The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 967 - 961: Choosing for the Emperor

Since she was confident, Consort Sheng had nothing more to say.

"Ladies, the contest today is about your calligraphy skills. Feel free to showcase your best handwriting."

But what should she write?

Gu Youyou gripped her fine wolf-hair brush and quickly came up with an idea.

Her writing flowed naturally as she penned the characters; it had the delicacy of a woman’s touch, yet the boldness of a man’s spirit.

The Empress understood calligraphy, but she wasn’t in charge of the contest, so she was mostly there for the excitement.

However, the judges, Consort Sheng and the Empress Dowager, were former maids; they recognized a few characters, and even with chicken-scratch handwriting, they could tell the good from the bad. But when everyone wrote well, they couldn’t distinguish who was better and who was worse.

Thus, it was up to the female officials of the palace to decide.

The girls stepped back, and the officials began to inspect their work.

Their names were written on the back, so it was unknown who had written which piece—this was to ensure fairness.

The officials quickly selected ten pieces, presenting them to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Sheng for review.

The Empress Dowager said, "The female officials are skilled people in the palace, and their selection is surely the best. What do you think, Empress?"

The Empress had been staring at Gu Youyou’s writing, not expecting her to stand out among the twenty contestants.

She was furious but spoke gently to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, I naturally trust the officials’ choices. Why don’t I personally go to Taihe Hall? The Emperor and the Ministers are likely having their morning court session right now."

A heavy feeling suddenly weighed on Gu Youyou’s heart; the Empress was eager for this task, surely she had ill intentions. She wouldn’t sabotage the process on the way, would she?

As the Empress prepared to stand up, the Empress Dowager pressed her back into her seat.

"Oh, how can we ask the Empress to make the trip? Since the Emperor has entrusted this task to Consort Sheng, she should naturally be the one to go," she said.

Consort Sheng hurriedly stood up and took those ten pieces of calligraphy.

Despite gritting her teeth with resentment, the Empress still had to offer a smile.

"Thank you, Sister Consort Sheng," she said.

Since Consort Sheng personally delivered the calligraphy, Gu Youyou breathed a sigh of relief as there wouldn’t likely be any major issues.

In the great hall, the morning court session was nearing its end. A Eunuch whispered something to Wan Decheng, who slightly furrowed his brow before passing the message to the Emperor.

The Emperor laughed heartily upon hearing it and said to the Ministers, "Gentlemen, I’m sure you are all aware that the Empress Dowager and Consort Sheng have recently been selecting a concubine for the Crown Prince. They are disregarding lineage and considering only talent and beauty, so that all the outstanding women in the land might have a chance to marry into the Imperial Family."

All the high-ranking officials naturally knew about this matter. Minister Jie laughed and said, "Your Majesty’s decision is wise. The good men of our land can serve the country and the people through the imperial exams, yet many of the land’s good women are buried in obscurity due to their family background.

Your Majesty’s initiative is perfect for allowing these talented and beautiful women to show themselves. Even if only one is ultimately chosen, the other outstanding women will become known."

"Indeed, giving commoner women a chance highlights the immense grace of the Emperor."

In this situation, even though some highly ranked Ministers regretted not having the chance to send their own daughters to the Crown Prince’s harem, there were no voices of dissent because with nobody gaining an advantage, it meant everyone had the chance to.

The court echoed with cheers of approval.