Chapter 582:1 Don’t Want It Even If It’s Free
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“If you don’t tell me, how would I know? If you want me to know, then tell me on your own accord.” Su Ying didn’t like to make guesses. What was there that couldn’t be said outright?
Xiao Jin looked at her puzzled eyes. It was obvious that she really didn’t know. He sighed somewhat weakly. “Are you really willing to let me take a concubine? And you’re even so generous to help me choose?”
Su Ying blinked. “Didn’t you see those ministers? If I rejected them, wouldn’t their spittle splatter me to death?”
Xiao Jin didn’t believe that she was someone who was afraid of that bit of spittle!
She would not be afraid, but she would feel disgusted.
Su Ying hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek again. “I don’t have the habit of sharing my man with anyone else. If I don’t respond, they’ll bring it up again next time. They can’t do anything to me, but I’m too tired to deal with them again. Therefore, I might as well let them be afraid this time so that they won’t bother me again.”
Xiao Jin’s mood was completely lifted at this point. “Yingying is still the smartest.”
Su Ying looked at him with a beaming smile. “You’re really a strange man. How many men want to be surrounded by beautiful women? You’re really something. They are offering themselves for free, but you don’t even want them.”
Xiao Jin bent down and picked her up horizontally. “Those are not free, you know.” He knew very well what those ministers were up to.
“You mean you really want them if they are really free?” Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed menacingly.
Xiao Jin sensed her jealousy and laughed heartily. “I only want you.”
“That’s more like it.”
Zhou Qmg listened to the happenings in the inner hall and tactfully closed the door. She also stood further away.
When Su Ying said that she wanted to add more people to the Emperor’s harem, many of the officials who originally did not dare to have such thoughts began to make plans after returning from the banquet.
The next day, a thick stack of names was delivered to Su Ying.
Su Ying casually flipped through the lists of girls who had signed up. From the daughters of the prestigious aristocratic families to the daughters of the ninth-grade minor officials, all their names were sent here.
“Zhou Qing, pass on my words. Those who want to enter the palace, they can but they have to go through a test. This test is not something ordinary people can endure. I’ll give them a chance to regret. It’s not too late for them to remove their names now.”
Zhou Qing also felt that there were simply too many people who wanted to enter the palace, and the Empress and the Emperor would go blind from going through so many names.
“Yes, your servant will pass down the message now.”
Women had to go through many tests before they could enter the palace. After Zhou Qing passed on the message, everyone began muttering. They wondered how the test Su Ying mentioned was different from the previous rules.
Some people retreated after learning of Su Ying’s reputation.
When the revised name list was sent to Su Ying, the number of people was much lower than before.
“500 people is still too many.”
Your Imperial Highness, why don’t we choose according to the aristocratic families?” Zhou Qing suggested softly.
Su Ying shook her head.
“Tell them to wait outside the palace gate tomorrow morning. Tell them to dress such that they can move nimbly. I want to test their physical fitness.” Zhou Qing straightaway interpreted Su Ying’s idea of physical fitness as their physical condition. Such a test was previously carried out by the palace’s nannies, so there was no need for Su Ying to do it herself at all.
However, since Su Ying had already spoken, she would do as she was told.
Xiao Jin handed this matter over to Su Ying totally, but he did mention it when he returned at night. In any case, if she really dared to bring a woman back for him, he would make sure she couldn’t get out of bed!
The next day, Xiao Jin had just gotten up and changed into his dragon robe when he turned around and saw Su Ying sitting up on the bed.
“It’s so cold. Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”
Su Ying yawned. “It will be almost time after I tidy up. I still have to personally oversee the testing of those young girls.”
Xiao Jin Stepped forward and carried her out of the blanket. He pressed the tip of his nose against her forehead and said, “Aren’t you a young girl too?” Su Ying murmured in agreement. That was right. She was only in her early twenties, so she was indeed young.
“Hurry up and go attend the court session.” She gave him a push.
Xiao Jin reluctantly let go. “Mm-hmm.”
After Xiao Jin left the inner hall, Su Ying didn’t waste any more time. After washing up and taking her breakfast, she led Zhou Qing to the area outside the palace gates.
A layer of snow covered the area outside the palace gate. It was so cold that one shivered non-stop.
After receiving Su Ying’s message, the girls came early and waited outside the palace gates. Even though it was cold, they didn’t dare to leave without permission.
“Her Imperial Highness the Empress has arrived.”
As the announcement rang out, everyone stepped forward and bowed to Su Ying.
Su Ying stood outside the palace gates. “No need for formalities. You may all rise.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.”
Everyone straightened up and looked at Su Ying, waiting for her instructions.
“I have already told all of you before. If you want to enter the palace, you must pass three tests. Today is the first test, which is testing your physical fitness. In a while, all those who are willing to participate in the test will start from the red line in front and run one lap around the outside of the palace complex. The first fifty people to reach the finishing line will be qualified to participate in the second test.”
As soon as Su Ying finished speaking, all the noble young ladies present were dumbfounded. They were up early and spent tremendous effort to prepare to compete on beauty, family background, and talent. Who would have thought that Su Ying would actually ask them to run!
“The weather is so cold. We might not even be able to walk steadily, let alone
run. Isn’t Your Imperial Highness making things difficult for us?”
A displeased voice rang out from the crowd, and it sounded particularly jarring.
The young lady realized that she was too loud and quickly lowered her head in fear.
Su Ying wasn’t angry but simply said, “In order to prove that this matter isn’t difficult, I’ll be running with all of you later. However, since you want me to participate, I’ll have to take away one place from the fifty slots. I will also take up a spot from your allocation.”
Since Su Ying wanted to run along with them, even if these women were not
happy, they didn’t dare to say anything.
Wasn’t it just running one lap around the palace complex? They didn’t believe that they couldn’t do it!
“Those of you who don’t want to participate can step forward now and go back on your own. I won’t blame you.”
Although many women had troubled expressions, they had already reached this stage. If they retreated at this juncture, their family would definitely not let them off when they returned. Even if they were unwilling, they could only brace themselves and press on!
Su Ying took off the complicated ornaments on her head and walked to the red rope that demarcated the starting line. Before they set off, everyone drew lots to determine their starting position. If they were lucky, those who drew a tag with a number up front would be able to occupy a more advantageous position.
Su Ymg didn’t participate in the drawing of lots, but stood amongst them.
After everything was ready, Su Ying looked at Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing nodded slightly and struck the drum in her hand with a loud thump.
“Go!”
The moment the sound of the drum rang out, almost everyone ran forward with all their might.
When the ministers in the palace came out after the morning court session ended, they saw their daughters and granddaughters running wildly outside the palace gates.
All the ministers were stunned by this sight.
“What… what on earth is going on? How can a well-bred girl behave in such a barbaric fashion? How unpresentable!”
The Imperial Guards outside the gates were pulled to the side by the ministers to inquire what was going on.
After the Imperial Guards explained everything in detail, the ministers looked
at each other with faces as black as the bottom of a pot!
In what way was the Empress choosing a concubine for the Emperor by doing this? She was clearly looking for someone to run errands!