Chapter 9, so it is

Indeed. Murong Lin patted his chest in a manner reminiscent of the martial world, exuding an air of confidence as if everything was under his control. Only then did Murong Xue feel reassured enough to return and continue her sleep

Murong Xue, being acquainted with Qin Zhi'ang, felt no fear of the county office's grand hall. Stepping inside, she curiously peered over the desk, eager to see what the Duke of Zhaoyang, who held the power to determine her fate, looked like

What happened

Murong Xue was originally still in a daze, but her sharp scream startled her awake completely

Upon seeing Murong Xue visit, Qin Zhi'ang kindly inquired, "Has your father not returned yet?"

In the night, Murong Xue got up to relieve herself, and Dingxiang came in with a lamp. Suddenly, there was a startled cry, and the lamp in her hand nearly fell to the ground

Peilan asked, "Miss, are you not waiting for the master to return before going?"

Murong Xue nodded with a smile: "Yes, my father probably won't be back for several more days." As she spoke, she placed the gift box on the tea table beside Qin Zhi'ang, smiling brightly as she said: "Uncle, this is a pair of mountain ginseng that is rarely seen in a hundred years, the treasure of the Huichun Medical Hall. I brought it to pay my respects to you."

Returning to the Huichun Medical Hall, she rested her chin on her hand under the window, racking her brain for a solution. What if she delivered a gift to Prince Zhaoyang? However, how could a dignified prince possibly regard a mere five thousand taels of silver? If she went to deliver the gift herself, it would only backfire and bring her humiliation. Then again, the best strategy among the thirty-six stratagems is to retreat. Yet, the Huichun Medical Hall is the family business her father built through years of hard work; how could she simply abandon it? Moreover, at this moment, Murong Lin was not at home. If she ran away alone, it would be like a monk fleeing the temple, and both Murong Lin and the Huichun Medical Hall would suffer the consequences. However, the Huichun Medical Hall is the family business her father built through years of hard work; how could she simply abandon it? Furthermore, at this moment, Murong Lin was not at home. If she ran away alone, it would be like a monk fleeing the temple, and both Murong Lin and the Huichun Medical Hall would suffer the consequences.

The spendthrift young lady. Dingxiang brought the treasured old ginseng that Murong Lin cherished like a precious gem, while Murong Xue placed the banknotes into the box containing the old ginseng. Accompanied by Dingxiang and Peilan, they headed towards the county office.

Father, Father

"Father, you have finally returned." Murong Xue had been cherished by her parents like a precious pearl since birth, but when faced with a crisis, her father was not by her side, and she had to bear it alone. At this moment, seeing her father, she instantly reverted from a strong woman to a delicate girl, and tears could not be restrained.

Qin sighed, closed the box, and said helplessly, "Niece, to be honest, I have long considered this matter. It is not that your uncle is unwilling to help you, but rather that I am powerless. This selection is of great importance; the Emperor has personally dispatched Prince Zhaoyang to oversee it. It would be impossible for me to manipulate things from within, as if Prince Zhaoyang were to find out and report it to the court, not only would I be guilty of deceiving the Emperor, but the Huichun Medical Center would also face great calamity"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xue realized that this matter was indeed quite tricky

Murong Xue counted the silver notes and said, "Go and bring that pair of old ginseng from the cabinet."

Qin Zhi'ang hurriedly replied: "How could I dare to accept this?"

Murong Xue nodded: "Of course I remember, it is precisely because of her that this selection event came to be." The year before last, Zhao Zhenniang's pregnancy was a shocking event that stirred the entire court and the common people. The Emperor was greatly pleased, and the Zhao family rose to prominence, moving the entire family to the capital to receive their titles, while the once-declining Zhao family's courtyard was left idle next to the Huichun Medical Hall.

Murong Xue: "... ..." At this point, could you please be a bit more modest, esteemed elder

"Father, will this pimple on my face get better?" Murong Xue asked the most concerning question; she certainly did not want to live her life with a face full of red spots, how could she ever get married like this

After much contemplation and finding no solution, I was furrowing my brow in distress when suddenly I heard Ah Tai's shout ahead, "The master has returned"

It is no wonder that the master is so eager to recruit a reliable son-in-law to manage the household; otherwise, if this family business were entrusted to the young lady, everyone would soon be left to fend for themselves.

"Drink up, it's good stuff." Murong Lin did not specify what it was, but coaxed his daughter to drink it all.

This year she gave birth to Princess Wenchang, and has become increasingly favored, having already been granted the title of Shufei. Years ago, my father saved her life, and I believe the Zhao family will not be ungrateful. If you are selected, my father will go to the capital first, find the Zhao family, and seek out Zhao Zhenniang.

Murong Lin had long made up his mind that even if it meant losing everything, he would not allow his daughter to enter the palace. It is not just because the current emperor is over sixty; even if he were young, it would still be unacceptable. Firstly, he knows his daughter better than anyone else; her naive and straightforward nature, devoid of any guile, would only lead to her demise if she entered the palace. Secondly, she is his only precious treasure, and once she steps through the palace gates, it would be as deep as the sea, equivalent to never seeing her again. Just thinking about it makes his heart ache.

County magistrate Qin Zhi'ang, due to his emphasis on health preservation, has always maintained a close friendship with Murong Lin. Murong Xue refers to him as "uncle." This time, she also learned about the selection event in advance from him.

Murong Xue said: "I am afraid he won't be able to return in time, so I will go myself. You all go to the ticket office tomorrow morning to collect the banknotes for five thousand taels of silver."

Murong Lin stroked the beautiful beard on his chin and muttered to himself, "However, it is best not to be selected." With that, he hurried off to the pharmacy. After a little more than half an hour, he returned with a bowl of dark, murky medicinal soup.

Murong Xue touched her face, harboring an unwavering confidence in her inevitable defeat, and walked into the crowd with a refreshed spirit, her cheeks glowing with vitality.

Qin Zhi'ang further stated: "In this selection process, the thirty-two women chosen in the preliminary round will be personally reviewed by Prince Zhaoyang. Once they arrive in the capital, the Emperor will make the final selection himself. Since the late Empress passed away, the position has been vacant for many years. If my niece can catch the Emperor's eye and bear a son, it would bring immense wealth and honor to the Murong family."

Ah, it is difficult to defy fate; niece, take this ginseng back. Although Qin Zhi'ang had a close friendship with Murong Lin, he naturally valued his own future and life far more than the former.

Early the next morning, Peilan and Dingxiang went to the ticket office to gather the banknotes and delivered them to Murong Xue.

Murong Xue felt a significant alleviation of her worries upon hearing her father's plans. She hoped that Zhao Zhenniang would remember their past affection and help resolve her current predicament

Murong Xue sniffed and asked, "Father, do you have any other solutions?"

Qin Mingyue nodded sympathetically

Murong Lin was counting his possessions when he opened the door to see his daughter with a face full of red envelopes. He was not surprised at all; instead, he let out a sigh of relief with a smile, and said with great satisfaction: "I was worried that time would be too tight and I wouldn't be able to deliver it in a timely manner, but I didn't expect that my medical skills are indeed remarkable."

Murong Lin did not expect the situation to be so difficult. Seeing his daughter in tears, he felt his heart shatter. He hurriedly comforted her, saying: "A-Xue, do not cry. Father will never allow you to enter the palace, you can rest assured."

"Uncle Qin, please do not stand on ceremony with your niece. Take a look at this ginseng." She opened the box. Naturally, what Qin Zhi'ang saw was not the mountain ginseng, but a stack of banknotes placed on top of it.

In the upper seat of Qin Zhi'ang, at the center of the table, sat a man, undoubtedly him

Murong Xue shook her head: "No, my daughter has already gone to seek him out. This selection is of great importance; the Emperor has sent Prince Zhaoyang to personally oversee the matter, and Uncle Qin does not dare to take any underhanded actions. My daughter brought along five thousand taels in banknotes to offer, but he did not even dare to accept them"

After all thirty-two women had arrived, they were called by name by Master Liu and led into the county office

Murong Xue reluctantly took her leave as Qin Zhi'ang refused to accept her gift

Really

Do you still remember Zhao Zhenniang, who used to live next door

It will disappear in a couple of days

What is this

Murong Xue did not conceal her intentions and got straight to the point: "Uncle Qin, you also know that my father has only one daughter. I do not wish to enter the palace, so regarding the selection of candidates, could I ask you to intervene and have my name removed from the list?"

I do not desire any extravagant wealth. Murong Xuexin thought, my family does not lack money, marrying that old man in his sixties, even if they were to make me a queen, I would not care for it.

Murong Xue said mysteriously: "Sister Qin, the day before yesterday I suddenly had a nightmare. In the dream, I was bitten several times by an old and ugly poisonous insect. When I woke up, my face looked like this. Do you think I have encountered something evil? Should I invite a sorcerer?"

Murong Xue touched her face, feigning distress, "Alas, it is certain that I will not be selected today, what a pity"

Murong Lin hurriedly entered the back courtyard, having received the news. He rode back from Suzhou Prefecture at full speed, day and night without rest, fearing that he might miss the important matter.

Murong Lin stroked the few strands of his beautiful beard under his chin and said with great pride, "I do not believe that with your appearance, you will still be selected tomorrow"

Qin Mingyue shivered and said, "Don't say that, it's so frightening"

As Murong Xue dismounted from the carriage, she saw that the entrance of the county office was already bustling with people, including the talented young women coming to participate in the selection and the common folk who had come to watch the excitement

He was taken aback and looked at Murong Xue: "What is this, niece?"

Miss, your face

He seemed to sense her burning gaze, casting a fleeting glance in her direction, but it was merely a brief look, not lingering on her face, passing by like a flash of spring light

Murong Xue was overjoyed and immediately lifted her skirt to go greet her father

Murong Xueyuan felt that the man looked somewhat familiar. As he approached for a closer look, he nearly exclaimed in surprise, for the man was actually Yelv Yan

Qin Zhi'ang's niece, Qin Mingyue, was also selected among the young girls. Upon seeing Murong Xue, she was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Murong sister, what happened to your face?"

Even so, it was already enough; she set her anxious heart at ease and looked at him behind the desk with joy. Under the pear tree at the Rejuvenation Medical Hall that day, she had clearly told him that she did not wish to enter the palace. He would surely fulfill her wish, considering that she had treated him to a meal and helped him with his illness; she was absolutely certain of it

Dingxiang placed the lamp beside her, and in the light, she saw a girl in the mirror with a face full of red blotches, truly a sight that was hard to bear

The selected girls are all around the age of sixteen or seventeen, most of them with sorrowful expressions, and some have already shed tears abundantly

Murong Xue instinctively touched her face, let out a sharp scream, and then rushed to the bronze mirror with lightning speed.

Murong Xueqiao raised a slender finger and tapped the forehead of Dingxiang, saying: "Are you kidding me? The life of the master is in my hands, hurry up."

On the third day, early in the morning, a notice was posted at the county office. Thirty-two young ladies who met the criteria were summoned to the government office by the constables, where they would undergo preliminary selection by Prince Zhaoyang. The selection was held in the main hall of the county office presided over by Qin Zhi'an.

Five thousand taels... Peilan was astonished

Xiangling cautiously said: "That is the master's root, will the master lose his temper when he returns?"

Murong Xue finally understood what that bowl of medicinal soup was for. She hurriedly ran to her father's bedroom and called out at the door

Dingxiang looked at Murong Xue's face with a pain that made her wish for death

Murong Lin could not bear to see his daughter's tears the most. He hurriedly said, "A-Xue, don't worry, Father will go find County Magistrate Qin right away"

She was both surprised and delighted, almost jumping for joy. Heaven truly favored her; it turned out he was Prince Zhaoyang. No wonder he possessed such outstanding demeanor and charm. It was also no wonder that he had outright rejected her wish to form a lifelong bond with him. It was not that he did not like her; rather, it was because she was among the candidates for selection as a consort, and he did not dare to develop feelings for her. Her confidence, which had been deflated by this blow, instantly straightened up.