Chapter 2 Summoning

The next day, Wanxi rallied her spirits and followed the crowd to learn the rules together. When interacting with others, Wanxi could clearly feel the jealousy and exclusion from the other talented women.

It was understandable, as one of the most outstanding women in the selection, Wanxi's presence meant one less opportunity for the others.

Whether staying in the palace or being chosen by the prince, for the women in the selection, this was the best choice. However, Wanxi, who had lived in the past, did not understand the intentions behind this, which led to her being deceived. Now, she was determined to compete and not be foolishly manipulated by others.

The rules taught by the palace maids were mostly similar to what she had learned at home. Except for the women from the Han army flag, who were not quite accustomed to the etiquette, the women from the Manchu and Mongolian flags seemed more at ease.

As the days passed, the number of women in the palace decreased. Compared to the large group during the selection, the remaining women were not only carefully selected but also displayed their unique talents to reach this stage.

Perhaps due to the imminent decision, the attitude of the palace maids in serving their meals and attending to them became more respectful and careful. It seemed that these people were afraid of being held accountable after their identities were confirmed.

Lately, the women were summoned one after another by various noble ladies. Wanxi had been summoned by the Empress Dowager yesterday, and today she was summoned by the Consort Yi to the Yikun Palace.

Despite the peaceful atmosphere in the palace, the competition was fierce.

Tong, the Noble Consort, had power but no heir, seemingly in control but actually powerless. The Fourth and Fifth Consorts, Rong and Hui, were getting older and gradually lost interest in vying for favor, focusing on their sons instead. The Empress Dowager and Consort Yi, of similar age and status, appeared to be sisters on the surface, but in reality, their relationship was like fire and water.

After the Empress Dowager summoned three women, including Wanxi, Consort Yi added one more person and summoned them to the Yikun Palace.

The four women rarely interacted with each other in private, and there was little communication on the way. They were only waiting outside the hall to be summoned by Consort Yi. However, just as they stood in place, the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince emerged from the hall.

"The maidservant pays respects to the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince," the women gracefully stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Please rise," Yinqi said kindly.

The women respectfully stood to the side, while Wanxi, feeling a bit dazed, stood among them, lowering her head and closing her eyes, still unable to come to her senses. The bold woman beside her had already started to sneakily appraise the appearance of the two princes.

The Fifth Prince, Yinqi, was handsome, but the scars on his face from the battlefield diminished his scholarly appearance and added a touch of heroism. The Ninth Prince, Yinti, was also handsome, with a masculine appearance that did not give off any feminine vibes. At this moment, his smiling peach blossom eyes made the hearts of the women present race.

Wanxi stood quietly to the side, her thoughts in disarray. However, the stunning glimpse in the imperial garden was still fresh in her mind, so Yinti noticed her at a glance.

"Who are you?" Yinti stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Wanxi.

"The maidservant, Lady Wanxi, pays respects to the Ninth Prince," Wanxi's head tingled from his gaze, but she remained respectful. Her naturally soft and pleasant voice was hard to ignore.

Listening to her soft and tender voice, Yinti's eyes flashed with meaning, but he smiled and said, "Lady Wanxi, not bad."

The other women felt jealous and envious of Wanxi gaining the attention of the Ninth Prince. Although it was rumored that the Ninth Prince was flirtatious and had many wives and concubines, he did not have a child. If Wanxi could give birth to a son before the main wife and others, even if she did not become the main wife, she could still have a place.

Wanxi watched Yinti's departing figure, concealing the gleam in her eyes, ignoring the ridicule of the other women, and patiently waited on the side for Consort Yi's summons.

Inside the hall, Consort Yi was aware of everything happening outside.

Her two sons, the Fifth Prince Yinqi, had been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood, and although they were not close, they got along well. As for the Ninth Prince Yinti, he had been raised by her since he was young, and she inevitably favored him a little. However, this son was intelligent and had his own opinions, and as his stepmother, she could give advice but could not control his thoughts.

"Maidservant, what makes Lady Wanxi so special that she has captured Yinti's attention after just one meeting?" Consort Yi asked her trusted maid, holding a teacup.

"Mistress, I'm not sure about this, but perhaps Yinti is attracted to Lady Wanxi's appearance. As for other reasons, I do not know. Lady Wanxi is waiting outside the hall now. Why not summon her to meet you?" The maid, seeing no displeasure on her mistress's face, suggested with a smile.

Consort Yi thought for a moment, then set down the teacup and nodded, "Very well."

With the confirmation, the maid left the inner chamber and walked towards the hall.

"Ladies, Consort Yi summons you to enter," the sudden announcement brought Wanxi back from her absent-minded state.

"Maidservant," Wanxi quickly collected herself upon seeing the newcomer and returned the half bow along with the others.

As a prominent figure by Consort Yi's side, even though Wanxi still held the title of a lady, she dared not act presumptuously.

When Wanxi spoke, there was a hint of charm in the eyes of Qimama. If Wanxi's appearance was outstanding, the other beautiful women were not without their own grace. It was her voice that made even this old lady involuntarily moved, let alone the men.

"Young masters, don't be nervous. The lady is straightforward and easy to talk to," Qimama said with a faint smile on her face, her gaze sweeping over the several beautiful women and finally settling on Wanxi.

"Please advise us more, Qimama."

Qimama looked at the humble Wanxi and found that even in her plain attire, Wanxi's movements were not as clumsy as ordinary people's. On the contrary, she was graceful and elegant, exuding an indescribable lightness and elegance.

With such appearance, voice, and demeanor, it's no wonder Ninth Prince was immediately attracted to her.

After entering the Yikun Palace, Qimama bowed and stood directly behind the Imperial Concubine, while Wanxi and the other beautiful women followed behind her, not looking around.

"I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine, may you be blessed," Wanxi said.

"Please rise!" The Imperial Concubine sat in the main seat, and the incense burners on the side emitted wisps of smoke, dreamlike yet unattainable.

Wanxi was actually quite familiar with this scene. In her previous life, when she was bestowed upon Yinti, who had not yet been appointed as a prince, she lived in the palace and had seen the Imperial Concubine quite often due to her favor. However, a concubine was a concubine, and a mistress could not be compared. Even when she appeared, she had to serve carefully like a servant.

"Wanxi, the lady is calling you!"