âGo. Why not?â Li Quan glared at him, âHow many times have I taught you that you must understand what the masters really want to know.â
The little eunuch scratched his head: âIâm too stupid, master, you have to teach me more.â
âBeing stupid doesnât matter, just donât have too many fanciful thoughts. We have a long life ahead of us, youâll learn slowly following me.â Li Quanâs voice softened a little, âGo ahead, besides else, just keep an eye out for what the Princess Consort has chosen for our master.â
âAlright, Iâll go now.â
With a pat on his head, the little eunuch scampered off.
Currently, in the Elegant Heir Palace, standing in front of the Emperorâs concubines was the second group of beauties.
The first group of beauties was not very pleasing to the eyes. Though the Emperor did not express anything, the Empress took this opportunity to deliberately mock Jiang Ning.
As expected, not a single one from this group was retained.
In this second group, right in the center was Shui Xiuxiu, who bore a striking resemblance to Concubine Jin.
The Emperor threw one glance and couldnât take his gaze off her.
He even forgot to twirl the bead chain in his hand.
âWhatâs your name?â The Emperor sat upright and asked directly.
Shui Xiuxiu bowed her head in salute, speaking softly: âYour Majesty, my name is Shui Xiuxiu.â
The Empress and the other concubines were also staring at Shui Xiuxiu in astonishment.
Shui Xiuxiu was very young, about fifteen or sixteen, still very juvenile, but whether it was her makeup or her demeanor, they all resembled Concubine Jin.
Even the peacock blue dress she wore was Concubine Jinâs favorite color.
All these deliberate imitations, in the eyes of a person who missed Concubine Jin deeply, was as if Concubine Jin had come back to life.
Seeing the Emperorâs expression, the Empress knew that this newcomer would soon usurp Concubine Yaâs position as the favored concubine.
She would become the second Jin Zhuzhu in the harem.
The Emperor did have a taste for this type, after all.
When she was young, she would still feel jealousy, but by now, the Empress didnât care who the Emperor favored anymore. What she was really concerned about was how Shui Xiuxiu came to be.
When Concubine Jin passed away, the Emperor went into decline. Out of anxiety, the Empress had considered finding a substitute, and had even searched ostentatiously for a while.
However, she found no one.
But now, out of the blue, there appeared a beauty who bore an uncanny resemblance to Concubine Jin.
This couldnât help but make her suspicious.
She was a woman, an older woman, a woman who had seen the tricks and intrigues in the harem countless of times.
She could see at one glance that Shui Xiuxiuâs appearance and behavior were all deliberate imitations of Concubine Jin. If it were just about looks, she only bore a forty to fifty percent resemblance to Concubine Jin.
But add in these deliberate imitations, or rather, this training, she was eighty to ninety percent similar.
Could this be a coincidence?
The Empress wasnât that naive.
She absolutely didnât believe that Shui Xiuxiuâs appearance was merely a coincidence.
The selection of beauties from all regions, according to Great Shengâs custom, was always handled by the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Temple. And it was well known that the Minister of Rites and the Junior Minister of Honglu Temple were both pupils of Prime Minister Jiang.
In other words, the selection of beauties was definitely dictated by Jiang Ruobai.
So this matter with Shui Xiuxiu must also somehow involve Jiang Ruobai.
In the blink of an eye, the Empress pieced together the implications behind this event.
A chill smile emerged on her lips, as she observed the Emperorâs fazed eyes staring straight at Shui Xiuxiu, and took the initiative to speak: âIt seems that I misunderstood the Princess Consort. I hadnât expected the real beauty to be at the back. Shui Xiuxiu, you are very good. You can stay and serve the Emperor.â@@novelbin@@
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