C2 The Imperial Decree

Fu Qingzhi understood in her heart that the current Saint had quite a number of internal favours and was an entire thirteen years older than her. This was truly not a good match. There had always been constant disputes in the Inner Palace, both in the open and in the dark. She had studied a lot since she was young and naturally understood the reasoning behind Eldest Sister's words. Furthermore, she did not have the heart to care about others, and only had Moo Huaifeng in her heart.

When Fu Qingyao saw that her younger sister's words were accurate, her heart relaxed a lot. She dragged her along and chatted a lot. The sun was gradually setting in the west. She wrapped up Qingzhi's favorite food and then instructed, "Come to the General's Estate. In the end, you still have to go and pay a visit to the madam. She pampers us, but we cannot be impolite."

Fu Qingzhi obediently replied, "Yes." She also reminded Eldest Sister to take good care of her illness and let Shuyue keep the things properly. She asked Madam Ming to be in the main hall and went all the way there.

When the frost trees fell, one's eyes were filled with autumn color. Just as they walked to the corner of the corridor, they saw Moo Huaifeng appear from the other end. Shuyue softly and mischievously said, "Miss, young master Mu cannot help but want to see you." Following that, without waiting for Qingzhi to speak, she very sensibly stood in the distance.

Moo Huaifeng had probably just returned from the martial arts field. He was dressed in a tight suit and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. The young man's lips were red and his teeth were white. He had not gone through the battlefield training like his father. Although he was dignified and righteous, when he saw Qingzhi, his face still turned slightly red and he bowed, "Sister Qi."

The person in front of her was the person in the heart. Qingzhi's heart was also gentle. She took out a piece of handkerchief from her sleeve. It was a gardenia flower that she had personally embroidered. She handed it over and said gently, "Wipe off your sweat. The weather is constantly changing these days. It would not be good if the wind blew."

Moo Huaifeng smiled and took it. He gently touched his forehead and solemnly put the handkerchief into his pocket. Qingzhi saw this and said, "Brother Huaifeng, this handkerchief was embroidered by me. What is the matter with you taking it?"

"Sister Qi, yesterday sister-in-law asked me what kind of thoughts she had for you." Moo Huaifeng was a little nervous and said very seriously, "Actually, you know what my thoughts are. And I will be like big brother, only marrying one person, and only treat her well."

The sincere young man guarded the male and female defense and did not dare to speak so clearly without the orders of his parents. But Fu Qingzhi could understand it. She smiled and lowered her head to say softly, "The exact meaning, I have already told Eldest Sister. Brother Huaifeng, I have seen Auntie and will be going home soon. En, I will wait at home peacefully."

After saying that, she did not wait for Moo Huaifeng's reaction. She called Shuyue and bowed. She walked past him and headed towards the main hall.

After seeing Meng, Fu Qingzhi accompanied her to say a few words of family activities. Because she saw that there were many stewards coming to look for her, Qingzhi took her leave and went home. Meng indeed had some matters to attend to and only said that she would have some time to talk in the future. She still got Mother Liu to send Qingzhi onto the sedan and steadily returned to the Shang Shu residence.

Just as they entered the house, the stewards beside Fu Chongnian, Fu Liang, came up and said, "Miss, the old master told you to go to the study room when he asked you to come back. There is an urgent matter."

"Uncle Liang, did Father say what it was?" Fu Qingzhi asked as she walked.

Fu Liang sighed. He was the son of his family. He watched Qingzhi grow up and his heart ached for this second young lady from the bottom of his heart. He could not say anything at the moment. He only said, "Master will tell you personally. It is a big matter."

Fu Qingzhi's heart tightened and Fu Liang led her to the study room and stayed outside with Shuyue.

In the study room, Fu Chongnian sat in front of the table and his brows were deeply knitted. After Qingzhi entered the door, he slightly relaxed his expression and gestured for his daughter to sit down.

Fu Qingzhi was a little perturbed and her father did not need to be too courteous in front of her. She immediately asked, "Father hurriedly called me over, what is the matter?"

"Gardenia, during the time you went to the Mu Residence, the Imperial Court sent an Imperial Decree." Fu Chongnian considered how to slowly tell his daughter, but in the end, he still said it directly, "August 17th, you have to select a large number of beautiful girls to fill up the gaps in the court. Although it is said to be a general selection, it is actually just some of the Prominent Classes in the capital who choose their appropriate age daughter to enter the Palace. Our Fu family only has you."

Fu Chongnian frowned again. He was not willing to enter the Palace with his own flesh and blood, but he could not disobey the Emperor's order.

Fu Qingzhi was stunned for a moment. She did not expect Eldest Sister to tell her that the Imperial Court had such intentions. She had thought of a countermeasure, but the decree came down so quickly. She bit her lips. She said, "Father, don't worry too much. I'm not a first-class talent. Be more timid during the talent show and let Shuyue spend some effort on dressing me up. It's good to be vulgar or uncouth. When the time comes, those girls will compete with each other for beauty. If you win a hundred times over me, the Emperor will definitely not leave behind my name. "

Fu Chongnian's brows furrowed even more. "Gardenia, you still don't quite understand the stakes here. For the Palace's talent show this time, "Actually, he came for the Fu family. His father is in this position. As time passes, the Emperor has already begun to doubt me. No matter which official you marry into, it will only help to strengthen the Fu family's influence. "

Fu Qingzhi couldn't help but say, "Father, I don't understand. If I enter the Palace and become the Imperial Concubine, wouldn't it strengthen the Fu family's position?"

"How can it be stable? Since ancient times, imperial power has always been the highest. For example, Emperor Xuan of Han had initially doted on Empress Huo Chengjun, but later on, his family was destroyed. Empress Huo also did not have a good end. Once the officials of the Imperial Court have a connection with the harem, Even if the two sides were to be controlled, they would still be able to live a glorious life together. Both sides would suffer, Gardenia. You've read a lot too. Look at history. Is it more glory or more loss? "

Fu Qingzhi knew that what her father said was right. She was in the harem. If she made a mistake, the Emperor could blame Fu Chongnian. If the Emperor wanted to suppress the Fu family, he only needed to make Fu Qingzhi's life in the harem not smooth to achieve his goal. Such a profitable thing, the Emperor naturally did it with ease. Thinking about it, this scheme began after that Palace Banquet. The Empress Dowager's rewards and those words that did not come out of nowhere were probably something that the mother and son had discussed earlier.

However, when Qingzhi thought of Moo Huaifeng, her heart ached. A relationship of more than ten years, of course, was imprinted in her heart in an overwhelming manner. The current Emperor was merely a symbol, but Moo Huaifeng was a good person in front of her. Qingzhi composed herself. She could not defy the decree, she could only force herself to remain calm. She bowed to her father, "My daughter will definitely not disappoint my father, but please protect yourself."

Not long after, the entire capital knew about the decree from the inner palace. Moo Huaifeng originally thought that he would be able to go to the Fu family to propose marriage the next day. In this way, it was like a thunderclap in a clear day. He immediately wanted to go to the Fu family. He had no other thoughts at the moment. He only wanted to see Fu Qingzhi and drag her away to a faraway place. He could not let his beloved girl enter the Palace.

However, Mu Lian and Meng knew him too well. Before Moo Huaifeng could step out of his room, The Great General ordered that he was not allowed to take a step outside these few days. A circle of personal soldiers surrounded him like an iron bucket. Meng came over and looked at him. As she spoke, she shed tears, "Don't you know how much I love Qingzhi that child? But that is the will of the Emperor. What can you use to resist? If you take her away, Fu family and Mu family... Are you going to disregard the lives of the people of the two families? "

A dignified seven-foot-tall man fell and was injured, but he didn't say anything. However, his mother's words had stirred up his emotions. Moo Huaifeng said fiercely, "Mother might not know what Qingzhi means to me. I can even say that. If that person was not the Emperor, even if she was already married, I will snatch her back and bring her away without caring about anything!"

Meng was so frightened that she covered his mouth and softly said, "Be careful of your words. If Qingzhi was really chosen, "She will be a Concubine. When we meet her in the future... We all have to address her as' Your Ladyship '. If your words were to spread out... Not to mention how you are doing, how can Qingzhi still be a person in the Palace? You want to let the entire world know that the Emperor's concubines are thinking of foreign ministers? Huaifeng. Listen to my words, if you really can't let go of her... Make a name for yourself so that you can protect her in the future. If the heavens pity her, the Emperor won't leave her name. Your mother will immediately ask for a marriage for you. "

However, to put it this way, who did not know that the young master's daughter, Fu Qingzhi, was already a predetermined candidate for the talent show that was to be held ten days later?

The days passed very quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was already August 17th. During this period, Moo Huaifeng had never come to Fu Manor before, so Qingzhi understood more than anyone else. What she did now was the right thing to do. Her name was printed on the list of beautiful girls. She was already considered half of the Emperor's people. She thought for herself. Thinking for Moo Huaifeng and never seeing him again in his life. That was the truth.

Since they were both daughters of the government, there was no need for them to enter the Palace in advance. They only needed to wake up early in the morning and be sent out of the Divine Martial Arts Sect by their family members. After getting out of the car, Fu Qingzhi walked to the Shunzhen Sect with a lotus-colored phoenix tail Luo Qun. Her makeup was simple and unattractive. She was silent along the way as she secretly sized up the girls around her. As she thought, there were a few people who were competing with each other for beauty. There was no reason for wealth. She sighed slightly. She heard that someone behind her asked in a low voice, "Sister Qingzhi?"

Fu Qingzhi heard this voice and turned her head to see it. The person in front of her laughed. He held her hand and shouted, "Nianyun."

Meng Nianyun's father was a primary grade eight major in the Imperial Inspection Department. Many years ago at the Prime Minister's Day, The young ladies of the government went to the water to play and pluck orchids to get rid of the evil energy. Meng Nianyun brought a little girl with her and was timid by herself. Her clothes were not luxurious, so she was looked down upon by others. It was Qingzhi who helped to relieve her. Meng Nianyun was very grateful. They called each other big sister and the two of them went to make a handkerchief for each other.

Qingzhi did not expect to meet her in the Imperial House and her face did not look happy. She only smiled and said, "Nianyun, you are also here for the talent show? Previously, you did not even greet me. At least we can come together."

Meng Nianyun had always been weak and when she first entered the Palace, she did not even know where to place her hands and feet. Her palms were covered in a layer of cold sweat and now when she saw Fu Qingzhi, she smiled foolishly and said," I do not dare to trouble elder sister. I was only here for the formality. My parents said that with my looks, I would never be selected. But elder sister, you are born with an immortal appearance. If you act noble, you'll definitely be given a plaque. "