Jing Wang hesitated, "This... not managing household affairs, and not knowing how to manage household affairs, are still quite different.
My consort, during the early days of our marriage, can temporarily not handle the household affairs of the 왕府 (wangfu - princely estate), but if she doesn't know how to manage them, this vast wangfu's internal affairs cannot be managed by me, can they?"
Feng Qing Heng mumbled in agreement after hearing Jing Wang's words, "That makes sense."
No matter how much Lu Qing Wan said, those Xiu Nu (candidates for consorts) were only indignant. Upon hearing the words of Chen Wang and Jing Wang, their faces instantly turned pale.
If Lu Qing Wan eliminated them, they could still find a hundred excuses. But once Feng Qing Heng and Feng Jing Heng spoke, no matter what the other party said, it held only one meaning for them.
That was, "They have been looked down upon."
A woman publicly disdained by two princes would not find a good marriage upon returning home.
If before they had too many suitors to choose from, from now on they could only passively be scrutinized and rejected.
For a moment, they deeply regretted why they had to ask for a reason. Wouldn't it have been better to be eliminated and leave directly?
Just as they were regretting, they heard Lu Qing Wan say, "Everyone, counting the two positions for secondary consorts, the maximum number of people who can remain is six.
This means that most people present will actually be eliminated.
Until the final step, no one knows if they can stay. We are all women, and we know the importance of reputation to each other.
Therefore, as the Regent's Consort, I command you all. And as a fellow woman, I also advise you all that every event and every word in this Chu Xiu Palace should be born here and end here.
After the selection of consorts is over, you will all return home as pure and innocent noble ladies. Do not speak carelessly, lest you harm yourselves and others."
As she spoke, her warning gaze swept across the entire hall. Then she announced loudly, "Guards, escort some of the Xiu Nu down to rest.
After the selection is over, I will arrange carriages and horses to send all the Xiu Nu away from the palace together."
If Lu Qing Wan's previous words of eliminating that group of Xiu Nu had offended many people, this action won the hearts of all the Xiu Nu.
As Lu Qing Wan said, the number of Xiu Nu who could ultimately remain was very few. But even so, there was an order to the elimination of Xiu Nu.
Those eliminated first would undoubtedly be ridiculed. With Lu Qing Wan's arrangement, except for those already in Chu Xiu Palace, no one knew which Xiu Nu were eliminated first and which were eliminated later.
It could be said that this maximized the preservation of the dignity of these Xiu Nu.
After Lu Qing Wan finished speaking, the faces of those eliminated Xiu Nu no longer showed indignation.
They even knelt together and said, "Thank you, Consort, for your grace!"
Only then did they obediently follow the palace maids to the side hall to rest.
"Alright, next, we will begin the embroidery assessment..."
Although the household affairs assessment eliminated quite a few people, there were nearly five hundred participants in the selection of consorts, and they could not be so easily eliminated.
The assessments for household affairs, embroidery, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting continued for two days. By the evening of the second day, Lu Qing Wan's eyelids were heavy with fatigue, and she was still asking, "How many people are left?"
Li Su, indeed the foremost female guard under Feng Xi Wu, stood tall and straight like a young poplar after two days.
Upon hearing this, she replied in a clear and resonant voice, "Replying to the Consort, there are ninety people left."
"Aow~"
Lu Qing Wan let out a long howl to the sky, "What else has not been assessed?"
Li Su smiled, "Replying to the Consort, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and embroidery have all been assessed."
"They've all been assessed, and there are still so many people left?!"
Lu Qing Wan was utterly incredulous, "Am I that kind?"
The first assessment had already eliminated so many people. She had thought that the consorts could be selected within three days at most, but the reality was too disheartening. The Regent's Consort wanted to cry!
Li Su, finding it both amusing and exasperating, said, "Consort, did you not say yourself that the noble daughters of esteemed families, in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and embroidery, how could they be lacking?"
"Then what should we do?"
Lu Qing Wan looked at Li Su pleadingly, "I've eliminated all those who could be eliminated. The remaining people, from whatever aspect I look at them, are all quite similar.
But I can't possibly foist all of them onto Jing Wang and Chen Wang, can I?
I myself have no objection, but His Majesty would surely chop off my head!"
It wouldn't do for the two princes whom the Emperor had placed high hopes on to be stuffed into a tender embrace by her.
Li Su, looking at her with a headache, also found it both amusing and exasperating, "Why doesn't the Consort consult with the three elder matriarchs?
Narrow down the scope further, leaving a small number of people. If all else fails, let His Majesty decide. Choosing from a dozen or so people, His Majesty will surely not refuse."
"That's the only way."
Lu Qing Wan lay on the wide bed in Xi Wu Palace, letting her mind go blank.
Just as she was spacing out, Li Su suddenly said, "Your Majesty, Miss Chi has arrived.
Also, Li Jin seeks an audience."
"Yao Yao and Li Jin?"
Lu Qing Wan pondered for a moment and then said, "Li Jin must have gone to great lengths to enter the palace for an important matter. I will see him first.
Ask Miss Chi to wait for me in the side hall. I will go to her after I see Li Jin."
Li Su obeyed and left. Soon, Li Jin entered the room.
Lu Qing Wan said excitedly, "How is it? Did the Prince send a letter?"
Feng Xi Wu had been away from the capital for some time. Calculating the time, he should have reached Sai Bei (the northern frontier).
Li Jin presented a letter. Lu Qing Wan eagerly opened it. It was indeed from Feng Xi Wu.
The entire page was filled with his longing for Lu Qing Wan. Lu Qing Wan's lips curved upwards as she read.
As she continued to read, her small face slightly沉 (chen - sunken/serious).
The letter, meticulously written over three pages, the first two pages expressing his longing, and the last page was a lecture.
He lectured her for not taking care of her body, lectured her for being disobedient. After reading it, Lu Qing Wan realized that Feng Xi Wu, who was thousands of miles away, actually knew about her illness. He was worried about her!
"Did you all report me?"
Li Jin lowered his head honestly, "Regarding the Consort's health and well-being, your subordinates dared not deceive the Prince."
"He is thousands of miles away, surrounded by dangers. Telling him anything would only add to his worries, what use is it?"
Lu Qing Wan frowned displeasily, "If such a thing happens again in the future, don't always think of reporting. If it is truly necessary, I will tell the Prince myself."
This meant that this time, she would not pursue the matter. Li Jin breathed a sigh of relief, but his brow remained furrowed.
Lu Qing Wan felt uncomfortable seeing this, "I'm not blaming you, why are you still looking so dejected? Is there something else?"
Li Jin sighed heavily, "Previously, Wen Taifei (Dowager Consort Wen) said she missed the Prince and asked the Prince and Consort to visit her at the Southern Estate, which the Consort refused.
Today, Wen Taifei sent another message to the princely estate, saying that if the Prince and Consort do not visit her soon, she will personally return to the estate to visit the Prince."
Lu Qing Wan could not bring herself to like this old vixen. As soon as she heard it was Wen Taifei, her brow furrowed, "What trick is she trying to play now?"
Li Jin bowed and clasped his fists, saying gravely, "Wen Taifei often makes this request or that to the Prince. Nine out of ten times, the Prince refuses.
Although she is angry, she dares not have a direct conflict with the Prince.
This time, she is coming to the princely estate so aggressively. Your subordinate is only worried that she is being used by someone and is coming to investigate the estate."