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In February of the third year of Xianfeng (March 1853), the Taiping army captured Nanjing, the government and the opposition were shocked, and the people were panicked. However, the triennial draft of the Qing court was carried out as usual.

The Qing Dynasty beauty pageant, known as the "draft", was to find marriages for emperors, princes, grandsons, princes, and county kings. It began in the Shunzhi Dynasty and is held every three years. In order to ensure the purity and nobility of the Manchurian aristocratic bloodline, the qualifications must first be examined, and only girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen in the families of the officials of the Eight Banners can be selected.

After passing the examination, the selection will be made visually. On the day of the election, the show girls entered from the Shenwu Gate and waited in front of the Shunzhen Gate. Eunuchs were introduced in the order of the roster and were selected by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Usually a row of five people, for the emperor or the queen mother to choose, if there is a fancie, leave her name tag, and then regularly re-elect, the second selection of the show girl who is selected again, the excellent stay in the palace, with the emperor around, become a candidate for the concubine; The rest is given to the royal family or the family of the clan.

The second year of Xianfeng coincided with the draft year, and the seventeen-year-old Cixi, the daughter of a Manchurian Taoist, participated in the draft, and was selected and named Lan Guiren. According to the concubine system of the Qing Dynasty, the title of the harem has eight ranks: queen, imperial concubine, concubine, concubine, concubine, nobleman, Changzai, and promise, and the nobleman is only in the sixth class. This means that Cixi after entering the palace is in the lower echelons at this time, and it is unknown whether she can wait for the emperor's arrival.

On that day, the officials of the Zongren Mansion and the Internal Affairs Office came to the West Fourth Pailou Splitting Wood Hutong, and Lan'er opened the door to see that the narrow street was full of people.

The officer asked, "Is this the residence of Lord Keisei?" ”

Lan'er hadn't seen this formation, so she was stunned and nodded stupidly. At this time, I saw a man in his fifties who came out of the carriage, and who was very well maintained. Lan'er felt as if she had seen it somewhere, a little familiar. But I can't remember it!

Seeing someone approaching her, she said with a smile: "Congratulations to Miss Lan'er, you have been selected for this year's list of show girls, if he is favored in the future, don't forget the old slave." ”

As soon as Lan'er heard this, she instantly remembered, her eyes widened, and she said, "You are the ・・・・・・ of the Zongren Mansion."

"The girl has such a good memory, she is an old slave." He looked her up and down.

"This is the head of the Zongren Mansion, and he hasn't seen the ・・・・・・ yet" Lan'er reacted and bowed down to say goodbye.

Mr. Wang walked into this simple courtyard, and his mother, supported by Rong'er, walked out.

"I don't know my father-in-law, the slave is rude." Manager Wang glanced at the sick old woman, and didn't plan to get closer. Said from afar: "Our family is here to congratulate your old man." ”

Tong Erjia's family is also from a big family, and there must be something important when someone comes from the palace. "A small family, I'm afraid that I will neglect my father-in-law, how can I say that I am happy?"

"Your Lan'er girl has been on the draft list, this is not a big event!" The prince didn't want to be verbose with her.

As soon as Tong Erjia heard this, his body couldn't help but shake back, and Rong'er hurriedly hugged him. Lan'er hurriedly helped her sit down and asked, "E-Niang, what's wrong with you・・・・・・" Seeing that E-Niang's face was wrong, Lan'er didn't dare to ask more.

"Well, let the girl clean up, someone will pick her up tomorrow." After saying that, the prince turned around and walked out.

Sending everyone away, Tong Erjia cried: "This is our woman's life!" As he spoke, he began to cry.

At this time, Lan'er became calm and comforted: "Eniang, isn't it just a draft girl, I may not be selected." Maybe I can meet a good master, so that we can find a place in our lives in the future. ”

"Sister, do you really want to enter the palace?" Rong'er looked at her reluctantly. Lan'er smiled and said, "You have also grown up, and E-Niang will rely on you to serve in the future." As he spoke, he touched her face and walked to his room.

She pulled out the brand-new flag dress from the closet and stroked it with her hand. This is the dowry that Eniang made for her with a stitch and a thread, but tomorrow, she will wear it into the palace.

At night, she deliberately slept with Eniang. E-Niang just hugged her and didn't say a word, but Lan'er could feel how reluctant E-niang was in her heart.

The next day, at dawn, E-Niang personally brushed and braided her hair, put on new clothes for her, watched her get into the carriage, and disappeared at the mouth of the alley under the urging of the servants.