Using sex to please others

Gongyi Xiu, being a civil official and holding a high position in the government, could not possibly take a share of military power for himself, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. Instead, he appeared to be dealing with the matter objectively and maintaining a fair stance.

Everyone present was intelligent; the key was that they understood immediately.

Lady Sun frowned and said, "But the Left Prime Minister and His Highness have both left. Even if we include General Xiao Fan, our 'Yan Shi Ning' only has six people. How can we perform the dance?"

Fan Liancheng snorted and said, "With Brother Chongyu here tonight, how could Miss Pei not come? Don't worry, the first performance is by the Kucha Dance Troupe, and Miss Pei will definitely not miss our second performance; she will participate in 'Yan Shi Ning'."

Shangguan Yuqi, as the head of the Flying Phoenix Guard, had remained silent until now, but his expression turned solemn as he said to Gongyi Xiu, "I must stay here tonight and cannot be in two places at once. You must ensure His Highness's safety."

As A Qiu listened, she noticed that the tone of the woman's words was so solemn, unlike that of a palace guard addressing the Left Prime Minister; it sounded more like that of a subordinate or junior.

Gongyi Xiu was also somewhat puzzled, but he was always generous and courteous to beautiful women, so he immediately smiled and agreed, "Yes, I will obey your orders, Miss. I will definitely bring His Highness back safely."

This was the first time Xie Tiao had heard Shangguan Yuqi show him any concern since they had been dealing with each other. Although it was for official business, Xie Tiao felt much better, because at least he knew that Shangguan Yuqi didn't really look down on him.

He also cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss. I will do my best to ensure the safety of Jianzhang Palace."

When Xie Tiao said this, both he and A Qiu could clearly feel that everyone present, even the carefree Xiao Chang'an, finally took him seriously and valued him, instead of treating him as a glamorous and noble decoration as before.

At this moment, the person Xie Tiao was most grateful to was A Qiu.

If she hadn't firmly supported his decision to go and made the wise choice of having Gongyi Xiu accompany him, he, with his own conservatism and An Daoling's years of steadiness, would never have been able to make such a decision.

When he hesitated, he didn't realize that his final decision to go would earn him the respect of the Flying Phoenix Guards.

Regardless of his success or failure on this trip, at least in the eyes of his closest Flying Phoenix Guards—Shangguan Yuqi, Fan Liancheng, and Xiao Chang'an—he is already a future monarch worthy of following, rather than a puppet.

Back then, my father must have done the same, gradually gaining the trust and unwavering loyalty of the previous Flying Phoenix Guards: Mu Huaying, Consort Chen, Zhao Lingying, and Sikong Zhao.

In any case, starting tonight, he has taken the first step in his life, and is no longer the timid and arrogant Xie Tiao of the Eastern Palace who was afraid of being rejected.

He and Gongyi Xiu went into a side hall to change out of their dance costumes and masks, returning to their original bright yellow robes. When they came out to say goodbye, he couldn't help but glance deeply at everyone in the hall and said, "I regret that I cannot participate in this 'Yanshi Ning' with everyone, nor will I have the chance to witness the grand performance. However, I believe there will be opportunities in the future."

A Qiu smiled and said, "Your Highness's journey is precisely to contribute your strength to the peace of Dayan. Although the stage is different and more dangerous, we will all work together with Your Highness to do our best to protect the peace of Dayan."

Xie Tiao was filled with excitement. He gently grasped A Qiu's hand and then let go, unaware of Xiao Chang'an's complicated gaze behind him, and left the palace together with Gongyi Xiu.

At this moment, a deep and resonant bell rang out from the front hall, one sound after another, its echoes lingering for a long time.

An Daoling glanced at the front hall and said in an unquestionable tone, "The Marquis of Guannei has entered the hall."

This was the first time A Qiu had seen his sworn brother's demeanor in public. Li Chongyu, dressed in a plain white warrior's uniform embroidered with gold-threaded xiezhi (a mythical beast), exuded an air of grandeur and took his seat with an air of nonchalance, accompanied by Chu Mao and his son Chu Huaiming.

He concealed it very well, looking energetic and showing no signs of the injury he sustained the previous night.

Suddenly, drums and music began, and Emperor Xie Lang and Consort Li Lanxiu took their seats together.

Ah Qiu's heart sank noticeably.

To the left of Xie Lang's throne, where Gu Yi's seat should be, was already neatly arranged, with jade pots and wine cups, and everything else was there.

It was empty and deserted.

It is common knowledge that Gu Yisu does not participate in banquets and drinking parties; the last Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet was already an exception. However, as Crown Prince Xie Tiao said, this state banquet is of great importance and is different from usual.

Li Chongyu was someone he had personally invited to the capital, so how could he be absent at this crucial moment?

It should be noted that Gu Yi's presence at this moment is a guarantee of Li Chongyu's safety and all matters related to the alliance.

Of course, A Qiu wasn't the only one who noticed Gu Yi's absence.

While chatting and laughing, Li Chongyu also cast a sharp glance at the empty seat.

Xie Lang naturally understood and bowed to Li Chongyu, saying, "Lord Guannei, please don't worry. The Junior Tutor has some urgent business tonight and has temporarily left, but he should be back soon. After all, we have distinguished guests here, and he won't stay away forever."

Li Chongyu replied with a smile, "I have heard that the Junior Tutor never touches alcohol. I only wish that I may have the honor of sharing a drink with the Junior Tutor tonight. Your Majesty is too kind."

His laughter was hearty, and his demeanor was bold and magnanimous. At this moment, many people in the hall were captivated by his charm.

Suddenly, music arose outside the palace, and two rows of Hu women dressed in colorful clothes, with necklaces on their feet and flower crowns on their heads, walked in one after another. Leading them was Princess Wansui, whose beautiful eyes shone with a mysterious light.

She spread her arms like a butterfly, twirled lightly into the palace, and kowtowed before the emperor, saying, "We are the Kucha Music and Dance Troupe presented by the Marquis of Guannei, and we respectfully present the dance of our country's 'Heavenly Palace Music and Dance' to His Majesty Dayan."

Her magnetic voice had a unique exotic charm. As soon as she finished speaking, a wonderfully melodious sound of pipa and bili rang out, as if coming from the void, carrying a strange musicality and mysterious charm.

The dancers behind her dispersed, each flipping their palms like lotus blossoms, their arms and bodies moving in strange and graceful, supple as if boneless.

All the dance moves, rhythms, and sounds spread out, instantly drawing everyone in the hall who witnessed this wonder into a captivating paradise filled with blooming lotuses and exotic charm.

This was the first time that A Qiu had witnessed Princess Wansui's true mastery of dance and music.

Only the word "devout" can describe it.

Only those who dedicate their entire life and passion to the arts of dance and music, as if offering sacrifices to the gods, can possess such exquisite and breathtaking dance moves.

It is a path of dance and music that can lead mortals to the world of Buddha.

Last time at the post station, Princess Wansui lost to Shangguan Yuqi in a dance battle; what she lost was her spiritual realm and cultivation.

If we only consider the strength of his willpower and the tranquility of his mind, I'm afraid no one in the entire Southern Dynasty could surpass Shangguan Yuqi, the successor of the Gentleman's Sword who has reached the pinnacle of perfection.

Princess Wansui's Saha Dance couldn't withstand even one song under Shangguan Yuqi's ethereal sword intent.

Therefore, A Qiu greatly underestimated the strength of Princess Wansui's music and dance troupe.

In terms of Daoist intent, even A Qiu himself is probably no match for Shangguan Yuqi. Therefore, under Shangguan Yuqi's subtle and profound sword intent that always gave her the upper hand, Princess Wansui's Heavenly Palace Musicians' magic power could not actually be unleashed at half its potential.

Now, within the Hall of Gathering Immortals, there were no more distractions. Princess Wansui could finally freely and wholeheartedly expound her art of dance and music.

It was a series of almost spiritual changes and responses made through body posture.

With the Princess Wansui at the center of the lotus, all the dancers move from the inside out, their hands moving from clasped together to opening open.

Even A-Qiu, who was watching from the sidelines, could feel the spiritual power contained within the lotus formation.

The lotus flower that guides people through life is the smile of the Buddha, transcending all the boundless suffering in the human world.

Only a people with a profound understanding of suffering and who have not undergone a spiritual journey akin to metallurgy could create such heavenly music that carries a sense of transcendent compassion and a burning trial.

The sound of the bili (a type of reed pipe) rose again from silence.

The dancers, lined up in a row, presented a sculptural beauty of stillness imbued with dynamism under the flickering candlelight of the main hall.

It seems as if the flying apsaras in the ancient cave murals have come back to life and leisurely stepped into the human world.

The figures, playing the pipa, flute, drum, and plucked strings, were all vividly presented to the people in the hall.

Every geisha has empty hands and no musical instruments.

However, his immersive posture, movements, and expressions can transport the viewer to a realm of profound silence.

A melody without strings, a sound without sound.

At that moment, even the music in the stadium fell silent.

Everyone felt strongly that they were surrounded by the silent celestial sounds of the Buddhist realm, and the mysterious atmosphere around them seemed to be filled with subtle and awe-inspiring Dharma sounds.

At the very center stood the Princess, who seemed like a celestial maiden descending to earth. With golden rings adorning her arms and shimmering necklaces, she was as beautiful as a god. Her face, decorated with gold powder, shone with a holy radiance as she gracefully approached the emperor.

Ah Qiu suddenly understood why His Majesty had been so insistent on getting a chance to perform in the palace.

No man could refuse to step down from the altar and submit to a mortal goddess.

In this world of worldly snobbery and endless conflicts between nations, the Emperor is merely a wandering dancer with nowhere to go, desperately trying to curry favor with the powerful.

But in the spiritual world of the Way of Dance and Music, she is a celestial maiden, a symbol of the Buddha's compassion.

Her dance moves are her best weapon.

Those in the hall with slightly weaker willpower were already dazzled and bewildered, completely bewildered.

But this does not include A Qiu's sworn brother, Li Chongyu.

A Qiu could see very clearly that Li Chongyu remained sober from beginning to end, his sharp gaze never leaving Princess Wansui for a moment, yet he was never captivated by her charm.

He would even occasionally raise his glass and drink it all in one gulp.

Last night, A Qiu had already told Li Chongyu the true identity of Princess Wansui.

She is most likely Su Rouhua's daughter, that is, Li Chongyu's half-sister. But who her father is is naturally another secret known only to Su Rouhua.

He certainly understood why His Majesty was using all his skills at this moment.

Presumably, through the face of Wan Sui that resembled Su Rouhua, he clearly understood how Su Rouhua, as the patriarch and saintess of the Yinyue Clan, had navigated among the most powerful men of various tribes over the years.

Understanding all this undoubtedly meant profound pain for Li Chongyu, who valued relationships deeply.

A Qiu had mentioned to Li Chongyu at the time whether or not to prevent Princess Wansui from entering the palace to perform a dance.

She said, "The Kucha Music and Dance Troupe of Your Majesty was originally a tribute presented by you, brother. With just a word from you, she will no longer need to come to the palace to serve men with her beauty, and no one else will care about this matter."

Xie Lang wouldn't care at all. If he wanted, he would have sent this music and dance troupe to the palace long ago.

However, A Qiu made this suggestion for the sake of Li Chongyu's face.

No grown man could accept that his own sister would so openly beg for the mercy of a powerful man.