Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The courtyard gradually fell silent, and the women returned to their respective bedrooms.

Gu Qingping sat at the table, holding a copy of The Analects in her hands. Her eyes were focused, but there was a hint of solemnity between her brows. Yurong walked in from outside and asked, "Sister Qingping, you are still reading so late, aren't you tired?"

Gu Qingping closed the book and said softly, "It's tiring, but the more I think about it, the more I feel that I can't slack off. This is not only a competition of talent and temperament, but also a test of ourselves."

Yurong sighed and sat opposite her: "I know my sister is thoughtful, but the tension these days makes me almost breathless. Sometimes I wonder if I can't hold on to the end."

Gu Qingping looked up at her, her eyes softer: "Yurong, the purpose of the selection is to find the most suitable person. If we can't even bear this little bit of pressure, how can we stabilize ourselves in the future?"

Yurong heard this, a look of shame appeared on her face, and she nodded: "Sister is right, I can't be scared by the difficulties in front of me."

On the other side, Su Jinyun sat in front of the window, staring at the palace wall in the night. Her personal maid asked cautiously, "Miss, you performed so well today, why do you seem a little unhappy?"

Su Jinyun chuckled, but there was a trace of thought in her eyes: "Performing well is just a superficial effort, but I found that the observations in the palace are much deeper than we thought. Perhaps, our every move has long been recorded."

The maid was stunned for a moment, and whispered: "Miss, your talent is unmatched. Those ladies-in-waiting should think highly of you, right?"

Su Jinyun shook her head and said in a low voice: "Talent is important, but they care more about our character. Qingping's calm personality and Wan'er's delicacy and gentleness are all things I need to be wary of."

The maid whispered to comfort him: "But, Miss, your confidence and style are something that others don't have."

Su Jinyun smiled: "I know, but here, confidence alone is not enough. I want them to see that Jinyun is not only someone who can embroider and make tea, but I can also be someone who controls the overall situation."

Zhao Wan'er sat on the bed, gently combing her long hair. Another woman beside her asked curiously, "Sister Wan'er, I find that you are always so calm, are you really not nervous?"

Zhao Wan'er stopped and smiled softly, "Of course I'm nervous. But I told myself that the more nervous I am, the more I have to learn to calm down."

The woman said enviously, "I really wish I could be like you. Every time I take an exam, I make mistakes because I'm too nervous."

Zhao Wan'er put down the comb, held her hand and said, "Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn to grow from them. We are not here to compete, but to show our truest side."

The woman nodded, with a firm look in her eyes: "Sister Wan'er, I will try my best to learn from you."

Gu Qingping sat on the edge of the bed, organizing today's records with her slender fingertips while looking thoughtfully at the moonlight outside the window.

Yurong walked in quietly, holding a bowl of warm soup in her hand: "Sister Qingping, you are still awake so late, I'm afraid you are thinking about something again?"

Gu Qingping took the soup and took a sip, her tone thoughtful: "Yurong, every day in the palace is like a competition. Those female officials not only look at our talents and morals, but even observe our every frown and smile."

Yurong couldn't help but sigh after hearing this: "Sister is right. Have you noticed that although Sister Jinyun is talented, she seems to be too sharp. The way the ladies look at her is not as gentle as when they look at you."

Gu Qingping's eyes flickered slightly, she put down the bowl of soup, and said softly: "Jinyun's talent is beyond doubt, but the palace emphasizes balance. She is too sharp, which is indeed easy to cause criticism."

Yurong nodded, but there was a hint of uneasiness in her eyes: "But I feel that I am not as good as any of them. Sister, what should I do to make the ladies-in-waiting look at me differently?"

Gu Qingping held Yurong's hand, and said in a gentle but firm tone: "Yurong, your sincerity is your advantage. No matter where you are, remember not to let external things disturb your heart. In this way, you can go further."

Yurong was touched by her words and nodded heavily: "Sister, I understand."

On the other side, Su Jinyun was sitting under the lamp with a blank piece of rice paper in front of her. Her maid asked softly, "Miss, it's so late, are you still thinking about what to do next?"

Su Jinyun didn't raise her head, her eyes were sharp, "In this palace, every step is a trap. The further you go, the more demanding the tests will be. The 'peace' on the surface is actually just the calm before the storm."

The maid couldn't help but ask worriedly: "But Miss, you have performed so well, isn't that enough?"

Su Jinyun put down the pen and said calmly, "Being outstanding is just the beginning. If I can't be the candidate that convinces everyone, all those talents and manners are just empty talk. Although Gu Qingping is low-key, she has a tenacity that is hard to ignore. And Wan'er is gentle and quiet, and she is also very likable."

She paused, her eyes deep: "But this time the victory or defeat does not depend on their merits, but on who can win Zhu Biao's heart."

The maid was stunned for a moment, and asked in a low voice: "Then Miss, what are you going to do?"

Su Jinyun smiled, with a hint of secrecy in her tone: "Don't worry, the most important moment has not yet arrived."

Zhao Wan'er sat at the table with a cup of tea in front of her. She picked it up gently and took a sip, but she seemed to have no taste.

A companion beside him couldn't help but ask, "Sister Wan'er, are you worried about something?"

Zhao Wan'er shook her head and sighed, "I just feel that the assessment in the palace is much more complicated than I imagined. It's not just a competition of skills, it seems that even every word we say is infinitely magnified."

The woman couldn't help but frown when she heard this: "Sister, you have always been gentle and everyone likes you. Are you still worried about being eliminated?"

Zhao Wan'er smiled softly but did not answer directly: "Liking someone is one thing, but the selection of a Crown Princess is not only based on temperament, but also on whether one can bear this status."

She paused for a moment, her eyes showing some contemplation: "Sister Jinyun is very talented, and Sister Qingping is steady and reliable. Their strengths make me feel a little uneasy. What I am worried about is whether my gentleness will appear too weak."

The woman consoled him, "Sister Wan'er, don't think too much. The ladies-in-waiting will surely see your good qualities."

Zhao Wan'er nodded slightly but didn't say much.

In the study room at the other end, Zhu Han was sipping tea, while Zhu Biao was sitting beside him, looking a little tired.

"Uncle, after watching these women for the past few days, I found that each of these women has its own merits. But the more I get to know them, the more I feel that choosing a crown princess is much more difficult than I imagined." Zhu Biao rubbed his brows, with a bit of helplessness in his tone. Zhu Han put down the teacup and smiled faintly: "Biao'er, choosing a crown princess is never a simple matter. She must not only match you, but also be able to help you deal with the complicated situation in the palace."

Zhu Biao was thoughtful: "Jinyun's talent amazes me, but her sharpness makes people wary. Qingping is steady and reserved, but she seems too restrained, always difficult to fully see through. And Wan'er's gentleness makes people feel peaceful, but because it is too peaceful, sometimes she seems not strong enough."

Zhu Han nodded, with a hint of guidance in his tone: "Biao'er, when choosing a Crown Princess, the most important thing is to find someone who can complement you. Jinyun's sharpness can open up the situation for you, but she needs to learn to restrain herself. Qingping's calmness can be your pillar, but you also have to be careful whether she can face the storm. And Wan'er - although her gentleness is not strong enough, she may be able to keep you calm in difficult situations."

Zhu Biao frowned: "Uncle, do you mean that you want me to find a balance between them?"

Zhu Han smiled, his eyes were sharp: "You are the crown prince, and you will be the one who controls the overall situation in the future. Choosing a crown princess is not about choosing someone with a single advantage, but whether she can stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Biao'er, you should understand."

Zhu Biao heard this and his eyes gradually became firm: "Uncle, I understand."

The selection of the Crown Princess has entered a white-hot stage. In addition to undergoing strict assessments of their talents and manners every day, the remaining women also have to live together under the arrangement of female officials.

As the number of people gradually decreased, the competition became more intense, undercurrents surged in the palace, and contradictions became increasingly apparent.

In the courtyard in the early morning, several women were pruning flowers and plants. Gu Qingping was concentrating on pruning a peony flower, with skillful and gentle movements. Su Jinyun, who was sitting in the pavilion beside her, was drinking tea, and her eyes inadvertently glanced at Gu Qingping, with a slight smile on her face.

"Sister Qingping is really attentive. She is so serious even when pruning flowers and plants." Su Jinyun's voice was soft but with a hint of thorns, attracting the attention of several women.

Gu Qingping raised her head and smiled faintly: "Sister Jinyun, you are too kind. I just think these flowers and plants need careful care."

Su Jinyun put down the teacup, walked closer slowly, and her eyes fell on the flowers that Gu Qingping was trimming: "It does require carefulness, but if you trim them too finely, you will lose the natural beauty. Sister, you must know when to stop."

As soon as the words fell, Yurong couldn't help but speak up for Gu Qingping: "Sister Jinyun, Sister Qingping's craftsmanship has always been outstanding. This peony will only become more exquisite under her hands."

Su Jinyun's eyes flashed, and she turned to smile at Yurong: "Sister Yurong is quite outspoken, but the assessment in the palace is not just about these little tricks."

Gu Qingping glanced at Yurong and said softly, "Thank you, Yurong, but what Sister Jinyun said makes sense. We really need to pay attention to our every move at all times."

After hearing this, Su Jinyun's smile deepened: "Sister is indeed polite, I did say a few more words."

In the embroidery room on the other side, several women sat together embroidering. Wang Yueru sat in the farthest corner, looking impatient, with the needle and thread in her hand ripped apart.

"Sister Yueru, your needle technique...isn't it wrong?" Zhao Wan'er reminded carefully, with a kind tone in her voice.

Wang Yueru frowned and said sharply, "My craftsmanship is crude, not as good as yours, so it's understandable that I don't do a good job."

Zhao Wan'er was a little embarrassed and quickly waved her hands to explain: "Sister, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant..."

Su Jinyun raised her head from not far away and smiled coldly: "Sister Yueru, why are you so harsh in your words? Embroidery requires patience. If you are always impatient, how can you complete it well?"

Wang Yueru snorted coldly and threw the embroidery cloth on the table: "Sister Jinyun's teachings are really reasonable. However, I don't think these trivial talents can determine anything."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the embroidery room suddenly became solemn. Zhao Waner said softly: "Sister Yueru, everyone is working hard. If you say this, people will misunderstand your attitude."

Wang Yueru glared at Zhao Wan'er fiercely, stood up and said coldly: "Then let you misunderstand." After that, she left.

Su Jinyun looked at her back and smiled slightly: "If some people have a bad mentality, even if they stay reluctantly, they will not be qualified for the position of Crown Princess."

Zhao Wan'er looked up at her and said nothing more.

In the palace at night, the women returned to their rooms. Some were exhausted and just wanted to rest early, but some took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and began to make allies in private.

"Sister Yurong, I see that you have a very good relationship with Sister Qingping. If you need any help in the future, please let me know." Su Jinyun said to Yurong with a smile, holding the teacup.

Yurong was flattered and waved her hands quickly: "Sister Jinyun, you are joking. I am just a small character. How dare I give you any advice?"

Su Jinyun smiled and said, "Sister, you are too modest. You have spent the longest time with Qingping and must know her personality best. If she is lucky enough to become the Crown Princess, you will be the biggest contributor."

Yurong was slightly startled after hearing this, with a hint of doubt in her eyes, but she couldn't refuse, so she could only say vaguely: "Thank you for the compliment, sister. We are all just doing our best."

Su Jinyun looked at her expression, the smile on his face gradually deepened, and he said softly: "Sister is really smart."

As night fell, everything was silent. By the pond in the backyard of the Prince's Mansion, the light of lanterns flickered on the water. Yurong couldn't sleep, so she walked out of the bedroom alone to get some fresh air.

She wore a light cloak and walked slowly to the edge of the pond. Looking at the clear water, her mood gradually calmed down.

"It's much cooler here than in the palace." She whispered to herself, reaching out to lift a ripple of water. The slightly cool touch made her feel slightly refreshed.

However, she was startled by the sound of footsteps in the distance. She turned around quickly and saw a slender figure approaching. The man was wearing a plain robe, with a handsome and calm look between his eyebrows.

"Your Highness?" Yurong was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed her head and saluted, "I greet Your Highness."

Zhu Biao raised his hand and motioned her to stand up, with a hint of surprise between his brows: "It's so late, why did Miss Yurong come here alone?"

Yurong lowered her head slightly, and said in a slightly shy tone: "I couldn't sleep, so I came out to get some fresh air. I didn't expect to meet Your Highness here, which is really offensive." (End of this chapter)