This selection of Fine Ladies has a total of two thousand participants.
After going through a series of initial selections based on family background, appearance, and health checks,
there are about six hundred left.
These Fine Ladies, having passed the initial selection, are arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to enter the palace and learn palace etiquette and protocol.
The previously desolate Chuxiu Palace is now fully occupied with people.
The rooms, originally housing two people each, have been converted to accommodate four due to a lack of space.
The number of Nursing Sisters and Managing Eunuchs has increased from four to eight.
This is to prevent any trouble that may arise from the crowd.
For the next month, the Fine Ladies are busy learning palace etiquette and rules.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing, Consort Hui, and others can take a moment to breathe.
At the same time,
Xia Jingfeng and his group, bearing the expectations of the Emperor of Great Chu,
officially set off from the Capital City, embarking on a long journey to Portland Country.
Before their departure, Zhao Junyao personally hosted a banquet at Taihe Hall to see them off.
He gave the direct command:
On this journey, at all costs, find a way to acquire the method; if that’s not possible, bring back a few craftsmen.
In short, the Great Chu Dynasty wants not only the fish but also the means to fish, for a long-lasting solution.
The envoys responded solemnly,
"We shall not disgrace the mission and will do our utmost to relieve the Emperor’s worries and solve problems!"
Zhao Junyao nodded with satisfaction.
He generously bestowed titles on each of them and rewarded them with sufficient gold and silver for travel expenses.
Finally, he instructed,
"Once you step outside the country, you represent the image of the Great Chu Dynasty!"
"Do not cut costs on my behalf!"
"Be lavish where necessary, do not lose your grandeur!"
"Yes! I shall dutifully follow the sacred decree,"
the Ministers cautiously replied.
Zhao Junyao nodded with satisfaction, waving them off.
"Enough!"
"You have to set off early tomorrow; I will not delay you any longer!"
The Ministers promptly bowed.
"Your subjects take their leave!"
After saying that, they each withdrew.
They went home to pack and bid farewell to their families!
Zhao Junyao noticed it was already late.
Thinking there was nothing else to attend to at Zhaochen Palace, he headed towards Duanning Palace.
...
In Duanning Palace, Xia Ruqing was teaching Yue Er to read and recognize characters.
The little girl was now two and a half years old, smart and articulate, with a good memory.
Xia Ruqing chose to read her the simplest "Three-Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Surnames."
She originally didn’t expect her to take in much.
Being only two, being able to recite a few lines would be good enough.
Unexpectedly, Yue Er turned out to be incredibly wise.
In less than half a month, she could already recite a segment.
"When people are born, their nature is inherently good. Though their natures are similar, their habits diverge..."
When Zhao Junyao arrived, he happened to hear the young girl’s tender recitation.
His heart filled with joy, and without waiting for the palace attendants to announce his presence, he strode in.
"Father!"
The little girl had a keen sense of smell.
She caught the unique scent of ambergris on her father.
She immediately threw away the book and dashed out.
Upon seeing her father, she beamed with twinkling eyes and spread her arms.
"Father, hold me!"
Zhao Junyao’s heart melted, and he quickly bent down to hold his daughter in his arms.
"How did Yue Er know Father had arrived?"
Yue Er nestled in his arms, took a sniff, and then giggled.
"Father smells nice!"
Zhao Junyao curiously smelled his own clothes.
"It doesn’t smell nice! What scent did Yue Er smell?"
"It just smells nice!"
Yue Er clung to her father’s arm, unwilling to let go.
Xia Ruqing came out, smiling and saluting.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao quickly helped her up.
In high spirits, he led the mother and daughter to the inner chamber.
...
Zhao Junyao was somewhat amazed at his daughter’s intelligence.
He held the book, looking incredulous.
"She can recite this segment?"
Yue Er nodded proudly.
"I can recite it all!"
Then she slowly tilted her little head, reciting that segment word for word.
Although her pauses were a bit off, she missed not a single word.
Xia Ruqing encouraged her with a few words and kissed her on the cheek, smiling.
Then she called for Yue Er’s favorite little cakes.
These were baked by Chef Su using eggs, milk, and flour.
For convenience in eating, they were made to be the size of egg yolks.
They came in shapes like little rabbits, ducks, and flowers.
The taste was similar to modern cake, though not as soft, but Yue Er still adored them.
Concerned about her daughter’s teeth, Xia Ruqing set a limit.
She promised that for every segment she recited, she could eat five.
This time the cakes were brought out.
Yue Er couldn’t wait any longer, grabbing them with her small hands and eating.
"Slow down!"
Xia Ruqing said with a mix of laughter and tears.
"No one is going to take them from you!"
"If your father sees this, he’ll think Mother is bullying you!"
Yue Er pouted and squirmed in protest.