I don't know how long I walked, but I heard the eunuch leading the way in front of me shout to stop, and the long line stopped.

In front is the Imperial Garden, where this year's primaries are located. The show girls stood in groups of five, waiting for the signs.

Mao Tongtong only saw Zhao Furong at this time, separated from her by two groups. The two glanced at each other, and the familiar smile suddenly dissipated a lot of tension in their hearts.

Suddenly, Mao Tongtong remembered the dream he had after coming to the capital. The scene of the draft in the dream is seven or eight points similar to today's situation.

Her heart was shocked, and the emotions she had just relaxed tensed again.

The wait is long. Watch the previous groups go in and the groups come out. The show girls are happy, frustrated, and afraid. The expressions are intriguing.

Finally it was Mao Tongtong's turn, she was the fourth in this group, and followed the show girl in front of her into the imperial garden.

"Look up."

Mao Tongtong heard a soft female voice. She was nervous, but she still raised her head slightly, but her eyes were lowered, and she didn't dare to look.

But after a while, I heard the female voice say again: "One, three, four from the right, stay." ”

"Wow!" A eunuch on the side responded, and then Mao Tongtong and they were taken out.

That's it? Mao Tongtong felt that it was too unreal. With a blank face, he followed out of the Imperial Garden. When she saw Zhao Furong's inquiring gaze, she remembered the voice she had just heard.

She seems to be the fourth from the right? Does that mean the first round has passed? Chong Zhao Furong nodded, and she was also relieved. After the first round, there is hope for the second round.

Zhao Furong seemed to be encouraged, and a light smile appeared on her face.

Soon, a group behind Mao Tongtong also came out, and Zhao Furong followed the team in.

At this time, there were only five groups that did not enter. Everyone waited quietly outside. In the end, regardless of whether they are left with a sign or not, at the end of the first round, all the show girls will be sent out of the palace and go home.

Seeing the relaxed expression on Zhao Furong's face after she came out, Mao Tongtong's mood also improved.

When all the show girls have been watched, everyone will be taken by the eunuchs to the Shenwu Gate in the original order to take the carriages of each family out of Di'anmen, which can be regarded as completing the first round of the draft.

When they just exchanged glances with Zhao Furong, the two had already reached a tacit understanding. As soon as he got out of Di'anmen, he got out of the carriage. Two friends who have been separated for a year have finally met.

"You've been retained!" The first sentence of the two turned out to be exactly the same, and they immediately laughed at each other.

"When I came, I told my Ama that I want to go back with you!" Zhao Furong said.

"It's easy to say, what if you are left in the capital?" Mao Tongtong said.

"Phew, crow's mouth!" Zhao Furong suddenly frowned, "Let's both go back together!" What's good in the capital, don't stay! ”

Hearing these domineering words, Mao Tongtong laughed. She likes Zhao Furong's refreshing temperament.

"Well, don't stay, let's go back together." She nodded vigorously.

"Girl, why are you here! Big girl, they're all waiting for you over there! "This lotus came over, she came to pick up Mao Tongtong and go back to Chen's mansion. Seeing Zhao Furong was also happy, and hurriedly saluted. This is my girl's best friend in Yangzhou City.

"Then you go. We'll talk another day. Zhao Furong is not a procrastinator, and quickly let go of Mao Tongtong's hand.

"Well, I'll go back first. We'll see you in two days when we choose again. ”

Mao Tongtong was not sticky, waved at Zhao Furong and left. Chen said that he would come to pick her up, and it should be these two days.

Sure enough, Lotus helped her into the sedan chair and said with a smile: "Girl, Madame is here!" ”

"Let's go!" Mao Tongtong couldn't wait.

The Chen sisters also passed the first round. The three of them went back to Chen's house together, and when Mao Tongtong saw Chen greeting him at the door, tears immediately fell.

When mother and daughter meet, they naturally have a lot to say. It was easy to stay up until the end of dinner, and when she returned to Mao Tongtong's house, Chen took her hand and looked at it carefully.

"Taller, thinner." Chen choked.

"Eniang, I'm a tall man!" Mao Tongtong smiled, but felt that his nose was also a little sour.

"How was it all this year?" Chen wiped his tears.

"Well, it's all good! Didn't I say it all in my letter? Mao Tongtong said.

"It's not that I'm afraid that you will only report good news and not bad news." Chan said.

"What about you? How are you doing at home? Mao Tongtong asked.

"It's all good, it's all good. I just miss you. Chen smiled with tears in his eyes.

"E-niang, don't cry!" Mao Tongtong wiped Chen's tears and said, "I want to cry." In a few days, when the second round is over, we'll go home. ”

"Hmm." Chen nodded, slowly retracting his tiredness.

This night, nestled in Chen's warm embrace, Mao Tongtong felt an unprecedented steadfastness in his heart.

There are a lot of show girls in the draft, and I can't watch it all in one day. So by the time all the show girls had passed the primary, it had been five days later.

At this time, the show girls left in the primary selection will enter the palace again for the second selection. If the second selection is passed, they will stay in the palace for a month and then conduct the final round. In the end, what remains will be pointed out to the royal family.

When Mao Tongtong entered the Imperial Garden again, there was no longer the first nervousness in his heart, but he had some faint expectations. When the results are announced, she will be able to go home free. This year's loneliness and hardship can be regarded as an explanation.

"Take the second one from the right, step forward and speak." This time, the female voice was changed again. Mao Tongtong also thinks it's very good. Now that I think about it, those who can come to see the show girl must have a high status in the palace. At least it's a concubine. I don't know which of Kangxi's famous four concubines it is.

"The second from the right!" The eunuch on the side suddenly whispered a reminder.

Mao Tongtong suddenly reacted, she is the second from the right! Suddenly, his heart was confused, and he hurriedly stepped forward.

"Yangzhou garrison Mao carries the concubine, and the Han army is inlaid with a blue flag." There was a eunuch on the side to report.

"Look up."

Mao Tongtong raised his head slightly, and heard the man say again: "What are you good at?" ”

She was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly replied: "The embroidery of the courtiers is acceptable." ”

"Then let's embroider an orchid and take a look."

Mao Tongtong didn't panic. The second selection is obviously more detailed than the primary selection. Just now, the girl in front of her was asked to play a tune.

On the side, a maid brought a wooden plate, on which was a plain purse and needlework. Mao Tongtong chose the thread and embroidered it, and the concubine above had already begun to ask the next person.

Embroidery can be described as Mao Tongtong's best. But she didn't plan to choose, so the embroidery was fast, but she didn't consider the quality. If you brush her off because of this, that's right!

After finishing, Mao Tongtong handed the purse to the palace maid, and stood quietly with his head down, waiting for the final result.