Chapter 226 Wang Miaoyin and Zhanfu Jun Perform Dance
A bright and enthusiastic smile immediately spread across her face, and she called out in a loud voice, "Alright, alright! It was just a little mishap, and the food and wine are getting cold! Distinguished guests, please take your seats quickly, and make sure you enjoy yourselves to the fullest today!"
Seeing the host's attitude, everyone laughed and echoed, and the atmosphere became lively again.
Under the winding corridor on the other side of the garden, Lady Zhan and Marquis Anguo, along with Lady Zhanfu, witnessed the scene of Xiao Yeming protecting Lu Zhaoruo and confronting the Imperial Uncle.
Lady Zhan frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "This young master of the Xiao family is showing off his sharpness so much for a merchant's daughter. It's a bit too flamboyant."
Marquis Anguo stroked his beard and pondered, "The young man from the Xiao family has guts. However, such recklessness is probably not a wise strategy."
Zhanfujun paid no attention to her parents' evaluation of Xiao Yeming. Her gaze swept across the crowd, unconsciously following Lu Bohong's figure.
Seeing that he was also looking over from afar, their eyes met, and out of courtesy, Lu Bohong nodded slightly and politely looked away.
A warm feeling welled up in Zhanfu's heart.
At this moment, a maid from the Xiao household came over and gently reminded them to go to the side hall to prepare for the performance later.
The banquet was held in an open pavilion overlooking the water. Madam Xiao was cheerful and did not adhere to rigid formalities. She did not strictly separate the seats for men and women, but arranged the seating according to the closeness of the family and seniority. The atmosphere was more harmonious and warm.
The sounds of string and bamboo instruments rise, with the clear and melodious sounds of the guqin and pipa flowing through the garden.
As the music subsided, Wang Miaoyin, dressed in a flowing, water-sleeved dance costume, gracefully entered the arena and gave a gentle bow.
Although her appearance was only above average, her figure was graceful and her dance was truly exquisite. As her water sleeves fluttered, she was like a willow swaying in the breeze, drawing murmurs of praise from the audience.
Madam He's face was full of pride as she introduced her daughter to the ladies on either side: "My daughter is not very talented; she just enjoys this hobby and knows only the basics."
A lady who was familiar with Madam He smiled and chimed in, "With such beauty, talent and character, Miss Wang is sure to have a bright future. Sooner or later, she will be taken into General Xiao's household as a concubine, which would be a perfect match for her."
As Wang Miaoyin danced, her eyes sparkled, her gaze lingering tenderly on Xiao Yeming.
However, Xiao Yeming seemed not to notice, his gaze remaining fixed on Lu Zhaoruo, who was talking quietly with Princess Yongfu across the room.
Seeing the faint smile on her lips, a hint of gentleness unconsciously softened his usually cold and stern expression.
Wang Miaoyin witnessed all of this, her heart aching with sorrow. She almost lost her footing while spinning, but managed to regain her balance in time. However, her dance was tinged with reluctance and melancholy.
The dance is over.
She was slightly out of breath, her face flushed, which added to her delicate charm.
She bowed gracefully, her gaze still lingering affectionately in Xiao Yeming's direction.
A chorus of polite exclamations immediately filled the room.
At this moment, Madam Xiao, sitting at the head of the table, smiled broadly and praised the Duchess of Di beside her in a particularly loud voice: "Duchess, look at this child, isn't she quite good at dancing? This is my sister's granddaughter, named Miaoyin. She is very well-behaved and sensible, with a pure and kind heart, and is very considerate!"
Lady Di, being such a remarkable person, simply smiled and nodded, politely replying, "Madam is truly blessed; your grandniece is indeed exceptionally talented."
He said no more.
She still thought Lady Lu was very good.
Just as Madam Xiao was about to offer a few more words of praise, the music suddenly changed!
The stirring drumbeats began without warning, striking the heart like a sudden downpour.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that a huge red lacquered and carved drum had been set up in the center of the courtyard.
Dressed in a fiery red dance costume, Zhanfu stood at the center of the drum, her posture as upright as bamboo.
As the drumbeats quickened, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and danced gracefully on the drum surface to the rhythm.
With each leap and bound, a deep, resonant drumbeat resounded from beneath their feet, perfectly harmonizing with the band's accompaniment.
The flowing sleeves fluttered like burning flames, and the graceful dance moves and the resounding drumbeats blended seamlessly, combining strength and gentleness, creating a magnificent spectacle!
The entire audience fell silent, captivated by the unique and incredibly powerful dance.
Lu Bohong was completely absorbed in watching, his eyes fixed on the dazzling figure on the drum.
He had never seen such a dashing and spirited side of Zhanfu, and his heart was stirred with emotion that he could hardly contain himself.
Lu Zhaoruo nodded slightly, her eyes revealing appreciation.
She could tell that this dance not only required extremely high skills, but also strong control and expressiveness, which was far beyond the reach of ordinary young ladies.
The Prince of Yan, seated in the main seat, calmly glanced at the crimson figure on the drum.
No matter how amazing Zhanfu's dance moves were, to him they were nothing more than a boring circus act.
His mind wasn't on the dance at all.
This marriage to Zhan Lanyang was a thorn in his side.
That woman, who was arrogant but lacked the corresponding intelligence, would not have been worthy of the position of principal wife if it weren't for the insignificant "favor" her mother, Lady Zhan, had shown to his mother back then.
His mother, being soft-hearted and keeping her promises, agreed to this marriage that was not a good match for him, but for him, it was a huge burden.
At this moment, seeing the smug expressions on the faces of Marquis Anguo and his wife because of the dancing skills of a concubine's daughter, Prince Yan sneered inwardly.
This is indeed the behavior of a lowly family. Even the legitimate daughter behaves like this, yet they allow the illegitimate daughter to perform before the emperor. It is truly degrading to their own status and utterly absurd.
Lady Zhan covered her mouth with her fan and whispered to the lady beside her, "My daughter practices dancing haphazardly and is hardly fit for a refined occasion. I apologize for making you all laugh."
As the dance ended, Zhanfujun settled into a pose at the center of the drum, her breath steady and without the slightest sign of panting.
The entire venue was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers!
This dance, combining strength and grace, truly deserves the title of "stunning".
However, Zhanfujun's gaze fell on Lu Bohong behind her.
Wang Miaoyin, who had just changed into her casual clothes and taken her seat, happened to witness this scene.
Seeing that all the praise that had just belonged to her was now being poured on Zhanfujun, and that the praise was far more overwhelming than her own, her eyes reddened, and she twisted her fingers.
but.
Fortunately, it wasn't Lu Zhaoruo!
At this moment, the emperor's brother-in-law suddenly clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice overwhelming everyone: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Lady Zhan's dance is a perfect blend of strength and gentleness, truly an eye-opener!"
He changed the subject, his gaze shifting to Lu Zhaoruo sitting beside Princess Yongfu with a half-smile, and said, "However, if we're talking about the ultimate balance of strength and gentleness, I doubt anyone here can surpass Lady Lu. Lady Lu faced danger in Jizhou without fear, helping the army fight the Japanese pirates—that's great strength; now, she's received the Emperor's personal favor and is living peacefully in the capital—that's great gentleness. As for insight and courage, who here can compare to Lady Lu? Lady Lu, don't you agree?"
"Today's feast is a grand occasion. I wonder if Madam Lu would be so kind as to grace us with her presence and broaden our horizons? I'm sure she wouldn't refuse."
In an instant, all eyes were focused on Lu Zhaoruo.
The people at the table had different thoughts, most of them speculating: She was a woman from a merchant family, known for her fierceness. Even if she could dance, it was probably some vulgar skill that was not presentable. How could it compare to the dance skills that the two young ladies, Zhan and Wang, had carefully cultivated? Even if they were evenly matched, there was nothing new about it.
Xiao Yeming's face darkened, and he was about to speak on her behalf to refuse, but Lu Zhaoruo had already calmly stood up.
Her expression remained calm and composed. She nodded slightly in the direction of the Imperial Brother-in-law, her voice clear and melodious: "Imperial Brother-in-law, you flatter me. My humble contribution is truly unworthy of such praise. However, I dare not refuse the order of an elder. Since I am honored by your kindness, I, Zhaoruo, will humbly perform a self-defense spear technique that I recently learned from Madam Xiao, to entertain you all."
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