TSNCWEM Chapter 41.1

The variety of carriages was astounding, and one could roughly infer each family’s status from the design, materials, and decorations of their carriages.

Although Song Yunzhao didn’t go out much, she had learned this essential life skill.

The servant sent by the First Madam to gather information took quite a while to return, forehead covered in fine sweat, and reported with a bowed head, “Madam, each carriage has to pass through one by one, so it will be slow. However, another gate has been opened on the side of Jincui Garden. It will be our turn in about two hours.”

Two shichen?[mfn]1 shichen equals 2 hours[/mfn]

So long?

Song Yunzhao was stunned. Did that mean they had to wait for four hours?

“Why is it so slow?” First Madam asked.

Song Yunzhao could tell that even First Madam hadn’t expected it to be this slow.

“I spent two taels of silver to ask the gatekeepers. They said it’s because they needed to check everyone’s luggage. Some ladies bring a lot of stuff, so they have to take some out, which causes delays.”

Because this scenario was described in the book, Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised, but Song Yexi and Song Qinghan looked displeased, obviously having brought a lot of things.

At this point, First Madam turned to them and said, “Go and check your belongings, pack the important items properly.” Then she asked the servant how much each person could bring inside.

Song Yunzhao overheard Song Yexi muttering, “I thought my mother was trying to scare me. Who knew it was true? If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought so much. But if we can only bring so little, what will we do once we’re inside?”

Each person could only bring one bundle, limited to four jin (approximately 2.2 kilograms), which was indeed very little.

Song Qinghan’s expression wasn’t too bad; after all, her mother and grandmother had already given her pointers. She had also thought carefully about what to bring, though she still prepared a lot, hoping for the best.

Song Yunzhao, on the other hand, wasn’t too worried. She smiled and said, “Do you think they’ll let us starve during the selection process? There must be arrangements.”

Song Yexi found that reasonable, but still felt that what others arranged wouldn’t be as thoughtful as what they had prepared themselves.

After gathering the information, First Madam turned to the three of them and said, “Go back to your carriages and rest. Do not get off them unless necessary.”

The three nodded in agreement, and with the help of the maids, got into their carriages.

Song Yexi glanced around, then stepped into Song Yunzhao’s carriage instead of her own.

Seeing this, Song Qinghan frowned slightly, paused for a moment, and then, seeing that neither of them invited her, got into her own carriage with a stern face.

As soon as Song Yunzhao got into the carriage, she rolled up one side of the curtain. From the outside, one could only see her chin, but by slightly tilting her head, she could see the outside from within the carriage.

Seeing this, Song Yexi imitated her, rolling up the curtain on the other side, and said with a smile, “You always have clever ideas; this is a good one.”

Song Yunzhao chuckled, lifting her chin to point at the other carriages outside.

Song Yexi leaned out to look and saw that many other households’ carriages had lifted their curtains too. Some less particular ones had even hung the entire curtain up.

“Why is the wait so long?” Song Yexi couldn’t help but complain. “If I had known, I would’ve eaten more for breakfast.”

“Maybe it’s because people from the surrounding counties have all come over,” replied Song Yunzhao.

“That’s true. With such a great opportunity to rise to the top, every family with eligible candidates would certainly rush over”, sighed Song Yexi. “With so many people, it’s even harder to stand out.”

She didn’t consider herself unattractive, but it was unlikely for the palace to select two girls from the same family.

As Song Yunzhao listened to the unusually chatty Song Yexi complain, she also looked outside, hoping they wouldn’t have an unfortunate encounter with the protagonist and her group today.

The carriage moved slowly as Song Yunzhao watched First Madam get out and walk forward, soon turning a corner and disappearing from sight.

Song Yexi evidently noticed as well and suspiciously asked, “What is my mother doing?”

Song Yunzhao had a guess but couldn’t say it out loud. Instead, she replied, “Aunt must be checking the situation ahead. We should just stay in the carriage and wait patiently.”

Don’t get out of the carriage; who knows what might happen if they ran into the protagonist.

As she thought this, Song Yunzhao’s eyes casually scanned the crowd, suddenly snapping back to a face she’d briefly seen from a fast-moving carriage. The person was gone before she could get a better look.

Did she see it wrong?

How did she see He Lanyun’s face? It couldn’t be. In the book, He Lanyun was determined to marry Ji Yunting and didn’t participate in this selection.

She must have been seeing things.

Although she knew this, Song Yunzhao had a bad feeling.

After a short half-hour, her family’s carriage suddenly started moving. Song Yexi exclaimed in surprise, asking through the curtain, “What’s going on?”

“Miss, First Madam instructed us to take a shortcut and go the other way. Please sit tight.”

“A shortcut?” Song Yexi looked at Song Yunzhao in astonishment.

Song Yunzhao wasn’t surprised, knowing the First Madam was always purposeful. Since she got off the carriage to check the situation, it was certain she would take action, though Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected it to be so quick.

Their carriage soon turned onto another road. Looking out from the half-lifted curtain, this road had fewer carriages than the other side. After traveling a bit further, they stopped slightly separated from the carriages in front.

“Huh? That’s my mother.” Song Yexi tugged on Song Yunzhao’s sleeve and pointed in a direction.

Song Yunzhao turned her head to look outside and saw the First Madam talking to a lady in a brocade dress. She didn’t know what they were saying, but the lady seemed very pleased, smiling broadly.

Then she saw First Madam turn back and point, apparently indicating their family carriage to the lady, who glanced their way before looking away.

Song Yunzhao thought to herself, “It’s good to have connections in the court.” She looked around and noticed that the carriages waiting on this side were more luxurious than those on the previous street. It seemed that the families waiting here were more prestigious.

She was surprised that First Madam managed to make such connections.

This wasn’t mentioned in the book, of course. In the book, Song Yexi was sabotaged at the Dingnan Mansion, the First Madam was dissatisfied with Song Qinghan, and the original character was a troublemaker. Before the selection, Song Yexi suddenly injured her foot and couldn’t participate, so the First Madam naturally didn’t bring them.

But things were different now.

This time, the process was much faster; after waiting for over half an hour, it was their turn.

 First Madam returned and instructed everyone to get out of the carriage, saying, “Once you go through this gate, the family can’t help you anymore. Be careful in everything. It’s fine if you’re not selected; just come back safe and sound.”

The three obediently agreed. The First Madam sighed inwardly, hoping the children would be chosen, but also fearing for their safety.

Wealth and honor always came with risks.

“Next!”

A sharp voice rang out. This was the first time Song Yunzhao heard the voice of a real eunuch, which startled her. She saw Song Qinghan, who was standing in front of her, lift her head proudly and step forward.

Next were Song Yexi and Song Yunzhao. They passed through the palace gate and turned a corner into a small room. Outside stood two elderly nannies who told them to leave their bundles behind and go inside.

The three of them obediently left their bundles and stepped into the room.

Inside, the space wasn’t large but wasn’t too small either, with several small rooms separated by curtains. Inside were nannies ready for body examinations.

Song Yunzhao entered a curtained area near the door, where a middle-aged woman with a slightly pale complexion sat. She had no smile on her face, but her eyes were gentle.

Song Yunzhao knew her own appearance was strikingly beautiful but somewhat aggressive. So, she first smiled gently, creating a friendly impression, and then made a small curtsy.

“No need for formalities, Young Lady”, the woman said. “I’m just following orders. Please disrobe.”

A young palace maid assisted. Although being examined was a bit humiliating, it was a necessary procedure. Closing her eyes, she treated it like a physical examination.

Blushing, Song Yunzhao disrobed. The nanny carefully examined her from head to toe, then picked up a pen and marked something on a booklet.

Having read the book, Song Yunzhao knew how to answer.

The first test was to check height, weight, and body shape. Being too tall, too short, too fat, or too thin was unacceptable. Anyone not meeting the standards would be eliminated at this stage.

The second test examined facial features, hair, skin, neck, and back. Any imperfections would lead to elimination.

The third test assessed voice. She was given a sheet of paper to read from. Those with unclear, coarse, or raspy voices, or who were nervous and couldn’t speak clearly, would be eliminated.

Passing all three tests meant successfully passing the first hurdle.

Song Yunzhao, naturally, met the standards. The nanny smiled with satisfaction and said, “Congratulations, Young Lady. You can exit through the door at the back.”

Song Yunzhao dressed neatly, fixed her hair, and said, “Thank you, nanny.”

Stepping through the door pointed out by the examining nanny, she was greeted by lush greenery and vibrant flowers. A bay of green water blended with distant rocks, with winding corridors like ribbons, and the sound of water trickling through the stones creating a gentle melody.

It was indeed a picturesque place, instantly likable.

Song Yunzhao’s face lit up with a delighted smile. Soon, she heard footsteps and turned to see Song Qinghan emerging first.