A man and a woman approached, both wearing masks over their faces.
Seeing them advancing with ill intent, Lu Jingchuan bent to lift Yi Yi up and make a run for it.
He strained with all his might, his small face tight with effort but he could not lift her at all…
Swallowing down his fear, Lu Jingchuan planted himself firmly in front of Yi Yi and warned them, “You… stay back! Yi Yi is the only Princess of Great Xia. If anything happens to her, His Majesty will never let you get away with it!”
The female attendant could not help but burst out laughing. “Oh my, I am so terrified~” She pressed a hand to her chest and put on an exaggerated show of fright.
When you lack the strength to back it up, your anger only comes across as childish tantrums.
“Master, this boy is the Prime Minister’s son. What do you wish done with him?”
Their mission today was focused solely on the Princess of Great Xia; they had not expected this pleasant bonus. With the Prime Minister’s son in hand, Great Xia would have yet another weak point to exploit.
“Knock him unconscious and take them both,” the man ordered in a low voice.
The female attendant stepped forward, struck Lu Jingchuan sharply at the base of his neck, and he crumpled into unconsciousness.
The two little ones lay side by side on the ground.
“Master, it is exactly as you said this Princess truly has a most peculiar constitution. The Soul-Devouring Gu had no effect on her whatsoever; it was even absorbed as nourishment.” The attendant had felt Yi Yi’s pulse, and her tone was filled with astonishment.
“As long as she stays asleep, that is all that matters.”
The woman said no more. Following their plan, she lifted Yi Yi and Lu Jingchuan and placed them both inside an iron cage.
“Let us go. It is time to deliver a fine gift to the Emperor of Great Xia.”
“Master, what shall we do with that maid?” the attendant asked.
She was referring to Qinghe, whom she had knocked out earlier.
The man thought for a moment before replying, “Throw her into the pond. Let her serve as fertilizer for the Imperial Palace grounds.”
……
……
Inside the Hall of Benevolence and Harmony.
“Your Majesty, before such a splendid view and fine occasion, I would like to offer a dance.”
A woman stepped forward from the envoys’ section of Southern Border. She had delicate features, a graceful figure, and a voice soft and alluring, her eyes glinting like silk.
With every step she took, a crisp sound of silver bells drifted through the air, drawing every gaze in the hall. This exotic beauty was truly striking.
“Your Majesty, this is our Holy Maiden of Southern Border,” the envoy introduced her.
Dongfang Mo watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowing slightly. After a moment, he waved a hand in clear impatience.
For months he had been tormented by the Soul-Devouring Gu, and the mere sight of these Southern Border envoys now filled him with irritation. The tinkling ornaments on her head only added to the noise that grated on his nerves.
“Granted.”
Music began to play, and the Holy Maiden moved in time with the melody, her body flowing like water.
Her wrists turned and twirled, her fingers unfurling like orchid blossoms. Her slender waist bent and swayed with extraordinary suppleness, her bare feet gliding over the jade floor tiles while the silver bells around her ankles chimed softly.
For a moment, everyone in the hall was captivated.
“Why does this Holy Maiden keep casting flirtatious glances toward His Majesty?”
It was not that the officials were overly observant; her intentions were far too obvious. She had begun dancing in the center of the hall, yet little by little she had drifted closer and closer, until she stood right before the Emperor, her body swaying in an unmistakably seductive manner.
Clearly, here was another woman hoping to enter the Imperial Harem.
Many officials of Great Xia shook their heads, thinking her chances were slim. It was well known that Emperor Jing had held only one imperial selection in his reign, and his harem had remained unchanged ever since.
Every year during state banquets, beautiful women from foreign lands would try to catch the Emperor’s eye yet not a single one had ever been accepted.
Still, there were those who believed this Holy Maiden might stand a chance. After all, her beauty and grace were exceptional; even among the ladies of the court, she would rank among the finest.
The Holy Maiden of Southern Border finished her dance while the court watched with mixed thoughts. She stood before the throne, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Dongfang Mo, her eyes soft and inviting.
“Your Majesty, I have long admired your noble bearing. I wish to enter the Imperial Harem and serve you always.”
The hall fell into silence.
This Holy Maiden was indeed as bold as she was beautiful to speak such words so openly.
Dongfang Mo twirled his wine cup idly, not even lifting his eyes. “There is no need. I find you too noisy.”
To be rejected so publicly brought a flush of embarrassment to the Holy Maiden’s face. She bit her lip hard, but after a moment, lifted her chin again in defiance. “Great Xia enjoys peace and prosperity, and Your Majesty’s harem holds many talented beauties. My own dance is but clumsy in comparison; I would be honored to witness the artistry of the ladies of your court, so that I may learn from them.”
A murmur of surprise ran through the court. Was she challenging them to a dance contest right here?
One official immediately objected. “How dare you! Do you think the ladies of Great Xia’s court are mere entertainers?”
“Not at all,” the envoy interjected smoothly. “We have traveled far from our homeland precisely to witness the grandeur of Great Xia. Surely our Holy Maiden merely wishes to admire the supreme skill of your court ladies.”
As the ministers continued to debate, a voice cut through the discussion. “If it is but a contest, why not?”
Earlier in the banquet, the screen separating the women’s section had been removed, and all eyes turned to see who had spoken.
She was a woman of full, elegant figure and striking beauty none other than Noble Consort Liu.
She covered her mouth and smiled gently. “Your Majesty, we ladies have already been presented to all.”
Turning toward Jiang Wantang, she continued, “Why not invite Consort Xi, who has only recently joined us, to step forward? Then everyone may see just how much talent and grace our Princess’s mother possesses.”
Among all the women present today, only two rivaled the Holy Maiden in beauty: Noble Consort Liu and Jiang Wantang.
The court was already familiar with Consort Liu; her reputation for beauty had spread across the capital long before she entered the palace.
Yet now, they saw before them another woman equally lovely pure and unadorned, like a lotus rising from clear water, flawless as polished jade.
“Would you be willing?” Dongfang Mo asked Jiang Wantang.
He did not command her to go; he only asked if she wished to. If she declined, he would not press her. The dignity of the nation, he believed, was never dependent upon one woman’s dance.
Jiang Wantang curtsied respectfully. “I am willing to compete.”
She knew exactly what Consort Liu intended: to place her in an impossible position.
If she refused, she would be labeled timid and lacking in talent, bringing shame upon the royal family.
If she agreed, Consort Liu was waiting eagerly for her to embarrass herself. After all, in Consort Liu’s eyes, a woman raised in the countryside could hardly possess any refined skill.
Since Qinghe had not yet returned, Jiang Wantang called for Chief Eunuch Li and asked him to bring the items she required.
Seeing her acting so mysteriously and delaying the start, Consort Liu sneered, “You may still withdraw if you wish. Do not go out there only to humiliate Great Xia before everyone.”
The other consorts watched with smirks, clearly looking forward to a show.
Worried, Pei Xue took Jiang Wantang’s hand and whispered, “Why not say your stomach suddenly aches and leave right now?”
Having heard something of Jiang Wantang’s background, she offered this advice out of genuine concern.
Jiang Wantang shook her head. “I cannot step back. Consort Liu has long tried to drive a wedge between Yi Yi and me. If I decline now, there will be endless gossip and criticism afterward.”
Pei Xue understood immediately. A woman lacking in talent, after all, could hardly be seen as worthy of being the Princess’s mother.
“In that case, we shall see it through.”
Soon, Chief Eunuch Li returned with the requested items.
Several wooden stakes of varying heights were set up in the center of the hall, and Jiang Wantang stepped into view clad in a traditional lion dance costume.
Was she planning to perform a lion dance?
From the consorts’ section came soft, mocking laughter. Such a common folk entertainment surely Jiang Wantang was about to lose all face!