The princess regretted it.

Chapter 238: Draft Again (3)

Considering all these factors, the Emperor secretly mused that the selection of concubines seemed perfectly acceptable. If so, then let's just go with the flow. With this thought, the Emperor's expression froze, his gaze slowly sweeping over the court, finally resting on Prime Minister Mu. He spoke in a steady and resolute voice, "Since the Prime Minister and all the other ministers believe this will greatly benefit our court, I will accept your proposal and immediately initiate preparations for the selection. I urge the Prime Minister to work closely with the relevant government offices to ensure this is handled properly and without any mistakes."

The emperor's words were like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly causing a thousand waves in the court. The ministers who had been hoping for the selection to proceed smoothly all showed expressions of ecstasy on their faces.

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince, Changsun Wuwang, turned pale as a sheet. He felt as if he had been struck hard, and he cried out inwardly, "Oh no!" He had never imagined that things would develop to this point. His plan, which he had thought was foolproof, was now shattered. He felt his vision go black, and he stood there in a daze, not knowing what to do. He couldn't understand why he was in such a difficult situation!

Zhang Chengde's brows were furrowed, his heart filled with unease and anxiety. He had never imagined that the emperor would make such a decision so easily, which made him even more worried that his daughter, who was still under house arrest, would face a precarious situation in the palace.

He knew full well that once the selection process began, the harem would be flooded with young and beautiful women, and the emperor's favor would inevitably be divided, making it even more difficult for his daughter to regain her favor within the palace. But now that things had come to this, what could he do? He could only silently groan, anxiously pondering how to deal with this sudden change.

There have been waves of disturbances in the capital recently. First, Concubine Zhang, for some unknown reason, angered the emperor and was ordered to be under house arrest. Her rank was demoted again and again, and her former glory and favor seemed to have disappeared in an instant.

Then, the issue of the second prince's adoption became a hot topic. The court debated this issue every day, and various forces took sides and expressed their views, some supporting and some opposing. The scene was a fierce and heated debate.

The adoption controversy had not yet subsided when news came out that Princess Jin'an and the prince of Huguo were to be married. Before the topic in the capital had reached its peak, the shocking news came out just one day later that the emperor had started a beauty pageant.

As news of the selection spread, it caused a huge uproar in the capital. After all, matters concerning the imperial harem were always the focus of public attention. Within those high palace walls, countless stories of wealth and glory, power struggles, and the ups and downs of life were hidden, like a giant magnet, attracting everyone's attention and thoughts.

How many families regard their daughters as phoenixes that may soar into the sky, hoping to send them to the palace through selection, so as to gain immense wealth and supreme glory for the family.

How many women of marriageable age dreamed of entering the palace to secure a bright future? In their imaginations, entering the palace might allow them to meet the most noble emperor, reach the pinnacle of life, and enjoy all the splendor in the world.

Some of the noble families in the capital with daughters of marriageable age have been particularly busy lately. Minister Lin's residence has also gained a retired maid, and Lin Qian is also struggling to enter the palace. Even the lights in the Zhang family's study are kept on late into the night. The servants of the Zhang family are walking on thin ice, and the atmosphere in the mansion is tense.

The entire capital was engulfed in a tense and bustling atmosphere. In the streets and alleys, the topic of conversation was most likely related to the talent show.

In the teahouse, tea drinkers sipped their tea while guessing which daughter was most likely to be selected and which family might be eliminated for certain reasons.

Business in the silk and satin shops was much better than usual. Families preparing to participate in the competition came in droves to choose gorgeous fabrics, hoping to buy their daughters an outfit that would best showcase their style.

The craftsmen who usually specialize in making jewelry also ushered in a small peak in business. Various exquisite hairpins, earrings, and bracelets were made, ready to become the tools for the concubines to dress themselves up.

The bustle of the capital hadn't reached the northern border. A thrilling, utterly chaotic bloodbath was raging in the northern border, with shouts of killing and the clash of weapons mingling. A biting cold wind howled, and the thick smell of blood filled the battlefield.