When the contemporary magistrate revealed the nameplate of the Duke of Changguo's mansion, the maids of the lakeside boat immediately led the three of them respectfully up to the third floor.
The waiter at the lakeside pavilion served tea and snacks, and the leftover flower cake and balsam pastry were also placed on the table.
Not long after they entered the private room, the number of people on the lakeside boat gradually increased.
When the seats were almost full, a middle-aged man, dressed in a dark green copper coin-patterned robe and wearing a crown, appeared on the boat. He looked to be about thirty or forty years old.
He bowed slightly as he walked to the center of the stage, smiled and waved to the audience, and said, "The June sun is blazing, and it is the season when all flowers are in full bloom. Today, the Lakeside Pavilion has specially invited foreign dancers to perform. I would like to thank you all for coming to support us."
With that, he bowed to the audience again and continued, "Without further ado, please enjoy the show."
As the host left the stage, the sound of traditional bamboo instruments drifted from the boat.
It started softly, but became clearer and clearer. Su Wanyan looked down through the curtain and saw two rows of dancers holding pipa and wearing light blue gauze, floating onto the stage from both sides of the cabin.
The pipa held by the dancers in front was just a prop; the musicians were the ones who came out later.
The musicians were positioned at the four corners of the circular stage, while the dancers danced gracefully in the center of the stage to the music, their movements synchronized and highly entertaining.
only……
"Where are the blondes and blue-eyed people? There aren't any." Su Wanyan looked left and right but couldn't see any.
Xu Yixuan explained with a smile, "It's rare to see foreign dancers. They're probably the grand finale. Let's wait and see."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion erupted downstairs.
Afraid of missing out on something exciting, Su Wanyan quickly looked up in the direction of everyone's gaze, and immediately let out a "whoosh."
Suddenly, a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in exotic colorful clothes, appeared on the third floor and slid down a silk ribbon.
Besides being surprised, three words popped into Su Wanyan's head: foreigner!
He had a distinctly European face, blond hair and blue eyes, but...
His face was covered.
Before the foreign dancer even landed, she struck a graceful and beautiful pose in the air. The silk ribbons hanging from her body continued to swirl around the ship, making her appear as if she were flying through the air.
"How strange indeed." Dai Zhiwan hurriedly said, "Your Highness, shall we lift the curtain?"
Although the bamboo curtain allows you to see outside, it still creates a barrier.
It wasn't anything shameful, Su Wanyan nodded excitedly: "Open it, open it."
Once the two had made up their minds, four little hands eagerly pulled on the same rope, and in no time the curtain was opened.
Just then, as the curtain was opened, the figure of the foreign dancer suddenly appeared before them.
Her colorful clothes were gorgeous, her shoulders were fair and delicate, and her bewitching eyes seemed to be able to captivate people's souls as she flitted past the three of them.
And by sheer coincidence, the foreign dancer's eyes met Su Wanyan's.
Her emerald-green pupils were like gemstones. The moment she saw Su Wanyan, a smile suddenly appeared in her eyes, as if she had become interested and was deliberately exchanging glances with her guest.
Su Wanyan was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, the gorgeous figure floated past.
"Wow—" As expected of foreigners, they are more enthusiastic and outgoing than the locals.
Su Wanyan sighed again, and couldn't help but stick her head out with Dai Zhiwan, her eyes following the figure of the foreign dancer.
However, as soon as his head was sticking out, his face darkened.
As luck would have it, their eyes met those of the people in the next room.
Qin Shushen, daughter of the Censor-in-Chief.
The woman who used to be friends with Su Muqing.
It seems he was out having fun with friends.
What luck to run into her here.
Clearly, Qin Shushen also saw her, and her smile, like Su Wanyan's, froze on her face.
Qin Shushen glared at Su Wanyan and then shrank back.
Ha, just shrink back, you'd better just shrink back to the Censorate.
Fortunately, the three rooms were far apart, so they wouldn't affect Su Wanyan's mood too much.
"Whoosh—" Another uproar erupted.
Su Wanyan hurriedly looked towards the stage, where she saw the dancer lightly touch the stage with her toes, wave her hands, and let the silk from her waist scatter in all directions before leaping up with her enchanting dance.
Suddenly, gold leaf fell from the boat, making the dancer's figure stand out against the backdrop of the other dancers, like a celestial maiden descending to earth, eliciting sighs of admiration from the audience.
"Okay!" Suddenly, a cheerful female voice echoed across the ship.
Downstairs in a private room, there was a woman dressed in men's clothing, with her hair in a ponytail and a delicate short knife at her waist. Her face was beautiful and otherworldly.
With admiration in her eyes, she shouted "Bravo!" every time the dancer on stage made a splash, her voice clear and melodious, showing her great support.
Su Wanyan asked curiously, "Who is that?"
Dai Zhiwan followed Su Wanyan's gaze and shook her head: "I don't know her, I've never seen her before."
Xu Yixuan also peeked out, but upon seeing that she didn't recognize him either, she said, "Judging from his attire, he doesn't seem to be from the capital."
Women in the capital city never wore men's clothing.
What an flamboyant person, it's really unusual.
Su Wanyan was cautious.
On the other side, the imperial palace.
The morning court session ended early, and Yu Nanqing walked out of the Golden Palace before noon.
As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Yu Nanqing asked Tian Zhong, "Is the Lakeside Boat trip over?"
Tanaka bowed and said, "Your Highness, Xiao Bu has not sent anyone to report, so it must not be over yet."
Yu Nanqing was delighted; he figured it was still not too late for him to go there now.
Thinking about it, he quickened his pace.
However, after taking only a few steps, he began to hesitate again. What if he went and spoiled the mood for the three women?
Otherwise, would he go secretly?
But how should he explain if Yan'er asks?
Why not say that you're going to the lakeside boat to pick her up and take her back to the mansion?
...But what if they invite each other to lunch after they've finished boating on the lake?
Yu Nanqing pondered the matter deeply, finding it very difficult, and even slowed down his steps as he left the palace.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Pei! Don't forget to treat this old man to a drink later!" A minister's flattering voice suddenly came from ahead.
When Yu Nanqing came back to his senses, the person he was congratulated on was the Minister of Revenue, who had just been promoted a few days earlier. The original Minister of Revenue had been killed on the spot by Yu Nanqing at the hunting grounds.
The Ministry of Revenue was originally vacant, and it was to be temporarily filled by someone from the Cabinet. Coincidentally, the person temporarily filling the vacancy was Su Shiyan.
However, Su Shiyan already held an important position, and the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion also had military power, so Emperor Yuanhe would naturally not let him take over the Ministry of Revenue.
This Minister Pei was originally the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. The position of Minister of Revenue could not be left vacant for too long. After careful consideration, Emperor Yuanhe decided to select someone from within the Ministry of Revenue to fill the vacancy first.
"Lord Pei." Yu Nanqing's voice rang out from behind the two of them, startling them instantly.
He quickly bowed respectfully: "Your Highness..."
Pei Jun, the Minister of Revenue, was about thirty-five years old. He had a small goatee on his chin and looked very honest and simple.
However, among those immersed in officialdom, how many are truly honest?
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