Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

What's the point of just looking at the list when it comes to selecting concubines?

The real fun of selecting concubines would be to have them all dressed in bodycon skirts and tank tops, standing in rows.

In this era, the emperor had an extremely strict procedure for selecting concubines.

The nationwide selection process involved reporting to higher levels of government and culminating in a gathering in Beijing.

After the young women entered the palace, they would first be checked by experienced palace matrons to see if they still had their original markings.

Then comes the preliminary selection. Those who are not good-looking, have an uneven body shape, a hoarse voice, obvious scars, or large hands and feet will be eliminated in this process.

After all, the emperor's concubines could represent the image of the country.

If a bunch of rotten radishes are chosen, the people will think that the Great Yan Dynasty has no beauties.

Finally, one would check the birth date and time, and even see if the person had the appearance of being a man.

Once everything was settled, the Empress Dowager or the Emperor would personally review it.

Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty went even further, establishing the position of "Flower and Bird Envoy" to secretly search for beautiful women among the common people.

Women selected for the palace would receive special training in music, dance, and etiquette; the most capable would become imperial concubines.

Of course, Chen Shao wasn't a good person either.

This was one of the few truly enjoyable moments he had experienced since becoming emperor, so how could he not make the most of it?

The meeting was immediately cancelled, and all the business was abandoned.

He immediately dismissed the court and sent someone to escort him there.

These things are not for a subject to see.

Chen Shao instructed everyone to go about their own business.

Led by a palace maid, they proceeded to Chuxiu Palace.

......

Chuxiu Palace was a palace built by the royal family specifically for selecting imperial concubines.

Normally quiet and deserted, but now the place is bustling with customers.

Inside the main hall, the young women were already standing in neat rows.

There were at least a hundred people.

A dazzling array of beauties, from plump to slender, from orioles to swallows, making one's eyes dazzled.

They all wore the same palace attire: wide-sleeved long skirts in simple colors.

Going out without makeup, I'm afraid someone might try to take advantage of the situation.

After all, some people look like two completely different species when they wear makeup.

In her previous life, she was even more powerful. With the blessing of the three great evil arts of Asia, Qiao Biluo appeared as a fairy even through the screen.

When Shao walked in through the main gate of the hall, all the young ladies knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Next, I held my breath and tried my best to maintain the most beautiful posture.

Being chosen by the emperor as a concubine was a more direct, faster, and broader way to change one's destiny than passing the imperial examination.

Some of the boldest young ladies-in-waiting secretly sized up the young emperor.

Legend has it that he was a celestial being descended to earth, with three heads and six arms, capable of summoning heavenly thunder.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a handsome young man of eighteen or nineteen.

He had a smile on his face.

This undoubtedly made them even more energetic, as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

They have no say in such matters, even if the emperor is an old man in his seventies or eighties who is nearing the end of his life.

They had no choice but to comply, but they also had to constantly worry about overexerting themselves and damaging the emperor's health.

So young, yet he looks incredibly strong...

hiss!

"Get up, all of you."

Chen Shao walked through the group of beautiful women.

One panel after another popped up in a blur.

The first one on the left is tall and slender with an oval face and a cinnabar mole between her eyebrows.

Name: Lin Shiyun.

[Military Strength: 35, Domestic Affairs: 72, Intelligence: 80, Ambition: 45.]

[State: Tense, dignified, and possessing superb piano skills.]

The first one on the right has an extremely impressive figure and is looking down to find its toes.

The fabric at the chest was stretched taut, as if the palace dress could burst open at any moment.

Name: Liu Yue'er.

[Military Strength: 40, Domestic Affairs: 68, Intelligence: 72, Ambition: 88.]

[Status: Jealous, talented in singing and dancing, ambitious.]

Chen Shao continued to look ahead.

These women who made it through the nationwide auditions are indeed impressive.

Not only is her appearance and figure stunning.

Even their physical condition is exceptional.

Such as: well-read, with a photographic memory, proficient in pharmacology, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and a virtuous and capable homemaker...

"His Majesty..."

A palace maid nearby asked:

"Is there anyone who can stay...?"

Chen Shao was not pleased with this question.

Who makes the choices among adults?

Of course I want them all.

"Stay, stay, you're all good girls."

"Your Majesty, this..."

The palace maids were dumbfounded. Usually, when the emperor selected his concubines, the conditions were so strict that she was afraid to even watch from the sidelines.

Why was it packaged up like that...? That's so illogical.

The key question is, is it too much?

The emperor's selection of concubines is not a one-time event. If this continues, will the harem be able to accommodate everyone in the future?

"Is it too much?"

"It seems so..."

"Oh, then let me think about it some more?"

Suddenly, a bold idea popped into Chen Shao's mind.

With the added benefit of the "time traveler" tag, she knew the details of each short skirt and uniform, from the drawings to the manufacturing process, like the back of her hand.

He immediately waved his hand, ordering a palace maid to bring paper and pen.

He drew a bunch of strange and unusual things.

"Instruct people to process them according to this method and have them wear them uniformly. I want to carefully select them."

The young palace maid glanced at it, and her face instantly turned bright red.

I couldn't help but say:

"You...you can even play like this...?"

Despite his ruthlessness towards his ministers, Chen Shao was quite approachable to those around him.

I didn't blame her for being talkative.

Instead, he chuckled:

"This is the joy of being an emperor! Go and do as he says, and hurry up."

Then he took out the list that Han Cao had presented.

After watching for a while, I realized something was wrong.

These hundred-plus girls were almost all from ordinary families with respectable backgrounds.

"Why are they all from such backgrounds? What about the powerful families? What about the regional military governors? Don't they have daughters?"

The palace maid replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, this is a rule set by our ancestors. The selection of imperial concubines has always been based solely on daughters from respectable families among the common people. Daughters of wealthy and powerful families or those of high-ranking officials are not eligible to be considered."

"This is to prevent relatives of the empress from interfering in politics and disrupting the order of the court."

At the beginning of the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty, Emperor Taizu personally witnessed the tragic situation of the previous dynasty's powerful relatives and the chaos in the harem.

Therefore, an ironclad rule was established:

Empresses and concubines had to be selected from commoners and could not come from aristocratic or wealthy families.

Chen Shao, however, did not quite agree.

This is a moment.

Even if we take a step back and say the worst, wouldn't the Yuwen family become the biggest maternal relatives?

"Times change."

Chen Shao then wrote another imperial edict.

Upon seeing the contents of the imperial edict, all the palace maids around knelt down.

Chen Shao summoned a eunuch and instructed him to deliver the imperial edict. He then turned and left, returning to his study.

......

Not long after Chen Shao returned to the Imperial Study, Eunuch Wei came to report.

It was said that all the princes had arrived and were waiting in the side hall.

"They're so cooperative?" Chen Shaodu was somewhat surprised.

Eunuch Wei gave a wry smile:

"Your Majesty, you are now the Emperor. Summoning them is an imperial edict, and disobeying it is punishable by beheading."

"Your Majesty, this old servant simply does not understand why you summoned them at this critical juncture. History has shown similar examples. The best course of action now is to place them under house arrest and prevent any further meetings..."

No one else would dare to say such a thing.

However, Wei Gonggong's loyalty is such that he always considers Chen Shao's interests.

"I have a deep brotherly bond with all my brothers, and I cannot bear to do this."

Chen Shao waved his hand, "Call the eldest prince in first."

The eldest prince, Chen Jing, was the second most frustrated among all the princes.

First, his throne was snatched away, and then Chen Shao slapped him so hard that he lost face.

He ended up making a fool of himself after several assassination attempts.

It is said that Su Ruolan is very favored in the palace, and the entire Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion is almost turning against her.

Upon being summoned by Chen Shao, his heart sank to the bottom.

Chen Shao was vengeful and vindictive.

Chen Jing knew he was doomed.

So they stood up straight, and once inside, they didn't even have to bow.

Standing in front of Chen Shao, he sneered:

"The victor is king, the loser is villain; this has been true throughout history. A fine head can be cut off."