Pin Shanhe

Since Xiao Xuanjin's death, she has been heartbroken and unable to sleep every night.

I guess I haven't been getting enough rest!

"How about we call a doctor to come and take a look?"

"No need, I just didn't sleep well last night."

Besides, there are no other uncomfortable symptoms, so it's best not to waste time.

The Emperor entrusted her with such an important selection banquet for imperial concubines, requiring her to collect portraits and family histories of all the noble ladies in the capital within two days. There simply wasn't enough time.

If this matter is not resolved, Murong Xiao will definitely take the opportunity to make things difficult for her, and she must not let him succeed!

The imperial decree to hold the selection of imperial concubines caused an uproar throughout the capital.

Even though the imperial decree clearly stated that the chosen person would be immediately made a princess and her family would be promoted and ennobled, the noble ladies still avoided her like the plague, each one trembling with fear and pale with fright.

It is said that the Seventh Princess died suddenly from fear after learning that she was to be sent to the Northern Dynasty for a political marriage.

Everyone knows that the eldest prince of the Northern Dynasty is known for his fierce and tyrannical nature. Who would want to marry into that family if they thought their life was too long?

However, disobeying the imperial decree would be a capital offense, punishable by the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan. Even if one was unwilling, one would have no choice but to comply!

On the day of the selection banquet for the imperial concubines.

The young ladies gathered in the palace, but instead of vying for attention with their glamorous attire, each one was more shabby than the last.

Some were as pale as ghosts, their faces looking as if they had been covered in two pounds of flour.

Some people's faces suddenly became covered with "pockmarks" overnight, making them ugly and hard to look at.

Some of them had accidentally broken their arms and legs a couple of days ago and had to be carried in on stretchers.

It's a complete mess!

This situation was within Shen Fu's expectations, and she showed no sign of panic.

Her composure also annoyed some people who wanted to see her make a fool of herself.

"Ha... Anyone who knows this is a concubine selection banquet, but someone who doesn't would think it's a chaotic dance of demons! Is this how you treat the Emperor's decree? Aren't you afraid of displeasing the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty and incurring a grave charge of disrespect?"

Shen Fu didn't need to turn her head to know who it was.

This kind of mean and domineering attitude is something that no one else can really show except Jiang Ruoyao!

Jiang Ruoyao is now married to Jun Qiyuan and has become the fourth prince's consort.

Originally, she was extremely unwilling.

Her beloved was the second prince, and she would rather die than marry anyone else.

Unexpectedly, Jun Qiyuan told him that the person who tampered with the Qingyan Tea Party that day was Jun Jingyan.

At that moment, she was struck as if by a thunderbolt, and she simply couldn't accept it.

In her eyes, the Second Prince was the most humble and courteous person, a worthy gentleman of the world.

How could he possibly commit such a vicious act and ruin her reputation in this way?

Jun Qiyuan spoke with absolute certainty, recounting how the Emperor had tortured him that day, but because he didn't want such a shameful matter to be spread, he only gave him a minor punishment as a warning.

Seeing that she still refused to believe it, he decided to go all the way and pin everything on Shen Fu.

She said that she lost her child due to a miscarriage and harbored resentment towards herself ever since.

Jun Anning couldn't stand Jiang Ruoyao's constant pestering of her imperial brother, so she conspired with her to come up with this vicious plan.

The second prince was merely taking the blame for them.

Jiang Ruoyao and Shen Fu had a long-standing feud, and on that day she clearly saw Shen Fu and the Fourth Prince in the small residence when someone suddenly attacked her from behind, and when she woke up, that was what had happened.

She had already suspected Shen Fu, and upon hearing this statement, she immediately believed it without a doubt.

New and old grudges, irreconcilable!

She vowed to make Shen Fu pay the price!

Upon learning that she had "offended" the eldest prince of the Northern Dynasty and was ordered by the emperor to preside over the selection banquet for imperial concubines, she naturally had to come and see him make a fool of himself!

Shen Fu, of course, wouldn't tolerate it and immediately chuckled in response.

"So it's the newlywed Fourth Princess! You and the Fourth Prince have just gotten married and are enjoying your honeymoon, yet you still have time to come to the palace and pay attention to such trivial matters."

These words clearly struck a chord with Jiang Ruoyao.

Her beloved was clearly the second prince, yet she has married the wrong person.

All of this is thanks to Shen Fu!

Her gaze suddenly sharpened, and her tone became laced with gritted teeth: "You dare bring that up again? If it weren't for you, would I have ended up like this?"

Shen Fu smiled faintly, "That's why they say the Fourth Imperial Consort has foresight. It turns out she anticipated today's situation and managed to escape early. Otherwise, the Fourth Imperial Consort should be standing here today, participating in the selection of imperial consorts as well!"

As soon as he said this, several angry gazes came from the surrounding area.

The noble ladies had always disliked Jiang Ruoyao's superficiality and arrogance.

It was one thing for her to pester the Second Prince before, but later she had an affair with the Fourth Prince in broad daylight. She was utterly shameless!

Why should such people not go to the Northern Dynasty for a marriage alliance, but instead be subjected to this misfortune?

At the same time, they also had some doubts in their hearts.

Her sudden decision to "find another man" – could it be that she heard some rumors and deliberately married herself off ahead of schedule?

Seeing that the situation was not going well, Jiang Ruoyao glared fiercely at Shen Fu.

"Stop trying to sow discord here. If the selection banquet for the imperial concubines is a disaster, how will you explain it to the Emperor!"

"I consider myself dull-witted and unfit for such an important task. Before it begins, why don't we inform the Emperor and entrust the selection banquet to you?"

Jiang Ruoyao was immediately on high alert, as everyone knew this was a hot potato.

Whoever answers this is doomed!

She's not stupid, how could she possibly agree?

Unable to win an argument, he could only utter a harsh remark in desperation.

Instead of engaging in idle banter here, you should think about how to please the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty later.

"We'll have to wait and see!"

As soon as the appointed time arrived, Emperor Yong and Murong Xiao followed.

Jun Jingyan and Jun Qiyuan also arrived.

One of them was worried about Shen Fu and wanted to help her out if anything went wrong, while the other wanted to take the opportunity to make things difficult for her.

That day, Jun Qiyuan failed to force himself on Shen Fu and harbored resentment in his heart.

Even though the King Xuan is dead, she still refuses to submit to him.

She even said that he was the only one in her heart; that's so hypocritical!

He wanted to see who could save her today!

As expected, Murong Xiao's face darkened instantly when he saw the expressions of the noble ladies present.

"This is the surprise you've prepared for me, the prince? Such a concubine selection banquet is truly an eye-opener!"

Emperor Yong's expression was also unpleasant, his brows furrowed with displeasure.

Even though he knew perfectly well that these women were acting this way because they were afraid of being sent to the Northern Dynasty for a political marriage.

But since he had already entrusted the matter to Shen Fu, she should have taken responsibility for everything. Now that such a joke has been made, she must bear the responsibility!

He demanded sharply, "What's going on here?"

Shen Fu spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "When choosing a wife, one should choose a virtuous one. I believe that the Crown Prince has come here for the purpose of establishing good relations between the two countries and stabilizing diplomatic ties, rather than being a lustful man. These women are all from prestigious families, virtuous, kind, and of noble character. They are naturally a good match for marriage and can help the two countries maintain lasting harmony."