Chapter 8: The Selection Begins

The quiet village of Qingshan, nestled deep in the mountains, lived peacefully and far removed from the bustle of the imperial capital. The village was small, with no more than a few hundred families. Most of its people were farmers, leading simple lives. Among them was Lin Zhao’s family, known not for their wealth, but for the respect they had earned through education and integrity. Though poor, with Lin Zhao’s eldest brother, Lin Hao, being a great scholar in their village, is the pride of the family.

Lin Hao, a great scholar in their village, was preparing for the provincial civil service exam, with hopes of raising their family’s fortunes. He had spent years studying the Confucian classics, and the villagers often spoke of him as a rising star who would one day bring honor to Qingshan. Despite their financial struggles, Lin Zhao's family valued knowledge and kindness above all else.

Lin Zhao, the sixth of eight siblings, was the heart of their family. Though he was a Ger, born with the unique ability to bear children, he was treated with love and care by his parents and siblings. His mother,  Lin Shu, often said that his gentle nature was a gift to the family. His father, Lin Zhen, was a strict yet kind man, who worked hard in the fields to support his children, but he had a soft spot for Lin Zhao, whom he adored.

The Lin family lived in a modest home on the edge of the village. Their house was old, but Lin Hao’s scholarly reputation had earned them respect in the community. Despite their poverty, the family always found ways to smile and support each other, and Lin Zhao was often at the center of their joy.

“Zhao-er, come help me with these,” his sister Lin Xiu called out as she balanced a basket of vegetables in her arms. Lin Zhao, petite and with delicate features that often made people mistake him for being younger than he was, ran over to help her, a soft smile on his face.

His older sister, Lin Xiu, and his younger twin siblings, Lin Rui and Lin Yi, adored him. Lin Zhao had always been their protector and friend. Lin Rui, the younger of the twins, hugged Lin Zhao tightly as he helped with the vegetables.

“Do you think the selection will be as bad as everyone says?” Lin Rui asked, his eyes wide with concern.

Lin Zhao paused. The selection. He had heard the whispers throughout the village—the palace had sent word that they required 25 young girls, ages 12 to 15, to serve in the Forbidden City. Every family with children of the right age was required to present their daughters for the selection. Even in their quiet village, no one could escape the Emperor’s decree.

“I don’t know,” Lin Zhao replied softly, “but we don’t have to worry about it. None of us will be chosen.”

Lin Zhao’s mother overheard the conversation and sighed. “Let’s hope it stays that way, Zhao-er. I wouldn’t want any of you to be taken away from us.”

The village was buzzing with rumors. People spoke of how the palace would strip away a family’s precious children, never to be seen again. Some even claimed that the girls were forced to work as servants, never given the chance to marry or return home. The thought of losing a child was unbearable for many parents, including Lin Zhao’s family.

That evening, Lin Hao, the eldest, returned from his studies, his brow furrowed with concern. “The selection will happen tomorrow,” he said, looking at his parents. “Everyone must present their daughters, no exceptions.”

Lin Shu's face tightened. “But we don’t have any daughters of the right age.”

Lin Hao looked down, his expression grim. “Lin Ming’s family has been spreading rumors. His daughter, Su, is 16 now, but she’s been telling people that Lin Zhao should go instead.”

Lin Zhao’s heart sank. Su, his cousin, had always been spoiled and self-centered. Though she had once been eligible for selection, she had somehow convinced her father to lie about her age, claiming she was already too old. And now, it seemed, she was trying to deflect attention onto him.

“That’s ridiculous!” Lin Xiu exclaimed. “Zhao-er is a Ger! They can’t take him!”

Lin Hao shook his head. “The decree says nothing about excluding Gers. And Su is using that to her advantage. She pointed out that Zhao-er is 15, the right age.”

Lin Zhao’s mother clutched his arm, her eyes wide with fear. “We can’t let them take him.”

Lin Hao’s expression softened as he knelt in front of Lin Zhao. “I’ll do everything I can to protect you, Zhao-er. You won’t be taken away, I promise.”

The next day, the village square was crowded with families, each presenting their daughters for the selection. Lin Zhao’s family had no choice but to stand among them. His heart pounded in his chest as the village head, an official from the palace, and a few guards began inspecting the girls.

When they approached Lin Zhao’s family, Lin Hao stepped forward. “My brother is not a girl,” he said firmly. “He’s a Ger, and he should be exempt from this selection.”

The palace official, a stern man with a narrow face, looked at Lin Zhao carefully. “The decree does not exempt Gers. He is of the right age and seems fit for service. He will be taken.”

Lin Zhao’s mother burst into tears, clinging to her son’s arm. “Please, don’t take him! He’s just a child!”

But it was no use. The guards began to pull Lin Zhao away, and though his siblings tried to intervene, they were pushed back. Lin Hao, in a final act of desperation, offered 150 ingots—his life savings—to the palace official.

“I’ll pay you,” Lin Hao said through gritted teeth. “Just don’t turn him into a eunuch. Place him anywhere but the inner palace.”

The official paused, weighing the ingots in his hand. After a moment, he nodded. “Very well. He will serve in the Emperor’s pavilion garden, outside the inner palace. But he will still go to the Forbidden City.”

Lin Zhao’s heart ached as he was led away from his family, their tearful faces burned into his memory. His father, usually a man of few words, called out, “Zhao-er, we will find a way to bring you home. Don’t give up hope.”

But as Lin Zhao was escorted from the village, he wasn’t sure if he believed those words. All he knew was that his life, and the lives of his family, had just changed forever.

As Lin Zhao was dragged away by the guards, his heart sank deeper with each passing moment. The once familiar village of Qingshan faded behind him, the echoes of his family’s cries ringing in his ears. His father, Lin Zhen, stood still, his stoic expression betraying the sadness and helplessness he felt. His mother, Lin Shu, clutched his younger twin siblings, Lin Rui and Lin Yi, close as they sobbed uncontrollably. Lin Xiu, his older sister, had fallen to her knees, tears streaming down her face. And Lin Hao, the eldest, who had always been his protector, stood frozen, fists clenched, his face twisted in frustration and regret.

As the village square quieted, Lin Zhao’s family retreated to their home, the grief hanging over them like a cloud. His mother was the first to break the silence, her voice trembling.

“How could this happen?” she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow. “He’s just a child. He’s my child.”

Lin Hao, still furious, slammed his fist onto the wooden table. “This is Su’s doing! She’s always been selfish, always putting herself above others. If it wasn’t for her lies, Zhao-er would be here with us.”

Lin Shu’s face hardened at the mention of Su. “She’s no longer welcome in this family. I don’t care if she’s blood. She betrayed us.”

Lin Zhen finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “It won’t do us any good to hate. We need to focus on how to get Zhao-er back.”

The twins, still crying, looked up at their father. “But how, Father? He’s gone. The palace has taken him,” Lin Rui said, wiping his tear-streaked face.

Lin Zhen sighed deeply, his strong shoulders slumping. “I don’t know yet. But I’ll find a way.”

Lin Hao, still pacing in frustration, muttered, “It’s not that simple, Father. Once someone is taken to the Forbidden City, they rarely return. Especially someone like Zhao-er. The Emperor's palace is a labyrinth of politics and schemes.”

Lin Shu wiped her eyes and turned to Lin Hao. “You’re a scholar, Hao-er. You know more about these things than we do. Isn’t there anything we can do?”

Lin Hao looked at his mother, his face filled with sadness. “I’ve heard stories, Mother. Once someone is in the palace, they become a part of it, whether they want to or not. The only thing we can hope for is that Zhao-er will be placed in a position where he won’t be noticed. If he can stay out of trouble, he might survive.”

“Survive?” Lin Xiu repeated, her voice rising in alarm. “We’re not talking about surviving, Hao-er! We’re talking about bringing him back!”

Lin Hao closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I know, Xiu-jie. But we have to be realistic. The Forbidden City is dangerous. Especially for someone like Zhao-er, who’s gentle and unassuming.”

Lin Shu stood up, her face filled with determination. “Then we’ll do everything we can to protect him. No matter the cost.”

Lin Zhen nodded in agreement. “We’ll find a way. Even if it means going to the capital ourselves.”

As the family discussed their plans, the weight of the situation settled over them like a heavy fog. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but they couldn’t give up on Lin Zhao. He was the heart of their family, and they would do whatever it took to bring him home.

---

Meanwhile, Lin Zhao sat in the back of a horse-drawn cart, his heart heavy with fear and uncertainty. The journey to the Forbidden City would take several days, and the closer they got, the more anxious he became. He had never been far from his village, and the thought of entering the Emperor’s palace filled him with dread.

He thought of his family—of his father’s strong hands, his mother’s comforting embrace, and his siblings’ laughter. They had always been his source of strength, and now, he was being torn away from them. He wasn’t ready to leave, and he certainly wasn’t ready to face the unknown world that awaited him in the Forbidden City.

The cart rattled along the dirt road, passing through small towns and fields. Lin Zhao sat quietly, his hands clenched in his lap, his mind racing. The other children in the cart, all girls from his village, were just as frightened as he was. Some whispered quietly to one another, while others sat in silence, their eyes wide with fear.

“Do you think we’ll ever see our families again?” one of the girls whispered, her voice trembling.

Lin Zhao didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t want to give them false hope, but he also didn’t want to admit the truth—that once they arrived at the palace, their lives would never be the same.

As the cart rolled along, Lin Zhao’s thoughts drifted back to the moment when the palace official had chosen him. The official had barely looked at him before making his decision, as if Lin Zhao’s life meant nothing. He had simply been another body, another servant to fill the palace’s endless need for labor.

But to his family, he was everything.

Lin Zhao closed his eyes, trying to push the fear away. He had to stay strong. For his family, for himself. He didn’t know what awaited him in the Forbidden City, but he wouldn’t let it break him.

“I’ll survive,” he whispered to himself. “I’ll find a way.”

The cart bumped along the road, and Lin Zhao gripped the edge of the wooden seat, his resolve hardening. He would survive, and one day, he would return to his family.

No matter what.