These were the basic and necessary conditions before the candidates participated in the selection. Only by passing all these "entrance examinations" could they proceed to the next stage.
The girls who came were all pampered daughters from wealthy families. They had been raised like babies since they were young, and their slender fingers had never been touched by the sun and spring water. There was not a single scratch on their skin, so there would not be any flaws on their bodies.
However, the court ladies still had to check if the participating girls' waists were in good condition, how big their hips were, whether they would be suitable for giving birth, and so on.
Whether or not they were a virgin, of course, needless to say, it would be tested too.
Although there were countless women around the Emperor and the Prince, they demanded that their future main wife be pure and flawless.
Jiang Ning felt that it was ridiculous and unfair, but it was a fact in the past that can not be easily changed.
She didn't want any woman to check every inch of her body.
Let alone letting someone check whether she was a virgin or not.
Who knows what kind of weird method the court would have to use?
When a maidservant came over to gather all the girls together to give a rundown of the schedule for today, Jiang Ning sat in a corner in her wheelchair.
"Ahem." A Momo cleared her throat and was about to speak when she heard loud retching noises from the corner of the hall.
Everyone turned around and saw Jiang Ning leaning on the armrest of her wheelchair, dry heaving violently.
"What is going on? Are you okay, Miss?" The momo was surprised and quickly rushed over to the girl.
Jiang Ning raised her pale and helpless face. "Actually, I'm sick."
"You're sick?"
"I'm very, very sick," Jiang Ning exaggerated, "I won't live more than a few years." Jiang Ning said weakly, "Please send me out of the palace. I probably won't be able to participate in the selection of consorts in this condition."
The momo was expressionless, "This servant has no say in this matter. Please wait a moment. I will have to ask one of the higher-ups."
She turned around and left, but not long after that, she brought an Imperial physician over.
Jiang Ning's vision almost went dark when she saw the familiar face.
F*ck.
'Isn't he the Imperial physician Concubine Hua had invited back to the manor for her last time?'
The one she was sure had who lied through his teeth.
'Is he here to lie again?'
The Imperial Physician obviously immediately recognized Jiang Ning too. And just like before, he came over to check her pulse. Once he was done, he looked up at them with a smile and said politely, "The Young Lady is fine."
'To hell with your mother!' Jiang Ning cursed him in her head.
"And what do you have to say about me puking just now? I'm clearly not 'fine' as you claimed I was," Jiang Ning raised one of her eyebrows.
The imperial physician was still calm, "It's because the Young Lady's breakfast was too greasy, and might have eaten too much too quickly. Hence, it caused the Young Lady's stomach to feel unwell. However, there was no need to worry. All Young Lady needed was to drink water and get some rest."
"Doctor, you really don't feel guilty for lying, huh?" Jiang Ning muttered darkly.
"I shall take my leave," the Imperial Physician said without changing his expression.
The girls who were to be selected looked at her with disdain. "How can this girl be the Jiang family's legitimate daughter? I am not bothered that she is disabled, but now she claims to be frail and delicate? She must've done this in order to attract attention! Girls like her would do anything to gain the Prince's favor, even pretending to be sick! Disgusting!"
"F*ck!" Jiang Ning was so angry that she wanted to disappear on the spot.
What kind of trashy quack is this!
In any case, Jiang Ning was still given special treatment because she pretended to be sick. She was allowed to have some tea and rest in the shade.
Meanwhile, the rest of the girls continued to listen to the old maidservant talk about the palace's rules.
Their residence was not very big, and only a few servants were placed in Wang Yun Tower. Certainly not enough people to look after a cripple.
Jiang Ning pushed the wheelchair around by herself. It was becoming a little boring sitting alone and doing nothing. It should be fine to look around.
Right?
After wheeling around for quite some time, she found herself becoming bored again. Seeing the same lavish greenery and decorations over and over didn't help either. Although she must admit this garden was charming, there wasn't much else to see.
And she also realized one small problem… She doesn't know how to get back.
…
Unbeknownst to the lost lady, two figures behind the tree noticed her from a distance.
One of them, a slender young man in an expensive brocade robe, was the first to notice her. He stopped to watch the girl in a wheelchair.
When his companion realized what the young man was looking at, he immediately started to explain, "Your Highness, that's the daughter of the Jiang family's second branch, Jiang Ning."
"Does she truly look similar to the Jiang family's second Madam?" The brocade-robed man asked, his eyes still locked on the unsuspecting girl.
"Your Highness, look. Here is a portrait of the Jiang family's second Madam when she was young." The subordinate took out a small painting of a lady.
The brocade-robed man looked and then swept his gaze towards the young girl in the wheelchair in the distance.
Meanwhile, the young girl was still leisurely and curiously taken in her surroundings, like a tourist on a walk, completely oblivious to the two strangers who were watching her.