Delicious food continued to be served to each table, and everyone enjoyed the fine wine and dishes to the fullest. After several rounds of drinks, their faces were flushed. Seeing that the Fourth Prince had drunk enough, Lady Nian smiled and approached him, saying, "Your Majesty, I have another gift to present..."
The Fourth Prince squinted and asked with a smile, "Does the Imperial Concubine have another gift to offer? What is it?"
Mr. Nian spread his hands, and the dancers who had been waiting outside slowly entered. Their graceful figures, faces veiled by light gauze, and bells tied to their hands and feet exuded a strong Western Regions charm, making them quite unique.
As the lively music began, everyone was captivated by the beautiful song and dance performance.
As the dance ended, the dancer showed no sign of leaving. With a hook of her fingers and a smile, she tried to pull a prince out of the crowd to dance with her.
Third Master had drunk the most and was already in a daze, unaware of what he was doing. Ninth Master's words had displeased him, so he simply took the dancer's hand and stood up to sway with her.
Third Master's actions raised the atmosphere of the banquet to a new high, and everyone applauded and cheered. Even Fourth Master couldn't help but laugh.
"Your Majesty, are you satisfied with this gift from your concubine?" Lady Nian gave the Fourth Prince a flirtatious wink.
"The Imperial Concubine's gift is quite unique, I am very surprised... I'm used to seeing the dancers in the palace, it's nice to change things up once in a while..." the Fourth Prince said with a smile, habitually reaching out to place the grapes on his table onto the Lanqin table to the side, seemingly unaware of the look in Lady Nian's eyes.
Lanqin watched the dance with great interest. It was a rare opportunity to see authentic Western Region song and dance. Lanqin suddenly remembered the belly dance she had learned before and thought that she would learn it one day. Perhaps she could dance as well as these dancers.
After finishing his dance, Third Master staggered back to his seat, but Eighth Master raised his wine cup and toasted him from afar, saying with a smile, "Third Brother, I toast you. I am not even half as good as Third Brother in terms of talent..."
Ninth Master also laughed and said, "The fact that the dancer chose Third Brother shows that Third Brother is extraordinary..."
Several princes who were nearby overheard their conversation and chuckled to themselves.
The Third Prince, however, laughed heartily, "If His Majesty is happy today, I am happy too. Today I have enjoyed beautiful scenery, tasted fine wine, and finally seen a beautiful woman. I am delighted!"
Eighth Prince laughed and said, "Third Brother is so good with words. The Emperor is happy because of Third Brother. Doesn't Third Brother know that himself? I admire Third Brother very much for being able to sacrifice himself for the Qing Dynasty."
Third Master was taken aback, realizing that Eighth Master was mocking him for being willing to sacrifice his daughter for personal gain. Third Master glanced at Fourth Master and said, "We are both subjects of the Qing Dynasty; serving the Qing is our duty..."
Eighth Master nodded, remained silent, and drank the wine in his hand. Third Master, not to be outdone, also downed his drink.
Lanqin noticed the conversation between the Third Master and the Eighth Master, so she stopped singing and dancing and turned to look at the Fourth Master.
Fourth Master acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to enjoy the song and dance performances and chat and laugh with Madam Nian.
Despite this, Lanqin was not angry. The actions of the Nian family had already displeased the Fourth Master, and it was only a matter of time before the Nian family was dealt with.
Therefore, when Lanqin saw that Nian was still trying to curry favor with the Fourth Prince, she felt a little mocked for her, but was also glad that she hadn't dressed up as Nian. Otherwise, she really wouldn't know how her relationship with the Fourth Prince would end.
(Wishing everyone a prosperous Year of the Dog! Thank you to everyone who has been following this story...)
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