Emperor Zhaoming was gentle and refined, his smile mild and warm, more like a gentleman than an emperor.
Xiao Yanchen, on the other hand, had a cold and imposing face, his eyes filled with a chilling intensity that made it difficult to meet his gaze.
Jiang Zhiyu was still watching them when they approached.
The Emperor and Xiao Yanchen simultaneously bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying, “Greetings, Mother.” The Empress
Dowager smiled brightly at them, “No need for such formalities, please take your seats!”
Emperor Zhaoming had just sat down when he looked over, “Mother, whose daughter is this beside you? I’ve never seen her before.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Jiang Zhiyu with loving eyes and gently patted her hand, “This is a cousin from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family. She just arrived in the capital a couple of days ago. The moment I saw her, I felt an inexplicable joy, which is why I had her sit with me.”
Emperor Zhaoming smiled and nodded, “So you are the cousin of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family.”
So you are from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family!
No wonder you are so arrogant!
You actually dare to sit and accept my courtesy! I’ll
add another mark to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family!
Jiang Zhong, who had just taken his seat, inexplicably felt a chill down his back.
But he couldn’t figure out why, he just thought it was because it was by the water, so it was cooler.
Jiang Zhong looked at Jiang Zhiyu and saw that she was being held by the Empress Dowager’s hand, and he was even more satisfied.
As expected of his own daughter, she is so outstanding.
Even with the title of cousin, she can still be treated so well by the current Empress Dowager!
Emperor Zhaoming happened to see Jiang Zhong’s expression. Although his smile remained unchanged, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
When he turned to look at the Empress Dowager, his expression had completely returned to normal. “Mother, you just said you wanted to see the young ladies of various families perform their talents. In my opinion, why don’t we start with the one beside you?”
“No!”
The Empress Dowager refused without hesitation.
Ayu was her savior!
Although she wasn’t her biological daughter, she was closer than her own!
How could she let Ayu perform in public like a maid or a courtesan? Did
these people even deserve to watch? The Empress
Dowager slightly adjusted her expression before smiling and saying, “Your Majesty, you may not know, but Ayu grew up in the mountains and has never studied music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, nor does she know poetry or songs. Her greatest skill is planting, which is not something she can perform, and there’s nothing to see.”
“Oh?”
Emperor Zhaoming was genuinely surprised this time.
Jiang Zhong sent this cousin to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, simply hoping to force her into the harem.
But it turns out she’s all show and no substance?
So, does Jiang Zhong think he’s just a foolish emperor who loves beautiful women?
The other officials’ wives and young ladies, upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, all showed surprise.
Jiang Zhiyu actually grew up in the mountains? And knows nothing?
What a waste of such good looks!
The Empress Dowager took in everyone’s expressions, remaining outwardly calm but inwardly sneering.
They look down on A-Yu now, but they’ll regret their disdain when they come begging to her door later!
“A-Yu can’t perform. However, the Marquis of Zhongyong’s household has another eldest daughter, I’ve heard she’s proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose, a renowned talent in the capital. Why not let her perform?”
Jiang Jingshu was overjoyed upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words.
The Empress Dowager knew her so well!
It seems she had thoroughly investigated her beforehand!
Could it be… that the Empress Dowager values her?
Excited, Jiang Jingshu’s cheeks flushed crimson.
Seeing the blush on Jiang Jingshu’s face, the Empress Dowager’s smile grew even brighter. “Have you prepared any performance for today?”
Jiang Jingshu stood up, her face still red, and bowed before softly replying, “This humble woman has prepared a dance, and humbly requests Your Majesty’s appreciation.”
“Very well!”
The Empress Dowager agreed, and Emperor Zhaoming did not object.
Jiang Jingshu bowed again before retreating to change into her dance costume.
A quarter of an hour later,
Jiang Jingshu returned, dressed in a new outfit.
Previously, Jiang Jingshu had been dressed in white, her posture dignified and her demeanor elegant.
But now, she wore a red dance dress.
It not only revealed her slender waist and long arms, but the hem of the skirt was layered, like lotus petals.
As she moved, the skirt swayed slightly in the air.
A touch of red rouge adorned her brow, and the corners of her eyes were also deepened with red rouge.
If Jiang Jingshu before was like a noble white lotus,
then now she is a bewitching red lotus.
Many songstresses have dressed like this before,
but the stark contrast on Jiang Jingshu brought a sense of novelty to the crowd.
Jiang Jingshu showed no hesitation, allowing everyone to observe her.
As she gave a slight curtsy, the sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from the water.
Her body was incredibly supple, twirling and leaping to the music.
Her eyes, alluring and seductive, frequently glanced at Emperor Zhaoming.
Those present weren’t fools; seeing this, they understood perfectly.
The dance was indeed meticulously prepared,
but it wasn’t for the Empress Dowager, but for Emperor Zhaoming.
This was as clear as day!
Many ladies looked at Fan Suwan, their expressions unreadable.
In the past, Fan Suwan always portrayed Jiang Jingshu as a lady of high birth.
But look at her now!
Every move Jiang Jingshu made, every smile, lacked the demeanor of a proper lady.
Despite being stared at like this, Fan Suwan remained unmoved.
Let them look!
But no one could stop Jiang Jingshu from entering the palace!
What others said, thought, or looked at didn’t matter.
What mattered was Emperor Zhaoming!
Fan Suwan clenched her fists, secretly glancing at Emperor Zhaoming.
She saw that his eyes were glued to Jiang Jingshu.
Wherever Jiang Jingshu danced, he watched.
Seeing this, Fan Suwan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Judging from Emperor Zhaoming’s reaction alone, Jiang Jingshu’s entry into the palace was a done deal!
The dance ended, and the music stopped.
Among the many people in the Imperial Garden, not a single person uttered a sound.
Jiang Jingshu had given her all while dancing, and now she was quite exhausted, her breathing erratic, her chest heaving violently.
The beautiful sight of two large fruits hanging from slender branches caused many officials to avert their gaze.
Not that they didn’t want to look, but that they dared not.
Didn’t they see Emperor Zhaoming staring intently?
He was clearly interested!
Jiang Jingshu was likely to become a concubine.
If they dared to stare now, what difference would that be from courting death?
Jiang Jingshu’s face was covered in fragrant sweat, her eyes filled with seductive charm as she gazed at Emperor Zhaoming with tender affection.
The next moment, Emperor Zhaoming smiled.
“You danced well! Even better than the palace dancers!”
This praise instantly turned Jiang Jingshu’s face deathly pale.
Emperor Zhaoming compared her to a palace dancer in front of so many people?
Before anyone could react, Emperor Zhaoming spoke again.
“From now on, you will stay in the palace and dance for me and the Empress Dowager!”
Jiang Jingshu’s lips were drained of color, and her body swayed precariously.
How could this be?
Did the Emperor really treat her like a dancer?
She was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong!
How could the Emperor humiliate her like this? The Empress
Dowager looked at Emperor Zhaoming with some surprise.
This eldest son of hers was usually gentle and polite, so why was he speaking so harshly today?
Could it be that he couldn’t help but want to take action against the Marquis of Zhongyong?
Even if he wanted to take action, he should do it slowly, not humiliate the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family in public like this! The Empress Dowager
sighed inwardly.
Although she didn’t know what was wrong with Emperor Zhaoming, as the Empress Dowager, she could only step in to ease the atmosphere at this time.
“The Emperor hasn’t even had a drink yet, how come he’s already a little drunk?” The Empress Dowager chuckled, her voice tinged with reproach. “Even if you want to keep her in the palace, you have to wait for the imperial concubine selection! It’s less than a month until then, the Emperor doesn’t need to be in such a hurry, lest he become a laughingstock!”
Emperor Zhaoming’s eyes flickered, and after a moment, he also laughed. “You’re right, Mother.”
The Empress Dowager then smiled with satisfaction. “The Marquis of Zhongyong’s family has done a good job educating his daughter; she danced quite well.
Aunt Sun, give her a generous reward.” After instructing Aunt Sun, the Empress Dowager waved to Jiang Jingshu, “Go and change!”
Jiang Jingshu’s face was still pale, but at least she wou ldn’t be kept in the palace as a dancer anymore, which relieved her. She quickly bowed and withdrew.
Watching Jiang Jingshu’s departing figure, a hint of interest flashed in Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes.
It seemed that Emperor Zhaoming was somewhat dissatisfied with the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family!
Jiang Zhong seemed to hold great power, but he wasn’t truly in the Emperor’s heart.
Wasn’t he a thorn in Emperor Zhaoming’s side?
Since it’s a thorn in their side, it’ll probably be removed sooner or later.
No wonder Jiang Zhong and Fan Suwan were so eager to send Jiang Jingshu to the palace; they were just trying to influence her through her pillow talk!
But judging from the current situation, this path seems to be blocked!
Jiang Zhiyu understood this, and so did Jiang Zhong and Fan Suwan.
The couple sat together, looking at each other, their hearts sinking.
Was the Emperor truly uninterested in Jiang Jingshu, or was he dissatisfied with the Marquis of Zhongyong’s household?
If this path with the Emperor was blocked…
Although Jiang Zhong and Fan Suwan hadn’t said anything, they had been married for many years and truly understood each other.
At this moment, they both looked at Jiang Zhiyu.
They saw the Empress Dowager smiling warmly at Jiang Zhiyu, showering her with concern.
She treated Jiang Zhiyu almost like her own daughter!
The Empress Dowager valued Jiang Zhiyu so much, and Prince Chen was also interested in her; perhaps the solution lay with Jiang Zhiyu!
Behind Jiang Zhong and Fan Suwan sat the brothers Jiang Zhenzhou and Jiang Jibai.
Jiang Zhenzhou looked worried, glancing frequently in the direction Jiang Jingshu had left.
Jiang Jibai, however, had a furrowed brow and a complex expression.
A short while later, when the Minister’s eldest daughter was playing the zither, Jiang Jingshu finally returned.
Unlike her previous flamboyance, Jiang Jingshu’s face was deathly pale. Taking advantage of everyone’s inattention, she quietly returned to her seat.
Seeing Jiang Jingshu sit down, Jiang Jibai frowned and looked over. “Eldest sister, you are now, after all, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s household. How could you do something so disgraceful? Dancing in public dressed like that is utterly unbecoming! Please, eldest sister, never do such a thing again!”