The Fu siblings had long been accustomed to the attention from outsiders. However, Fu Jinyu was a cautious person. Glancing at the young girl nearby who had just smiled and averted her gaze, he tilted his head slightly and whispered something into his sister’s ear.
Fu Jinyao casually glanced behind her after hearing his words.
Fu Jinyu had seen and studied all the candidates participating in the selection this year, and he had just shared his observations with his sister.
Earlier, Layue had sized them up, and now Fu Jinyao was doing the same. However, upon seeing Shen Layue’s appearance, she showed no particular expression.
Although Shen Layue’s looks were decent, she was far from being a peerless beauty. In fact, she still carried a youthful, immature air about her.
Previously, Fu Jinyu had already given Jinyao a detailed analysis of Shen Layue.
This Shen Layue was clearly not someone who posed a threat.
Seeing her in person, Fu Jinyao felt even more reassured.
Although they had only glanced once and quickly looked away, Layue still noticed.
It seemed they knew who she was. It was said that young Master Fu had an excellent memory. With the selection approaching, they wouldn’t be idle either.
“Sister, the older brothers and sisters ahead look really pretty. When I grow up, will I be as pretty as them too?” Shen Yiyi, with an innocent expression, spoke in a voice not too loud, but still audible to those who were paying attention.
“Yes, of course. When Yiyi grows up, she’ll be just as beautiful,” Layue pinched her younger sister’s cheek.
Those around them overheard their conversation and smiled.
The Fu siblings did not turn back again because of their conversation. Instead, they entered the main hall normally to kneel and bow, then left.
It seemed they lived there.
Qingquan Temple was located deep in the mountains. Usually, those from wealthy families who came to worship would stay for several days. Few were like Shen Layue, who left immediately after worship.
When the group was leaving, Fu Jinyu was taking a walk in the mountains. Seeing Shen’s group leave, he looked slightly surprised.
“What an outstanding young man,” Shen Shuping sighed.
“Of course, the Fu Prime Minister’s son and daughter would be extraordinary.”
“What?” Shen Shuping was greatly surprised. He hadn’t expected the young man and woman to be of such status.
“Let’s go, brother. People like them are beyond our family’s reach.”
“I know.”
They had never been that kind of people.
On their way back, they encountered Bai Xiaodie’s group. They hadn’t expected that Bai Xiaodie had also come to Qingquan Temple for worship. However, since Shen’s group walked faster, they met Bai’s group just after leaving the temple.
The girl who had sold herself to bury her father was now following them.
Looking through the carriage curtain, Layue noticed the girl constantly glancing at her older brother. A girl who tried to seduce others on the road was clearly not a decent woman.
Layue disapproved of Bai Xiaodie’s behavior. Bringing such a flirtatious girl home would likely cause trouble. But thinking that Bai Xiaodie was also participating in the selection, Layue smiled. It would be interesting if Bai Xiaodie were also chosen. In her previous life, Bai Xiaodie had failed the selection. She wondered if it would be the same in this lifetime.
Since their pace was fast, it didn’t take many days before they returned to the capital.
At this time, the selection was not far away.
Except for medical knowledge, Layue had stopped all her other studies.
She had never intended to dance gracefully in front of everyone. Practicing dance was only for maintaining good posture, which didn’t require great proficiency.
The same principle applied to other skills.
Only in medical knowledge did she truly apply herself diligently. Some basic medical knowledge would be most important in the palace. Although she might only learn the surface, who could say that even this superficial knowledge wouldn’t be useful in the future?
Only the Matriarch knew about her studying medicine; others were unaware, as it might not be a good thing to reveal.
Being young, she learned quickly. Her teacher was a trusted person from the Shen family. Madame Wan, the wife of Grand Physician Wan of the Imperial Medical Bureau, was also the Matriarch’s childhood close friend. Everyone knew that Grand Physician Wan was highly skilled in medicine, but no one knew that his wife was even more skilled.
When Shen Layue had first proposed this, the Matriarch immediately thought of Madame Wan.
Now, besides visiting the Shen family often, Madame Wan also came secretly.
Madame Wan liked Shen Layue very much as her disciple. Having watched Layue grow up, she had always been fond of her. Learning that Layue wanted to study medicine and seeing her talent and dedication, Madame Wan was delighted.
Madame Wan had no daughters, only three sons. Finding a kindred spirit in Layue, she naturally treated her like her own daughter.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day of Layue’s selection.
Knowing that if Layue was chosen, it would be difficult to meet again, Madame Wan felt sad.
Everyone knew that even if Layue entered the palace, her path would be full of challenges.
Madame Wan gave Layue a hairpin.
“Yue’er, you will go to the palace for the selection in two days. I won’t say much more. I’m happy that you were willing to learn, and I’m even happier to have you as my disciple. Use this hairpin. Don’t underestimate it. Even poison that cannot be detected by silver needles can be identified with this hairpin.”
“Master…” Shen Layue’s eyes reddened. From the day she made up her mind, she had started learning medicine and had developed a deep bond with Madame Wan.
“This is too valuable.”
Shaking her head, Madame Wan said, “It doesn’t serve much purpose here with me, but for you, entering the palace with this item will help you avoid more dangers.”
“Okay.” Layue nodded with tears streaming down her face.
Although the selection had not yet begun, for some unknown reason, everyone who had interacted with Shen Layue had a feeling that she would definitely be chosen.
As the day of the selection approached, relatives from the Shen family kept coming to visit, which was natural. Although the Shen family was large, this particular branch only had three brothers.
Under the current circumstances, the most likely person to achieve prominence was Layue.
Shen Yiyi was still young. The two daughters from the second branch of the Shen family were not young anymore, but whether it was the legitimate second Miss Wanru or the concubine-born third Miss Qingqing, both were timid and plain-looking.
It would be extremely difficult for them to be selected.
As for the collateral relatives, even if they were selected, it would have little to do with this branch of the family.
Therefore, now the whole family was pinning their hopes on Layue.
At this time, the capital was bustling with activity. It wasn’t just their family’s daughters participating in the selection; every family was busy preparing. Compared to others, the Shen family was not particularly outstanding.
“Jinxin, have you prepared the clothes I asked for?” This was a very important part of the selection.
“Report to Miss, they are ready.”
Shen Layue did not make her own clothes. Like most of the candidates, she had a set of clothes made at Rongbaozhai, a well-known shop in the capital.
However, the color and style were chosen by herself.
The clothes were delivered in the afternoon. Although they had been completed earlier, the young lady had pointed out a few small issues with the details. Rongbaozhai, worthy of its reputation as a famous shop in the capital, made the changes according to the young lady’s suggestions, further refining the garment.
Jinxin knowingly took out the brocade dress.
The selection was held during a relatively hot season. Many young ladies from wealthy families chose cooler fabrics like silk or sheer gauze. Compared to these, brocade seemed somewhat heavy.
However, Layue still chose it.
Although silk was beautiful, it wrinkled easily. In her previous life, hadn’t she worn such a dress? During the waiting period, the Imperial Household Department had prepared chairs for the candidates, and the result was predictable.
She even suspected that this was a deliberate act, considering that most candidates wore silk.
As for sheer gauze, although it was light and flowing, the Empress Dowager disliked women who appeared undignified.
Brocade might be somewhat thick, but it was not unbearable. If it were truly unbearable, how could the Empress Dowager have worn such a dress when she first entered the palace for the selection? Layue smiled.
After putting on the dress, Layue stood in front of the mirror.
“Miss is truly beautiful,” Jinxin sincerely said.
“Pity, beauty has never been the most important thing in the palace,” Layue replied with a grin.
Upon hearing her words, Jinxin was momentarily stunned.
Although everyone knew that Miss was confident about this selection, only she and Jinling knew that Miss was determined to be chosen.
Since Miss had become so determined, she must also work harder.
“Jinxin will also strive.”
Layue smiled and nodded.
After tidying everything up, the Matriarch happened to send someone to pick Layue up.
Layue guessed that the Matriarch had something to say.
Indeed, that was the case.
Seeing Layue arrive, the Matriarch patted the seat beside her. Layue noticed that there was no one else in the room, not even Yiyi, so she playfully hopped over.
The Matriarch smiled, her eyes crinkling with wrinkles.
“You, you naughty girl.” How long had it been since she’d seen Layue in this little girl manner?
Layue rested her head on the Matriarch’s shoulder, quietly enjoying this warm moment.
“Grandmother knows you’ve put your heart into this selection, but you should also know that not everything is within our control. If you aren’t chosen, it’s not the end of the world,” she comforted her granddaughter, not wanting her to feel too much pressure.
“Layue understands.”
“That’s good. Grandmother is just worried that you think too much.”
Looking at her grandmother, whose hair had already turned white, Layue remained silent, saying nothing.
She had to enter the palace.
Only by standing at a high position could she protect her loved ones.
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