Chapter 69 Dancing the Same Dance as Prostitutes

Chapter 69: Dancing the Same Dance as a Courtesan

Everyone in the hall knelt in unison, their voices rising like a tidal wave: "Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! May Consort Xi enjoy ten thousand blessings and eternal peace!"

The Emperor entered the banquet hall with Consort Xi at his side.

He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, embroidered with coiling golden dragons that shimmered brilliantly, exuding imperial majesty.

Beside him, Consort Xi was dressed in magnificent brocade robes, appearing dignified and elegant, her every movement graceful.

"You may rise," the Emperor said with a slight nod, raising his hand to signal everyone to stand.

He and Consort Xi walked to the dragon throne at the center of the hall and took their seats. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Xiao Lingchuan, his voice carrying a hint of affection: "Come, Chuan, sit by my side."

Xiao Lingchuan bowed his head. "Yes, Father."

A flicker of jealousy crossed Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan's face.

Xiao Lingchuan had saved the Emperor during the winter hunt and had been framed. Now, he had become the emperor's favorite.

To think that not long ago, it was he, the Third Prince, who had the privilege of sitting beside the Emperor!

Jiang Yaozhen's eyes darkened, a whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.

Who could have imagined that the most favored prince in Daye today would be this descendant of Nanyue, who grew up in the cold palace?

Had she known this would happen, she shouldn't have treated Xiao Lingchuan merely as a pawn, thus missing a golden opportunity!

But now, what was done was done. She could only hope that Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan would soon regain the Emperor's favor and stage a comeback.

As everyone took their seats, the melodies of strings and flutes began to play, officially marking the start of the Plum Blossom Banquet.

A eunuch's shrill voice proclaimed the first group of dancers who were about to take the stage.

At that moment, Xiao Xiuzhan suddenly stood up and bowed to the Emperor. "Father, the Second Jiang Miss has specially prepared a unique dance for you. I hope Your Majesty will enjoy it."

As soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to Jiang Yaozhen.

Dressed in a red gown with a red veil covering her face, her skin appeared as white as snow, and her eyes sparkled with life.

Jiang Yaozhen stood up gracefully and bowed. "This subject has indeed prepared a dance and hopes to have the honor of performing it for Your Majesty, if Your Majesty permits."

The Emperor, seated high on his throne, laughed heartily. "Granted! Your red attire resembles the blooming plum blossoms, a perfect complement to today's Plum Blossom Banquet. I am very much looking forward to the performance of the future Third Prince's Consort!"

As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Jiang Yaozhen eagerly gathered her skirts and stepped onto the stage.

She performed the famous Daye Prayer Dance.

This dance involved complex movements and demanded great physical stamina, typically performed by men.

Yet, Jiang Yaozhen, clad in red, moved with the grace of a startled swan. Thanks to her skills in riding and archery, she executed the Prayer Dance with ease, perfectly blending feminine grace with masculine power and majesty. The guests were captivated, unable to look away, utterly enchanted.

At the banquet table below, Gu Wanying sneered and said to the young noblewomen beside her, "Earlier, she said she was dancing for the Empress Dowager. Now, she says it's for His Majesty. How clever with words, pleasing everyone she meets."

Another noble lady remarked sarcastically, "Every time she appears, all she does is dance, resorting to the tricks of a courtesan. If one didn't know better, they'd think she was a dancer from a brothel!"

"I heard Jiang Yaozhen's birth mother was a songstress from Chunxiang Tower. It seems she's truly following in her mother's footsteps." As they chatted excitedly, Gu Wanying glanced at them, then let her gaze drift toward Jiang Shuning, implying, "Hush now, her elder sister is right here!"

Jiang Shuning pretended not to hear, her expression calm.

Gu Wanying added, "Oh, look at my memory! I almost forgot you sisters don't get along! Jiang Shuning, why not join us? I'll have your back from now on!"

"Exactly!" one noble lady chimed in. "That Jiang Yaozhen will only be a Third Prince's Consort in the future. How can she compare to Sister Wan Ying, the future Crown Princess, in status and power?"

Another noble lady said, "Miss Jiang, your younger sister is so arrogant and domineering, always stealing your spotlight. If Sister Wan Ying backs you up, she definitely won't dare bully you again in the future!"

Jiang Shuning smiled faintly and politely declined. "I appreciate Miss Wan Ying's kindness. However, His Majesty despises forming cliques and pursuing private interests. If we women form alliances behind the scenes, it might be somewhat inappropriate."

Gu Wanying, having been gently rebuffed, felt somewhat displeased. "Fine. Since you're so ungrateful, don't blame me if you suffer at your sister's hands later!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Wan Ying," Jiang Shuning replied, her expression still mild.

It wasn't that she was aloof or unwilling to ally with these noble ladies.

It was just that their methods were ultimately limited—at most, they could isolate Jiang Yaozhen and gossip behind her back. To Jiang Shuning, that was merely scratching an itch through a boot, ineffectual.

Between her and Jiang Yaozhen lay the life of Jiang Tianen. How could mere gossip settle that score?

What she wanted was for Jiang Yaozhen to pay with her blood!

A round of enthusiastic applause echoed through the banquet hall, marking the end of Jiang Yaozhen's dance performance.

The Emperor, in high spirits, stroked his beard and laughed. "Excellent! Excellent! This is the first time I've seen a woman perform the Daye Prayer Dance so flawlessly! The future Third Prince's Consort is indeed accomplished in both the arts and martial skills! A reward!"

Jiang Yaozhen, slightly breathless, bowed excitedly in gratitude. "Thank you for Your Majesty's generous favor!"

Returning to her seat, she glanced triumphantly at Jiang Shuning and deliberately placed the luminous pearl rewarded by the Emperor on the table, boasting, "Sister, you probably haven't seen a luminous pearl before, have you? If you like it, I'll give it to you. Now that I'm the future Third Prince's Consort, I'll have plenty of such treasures in the future. Since you are yet to be betrothed, it's hard to say whether you'll ever have the chance to obtain such a precious pearl!"

A mocking curve lifted the corner of Jiang Shuning's lips. "Thank you for your kindness, younger sister. However, after dancing for so long, you must be drenched in sweat. Why not take off your veil to get some air?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaozhen's expression changed abruptly.

Gu Wanying seized the opportunity to chime in. "Yes, Sister Yaozhen, why do you keep wearing the veil, even reluctant to remove it after the dance? Is there something on your face you dare not show?"

Jiang Yaozhen instinctively covered her face, her tone stiff. "Of course not! I'm just afraid that after removing the veil, all you sisters might feel inadequate by comparison!"

Jiang Shuning thought it was laughable and took a shallow sip of fruit wine.

Since childhood, she had never deigned to compete with Jiang Yaozhen, yet Jiang Yaozhen always saw her as a rival. Now, she was jumping around like a clown on stage.

She had better pray that the Third Prince could make a comeback; otherwise, she might never have another chance to strut around so arrogantly.

The dancers gracefully returned to the stage.

To everyone's surprise, they, too, performed the Daye Prayer Dance.

Unlike Jiang Yaozhen, the lead dancer did not wear a veil. Her exquisitely beautiful face was fully exposed to everyone's view.

She danced barefoot, with delicate silver bells tied around her slender ankles. With each change in her dance steps, the bells emitted clear, pleasant sounds. Every smile and glance was filled with charm.

A noble lady whispered, "This dancer is truly shameless, daring to go barefoot in front of so many people!"

Another noble lady added: "She's originally the top courtesan of Chunxiang Tower, named Ning Xiang—a mere plaything who trades on her looks. Not just barefoot; if the price is right, she'd probably even be willing to expose her body!"

Gu Wanying looked meaningfully at Jiang Yaozhen. "Sister Yaozhen, you actually danced the same dance as a prostitute. How... original!"

Jiang Yaozhen's face darkened, and she remained silent.

As soon as this dancer stepped onto the stage, she had thought she looked familiar. Now, looking closely, she indeed recognized her—she was Ning Xiang, the top courtesan patronized by Xiao Xiuzhan at Chunxiang Tower.

How did she get into the palace to dance?

Was it Xiao Xiuzhan's doing?

As she wondered, a faint, elusive fragrance began to drift through the air.

As Ning Xiang's dance grew increasingly graceful, the scent intensified, permeating the entire banquet hall. Even the emperor himself began to look a little dazed.

When the dance concluded, the emperor clapped and praised, "Your dance was captivating. What is your name, and where do you perform?"

Ning Xiang bowed gracefully. "Your Majesty, this commoner is named Su Ningxiang, a songstress from the Spring Fragrance Pavilion in the capital."

"Ningxiang?" The emperor frowned slightly. "Are you the renowned top courtesan from Spring Fragrance Pavilion, famed for your natural fragrance?"

"Indeed, it is this commoner."

"Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved!" the emperor said with a smile. "I greatly enjoyed your Blessing Dance. Name your reward. You shall have it."

"Your Majesty, this commoner is so bold as to wish to serve by your side. Even as a lowly palace maid, I would be content!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.