The Second Round of Selection

The senior palace maid gathered the twenty remaining candidates in the grand hall for the second round of the selection. The air was thick with anticipation and nervous energy. This time, the candidates would meet with the Queen and the Queen Dowager to be evaluated on their knowledge of household management, flower arrangement, and cooking. The tasks would be conducted in groups of four, with half of the candidates expected to be eliminated by the end of the round.

Yang Mi felt a flutter of excitement and anxiety as she joined the others in curtseying to the regal women before them. The Queen and her mother-in-law, the Queen Dowager, sat with an air of stern beauty, their gazes sharp and assessing.

"You may rise," the Queen said, her voice carrying across the hall with authority. "Today, you will be tested on your ability to manage a household, arrange flowers, and cook a meal. These skills are essential for a future crown princess. You will work in groups, and each group will be judged on their collective performance."

Yang Mi found herself in a group with three other girls: Shen Zi Yi, the daughter of the governor of Sichuan, who had a love for food; Ye Xin Yue, the daughter of an astronomer, who made decisions based on her countless questions of dice; and Liu Jin Yan, the distant niece of the Queen Dowager. Despite their different backgrounds, they quickly formed a bond, finding solace in each other's company amidst the competitive atmosphere.

"Nice to meet you all," Yang Mi greeted them with a warm smile. "Let's do our best together."

Shen Zi Yi grinned. "I'm glad to be in this with you. Let's make it fun."

Ye Xin Yue nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I agree. We might as well enjoy ourselves."

Liu Jin Yan smiled shyly. "I'm not very good at these tasks, but I'll do my best."

Yang Mi felt a sense of camaraderie with her new friends. Unlike some of the other candidates, none of them seemed particularly eager to become the crown princess. They were there because their parents had decided their paths for them.

As the first test began, Yang Mi and her group were tasked with managing a household budget. Yang Mi felt at ease, having learned to manage her uncle's school in Kunlun Mountain and run her own business ventures. She quickly spotted mistakes in the account books and corrected them with ease.

"This isn't so bad," she murmured, her fingers deftly flipping through the pages. "I've seen more complicated ledgers."

Her friends, however, were less confident. Shen Zi Yi scratched her head, frowning at the numbers. "This is harder than I thought."

Ye Xin Yue rolled her dice, hoping for some guidance. "I don't understand how we're supposed to balance this."

Liu Jin Yan sighed. "I'm lost. I've never had to do this before."

Yang Mi smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry. I'll help you. Just focus on what you can do, and we'll get through this together."

With Yang Mi's guidance, they managed to complete the task, earning praise from the judges for their teamwork and efficiency.

The second test required them to create a flower arrangement. Yang Mi watched as her friends crafted intricate designs, their fingers moving gracefully among the blossoms. She chose a simple yet elegant arrangement, focusing on harmony and balance.

Shen Zi Yi admired Yang Mi's work. "You have a real talent for this."

Yang Mi laughed softly. "It's just practice. Flower arranging can be very calming."

The third and final test brought them to the kitchen. As the last team to cook, they found the pantry nearly empty, with only a few ingredients left. Yang Mi assessed their limited supplies, her mind racing with possibilities.

"We'll have to be creative," she said, rolling up her sleeves. "Let's see what we can make with what we have."

They set to work, slicing, dicing, and mixing with determination. Yang Mi's experience with creating dishes from limited ingredients proved invaluable, and they managed to prepare a simple but delicious meal.

However, unbeknownst to them, Chu Yan had bribed someone to poison the water they would use. As they worked, Liu Jin Yan accidentally tripped, knocking the jar of water to the floor. The liquid spilled, and a strange reaction occurred, staining the floor an ominous color.

Yang Mi's eyes widened in alarm. "Something's wrong with that water. Be careful, everyone."

The others looked at the stain, their expressions mirroring her concern.

"We need to inform the judges," Shen Zi Yi said, her voice shaking.

Yang Mi nodded. "Yes, but let's finish our task first. We can't let this sabotage our efforts."

With renewed caution, they completed their meal, substituting the poisoned water with fresh water they found in a hidden reserve. When they presented their dishes, the judges were impressed by their ingenuity and resourcefulness.

After the tests, the candidates were given a break. Yang Mi's group gathered in a quiet corner of the garden, sharing their experiences.

"I can't believe we made it through that," Ye Xin Yue said, her voice filled with relief.

Liu Jin Yan nodded, her eyes wide. "What do you think was in that water?"

Yang Mi shook her head. "I'm not sure, but it wasn't good. We were lucky to avoid it."

Shen Zi Yi grinned. "Luck or skill, we did well. I'm proud of us."

Their camaraderie was interrupted by a palace maid, who informed Yang Mi that she had been summoned by the crown prince. Her friends gave her encouraging smiles as she followed the maid through the palace corridors.

In the inner garden, Bai Jue waited for her, his expression softening as she approached. "Yang Mi," he greeted her, his voice warm. "I heard about your performance today. You were amazing."

Yang Mi blushed, feeling a flutter of happiness. "Thank you, Your Highness. It was challenging, but we worked well together."

Bai Jue took her hand, leading her to a secluded gazebo. "I wanted to spend some time with you before the next round. How are you feeling?"

Yang Mi sighed, leaning into his touch. "It's been exhausting, but I'm grateful for the support of my friends. And for yours."

He smiled, his eyes filled with affection. "I will always support you, Yang Mi. You're strong and capable. I have no doubt you'll succeed."

They sat together, sharing a quiet moment amidst the chaos of the selection. Bai Jue's presence was a comfort, grounding her in the midst of uncertainty. As they talked, their connection deepened, the bond between them growing stronger.

"Do you ever think about the future?" Bai Jue asked softly, his gaze searching hers.

Yang Mi nodded, her heart full. "I do. And I might see you in it."

His smile widened, and he leaned in, their foreheads touching. "I see you in mine too. Together, we can face anything."

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Tan Qi appeared, her face filled with urgency. "My lady, there's been an incident. You need to come quickly."