Although the plan was disrupted, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing. For instance, Li Jiancheng entering the palace to request the deposition of the Crown Princess was an excellent matter. She was confident she could make Lady Zheng work for her, becoming another sword in her hand.

After suppressing these thoughts, Lady Wan asked, “How is the selection of palace maidens going?”

Chuyun lowered her gaze, “In response to Your Ladyship, a total of one hundred and three palace maidens have been selected, all housed in the Lateral Courts. Once Your Ladyship sets the date, they will be presented for His Majesty’s personal selection.”

Lady Wan nodded slightly, “Have you gone to see them?”

Chuyun, having followed Lady Wan for so many years, naturally understood her intentions and immediately said, “This slave went to look. Those of outstanding beauty number about seven or eight, but only three are from noble families. The rest are all from humble households, not worthy of grand occasions.”

“Humble households…” Lady Wan tapped the armrest with her finger while Zhaixing said from the side, “Your Ladyship said that His Majesty values family background greatly. Those from humble households, even if favored by His Majesty, would at most become Talented Ladies or Beautiful Ladies in the future. They might not even climb to the rank of Jieyu of the third rank, so they’re not of great use. We should focus our attention on those three palace maidens from noble families.”

“You’re wrong. Those from humble households are better.” Lady Wan’s words greatly surprised Chuyun, “Why does Your Ladyship say this?”

Lady Wan took an orange and gently peeled it, saying slowly, “Those from noble families would naturally be much easier to elevate than those from humble households. If they bear dragon sons in the future, not to mention Jieyu, even the Nine Imperial Concubines would have their share. But… can such people always remain firmly under my control without developing any treacherous thoughts?”

Chuyun said thoughtfully, “Your Ladyship means that once they reach high positions, they won’t be content to serve Your Ladyship and might even want to replace you?”

Zhaixing disagreed, “If they truly think this way, they’re seeking their own destruction. What kind of relationship do Your Ladyship and His Majesty have? How could they possibly replace you?”

While they spoke, Lady Wan had completely peeled the orange skin intact, placing it on the table like a blooming lotus flower, quite beautiful to behold.

“When people are in weak positions, they will choose to become pawns in others’ hands for advancement and to distinguish themselves. But once they have sufficient capital, whether capable or incapable, they will all want to jump out of the game and try to become the chess players themselves. Tell me, would this be good or bad for me?”

Zhaixing thought for a while, “If it’s like this, it would naturally be bad, but Your Ladyship’s position cannot be shaken by them. After all, you and His Majesty…”

Lady Wan handed the orange with its white pith removed to Zhaixing and walked to the window of Chenxiang Pavilion, her expression complex, “The relationship between His Majesty and me is indeed incomparable to those palace maidens, but I am getting old after all, and I have no sons or daughters. Adding Lady Lin and Lady Cui to the equation, relying on affection alone is far from enough to establish my footing in this palace.” When saying the last sentence, she couldn’t help but sigh. Zhiyun’s death would forever be the greatest pain in her heart.

Standing behind Lady Wan, Chuyun’s eyes shifted slightly as she said softly, “There are rules in the palace – those below the Nine Imperial Concubines cannot raise imperial offspring. Those palace maidens from humble households would find it almost impossible to reach the position of Nine Imperial Concubines before bearing children. When the time comes, Your Ladyship might select a prince to raise under your care. Though not your own son, it would still be a source of support. In the future… if the prince’s birth mother dies, Your Ladyship would be his only mother, and he would naturally serve Your Ladyship wholeheartedly.”

Lady Wan smiled slightly and turned around, “Now do you understand why I don’t want those so-called daughters of noble families?”

“This slave understands.” Speaking thus, Chuyun flattered, “Your Ladyship’s wisdom is truly beyond what we slaves can match.”

“You two have been by my side for quite some time now. Think more when encountering matters, don’t wait for me to point everything out before you understand.”

Chuyun and the other quickly agreed. After a while, Zhaixing said, “Regarding the three palace maidens from noble families that Chuyun mentioned earlier, this slave has also seen them. Their beauty is indeed outstanding. This slave worries that on the day of selection, His Majesty might personally choose them. What should we do?”

Lady Wan pondered for a moment, her shapely lips curving into a beautiful arc, “I remember that since taking Jirong, the Crown Prince has hardly taken any more concubines, correct?”

Zhaixing nodded, “The Crown Prince exclusively favors Consort Ji and hasn’t taken more concubines. Only recently, the Fourth Prince sent two Hu dancers to the Eastern Palace.” Speaking to this point, she had already guessed Lady Wan’s intention and probed, “Does Your Ladyship intend to send those noble family palace maidens to the Eastern Palace? To give Consort Ji some headaches?”

“Finally your mind isn’t turning too slowly.” Speaking thus, Lady Wan said, “In the next few days, convey my decree to bestow these three palace maidens upon the Crown Prince. Additionally, select several other suitable palace maidens to bestow upon the Prince of Qin and the Fourth Prince.”

After Zhaixing agreed, she continued, “You two have both seen those palace maidens. Tell me, who among them seems more scheming?”

“This…” Zhaixing and Chuyun exchanged glances, “This slave hasn’t had much contact with the various palace maidens, so it’s hard to say at the moment. However, among the palace maidens, there is one woman who left quite an impression on this slave.”

Lady Wan turned around, “Tell me about her.”

“Yes.” Zhaixing responded and said gently, “This palace maiden’s surname is Yan, given name Yufei.”

“Surname Yan…” After repeating it several times, Lady Wan said, “When the former Sui Emperor Wen was alive, he once enfeoffed a Duke of Gaoyi County with this rare surname Yan. I remember he was called Yan Rong. Is she related to him?”

Zhaixing lowered her gaze, “Your Ladyship is astute. This Yan Yufei is indeed Yan Rong’s granddaughter. Her father is Yan Baoshou. I heard that her father could read at three and comprehend classics at five, being called a prodigy. But due to being implicated by his grandfather, he didn’t pursue an official career. However, he later married into the former Sui imperial family, barely counting as imperial relative with some status. But after the fall of the former Sui, life hasn’t been as comfortable as before. I heard they sold quite a few mansions and dismissed most of their servants.”

Lady Wan nodded slightly, then said, “You still haven’t said why you have an impression of this Lady Yan?”

“When this slave was carrying out Your Ladyship’s orders to deliver pastries for the palace maidens to eat, after the palace maidens thanked you according to custom, they all withdrew. Only this Miss Yan remained, saying she wanted to personally thank Your Ladyship for the bestowment. We stopped her from doing so. It was precisely because of this incident, combined with her bright beauty, that this slave made some inquiries and has some impression of her.”

“Is she among the seven or eight palace maidens you mentioned earlier?” Facing Lady Wan’s question, Zhaixing lowered her gaze, “She is indeed one of them.”

Seeing Lady Wan remain silent for a long time, Chuyun said, “Your Ladyship, what’s wrong?”