Chapter 467 Dancing Girl
After all, he was meeting with the envoys from Daliang. It would be bad if he came out with a sick face and damaged the reputation of Dasheng.
Lin Zhiqing's gaze did not linger on the emperor for long, she looked at the queen beside her.
This queen was different from the dignified and elegant one Lin Zhiqing had imagined. She looked very young, not much older than himself.
If Concubine Rong is a mature woman with great charm, then the Queen is a bit like a young girl who secretly wears adult clothes, too immature.
Lu Huai had said before that this queen was the successor queen and her life was not easy.
No wonder there is always a hint of sadness in her eyes, Lin Zhiqing pursed her lips.
The emperor and the former empress were deeply in love, and he married the second empress to shut up the court.
This empress dowager is the only daughter of a deceased duke. Her family has long since fallen apart and she poses no threat to the crown prince born to the late empress.
This was also an important reason why the emperor chose her.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but sigh.
It's such a pity that such a young girl is trapped in the deep palace.
Lin Zhiqing sighed slightly and looked at the prince not far away.
To be honest, the first time Lin Zhiqing saw the prince, he felt that the prince's majesty was even greater than that of the emperor.
He had regular features and deep eyes and brows, so even Lin Zhiqing couldn't make out much.
If you have to say, he is indeed a very standard heir to the throne.
As soon as this thought came into Lin Zhiqing's mind, he saw the prince tilt his head slightly.
She quickly looked away, but out of the corner of her eye she still caught a glimpse of the prince looking in her direction.
So sharp?
Lin Zhiqing picked up a piece of cake and handed it to Lin Yangyang to hide his previous look.
She was a little surprised because when she was observing others, she used some techniques to make sure that others would not notice.
But the prince was able to perceive it, which shows that he is extremely perceptive.
I was careless... Lin Zhiqing felt the prince's gaze lingering on him for a long time, and raised his head slightly.
If she didn't look up, it would be too deliberate.
Then her eyes met the prince's.
Lin Zhiqing opened his mouth slightly, pretending to be surprised, and then smiled awkwardly.
In her imagination, seeing her acting so pretentiously, the prince would mercilessly turn his gaze away from her face.
This is indeed the case.
Lin Zhiqing breathed a sigh of relief.
She raised her eyes and looked at a young man sitting not far from the prince.
The young man was wearing Daliang clothing and looked very thin.
If someone talks to him, he always greets them with a smile.
But as he spoke, his chin was slightly raised, his fingers were tapping rhythmically on the table, and he yawned from time to time.
This attitude doesn't seem like he's here to pay homage to the emperor, but rather to cause trouble.
Lin Zhiqing frowned slightly.
The collusion between Daliang and the Marquis of Zhenyuan's Mansion has been reported to the emperor, but the people of Daliang don't feel guilty at all?
She frowned and thought, feeling that there was something wrong with today's palace banquet.
But she couldn't think of what the problem was for a moment, so she looked around casually and then looked away.
After three rounds of wine, the sound of camel bells suddenly rang out in the hall.
Afterwards, several dancers in lightly dressed danced to the beat of the rhythm.
Their skirts were embellished with gems, and when they spun they looked like blooming peonies, and the golden flowers on their heads were dazzling.
"This Daliang person is really shameless. He came up dressed like this."
"Why would you bother with a bunch of low-class people? Look at their coquettish looks. They are nothing but scoundrels."
"Yes, we are a simple and honest people in Dasheng. Why would we bother with a bunch of barbarians?"
…
Listening to the discussion of the women around him, Lin Zhiqing frowned slightly.
Some people in Daliang are indeed hateful, but not everyone can choose how to live.
Especially women.
Even in Daliang, a country with open-minded customs, these dancers are nothing more than puppets in the hands of those in power.
Everyone's situation is similar, and no one can be said to be nobler than anyone else.
Lin Zhiqing had no intention of joining in the discussion and looked at Lu Huai.
Lu Huai was talking to Lin Shi'an beside him. His eyes did not fall on the dancer at all, nor did he notice Lin Zhiqing's gaze.
Lin Zhiqing curled the corners of his lips, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Eunuch Wang, who was serving beside the emperor, move to the side of the prince and whisper in his ear.
The prince's expression changed slightly.
Lu Nanyue, who was sitting next to him, whispered, "Perhaps the emperor is not feeling well."
Sure enough, a moment later, the Emperor left the table with the Empress's support. The Crown Prince stood up and reassured everyone, "Father still has important matters to attend to. Please continue your feast."
The people below didn't react much. It was obvious that this kind of situation had often happened in previous banquets and everyone was used to it.
Lin Zhiqing frowned, his eyes following the emperor's departing back.
His steps were unsteady and his breathing was a little rapid. He really looked like someone who had been bedridden for a long time.
The queen always supported the emperor, with no special expression on her face.
"Xiao Qing'er, what are you looking at?" Lu Nanyue pulled Lin Zhiqing's sleeve.
Lin Zhiqing shook his head: "Nothing."
She always felt something was strange, but...
"Your Highness, our Daliang is sincere. Your Dasheng has a vast territory. Shouldn't you show more sincerity?" The Daliang envoy stood up and spoke to the prince.
There was not much respect in the tone, and many ministers frowned when they heard it.
The prince's expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What do you mean?"
The envoy smiled:
"I used to hear that the women of Dasheng were every bit as capable as men, but now I see that they are all just wooden beauties, so boring."
As soon as these words were spoken, the women began to whisper to each other, not daring to discuss loudly.
Seeing this, the envoy smiled meaningfully:
"I have brought the best dancers from Daliang with me this time. Your Highness, please let the ladies from Dasheng perform as well."
"I'm already tired of your dancers."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed.
This envoy compared the noble ladies of Dasheng to dancers, which clearly showed his contempt for the women of Dasheng and its practices.
The Chief Censor was the first to speak out: "How can this be? Your country calls itself a great power, yet you embarrass a woman in Dasheng. Do you have any gentlemanly conduct?"
The Daliang envoy replied calmly:
"This gentleman is being too serious. He just wanted to admire the beauty of the noble lady of Dasheng. How can that make him ungentlemanly?"
"Are you afraid? Afraid of losing to the dancer and losing face?"
"Your Excellency has too little confidence in the women of Dasheng."
His tone was full of disparagement and contempt.
Lin Zhiqing turned to look at the seats for the women and found that the women around him were all glaring at him, but did not dare to stand up and speak.
She slowly stood up, but before she could fully stand, a soft and charming voice rang out.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Everyone's eyes were on Concubine Rong.
Rongpin smiled sweetly: "Since the Daliang envoy is interested, I have someone to recommend."
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