The others were either shocked or curious, but this did nothing to diminish Zheng Yi’s interest.
Wave after wave of beauties were brought forward, yet his enthusiasm remained high.
In the past, selecting beauties at a KTV was never this gratifying; only a few could be chosen at a ti, and most were quite unremarkable.
Won in their thirties were a common sight.
But here, they were all young maidens of seventeen or eighteen, lovely beyond compare.
As over a hundred beautiful girls walked by, a fragrant scent lingered throughout the grand hall.
Another wave of young maidens was brought forward, and this ti even Zheng Yi’s eyes brightened slightly, subconsciously sitting up straight.
"Oh?"
The slightly weary Empress Dowager, Empress, and others also looked over instinctively.
There, among the five, stood two young maidens, identical in both attire and appearance!
With Zheng Yi’s keen eyesight, he couldn’t tell them apart.
Zhuang Yunqi changed the na list and spoke:
"Huang Yueling, daughter of Huang Xie, Assistant General of Jiangxia County, aged seventeen!"
"Qiaoo Qi, daughter of Qiaoo Xuan of Wann County, Lujiang County, aged fifteen!"
"Qiaoo Yun, daughter of Qiaoo Xuan of Wann County, Lujiang County, aged fifteen!"
"Zhao Yao’s daughter, Yangquan County Magistrate..."
"Your subjects pay respects to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty..."
The five young won sequentially paid their respects, yet Zheng Yi’s gaze remained fixed on the central pair of twins.
One beautiful woman is nothing special, but when there are two identical in looks, temperant, and even mannerisms, that’s a rare treasure indeed!
At this mont, Consort Duann Xu Qingluan spoke: "Your Majesty, your eyes are nearly glued!"
"These two lovely maidens, I specifically chose for Your Majesty. Do they please Your Majesty?"
"Like them, I certainly do, hahaha..."
Zheng Yi laughed heartily: "My beloved consort knows my heart; these two girls are indeed excellent."
"Do you possess any special skills?"
By now, the concubine candidates waiting outside were aware of Zheng Yi’s selection preferences.
It seed as if everyone present would be retained.
However, those who stayed would have different treatnt in the palace, depending on their rank.
Besides the usual skills in music, gas, calligraphy, and painting, the Emperor also valued unique ’skills.’
Martial arts, poetry, or other talents.
Apart from Lan Lingrong, who received the Noble Lady position through Kunqu Opera.
Two other concubine candidates also received the Noble Lady rank.
One was Wang Ruyu, daughter of the contemporary literary giant, Wang Mingzhe, a professor at the Hanlin Academy, who composed a poem on the spot, greatly pleasing the Emperor, and was bestowed the title of Noble Lady Yu.
The other was Fengg Caiying, daughter of Zhuxi Leader Fengg Rusong, aged nineteen, already a Second-grade Martial Artist.
Upon learning of her martial arts cultivation, the Emperor was delighted and bestowed upon her the title of Noble Lady Yee!
And now, it seed that two more Noble Ladies were about to erge?
After a mont’s pause, the second in line, Qiaoo Qi, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, my sister and I are skilled in singing and dancing, might this be considered?"
"Singing and dancing?" Zheng Yi’s interest was piqued: "What kind of performance?"
"My sister excels in the lute, while I am skilled in dance; together we can perform for Your Majesty."
"Very well, I shall listen attentively!"
"May a eunuch retrieve my sister’s pipa, please."
"Liu Cheng’en, make haste!"
"Yes!"
The audience’s expressions changed; Liu Cheng’en was an elder by the Emperor’s side, yet was tasked personally with fetching a pipa...
Qiaoo Yun had her pipa nearby in her residence, and it was quickly fetched.
The two sisters imdiately began their performance; one played the lute, the other danced. Their light green, gauzy dresses flowed like lotus leaves on water, their movents were enchanting.
The music was lodious and graceful, resembling mountains and flowing water; the sisters complented each other perfectly.
After the ti it takes to drink a cup of tea, the lody lingered, as if echoes still resonated in the grand hall.
Zheng Yi applauded: "Excellent, excellent, both your music and dance are the best of today."
"Qiaoo Qi, Qiaoo Yun, you are granted the titles of Noble Ladies and shall be called Noble Lady Qiaoo!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Your subjects gratefully thank Your Majesty for the great kindness!"
The two sisters knelt to express their gratitude, but Liu Cheng’en curiously asked: "Your Majesty, both of these Noble Ladies are surnad Qiaoo and both are to be given the title ’Noble Lady Qiaoo,’ how should the nas be inscribed on the roster?"
"Designate them as Big Qiaoo and Little Qiaoo."
Zheng Yi replied with a chuckle, filled with mischievous amusent: "Additionally, since the sisters share such a close bond, I cannot bear to see them separated in the palace; let them reside in the sa chamber."
"Yes!"
Below, Qiaoo Yun and Qiaoo Qi quickly knelt down to give thanks.
Others were unaware of what Zheng Yi was laughing about, except for Consort Duann Xu Qingluan, who had an inkling.
Her pretty face flushed with shyness, she cast an obscure glance at Zheng Yi, her eyes full of embarrassnt.
The selection continued, quickly reaching the daughters of high-ranking ministers and the Noble Family mbers.
"Cui Jinyan of Qinghe Cui Clan, aged seventeen!"
"Lu Jingxuan of Fan Yang Lu Clan, aged eighteen!"
"Wang Chan of Taiyuan Wang Clan, aged fourteen!"
"Li Lingying of Longxi Li Clan, aged seventeen!"
"Li izhuang of Zhaozhou Li Clan, aged nineteen!"
The five young won slowly walked in, and the officials present held their breath, refraining from discussion.
These five young won ca from the five oldest noble clans of the Great Yu Dynasty, with legacies spanning over three hundred years.
Rumor has it that over three centuries ago, Emperor Zheng Mingsen of the founding of the Great Yu established his empire during turbulent tis with the support of these five great families.
Thus, these five surnas have always been associated with the founding of the dynasty, passed down to the present day.
In the over three-hundred-year history of the Great Yu, nearly thirty percent of the officials ca from these five noble families.
Including those related to their families, they occupied over seventy percent of positions.
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