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

Zhu Biao smiled softly, his eyes gentle: "How can you say it's an offense? This is the backyard, and you selected women are also guests, and you are entitled to enjoy the scenery here."

Yurong looked up at Zhu Biao, then quickly lowered her head: "Your Highness is magnanimous, I am ashamed."

Zhu Biao walked to the edge of the pond, his eyes fell on the reflection on the lake, and he said softly: "Do you feel tired during the selection these days?"

Yurong was stunned for a moment, and replied in a low voice: "Your Highness, please be kind to me. I, like all the sisters, have done my best. I dare not say that it is hard."

Zhu Biao turned to look at her, with a little more inquiry in his eyes: "You are a frank person. I heard that you have a good relationship with Gu Qingping. She is an outstanding talent, right?"

Yurong clenched the corner of her cloak nervously, but still answered respectfully: "Sister Qingping is indeed talented and virtuous. I admire her talent and character."

Zhu Biao nodded, as if thinking about something, and said after a moment: "She is indeed a calm and reserved person. And you, Miss Yurong, what do you think of these selections?"

Yurong didn't know how to answer for a moment. She hesitated for a moment before she said softly, "Your Highness, this selection is about the position of the Crown Princess. Every woman who is selected has done her best to show herself. Although I am not very talented, I hope to treat others with sincerity and live up to myself and Your Highness."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao smiled faintly: "Don't let yourself down, and don't let others down. This is a rare mentality."

He paused and continued, "However, the competition among you women also makes me see some undercurrents. How will you respond to the temptations and provocations of others?"

Yurong raised her head, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: "Your Highness, I think that instead of fighting with others, it is better to focus on your own improvement. If I am lucky enough to be chosen, I will do my best to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince; if I am unable to do so, I am willing to leave with gratitude."

Zhu Biao was slightly startled. Seeing the clarity and determination in her eyes, he said with a little more appreciation: "Your attitude is really impressive."

Yurong blushed slightly and lowered her head quickly: "Your Highness, I am too proud of your praise. I don't deserve it."

Zhu Biao looked at her and said in a gentle voice: "Miss Yurong, there is no need to be modest. Your attitude and knowledge are already precious. I hope you can maintain this sincerity."

Yurong bowed and saluted: "Thank you for your teachings, Your Highness."

The night wind blew gently, and the water rippled slightly. Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "It's late at night, go back and rest. There will be a new test tomorrow, don't exhaust yourself because of trivial matters."

Yurong bowed again: "Your Highness, please take care. I will take my leave."

She walked away slowly, her steps steady and dignified. Zhu Biao watched her disappear into the corridor, a slight smile on his face.

"What an interesting man," he muttered to himself, turning away from the pond.

The morning light was dim, and the courtyard of the Purple Palace looked particularly quiet in the mist. More than a hundred selected women gathered together, and a new assessment would be conducted today. The female officials were already present, and the maids behind them were holding books and utensils in their hands, with solemn expressions.

Gu Qingping and Yurong stood in the team, their eyes indifferent, but revealing a bit of calm confidence. Su Jinyun wore a light green silk dress, elegant and decent, obviously dressed up carefully. Zhao Wan'er frowned slightly, seemed a little nervous, and gently pulled her sleeves.

"The content of today's assessment is slightly different from the past." An elderly female official stood in front of the team, her voice clear and majestic, "You need to demonstrate not only your talent, but also your familiarity with palace rules and etiquette, as well as your ability to deal with emergencies."

As soon as these words came out, there was a slight whisper in the team. Yurong asked Gu Qingping in a low voice: "Sister Qingping, what does 'emergency' mean?"

Gu Qingping pondered for a moment and said softly, "It may be a test of reaction ability and emotional control. The palace is changeable, and we need to adapt to the situation."

At this time, another female official stepped forward, holding a scroll in her hand, and said in a deep voice: "Today's assessment is divided into two parts. In the first part, you will be divided into groups to demonstrate palace rules and etiquette. In the second part, a simulated scene will be arranged, and you need to respond according to the situation on the spot."

Hearing this, Zhao Wan'er's expression became even more nervous, and she whispered: "Simulation scene? What will it be?"

Su Jinyun turned around and said calmly, "Sister Wan'er, these tests are nothing more than observing our wisdom and character. There is no need to panic."

Zhao Wan'er nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

Five groups of women stood in a circle, and in the center of each group there was a serious female official supervising their etiquette demonstration. The breeze blew, and the fallen leaves danced, but the atmosphere seemed unusually depressing due to the tension of the test.

The first group, Gu Qingping and Yurong, moved in an orderly manner. Gu Qingping's greeting was calm, she bent her knees slightly with both hands, bowed her head, and her movements were as smooth as a meticulous painting, elegant and decent.

When it was Yurong's turn to serve tea, she gently picked up the teacup, lowered her eyes, and walked lightly to the "elder". She bent her knees slightly, handed over the teacup, and raised her wrist slightly, showing the soft lines just right.

"Tea, please." Her voice was gentle yet clear.

The "elder" sitting in the high seat took the teacup and nodded solemnly. The female official standing beside her showed a satisfied look and whispered, "Miss Yurong's movements are gentle and delicate, quite like a lady from a noble family, especially her posture of serving tea, which is a model."

Hearing this, Yurong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Gu Qingping. The latter gave her an encouraging smile and whispered, "Very good, keep it up."

Yurong nodded slightly: "Thank you sister Qingping for reminding me, I was afraid of making mistakes just now."

On the other side, the third group, where Su Jinyun was, attracted a lot of attention. She stood in the middle of the team, with a straight posture and a decent smile. When it was her turn to show the greeting, she walked forward slowly, gently lifted her sleeves with both hands, and knelt down to salute.

"Greetings, elders." Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

Her movements were smooth and confident, and people couldn't take their eyes off her. The woman next to her couldn't help but whispered, "Sister Jinyun is really a born lady from a noble family. Every movement she makes is so graceful."

An elderly female official stood behind Su Jinyun, nodded slightly, and commented in a low voice: "Su Jinyun's behavior is indeed exemplary. Both her proficiency in etiquette and her confidence are impressive."

Su Jinyun's lips slightly raised when she heard the female official's praise. She said to the woman beside her: "Etiquette is not a one-day job. As long as you put your heart into it, everyone can do it."

"Sister Jinyun is right." The woman agreed with a smile.

However, not everyone can be so smooth. The fourth group, where Zhao Wan'er was, had a problem when passing the order. She took the "order token" with a slightly flustered look and her hands trembled slightly.

"Sister Wan'er, stay calm!" The companion standing behind her reminded her in a low voice.

Zhao Wan'er nodded, gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. She quickly walked to the other end of the team, ready to hand over the "passing token" to the "servant". But the moment she handed over the token, the token in her hand accidentally slipped, making a crisp sound.

The whole courtyard fell silent in an instant.

The female official standing beside her had a gloomy face and said in a cold voice: "Zhao Wan'er!" Zhao Wan'er immediately bent down to pick up the token, lowered her head, and saluted quickly: "Please forgive me, my lord, I am not steady enough."

The female official frowned and said in a bad tone: "Sending an order is an important matter in the palace. If you are not careful, it may lead to a big mistake. If you can't even do this, how can you take on such a big responsibility?"

Zhao Wan'er's face turned pale, and she responded in a low voice: "I know my mistake, and I will be more careful in the future."

The woman standing behind her chuckled quietly, "You claim to be from a scholarly family, but you can't even do such a simple thing."

Another woman frowned and said, "Don't go too far. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

"That's different. The selection of the Crown Princess cannot afford any mistakes." The woman sneered and said no more.

Zhao Wan'er bit her lip, her eyes slightly red when she raised her head, but she still tried to keep her emotions under control.

"Today's etiquette demonstration shows your efforts and shortcomings." She paused for a moment and continued, "Miss Yurong's tea serving was gentle and delicate, Miss Qingping's greeting was calm and elegant, and Miss Jinyun's manners were generous and impeccable. But..."

She turned her gaze to Zhao Wan'er, and her tone became sharp: "Zhao Wan'er, your hand was not steady when you passed the order, and the token fell to the ground. Such a mistake must not happen again."

Zhao Wan'er quickly lowered her head: "I understand, and I will work harder."

The female official snorted coldly, turned around and said: "Remember, etiquette is not only a skill, but also a cultivation of the heart. If you want to become the Crown Princess, you must be impeccable."

The courtyard was silent, and the women bowed their heads and reflected on themselves. Yurong gently held Zhao Waner's hand and comforted her: "Sister Waner, don't be too sad. I will do better next time."

Zhao Wan'er pursed her lips and nodded: "Thank you, Sister Yurong, I won't give up."

Gu Qingping at the side smiled slightly: "Yes, the important thing is to learn lessons from every assessment. This is the key to progress."

The "elders" played by the palace maids at the top sat upright with stern expressions. They lined up in a row, each with a record book and pen in front of them, obviously to record the performance of each woman in detail.

"Gu Qingping." A palace maid raised her head and looked at the audience. Her voice was not loud but full of majesty.

Gu Qingping straightened her sleeves, stood up calmly, and walked into the hall with a dignified posture and clear eyes. She bowed gently and said, "I, Gu Qingping, greet all the elders."

"No need to be polite." An elderly female official sitting in the middle waved her hand and said coldly, "Gu Qingping, if a palace maid were rude to you, how would you handle it?"

The hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were focused on Gu Qingping.

Gu Qingping raised her head slightly and said in a calm tone: "I think that forgiveness and rules are equally important. If the other party is offended due to misunderstanding or unintentional offense, we should treat them with tolerance; but if they repeatedly do not change, or even deliberately provoke, they must be severely punished to maintain the majesty of the palace rules."

"Forgiveness and rules are equally important?" A female official on the left raised her eyebrows slightly, as if testing her answer: "If someone contradicts you in an important occasion and the situation is urgent, can you still handle it so calmly?"

Gu Qingping's eyes flashed with certainty, and she smiled slightly: "I believe that the Crown Princess is not only the guardian of the rules, but also the leader of the palace's atmosphere. As a role model, you need to treat others with calmness and tolerance, so that the palace people can respect you instead of fearing you."

An elderly female official sitting on the right whispered in admiration: "This girl not only knows the rules, but also knows her limits. She is really good."

After Gu Qingping bowed, she slowly retreated out of the hall. There was no smug look on her face, she just breathed a sigh of relief.

It was Yurong's turn next. She stood up a little nervously, took a deep breath, and walked towards the center of the hall. Although she was a little nervous, her steps were steady and her expression was dignified.

"Miss Yurong." The female official flipped open the record book and stared at her sharply. "If there is a dispute in the palace due to misunderstanding, how will you settle it?"

Yurong lowered her eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "I think that misunderstandings are often caused by improper communication. If both parties can calm down, each state the reasons, and then handle it with a fair attitude, the conflict will definitely be resolved."

"What if both sides refuse to give in and the dispute escalates?" a female official asked coldly.

Yurong remained calm and smiled slightly: "Then we need someone with prestige to make the decision. If the Crown Princess can set an example and handle things impartially, people will naturally be convinced. As the person in charge, you must be considerate of your subordinates and stick to your own position, so that things can be resolved satisfactorily."

The ladies exchanged glances, and were obviously quite satisfied with her answer. An older lady said, "Yes, Miss Yurong's words are plain, but very prudent. She is a rare sensible person."

Yurong bowed slightly after hearing this: "Thank you for the compliment, sir. I am just doing my best."

Su Jinyun then walked into the hall, her posture elegant and her gestures revealing confidence. After calmly saluting, she raised her head and looked at the "elder" calmly.

"Su Jinyun," a female official said coldly, "If you are misunderstood in an important occasion because of your superior's accusation, how will you respond?"

This problem was obviously more difficult than the previous two, and the women around her couldn't help but worry for her.

Su Jinyun was not in a hurry, and her tone was gentle but firm: "If it is a misunderstanding, I will first reflect on myself and see if it is because of my inappropriate words and deeds that my superior is dissatisfied. If it is indeed my fault, I will immediately admit my mistake and correct it; but if it is a misunderstanding, I will explain it to my superior tactfully at the right time."

"Euphemistic?" Another female official raised an eyebrow, seemingly dissatisfied with the answer. "What if the superior does not want to listen to your explanation, or even punishes you directly?"

Su Jinyun smiled calmly: "If so, I will accept the punishment first, and then prove myself innocent through actions when the situation calms down in the future. If Shangguan is really wise, he will naturally understand the truth of the matter."

Her answer was clever and tactful, neither overstepping the boundaries nor being humble or overbearing, causing the female officials present to nod their heads frequently.

"Su Jinyun is indeed smart." A female official whispered, "Her answer was flawless and she showed a very high emotional intelligence."

When it was Wang Yueru's turn, her performance was frowning. She strode into the hall, and although her movements were decent, the impatience in her eyes was obvious.

"Wang Yueru," the female official said coldly, "If a superior reprimanded you in public, how would you respond?"

Wang Yueru frowned slightly, obviously a little dissatisfied with this question. She suppressed her emotions and said calmly: "I am just expressing my feelings, why do you have to be so harsh?"

As soon as these words came out, the hall suddenly fell silent. The faces of several female officials turned extremely ugly.

The female official sitting in the middle asked in a cold voice: "Do you know that the Crown Princess' words and deeds are related to the atmosphere in the palace? If you act so casually, how can you convince the public?" (End of this chapter)