"This one will do. Have the matron in charge train her properly, then send her to His Majesty tomorrow." Seated high in a side hall of the Imperial Harem, Zhu Zhuying lazily surveyed the queens and consorts offered by the Southern Kingdoms.
Naturally, not every crooked melon and cracked date could have the opportunity to serve the reigning emperor of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty.
After all, regional differences meant that each nation had its own standards of beauty. Some prized plumpness, sending princesses and queens who looked like wooden posts with heads growing out of them. Others prized dark skin, their queens and princesses looking like lumps of coal.
As the only consort who had accompanied Li Chen, Zhu Zhuying naturally took it upon herself to handle the selection.
Just then, a palace maid hurried up to Zhu Zhuying and whispered a few words in her ear.
The languor vanished from Zhu Zhuying's face, replaced by bewilderment and disbelief. Soon, however, a mischievous smile spread across her pretty face. She waved at the maid and said, "What are you waiting for? Bring her in!"
Before long, the maid led the Empress Dowager slowly into the hall, prayer beads in hand.
Looking at her former daughter-in-law seated high above her, a rare trace of indescribably complex emotion flashed through the Empress Dowager's cool eyes. Her thoughts drifted back to the days when she had held Zhu Zhuying's hand and praised her, leaving the younger woman overwhelmed by the favor.
Back then, she had been the Empress Dowager, while Zhu Zhuying had merely been an official's daughter. The gulf between their stations had been vast.
Now, however, Zhu Zhuying had attached herself to the Emperor of Heavenly Strategy, and her status far surpassed her own.
Sighing softly inwardly, the Empress Dowager dipped