Chapter 52: Stunning Dance
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is already the day of Chinese Valentine's Day.
Although the Queen had said before that this year's Qixi Festival would be relatively simple, some necessary procedures were still necessary, and the ladies and princes from all the palaces gathered together.
For a moment, there was singing and dancing, and everyone was watching the performance enthusiastically. Fu Cha, who was sitting at the bottom, unconsciously glanced in the opposite direction, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
“Sister Shen, there are many people at the banquet today, so you have to be careful in all aspects.”
"Yes, Sister Mei, your body is the most delicate right now, and you can't make any mistakes."
"I know. Thank you sisters for thinking of me. You two have been nagging me all day long since I became pregnant. If you didn't know, you would think I was pregnant with a baby."
Shen Meizhuang smiled as he looked at the people walking on both sides of him, feeling warm in his heart.
"We're not doing this for you. I've been thinking about the baby in your belly for a long time. And you, Sister Wan, when you get pregnant, I'll treat you the same way. I won't let you think I'm partial."
While talking to Shen Meizhuang, Nian Shilan did not forget to tease Zhen Huan.
But for her, these words came from the heart. She knew that she was not destined to have children in this life, but this did not affect her love for children. In this case, why not raise her good sister's children as her own children.
"Okay, okay, it's a blessing for our child to be favored by Concubine Hua. From now on, she will be able to live more freely."
The few of them chatted and laughed all the way to the main hall.
Not long after, with the arrival of the emperor and the queen, the banquet officially began.
"Old Seventeen, it's so rare for him to appear at banquets like this, and now I don't know where he's gone to be."
The emperor looked at the empty seat below and smiled.
"Your Majesty, you also know Brother Seventeen's temper. What he fears most is being asked to sit in one place for such a long time. This is more uncomfortable than asking him to die."
Shen Beile Yunxi responded to the emperor's questions very naturally.
"Lady Shen is almost two months pregnant now, but she doesn't seem to be showing any signs of pregnancy yet."
Concubine Qi looked at the cakes and tea that the emperor had specially prepared for Shen Meiyu, and she didn't know what she was thinking. She spoke with a smile on her face.
"Replying to Her Majesty, Concubine Qi, it has been two months. My appetite has not been very good these days. I may have eaten less food, and I still can't see the body."
"Noble Lady Shen is indeed a blessed person. She has only been in the palace for a short time, but she is not only very much favored by the Emperor, but now she even has children."
"What are you talking about, Concubine Qi? People who don't know would think you're jealous. If I remember correctly, you're already the mother of a prince. How can you still be so petty?"
Nian Shilan couldn't stand Concubine Qi's sarcastic tone. Now Shen Meizhuang was the treasure among her sisters, so she wouldn't allow anyone to say a word.
"Concubine Hua really loves and cares for Concubine Shen. If someone didn't know, they would think you were sisters."
"Of course. Concubine Shen is pregnant with the prince, and the Empress is very busy. The Emperor has agreed to let me take good care of Concubine Shen, so I will naturally do my best. Concubine Qi, do you have any objections to the Emperor's arrangements?"
Nian Shilan looked at Concubine Qi arrogantly. Don't think she didn't know that this brainless girl must have been instigated by the Queen behind the scenes and became the Queen's scapegoat.
"Well, today is a festive day, Concubine Qi, if you don't want to stay here, I will allow you to return to the palace."
The emperor listened to their discussions and reprimanded Concubine Qi impatiently.
"Concubine Hua is really becoming more and more sensible. I am relieved to have you helping the Queen in the harem."
The emperor felt more and more that Nian Shilan had changed a lot. In the past, if any concubine in the palace became pregnant, she would definitely make a fuss. But now she was able to manage the affairs of the harem so virtuously for him. She was indeed his beloved concubine whom he had doted on for many years.
Fu Cha, who was sitting not far away, had pinched her palms so hard that they turned red.
Obviously, she was also the one holding the dragon child, and obviously she was pregnant before Chen Meizhuang, but now everyone present seemed to have forgotten her existence, and everyone wanted to focus their attention on Chen Meizhuang.
Why?
"Your Majesty, it's a rare occasion for all of us sisters to gather together today. If we were to just watch these ordinary performances, it would be a bit too dull. I have an idea. I wonder if Your Majesty would allow me to make a suggestion?"
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"Since all the sisters have received the Emperor's favor, they must all have their own unique skills. How about we put all the sisters' names together and draw lots? Whoever's name is chosen will have that person present their skills to everyone. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea, Your Majesty. I think it's quite feasible."
After Fucha finished speaking, the queen immediately affirmed her statement and made a proposal to the emperor.
"Okay, let's do as the Queen says."
"Oh my, we are truly blessed this time. I've heard that the ladies in the palace are incredibly powerful, and today is truly an eye-opener."
"Yeah yeah."
Listening to the discussions of the crowd, Fucha showed a satisfied smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, I am not feeling well right now. Why don't you let me do these trivial things and prepare for my sisters?"
"That's fine, but you, the one who came up with this idea, can't hide away. I'll remember that when you feel better, you can't slack off anymore."
Perhaps because it is a holiday today, the emperor seems to be particularly easy to talk to.
"Of course, I will not let Your Majesty down."
After saying this, Fucha went to prepare the necessary things.
After a while, she took out a suitable box and put everyone's name in it in front of everyone.
"How about, Her Majesty the Queen come and draw it."
"You are pregnant, so you can draw the lottery on my behalf. I also want to share in your good luck."
"Thank you, Queen, for your grace."
Fucha randomly pulled out a piece of paper from the box.
"An Changzai."
"I'm really lucky. The first one I drew was An Changzai, who has a wonderful voice."
An Lingrong was very graceful today. After learning that her name was picked out, she did not show any panic at all. She walked forward gracefully and saluted the emperor.
"Your Majesty, this is the only voice I have left to perform in front of all the sisters."
"Okay, I just like listening to your singing."
After getting the answer, An Lingrong thought for a moment, and a pleasant singing voice spread in all directions with her as the center.
The oriole-like beautiful voice made everyone intoxicated, and after the song was over, everyone seemed to be still reluctant to leave.
"Good, good, An Changzai is indeed my sweetheart. This song makes all my tiredness disappear without a trace."
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."
After An Lingrong returned to her seat, Fucha continued to draw lots for the next time. Just as she reached into the box to take the slip of paper, a thin piece of paper from the cufflinks secretly fell into her hand with her movement.
"This time it's Lady Wan."
Nian Shilan and Zhen Huan looked at each other.
Sure enough, this round was aimed at her.
"Lady Wan, I've heard that your dancing is truly remarkable. I wonder if I'll have the honor of witnessing your stunning dance?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene became unusually quiet.
Stunning dance?
This was the dance that the late queen performed that amazed everyone back then.
"Noble Lady Wan is so young, it is impossible for her to dance with the same grace as the late queen."
"Let's see how she rescues herself this time."
Zhen Huan could hear clearly everyone's whispers.
The emperor was silent for a long time, and I don’t know if it was because he was thinking of his deceased old friend.
Shen Meizhuang glanced at Zhen Huan worriedly and was about to plead for her.
"Your Majesty, my dancing skills cannot rival those of my sisters. If Your Majesty does not mind, I would like to perform a dance for you all."
"But, it has been a while since anyone in the palace has performed the Jinghong Dance. Lady Wan, you don't have to worry about it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Please wait a moment. I will go change my clothes immediately."
After saying that, Zhen Huan stood up and left. Fortunately, Concubine Hua reminded her beforehand and asked Jin Xi to accompany her today. Perhaps it was just for this moment.
As an elder in the palace, Jinxi naturally has a certain understanding of Queen Chunyuan, and can also dress herself to look more like Queen Chunyuan.
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