Chapter 14: The Grand Selection Ceremony

The Lower Prime Festival marks the first significant celebration after winter’s arrival in the Kingdom of Yu. It is a time to honor ancestors, former emperors, and the heavens and earth. As Yu is a newly established realm and its founding emperor, Zheng Yi, still lives, no rituals for previous emperors are held. Nonetheless, the rites to honor heaven and earth are personally conducted by the reigning sovereign, Emperor Wu Yuan, Zheng Yuansen.

On this night, Emperor Wu Yuan decrees that the gates of the capital remain open, so the people may revel together. Throughout the city, lanterns illuminate the darkness, turning night into day, their radiance surpassing imagination. The streets are crowded—people throng together, celebrating in harmony.

Within the imperial city, the palace is equally lively; maids and eunuchs move about under their masters’ orders, lighting lanterns to pray for blessings. Many palace maids gather by the streams beside their respective quarters to release river lanterns, their laughter echoing through the night.

It is a peaceful evening—nothing untoward occurs.

After the Lower Prime Festival, rare clear weather settles in; a gentle breeze stirs, though a chill lingers in the air. Even so, nothing can dampen the fervor of a group of young maidens, graceful as blossoms, their spirits ablaze. Early in the morning, with their tutors urging them, they wash and dress, making their way to the Imperial Garden to await the day’s proceedings.

Today is the Emperor’s grand selection ceremony.

Over two hundred candidates, refined through a month of selection, training, and covert rivalry, have reached this moment. The Emperor has only recently ascended the throne, at forty-six years old, in the prime of his life. It is his duty to ensure the flourishing of Yu through many heirs.

Yet Emperor Wu Yuan, Zheng Yuansen, is deeply devoted to his first wife, Lü Su; their mutual respect leaves little room for other women at his side. Lü Su has borne him three sons and a daughter, all extraordinary in talent and character.

Beyond the Empress, Zheng Yuansen has four consorts, each married for alliances forged during his conquest, with little true affection between them. When he was a prince, this was unremarkable, but now as emperor, countless petitions urge him to take more consorts for the sake of royal progeny—even the retired emperor has summoned him repeatedly to encourage this.

At last, Emperor Wu Yuan yields, ordering the selection. Yet as the realm is not fully settled and several rebel kings still resist, the scope is limited to the three provinces surrounding the capital; the southern provinces are excluded.

Even so, from tens of thousands of carefully chosen women, only two hundred pass the rigorous selection to reach this final stage. Here, the retired emperor, the sovereign, and the empress herself will make their choices.

Among these candidates, who will remain in the palace? Even those not chosen as imperial favorites may be assigned to other members of the royal family, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and honor.

If a maiden’s family is influential, and she herself is pleasing or possesses a special talent, she might catch the emperor’s eye and ascend swiftly to the rank of consort—a fortune many women strive for their entire lives.

Within the Imperial Garden, blossoms abound, tender and dewy. Though it is early spring and many flowers are still in bud, the two hundred maidens outshine them in freshness and beauty. Some are dignified, some radiant, some pure, others innocent and charming.

“Your clothes are beautiful, sister,” one maiden says.

“You are lovely as well. Is that Shu brocade from Shu Province? I’ve heard a single bolt costs a tael of gold.”

“Sister, you have a keen eye—it is indeed from Shu Province…”

“I wonder which sister will be chosen by His Majesty today…”

“How old are you, to even think of His Majesty? Do you know what being a consort means?”

“Hmph! Of course I know! My mother secretly taught me many things!”

“What things?”

“Hmph! I won’t tell you~”

“Mother, bless your child; may I be chosen by His Majesty!”

“His Majesty is exceptional, Mother. I promise I’ll do my best!”

“So many people…”

Within the Imperial Garden, the two hundred candidates chatter like a flock of birds, their voices noisy yet melodic, the youthful tones as sweet as songbirds, inviting listeners to linger.

Yet even as they mingle, subtle divisions emerge—by family status, influence, and maternal lineage, the candidates form distinct groups. Within these, further cliques arise based on family rank and personal affinity.

The most powerful group consists of daughters of advisers, confidantes, and noble families closely tied to Emperor Zheng Yuansen. Raised from childhood in royal etiquette, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, their ambition is clear: to ascend as the emperor’s consort. Especially among the noble daughters, their bearing and gaze far exceed those of ordinary girls.

After all, the Zheng clan that founded Yu was once merely a provincial noble house. During the late Jin, they rose in rebellion, forging alliances with other aristocrats, ultimately overthrowing the Jin and rival kings to establish their own kingdom.

The second group comprises daughters of military households. Jin had similar military families, tasked with guarding counties and borders; over time, they grew powerful, forming their own military factions. These girls grew up surrounded by martial arts, many possessing skills and valor that draw admiring glances.

The third group is made up of commoners. With no influential lineage, they are chosen for their beauty or virtue, discovered by local officials and sent to the capital in hope of advancement.

As the sun rises and warmth spreads, a large contingent of eunuchs appears at the garden gate. With Ye Ge’s resonant voice, several grand and ornate sedan chairs, exuding royal majesty, are borne into view.

“The retired emperor arrives!”

“The emperor arrives!”

“The empress arrives!”

“Consort Duan arrives!”

The four sedan chairs enter in succession. According to tradition, the emperor presides over the selection, assisted by the empress. This year, due to special circumstances, the retired emperor Zheng Yi joins the procession.

The sedan chairs reach their appointed place. Zheng Yi emerges first, accompanied by Zheng Yuansen and Empress Lü Su, ascending the prepared platform for the ceremony.

In royal rituals, the retired emperor leads offerings to heaven and ancestors. But today’s selection is not a state affair, so Zheng Yi presides as retired emperor.

“Father, please be seated,” Zheng Yuansen says.

Zheng Yi nods, gestures to the chairs, and says, “You may sit as well.”

“Thank you, Father!” Zheng Yuansen answers and takes his seat. Empress Lü Su and Consort Duan, Shen Tu Yu, sit respectfully.

Empress Lü Su is the sister of current Prime Minister Lü Renliang. Learned, virtuous, and wise, she is greatly respected by Zheng Yuansen; together they are a model couple, and she is recognized as a wise empress.

Consort Duan, Shen Tu Yu, is the daughter of the current Minister of Works and Northern Expedition General, Shen Tu Hao, of the Heyang Shen Tu family. Though Shen Tu Hao nominally holds the ministry, his real duty is as Grand General, and his post will soon be assigned elsewhere.

Coming from a noble family, Shen Tu Hao devoted the entire clan to Zheng Yuansen’s rise, forming his strongest faction. Thus, Zheng Yuansen, out of affection for the family, dotes on Shen Tu Yu.

“Greetings to the retired emperor!”

“Greetings to His Majesty!”

“Greetings to the empress!”

“Greetings to Consort Duan!”

More than two hundred maidens kneel in unison, their voices echoing “Long live!”—the sound stirs Zheng Yi, a flicker of excitement in his heart.

So many young beauties—all his to command! Should he desire, any of them could serve him intimately.

Zheng Yuansen turns, murmuring, “Father?”

“The emperor may choose as he wishes—keep whomever you like.”

“Father, among these candidates, four have already been designated, daughters of officials…”

“I understand,” Zheng Yi replies. “Other than those four, the rest may enter Xingqing Palace.”

“Ah…?”

“What are you surprised for? Begin the selection!”

“Yes…yes!” Zheng Yuansen’s expression is peculiar, but he proceeds: “Rise, all of you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Around them, officials of the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Directorate of Ceremonies, and the Ministries of Revenue and Rites are present, tasked with registering the candidates and verifying their identities.

One official steps forward, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty, I am Lin He, chief steward of the Ministry of Revenue, and host for today’s selection. All candidates are prepared—may I ask Your Majesty…”

“Very well, let us begin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lin He stands, quickly moves to the pavilion, pulls out the prepared roster, and proclaims, “The imperial selection begins!”

“Bring forth the candidates!”