without needing to say a few words, Zhang Hude, standing behind Hongchang, immediately gave him a signal with his eyes.
Zhang Hude's eyes moved faster than his words; the two eunuchs understood.
One person raised their hand and tightly covered Niohuru Jinyao's mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
Another person grabbed her by the back of the neck, like a white goose about to be slaughtered, and dragged her out.
After dealing with Niohuru Jinyao, the eunuch announced the remaining candidates.
"Hesheli Wanqing, age seventeen, grandfather of Grand Minister and Associate Grand Secretary Hesheli Gabula—"
Before the words had even faded, the last rays of the setting sun slanted in through the palace gate.
It gives the moon-white cheongsam a light golden sheen.
Wanqing bowed her head gently, her voice soft yet clear:
"Your subject, Wanqing, pays her respects to Your Majesty and the two Empress Dowagers."
Hongchang hummed in agreement, then gently raised his folding fan, gesturing for her to look up.
Wanqing slightly raised her head, her eyes calm, and her lips showing just the right amount of submissiveness.
Hongchang glanced at Hesheli Wanqing indifferently, and was fairly satisfied with her appearance.
Although not a beauty of unparalleled grace, she was still pretty, and the country was prosperous and peaceful.
Although the Hesheli family has kept a low profile in recent years, they have still been quite capable.
Hesheli Wanqing's appearance, talent, and character were all carefully examined by Ye Lanyi, and Hongchang found her to be quite excellent.
She's a worthy candidate for Empress; she's clearly been carefully groomed.
However, Hongchang had other plans in mind.
While Hesheli Wanqing could enter the palace, she was not Hongchang's ideal choice for empress.
Hongchang looked at Fucha Peiyun and Nian Shilan, seeking their opinions.
Fucha Peiyun was Hongchang's biological mother, so Hongchang naturally cared about her a lot.
He wouldn't choose someone Fucha Peiyun disliked to enter the palace.
Nian Shilan, also an empress dowager, has stood by and helped the Empress Dowager all these years.
Hongchang also respected her opinion.
Fucha Peiyun nodded slightly, indicating to Hongchang that she was fairly satisfied with Hesheli Wanqing.
Nian Shilan nodded slightly and said:
"This girl from the Hesheli family looks dignified and proper; as long as the emperor finds her to his liking, that's fine."
Hongchang felt reassured and nodded.
The eunuch announced loudly, "Herseri clan, keep the nameplate and be granted a sachet."
Hesheli Wanqing was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express her gratitude.
After accepting the sachet, Xie En withdrew.