Chapter 343: Imperial Concubine Selection, Nothing More Than This (1)
Because they were here to screen, Ouyang Tong could not wear her veil, so her delicate face, which could be called a beauty even in the Cultivation World, was exposed to everyone’s eyes without any obstruction.
Unfortunately, as beautiful as she was, she made a mistake by impersonating the famous Qi Huang, and she was also in this imperial palace where beauties were everywhere. Therefore, this level of beauty was still not enough!
Ouyang Tong had already deeply realized this point, so she had been subconsciously lowering her head.
“Lift your head!”
Consort Hui commanded.
Ouyang Tong had no choice but to grit her teeth and slowly raise her head.
“Heh heh, rumor has it that Cheng Hong Ling is of unparalleled beauty, known as the Twin Beauties of the West Radiance Dynasty’s Cultivation World. Why do I think she’s not as beautiful as some of my elder and younger sisters?”
Consort Hui said with disdain, mocking without any reservation.
Ouyang Tong’s delicate body trembled, and her head gradually lowered.
‘She’s really lying with her eyes open!’
Qi Huang was amused to death. Although Ouyang Tong could not compare to herself, she was a beauty of the same level as Liu Yingyue, and coupled with her youth, how could she be inferior to a few faded concubines?
Lin Tu glanced at Consort Hui intentionally or unintentionally, his expression growing colder.
“Oh? My dear sister thinks too highly of me. I am old and faded, how can I compare to such a young girl?”
Empress Zheng said modestly beside her. She knew that this fake Imperial Concubine was likely arranged by the Emperor, so she did not dare to be presumptuous.
Consort Hui was stunned for a moment. She never dreamed that Empress Zheng would have a day of modesty. It was truly a sight to behold.
“Sister is too modest. With such a frail appearance, even if you were sixty years old, she still wouldn’t be able to compare to you.”
Consort Hui continued, not knowing the danger.
“Yes, that face is not as eye-catching as the mark between her eyebrows. It seems that rumors are indeed unreliable. If our Sixth Princess were to be called the Twin Beauties of the Cultivation World, she would be more fitting than her.”
The flamboyant noble consort also chimed in, but her flattery was clearly directed at Consort Jin.
Hearing these words, Ouyang Tong began to helplessly fiddle with the corners of her skirt.
“Consort Li, you flatter me. Although Ran’er has some beauty, she is not much better than her.”
Consort Jin, being a smart person, said neither humble nor arrogant.
“Both elder sisters are indeed outstanding figures in the harem, with broad minds and virtuous characters.”
Consort Hui gave a perfunctory compliment, then shifted the topic: “However, people can lie, but the Phoenix Selection Token cannot. I heard that she tested the Phoenix Selection Token and got full marks in all six categories. Whether it’s true or false, we shall wait and see the result.”
“Eunuch Zhong, begin!”
Lin Tu sneered and then ordered the screening to start.
Ouyang Tong felt as if she had been pardoned and quickly returned to the ranks.
“Your Majesty, this humble minister has one more matter to report.”
At this moment, Imperial Attendant Zhou stepped forward and bowed.
“Speak!”
Lin Tu said with slight impatience.
“Although there are a total of one hundred and seventy-two Imperial Concubines present, one of them named Chen Yuzhu caught a cold midway and is now bedridden and unconscious, so she cannot participate in this screening.”
Imperial Attendant Zhou reported.
Upon hearing this, Qi Huang secretly became alert. The success of her plan depended most on Lin Tu’s attitude. If the other party was a sovereign who insisted that she be cured before testing, or allowed to leave the palace only after being cured, then there might be unexpected problems.
“What? A cold?”
Lin Tu’s brow furrowed again. His eyes darted around, and he said, “Knowing that she was about to have an audience with His Majesty, yet she still caught a cold. Is she trying to spread it to everyone in the palace? Truly malicious intent, send her out immediately.”
“Yes!”
Imperial Attendant Zhou respectfully accepted the order.
‘Heh heh, it’s truly a case of “a guilty conscience needs no accuser”!’
Qi Huang couldn’t help but sigh.
“Your West Radiance Dynasty truly has a good Emperor! An Imperial Concubine is bedridden and unconscious, and he directly kicks her out?”
Yaoyao also could not stand it and mocked.
‘Fortunately, he’s a foolish ruler, otherwise, my plan wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.’
Qi Huang sneered. In fact, it was precisely because she knew Lin Tu’s character that she dared to use a clone to feign illness to replace herself.
Next, Eunuch Zhong walked to the front of the group of Imperial Concubines, took out a Phoenix Selection Token, and began to explain: “Esteemed Imperial Concubines, this item is called the Phoenix Selection Token. The initial version originated from an Immortal Sect in Zhongzhou and was used to select cultivators, hence its name ‘Immortal Selection Token.’ Because its purpose was very simple, it could only test a person’s bloodline superiority. Later, the royal family of a certain country imitated this method to select concubines.
However, through practical testing, everyone discovered that its functions were too limited and could not meet the demand, so it was improved to add many functions, which could test six aspects of a person, including appearance, figure, skin, body fragrance, fertility, and voice.
As for appearance, figure, skin, body fragrance, and voice, everyone understands them. I will mainly elaborate on the fertility aspect.”
Eunuch Zhong’s tone became serious at this point: “The fertility of ordinary women only concerns the future of a family, while the fertility of concubines concerns the prosperity of the entire nation. Therefore, to become a concubine, simply being able to give birth is not enough. More importantly, what one gives birth to. Thus, the ‘fertility’ aspect of the Phoenix Selection Token also incorporates the function of the ‘Immortal Selection Token,’ which includes testing for bloodline.”
The Imperial Concubines listened patiently. Although they were not unfamiliar with this, the more important thing at this moment was to display their ladylike demeanor.
“This means that if your fertility score is very low, besides having problems with your reproductive function, it could also be due to a very inferior bloodline, and vice versa. Moreover, because the imperial heirs concern the future of the entire nation, this item is of crucial importance. If it is too low, even if the other aspects are high, you might still be eliminated.”
Eunuch Zhong added.
The Imperial Concubines remained silent, as they all understood.
“Alright, let the testing begin! But before that, I must remind you that this Phoenix Selection Token tests a woman’s innate conditions, so put away any侥幸心理. Don’t think that a little plastic surgery or a bit of rouge and powder will get you a good score. It’s impossible.”
After saying this, Eunuch Zhong brought out the roster to call out names, and any Imperial Concubine whose name was called would come forward to be tested.
Lin Tu and several concubines in the harem were also observing secretly, waiting for Ouyang Tong’s turn.
Qi Huang was naturally the same. If Ouyang Tong was eliminated, she could return to HongHua Sect with peace of mind.
At this moment, the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device received by Qi Huang rang. She took it out and saw that it was her main body. Because the Imperial Capital was too far from HongHua Sect, and she had not actively contacted her main body, Cheng Hong Ling could only use the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device to communicate.
“Have the people from the Immortal Alliance arrived?”
Cheng Hong Ling asked.
“People from the Immortal Alliance? What are the people from the Immortal Alliance here for?”
Qi Huang was a bit confused.
“I notified them, saying that you have cultivated True Qi again, so they will definitely come to investigate.”
Cheng Hong Ling explained.
“Ah? Why did you do that?”
Qi Huang was a bit stunned.
“Because I don’t trust Lin Tu’s character! If Ouyang Tong is exposed during the test, with your character, you will definitely step in to save her personally. At that time, if you want to leave, you can only choose the method of revealing your True Qi, but that dog emperor has no integrity, and whether he will let you go is uncertain. Without the Immortal Alliance present to exert pressure, it’s not feasible.”
Cheng Hong Ling explained her plan.
“In front of everyone, would he really dare to forcibly keep me?”
Qi Huang was a little uncertain.
“Better safe than sorry.”
Cheng Hong Ling replied.
“Your consideration is indeed very thoughtful, but I want to ask, have the people from the Immortal Alliance in the Imperial Capital met you?”
Qi Huang asked after some thought.
“Yes, I participated in the national Evergreen Convention four years ago, and it was organized by the Immortal Alliance in the Imperial Capital. Elder Zuo was also present at that time.”
Cheng Hong Ling replied immediately.
“Then what if they directly expose Ouyang Tong after their arrival? They don’t know what Lin Tu is planning.”
Qi Huang worried.
“It’s alright. First, my last participation in the national Evergreen Convention was four or five years ago. They haven’t seen me in recent years, so they won’t make such hasty conclusions. Second, Lin Tu is just a dog, not an idiot, and he will definitely inform the Immortal Alliance of his intentions immediately.”
Cheng Hong Ling explained logically.
“That makes sense, but can we still trust the Immortal Alliance? Last time, that Cai fellow secretly attacked me to please the dog emperor.”
Qi Huang hesitated, then said.
“Such unscrupulous means precisely proves that they care a lot about their reputation. As long as you protect your True Qi and don’t be as naive as last time, in such an occasion, the people from the Immortal Alliance will definitely not compromise easily.”
Cheng Hong Ling said with great certainty.
“I hope so!”
Qi Huang was completely convinced. It was better to have it than not.
“Reporting to His Majesty, Prince Kang, his consort, and Elder Zuo of the Immortal Alliance request an audience!”
At this moment, a guard ran forward and reported.
