The entire grand hall fell silent the moment Xiao Man entered.
"Greetings, Empress."
"Since you're here, take your seat quickly. So many people are waiting for you." The Empress said with a smile, a subtle light in her eyes. She had, with her mere presence, subdued everyone present. Her adopted daughters paled in comparison.
"Yes." Xiao Man took the seat directly below the Empress.
Wen Mohan's eyes widened in surprise. She lowered her voice, "Today, this ceremonial gown suits you exceptionally well."
Xiao Man's lips curved upwards slightly. "One must let them know that your choice of me was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a righteous act for beauty."
Wen Mohan instantly broke into a wide, toothy grin, pouring Xiao Man a cup of tea and taking away her wine goblet. "While I may not care about others' opinions, I am still immensely pleased when Man'er is willing to support me."
"Empress, in the selection ceremony for the Imperial Concubine, does the victor become the Imperial Concubine's husband?" The Yun Qi envoy spoke first, breaking the silence.
The Empress looked at Xiao Man, seeing her whispering something to Wen Mohan, not paying attention to others.
"Naturally. Xiao Man, wouldn't you agree?"
Xiao Man looked up at the Empress. "Your Majesty, I am very strict when choosing a husband. I do not want those uglier than me, shorter than me, those I can defeat, those I can't beat in chess, those who are not gentle and considerate. As for those who dare not reveal their faces, I despise them even more."
The Empress took a sip of wine to compose herself. Although she knew Xiao Man wouldn't let the selection ceremony proceed smoothly, she had, from the very start, disqualified most of the candidates. She had also unhesitatingly retorted to the Yun Qi envoy, calling him a skulking coward. She was eager to see if the Yun Qi envoy could swallow such an insult.
"The Imperial Concubine wishes to see my face? What difficulty is there in that?" The Yun Qi envoy stood up and walked before Xiao Man, leaning in slightly. "Since the Imperial Concubine wishes to see, why not take a look yourself?"
Xiao Man's expression remained composed. Wen Mohan, at the opportune moment, handed Xiao Man a pair of chopsticks. Xiao Man looked at the ivory chopsticks in her hand, a gentle smile blooming on her lips. She suddenly moved, a surge of power striking the mask on the Yun Qi envoy's face. The mask on the Yun Qi envoy's face shattered into two halves with a crack. The Yun Qi envoy stumbled back several steps before regaining his balance.
Wen Mohan elegantly took the chopsticks from Xiao Man's hand. "These chopsticks are dirty. Let's have a fresh pair."
Xiao Man smiled and accepted the new pair of chopsticks Wen Mohan handed her, as if nothing had happened. The Yun Qi envoy touched his face. For that brief moment, he felt a killing intent.
"It's Song King of Yun Qi. Wasn't Song King of Yun Qi in rebellion? Why is he representing Yun Qi on a diplomatic mission to Lan Yue?" Someone who recognized Murong Zi Heng immediately whispered.
"This Song King of Yun Qi is quite pathetic. He was driven out of the palace when he was young, and then suppressed by the Young Emperor of Yun Qi as an adult. He must have fallen into the Young Emperor of Yun Qi's hands again and is forced to obey his commands."
Murong Zi Heng cast a suspicious glance at Xiao Man. For some reason, the way Xiao Man looked at him made him feel a sense of familiarity, yet also a chilling dread. He hadn't felt this way in a long time.
"The Imperial Concubine truly possesses remarkable skills." Yelü Heng laughed heartily. "This humble prince is smitten with the Imperial Concubine at first sight and is willing to propose marriage, offering the position of Princess Consort..."
"The Third Prince perhaps doesn't know Lan Yue's customs." Xiao Man interrupted Yelü Heng. "In Lan Yue, it is the men who marry, not the women. I am willing to take the Third Prince as a secondary husband. What does the Third Prince think?"
Yelü Heng's face darkened. Just as he was about to retort that women don't marry men, he suddenly remembered that this was indeed the custom in Lan Yue. "Perhaps that won't do."
"What, do you think I'm not worthy of you?" Xiao Man said languidly. "I am the Imperial Concubine of Lan Yue, the rightful heir apparent. You are merely one of the many princes of Bei Rong, and not even the most promising one. How dare you look down upon me?"
Yelü Heng glared at Xiao Man. When had he looked down on her? As a man of stature, and a prince of a kingdom, why would he stoop to becoming a male consort in another country?
"Our paths differ, thus we cannot conspire together. It is not a matter of disdain." Yelü Heng said loudly. "This prince greatly admires the Imperial Concubine's personality, but I prefer a gentle and obedient girl."
Xiao Man picked up her tea and took a sip. "That is truly a pity. I have always been accommodating to others, so I shall not trouble the Third Prince any further."
Yelü Heng forced a smile. He had always thought women from the Central Plains were beautiful and gentle, and Dugu Man was an anomaly among them. Now, seeing the girls of Lan Yue, he realized that it wasn't just Dugu Man; many women here were fierce and formidable!
Nangong Yi's gaze had not left Xiao Man since she entered the hall. They had only been apart for a few months, yet he felt as though they had been separated for a long time. It was as if the Xiao Man before him had become somewhat unfamiliar.
"Since everyone is here, let the selection ceremony commence," the Empress said slowly. "The Imperial Concubine is the heir apparent of Lan Yue, the future of Lan Yue, and her status is noble. Her husband, naturally, must be someone who has overcome all obstacles and is an outstanding individual to become her husband. Do you all have confidence?"
"Yes!"
"Very good." The Empress was satisfied with their answers. "Xiao Man, do you have anything to say?"
"Your Majesty, no."
"Since you have nothing to say, let us begin."
The various men displayed their talents with all their might. Xiao Man, on the other hand, chatted with Wen Mohan, occasionally commenting on a young gentleman's talent, as if the one selecting a husband was not her, but someone else.
The Empress's gaze swept over Xiao Man, then to the other princesses. The eldest princess remained composed, the third princess appeared enthusiastic, and the fourth princess seemed listless, as if uninterested in everything.
"Xiao Man, after observing so many people, do you have anyone you fancy?"
"Your Majesty, no."
"Not a single one?"
"Not a single one." Xiao Man said with a beaming smile. "The powder on their faces is thick enough to plaster a wall, and their lips are painted as if they've drunk human blood. Such fine young men, dressing themselves up so effeminately, is truly unappealing."
The young gentlemen participating in the competition, upon hearing Xiao Man's words, hastily wiped the rouge from their lips and the powder from their faces. However, this act of wiping only smudged their makeup, making them appear even more ludicrous and comical.
The Empress frowned as she watched. "Lan Yue has four prominent clans, and the scions of these clans are quite outstanding. I think the young master of the Yao family is very good."
"If Your Majesty thinks he is good, then take him into your harem."
The smile on the Empress's face vanished. "Nonsense! This is your selection ceremony, primarily for choosing a husband for you."
"My husband has already been chosen," Xiao Man said softly. "The decree has already been issued, and the wedding date is set for the ninth day of the ninth month. As for these individuals, if Your Majesty likes them, perhaps you could take them all in. I doubt Master Feng would mind."