Chapter 293: Qu Yi Yan
Xiao Jingheng was fond of elegant things. After hearing the governor's proposal, he laughed and said:
"Mr. Chen, this is a very good idea."
He subconsciously looked at Song Zhao, wanting him to accompany her to appreciate the night view of West Lake, but Song Zhao said, "Your Majesty, I am pregnant and have been traveling for two days. I am really tired. If I want to go with you, I am afraid it will spoil your interest."
Xiao Jingheng said, "Then my beloved concubine, please take a good rest. Besides, Tong Changzai has been in the palace for a year and has not seen her family. Now that you are in Lin'an, I will allow you to stay at your mother's home for one night to comfort your family."
Tong Chishan and Rong Yue thanked him in unison, and then heard Xiao Jingheng say in embarrassment:
"As for the concubines who were accompanying us on the boat on the lake..."
As soon as Concubine Ying heard the sound, she instantly straightened her back and smiled, as if she was determined to win.
Concubine Yao half covered her face with a jade fan. She no longer dreamed of any favor. She just hoped that the banquet would end soon so that she could go back and rest, and not embarrass herself in front of everyone.
However, Xiao Jingheng's decision was beyond their expectations.
"Then let Concubine Yao serve you."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yao was both delighted and terrified. At this moment, everyone's eyes were on her.
She even used her jade fan to cover herself, fearing that refusing would attract more attention, so she hurriedly agreed.
"I obey your command."
Concubine Ying stood there blankly, watching Xiao Jingheng and Concubine Yao board the ship. Seeing her dazed face, she must have almost lost her soul.
*
On the ship, lights are dim on both sides, and the stars are like stars falling into the mortal world, reflecting the sparkling water, which is very beautiful.
As the night deepened, the heat gradually faded away, and the breeze on the table felt like the caress of cool jade, which was quite pleasant.
Yaopin and Xiao Jingheng sat in the cabin. Yibi poured wine for Xiao Jingheng, and Yibi still did not forget to cover her face with a jade fan.
Xiao Jingheng couldn't stand her pretentiousness, so he said:
"The scars on your face haven't healed yet. Don't use gouache to cover them up in the next few days, or they'll get worse."
Yaopin nodded slightly embarrassedly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty..."
"The fan has gone." Xiao Jingheng turned to look at her, "I have seen what you look like, there is no need to hide it like this." ..... Your concubine, your concubine..." Yaopin stammered, "Your concubine is terrified, I am afraid..."
"That's all."
The breeze on the lake surface rustled, making Xiao Jingheng even more drunk.
He raised his hand impatiently to stop Concubine Yao from speaking, then stood up and said, "You can continue to be anxious."
After saying that, he turned around and walked quickly towards the bow of the ship.
Concubine Yao finally got a chance to be alone with Xiao Jingheng. She was thinking about what Concubine Ying said a few days ago, and of course she didn't want to miss this hard-earned opportunity.
So he had to put the fan aside, followed him with gritted teeth, and served by Xiao Jingheng's side with a slight nod.
She timidly held Xiao Jingheng's arm and said in a tender voice:
"Your Majesty, it's late. How about I wait for you to go to bed early?"
Before she could get a response, Concubine Yao heard a beautiful and melodious female voice singing:
"At this moment, the sky keeps people here, the grass borrows flowers to sleep, the clouds decorate the hair, and the red pines are green."
Concubine Yao looked in the direction of the sound and saw that on both sides of the building ship, several small boats had followed.
There were many girls dressed in red and green standing on the small boat. From a distance, they all looked young and pretty.
Among them, the most striking one is the woman standing on the two boats on the right.
Her figure was exceptionally graceful, with curves in all the right places, not inferior in any way to Concubine Yao.
Even better is her clear skin, whiter than snow, willow-shaped eyebrows, and almond eyes full of spring.
Even looking at the whole harem, among the women with such beauty, only Song Zhao could surpass her.
And the melodious lyrics came from her mouth.
"When I see you, I cuddle with you, and I want to be like you, my child. I want you to be my wife, and ...
While singing, the woman did not forget to look in the direction of the ship and wink at Xiao Jingheng.
This lewd music and her affectation disgusted Concubine Yao very much.
"As a woman, you are singing these obscene songs and you are not ashamed!"
Xiao Jingheng glanced at her and said helplessly: "This is the lyrics of the Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion. How can it be what you said?"
"This..." Yaopin was very embarrassed, and her fingers nervously stirred the silk handkerchief, "I didn't know that I made a fool of myself..."
Xiao Jingheng let out a short sigh, and it was obvious that he disliked Concubine Yao even more.
Later, he simply didn't even look at Concubine Yao, and instead fixed his eyes on the woman in green, boating on the lake.
As they exchanged glances, they listened to the woman singing again.
"I want to leave but I am reluctant to leave. We look at each other solemnly. How could it be so good to meet without saying a word?"
The bright lights on the ship were reflected on the water, like a layer of beautiful and shimmering brocade, spreading towards the boat.
After hearing her sing a song, Xiao Jingheng couldn't help clapping and praising.
Jiang Deshun, who was waiting beside him, saw Xiao Jingheng's expression and behavior, and he knew it.
The girls here today are all outstanding young ladies from famous families carefully selected by the local officials of Lin'an. Their names have been checked by the imperial court in advance to find out their backgrounds. They are all innocent.
So he asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, would you like to stay on the ship tonight?"
Xiao Jingheng smiled in response, and Jiang Deshun immediately shouted towards the lake:
"Girl, the emperor asks you to come aboard."
The woman was like a graceful figure. After being helped onto the ship by servants, she walked slowly in front of Xiao Jingheng.
There was a faint blush between her brows, as if carefully embellished with clouds from the sky, which was very seductive.
"This humble lady has greeted His Majesty. Long live the Emperor."
She leaned forward and bowed to Xiao Jingheng, but did not dare to look up into his eyes.
As she nodded, a trumpet creeper pinned on her hair fell to Xiao Jingheng's feet as she moved.
Xiao Jingheng bent over and picked up Ling Xiao, playing with it in his hands.
"What's your name?"
The woman pursed her lips and said shyly:
"Your Majesty, my humble name is... Qu Yanran."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
