Jiang Wan had no idea what she could dance out of herself, but since it was Guanchu who had requested it, if she truly failed to live up to his pipa performance, it wouldn’t be her fault.
However, on the first day, she merely wore her dance attire and barely learned a few movements, yet she drew the undivided admiration of everyone in the Music Bureau, their eyes filled with awe. “Your Highness truly deserves to be called a peerless beauty.”
The original Jiang Wan was already dead. When she arrived, it wasn’t just her soul that came—this body was her own, transformed from her previous cat form, and every part of it was soft and supple.
She didn’t realize that a slight sway of her waist or a delicate movement of her slender hands created a scene of breathtaking beauty. Paired with that face, both innocent and alluring, who could look away?
When Jiang Wan stopped, she looked at the crowd surrounding her, bewildered. “Why are you all staring at me instead of rehearsing?”
Qiaoqiao snapped out of her daze, her face flushed as she shooed everyone away, then ran to Jiang Wan’s side. “Your Highness, you look so beautiful…”
Jiang Wan was puzzled but smiled. “Don’t flatter me. It’s been a long time since I last danced.”
Qiaoqiao shook her head vigorously, her face filled with adoration. “Your Highness, the movements you just made were even better than when you danced back in Jiangnan! You’ve improved so much!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Your Highness is peerless!”
Jiang Wan tapped Qiaoqiao’s nose affectionately. “You’ve always had a sweet tongue.”
Dressed in green dance attire, her beautiful eyes sparkled like autumn waters.
Qiaoqiao’s face flushed even redder, as if she couldn’t bear to look any longer, and she hurried away. “This servant will go check if lunch is ready.”
Jiang Wan was still puzzled but didn’t dwell on it. She paused to stretch her limbs, and as she looked up, she caught sight of a figure in red in the distance.
“Your Eminence!”
Xie Changlin had something in his mouth, his gaze deep and his demeanor leisurely and indifferent.
Only when Jiang Wan ran up to him did he move his lips. “Just passing by.”
Jiang Wan didn’t doubt him and tilted her head. “Is Your Eminence heading to Qian’an Hall?”
The rehearsal area of the Music Bureau was near the Imperial Garden. The only places one could pass by here were Qian’an Hall and Xuanzheng Hall.
Xie Changlin didn’t answer. Instead, he glanced at Jiang Wan. “Is Your Highness planning to dance as an accompaniment for that exceptionally talented musician?”
Jiang Wan laughed. “Has Your Eminence seen him? Do you also think he’s peerless?”
Then she leaned in slightly and whispered, “In my heart, Your Eminence is the true peerless one.”
“It’s been a long time since I last danced, and I’ve been itching to do so. It just so happens that he plays the pipa well. He’s accompanying me with music—how could it ever be that I, the empress, am dancing as his accompaniment?”
This last remark was in response to Xie Changlin’s sarcastic tone, carrying a hint of placation.
Besides him, who would dare say that the empress was dancing as an accompaniment for a mere musician?
She glanced behind Xie Changlin. “Is Xiao Rongzi not with you today?”
Xie Changlin ignored her and walked away.
After lunch, Jiang Wan attended to some matters, changed back into her dance attire, and continued practicing.
With only five days left until the palace banquet, the choreographer hadn’t designed too many difficult movements. Jiang Wan learned quickly, and it didn’t take long for her to finish rehearsing one piece. She called Guanchu over, and the two practiced together.
After the dance, Jiang Wan smiled. “Don’t blame me if I fail to do justice to your pipa piece.”
Guanchu couldn’t hide his admiration. “It is my pipa that is unworthy of accompanying you.”
After practicing a few more times until it flowed smoothly, Jiang Wan didn’t spend any more time on it and went back to her own tasks.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace was bustling with excitement.
The banquet was held outdoors, arranged by Jiang Wan, allowing everyone to admire the moon while enjoying themselves—truly delightful.
Ministers arrived one after another, observing that the banquet organized by the empress felt more relaxed and enjoyable compared to those typically hosted by the Ceremonial Directorate.
They had grown wary; the Ceremonial Directorate seemed to have money to burn, and every banquet they held was marked by extravagance.
Moreover, although Xie Changlin himself seldom attended, ministers remained hesitant to bring their families into the palace. This time, however, the empress had insisted they bring their entire households. With many more attendees, including numerous children, the atmosphere felt more like a family reunion night.
Glasses clinked, and laughter filled the air.
Jiang Wan wore formal attire today, the phoenix on her robe complementing the dragon on Huan Cheng’s. Their arrival instantly elevated the banquet to its peak, with one toast and blessing after another. Some even offered flowery wishes for the couple to have children soon.
Jiang Wan drank so much water she felt full, secretly letting out a burp and grumbling inwardly, ‘That’s entirely unnecessary.’
Huan Cheng tilted his head, looking at Jiang Wan beside him, a smile lingering on his lips as he spoke with rare gentleness, “The empress has worked hard.”
Jiang Wan ignored him, turning slightly to ask Qiaoqiao, “Has Your Eminence not arrived yet?”
“Eunuch Rongqing sent word that the Lord of a Thousand Years will not be coming.”
Jiang Wan frowned, glancing at the seat reserved for Xie Changlin. “Go and invite him.”
Qiaoqiao reluctantly accepted the order.
After Huan Cheng announced the start of the banquet, the performances began.
The opening act was a reunion-themed opera, adding a touch of warmth to the festivities. For once, the ministers refrained from discussing court affairs, their headaches forgotten as they turned to whisper affectionately to their wives and children.
Jiang Wan noticed that in the lower right corner was Jiang Wenshan’s seat. Her parents had come, but her two older brothers were nowhere to be seen.
After dealing with the flatterers, she finally had a chance to speak with Jiang Wenshan.
Liu Ying’s eyes were already brimming with tears, yet she felt deeply relieved. “Seeing Her Majesty safe and well today puts this humble subject’s heart at ease.”
She was comforted to see that her youngest daughter had not been mistreated in the palace, carrying herself with the dignity of an empress and seeming genuinely happy. Much of the worry she had felt when Jiang Wan first entered the palace had now faded.
Jiang Wenshan shared the sentiment, his face unusually gentle as he happily drank a few extra cups of wine.
Jiang Wan felt a bittersweet ache in her heart and quickly changed the subject. “How have my eldest and second brothers been lately?”
Hearing this, Huan Cheng glanced over. “They’re doing just fine.”
Jiang Wan shot him a look before chatting with Liu Ying and Jiang Wenshan about family matters.
Beside her, Huan Cheng, seemingly on a whim, suddenly decided to play matchmaker, leaning in to suggest marriage prospects for her brothers. Jiang Wan took a bite of pastry and replied bluntly, “No need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself.”
Liu Ying was taken aback, glancing nervously at Jiang Wenshan, who remained unfazed.
She then looked at the emperor, who merely pursed his lips without showing anger after being rebuffed, and breathed a sigh of relief.
The performances were captivating, one after another. Someone in the audience praised, “Her Majesty has truly put great effort into this. Each performance is outstanding, and even the mooncakes taste better than usual.”
Jiang Wan smiled gracefully, though inwardly, her anxiety grew.
Is he really not coming?
When Qiaoqiao returned, her expression was complicated. “Eunuch Rongqing sent me back without saying whether the Lord of a Thousand Years would come or not.”
The next dance began amidst swirling mist as Consort Ning appeared in a red dress made of scant fabric, accompanied by several dancers in equally revealing attire, drawing gasps of astonishment from the crowd.
Jiang Wan knew this dance, but Consort Ning had never mentioned wearing so little to perform it.
Even she felt her cheeks grow warm.
Sure enough, Huan Cheng beside her was captivated, squinting his eyes with a frivolous smile.
A dog can’t stop eating shit.
Jiang Wan clicked her tongue.
After the dance ended, most still showed appreciation, while a few revealed disdain and contempt.
Sure enough, as soon as it ended, someone immediately challenged, “If I’m not mistaken, this is Consort Ning, isn’t it?”
“To flaunt and expose oneself in such a setting, baring chest and revealing flesh, is truly hard to watch! Utterly disgraceful!”