Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 755: Nan Feng’s Talent Show Girl (2)_1

Chapter 755: Chapter 755: Nan Feng’s Talent Show Girl (2)_1

"Your Majesty..." Nan Feng was looking for a reason to decline, "Nan Feng is a woman, and a woman’s perspective might be different from that of a man."

"So, you are unwilling to do this favor for me?" the Emperor asked again.

Nan Feng did not respond, but the queen consort, De Fei, graciously provided her a seat: "Servant, add a cushion, and let Lady Nan Feng sit."

Then De Fei shifted her position to make room.

De Fei truly lived up to her title. Her own man was choosing concubines, yet she magnanimously offered Nan Feng a seat next to her. Didn’t it hurt her inside? Wasn’t she exhausted from keeping up appearances?

The moment Nan Feng sat down, Ning Liangpin who was next to De Fei, glared at her, and so did the royal consort Jiang Guipin sitting on the right of the emperor. Both gave her sharp looks.

However, Chen Daying and Zhang Liangdi seemed to welcome Nan Feng heartily—they sensed the emperor’s unusual regard for Nan Feng, so they perhaps hoped to win some favour too.

The apprentice beauties had just finished dancing. Usually after the dance, the emperor would select at least three of them, but this time, he did not make a selection.

So, the second dance began.

Nan Feng had seen the girl performers from the music square dance before – the professionals, naturally, were beautiful to watch. But these young ladies here, originating from officials’ households and receiving half a year’s training, had dance moves, poise, and demeanor that surpassed the girls from the music square.

Nan Feng found it to be quite captivating.

However, after watching for a while, Nan Feng began to understand some unspoken rules.

A few leading dancers, who stood out like moons surrounded by stars, were exceptionally beautiful. These were the daughters of high-ranking officials. As for the rest, who could only dance in the corners, they must be from less influential families.

When the dance was over, the young ladies stood in front of the emperor in rows, waiting to be picked.

Suddenly, a phrase came to Nan Feng’s mind: "Shopping for pork in the vegetable market, picking the lean and rejecting the fat."

"Nan Feng, any suggestions?" the emperor asked.

There was sweet and sour plum wine on the table. A palace maid poured a cup for Nan Feng, who drank it all in one gulp.

This was also an opportunity to buy some time.

What could she even suggest?

So, she directly asked the emperor, "Why not first hear from De Fei and the others? I don’t quite understand palace consort selection, and I’m unsure who would be suitable."

The emperor merely chuckled, "They’ve lived for so long in seclusion, becoming other people’s version of themselves. What use would their opinions be? It’s still better for you to choose."

Nan Feng’s scalp tingled with apprehension.

Alright then. Since the emperor insisted, she would make the selection.

An inspired idea suddenly came to Nan Feng, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. If you’re unsure about how to choose, why not change it into an exam, by asking the ladies questions? Those who answer correctly will be selected. What do you think?"

The emperor looked at Nan Feng for a while before nodding, "Nan Feng’s suggestion is good, but I have been a bit fatigued recently. The task of setting the questions, I’ll leave to you."

"..." Nan Feng once again felt that she had dug a hole for herself.

But, the emperor’s intention was clear. No matter who dug the hole, Nan Feng must be the one who would fall into it.

During the third dance, Nan Feng managed to come up with all the questions.

Nan Feng knew that women in ancient times needed to uphold the three obediences and four virtues. However, the emperor might want to choose someone fresh. He had said that the women in the palace had become what others expected. He might need someone with a little wildness.