On the 10th day of the month, all the girls invited to the selection were required to enter the Palace. Once they passed through the towering gates into the royal court, there would be no return. Any maiden who came within the King's sight would never again belong to her family.
The chosen one would ascend to the throne as Queen. The remaining finalists would become royal concubines. From that moment on, their lives would exist only within the Palace walls.
All noble families who had registered their daughters received official inspections. A delegation consisting of royal physicians, the Chief Court Lady, the Chief Eunuch, and the Head of the Selection Committee visited each household to examine the candidates before their entry into the Palace.
On the sixth day of August, it was the Jang household's turn to receive the royal committee.
Anxiety filled the house. Every preparation had been made to ensure Hana appeared flawless.
Since the cosmetic intervention, they had carefully monitored the concealed patch. So far, everything appeared perfect. No visible difference could be detected on her skin.
The day of the first inspection arrived.
Numerous palanquins pulled up in front of the Jang residence, accompanied by court officials, maids, and officers. The entire street buzzed with excitement. Children ran from house to house shouting that royal officials were visiting Minister Jang.
After formal greetings and ceremonial introductions, Minister Jang and his wife welcomed the delegation inside.
"To what do we owe the honor of such distinguished visitors?" Minister Jang asked with a courteous smile.
"Minister Jang," replied one of the court ladies—an elderly woman with a tall posture and gray hair tied neatly into a bun—"we have been informed that you registered your daughter for the royal selection. We are here to examine her and determine whether she will proceed."
"Indeed," Lady Jang added proudly. "The Queen Dowager herself once met our daughter and was impressed."
The elderly woman raised an eyebrow and coughed lightly.
"Our specialists will deliver the final verdict. There are specific criteria that define a future Queen," she said calmly. "Please present your daughter."
"Of course," Minister Jang replied, signaling to his wife to bring Hana.
In the adjacent room, Hana and Nara waited.
Hana wore a red silk skirt with soft volume and a white blouse tied with a red ribbon, as protocol required. Her face was bare of makeup, her long black hair braided down to her waist and secured with another red ribbon.
Her black eyes searched Nara's face for reassurance.
"You will do perfectly. There is nothing to fear," Nara said gently, squeezing her hand.
"I do not know what I would do without you," Hana replied with a small smile.
Lady Jang entered abruptly.
"Ready? They are waiting. Turn around. No lipstick, correct?" she asked, brushing her finger across her daughter's lips.
Makeup was strictly forbidden. Only natural beauty was permitted.
"Good. Keep your back straight and your chin lifted. You are a future Queen—or better yet, already one," Lady Jang declared, dusting Hana's shoulders. Then she shot Nara a sharp glance. "You walk one step behind. Keep your head bowed."
Hana entered the guest chamber beside her mother, Nara following as instructed.
Every head turned.
Hana immediately felt the weight of dozens of eyes examining her from head to toe.
She sat beside her father across from the committee. Questions followed—about her upbringing, her education, her interests. Several scribes took notes as she spoke.
Then the elderly court lady signaled to a man.
"Mr. Ying, examine her face."
An elderly man with a long white beard approached with a respectful bow.
"He is a face reader," the court lady explained.
Mr. Ying lifted his gaze and met Hana's eyes. A quiet exclamation escaped him.
"What do you see?" the court lady asked.
He studied her features closely—her eyes, nose, ears, profile. He examined her hands.
"She possesses the rare and distinguished features of a Queen. Such a face appears perhaps once in a century. I see determination, dignity, and ambition… though only if—"
He paused.
"If what?" the court lady pressed.
He glanced briefly past Hana.
"Nothing. She meets all the facial standards of royalty."
Then his gaze lingered on Nara.
"Minister Jang, do you have another daughter?"
"No. That is her maid. They were raised together," Minister Jang replied quickly.
"What a pity," Mr. Ying murmured before returning to his seat.
Lady Jang shot Nara a furious glance.
"Now, Minister Jang, we will conduct the physical examination," the court lady announced.
They moved to a private chamber. The royal physician followed but remained seated in a corner with his back turned, as no man was permitted to look directly at a candidate undressed.
"Remove your outer garments and remain in your underclothes," ordered the court lady.
With Nara's help, Hana undressed until she stood in a white silk under-blouse and skirt.
The court lady examined every detail—arms, hands, nails, neck, hair.
"Lower your blouse."
Hana hesitated, then obeyed, revealing her modest white breasts.
The court lady inspected her carefully—front and back—before lingering near her chest.
Lady Jang held her breath.
"How old are you?" the court lady asked.
"Seventeen. I will turn eighteen in December," Hana replied quietly.
"Raise your blouse. Lift your skirt to your thighs."
Hana complied. Her legs were examined with equal scrutiny.
Once dressed again, the physician stepped forward and placed a cloth over her wrists to check her pulse.
"Normal," he confirmed.
The inspection concluded.
"You will receive the court's decision within three days. If approved, she will enter the Palace on the 10th," the court lady declared.
The delegation departed as ceremoniously as they had arrived, leaving the Jang household in heavy silence.
"All went well?" Minister Jang asked his wife.
"Yes. Everything is fine," Lady Jang repeated.
On the eighth day, a royal message arrived.
Hana had qualified for the final selection and would enter the Palace in two days.
Minister Jang exhaled deeply. Lady Jang clapped her hands in joy, tears filling her eyes.
"You will enter the Palace. Prepare yourself well. Once inside, you will stand alone," Minister Jang told Hana.
Then he glanced at Nara.
"You will accompany her. She will not be entirely alone."
"Yes, Father," Hana replied, the weight of expectation settling upon her.
The following day was spent preparing garments, personal belongings, and ceremonial items. Nara packed her own bundle, including the pouch of cosmetics.
On the night before departure, Lady Jang called Hana into a private room.
"You are a young lady now, and soon you will be a woman," she began carefully. "Once chosen, you must consummate the marriage. Your primary duty is to bear a prince. Do whatever is necessary to please the King and conceive quickly. Your position will depend on it."
Hana blushed deeply. The thought both frightened and thrilled her.
The idea of standing beside the man she had secretly admired since childhood made her heart flutter.
The next morning, a royal palanquin awaited at the Jang gates.
Dressed in her red skirt and white blouse, hair braided and face untouched by makeup, Hana entered with composed dignity.
Minister Jang waved. Lady Jang wept quietly.
Nara climbed into the smaller seat beside the palanquin as it was lifted by four strong men.
The small wooden carriage felt like a narrow box—one that would carry her toward a far larger cage.
Inside, Hana sat upright, listening to the steady rhythm of footsteps. Her emotions twisted together—excitement and fear, ambition and uncertainty.
When they reached the Palace gates, Nara rushed forward to help her step down.
Two other palanquins arrived beside them.
Two young women emerged—both dressed identically.
One was shorter, with round cheeks, soft curves, and large brown eyes that gave her a permanently startled expression.
The other was tall like Hana, with olive-toned skin, dark eyes, full lips, and a sharp nose.
"So these are my rivals," Hana thought, a faint smile forming on her lips.
The gates opened.
The same elderly court lady stepped forward to receive them.
After formalities, the three candidates were led in a line toward their dormitory. They would share a chamber, while their maids were assigned a room across the hall.
That day was reserved for rest and adjustment.
Tomorrow, the real trials would begin.