MCUS Chapter 8

After waiting outside the palace for a while, a head eunuch led more than a dozen young eunuchs to the gate of the palace, all dressed in black eunuch uniforms, each with delicate features, even the oldest eunuch was very good-looking.

Yan Ge had seen many kinds of men and women, but it was the first time to be so close to one who looked neither male nor female. He looked over curiously, then averted his gaze with a shudder.

The head eunuch was about thirty-four or thirty five years old, and his eight-figure eyebrows made him look weird. His status was probably relatively high, with an arrogance in his expression. His nostrils were almost facing the sky, and he ordered Xiunu and Xiunan to enter the palace door in turn with a sharp voice, and the servants and maids brought by the Xiunu and Xiunan could only wait outside the palace gate.

Upon entering the palace gates, there was a distinct change in atmosphere, as if entering a different world. The palace was guarded with strictness akin to legends. Every two meters around the courtyard stood guards with long spears, standing upright like wooden stakes, their countenances solemn, their gaze unwavering. Even the eunuchs, when they needed to converse, did so in hushed tones, their words and gestures exuding a sense of caution.

Even the ash-colored floor tiles, meticulously trimmed potted plants, and undisturbed silk banners seemed to carry an air of solemnity. The xiunu and xiunan, who had just been whispering and gossiping, immediately fell silent, their expressions cautious, though if one looked closely, one could still detect a hidden anticipation and excitement in their eyes.

After the xiunu and xiunan were stationed in the inner courtyard, the head eunuch ordered them to divide into two groups and form multiple rows.

Yan Ge discreetly surveyed his surroundings and clicked his tongue in amazement. By his estimation, there were at least a thousand candidates. As the books often mentioned, the emperor’s harem consisted of three thousand beauties, and it seemed to be true.

At that moment, a familiar voice resounded in his mind: “Congratulations on successfully completing Mission 1 — participating in the selection. You will receive a reward of five taels of silver and one Transformation Pill.”

“Main Mission 2 — obtaining the emperor’s permission to ‘keep the token.’ If the mission is accomplished, a reward of ten taels of silver and two Poison Immunity Pills will be given. Please select ‘Yes’ to accept the mission or ‘No’ to refuse.”

*’Keep the token’ means the Emperor has accepted him as a male concubine (the Emperor selection).

Yan Ge didn’t even need to think, he outright refused. Surprisingly, this time he didn’t hear any warning from the system, which made him curious but more importantly, relieved. From this, he could deduce that even if he failed getting selected, it wouldn’t result in any serious consequences, which was naturally the best outcome.

The head eunuch ascended the steps and spoke in a sharp voice, “This servant surnamed Li is responsible for this selection. This selection is meant to expand His Majesty’s harem. All xiunan and xiunu who have been chosen to come here are truly fortunate. However, only those of noble character and descent have the opportunity to enter the harem and gather blessings for the emperor, continuing his lineage. Therefore, please remember that only those who pass multiple selections will have the chance to be bestowed by the emperor. The preliminary selection will now commence. Xiunu and Xiunan, please enter separate inspection rooms.”

After a while, four eunuchs approached the front of the line for xiunan, with one who appeared to be the oldest saying, “Please follow this servant.”

Including Yan Ge, there were a total of thirty-two xiunan who followed the eunuchs into a spacious compartment and neatly lined up in five rows according to their instructions. The head eunuch, the eldest among them, slowly walked past them, scrutinizing them from all angles without uttering a word.

Yan Ge witnessed a male candidate slipping a piece of paper into his hand, which was obviously a banknote.

The young head eunuch glanced around to make sure no one noticed and discreetly tucked the banknote into his sleeve.

Yan Ge nearly wanted to clap in delight. The more people bribed, the smaller his chances of being chosen. Soon, the head eunuch arrived in front of him, took a quick glance, and simply moved on, leaving Yan Ge no time to speculate about his thoughts.

After going through the process, six individuals were selected and led away by a young eunuch, their destination was unknown.

The head eunuch said, “Next, all young gentlemen need to undergo a body examination.”

“Body examination?” Yan Ge was astonished. Although he was a modern person, he didn’t have a penchant for undressing in front of others.

The xiunan standing on his left side smiled slightly and explained to him, “The first stage of the selection is a physical examination. Those with ordinary features, physical defects, poor health, or not being virgins are disqualified. For us men, it’s relatively easier, but the selection for the xiunu will be more rigorous. They not only examine their bodies, including weight, height, measurements, hand and foot length, and virginity, but also assess their needlework skills in the second stage.”

The head eunuch glanced at him but didn’t reprimand him for speaking out of turn.

Yan Ge expressed his gratitude to the xiunan and secretly lamented. How exactly would they check if the xiunan were still virgins? Was it a physical examination of “that area”? He was relieved that his foresight told him that the talent selection wouldn’t be so simple.

As the eunuch called out their names, the young men entered individual small compartments separated by screens. Some were left behind, standing to the side, while others were led outside by the eunuchs. Those who remained displayed a faint sense of joy on their faces, while those who were taken away appeared disappointed.

“Song Ruhao, son of the Song Chaobang, the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.”

The young man whom Yan Ge had conversed with earlier respectfully nodded to the eunuch and walked to the other side of the screen.

‘So, he’s the son of the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The Grand Tutor held a high rank, and the probability of his son being chosen was not low.’ Yan Ge devoutly prayed in his heart, ‘May Song Ruhao be selected, may Song Ruhao be selected…’

After a while, Song Ruhao emerged and stood beside those who had been left behind. Indeed, he had been chosen. When Song Ruhao noticed Yan Ge looking at him, he smiled, seemingly wishing him success.

It wasn’t long before it was Yan Ge’s turn. He stepped forward with a feigned expression of timidity, appearing nervous and apprehensive. Behind the screen, he heard the eunuch instruct him to undress.

He slowly and deliberately loosened his belt, and suddenly, his abdomen made a slight movement. There was a “poof”, and an unpleasant odor filled the confined space.

The two young eunuchs behind the screen frowned, quickly covering their noses, and glared at him in annoyance.

“I apologize, I sincerely apologize…” Yan Ge wore a distressed expression on his face, but deep inside, he was extremely pleased. It was worth it to have secretly eaten some beans before leaving home. It wasn’t easy to hold in this fart until now.

Coming from a prestigious family with a good upbringing, he had never engaged in such indecent behavior before, but there was no other choice. If he resorted to other methods of deception and was discovered, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor, and it would certainly implicate the Yan family. This method, although unrefined, was the most appropriate and a one-time solution.

He shamefully said, “Eunuch, I deeply apologize. Yan Ge can no longer show his face to the world. It’s better to have me sent out of the palace.”

One of the young eunuchs, around eighteen or nineteen years old, immediately became furious and exclaimed, “Indeed, he should be sent out—”

However, before he could finish his sentence, another eunuch blocked him and whispered, “It’s not allowed. This young master is the son of the Minister of Rites.”

Yan Ge’s heart skipped a beat.

The irritated eunuch cast a disdainful glance at him and impatiently said, “Alright, Master Yan, please wait over there.”

Yan Ge was dumbfounded. Could he still pass under these circumstances?

“Master Yan, please,” the young eunuch said with patience.

Yan Ge reluctantly moved aside, pondering his next steps. By this point, he was no longer as composed as before.

After the examination of all the candidates, a total of fifteen xiunan remained among the chosen ones.