Chapter 289 The Draft (3)

After the incident, although everyone had different expressions, they gradually tidied themselves up and took their seats in order.

The talent show has officially begun.

In this talent show, besides family background and appearance, the most important thing is to compete in talent.

Although the emperor was not present, the young masters still showed off their best skills.

Making a good impression on the Empress is also a crucial step in entering the palace.

The first one to appear was Huang Mian.

Knowing that most of the people present would only display ordinary talents such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, he deliberately took a different approach and prepared a long-lost dance called "Green Waist".

At this moment, he was dressed in a pink gauze robe, standing under the bright peach tree. A gentle breeze blew, and the gauze robe fluttered lightly, making his face as fair as jade and his eyes as bright as peach blossoms, making him incomparably handsome.

Such beauty is comparable to that of Lin Xue'an, the most handsome man in the capital in the past.

He first bowed to Pei Huaijin, his voice gentle: "I am Huang Mian, the younger brother of the Minister of Works. Today I will present a dance called 'Green Waist' to Your Highness and Consort Chen. My skills are rudimentary, so please excuse my poor performance."

"It is quite ugly." Jue La Yun Dan leaned lazily against the soft couch and muttered to herself.

Huang Mian was slightly taken aback, and his dissatisfaction with Jue La Yun Dan deepened.

He only dares to be so unscrupulous because he relies on the emperor's favor.

Once he enters the palace, he will surely seize all of the Emperor's favor.

At that time, he would make this arrogant person taste what it's like to be ignored, and see if he could still be so arrogant.

Pei Huaijin glanced helplessly at Jue Layundan and explained in a low voice, "Presenting one's ugliness is a self-deprecating term, not an expression that he himself is ugly."

Jue La Yun Dan nodded as if she understood, then pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Pei Huaijin then turned to Huang Mian and nodded, saying, "Young Master Huang, let's begin."

As the musicians began to play their instruments, Huang Mian slowly raised her hand, and the dance officially began.

At first, the rhythm was slow and gentle, his movements light and graceful, like a spring breeze brushing against willows, his fingertips lightly touching the ground, his waist slightly bending, every posture carrying the gentleness of the Jiangnan water towns.

Gradually, the music quickened, and Huang Mian's dance became more and more graceful.

As he spun around, his gauze dress fluttered like a blooming pink lotus.

When jumping, the toes lightly touch the ground, like a startled swan stepping on water.

Especially the "flipping into the water" movement, where his waist bent backward into an astonishing arc, his hair trembled slightly, and his eyes sparkled, causing many young men to secretly marvel: for a man to dance to this extent, one can only imagine how much effort he must have put in.

As the song ended, Huang Mian finished with a light spin, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead and a blush on her cheeks, making her even more captivating.

He bowed again and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Sparse applause rang out in the Imperial Garden, and many people looked at him with amazement.

Pei Huaijin praised in a gentle voice, "Young Master Huang's dance has captured the essence of 'Green Waist,' you must have worked hard to master it, and you danced very well."

Huang Mian was overjoyed and quickly said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am only slightly knowledgeable, and it is an honor to be noticed by Your Majesty."

Jue La Yun Dan muttered from the side, "It looks pretty, but it's all soft and limp, like it has no bones."

Pei Huaijin smiled helplessly and didn't reply.

The subsequent presentation suddenly became rather dull.

No matter how exquisitely the young masters played their zithers, how vividly they painted, or how meticulously they composed their poems, they could no longer stir any waves. Everyone's thoughts were still lingering on the stunning dance they had just witnessed.

until--

"My name is Wang Yanzhi, and I would like to play a tune on the flute for Your Highness, 'The Crane Cries in the Marsh'."

It was Wang Yanzhi's turn.

Today, he was dressed in a moon-white long robe, with a jade hairpin in his dark hair, which made him appear exceptionally elegant and otherworldly amidst the splendid garden.

Although both were from prominent families, he and Pei Huaijin had completely different temperaments.

Pei Huaijin possesses a dignified and elegant demeanor with a gentle warmth. The inclusiveness between his brows makes people feel close to him, like the warm spring sun, making people unconsciously let down their guard.

Wang Yanzhi, however, possessed a natural coldness.

It wasn't the arrogance of looking down on others, nor the aloofness of self-admiration, but rather the cold desolation of knowing that resistance is hopeless after weathering storms, ultimately choosing to compromise, yet still feeling unwilling to accept defeat.

Pei Huaijin had met him several times before at banquets.

He remembered Wang Yanzhi back then; though he was aloof, there was still a hint of youthful spirit in his eyes. But for some reason, now he was just a stagnant pool.

He nodded slightly: "I have long heard of the Wang family's young master's superb flute skills, and today I am finally fortunate enough to hear it."

Wang Yanzhi gave Pei Huaijin a deep look before taking out the bamboo flute he always carried with him.

The flute had been worn smooth and shiny from being handled, indicating that it was something that was always carried with the person.

He brought the flute to his lips, and as the first note flowed out, the clamor of the garden instantly fell silent.

The flute's clear and melodious sound was like a crane's cry in the heavens, yet it carried a hint of inexplicable loneliness.

Like a white crane trapped in a golden cage, knowing that its wings cannot be spread, it still looks up at the sky.

Jue La Yun Dan was so engrossed in listening that she sat up straight.

Although he didn't understand any musical techniques, he felt that it sounded quite tragic and made people want to cry!

The music ended, but the lingering melody remained.

Pei Huaijin seemed to have discerned something from the sound of the flute.

But, I'm sorry.

Whether Wang Yanzhi likes it or not, as long as he bears the surname Wang and the Wang family remains one of the five great families, he is destined to enter the palace.

Although His Majesty did not say it, as the Empress, he naturally understood the political considerations behind this selection of consorts.

“Young Master Wang’s flute playing is clear and beautiful,” Pei Huaijin said slowly. “I imagine His Majesty will also like it very much.”

Upon hearing this, the entire garden fell silent.

Although it wasn't said explicitly, everyone understood that this meant they had been selected.

Everyone cast envious glances their way.

Only Wang Yanzhi, amidst the envious or jealous gazes of the crowd, slowly lowered his eyes.

Ultimately, twelve players remained in the draft.

Apart from Wang Yanzhi and Huang Mian, who were appointed as second-rank "Attendant Ministers," the other ten were appointed as third-rank "Beauties" and fourth-rank "Talented Women" respectively, based on their talents and family background.

The long-desolate imperial harem of the Great Qi Dynasty suddenly became lively again.

The newly arrived princes were all eager to compete, both openly and secretly, hoping to be the first to be chosen to serve the emperor and win his favor.