Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Youth League's Selection Process

The next day, Princess Changning slept until the sun was high in the sky. For breakfast, she requested donkey meat sandwiches, lamb noodle soup, and small steamed buns; for dessert, she had her favorite chilled grape jelly.

Soon after, the sound of string and woodwind instruments echoed through the courtyard of the Bianzhou Prefect’s office. Lady Liu had meticulously arranged for a theater troupe to perform on a temporary stage built for the Princess. The area surrounding the stage was elegantly decorated with various flowers and plants, creating an atmosphere of refined sophistication.

Princess Changning, dressed in a bright yellow light robe, arrived with a smile and sat down in the grand armchair positioned in the center. She glanced at the stage nonchalantly and said, "I am in the mood today. Let us perform 'Su Xiaomei Tests Her Husband' for everyone to enjoy."

Lady Liu quickly responded, "Your Highness truly has a discerning eye. This is the signature piece of the 'Lichun Troupe'."

A senior maid relayed the request to the troupe leader. Moments later, the drums beat, the actors drifted onto the stage, and the performance began. The melody was clear and graceful, and the lead actress—the *dan*—moved with such delicacy that the performance was quite convincing.

"What is the name of the one playing Su Xiaomei?" Qiutao asked Lady Liu, noting the Princess’s interest.

"This is the most famous troupe in Bianzhou, the 'Lichun Troupe.' Little Shuanghua has been playing the *dan* role for five years," Lady Liu replied, leaning in to introduce the performer to the Princess.

The Princess nodded noncommittally. However, as the play progressed, the smile on her face faded. She tapped the lid of her teacup against the rim, looking bored. When the play concluded, Lady Liu stood up and fawned, "How did Your Highness find it? Are you satisfied?"

Princess Changning offered a lazy smile, her voice soft yet cold: "It was passable. However, this *dan* is getting on in years; her movements lack the necessary grace, and there is nothing particularly remarkable about her."

Lady Liu’s expression stiffened, but she quickly forced a smile. "Your Highness has a discerning eye. While they are adequate, they are merely a troupe from a small place and unworthy of your presence. If you wish, I shall have someone select better ones."

At this moment, Eunuch Xu hurried to the Princess’s side to speak: "My Princess, why worry about selecting actors? It’s too limiting. I think they don’t necessarily need to know how to act; they just need to look the part. Acting is a skill that can be taught—we can hire masters to instruct them."

Lady Liu caught the hint, and her smile became more genuine. "The Eunuch is right. Actors are merely for amusement. I shall make the arrangements at once."

The theater troupe was quickly dismissed, and Lady Liu ordered over a dozen handsome young men to be brought forward. Each was neatly dressed and clearly carefully selected. It was no wonder Liu Hanzhang had managed to serve as a prefect for so many years; his insight was extraordinary. These youths were all strikingly handsome, each with a different charm. They couldn't have been gathered in such a short time; surely, he had prepared them in advance.

Princess Changning was almost amused to the point of laughter. Did Liu Hanzhang understand her, or did he simply understand her?

One youth had a face like white jade, eyes like bright stars, and carried a scholarly air as if he had stepped out of a painting. Another was slender and refined, like a fresh shoot of bamboo in early spring. A third possessed a rebellious spirit, his lips curled in a carefree, roguish smile, his eyes sharp and engaging. Another had skin as white as snow and a shy, gentle smile, with a red cinnabar mark between his brows that made him look like a lost fawn. Yet another had brows like swords, his gaze icy and sharp, standing as straight as a pine, radiating the fierce aura of a warrior.

Each of these youths was uniquely gifted, seemingly blessed by heaven. With a wave of her hand, the Princess dismissed everyone except Eunuch Xu and a few trusted palace maids. She squinted at the youths, her smile indifferent.

"Give me your names and where you are from," she said, her eyes curving into crescents. *Hmm, this one looks like a younger brother from my past life, and that one looks like a boy from that pop group...*

After listening for a while, she lazily stroked her cat’s head and smiled. "I had thought only Huaiyang produced beauties."

***

Having delivered the youths, Prefect Liu was waiting in the study with Gu Han and the imperial wedding envoys. Soon, an attendant reported that the Princess had finished her selection, keeping two and sending the rest away.

The rejected youths were each given two taels of silver. Though disappointed, they were secretly pleased and were led away by the yamen officials. In the courtyard, Qiutao addressed the two remaining youths: "Listen carefully. This journey to the Sheye Kingdom requires your voluntary consent. Your contracts will be handed to Eunuch Xu. Each of you will be paid two hundred taels of silver. From now on, you are retainers of the Princess’s estate, with a monthly allowance of fifteen taels. If you attempt to run within three years, you will be beaten to death. After three years, those who wish to stay may do so, and those who do not may return to the Great Sheng."

The two youths, and even the others, were stunned. But immediately, the two knelt and pledged, "We are willing!" Eunuch Xu handed them their contracts and silver notes on the spot, and they were sent off to an inn.

When the news reached Liu Hanzhang, who was drinking tea with Gu Han and the other officials, they were all taken aback by the generous payment. They exchanged meaningful, knowing smiles.

"The Princess is certainly unconventional," Liu Hanzhang remarked.

Magistrate Wang sipped his tea and smiled. "Indeed. It is said she has been clever since childhood, and the Emperor has raised her as one would raise a son."

Magistrate Zhang added softly, "Yes, I fear the road ahead will not be peaceful."

Gu Han ignored their insidious coldness, his eyes icy as he rubbed the ring on his finger. He walked into the courtyard, his gaze freezing as he stared toward the Princess’s quarters, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the courtyard gates swung open. Lady Liu was helping the Princess walk toward the reception hall, the Princess’s smile as bright as peach blossoms in April. Gu Han withdrew his gaze and turned away, unwilling to look even once more.

Once the selection was finalized, the Princess ordered Eunuch Xu to summon a court physician. She whispered something to him, and the physician turned bright red, nodding repeatedly. After the physician left, Qiutao couldn't help but ask, "Princess, what did you say to the physician? His ears were so red."

Changning teased her cat, smiling with feigned innocence. "What else could I say? Naturally, it was something not meant for little maids like you to hear."