Published at 11th of November 2020 10:50:10 AM
Chapter 66
Imperial Consort Xian’s Prize
“Look at how eager His Majesty is . The children should be given a chance to get acquainted to facilitate the discussion of marriage . Tonight is the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival . How about this wife has my niece come and perform a dance for Your Majesty?”
Imperial Consort Xian spoke slowly then personally received a swan-necked wine kettle made of gold inlaid with precious gems and filled Emperor Ning’s cup to around 70 percent .
Allowing the girls of noble families who had not yet gotten married to perform was also a tradition of imperial banquets .
Normally, after the performances came to an end, Emperor Ning might personally decide on a few marriages . This would both express his concern for his subjects and help stabilize the situation in court .
Eastern Ling’s empress died at a young age, and the members of the imperial harem viewed the eldest prince’s birth mother, Imperial Consort Xian, as the highest rank . The important opening performance at this time would naturally end up falling to someone from Imperial Consort Xian’s family .
Emperor Ning nodded his head in satisfaction, “Good, young miss Wang is generous and dignified . Having her go first could not be more fitting . ”
After saying this, a young girl dressed beautifully slowly stood up . She could not hide her joy and nervousness and bowed to Emperor Ning .
“This girl will go and get changed . Would Your Majesty please wait a moment . ”
Emperor Ning raised his cup and gestured to the officials present, “Come, would all my beloved officials enjoy a cup to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival!”
A short while later, the sound of instruments began to fill the hall, and two rows of dancers came into the hall .
They wore light-yellow dresses that were tidy . Taking small steps, they came together as quickly as the tide moves . For a while, they could not tell where that young miss Wang was .
It was inevitable that everyone would feel curious . Following this, the dancers separated like a flower blossoming, revealing a bit of white at the center of the flower .
It was young miss Wang!
“Good!”
Emperor Ning applauded, “If the group had not separated, We really would not have been able to see where young miss Wang was . This dance was fresh and was far more interesting than the solo dances of the past!”
“As long as Your Majesty liked it . ”
Imperial Consort Xian attentively poured more wine from the side . Young miss Wang, who had been praised, revealed a smile and waved her flowing sleeves .
To be able to receive His Majesty’s praise, it was possible that young miss Wang would be the only one to receive such a prize tonight, but one thing still remained uncertain . Would His Majesty decide to marry her to anyone?
Imperial Consort Xian had already brought up the matter of Yin Shuo not having a wife . She also had young miss Wang be the first to perform . Could it be…
The second prince’s gaze drifted in Yin Shuo’s direction .
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Aside from the young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor, the eldest son of Prime Minister Yin was also a person in high demand . Emperor Ning wanted to cultivate him into someone who could replace Yin Yan . This was something that even a fool could recognize .
Yin Shuo also lived up to his expectations . The way he dealt with people and handled matters was smoother and more likable than his father . There were some officials in court who disliked Yin Yan, but they would still like Yin Shuo .
Earlier, Yin Yan had respectfully declined Emperor Ning, but what if Yin Shuo himself took an interest in young miss Wang . Then things would not be great…
Whoever married Imperial Consort Xian’s niece would be in the same camp as the eldest prince .
Fortunately, Yin Shuo was only watching the dance out of courtesy, and his gaze did not focus on young miss Wang . Rather, he was not focused on anything .
The second prince relaxed just a little then turned his attention back to the family from Marquis Gu’s Manor .
The dance that had been praised by Emperor Ning did not seem to be able to attract any of their attention . Instead, they were more focused on observing Yu Fu’s first time into the palace and whether or not she could get accustomed to the atmosphere in the palace .
He relaxed completely .
Suddenly feeling someone tug at his sleeve, he tilted his head . Sure enough, he saw Princess DanYang giving him some looks .
“Second brother, you go and suggest to father Emperor to let me perform too . I want to be the last to perform!”
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“Nonsense, you are a dignified princess . How can you perform along with these young misses?”
The second prince refused her, “Every time there is an imperial banquet, these performances are shown . The young misses that have not gotten married are displaying their abilities to marry up . You are a princess . You should already be marrying the best . There’s no need for such performances . ”
“Second brother!”
Princess DanYang anxiously said: “What nonsense about the best . The one that is the best does not want me . Have you not noticed? I want to perform . I want him to know how beautiful I am . I want him to grovel beneath me . Second brother, this also stands to benefit you . You must help me!”
The second prince naturally knew who she was speaking of when she mentioned the best . He hesitated for a while before finally nodding .
“Fine, I will let you perform in the finale . You need to put on a good performance . Don’t let me lose face . ”
“Don’t worry, second brother . I have prepared this long in advance . You just need to suggest it!”
She already knew that Emperor Ning would reminisce about the past and bring up the matter of Gu ShuBai’s marriage . She had already prepared herself for this .
If he wanted, it would naturally be fine . If he did not want to, she would need to bring out the performance that she had carefully prepared to reclaim his gaze .
With the conclusion of young miss Wang’s performance, the sound of applause filled the hall .
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Gu HuaiJiang smiled and looked at Yu Fu, fearing that she would be bored, “Yu Fu, did you like young miss Wang’s dance?”
“I liked it . A group of people dancing is far livelier than one person dancing . Everyone likes liveliness, and His Majesty also likes it . The normal dancers helped make young miss Wang look like a goddess . ”
Hearing Yu Fu’s words, Gu HuaiJiang nodded with a smile and did not say anything else .
She was right . For young miss Wang’s dance to have received so much praise was not just a result of her own hard work . Rather, it was the hard work of all in the group .
It was different from the dance performances from other young misses in past imperial banquets . Her act was both novel and lively, and it could have the normal dancers help elevate her own beauty .
This sort of plan…
Gu HuaiJiang looked up and saw Imperial Consort Xian looking at young miss Wang in satisfaction . He quickly retracted his gaze .
He did not want to know about the secret plots and fights occurring in court, nor did he want to participate . He was even less interested in siding with any prince .
The cup of grape wine from the Western Regions had a mellow and fragrant smell . In the candlelight of the imperial palace, it shone beautifully .
Gu HuaiJiang held the golden cup and looked at it a few times in the candlelight before downing half .