"She cannot marry me, nor is she willing to be subservient to you. Entering the palace is her only option."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang felt a touch of sympathy for the current Emperor. "His Majesty is truly 'fortunate' to have an uncle like you."
Mo Lingxi lightly tapped her forehead. "Who am I doing this for? Isn't it all for you? Yet, I end up unappreciated."
Sheng Lengshuang rolled her eyes at him. "It's not solely for me. Sima Min doesn't just want to harm our family."
"Yes, you are absolutely right. I misspoke."
"Oh, you admit fault so easily?"
"Of course. I don't want you to be angry."
"Prince Mingrui is certainly becoming more eloquent."
...
When the news of Emperor Wenzong's selection of concubines spread, countless people went mad, especially the daughters of court officials. Even officials in other regions made every effort to send their daughters to the Eastern Capital as quickly as possible.
All for the chance to have their daughters enter the palace and help themselves and their families.
To be rewarded, various families spared no expense. Places like jewelry shops and cloth stores were packed with people, and all the good items were sold out long ago.
Not many of the lesser quality items were left either.
Seven or eight days passed.
Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace.
Zi Cheng, seated in the place of honor, cast a mournful glance at Mo Lingxi and sighed inwardly. His uncle wanted to please his aunt, so he used his nephew as a pawn.
There was no more pitiful nephew than him.
Mo Lingxi paid no mind to his nephew's gaze. Seeing Mo Lingxi and Xiao Feng staring at the beauties, he put a hand to his forehead. These two, mother and son, were truly alike in this regard.
Sheng Lengshuang and Xiao Feng gazed at the beautifully adorned beauties, their eyes wide with admiration. They were truly stunning.
Sheng Lengshuang mused inwardly, no wonder ancient emperors were so philandering; faced with so many beautiful women like flowers, how could they not be?
It was like having countless handsome men vying for her favor, and she too would be tempted.
She carefully observed these beauties, unsure if Sima Min was among them. Even if she were, Sheng Lengshuang couldn't tell just by looking.
But there was no rush. If Sima Min had indeed disguised herself to participate in the selection, she would eventually reveal herself.
Seeing the chief eunuch step forward, she knew the selection was about to begin. She pulled Xiao Feng to sit up straight, maintaining proper decorum.
"The auspicious hour has arrived. The selection begins!" the chief eunuch announced loudly. "First, Miss Bai Binglan, daughter of the Prime Minister."
Bai Binglan gracefully took a few steps forward and curtsied softly. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Prince Mingrui."
Sheng Lengshuang sized up the Prime Minister's daughter. She had a delicate, willow-like appearance, embodying the demeanor of Lin Daiyu, a type many men found attractive.
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't bring herself to like such women. In her opinion, these women exuded pretense and affectation from head to toe.
"So fake."
Hearing Xiao Feng's quiet disdain, Sheng Lengshuang chuckled. She had to admit, children were indeed good at judging people.
She glanced meaningfully at Mo Lingxi, seeing him lowering his head to drink tea, not even looking at Bai Binglan. She smiled with satisfaction, deeming him sensible.
"Very good. You may stay," Zi Cheng said with a gentle smile, but his eyes held no emotion.
Selecting certain court officials' daughters meant balancing the court's power and keeping officials in check.
Occupying this position meant one could not indulge in personal feelings or love, as doing so would endanger more than just one's own life.
Bai Binglan's heart leaped with joy. She maintained a proper demeanor, curtsied, and stood in the designated spot.
"Next, Miss Hua Qingsi, daughter of the Minister of Revenue," the chief eunuch announced loudly.
A rather spirited young woman stepped forward and curtsied. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Prince Mingrui."
As one beauty after another stepped forward, Sheng Lengshuang's eyes were dazzled. Ancient natural beauties were truly a feast for the eyes.
She looked at Zi Cheng with a hint of envy. Being an emperor was truly blissful, though it was physically demanding, as one often had to spend nights in the harem, accompanying different women.
Zi Cheng: "..." What was his aunt looking at him like that for?
After the selection concluded, Sheng Lengshuang, Mo Lingxi, and Zi Cheng discussed matters in a side hall. Xiao Feng, meanwhile, went to practice martial arts.
"Uncle, Aunt, did you notice anyone strange?" Zi Cheng asked.
Mo Lingxi and Sheng Lengshuang replied in the negative.
"It won't be that easy," Sheng Lengshuang said. "If Sima Min disguised herself to participate, she wouldn't expose herself so readily."
"But she will try her best to ascend. We might as well see which of the selected ladies makes the first move."
Zi Cheng stroked his chin. "If Sima Min has indeed infiltrated disguised, then the Black Hand's reach is truly long."
"Then we cut it off," Mo Lingxi said ruthlessly.
Zi Cheng nodded. "Uncle, have you found any useful clues on your end?"
Mo Lingxi said coldly, "There are plenty of clues, but to thoroughly investigate the Black Hand is not so easy yet."
He detailed the clues he had found, including several Black Hand strongholds, some personnel, bribed individuals, and one very important matter.
"If my findings are correct, the Black Hand's motive for doing so much is either for amusement or a whim."
Sheng Lengshuang sat up straighter upon hearing this and said resentfully, "Just for such a reason, the Black Hand has harmed so many people?"
Mo Lingxi understood her anger. "In this world, there are some people who only think of their own joys and sorrows, never caring about others, like the late Emperor."
Zi Cheng wholeheartedly agreed. "The late Emperor was initially a very good emperor, but as he sat on the throne for longer, he changed.
"He became an extremely selfish and pleasure-seeking individual. In his eyes, he was the heaven of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, doing whatever he pleased, and it was acceptable for everyone else to die for him."
Sheng Lengshuang was not unaware of these things, yet she still felt hatred. "Perhaps because it involves me and my family, my emotions are so volatile."
Mo Lingxi took her hand and gently patted it. "Don't worry, we will catch them one by one, and then we will settle the score with them slowly."
Sheng Lengshuang took a deep breath and said calmly, "I won't be anxious. Besides, the most important thing now is to find Sima Min and deal with her."
She truly wanted to capture Sima Min, to prevent that woman from harming her family any further.
After the three had finished their discussion, a eunuch hurried in to report.
"Your Majesty, Prince Mingrui, Miss Sheng, and Young Master Mo have been struck by arrows!"
"What!?" Sheng Lengshuang exclaimed. She quickly walked out. "What happened? How could Xiao Feng be shot by an arrow? What exactly occurred?"
Mo Lingxi and Zi Cheng followed behind.
The eunuch, at the very back, spoke urgently. "Originally, Young Master Mo was practicing archery, but an arrow was shot from somewhere, directly hitting Young Master Mo."