Chapter 2 Preliminary Election is Over

  Qingyu and Qing Sang arrived at the front hall, and one after another paid their respects to Old Lady, Father, and Madame. Only then did they stand aside and listen to Father's account of events.

  Qing Sang saw the old lady and the big girl were all there, a thought flashed through her mind, fearing that it was time to settle the marriage. But speaking of settling the marriage, it should be the eldest sister, she herself had not even reached the age of hairpinning, let alone the second sister who had not been settled yet, according to common sense it was not her turn yet.

  Pu Ji's voice was young and clear as he coughed once, then spoke to the two 'girls', "Yu'er, Sang'er, I called you over today to tell you that the Imperial Household Department has sent word that tomorrow, Liu Huashi will come to our manor to paint your portraits. You must prepare yourselves well."

  Picture? Qing Sang was a bit confused, what does it mean. Looking at Qing 'Yu' again, he only saw Qing 'Yu' nodding and asking: "Is the father referring to Liu Jingye, the painter in the palace?"

  Pu Ji Nian nodded and said: "Yes. That's right. He is the emperor's appointed painter, best at painting living things."

  Living things? Humans are also living things, which means they're good at drawing portraits. What's the point of painting our likenesses? Are we going to enter a beauty pageant or something? A multitude of thoughts flooded Qing Sang's mind in an instant.

  "'Girl' only wants to please you, Father and Mother... 'Girl' can't bear to part with you..." Qing Yu said, choking back sobs, unable to speak clearly.

  "Jade, your mother can't bear to part with you either, but this is also for the sake of your future." Mrs. Liu got up and walked forward, taking out a handkerchief to wipe away Qingyu's tears.

  Qingsang looked at the two of them wiping away tears and was completely bewildered.

  "Yu'er, Sang'er, how could I ever bear to part with you? It's just that Duke Yue is doing this for the sake of our Pu family. Once you enter the palace as a consort, it will be greatly beneficial for both yourself and our family." Pu Jiayearn sighed.

  Become a concubine in the palace? No way! Qing Sang opened her eyes wide, staring at Pu Jiannian, and couldn't believe that this benevolent father who had been with her for five years was also a master of "selling his daughter for glory", thinking of sending his daughter into the palace to add flowers to his brocade.

  "Xiang Er, by rights you are not yet of age to be considered for selection, but the eunuch Cheng Gonggong has recommended you to His Majesty, and so when Liu Huashi was commissioned to paint 'Yu' Er's portrait, yours was also painted at the same time. Qi Jiannian felt a pang in his heart for Qing Sang as well; this young girl was closest to him, had a good disposition, and suited his tastes perfectly. He had originally intended to wait a few more years before considering her marriage prospects, but unexpectedly, this selection of consorts has included this thirteen-year-old girl."

  "Master, how did Lord Cheng find out about Sang's affair?" asked Liu, surprised.

  Qingsang also looked curiously at Pu Jinyan. Mrs. Liu asked exactly what she was thinking in her heart.

  "This is also my fault. Half a year ago, Li Shangshu from the Ministry of Rites invited me to his mansion for wine and poetry, I brought San'er along on a whim. During the gathering, San'er responded to Li Shangshu's provocative questions with ease, which left an impression on him. He specifically mentioned it to Grand Secretary Cheng during this selection of imperial consorts, and Grand Secretary Cheng then mentioned it to Your Majesty. That's how the matter of painting San'er's portrait came about."

  Prime Minister Li? Qing Sang vaguely recalled the time her father took her to the Li residence half a year ago. It seems that not leaking one's talent is indeed the right principle, and now it looks like she might have to get married at the age of thirteen. Thinking back to her previous life when she was still unmarried at thirty, Qing Sang truly felt like crying without tears.

  "Alas!" Pu Jiayan sighed again, looking at Qing Sang with a guilty conscience, and said to Liu Shi: "The preparation is up to you, madam." After finishing speaking, he stepped out of the front hall.

  "Yu'er, Sang'er come over here." The old lady who had been sitting silently finally spoke up.

  The two had no choice but to move forward.

  The old lady stretched out her hand and pulled the two of them over, saying seriously: "Selecting a consort is a matter that concerns our family's reputation. No matter whether you can be selected or not, neither of you must lose your manners."

  "Jade and Sang, remember." The two nodded in response.

  The old lady nodded and said to Liu Shi: "Madam, you prepare well." After finishing speaking, she was supported by the maid and also left the front hall.

  Now, there were only three people left in the hall: Liu Shi, Qing Yu and Qing Sang.

  Liu's family again exhorted the two, and called their maidservants Cui Lan and Xue Pen to instruct them, only then did they let the two leave.

  Qingsang entered the house and saw her mother, Wangshi, sitting in the room waiting for her.

  "Mother has arrived." Qing Sang stepped forward and greeted her with a bow.

  Wang's wife hugged Qing Sang and sobbed: "My son is only thirteen, how can he enter the palace?"

  Qing Sang's heart felt a pang of sourness as she softly comforted, "Mother, for now it's just being on the list of candidates, doesn't necessarily mean she'll enter the palace."

  The king wiped away his tears and looked at the young face of Qing Sang, who still had a childish air about him. He said sorrowfully, "It's best that you can't enter the palace. Although I may not have much experience, I've also heard that once you enter the palace, it's like being in a deep sea. I don't wish for my son to be wealthy and noble, but only hope that he can live a peaceful life with one person."

  Qingsang had always thought that Wangshi was timid and sensitive, narrow-minded, but didn't expect today's words to be quite insightful. The '舔' ( boot-licking) emotions were all laid bare. Qingsang's throat tightened, tears welled up in her eyes, and she hugged Wangshi's waist, sobbing: "Mother! Sango is also extremely reluctant to part with you."

  Wang's family was even more grieved and wept bitterly when they heard this.

  That night, Qing Sangwo fell asleep in her mother's arms with tears in her eyes.

  The next day, Xue Pen got up early to dress and comb Qing Sang's hair. Liu Shi was worried and sent Rui Zhu from the house to help. Originally, it would have taken only a short while to finish dressing, but it took a whole hour. Moreover, for some reason, they were not allowed to eat breakfast, and were given only half a bowl of silver ear soup.

  Qing Sang had been busy all morning, and hadn't eaten enough. She stood still for two hours while having her portrait painted. After everything was done, Qing Sang's hands and feet were numb, her whole body ached, and she just wanted to lie down on the bed and sleep well. Wang Shi pitied her, and only ordered someone to bring a bowl of noodles to her room, without bothering her again.

  Three days after presenting the painting for imperial inspection, Qing Yu and Qing Sang were both included in the "three exams" list.

  The initial examination is to examine appearance and distinguish voices. As long as there is one place that does not look pleasing to the eye or sound pleasant to the ear, the name will be deleted on the spot and sent home.

  After the first round, 120 people were left with only 56. Qing Yu and Qing Sang were still on the list.

  After getting off the carriage, the two women supported each other and entered the house. The old lady, Liu Shi, Xiang Yun, Wang Shi and others were all waiting for them in the front hall, even Zheng Shi who had been bedridden for a long time also came.

  Qing Sang was tired for a day, her feet were sore and trembling, but she still had to follow Qing Yu's lead in greeting the elders with courtesy.

  Then the old lady had someone bring over two embroidered stools and asked them to sit down.

  Qing Sang had just sat down when he felt a cold gaze shooting over from beside him, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Qing Bi standing behind Liu Shi.

  Qing Sang knew that she was annoyed with herself for having the qualifications to enter the palace and select a concubine, which had elevated her status at home. Qing Bi, this legitimate 'daughter' didn't even have the qualifications to sit, but she did, and it would be strange if Qing Bi wasn't annoyed by her nature. Unfortunately, who knew that Qing Sang didn't want to enter the palace in the first place? Not to mention the many rules and lack of freedom within the palace, just thinking about those palace struggles and TV dramas from her past life, weren't they all about scheming and stepping on others' corpses to climb up? The bloody rain and wind were really not suitable for her. She had already died in the struggle in her previous life, and this life she didn't want to die in vain again.

  Just then, the old lady asked about the initial examination. Qingyu answered clearly and delighted the old lady, Liu Shi and others with joy. Anyway, more than half of the candidates were eliminated in the first round, but both daughters of the Pu family were still on the list, which was also a happy event. So tonight, the old lady treated everyone to a sumptuous dinner. Of course, Pu Jiannian was busy with court affairs and had not returned to the mansion yet.

  Having dinner with the family, Qing Sang was already sleepy and her eyelids were drooping. It could be seen that Qing Yu was also very tired, secretly covering his mouth to stifle a yawn.

  Qing Sang quietly tugged at Qing Yu's sleeve and whispered, "Let's go back to our room."

  Qing nodded slightly. The two stood up and bid farewell to their elders.

  "Hurry back and rest. You're all exhausted too. Tomorrow morning, we still have to choose again. I'll chat with your mother-in-law for a while longer. Cui Lan, Xue Pen, take good care of the two young ladies, don't make any mistakes." The old lady nodded in agreement with the two of them.

  The two of them bowed and walked out of the front hall towards the inner chamber.

  They arrived at the courtyard and sat down by the railing, taking a short rest.

  "I'm really exhausted today, I've been standing in the inner courtyard since early morning, my legs are all sore." Qing Yu rubbed her knees and complained. Just as Cui Lan was about to come forward to help her, she waved her hand to stop her.

  Qing Sang let out a soft sigh and said wearily, "That's right. We still have exams tomorrow. I don't know what kind of ordeal it will be."

  Two people were talking, when Qingbi suddenly said from behind in a cold tone: "Elder sister and third sister are so enthusiastic, the old ancestor is worried that you two will be tired, and kindly asks you to hurry back."

  The green jade belt was loosened, and the good 'natured' Qing Yu's eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

  "Bihua, Sanghua and I are just taking a short rest." Qingyu said.

  "Sister usually cultivates her mind and body, never overexerting herself, but now she must be tired. However, the wild grasses in this mountain village are naturally coarse and long, even those who kick up their heels don't seem tired, yet now they're also tired, probably worn out by these rules and regulations." Qingbi looked at Qingsang's still childish yet already beautiful face, and sneered. In her heart, she thought: No wonder the Emperor exceptionally chose her name, this little girl is getting more and more beautiful. Qingbi felt a pang of hatred.

  "Bihua, how can you say such a thing about your sister?" Qingbi's words were unreasonable and sarcastic, mocking Qing Sang's birth and laughing at her lack of discipline. Such words actually scolded both Si Niang and herself, which was extremely disrespectful.

  Qing Sang would not have failed to detect the sarcastic tone in Qing Bi's words, but with Qing Yu present, she did not want a direct confrontation with Qing Bi.

  Can't I avoid you if you don't provoke me? Thinking so, Qing Sang got up and wanted to leave first.

  "Elder sister, what I said is known to everyone, what can't be said? Our ancestors didn't always say she was a wild child? It seems that Father also thinks so, otherwise why would he give Fourth Mother two children, one named Sang and the other named He. People from farming families can only produce crops." Qingbi provocatively looked at Qingsang, not believing she wouldn't get angry. In recent years, Qingsang had changed her 'nature', gaining the favor of the elders, but this legitimate daughter was left behind, which made her furious whenever she thought about it. She just wanted to provoke Qingsang's anger, letting everyone see her true 'nature'.

  "Second sister just learned that the crops in the field are thriving and growing vigorously, even in adversity. Father gave me and He Er the names Sang and He, first to wish us to grow up like mulberry and millet, second to hope we understand the hardships of farming and cherish every grain. Qing Sang's words were like pearls, and Qing Yu nodded repeatedly, her face changing color."

  "Those are just coarse and long objects, how can they be considered elegant?" Qingbi refuted with discontent.

  "People don't know the hardships of farmers, they think grains grow naturally in the fields. My father always said that all professions can't compare to farming. The five grains we eat are not easily obtained, although they're grown in the fields and on the land, they're the foundation of all things, and will eventually be refined into white rice, ground into 'jade' grains, and served at noble banquets, entering grand halls. Green mulberry said with a humble yet proud tone, explaining the importance of crops like mulberries and millet, while also telling Qingbi that even if she was born from a poor background, she would eventually become a white swan, and subtly mocking Qingbi as one of those 'people' who are lazy and don't distinguish between grains."

  Qingbi's face turned red, but she couldn't continue the conversation.

  Qing Yu secretly admired Qing Sang's talent, but after all, Qing Bi was her own younger sister by the same mother. She didn't want to see her lose face either. Smiling and humming a tune, she said: "My two younger sisters are both talented women, making me, as their older sister, feel ashamed. Today has been busy and we're all tired, let's get some rest early." After speaking, she pulled Qing Bi's arm and dragged her away.

  Qing Sang turned around and walked in another direction, but saw a figure behind the fake mountain, and asked in surprise: "Who is it?"

  It was Pu Jiannian who had just finished his official duties and returned to his mansion.

  "Dad is back!" Qing Sang exclaimed sweetly, running up to greet him.

  He squatted down, looking into Qing Sang's clear and bright eyes, and said with affection: "It's still Sang who knows my heart the best." He was referring to the matter of naming. Previously, for the names Qing Sang and Qing He, Wang Shi had not shed a few tears with him. Wang Shi couldn't read characters, but she had heard some old women say that "the eldest daughter is like jade, while the younger daughter is like mulberry or millet." His elderly mother had also mentioned that they shouldn't be too biased towards one and neglect the other, after all, they were all children of the Pu family. He had just smiled it off, but they didn't understand the meaning behind the names. Today, after hearing Qing Sang's words, he felt even more that these three daughters were the most considerate, knowing that she had already passed the initial exam and was one step closer to entering the palace, his heart couldn't bear to part with her.

  "Get some rest early." Pu Ji Nian patted Qing Sang's shoulder and stood up to head towards the study. The reluctance on his face didn't escape Qing Sang's eyes, and Qing Sang's heart also felt a pang of sadness.

  "Miss, it's getting late, go back to your room." Xue Yan called out in a low voice.

  Qingsang nodded with tears in her eyes.