The next day was the final day of the imperial concubine selection ceremony.
Everyone knew that the two royal consorts would be chosen today, so all the imperial concubine candidates had arrived at the Chuxiu Palace early.
To Lu Qingwan's surprise, in addition to the candidates, some court officials had also brought their wives to observe the ceremony.
She had already arrived at Chuxiu Palace when she received this news and instinctively felt displeased. "Didn't I say that the privacy of all the candidates should be protected to the greatest extent? Why did you still allow officials and noble ladies to enter the palace?
If those people sit on the side, it will be obvious which candidates have been eliminated early and which have been kept until the end. How can privacy be protected?"
The presiding female official of Chuxiu Palace said with her head bowed, "Your Highness, please do not be angry. This subordinate also received the news this morning.
It is said that several imperial consorts specially requested permission from His Majesty to invite some officials to observe the ceremony. This subordinate did not dare to disobey!"
"Alright, since they are here, make the arrangements.
Remember to thoroughly mix the seating arrangements of all the candidates. Instruct the palace servants to keep their mouths shut. Anyone who gossips privately will have her tongue cut off forever, I swear."
The presiding female official thanked her profusely and withdrew.
Lu Qingwan took a deep breath in the corridor and walked towards Chuxiu Palace.
However, as she passed by a pavilion, Prime Minister Wen was already waiting there.
Lu Qingwan changed her steps and walked into the pavilion, bowing to Prime Minister Wen. "Prime Minister, are you here with your wife to accompany her in observing the ceremony? Why aren't you going in?"
Prime Minister Wen also cupped his fists in return, "This old servant is ashamed!
Yesterday, His Majesty ordered this old servant to go to the Duke of Hua's residence to admonish him. However, this old servant was delayed in the palace discussing state affairs with His Majesty.
By the time this old servant left the palace, rumors had already spread outside.
Although this old servant admonished the Duke of Hua on behalf of His Majesty, the effect is likely to be minimal. I am truly sorry to Your Highness!"
The ancient Prime Minister apologized to Lu Qingwan, his face filled with deep shame, regret, and helplessness.
Lu Qingwan pursed her lips and smiled. "Prime Minister, you are too kind. What is destined to happen will happen. This matter has spread, and this consort is relieved.
Prime Minister, you need not blame yourself. It is not you who made the mistake.
Trust His Majesty, and trust this consort. We will be able to handle this matter well."
"That would be for the best."
Prime Minister Wen seemed relieved as he saw that Lu Qingwan appeared to have a plan.
"The old madam of the Duke of Hua's residence will also be present to observe the ceremony today. At that time, please be careful, Your Highness."
The old Prime Minister gave his kind reminder, and Lu Qingwan agreed to everything. She then bid farewell to Prime Minister Wen and headed straight for Chuxiu Palace.
After a slight delay in the pavilion, when Lu Qingwan arrived at Chuxiu Palace, all the candidates and observers had already arrived.
Even several imperial consorts from the inner palace had arrived.
Lu Qingwan was momentarily stunned before stepping forward to pay her respects. "Your humble consort greets your majesties!"
Consort Jiang Hui, the birth mother of Prince Jing; Virtuous Consort Chu, the daughter of the Duke of Pei; and Ning Shu Consort, whose maternal family was a prominent clan from Jiangnan.
The three women looked at Lu Qingwan in unison. It was Consort Jiang Hui who spoke first. "Regent Princess, you may dispense with the courtesies.
This palace and Virtuous Consort and Ning Shu Consort were simply bored and came to join the fun. Today, you are the protagonist. We were just saying how come you are not here yet. Since you are here, let's begin!"
While saying that Lu Qingwan was the protagonist, she spoke with an air of authority, dictating Lu Qingwan's schedule.
Lu Qingwan rolled her eyes internally but maintained a polite demeanor. "Consort Hui, you jest. Today's protagonists should be the candidates in this hall.
On the way here, Prime Minister Wen conveyed some words from His Majesty to this consort, which caused a slight delay. That is why this consort is a little late.
We can begin now!"
While being superficially polite, she did not forget to subtly remind Consort Jiang Hui that it was Emperor Jing You who had entrusted her with the responsibility of selecting the consorts, and that today was her domain.
After speaking, she ignored Consort Jiang Hui's reaction and walked to her designated seat, announcing loudly, "Are all the candidates present?"
The presiding female official scurried over. "Replying to Your Highness, all the candidates are in position.
However, we do not know what the assessment will be today.
What preparations do we need to make?"
Only the candidates who had managed to remain were allowed into the main hall. Ninety people, while not a small number, did not appear crowded in the spacious Chuxiu Palace.
Upon hearing the presiding female official's words, the group of candidates held their breath nervously, fearing that the assessment Lu Qingwan was about to announce would be something they were not skilled at.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qingwan did not answer the presiding female official's question. Instead, she announced, "As everyone knows, there are only two positions for royal consort, yet there are ninety candidates present.
This consort wishes to ask, if you cannot attain the position of royal consort, what will you do?"
The candidates exchanged glances, none of them understanding the meaning of Lu Qingwan's words.
Thinking of yesterday's rumors, one candidate could not sit still. "If Your Highness can give us a valid reason why we cannot become royal consorts, this humble subject will naturally accept fate.
But if Your Highness cannot, then this humble subject will have to ask the ladies seated in the main seats to preside!
After all, Your Highness herself said that this selection of consorts will be just, fair, and open. I presume Your Highness will not go back on her word, will she?"
This bold candidate had undoubtedly voiced the question most people wanted to ask, and her words drew the attention of everyone in the hall to Lu Qingwan.
They were curious how Lu Qingwan would answer this candidate's question, and some were also watching with amusement.
After all, in the eyes of these people who were accustomed to being superior, a dignified royal consort being questioned publicly by a mere candidate was already a provocation to her authority.
Lu Qingwan, however, found the questioning candidate quite interesting. She was much better than those who did not step forward themselves but pushed others to be the first to speak.
Therefore, her answer was also very serious. "Naturally. If we could not achieve this, there would be no need to go to such great lengths to conduct this selection of consorts in the first place.
Wouldn't it be simpler to have His Majesty directly appoint the royal consorts?"
After speaking, she raised her eyebrows and looked at the other candidates. "What about the others? Do you have anything else to say?"
After all, she was the current royal consort. Being chosen meant one person's ascension would bring prosperity to her entire family. Even if they had concerns, they could not afford to disregard them now.
"Yesterday, there were rumors that you intended for Miss Chu Yunshan to be Consort Chen and Miss Chen Ruoyu to be Consort Jing. May I ask, Your Highness, is this true?"
Looking around, it was Xie Shuangning, whom she had clashed with at the palace banquet during their first meeting.
Lu Qingwan recalled slightly before remembering that this person was the daughter of the Minister of Works and had confronted her over Feng Qingheng back then. Her eagerness now was because she feared she would not be chosen?
Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and Lu Qingwan nodded. "If this consort says yes, how will Miss Xie react? If this consort says no, what will Miss Xie do?"
Xie Shuangning had not expected Lu Qingwan to avoid answering directly but instead to throw the ball back to her.