Consort Qian swore that she had never felt so humiliated in her life. To follow the Empress in performing those messy and vulgar actions in front of all the servants in the palace made her feel so ashamed and indignant that she wanted to die.
She really couldn't understand how a woman who was almost forty years old could be so unsteady and undignified, an age when she would be a grandmother in ordinary society.
To be fair, the song is quite catchy, and I did have a good time dancing along for a while.
Consort Tang had already integrated herself into the group, and even pulled her along, saying, "Hehe! Stay!"
Consort Qian felt that the concubines in the harem had all changed; this inexplicable square dance had made them all lively and energetic.
Even the usually shy eldest princess was all smiles, and the Empress danced several songs in the same style.
This "square dance" has very simple and neat movements, is uniform and easy to remember. After dancing for a day, the group has become much more organized.
Even Consort Shu, who always prided herself on being a refined and talented woman, was laughing so hard that you could see her gums.
The final act of jumping even alarmed the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager was completely bewildered; she had never witnessed such a "strange sight" before.
At first, she thought the Empress was preparing some kind of surprise for them, and that she was rehearsing a program with the concubines. But after looking at it, she felt something was off. It looked more like some kind of exercise for strengthening the body, such as the Five Animal Frolics.
Moreover, I've never heard this song before, but it does make me feel cheerful and happy.
Yinzhen was the same. Although he had seen it before, when they were in the Prince's Mansion, Changning loved to dance with the palace maids.
However, it was unexpected that such a scene would be so comical and ridiculous when it happened to all the concubines in the harem.
He couldn't help but chuckle, but he also thought it was a good thing. It would increase the cohesion among the concubines, bring them closer together, and also allow them to move around more, so they wouldn't get too cooped up.
The concubines in the imperial harem no longer wear platform shoes. Seriously? They run in the morning and dance in the evening—who would wear platform shoes? They'd just be asking to fall!
The current trend is for flat, soft-soled shoes; the more comfortable they are, the better.
Even everyday shoes are now trending in this direction.
This square dance event was undoubtedly a great success.
Even after it ended, the concubines were still humming the lyrics, and everyone was having a lively discussion.
The Empress Dowager looked at Changning's flushed face, and even the two princesses were the same, with a little sweat on their foreheads, but they were radiating a kind of vigorous vitality that had almost never been seen in the deep palace, in the Forbidden City.
"Empress, you are truly ingenious. Entrusting the harem to you was the right decision," the Empress Dowager couldn't help but praise.
Changning smiled slightly: "Empress Mother, you should come sometime, we can dance together. I've prepared quite a few songs like this!"
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then burst into laughter. She readily agreed, "Alright! As long as you don't mind this old woman being a burden!"
Hutu immediately stepped forward and took the Empress Dowager's arm, smiling broadly: "How could that be! Your Majesty is still as elegant as ever, possessing the same grace and splendor as in your glorious past. If you could join us in dancing, it would be an exceptionally beautiful sight!"
"Hahahaha," the Empress Dowager laughed heartily, amused by her. "Hutuli, you really know how to talk."
Seeing how well the square dancing was implemented, Changning was very happy and breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, she was a little nervous, wondering if they would be able to lower themselves to that level, so she specially invited Hutuli and Yierha to come and join in the fun.
Unexpectedly, everyone had a lot of fun, even the most reluctant Consort Qian ended up twisting and turning more enthusiastically than anyone else.
Even the Empress Dowager was delighted, and they agreed to dance together again next time! She wanted to be the lead dancer!
When they returned to the palace that evening, Yinzhen was still smiling, giving her a thumbs up: "Yaoxian is truly a clever person, always able to come up with these novel ideas. The Empress Dowager said that entrusting the harem to you was the right choice. I think so too; who in the world is more suitable to be the Empress of the Great Qing than you?"
Hearing such praise, Changning blushed a little and chuckled, "Don't flatter me, it's nothing, it's just an idea to entertain everyone."
"This is already quite good, and it can set an example for others. If this trend can be promoted throughout the Qing Dynasty, it can also improve the physical fitness of our people. Last time you had them run laps, I also led the ministers to run a few times. Those who usually neglect exercise now know to move their bones at home."
This could generate some positive effects and outcomes, which is exactly what Changning wants to see.
Especially at this critical juncture of war, news came back from the Fourteenth Prince a couple of days ago that he had fought several battles with the Japanese pirates and had won almost all of them.
This is exciting news, which is why Yinzhen prefers to see a nationwide fitness movement and a peaceful and prosperous society.
By four o'clock the next afternoon, not a single concubine was missing. Each one arrived more frequently than the last, some even arriving more than ten minutes early. Even the Empress Dowager arrived on time.
Changning was really surprised. It seems that everyone is all talk and no action, their bodies are more honest than anyone else's!
After dancing with everyone for more than a month, Changning began preparing for her son and daughter's birthday banquets.
Hongyan and Hutuli are twelve years old this year and have gradually grown into little adults. They have the spirit of young scholars and the feeling of being able to speak freely and boldly.
Changning also prepared birthday gifts for them very carefully.
Hu Tuli received a carved and lacquered rosewood jewelry box, filled to the brim with various large, round pearls.
Besides this, there was also a set of exquisite jade chess pieces. The chessboard was carved from a single piece of jade, and the chess pieces were made of warm jade and agate, carved into the shapes of flowers and various phoenixes. It was extremely precious. This was originally something from Yinzhen's private treasury, but he eagerly sent it over to please Changning. Changning liked it very much, so this time he gave it to Hutuli.
These aren't all. There's also an original copy of Su Dongpo's "Cold Food Festival Scroll," which Changning acquired by chance. Her children begged her for over half a year, but she couldn't bear to give it to them. This time, however, she reluctantly parted with it and gave it to her daughter as well.
She also embroidered clothes by hand for two or three months. She knew that Hu Tuli was different from ordinary girls, and the embroidery patterns on these clothes were drawn by her own hand.
It was a lion cub with its claws out, standing majestically on the cliff, displaying its imposing presence and exploration of the outside world.
This is Simba from The Lion King.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
