The song ended.
Chan Yuen-ting finally stopped dancing. She felt she had performed very well, probably twice as well as when she practiced at home.
She dares to say that her dance steps are the best in the world.
Therefore, when he stopped, his eyes held a slight hint of smugness as he looked at the fascinated expressions on everyone's faces, and he felt completely confident.
Her father was Chen Mo, a prince of a different surname in this dynasty, a descendant of a founding meritorious official. He inherited his father's title and became one of the few princes in this dynasty.
Chen Wanting looked at her father, but instead of seeing a satisfied expression on his face, he looked gloomy, as if he had not met his expectations.
Chen Wanting was puzzled, but she suppressed her smug expression and looked at the masters in the main seat.
This first glance was alarming; a second look was even more startling. The Empress Dowager, seated in the main seat, had a dark face, devoid of any joy. Her usually kind features now appeared somewhat frightening.
The Emperor, however, kept his eyes fixed on the Empress, not sparing her a single glance.
That focused gaze and gentle movements gave anyone goosebumps.
The Empress was the most normal of the group, but because Xiao Jin was pulling her sleeve, she couldn't sit upright and could only whisper something to the Emperor without giving him a second glance.
Chen Wanting then realized that her entire dance performance was for the old ministers.
Those old ministers who were old enough to be her grandfathers, let alone the emperor, even the empress dowager probably didn't pay much attention to them.
"Your Majesty, I wish you boundless happiness and longevity."
Helpless, Chen Wanting could only remind the Empress Dowager herself, hoping that she could put in a good word for her and, ideally, bypass the Emperor and Empress and bring her into the palace.
"Hmm, Wanting is charming and graceful. Her Guangling Dance is renowned throughout the land. She is a good girl, talented and lovely. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Hearing the Empress Dowager's praise, Chen Wanting unconsciously blushed with anticipation, and her eyes slowly rose from the bottom up, something she had specially trained herself to do.
This kind of look is common in brothels and theaters; it's subtle and gives people a sense of shy budding. Although Chen Wanting didn't know if the Emperor would fall for it, she did it anyway.
Xiao Jin had no choice but to answer the Empress Dowager's question, but his attitude was extremely perfunctory.
"As long as Mother is happy."
"If nothing else—"
Xiao Jin was already impatient to stay here. He could tell that his Xi'er was unwilling to get close to him in this situation, which made him feel unusually irritable.
He couldn't wait to drag her back to Fengyi Palace and give her a good kiss, to see if she would still dare to avoid him. This little girl was making his heart itch.
...
The Empress Dowager had not yet achieved her goal, so how could she let him leave? Thus, she interrupted his attempt to leave.
"I think the Emperor's harem is too empty, and the Empress is missing someone she can talk to. The Empress is pregnant, and the Emperor has not yet selected any concubines, so she is in need of someone to serve her."
"I hereby make the decision today. Lady Chen is beautiful and charming, with captivating dance skills. She shall move into Xianfu Palace, be made a concubine, and accompany Your Majesty. I believe Your Majesty will have no objection."
The Empress Dowager spoke at length without giving the Emperor a chance to interrupt her, and in the end, she didn't even bother to ask for his opinion before making the final decision.
But Xiao Jin wasn't a puppet. He hated it when people acted on their own initiative. The Empress Dowager hadn't even asked him; was she afraid he'd refuse?
"Mother!"
"I don't need any other women. If you insist on bringing Chen into the palace, then I will grant her the position of Li Peicong's concubine. That way, everyone will be happy."
As soon as Xiao Jin spoke, everyone gasped in shock, exchanging bewildered glances, no one daring to utter a sound.
The emperor's move was quite ruthless. Even palace maids of noble birth were unwilling to be paired with eunuchs, let alone the daughters of princes of different surnames, for it would be a great disgrace.
As expected, as soon as Xiao Jin finished speaking, the most fearful and nervous people were not the Empress Dowager, but the Chen family father and daughter.
Especially Chen Wanting, who originally wanted to become a concubine, but the Emperor made her marry a eunuch? Did he want to make her a laughingstock? Why humiliate her like this?
Chen Mo could no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb. He looked at Chen Wanting's suddenly pale face, stood up, and made one last attempt to fight for her.
"Your Majesty, my daughter has long admired you. She specially asked this old minister to bring her to this birthday banquet. I beg Your Majesty to grant my daughter's wish."
Chen Mo sneered, not wanting Chen Wanting to return empty-handed. Becoming an imperial concubine would bring enormous benefits to the family, and he was unwilling to give up such readily available gains.
"Hehehe, it seems Prince Chen is determined to send his daughter to the harem?"
Xiao Jin chuckled softly, his voice carrying a strong warning.
Unfortunately, Chen Mo was unaware of this and thought his persuasion had worked.
"Your Majesty, my daughter is deeply in love with you, and this old minister is truly heartbroken for her. I beg Your Majesty to grant this old minister's heartfelt wish to love his daughter."
After Chen Mo finished speaking, he knelt down to show Xiao Jin his determination. His kneeling also inspired Chen Wanting.
Chen Wanting also realized that this was the best opportunity, and perhaps the emperor would be persuaded by her father, so she also knelt down.
The Empress Dowager chimed in, saying she liked Chen Wanting, who reminded her of her younger self—willing to sacrifice her freedom for the sake of the family's interests. She thought Chen was quite admirable.
"Hahaha, very good, Your Majesty. It's rare to find someone so devoted. You may take her as a concubine."
Seeing that Xiao Jin had not spoken for a long time, the Empress Dowager assumed that he was concerned about the pregnant Song Shi. Since all men are lustful, and Xiao Jin was unwilling to speak, then she would speak.
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