The Choice Queen's

TCQ 79: Assertion

Two days later, the selection of concubines was held. Twenty girls from the official family whose names were listed on the list lined up neatly in the palace courtyard, then walked regularly into the hall. Their steps were graceful and gentle, leaving those who saw them stunned.

The girls are then welcome to sit in the arranged place. Their eyes glowed like stars.

Everything was fixated on a majestic man sitting on the throne, even though his expression seemed ordinary and uninterested. As if, these women were just an ordinary sight.

Li Fengran bent his face while standing beside the throne of Nangong Zirui. Shit, these women are so beautiful and fresh.

The Queen Mother had good eyes and chose fresh flowers that had just bloomed. From the face to the feet, these women are almost perfect.

They are not only beautiful, but very gentle and charming. This is much different from the description of concubines who often exist in the drama that is coquettish and spoiled.

These women have a unique charm. Although perhaps their hearts were not similar to their faces.

Well, who knows. Beautiful flowers often have poison and thorns.

Shen Lihua showed off her beautiful smile in front of everyone after the Queen Mother gave the banquet instructions to her. His expression was very calm, unlike when the woman spoke to him. There was the prestige and aura of a Queen venturing out as she stood in front of everyone in her official attire.

In his heart, Li Fengran smiled mockingly. This Shen Lihua was very generous and tolerant of other women who might be her competitors in the harem. But, Shen Lihua actually became extremely jealous of Li Fengran. Li Fengran so thought that Shen Lihua was very stupid and did not understand which one was more important to him.

What's the point of insulting someone who can't even be called a threat?

Clearly Shen Lihua knew that Li Fengran was only a Sword Stakeholder and even though the King liked him, it would be difficult for them to be together. Shen Lihua's actions that had always troubled Li Fengran were simply absurd.

“Cih, she was very tolerant of other women, but did not let go of me. It was obviously very incomparable,” muttered Li Fengran.

“Xiao Feng, what are you mumbling?”

“Nothing. Your Majesty should focus and look carefully which woman is interesting to be a wife.”

“I'm more interested in you. Xiao Feng, how about you join them and contest the elections?”

“Dream only!”

Nangong Zirui chuckled. He was happy to tease Li Fengran, but his words were not a joke. It would be better if those twenty women did not exist.

They although beautiful and extremely graceful dazzled, they could not defeat a single figure of Li Fengran. They were not worth the woman currently standing beside him.

The banquet began. Here, Shen Lihua gave instructions regarding the technical selection of concubines which Li Fengran said was very simple, much different from the selection of queens held first.

Maybe because this is just the selection of ordinary concubines, so the process is not too long. The girls will only undergo a physical examination and a talent and literature test.

Boring, thought Li Fengran. Those fresh and beautiful flowers will soon turn into birds in golden cages, settling for the rest of their lives in the palace which will give an all-time sensation of loneliness.

What is success, what is glory, everything is just a clip to cover up a real misfortune.

Perhaps it was because Li Fengran's thinking was too much different from the thoughts of women in this period. He wondered why people gave a standardization of beauty and talent to choose a wife. They do not judge from heart and character.

“Xiao Feng, are you bored?” asked Nangong Zirui occasionally glancing at Li Fengran. Li Fengran of course nodded. “I like a statue without function.”

“Then, you can exit.”

Nangong Zirui thought the woman would talk again, but then Li Fengran actually left without a word.

After he left, Nangong Zirui thought about it again and again. The woman came home very late yesterday and kept herself busy, avoiding her and talking a little with her.

Every day, his face was always bent and his mood was erratic. Li Fengran spent more time in the Supreme Court and had fun interrogating his own captors, rather than helping Nangong Zirui by his side. The woman still seemed to be angry with him.

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah?”

“The selection has already begun. Does Your Majesty want to stay behind to watch?”

“Stop it.”

Shen Lihua was shocked. The Queen Mother even stood up. Nangong Zirui's voice and words shocked everyone, like a thunder that struck in the bright afternoon. Even the girls of the concubine selection immediately lowered their heads and almost lost hope.

“My son, what do you mean?” ask the Queen Mother. He could not believe his son would say that so easily.

“Mother, I won't choose a concubine anymore.”

“How can? My son, you don't joke.”

“Mother, I have never toyed with my words. Selection of this concubine, should be canceled only.”

Not wanting to listen to the Queen Mother's protest and the various questions, Nangong Zirui then left the hall without turning his head again. He did not care how much shame his mother had received from him.

The selection of this concubine was only an excuse to form alliances and power. But, Nangong Zirui was not a King who would rely on women to defend the throne. He had his own ways and plans to strengthen his defense.

In the hall, the Queen Mother felt asphyxiation and finally fainted. He was carried back to his palace by the servants and they immediately called the healer. Shen Lihua remained in the hall, she was in charge of clearing up the matter and calming the situation that had started to go awry due to the King's actions.

“Queen, is the King trying to humiliate us?” ask one of the girls. “We are the good girls from the family of officials and include nobles. Our parents sent us here today for concubine selection, not to be rejected outright. Her Majesty the Queen, shouldn't you give us an explanation?”

Shen Lihua's face stiffened. He cursed in his heart because everyone could leave him here.

The Queen Mother as the organizer of the banquet and the election even fainted while the King did not know his shame to leave, leaving problems that must be overcome by himself.

He looked at the candidate girls' faces one by one and tried to calm down. At a time like this, he should not run away or lose his composure. Otherwise, her image as the graceful and talented Queen of Donghao would be tarnished. Shen Lihua took a slow breath.

“Nona-Nona, I know you are the daughters of a respectable family. We have absolutely no intention of embarrassing you.”

“Then what did the King say just now? Why did she say she would not vote for a concubine and call off her election? Didn't it already explain the King's will that he won't choose?”

“True. Her Majesty the Queen, how can we face our parents and family when we return because the King canceled the election for no apparent reason?”

The reputation of these girls is at stake. Their elegance and gentleness instantly dissipated and turned into a panic that mingled with a sense of hopelessness.

They want to enjoy glory and glory, they are willing to trade freedom half of life. But, why did the King suddenly say so?

Shen Lihua was a bit overwhelmed to face the girls who were asking for an explanation. As Queen, she also had an obligation to provide that explanation.

If he could not overcome this, he would doubt the ability to occupy his own position. Can't, he should be able to because he's risking everything.

“Your Majesty the Queen, if Her Majesty the Queen does not give an explanation, then we and our parents will lose faith.”

The threatening speech made Shen Lihua's heart heat up. He hates being threatened. In this world, only Shen Jinglang could threaten him. They tried to provoke Shen Lihua, making her almost lose her temper. He thought these girls were so insolent.

“You threatened me?” shen Lihua asked as she looked coldly at the girls. Instantly, the girls immediately lowered their heads in fear.

“This is a palace and you dare to make a fuss? You said you were from a respectable family, but did you show your respectful behavior to me?”

All the girls are still silent. They were afraid to see Queen Shen's anger.

“Cancel or not, everything is still to be discussed. Palace will give an explanation to your family!”

Then, he left just like that, leaving the girls who were still lowered in fear of being mixed in confusion. Queen Shen was already angry so she ignored them. The continuation of the selection of concubines was unclear, the banquet was chaotic and the palace masters left instead.

Geez, what was their sin in the past life, to get something like this?