Chapter 163: Affair
Zhao Xiaofei's face darkened after hearing this. He had already been unable to cope with his three wives. Unless he took Viagra every night, he would never marry again. Princess Kunxing had an idea after hearing this. It seemed that she couldn't keep her sister. Marrying her off quickly would save her.
At this time, each nation began to display its own folk dances. It can be said that each country has its own unique characteristics. Each has its own beauty and flavor. Unfortunately, North Korea has now acknowledged the Jianlu as its godfather and has long since broken away from the Ming tribute system. Otherwise, Zhao Xiaofei could still see Koreans in traditional costumes, dancing gracefully with drums slung from their waists. The men's hats have a string that swings back and forth, which is quite amusing.
I haven't seen any island women dancing with fans. That unique music is coming! Japan is still in chaos! The Emperor has no power and is just a figurehead. The current Emperor seems to be Emperor Go-Mitsumi, the fourth son of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. If I have the chance to develop my navy, I'll conquer Tokyo.
After the dances of the smaller nations were finished, the Ming dynasty's songs and dances finally began. Zhao Xiaofei had put a lot of thought into this diplomatic event. He showed Li Sihong "Li Ren Xing" and asked her to re-arrange the music and choreography. Yes! That's the one that's been trending on TikTok. Li Sihong truly lived up to her reputation as the most popular courtesan in the capital! She memorized the dance after watching it once, and she and Kou Baimen performed it for Zhao Xiaofei. It was a perfect replica, even adapting it to incorporate the characteristics of Ming dynasty dance, making it even more charming.
At this time, music started. Zhao Xiaofei had organized a national symphony orchestra in the style of later generations. There were hundreds of people playing at the same time. The music was sometimes ethereal, sometimes passionate, and sometimes generous and majestic.
The performance, coupled with the dance moves of the "Beauty Walk," showcased the cultural grandeur of a great nation. The dancers, carefully selected by the Jiaofang Bureau, possessed profound dancing skills and seamless coordination. The performance captivated the foreign envoys, who longed to take the women on stage home with them.
After the "Beautiful Lady" dance, another musical and dance performance began. The music of "Loyalty to the Country" began, and a hundred people in the background began to sing. A man ascended from the stage via a hand-cranked elevator and began to sing. On both sides, actors portrayed soldiers and the Jianlu rebels began to fight. The battle scene was intense, and the last Ming soldier raised a tattered flag and shouted: "Victory to the Great Ming!"
This musical is Kou Baimen's masterpiece. Zhao Xiaofei wanted to boost morale and brainwash his soldiers. He had already started planning these songs and dances and plays. He wanted his army to establish the idea of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. As soon as the music sounded, they would think of defending their country and remember that their lives were exchanged for by countless heroes. Their blood would immediately boil, and they would fight the enemy to the death. Moreover, Zhao Xiaofei released Ruan Dacheng and asked him to compose an opera. The requirement was to reflect the spirit of the Kenan Army who fought fiercely on the battlefield for the country and the people, regardless of casualties, and wholeheartedly saved the country. Ruan Dacheng had made great achievements in opera in the original history, but now he was coerced by Zhao Xiaofei, who said that if he could not write a good opera, he would stay in prison for the rest of his life. If he wrote well, he could let him out and continue to serve as a minor official.
At this time, Ruan Dacheng was dressed as a palace maid, watching the musical choreographed by Zhao Xiaofei, Li Sihong and Kou Baimen from a distance! It can be said that this provided a great reference for Ruan Dacheng in his future drama creation.
After the song and dance ended, all the envoys stood up and applauded. Although many ministers thought that their actions were against etiquette, they were all foreigners and it was also a show of goodwill, so the officials had no choice but to endure it.
As the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and all the civil and military officials watched the singing and dancing in the Fengtian Hall, Zhao Xiaokun was secretly giving Concubine Yuan a gift! Ever since he rescued Concubine Yuan in the Forbidden City, Zhao Xiaokun couldn't forget her. Her mature charm, her graceful figure, and her beautiful face made Zhao Xiaokun think of her from time to time.
As for Concubine Yuan, she knew that her life was saved by Zhao Xiaokun and she was very grateful to him. Whenever she got something good, she would send it outside the palace. Of course, at this time, Concubine Yuan only felt grateful and there was no romantic love between them. But Zhao Xiaokun kept thinking about it!
Today she'd send a mirror, tomorrow she'd send liquid foundation and lipstick. The day after tomorrow, she'd even send sanitary pads, saying she knew a little about gynecology and that using these things was good for a woman's health.
When Concubine Yuan received the gift, she blushed. From then on, she dared not contact Zhao Xiaokun again. But the power of love is great. Zhao Xiaokun saw that Concubine Yuan had been ignoring him recently, and there was no news from the palace. So Zhao Xiaokun was very bold. Today, when the envoy of the country came to see him, he refused to go. He told others that he was sick and could not go. Then he disguised himself as a eunuch and sneaked into the Wing Chun Palace with the palace people.
Concubine Yuan was also very depressed recently. Now she had become a concubine. The distant capital had become a thing of the past, and the figure of Emperor Chongzhen had become increasingly vague. Occasionally, she would dream of Emperor Chongzhen and be startled awake, afraid to go back to sleep.
Because the wound on her body was left by Emperor Chongzhen, and she almost died for him. Chongzhen's sword seemed to have severed the love between them.
Everyone fears death, and no one wants to die. This includes the former Concubine Yuan, who was forced to do so. The humiliation of being captured by the rebels was worse than death, so death was the best option! Now that she was alive and free from external threats, of course, her feelings towards Emperor Chongzhen were different.
Through their interactions, Concubine Yuan could sense Zhao Xiaokun's affection for her. But who was she? The concubine of the previous emperor, the Empress Dowager of the Restoration Dynasty. She couldn't afford to create any scandal, so she had no choice but to stop interacting with Zhao Xiaokun. She didn't want anyone to know about the gift, as it would be used as evidence. If that happened, both she and Zhao Xiaokun would be in trouble, and she would surely die. And if Zhao Xiaokun got into trouble, would Zhao Xiaofei, with his army at his disposal, agree? The entire Ming Dynasty would be doomed, and she would become a beauty who brought disaster upon herself.
Just as she was thinking about these things, someone outside said, "Madam Concubine! The Emperor and the Queen Mother have given you some food and asked me to bring it to you. I heard it's a specialty fruit from the Su Lu Kingdom!"
"Come in!" said Concubine Yuan.
Then the eunuch came in with a food box. He knelt on the ground, opened the box, took out the pineapple and placed it on the table. Then the eunuch stood up and said, "Your Highness, please enjoy it! In addition, the Queen Mother has something to ask you personally!"
"What's the matter?"
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