Chapter 574 The Queen’s Choice

Danzhou City.

The Empress Dowager wanted to give the Emperor an imperial decree to select a beautiful woman and have it announced to the whole country.

Fan Xian had nothing to do all day, so naturally he heard the news.

Thinking of his sister Fan Ruoruo in Kyoto, Fan Xian, who had a "sister complex", began to feel restless at home.

Early that morning, Fan Xian, who had had a nightmare all night, presented his idea to the old lady while eating breakfast:
"Grandma, I want to go to Kyoto."

"Going to Kyoto? What are you going to Kyoto for?"

The old lady was a little surprised, because her grandson had been staying obediently in Danzhou City all these years and had never proposed such an idea.

Why is he going to Kyoto today?

Fan Xian hesitated for a moment. He knew that if he told the old lady his reasons, the old lady would definitely not agree.

However, even if we make up another reason, it will definitely not be hidden from the old lady.

So, after hesitating for a long time, Fan Xian just frowned and said solemnly:
"Grandma, I just have something important to do. I need to go to Kyoto. It's very important, very important."

The old lady looked at her grandson with a kind and reluctant look in her eyes.

"Xian'er, are you here for Ruoruo's participation in the beauty pageant?"

For Fan Xian, who grew up in Danzhou, everything in Kyoto that concerns him is the Fan family's business.

There was only one major event in the Fan family recently that could have caused Fan Xian to lose his composure like this.

That was the imperial decree on the selection of concubines that had just been announced to the world.

The old lady also came from a family of officials and had lived for such a long time, so she did have some wisdom.

Seeing that the old lady had guessed his motive, Fan Xian did not try to argue, but could only kneel down and plead:

"Grandma, Ruoruo is my sister. Now she is going to participate in the selection. Once she is selected, it will be difficult for her to leave the palace. As her brother, it is reasonable for me to go and see her at this time, right?"

When the old lady was young, she was also a person of temperament. Seeing that her grandson's words were reasonable, she naturally did not stop him, and even reminded him:

"Since you are going, hurry up and don't delay. Also, before you go, write a letter to your father in advance..."

The old master gave Fan Xian earnest instructions, reminding him what he needed to pay attention to after arriving in Kyoto.

After hearing this, Fan Xian was naturally moved.

Afterwards, the old lady wrote a letter home personally and sent it to Kyoto by a fast horse.

As for Fan Xian, although he also wanted to set off immediately, his identity was, after all, that of an illegitimate child, so he had to abide by certain rules.

The next day, Fan Xian got a travel permit and called his uncle Wu Zhu. The two of them rode fast horses and headed towards Kyoto City.

A few days passed by.

In late September, Fan Xian and Wu Zhu finally arrived in Kyoto.

At the gate, Wu Zhu, who was blindfolded, suddenly raised his head and frowned as he looked up into the sky:

"Fan Xian, I have something to do and I need to leave for a while."

"Uncle Wuzhu, you won't come into the city with me?"

Fan Xian never expected that his uncle Wu Zhu, who had protected him since childhood, would be separated from him just after they arrived in Kyoto.

"I'm going into town too, but I can't be with you."

Wu Zhu did not tell Fan Xian the reason for his departure, but before leaving, he told him that he would definitely go to Fan Mansion to find him after he finished his work.

Seeing his uncle Wu Zhu leaving, Fan Xian had no choice but to go into the city alone.

After paying the city gate tax, Fan Xian led two horses and headed towards the city.

As soon as he walked out of the deep city gate, Fan Xian was attracted by a crisp voice of "brother".

"Brother, here it is."

Ever since Fan Ruoruo learned the day before yesterday that her elder brother was coming to Kyoto City, she has been waiting at the city gate in a carriage for the past two days.

Although the two hadn't seen each other for several years, Fan Ruoruo still recognized Fan Xian at a glance. She lifted the curtains, stuck her head out, and waved at Fan Xian vigorously.

Fan Xian also saw the carriage protected by a dozen guards. Fan Ruoruo's little head popped out and waved at him:

"Ruoruo."

Fan Xian felt relieved when he saw his sister coming to greet him.

He was really afraid that he would be too late and would never see his sister again.

"Brother, get in the car."

Fan Ruoruo was sitting in the carriage. She waved at Fan Xian and motioned him to get in.

Fan Xian got on the car, but saw that besides his sister, there was also a nanny next to him.

Seeing that her brother was confused, Fan Ruoruo introduced him:
"Brother, this is Aunt Zhang, the tutor from the palace, who is here to teach me the rules of the palace."

"Hello, Aunt Zhang."

Seeing that his sister's tone of voice showed that she was not so averse to the talent show, Fan Xian felt a little relieved from his worries.

"Hello, Mr. Fan."

Seeing that Fan Xian seemed a little wary of her, Nanny Zhang simply introduced herself:
"I was introduced to the mansion by the Noble Concubine. Mr. Fan, rest assured that Miss Fan will not be bullied by the Noble Concubine after she enters the palace."

Seeing her brother's bewildered look at Aunt Zhang's introduction, Fan Ruoruo quickly explained to him:
"Gui Taipin is the Dowager Consort of Prince Yong'an. She is the cousin of Concubine Liu..."

"So, my family is considered to be a royal family."

After hearing his sister's explanation, Fan Xian felt a little relieved.

The brother and sister chatted for about half an hour before they crossed the outer city and arrived at the inner city.

After entering the inner city, the speed of the carriage increased significantly.

After driving for another ten minutes, they finally stopped at the gate of Earl Sinan's mansion.

The warrior driving the carriage shouted, and the gatekeeper quickly opened the corner door next to it, allowing the carriage to enter the mansion directly.

It was not until the carriage stopped at the moon gate in the back garden that Fan Ruoruo asked her eldest brother to get off.

Someone had already gone to inform Mrs. Fan, that is, Liu Ruyu, of Fan Xian's sudden arrival. As an outsider, it was not convenient for Aunt Zhang to be present at this time.

She said hello to Fan Ruoruo and Fan Xian, and went to Fan Ruoruo's yard to rest.

Fan Ruoruo brought Fan Xian and walked towards the main hall of the back house.

After a while, the two arrived in front of the main hall.

The current wife of Si Nanbo, Liu Ruyu, stood at the door and greeted with a smile:

"Ruoruo, this is Xian'er, right? He is really handsome, worthy of being a child of our Fan family."

"Aunt Liu, this is my eldest brother Fan Xian."

When facing Liu Ruyu, Fan Ruoruo still calls her "aunt".

This is somewhat against the rules.

After all, Liu Ruyu has now been made the wife of Fan Jian and is registered in the imperial book as a first-rank lady.

As the daughter of Fan Jian, Fan Ruoruo's disrespect for Liu Ruyu, the principal wife, is tantamount to disrespect for the imperial court.

However, Liu Ruyu might have been angry about this matter in the past, but now, she doesn't dare to take it seriously.

Fan Ruoruo had entered the palace to participate in a preliminary election a few days ago.

After the first round of preliminary selections, according to gossip, the choice of queen was narrowed down to three people.

The first choice was Lin Wan'er, the illegitimate daughter of Prime Minister Lin and the eldest princess.

The second choice is Ye Linger, the great-niece of Grand Master Ye Liuyun.

The third candidate is Fan Ruoruo, the daughter of their Fan family and the most talented woman in Kyoto City today.

In Liu Ruyu's opinion, even if Fan Ruoruo could not become the queen, she would at least be a noble concubine, or a concubine, or a concubine.

By then, the entire Fan family will have to rely on Fan Ruoruo for support.

At this time, Liu Ruyu would naturally not offend Fan Ruoruo.

A few people were chatting and laughing, and the maid served tea. Suddenly, a young man rushed in with a hoarse voice and roared:

"I'm so mad! I'm really mad!"

"Fan Sizhe, what are you yelling about?"

Liu Ruyu didn't expect that her son would be so disappointing.

In front of Fan Xian, the illegitimate son, he acted like a dandy young man as soon as he appeared.

It's really embarrassing for her.

"Mom, sister, those people outside are really pissing me off!"

When Fan Sizhe saw that his biological mother and biological sister were there, he immediately told them about the grievances he had suffered outside.

It turned out that a family of military heroes and heroes invited us to a banquet today.

Fan Sizhe, as the eldest son of Sinanbo, was also invited.

At the banquet, the young men drank a little wine and started talking about the hottest topic in Kyoto City - the talent show.

In Fan Sizhe's eyes, his sister was the most talented woman in Kyoto and was also very beautiful, so she was the best candidate for the queen.

As a result, he was ridiculed by others just after he boasted for a few words.

Fan Sizhe said with a look of grievance:

"Mom, those people said that my sister wanted to be the queen, which was just 'accompanying the prince to study - no chance'! It really pissed me off..."

Liu Ruyu was also furious after hearing what her son said:

"Whose children are they? Why can't our Ruoruo be the queen?"

Just when Liu Ruyu and her son were defending Fan Ruoruo, Fan Ruoruo, as the victim, smiled faintly and said:

"Aunt, they are not wrong. It was impossible for me to become the queen."

"Sister, how can you boost others' ambitions and destroy your own prestige?"

Fan Sizhe didn't expect that his own sister would agree with others' arguments, and he was immediately confused:

"Sister, you are the most talented woman in the capital. If the emperor doesn't choose you as his queen, he must be blind!"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Fan Ruoruo didn't expect that her younger brother would be so outspoken, so she quickly reached out and patted him.

Liu Ruyu was so frightened that she quickly covered her son's mouth:

"You stinky boy, you want to kill our whole family!"

Seeing that her brother had no scheming at all, Fan Ruoruo sighed and explained the reason to him:

"Although Lin Wan'er is the illegitimate daughter of Prime Minister Lin and the eldest princess, she grew up in the palace and was loved by the late emperor, the grand empress dowager, and the queen mother. If we talk about feelings, this Miss Lin is the only choice for the queen, without any dispute."

After listening to his sister's words, Fan Sizhe felt that there was some truth in them, but he was still a little unwilling to accept it, so he asked:
"Sister, what if it's not based on feelings?"

There were twinkling stars in Fan Ruoruo's eyes:

"If we don't talk about feelings, then we have to talk about interests. The Ye family now has the only grandmaster in Nanqing. The royal family will definitely want to win over the Ye family. In that case, Miss Ye will be the only choice for the queen, and I still have no chance."

Fan Ruoruo's analysis made Fan Xian, Liu Ruyu and Fan Sizhe feel that it made sense.

Compared with Lin Wan'er and Ye Ling'er, Fan Ruoruo only has the reputation of being "the most talented woman in Kyoto City". It is really a fantasy for her to want to be chosen to become the queen based on this.

Seeing that Fan Ruoruo's words were a bit depressing, Liu Ruyu quickly interrupted and said:

"Ruoruo, even if you can't become the queen, being a concubine or concubine Xian is also good. That's also the master of the six palaces."

"Yes, yes, yes. Even if my sister can't be the queen, she is at least the mistress of the six palaces."

Fan Sizhe had been disciplined by Fan Ruoruo since he was young, and he was very obedient to Fan Ruoruo, and he directly praised her:
"The emperor and his family don't want my sister to be the queen. It's a loss for their family..."

Seeing Liu Ruyu and her son protecting their family so much, Fan Xian and Fan Ruoruo looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.

(End of this chapter)