Although the Empress Dowager understands, it doesn't mean they can be so undignified, unruly, and unrestrained, making a scene that makes them a laughingstock to the Hui people.
After being reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, Consort Lan immediately puffed out her chest and fell silent. The brightly dressed woman, naturally, also dared not utter another word.
Consort Ling glanced at the two reckless concubines and subtly curled the corners of her lips. Then, with a somber expression, she looked at the Emperor before her. It had been over a month since she had been confined to her quarters and had not seen the Emperor.
When she learned that she had been released today, she was still somewhat incredulous. But when she took her seat and saw Ziwei next to her, she wondered if the Emperor had missed them and started to consider their kinship.
The Empress glanced at her former rival, Consort Ling, who now looked at the Emperor with an infatuated expression. She felt only pity for Ling and no longer harbored any desire to compete with her for his affections.
She had to thank Princess Rui for this; it was the princess who broadened her horizons and showed her that she shouldn't be so fixated on romantic love. In this world, everything has something that makes her want to linger. Every scene is worth appreciating, and now that she has a son, living with him isn't so bad.
Anyway, she is the Empress. As long as she doesn't make any major mistakes, she will be the future Empress Dowager and Mother Empress. No one can surpass her. And as long as she is alive, Yongqi will naturally be safe and healthy.
In the past, she had pushed Yongqi too hard, not letting him fall behind in his studies or horsemanship, and always striving to be at the top. Now that she thinks about it, children love to play, which is their nature, and she was stifling his natural instincts.
Yongqi is a good child. The Princess is right; every child has their own unique characteristics. As long as he is safe and happy, that's all that matters. The Emperor is the supreme ruler, yet the daily memorials and morning court sessions cause him endless worry. He sleeps less than his concubines and cannot even spend his life with the one he loves.
So, is this supreme position really what Yongqi wants? We should also ask Yongqi what he wants. The Empress no longer has the desire to compete with the concubines for favor, and she has become elegant and virtuous, just like before, dealing with things calmly.
This empress seemed to remind the emperor of her former self. This stirred something within him, which is why he eagerly made his way to Kunning Palace.
Watching Hanxiang dance gracefully on the stage, Xiaoyanzi thought she danced wonderfully and imagined that such a person must be very gentle and different from Saiya back then.
Ziwei stared blankly at Hanxiang dancing gracefully on the stage, marveling that there was such a wonderful person in the world.
What Ziwei didn't know was that while she was intently watching Hanxiang on the stage, someone was desperately hiding in the shadows, secretly watching her.
An Ke paid no attention to the commotion among the concubines, her gaze now fixed firmly on the stage. After all, it was an authentic Western Region dance. Not to mention, Hanxiang was quite beautiful.
Although he had a cold expression, his good looks were undeniable. Anke is, after all, a sucker for good-looking people, so she naturally takes a second look at them.
She was looking at Hanxiang, but someone else was looking at her. Ertai, sitting at the next table, had his eyes practically glued to the princess. He didn't even blink, as if Hanxiang, who was dancing above him, didn't exist.
Ertai: Finally, we can openly watch the princess again. Who cares about watching this dance?
Qing'er was focused on the stage, just wanting to see how the Empress Dowager was doing, when she saw Ertai beside her, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at An Ke.
Looking again at the focused Anke, Qing'er thought the two were a perfect match and smiled slightly. Seeing that the Empress Dowager was alright, Qing'er also became engrossed in watching the dance on stage again.
Unbeknownst to Qing'er, while she was watching the dance, someone else was watching her too. If she could just turn her head, she would see that the boy's eyes held the same look as Ertai's. It was as if the vast world didn't exist, only she existed, and there was only room for her.
Although the Emperor had never seen such a dance before, he was only somewhat curious, not enough to arouse any romantic feelings in him. Especially when the secret guards relayed the message, the Emperor felt that the Hui people were trampling on his dignity and challenging his authority.
Why did Ali Khoja send his daughter, who had someone in her heart, into the palace? Was it to separate lovers? Ever since the incident with Anke, the emperor had come to believe that lovers should be together forever.
But then she remembered what Ali and Zhuo had said about that man named Meng Dan being unreliable. So why would Han Xiang have taken a liking to Meng Dan? Could it be that she has a problem with her eyes?
To be honest, he was truly stunned by Hanxiang's beauty, but the harem was never short of beautiful women. His harem was filled with beauties, gentle beauties, and dignified beauties—a veritable garden of flowers. Although he was amazed by her beauty, he did not lose his mind to the point of forcibly taking her away.
After a moment, Hanxiang finished her dance, paused briefly to catch her breath, and then respectfully performed a Hui Muslim salute.
"Hanxiang, come down and greet the Emperor with your father." Ali Khoja had great confidence in his daughter. After all, she was a treasure of the Hui people. She was born with a natural fragrance that could attract butterflies. He didn't believe that the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty could escape his daughter's charm.
A hint of reluctance flashed across Hanxiang's face, but she still stepped down in a proper manner. "Hanxiang greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
"Princess Hanxiang, you may rise," the Emperor said calmly, making a slight gesture with his hand.
This behavior surprised everyone in the harem, as they all knew how much the Emperor loved beautiful women. This also surprised An Ke, since in the drama, the Emperor stared intently at her, wishing he could immediately bring her into the harem.
Emperor: Hmph, superficial. How could I be so superficial? (Proudly raises head)
Hanxiang hadn't expected the legendary, amorous emperor to be so humble, not even glancing at her twice. Although this was what she had hoped for, seeing it unfold before her eyes left her feeling somewhat heavy-hearted. (She hadn't fallen in love at first sight with the emperor; she was simply used to those gazes that were instantly captivated and mesmerized upon first seeing her. Besides, she would eventually enter the emperor's harem anyway. This situation, however, put her in a rather precarious position.)
Ali Khoja was also surprised by the Qing Emperor's self-control. Could it be that his beautiful daughter couldn't catch the Qing Emperor's eye? No, even if she couldn't catch his eye at first, he believed that as long as the Emperor got to know his daughter better, he would develop feelings for her and fall deeply in love with her.
Thinking of this, Ali Khoja's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He then frankly said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Hanxiang is my most beloved daughter. Now I offer her to Your Majesty, hoping that Your Majesty will cherish and love her." These words were said to be sincere and earnest. He wanted to use his daughter as a link between the Hui people and the Qing Dynasty.
But this doesn't mean he doesn't love his daughter, nor does it mean she's a sacrifice for the sake of their friendship. He also wants to fight for his daughter's future.
"Princess Hanxiang is so young and beautiful, and I am not quite the right age for her." The Emperor still wants to see Ali Khoja. What should be done next?
The Emperor's words caught Ali Khoja completely off guard. Had Consort Han lost her charm? "Your Majesty, my daughter greatly admires the customs and culture of the Central Plains and is deeply impressed by Your Majesty's great deeds. Naturally, she doesn't care about the age difference." Ali Khoja's words were utterly hypocritical.
Hanxiang's face was numb, but her heart was bleeding. When had she ever admired this emperor? Clearly, her heart belonged only to Meng Dan. But now, she had no choice but to enter the palace, a truly tragic and lamentable situation.
Just like the butterfly she caught as a child, which was originally soaring high in the grassland, but was suddenly captured by her and kept in a gilded cage. No matter how exquisitely woven the cage was, it ultimately trapped it and broke its wings. Before long, the butterfly was on its last legs, lying at the bottom of the cage and dying.
Hanxiang felt that good and evil were rewarded accordingly. The butterfly from back then corresponded perfectly to her present self, and this palace was the golden cage she had given to the butterfly. There was no escape now; she could only spend the rest of her life in this magnificent palace. Hanxiang felt only sorrow.
“Then…then bestow upon her the title of Consort Xiang,” Ali Khoja insisted, even though the Emperor was gone and he no longer had the desire to engage in verbal sparring. “Grant her residence at Baoyue Tower.”
Ali Khoja was unaware of the hierarchical structure of the imperial harem; he only knew that his daughter had become the emperor's woman, and he was quite excited. He tugged at his daughter's arm and said excitedly, "Hanxiang, aren't you going to kowtow and thank the emperor?"
Hanxiang bowed stiffly to the Emperor like a puppet being manipulated. The Emperor merely waved his hand in annoyance, finding this clan-style bow somewhat irritating. "Now that Consort Xiang has entered the palace, she should properly learn the palace rules and etiquette."
Ali Hezhuo didn't think these were problems at all, and without even asking Hanxiang's opinion, he agreed on her behalf. Hanxiang felt extremely annoyed. Her last remaining thought was about the things belonging to her Hui people, and now this emperor wanted to erase even that last bit of hope from her heart?
But she was a "gift" presented by the Hui people to the Qing Dynasty, so what right did she have to say no?
An Ke was stunned, feeling that things were developing in a bizarre direction. Han Xiang wasn't the Fragrant Concubine anymore, but some kind of Noble Lady Xiang? This was too surreal! Her own uncle was actually offering to have her learn palace etiquette and manners?
It's important to know that Hanxiang values her Hui ethnic group's culture most. In the drama, she was so upset about being dressed in Qing Dynasty attire that she practically died. Even though she was dressed as a peasant girl during their escape, An Ke even criticized her for double standards.
But now, the Emperor's proactive approach has somewhat shocked An Ke. It seems the Emperor does possess some rationality after all; it's truly baffling why his IQ suddenly seemed to plummet in the drama.
Your Majesty: Of course I have to thank you, my dear niece. I see you hanging around me every day, and I'm becoming immune to beauty.
Anke: Is it my fault? But wasn't the princess's dance very good too?
Your Majesty: It wasn't as breathtaking as your sword dance back then.
When An'an had just started learning to dance, she performed a sword dance at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, winning thunderous applause. So it was a gift for the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor was still a little jealous.
So, upon learning of the Emperor's ulterior motives, An Ke immediately choreographed a different sword dance for the Emperor the following year. This finally appeased the jealous Emperor's uncle.
The concubines in the harem gritted their teeth, constantly tugging at their handkerchiefs, their eyes burning with fury. Especially Consort Ling, who had just been released from confinement, looked at the Emperor with a sorrowful expression and broken eyes.
The Empress smiled sarcastically. Indeed, she understood the Emperor best. A man as fond of beauty as the Emperor, especially one offered to him willingly, how could he not accept it?
She no longer wanted to dissuade the Emperor, nor did she want to incur his resentment. She only wanted to stay in Kunning Palace, protect her son, and live a peaceful life. Wasn't that better than a life of scheming and intrigue?
Empress: Lying down and doing nothing, it's so comfortable. I should have started sooner.
The concubines were helpless; after all, they couldn't step forward to dissuade the emperor right now. Firstly, they weren't qualified, and secondly, they feared the emperor would dislike them.
Looking at the Empress ahead, the concubines seemed to feel reassured and calmed down. It's alright, the Empress will handle everything. She loves the Emperor so much; she certainly won't let him be so confused.
When the Empress loses her favor, it will be a good time for them to have some free time.
Looking at the jealous women behind her, Anke could roughly guess what they were thinking. She just shook her head, knowing that what they hoped for would never happen.
Xiao Yanzi was quite indignant. She bent down and whispered in Ziwei's ear, "Ziwei didn't expect that this Hui princess would be even more shameless. She actually took a fancy to the Emperor?" At first, Xiao Yanzi thought that she was like Saiya, and that she would choose a husband from among the princes or the sons of high-ranking officials.
I really didn't expect her to have such a big appetite, actually setting her sights on the Emperor. Little Swallow thinks she's not even as good as Saiya back then.
Ziwei felt a pang of sadness, but not for the princess, nor for the princess herself; it was for her mother's sake. Every woman in the harem suffered terribly. If her mother had been brought into the palace back then, it was hard to imagine what kind of life she would lead now.
The saying "emperors are heartless" is not just a saying.
Ziwei glanced at Consort Ling with sympathy and sorrow, because Consort Ling had been implicated in their affair and imprisoned in Yanxi Palace for so long, and Ziwei felt full of guilt.
Just imagine how much pain Consort Ling must have felt when she saw the Emperor accept Princess Hanxiang. She had finally been released from confinement, only to have to watch her father entangle with another woman.
Ziwei couldn't help but feel sorry for Consort Ling, and echoed Xiaoyanzi's words, "Yes, it's just that the ladies in the palace are suffering, especially Consort Ling, who just finished her confinement and hasn't had time to cultivate a relationship with Father Emperor, when Princess Hanxiang suddenly appeared out of nowhere."
Xiao Yanzi then glanced in the direction of Consort Ling and Consort Yu, only to see that both of them had their brows furrowed. Xiao Yanzi felt her sense of loyalty surge up again.
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