When the three Ning sisters returned to the Earl's Palace, it was already past noon. Wanning was hungry, and the Nala clan was busy asking people to eat. Shuning had already eaten snacks in the car, and she didn't feel very hungry, but she was sweaty and sticky and uncomfortable, so she retreated to take a shower first.

Nala asked about her daughter's draft, and Wan Ning said, "I will definitely pass, fourth sister...... Probably over. But ......" she frowned and said, "The third sister may not be very good, I see that her face is a little ugly, she seems to be very unhappy, and she will probably lose the election." ”

Yuan Ning glanced at her: "You are talking nonsense again." Wan Ning pouted and said, "I didn't have it!" Didn't you see her face turn pale? If you choose, how can you be like that? She thought to herself: Although losing the draft means the right to marry independently, the requirements for feudal women cannot be too high, and she will definitely be unhappy. But the strange thing is that she remembers that the third uncle's daughter should be the fifth and fifth in history, why did she lose the election? However, she immediately thought that after she crossed over, she had taken Shuning's place, so it was normal for the other party to lose the election. Anyway, the daughter of Zhang Bao in history did not have a good time after marrying Wuwu, and it is a good thing that she was defeated.

Nala hurriedly comforted the two of them, secretly glad that the clan had left first, otherwise she wouldn't know what she would think when she heard this.

After Shuning finished taking a bath, she learned that the second uncle had sent someone to pick up Yuanning. She ate the cabbage and side dishes sent by her mother, and asked, "Speaking of which, since I entered Di'anmen yesterday, I haven't seen Sister Da Niu again, how is she?" ”

"She went home last night, much earlier than you. Eat half a bowl more. Shuning shook her head and said she couldn't eat it. After drinking tea and coughing, I told my mother about the process and results of the draft. Shi said to her: "I know that the physical examination is very uncomfortable, but every show girl can't avoid it. I can only endure death. If you can get through it, you can forget about it. But this is also my negligence, if you have prepared something in advance, the grandmothers may be lighter. ”

Shuning was a little depressed, and asked again: "What's the matter with the Queen Mother and Niangniang?" I remember that when Aunt Ming came, she obviously only paid attention to the second sister, and she was not salty or indifferent to me. Why do you have to keep me? Also, isn't Niangniang already paying attention to that cousin of the Wei family? Why did you suddenly meddle in my business? ”

After pondering for a moment, he said: "I can't guess what the Queen Mother thinks, but the family is ...... I guess I just think two people are more secure. I'll ask about it, but leave it alone. I haven't slept all night, so get some rest. ”

Shuning did feel very sleepy, so she didn't shirk it, so she went to bed.

When I woke up, it was evening. She felt much better. Looking in the mirror, his face turned rosy. Sure enough, because I didn't eat, drink and didn't sleep, my face and mood were very bad, as long as I supplemented my diet and sleep in time.

She was in a relaxed mood and freshened up. accidentally saw Su Xin secretly looking at her, so she asked, "If you have something to say, when will you not get up like this?" ”

Frangipani smirked. Then he cautiously asked, "Girl...... Everyone else says...... You lost the draft because you didn't make the draft. will be unhappy...... Is it true? ”

Shuning felt a little inexplicable: "No." Who said I didn't make the election? And, how could I be unhappy? But she immediately remembered that she was in a bad mood when she came home. Maybe someone else misunderstood, right?

Su Xin showed a smile again, and said, "It was the second girl who said it, she said that your face was pale, and she must have been angry because you were not selected." There are a lot of people in the house who are spreading the word now. ”

Shuning frowned, what is this? Why is Wan Ning yelling everywhere like this? However, she didn't have the strength to pay attention to this, so she said to Su Xin: "I only ate something yesterday morning, I was hungry for more than a day, and I didn't sleep all night, how can my face be good?" ”

"But...... The second girl and the fourth girl, they ......"

"The second sister is in good spirits on happy occasions, and the fourth sister has fat powder on her face, even if her face is not good, she can't see it." This reminded her that many of the show girls have grease and powder, and she doesn't wear makeup in the primary election to look more inconspicuous, but after entering the second election, she should still follow the crowd. I didn't see the show girls in the same room, except for her and Wanning, only that Chang Lu didn't wipe the powder?

Su Xin believed her words and said, "In this way, the second girl is talking to herself." It's really ......," she didn't say, but she didn't care about it. Although Shuning was also a little depressed, she didn't want to pay attention to it. And as soon as she saw the smiling faces of her mother and brother and sister-in-law before dinner, and felt their care, her little depression was immediately thrown to the sky.

He had already sent a letter back to his mother's house, and he had heard back. My grandmother didn't know what the Prime Minister meant, but judging from the information she got on weekdays, Wei Jia's land was indeed the best choice for her appearance and talent, and no matter what the Prime Minister hoped to achieve, the possibility of success was very high, so she pulled Shuning on the line, probably just to be safe. It would be even better if Shuning's side also performed well.

Shuning was very speechless, she really didn't have a good impression of this relative, she wouldn't have gone to them if she had known, maybe it would be easier to lose the election. Duan Ning patted her on the ground and comforted: "Don't worry, don't worry, there will be a way." Then he winked at his sister. Shuning smiled and lowered her head a little embarrassedly.

The results of the second selection were sent to the residences of each show girl the next day, and Shuning was naturally on the list. This is a bit unexpected by Wanning, but it is not surprising to think that the number of girls in this year's show is scarce and the conditions are poorer. After she looked at the list of redraft girls that her eldest brother Qingning managed to get, she was even more sure that she had guessed correctly.

In fact, the list of selected show girls has always been not announced to the public, and the household department will only tell everyone the results of each person, but the family with a daughter should be selected, it is inevitable that they will want to know what kind of opponents their daughters have, so someone managed to buy off the household department's errand or small officials, and the whole list was copied out. Over time, it has become a way for household officials to make extra money. In fact, the price is not expensive, but Qingning invited a friend who works in the household department to have a good meal. I got this thing back.

When Duan Ning found out, he copied a copy and brought it back to Huaiyuan to read with his mother, sister, and wife.

Of the 137 show girls left after the first round of the primary election, only 82 were able to enter the second round, with an average of only about 10 people per flag, and the number of people was even smaller after the three flags of Manchu, Mongolia and Han. However, the actual situation is that the number of winners of the Eight Banners of Manchuria is the largest, followed by the Han Army Banner. The least of the flags.

For example, in the Manchurian Zhenghong Banner where Shuning is located, a total of six people were selected, including the last registered girl, four of them were from his family. makes this "famous family" very beautiful. Jin Bao has a great face in front of relatives, friends and colleagues, and everyone is rumored that he is going to marry the emperor.

Many people came to befriend him. However, Jin Bao is a city government, and he is not arrogant because of this, but he always behaves modestly, and he keeps deducing the rumors about his daughter that they are "just rumors, and they can't be true". Some people were jealous of him, but when they saw him, they would be a man. It also reduced the resentment, just said a few sour words.

In addition, the same is a positive red flag. A total of four people were selected for the Han Army's flag show girl. Mengqi is only one person.

This situation is probably related to the fact that the draft scope has been greatly reduced. Many show girls of the Eight Banners stationed in other places. I didn't have time to return to Beijing to register within the time limit, so I didn't come to apply. And the famous and beautiful Han military flag stationed in the south of the Yangtze River. Only a few show girls entered Beijing in advance to catch up. To some extent, this has also led to a significant reduction in the average quality of this year's show girls, and some people who are eighty percent likely to be unsuccessful have also been selected because of this.

Mengqi had time to be elected, and they were all people who lived in Beijing for a long time, or came to the local area a few months in advance, so the number was the smallest, only twenty-six or seven, and there were only a dozen people who entered the second election.

However, among these more than ten people, there is a figure recognized by Shuning's family - the county lord of Nadanzhu in Horqin.

Shuning glanced at the elder brother, wondering if this county lord would come to entangle? Duan Ning just smiled absently. Instead, Zhenzhen said, "Huh? Brother Duan, look at this name, isn't it the county lord you mentioned? She ran for election with Sister Shu, doesn't it matter? ”

Shu Ning's eyes widened and he looked at Duan Ning, but he was still just smiling. Zhenzhen took Shuning's hand and said, "I don't know what this county lord will think if he knows that I have become a relative to your brother, my sister must be more careful." ”

Shuning nodded blankly, and after she left the table, she immediately pulled her brother over and asked in a low voice, "Did you tell your sister-in-law about Lord Nadanzhu?" Aren't you afraid that she will misunderstand? ”

Duan Ning patted her hand and said, "Where do you think of going?" Is your sister-in-law the kind of chicken-bellied person? As soon as I heard the news that the county lord had entered the capital, I immediately told my sister-in-law the cause and effect of the incident, so that she would not misunderstand. Even if the county lord came to find fault, she would know who was right and who was wrong. ”

Shuning squinted her eyes and said "oh" with a smile. Duan Ning raised her eyebrows and said, "I didn't add oil and vinegar, I also helped the county lord say good things, in fact, she is just a child who is not sensible." ”

Shuning pouted. A man with a black belly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm the dividing line ~~~~~~~ to change the subject

In response to the re-election, the entire Earldom was mobilized. Of course, the focus is still on Wanning. The third room was dedicated to preparing for Shuning, and the clothes, shoes, jewelry, medicines, daily necessities, pianos, paper and pens, and purses and belongings for rewarding were all inspected one by one.

And Shuning made a final effort in the five days before entering the palace, wanting to feed herself into a fat man. Since Mama Cui left, she has gained some weight, although her figure is not visible, but her face is indeed much rounder. She thought that as long as her face was rounder, she would look like a little fat girl, and then she could use Xinran's method to lose the election.

So she now eats five meals a day, meat and milk at every meal, and stews at night. The second sister-in-law was worried that she would be broken, so she said: "No, it's just a little more than usual Urban Tianlong Ranwen, I know how to measure." "She's not going to spoil her body.

Zhenzhen saw her drinking stew one night, so she frowned and said, "This method is useless, if you can get fat, you will have gained weight more than a month ago." Now it's just a rounder face, wouldn't it be worse if those ladies think that you are blessed and good to give birth? ”

Shuning froze.

Why? Why? She'll forget about it?!!!

Shi walked over and said to his daughter with a smile: "I told you not to eat so much." If you accumulate food, you won't be able to sleep. Then he turned to Zhenzhen and said, "It's night, let's settle it early, I'm still waiting to hold my grandson." “

Zhenzhen made a big red face when she brushed the ground: "Mother-in-law...... You ......" she hurriedly saluted shyly, and ran away. Shi chuckled and said to his daughter, "Clean up, I have something to say to you." ”

Shuning followed her mother into the inner room with a puzzled expression, and the clan kicked out the maids and closed the door. pulled his daughter to sit on the bed and asked, "You honestly said to E-Niang, what do you think about the draft?" ”

"Of course, I hope I don't make the election. Didn't E-Niang already know? ”

"Oh?" Shi seemed to smile, "But after losing the election, many good objects will not be able to take their turns, such as ...... Tong Ying? ”

Shuning was stunned. His face gradually turned red, and he said a little crampedly: "E-niang...... How do you know? Did my brother say that? ”

"No matter who said it, do you want to keep it a secret from Eniang?"

Shu Ning said curtly: "It's not that I have the intention to hide it from you, it's just ...... Just ......"

"Just embarrassed, huh?" He smiled. "Silly girl, although you have been smart and sensible since you were a child, you are a little girl in her teens. This kind of thing happens. Naturally, the skin is thinner. E-Niang doesn't blame you. ”

Shuning wrung her handkerchief. Bow your head and say nothing. In fact, she is almost forty years old in her two lifetimes combined, and she is only a few years younger than Shi. It's just that for the first time, she has a crush on a man. Of course, I'm embarrassed to say it to people. What's more, the other party is still a boy who is many years younger than herself, if it weren't for Tongying's gentle and considerate behavior and maturity beyond her age, she might not be tempted by him.

Shi Dao: "I've always been a little strange, if you plan to be with Tongying, why do you always have the idea of losing the election?" Although the marriage is autonomous after losing the election, the marriage of a child like Tongying who was born in an iron hat palace has always been pointed out by the emperor or the palace. Isn't it a contradiction that you want to be with him and lose the election? ”

Shu Ning whispered: "The time Brother Tong Ying came back from the northwest before, he made a great contribution. He said that at that time, the emperor agreed to the marriage, and he would make his own decisions. ”

Shi was a little surprised, and after a while, he said, "If that's the case, it's reasonable." But even you don't think it through. Women who have always married into the royal family and clans, if they want to be respected in their husband's family and suffer less grievances, there are several things that they must have land. Do you know what it is? ”

Shuning asked, "Yes...... Is the family background and the importance of the husband? ”

Shi shook his head: "The first thing is, of course, the family background, the second is the official status of the father and brother, and the second is whether the marriage is marriage or self-employment." Nowadays, there are many children in the clan, and not everyone can get a marriage, and some people with poor status and family background will inevitably go to Zhang Luo for marriage. But the wife who marries back in this way is no different from that of an ordinary eunuch, if her mother's family is weak, she will give it up. But the marriage is different, and the husband's family can't easily move. In the same way, it is natural that marriage is more noble than self-employment. Other places include dowry, personal character, housekeeping skills, and finally the respect of the husband

Target. ”

Shu Ning thought about it carefully, and probably understood what her mother meant: "E-niang is saying that if I didn't mean to marry Tongying, I would be despised by his family?" ”

Shi nodded: "Now that you have entered the second selection, why do you have to do so many tricks?" ”

Shu Ning said: "Actually, I also heard something from my brother. Brother Tong Ying...... His mother died early, and now his stepmother and sister-in-law have their own plans for his marriage. He had nowhere to find someone to communicate with the ladies in the palace, and wanted to say it to the emperor, but he was afraid of a taboo, so he had to think of this method. After all, there are many children of the clan who are waiting to marry a wife, and among so many show girls, it is too difficult for me to be pointed out to him. ”

Shi Dao: "Since his stepmother and sister-in-law have other plans, and Tongying is now a saint, if he is finally accused of another girl, what should you do?" Shuning bowed her head and said, "If that's the case, at least I won't be casually pointed out to others......" Shi sighed: "I understand what you mean." Let's go back and say hello to your grandmother. Since your cousin of the Wei family has taken on a great responsibility, it would be a good thing if you could be assigned to a noble clan. Just ......"

She paused, and said, "There are some things that Eniang has to make clear to you in advance." We've known Tongying for many years, a boy about your age. He is the only one you've known for the longest time. It's not that I can't see it, how could I not think of him when I think about your marriage? But although he himself is very good, he grew up in such a family. The backyard of Prince Jane's mansion is much more troublesome than you think. I'm afraid that if you really go to his house, you may not be able to get used to it. ”

Shuning recalled Cui's pamphlet and said softly: "I've heard some of it, his wives and concubines compete for favor very well. ”

"It's more than amazing! When I was in Mukden, we were the relatives of the official family. Sometimes we talk about it. You were young, so I didn't let you hear it. Not to mention that there are no two Shu Fujin and a concubine in their house in a few years, and Wang Fujin, who only gave birth to the twelfth elder brother this year, is so favored. The first son only lived to be two years old, and Tongying himself alone has suffered three disasters since he was a child, and almost never lost his life. No one can tell how strange it is. Although his house is the prince's mansion, it is no less dangerous than the inner courtyard of the palace. When you go to a place like that, where can you still have a good life? Looking at our family, there are only four brothers and daughters-in-law of the older generation. There's so much trouble with that. More than a dozen brothers in his family, and everyone has married a wife, how are you going to talk to that string

Shuning bowed her head and said nothing. There is also some drumming in my heart. Seeing this. He continued, "I'm not trying to stop you from anything. Which girl's family doesn't want to marry a good husband in the future? There is a future and a future. The appearance and temperament are all likable. But as a mother, I'd rather you marry into an ordinary family. As long as your son-in-law treats you well, even if it's like your eldest brother-in-law, you're not afraid, just a little more support. I know your temperament, although you are sensible and steady in front of people, but when you are in Fengtian and Guangzhou, why don't you love to play and run? If you really go to a big family's house and intrigue in the backyard all day long, you will definitely not be happy. ”

Knowing her daughter Mo Ruomu, Shuning herself also knew that her mother was reasonable, but she was very uncomfortable when she wanted her to give up Tongying: "E-niang means ...... I don't want ...... Am I married to Brother Tongying? ”

Shi shook his head, saw his daughter's puzzled gaze, and said with a faint smile: "I just want you to know what you are asking for." If you want to live comfortably, find a way to lose the election, and you Amma and I will definitely find a good family for you. If you want to be in the same place as Tongying, then find a way to be chosen, and from now on, no matter what happens, don't complain, and do your best to do a good job. You have to think for yourself, it's your whole life. ”

Shuning didn't sleep well all night, just thinking about it. She used to think too simply, thinking that as long as she married someone with a similar temperament and a good impression of each other, she could live a peaceful and happy life, but things were not so simple. In the marriage of this era, marrying is not marrying one person, but marrying into a family. If she wants to live freely, she really only needs to find someone who is a good person or a little less status, as long as the other party is good and the family is simple, it doesn't matter if she has feelings or not; But if you want to marry Tongying, you have to put up with his somewhat dark and terrible family.

She thought about it all night, and the next day she got up and put on a pair of panda eyes. When he saw it, he said with some heartache: "There are still many days, why bother thinking about it all night without sleeping?" I just hope you know what to expect, and I'm not pushing you. ”

Shuning smiled, in order not to worry her mother, she temporarily kept things in her heart and concentrated on preparing for the draft.

On the day of the re-election, she wore the light blue cheongsam from last time, dressed the same, but with fat powder, and came to the Forbidden City with Wanning again in a mule cart. When he arrived at the Shunzhen Gate, he handed over all the luggage to the little eunuchs to mark and send them to his residence in the next few days. Then together with the other show girls, they followed the manager Tang who they had seen that day and came to the hall where they had been there.

The screens, tables and other things that were originally placed here have been removed, and it looks extremely empty, and more than 80 people are standing inside, not too crowded at all.

Manager Tang said to the show girls with a kind smile: "Little masters, I will have a physical examination later, everyone should line up according to the flag." Whoever he called back, he went with his aunts to the next room. There were six tall palace maids standing next to him, who looked quite old, but they looked very powerful.

There was a commotion among the show girls, but they still stood up obediently and followed the people one by one.

Shu Ning felt another burst of irritability in her heart, why did she come here again? However, she thought that she had brought something with her, and she should not be as uncomfortable as last time, so she calmed down a little.

As he was waiting, there was a sudden cry from the next door, but it quickly stopped, followed by a whining sound. Shuning and the others were not far from the side, and they all looked to see what was going on. I saw a show girl being dragged out of the room for physical examination with her mouth covered, and she was dragged out of the hall all the time. The two grandmothers came out very seriously, and one of them said to Mr. Tang: "This show girl is unclean and has the crime of bullying the king, Mr. Tang, what do you think should be done?" ”

Manager Tang still smiled like Maitreya Buddha: "Then it's time to die, let's die." ”

So in the frightened eyes of more than 80 show girls such as Shuning, the show girl was dragged to the open space in front of the hall on the spot, and the four palace maids pressed her hands and feet desperately, and the two little eunuchs picked up the board and hit her. At first she was whining, but after a while her voice became quieter, and then it became quieter and quieter......

Shuning suddenly felt chills on her body. Although it was nearly June, the hall was like an ice cave.

Yuan Ning muttered beside her, "This is the palace......"