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

As the selection process progressed, the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly tense. The criteria for judging the ladies became more stringent, and the open and covert struggles among the women became more intense.

One morning, Zhu Biao was walking alone on the path in the palace, his mind full of thoughts about the selection results.

He stopped and looked at Gu Qingping who was trimming flowers and plants in the distance, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

"Your Highness." A deep voice broke Zhu Biao's thoughts. He turned around and saw that it was his uncle Zhu Han.

"Uncle, why are you here?" Zhu Biao saluted.

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "Biao'er, I see you have been working hard on the selection these days, so I came to see you specially."

Zhu Biao sighed and frowned: "Uncle, this selection process is much more complicated than I thought. Each woman has her own merits. It is really difficult for me to choose."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder, and his tone was somewhat comforting: "Biao'er, choosing a crown princess is not only about choosing a person, but also about choosing a partner who can fight alongside you. What you need to look at is her character, talent, and whether she can face the future storms with you."

Zhu Biao nodded, but he was still uneasy. He looked at Gu Qingping who was trimming the flowers and asked in a low voice: "Uncle, what do you think of Gu Qingping?"

Zhu Han followed Zhu Biao's gaze, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "Qingping is indeed a good candidate. She is steady and reserved, has outstanding talents, and a peaceful mind. She can complement you."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and asked, "What about Su Jinyun? Her talent is also hard to ignore."

Zhu Han shook his head slightly, with a hint of reminder in his tone: "Although Jinyun is talented, she is too sharp and may not be suitable for the complex environment of the harem. The Crown Princess needs someone who can stabilize the overall situation, not someone who may become the focus at any time."

Zhu Biao seemed to be thinking about something, and his eyes turned to Gu Qingping again. At this moment, Gu Qingping was concentrating on pruning a peony, her movements were gentle and delicate, as if she was talking to the flower.

"Uncle, I understand." Zhu Biao said in a low voice, having already made up his mind.

However, at this moment, a guard came running in with a panicked look on his face: "Your Highness, this is bad! Someone spotted a suspicious person outside the palace, and it seems he is here for the selection!"

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han's faces suddenly changed when they heard this. Zhu Biao asked quickly, "Did you see who it was?"

The guard shook his head. "It was dark at night, so I couldn't see their faces clearly, but they were moving stealthily, as if they were looking for something."

Zhu Han frowned and whispered, "Biao'er, it seems someone wants to sabotage this selection. We must be on high alert to ensure that the selection goes smoothly."

Zhu Biao nodded and quickly issued an order: "Pass the order down, strengthen the patrols in the palace, and arrest any suspicious people! At the same time, strengthen the guards of the selection site to ensure that nothing goes wrong!"

Inside the selection venue, the women were nervously preparing for the next round of assessment. However, following the guards' announcement, the entire venue suddenly fell into chaos.

"What's going on? Why is it so noisy outside?" a woman asked in panic.

"I don't know, but it sounds like something happened," the other woman whispered back.

Gu Qingping looked out the window with a serious expression. She vaguely felt that this chaos seemed to be related to the selection.

At this moment, a female official came hurriedly, looking panicked: "Girls, something happened! A suspicious person was spotted outside, the selection may be forced to stop!"

The women were immediately shocked when they heard this. They had worked so hard to prepare for so long and were about to enter the final round, but suddenly something unexpected happened.

"What should we do? We have been preparing for so long!" a woman said anxiously.

"Yes, this selection is very important to us!" another woman echoed.

Gu Qingping took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She looked at the lady-in-waiting and asked, "Sir, can we continue to prepare? What if it's just a false alarm?"

The female official hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, you continue to prepare, I will send someone to check the situation."

Upon hearing this, the women returned to their respective positions and continued to prepare for the test. However, their hearts were filled with uneasiness and anxiety.

At the same time, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han had already arrived outside the selection site. They saw a group of guards surrounding a group of suspicious people, and the two sides were on the verge of a fight.

"What's going on?" Zhu Biao asked sternly.

The head of the guards quickly stepped forward to report: "Your Highness, these people are acting suspiciously and seem to be looking for something. We suspect they want to disrupt the selection."

Zhu Biao scanned the group of suspicious people with sharp eyes. He suddenly found that one of them was wearing a familiar jade pendant, which was Zhu Di's personal belongings!

"It's Zhu Di's man!" Zhu Biao said in a low voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Han's face suddenly became solemn when he heard this: "It seems that Zhu Di can no longer hold back. We must deal with these people as soon as possible to ensure that the selection goes smoothly."

Zhu Biao nodded and quickly issued an order: "Capture all these people! Interrogate their purpose and accomplices!"

The guards followed the order and quickly subdued the suspicious people. Zhu Biao and Zhu Han entered the selection site to calm the women down.

Zhu Biao's voice echoed in the selection venue, like a warm current, slowly soothing the women's anxious hearts. He gently swept his eyes over each woman, trying to give them strength with his eyes.

"Everyone, rest assured. With me here, the selection process will not be interrupted." Zhu Biao's tone was firm, with unquestionable majesty. "The guards have already caught those suspicious people, and everything will return to normal soon."

Gu Qingping raised her head slightly, and her eyes met Zhu Biao's. She saw the determination and calmness in the prince's eyes, and she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of relief. She nodded slightly in response, then lowered her head and continued to arrange the embroidery in her hands.

Su Jinyun frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes. She whispered to Yurong beside her: "Where is Yueru? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"

Yurong looked around and shook her head: "I don't know, I didn't see her just now. Nothing happened to her, right?"

Su Jinyun sneered: "With her personality, what could possibly happen? I'm afraid she's just slacking off somewhere again."

As he was speaking, Wang Yueru came running over, panting and looking panicked: "Sorry... I'm late. It's too chaotic outside, I... I'm afraid of getting into danger."

Upon hearing this, the female official's face darkened: "Wang Yueru, the selection is imminent, and as a candidate, you are so careless and negligent, how can you be so disrespectful!"

Wang Yueru turned pale and quickly bowed her head to admit her mistake: "Please forgive me, sir. I... I will pay attention next time." Zhu Biao stepped forward and looked at Wang Yueru gently: "Miss Yueru, although the selection is important, safety cannot be ignored. Since you are here, just prepare with peace of mind."

Wang Yueru looked at Zhu Biao gratefully and nodded quickly: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhu Han stood aside, looking at everyone with deep eyes. He thought to himself that this selection seemed calm, but in fact, there were undercurrents.

Now that Zhu Di's men have shown up, it means that he can no longer hold back, and the situation will probably become more complicated.

"Uncle, do you think these people are really selected for the purpose of selection?" Zhu Biao asked in a low voice, with some worry in his eyes.

Zhu Han shook his head slightly and said in a low voice: "Biao'er, things may not be that simple. Zhu Di has always been eyeing the position of crown prince, and he will never give up this opportunity easily. These people may be his pawns to test us."

Zhu Biao frowned: "Then what should we do? Should we just let them mess things up?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, with a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes: "Biao'er, if an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops, and if a flood comes, we will block it with earth. We just need to hold our ground and let the selection process continue. At the same time, we must secretly strengthen our vigilance to prevent them from making any further moves."

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes became firm: "Okay, let's do as the emperor's uncle said."

At this time, a guard hurried over and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, Prince, those people have confessed that they are indeed spies sent by Zhu Di to disrupt the selection and create chaos."

Zhu Biao's face darkened: "It is indeed him. Uncle, we must find a way to deal with it as soon as possible."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder and said in a steady tone: "Biao'er, don't worry. I already have a plan. You go and comfort the women and let them continue to prepare for the assessment. I will handle these matters."

Zhu Biao nodded, turned and walked towards the women, and comforted them in a gentle tone: "Don't panic, the guards have caught those suspicious people, and the selection will continue. Everyone, prepare with peace of mind, and don't let these little episodes affect our mood."

The women nodded as they heard this, their emotions gradually calmed down. They returned to preparing for the test, and the atmosphere gradually returned to calm.

Zhu Han walked aside with the head of the guards and whispered, "Go and mobilize more people to strengthen the patrols and guards in the palace. At the same time, send people to keep an eye on Zhu Di's movements. If he shows any abnormality, report to me immediately."

"Your Highness, do you need me to mobilize the secret guards of Prince Jing's Mansion to come to your assistance?" a secret guard leader asked in a low voice.

Zhu Han shook his head slightly: "No need. The secret guards of Prince Jing's Mansion have more important tasks. We can handle these small matters ourselves. You just need to ensure the safety of the palace and don't let Zhu Di's people take advantage of it."

The head of the secret guards took the order and left, while Zhu Han turned and walked towards the selection site. He glanced at the women and evaluated them secretly in his heart.

Su Jinyun is talented but too sharp; Gu Qingping is steady and reserved, but not very good at hiding her talents; Zhao Wan'er is gentle and delicate, but a little weak. He secretly wondered who would be the most suitable princess for Zhu Biao.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty." The female official stepped forward and reported in a low voice, "The assessment is ready. Shall we start now?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "Let's get started. I hope it goes smoothly this time."

The female official took the order and left, and the examination officially began. The women showed off their talents and manners one after another, and the atmosphere was tense and enthusiastic. Zhu Biao and Zhu Han sat aside, quietly observing their performance.

Su Jinyun was the first to go on stage. She was wearing a gorgeous dance costume and walked onto the stage lightly.

She opened her red lips and began to chant an ancient poem. Her voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of nature, which made people intoxicated.

"Sister Jinyun's talent is really amazing." Yurong whispered to Gu Qingping, "She is not only outstanding in embroidery and calligraphy, but also sings so beautifully."

Gu Qingping smiled slightly, with a bit of appreciation in her eyes: "Jinyun is indeed talented, but the Crown Princess needs not only talent, but also a calm and restrained temperament."

After Su Jinyun finished singing, the audience burst into applause. The ladies nodded in praise, obviously very satisfied with her performance.

Next came Zhao Wan'er, wearing a simple dress and holding a guqin.

She plucked the strings gently, and melodious music rang out. Her music was as clear as spring water, refreshing and soothing.

"Sister Wan'er's piano playing is so beautiful." Yurong whispered, "Every time I hear her playing the piano, I feel very peaceful."

Gu Qingping nodded, with a look of approval in her eyes: "Wan'er's piano music really has the power to soothe people's hearts. Although she is not good at speaking, her piano music can convey her emotions."

After Zhao Wan'er finished playing, there was also warm applause from the audience. The ladies were also very satisfied with her performance and nodded in praise.

When it was Gu Qingping's turn to go on stage, she was wearing simple plain clothes and holding a scroll in her hand.

She slowly unfolded the scroll and began to explain the artistic conception and the use of brush and ink in the painting. Her explanation was clear and easy to understand, which benefited people a lot.

"Sister Qingping's explanation is really profound and easy to understand." Yurong whispered, "She not only understands painting, but also knows how to make people understand the artistic conception of the painting."

Su Jinyun frowned slightly and whispered, "Although the explanation is good, it is too bland. How can such a performance attract the attention of the prince?"

Zhu Han's gaze fell on Gu Qingping. Looking at her standing calmly on the stage, he couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart.

Although she does not have the amazing talent of Su Jinyun, she has an indescribable calmness and restraint, which is exactly what the Crown Princess needs.

"Qingping's explanation is indeed unique." Zhu Han said softly to Zhu Biao, with a faint smile on his face, "She not only understands painting, but also understands people's hearts. If such a woman can become your crown princess, she will definitely be able to help you."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes: "Uncle Huang is right. Qingping's steadiness and restraint are exactly what I need most in the palace. However, Jinyun's talent is also hard to ignore."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "Although Jinyun is talented, she is too sharp and may not be suitable for the complex environment of the harem. What the Crown Princess needs is someone who can advance and retreat with you and stabilize the overall situation, not someone who may become the focus at any time."

Zhu Biao nodded thoughtfully, and looked at Gu Qingping on the stage again. She was calmly explaining every detail of the painting, as if she and the painting were the only ones left in the world.

"Sister Qingping is really amazing." Yurong whispered to the woman beside her, her eyes full of admiration, "Not only does she draw well, but she also explains it so clearly. I really admire her."

The woman nodded in agreement: "Yes, although she is not as stunning as Sister Jinyun, her calm temperament makes people like her more and more." (End of this chapter)