As I left the grand palace with a much lighter step, I could not keep the smile from my face. “Eunuch Van, when does the nomination process begin?”

I’m sure I’d heard this before, but since I had no interest then it had been of little interest to me. Now it was of the utmost importance. Now I wanted to be kept abreast of every minute detail.

“The decree has already gone out for the forbidding of marriage among the daughters of the nobles. As you know forty will be ...