The most eye-catching among the imperial consorts was Jin Jiali, daughter of the great general Jin Youtian.
The most beautiful woman in the capital, truly lived up to her reputation.
Her skin was fairer than snow, her brows curved like crescent moons, naturally shaded, her eyes like water almonds, shimmering with light. Her small, proud nose sat above lips as red as blood. She wore a flowing, powder-blue gown that trailed on the ground, its cuffs embroidered with a few opulent peonies. She exuded charm without losing her beauty, a vision of vibrant grace.
Then there was Lou Sijing, the renowned talented woman of the capital. Elegant and intelligent, graceful and gentle, she was radiant in her opulent attire for the selection, appearing as smooth as jade and as beautiful as a peach blossom.
It was said her talent was even more captivating than her appearance. Zhang Xiuyi surveyed the consorts in the grand hall, her gaze passing over them to settle on the veiled woman at the very back. A gentle smile touched her lips.
She wondered how the Emperor would arrange matters for this woman. Having forced her way in by leaning on the Empress Dowager, she likely wouldn't receive a high rank. The Emperor was a man who acted with absolute authority.
Everyone in the grand hall harbored their own thoughts, while the consorts were even more anxious, their hearts pounding like a chaotic drum. They had heard the Emperor was as handsome as an exiled immortal, and gaining his favor was the dream of every consort.
Only one woman was an exception: Liu Liu. At this moment, she scanned the women beside her with an expression of casual indifference, as if all this had nothing to do with her.
"His Majesty arrives!" As the eunuch's shrill voice rang out, gasps echoed throughout the hall. The consorts' hands grew sweaty with nervousness, their hearts leaping like startled deer. The Emperor had finally arrived. They all knelt with the female officials to welcome him.
"We welcome His Majesty."
Feng Xie's lips curved into a smile as he waved his hand, signaling the consorts to rise, his gaze sweeping over them one by one.
He lingered on Jin Jiali for a moment longer, his eyes alight with admiration. However, when his gaze fell upon the veiled woman in the far corner, all his good mood vanished. He waved dismissively.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The consorts slowly moved aside. Feng Xie flicked his sleeves and walked directly to the imperial couch to sit.
The Empress Dowager beside him, seeing her son's expression, knew instantly why his mood had changed so quickly. She pretended not to notice. There would be more things to anger him later.
"Imperial Son, begin," the Empress Dowager said softly. Feng Xie waved helplessly, "Begin."
The first round consisted of four consorts grouped together. They were to step forward and introduce themselves, their family background, their upbringing, and the moral precepts they had learned.
Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing were in the first group. Their voices were as soft as valleys, their bearing graceful and poised. The Emperor couldn't help but pay them more attention, already forming judgments in his heart.
Liu Liu should have been in the first group as well. As the Prime Minister's daughter, the Prime Minister held the highest position among the officials, and naturally, his daughter was held in higher regard. However, Liu Liu disliked being in the spotlight and had positioned herself at the very back.
Liu Liu listened to the hushed whispers of the other consorts, already growing impatient. She simply closed her eyes to rest, figuring it would be noon by the time her turn came, as she was last.
When it was her turn, she hadn't expected that the Emperor had been watching her. Seeing her actually shrinking in the back and resting her eyes, his anger flared up.
"Good for you, Liu Liu! Everyone else is nervously preparing their words, and you dare to fall asleep on me. Finally, I've found your fault." He immediately descended from the imperial couch, strode past the consorts, and went directly to Liu Liu's side.
Unfortunately, the lady in question was completely oblivious, her head almost drooping to her chest. Feng Xie's expression darkened, a flicker of coldness in his eyes. He reached out and lifted Liu Liu, bringing her to the front of the consorts, and let out an ominous, cold snort.
"Liu Liu, how dare you sleep during the selection!"
Liu Liu was enjoying her leisure when suddenly her body was suspended in mid-air. The cold, sinister voice rang in her ears. She quickly opened her eyes, and Feng Xie was smiling at her, his teeth bared, a smile filled with ghostly chill.
As soon as the Emperor spoke, the consorts were stunned. The Prime Minister's daughter, Liu Liu, had such audacity to dare sleep during the selection! Were they not nervous at all? How could she fall asleep? Despite their doubts, not a single one dared to move.
Liu Liu scoffed inwardly. "Feng Xie, Feng Xie, you just want to cause trouble for me, don't you? There were so many people before me who hadn't finished introducing themselves. How did you know I was sleeping at the back? You were staring at me the whole time, weren't you?"
"If I didn't want to stir up more trouble, I would have blacked your eyes and crippled you right now. But on my face, I maintain an attitude of neither servile nor overbearing, and I speak calmly."
"Your Majesty, how do you know I was sleeping? I was just preparing the words I was about to say. Just as I reached a wonderful point, you disturbed me. How is it my fault?"
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Feng Xie laughed instead of getting angry. "Good for you, Liu Liu. I didn't expect a person with an ugly face to be so sharp-tongued. I want to see what you have to say." He released her and walked back to his seat.
"This humble daughter, Liu Liu, daughter of the Prime Minister, a top official of the court. Because my parents doted on me too much since childhood, I haven't learned any etiquette, poetry, or moral precepts. Therefore, I know nothing." Liu Liu spoke with an air of utter indifference.
The consorts widened their eyes in surprise. Who would talk about themselves like this? Even if they hadn't learned anything, they should have fabricated something!
The Empress Dowager on the imperial couch looked thoughtful. It seemed Liu Liu truly didn't wish to enter the palace, which was why she spoke like this. However, fate had already decreed that she would remain in the palace.
The little princess beside the Empress Dowager, upon hearing Liu Liu's words, opened her mouth wide, wanting to retort. "Second cousin knows so many things! She excels in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. What these women know is nothing compared to her!"
The Empress Dowager glared at Feng Wuyang. The little princess immediately quieted, not understanding why her mother wouldn't allow her to speak.
Feng Xie, sitting high on the imperial couch, gazed at Liu Liu with cold, deep eyes. "Fine. After thinking for so long, you can only say a few words. It seems Prime Minister Liu's way of teaching his daughter needs improvement." Looking at Liu Liu's veiled face, he couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
"Never has a consort attended a selection veiled. Does Miss Liu understand this principle? This is a great disrespect to the royal family."
Liu Liu knew Feng Xie was clearly picking on her. Her eyes were like a clear, transparent blue mirror. She had no desire to deal with this emperor. She curtsied gracefully.
"This humble woman is known as the ugliest woman in the capital. Fearing that her face would frighten Your Majesty and the other consorts, I have therefore covered my face. Your Majesty, please do not distort my good intentions."
The Empress Dowager, seated on the imperial couch, watched Liu Liu handle the situation with satisfaction. It was just as her brother had said.
Perhaps only Liu Liu could control the emperor in this world. However, she was sure Liu Liu had suffered greatly in the process. But she believed in Liu Liu's resilience, that she could certainly tame this wild horse of an emperor.
Feng Xie gazed at the woman below who handled herself with such ease, his expression gloomy. He hadn't expected this ugly woman to be so sharp-tongued. But he refused to believe he couldn't defeat an ugly woman.
"Indeed, she is a lady of a noble family, considerate of others in every way. Fine. I have seen many beauties. I have never seen what the ugliest woman in the capital looks like. You may remove your veil, and I shall pardon you." Feng Xie waved his hand, his eyes flashing with dark intent, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, everyone turned their attention to the second daughter, Liu. They had only heard her name, but never seen her face, and were curious about what the ugliest woman looked like.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly at the Emperor's provocation, a trace of displeasure in her eyes. Just as she was about to speak up for Liu Liu, she heard a clear, calm voice from below, neither servile nor overbearing. "Since Your Majesty has such elegant taste, this humble daughter is willing to present her ugly face to Your Majesty."