Cefei's Rise to Prominence Record - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

That so-called phoenix hairpin, Zhou Yun ultimately didn’t get to see.

When she pushed open the window, the Momo came in, and as soon as the Momo showed half of her body, she closed the window.

The Momo’s surname was Liu, she came from the Zhongsheng Palace, and was sent by imperial decree to specifically teach these selected maidens the rules of the palace.

All the selected maidens in the courtyard showed her some respect, and the reason was none other than the fact that those who caused trouble a few days ago were no longer in the palace, and the first round of Imperial Selection was to not see the higher-ups, whether the selected maidens performed well or not was all recorded in her small book.

Across from the bed was the dressing table, and as soon as Zhou Yun raised her eyes, she saw herself in the copper mirror.

Returning quickly, and then hiding under the quilt to cry, the corner of her eye was slightly red, with a hint of rosiness, and her skirt had a few more wrinkles, which was a rare sight of her being disheveled.

Zhou Yun shifted her gaze away in annoyance.

She instructed the palace maid standing at the door to bring in a basin of hot water, and after washing and changing into a new outfit, a hundred-flower cloud-patterned brocade skirt accentuated her slender figure, revealing only her long and fair neck, and the waistband cinched her waist so tightly that it seemed fragile.

The day after tomorrow would be the palace selection, and a hint of anxiety flashed across Zhou Yun’s eyebrows.

If she didn’t find an opportunity to talk to her aunt clearly in the next few days, it would be too late after the palace selection.

She was just thinking about finding an excuse to go out when she heard Gu Yan call out to her, “Yun’er, are you ready? The momo is urging us.”

Zhou Yun came back to her senses, “I’m coming.”

In the courtyard, Liu Momo was saying something, the commotion that had started earlier because of Zhang Huaishang had already subsided, and the momo’s words came through clearly, “After tomorrow will be the palace selection, each of you will have a bright future ahead, don’t lose your composure in these last moments.”

“The rules have been learned without much difference, today is the last lesson the old slave will give to each of you, I hope each of you will listen carefully.”

As the last word fell, Zhou Yun had just reached the long corridor, and upon hearing the commotion, everyone turned to look over, the five-colored plum blossoms bloomed not far from her face, under the scorching sun, adding a touch of vibrant color to her, the beauty’s eyes slightly slanted, and people couldn’t help but stare.

Her skin was very fair, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was as white as snow.

Among the show girls, Zhang Huaishang slowly turned around, she was wearing a light blue pleated skirt, not as eye-catching as Zhou Yun’s, but it gave off a sense of gentleness and steadiness, when she saw Zhou Yun, she suddenly thought of Noble Consort Zhen she had seen before.

A beauty with a delicate face.

The women of the Zhou family were known for their outstanding appearance, Noble Consort Zhen had been in the palace for over ten years, and her favor had never wavered, it had suppressed her aunt to the point where she didn’t dare to openly clash with her.

Now this Zhou Yun, it was unknown which mansion she would end up in.

Her eyes darkened slightly, and when she met Zhou Yun’s gaze, she revealed a gentle smile, then casually turned back around.

The voice of Yang Yun behind her was extremely low, “Everyone else has arrived, but she has to be special, making everyone wait for her.”

The tone was so soft that it was clearly only meant for one person’s ears.

Zhang Huaishang seemed not to have heard it, not even glancing in that direction, Yang Yun didn’t get a response, and awkwardly closed her mouth.

Liu momo also saw her, smiled slightly, and nodded at her, “Little master Zhou, hurry up and join the group.”

After Zhou Yun walked over and stood beside Gu Yan, Liu momo continued, “Each of you should know that there are two Ladyships in the palace now, one is the Empress, and the other is the Noble Consort, both of these Ladyships are precious, and when you see them, you must not be slow…”

Although this Imperial Selection is mostly for the princes, there are still some who have their sights set on the palace.

Zhou Yun listened a bit absent-mindedly, these situations by Liu momo have been mentioned in the mansion before they entered the palace for selection, and she even knew more than Liu momo.

For example, this Imperial Selection is for the emperor to choose primary wives for several princes, and currently, there are five princes, except for the crown prince who already has a primary wife, the other princes do not have primary wives.

Among them, the eleventh prince is still young and doesn’t even have a title, this selection should be to choose primary wives for the other three princes.

When she came back to her senses, Liu momo had just finished speaking, after the momo left, she looked at Gu Yan with some puzzlement, “What did the momo say, why do they all seem relieved?”

“The day after tomorrow is the palace selection, the momo said that we don’t need to learn the rules tomorrow, so we can prepare well.”

When the selected maidens were learning the rules, the momo wouldn’t go easy on them, and they were all delicate young ladies from noble families, how could they endure it?

Hearing this, Zhou Yun’s eyes brightened slightly, she was just thinking about how to find an excuse to go out, and now she didn’t need to learn the rules, which was convenient for her.

She told Gu Yan and then turned to leave the Chuxiu Palace.

Under the locust tree, at the stone table, Zhang Huaishang watched Zhou Yun leave, reached out to touch the phoenix hairpin on her hair bun, and slightly curled the corner of her mouth as she lowered her eyes.

——
“Crash——”

A fine jade cup shattered on the ground.

Her Ladyship Noble Consort, who was usually gentle and refined, had a face as cold as iron, and the palace maid Fu Ling beside her immediately stepped forward with concern, “Your Ladyship, please calm down, it’s not worth getting angry over someone else.”

Zhou Yun sat to the side, her eyes slightly red, her eyelashes were wet, and two tears rolled down her face, she leaned on Noble Consort Zhen’s knees, “Aunt, what should I do, if I have to marry him, I’d rather not get married for the rest of my life!”

Noble Consort Zhen heard her talking nonsense, and felt both heartbroken and angry, she had never spoken harshly to Zhou Yun before, but at this moment, she scolded her, “Nonsense!”

“My Zhou family member, how could it be his turn to humiliate you!”

Zhou Yun raised her pale face, her eyes were wet with tears, “What should I do, aunt?”

Noble Consort Zhen stroked the person in her arms, and in a daze, she was transported back ten years ago, when she had just lost her child, and was consumed by grief, her sister-in-law brought Yun’er to visit her in the palace, and at that time, Yun’er was still a little girl.

With a pair of clear eyes, she rushed into her arms, with a sobbing tone, and said softly and sweetly, “Aunt, don’t cry, Yun’er feels bad.”

In an instant, she took a light breath, and regained her usual gentle demeanor, reaching out to stroke the woman’s back, “Why are you crying? Aunt is here for everything.”

She coldly gazed at the shattered jade cup on the ground, and said word by word, “A thing of no significance, since he likes Liang Jieyu so much, This Palace will grant him his wish!”

With her saying this, Zhou Yun’s tears finally stopped.

She wasn’t that sad, but being calculated like this, and almost being successful, naturally made her angry.

At this time, outside the second curtain stood a palace maid, bowing her head, “Your Ladyship, His Highness Prince Xian has come to pay his respects to you.”

The palace fell silent, Zhou Yun quickly wiped away the tears on her face, feeling a bit surprised, “Aunt, why did the His Highness Prince Xian come to pay his respects to you?”

As everyone knew, Prince Xian’s birth mother was still alive, although her rank wasn’t high, she was only a third-rank Zhaoyi, but if Prince Xian wanted to pay his respects, he should go to Meng Zhaoyi, or pay his respects to the Empress, why would he come to Jujiao Palace?
And, the palace maid’s tone when reporting was a bit too casual, as if she wasn’t surprised at all.

Although her aunt loves her dearly, they are separated by a wall of the palace, and Zhou Yun rarely comes to the palace, so she doesn’t know much about the affairs of the harem, now with a question in her mind, Zhou Yun looked at Noble Consort Zhen in a daze.

Noble Consort Zhen was also taken aback, she didn’t expect Prince Xian to come at this time, while telling the palace maid to invite him in, she didn’t know how to explain, and finally just said, “He is a thoughtful one.”

Zhou Yun didn’t understand, but she didn’t ask further, after all, Prince Xian and she had little to do with each other.

Prince Xian arrived suddenly, and Zhou Yun didn’t have time to avoid him, fortunately, the current dynasty’s rules on men and women were not as strict as the previous dynasty, Noble Consort Zhen didn’t say anything, so she just sat still.

As they spoke, the palace maid lifted the second curtain, and respectfully led Prince Xian in, Zhou Yun glanced over, her red lips unconsciously pursed together.

She had seen Prince Xian before.

More than once.

He was born with a good appearance, and at gatherings, even with a cold face, there would always be girls who couldn’t help but look at him, his eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, like an immortal, with distinct features, giving off a cold and hard aura.

Zhou Yun trembled her eyelashes and withdrew her gaze, she stood up, and couldn’t help but think of Fu Yun she had seen when she was young.

At that time, he rode past Chang’an City, young and unruly, even if he was born in an ordinary family, people would praise him as a handsome young man, not to mention he had a noble identity, which added a layer of glory to him, and silently created a distance between him and others.

But the current Fu Yun, his eyebrows and eyes were very cold, without any hint of recklessness or frivolity, when his eyes looked over, it silently made one’s heart tremble.

Zhou Yun was a bit intimidated by Prince Xian, she bowed and paid her respects, “Subject daughter pays her respects to His Royal Highness Prince Xian.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Yun’s gaze fell on her, she was radiant like the sun today, but Fu Yun’s eyes only paused slightly, and then he spoke calmly, “It’s my cousin from the Zhou family, no need for such formalities.”

At this, Zhou Yun was truly stunned.

Cousin from the Zhou family?
When did she and Prince Xian have this kind of relationship?

Noble Consort Zhen interrupted their conversation, looking at Fu Yun with some surprise, “The palace gates are about to close, why did you come at this time?”

Everyone sat down, and the palace maids refilled their tea.

Unknown if it was Zhou Yun’s illusion, the Prince Xian in Jujiao Palace seemed to have a bit more warmth than elsewhere, thinking of this, she quickly stopped her random thoughts.

Just then, Fu Yun spoke, “The Emperor summoned me to the palace to discuss matters, seeing that there was still some time, I came to visit Consort mother Zhen.”

When he said this, Fu Yun lowered his eyes, if he was terrifyingly cold in the past, now he seemed indifferent, almost devoid of any emotions.

The atmosphere in the palace was a bit stiff, Zhou Yun noticed that the palace maids in Jujiao Palace seemed frozen in fear, which made her feel puzzled.

She felt uneasy all over, and after thinking for a moment, she stood up to take her leave.

With Fu Yun present, Noble Consort Zhen couldn’t say some things, so she just reminded her, “You just need to focus on the Imperial Selection.”

Zhou Yun glanced at Fu Yun, feeling a bit embarrassed, since she had been calculated in such a way, she felt a bit ashamed, but thinking that Fu Yun didn’t know about it, she felt relieved, and murmured with her eyes down, “Yun’er understands.”

After she left, Noble Consort Zhen sighed lightly, rubbed her temples, and suddenly caught sight of Fu Yun out of the corner of her eye, her gaze flickered slightly, “Your Highness, what do you think of Yun’er?”

It was a sensitive period for the Imperial selection, and Noble Consort Zhen’s sudden question made it hard not to think too much.

Fu Yun was silent for a moment, and then said blandly, “My cousin from the Zhou family is naturally good.”

It was hard to tell if he was being sincere or just perfunctory.

Noble Consort Zhen’s smile faded slightly, although in her opinion, Prince Xian and Yun’er would make a good match, but the Zhou family couldn’t suppress Prince Xian, and his attitude was so indifferent, which made her lose interest.

She had something on her mind, so she didn’t keep Fu Yun long.

However, before Fu Yun left, she called out to Fu Ling, and then said, “When Your Highness came last time, I noticed that the tassel on your jade pendant seemed a bit old, you’re a prince after all, how could you be so careless.”

When Fu Yun stepped out of Jujiao Palace, the tassel on his jade pendant had already been replaced with a new one, and the coldness between his eyebrows seemed to have diminished slightly.

Just as he was about to leave the palace, he heard a surprised cry, and when he looked up, he saw the person who had just left Jujiao Palace standing not far away.

—