Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

"Your highness, the Virtuous Lady will wake up in a while. It is because of the effects of the medicines, she is still in sleep, that was fed to her last night," the Royal Physician humbly told the Crown Princess. 

Ying Lili thanked him. The Royal Physician checked the pulse of Deng Hui once again. "Her Highness does not need to worry. Virtuous Lady Hui is absolutely fine," Royal Physician repeated. The Emperor entered at that moment there. They all bowed and gave a side to Han Wenji. 

Han Wenji asked about the condition from the Royal Physician. Hearing that Deng Hui had recovered, Han Wenji smiled. The Royal Physician took his leave. 

"The Crown Princess shall be in the hall at this time then what is she doing here?" Han Wenji asked. 

"I came to check Mother Hui, your majesty. Mother's health is more important than that matter," Ying Lili affirmed. Han Wenji faintly smiled and sat on the stool there. "I will be here. The Crown Princess shall go to the hall. The Final Selection Process shall not be delayed further," pronounced the Emperor. 

"Yes, your majesty." Bowing, Ying Lili left for the hall, followed by Court Lady Xu. 

As she entered the hall, she saw the infuriated expression on Weng Wei's face. Even the First and Second Consort were narrowingly gazing at her. The ten Princesses were standing in the middle of the hall and were also skeptically looking at the Crown Princess. 

Ying Lili's both hands were joined, resting near her belly while her head was lowered. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for delaying the process," Ying Lili apologized. 

"If the Crown Princess will be this careless about the time, then what will happen to the Empire?" Consort Ju Fen remarked and looked at Weng Wei. 

"Pardon me! Consort Ju, I am a daughter-in-law first before the Crown Princess. It is my duty to check on my family members. Virtuous Lady Hui was also a part of today's Selection Process, but because she is sick, I thought to meet her once. I urge Consort Ju to be careful of her remarks from the next time," Ying Lili sternly said as she looked into the eyes of Ju Fen. 

The Princesses had heard about the boldness of the Crown Princess but today they saw themselves. It was considered ungraceful to talk this way with the elders and one could get punished for conversing this way but because the Crown Princess position had its own perks thus, making the Crown Princess immune to punishment from Consorts and other lower ranks. 

"How is Sister Hui doing? The Crown Princess did right by visiting Sister Hui," Weng Wei said. 

"She is well, Your Majesty," Ying Lili pronounced. Weng Wei told Ying Lili to take her seat, which she did. 

"Today, the Crown Princess will take your final test. This test will check the intellectual level of the Princesses," Empress Wei announced and looked at Ying Lili. 

"Bring the Painting inside," Ying Lili commanded. All were confused to hear the command. A Canvas Painting was brought there by two servants which were placed against the wall. It was covered with a red silk cloth. The servants bowed and walked out of the hall. 

"Crown Princess, yesterday you said that music skills will help to select the suitable Princesses. Now, suddenly you changed the game," Weng Wei complained.

"Your majesty, I think music shall be included in the final round," Ying Lili opined and looked at the Princesses. 

"Don't panic. You all need to tell the meaning hidden in the Painting," Ying Lili asserted and gestured to the maidservants to remove the cloth from the Canvas. Everyone looked at the painting from which the cloth had been removed. 

The canvas was blank, which astonished them. 

"Your highness, the canvas is blank," one Princess among them said. 

Ying Lili smiled and said, "Princess Lian, you are already out of this race then. Please step back." Lian Ning could not believe her ears. 

Weng Wei had thought that Lian Ning would become the wife of Prince Yongzheng but seeing how the Crown Princess had disqualified her, worried her. 

"Crown Princess, do not be indecisive. I think that Princess Lian was only asking because we all are surprised to see a blank canvas," proclaimed the Empress. 

Internally, she was cursing Ying Lili. Because of the Emperor, she was forced to give the final selection task to Ying Lili. Now, the Empress was regretting listening to the Emperor. 

Ying Lili found the fear formed on the Empress's face. "Your Majesty, then I will start with Princess Lian first." Ying Lili turned her gaze towards Lian Ning and asked her to tell the meaning hidden in the painting. 

Lian Ning gulped as nothing was coming into her mind. She was intimidated by the gaze of the Empress and Consort Ju. Beads of sweats formed on her forehead as her head turned blank. 

"Princess Lian, you are taking longer," Ying Lili affirmed. 

"I-I do not know, your highness," Lian Ning stuttered, lowering her eyes. 

Ying Lili gazed at the right end and told the Princess standing there to start. Every Princess gave the best explanation they could think of. 

Out of ten Princesses, only five could give the answer which Ying Lili was searching for! "A Blank Canvas depicts a person who has nothing in his life which can be filled with new things. Your Majesty, this selection round ended so quickly but we still need to select only two Princesses among them," Ying Lili said after explaining the meaning to them. 

Weng Wei was relieved to see that Princess Liao Jun had qualified for the final round. At least she could get the support of the Second Consort's son and his wife, she thought. 

"Now, the last round will be based on Classical music knowledge. The elimination method you used was quick and fast. The two gems will be found among these five Princesses," Weng Wei proclaimed. 

The other five Princesses who failed to qualify were told to go back to their chambers while the other five were told to take their respective seats on the wide floor mattress. Prince Nianzu could not attend the final round as his mother was sick, so the Empress decided to judge herself in the final round. 

After listening to the music of each of the five Princesses, Weng Wei selected Princess Bai Yaling and Liao Jun for the Second and Third Prince. 

"Princess Bai Yaling, Princess Liao Jun. Congratulation on being selected as the potential wives of Prince Yongzheng and Prince Rong Zemin. After two days, you will get married to the Second and Third Princes respectively. The Crown Princess will tell you the rest of the things about the Palace," Weng Wei pronounced. 

Bai Yaling and Liao Jun kowtowed before the Empress, before leaving the hall with the Crown Princess.