Chapter 211: Jade Bone Graceful
Inside Zichen Hall.
An ebony long desk held a gilded lidded bowl and a wolf-skin wine pouch. The camel milk wine brought by the Xizi envoy had a unique, pungent, slightly fishy aroma, mingling with ambergris.
Tribute of various kinds was piled on the side of the desk. Their rough style clashed with the carved beams and painted pillars, yet possessed a subtle harmony.
Emperor Chong Zhao leaned against the Dragon Throne, Empress Xie sat regally on the Phoenix Seat, the Crown Prince and Prince Duan were positioned on either side, and several high officials of the Imperial Court were seated in order of rank, holding their breath in concentration.
E Er Qi, wearing a silver crown adorned with peacock feathers, placed his hand on his chest and performed the grand Xizi salute.
“The pearl of Wulan Holy Mountain—Princess Tuya, wishes to offer a dance for a century of good relations between Daliang and Xizi.”
Twelve barefoot maidens entered in single file, silver bells on their ankles emitting a delicate tinkling sound. Emperor Chong Zhao lowered his gaze, playing with his thumb ring. His previously casual gaze suddenly froze as the gauze curtain lifted—
A woman emerged from behind the gauze, her bone structure graceful and elegant.
A half-veil of silver gauze concealed her hibiscus face, and a cinnabar mole on her brow burned like a red lotus.
“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Daliang—”
The woman bowed gracefully.
“The dance I present, Your Majesty, is called 《Wulan Snow》, praying for Your Majesty’s longevity and prosperity, and for Daliang’s enduring reign.”
“Rise.” Emperor Chong Zhao gestured with his hand.
Tuya spun up, her skirt blooming wildly, like surging clouds. The wolf teeth attached to the silver chain brushed past her slender waist, clanging like a bell.
Though her face was not visible, she exuded a clear, crisp aura from a foreign land, as if carrying the frost and snow of the Sacred Mountain that never melted for a thousand years, instantly permeating the nine-tiered palace.
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly recalled what Consort Wan had said on the night she first received his favor, “The daughters raised by the snow of Wulan Holy Mountain are all blessed by the mountain god.”
He tapped his fingertips on the throne, his gaze intense.
“This dance is indeed unique.”
As soon as the Son of Heaven spoke, E Er Qi immediately stepped forward and knelt to reply.
“Replying to Your Majesty, this is a dance of blessing from the Wolf God. The Princess fasted for fifteen years on the Sacred Mountain before receiving the divine oracle and personal instruction.”
Emperor Chong Zhao merely smiled and said nothing.
Until the music ended and the dance concluded, the officials’ praise was like a tidal wave.
Only then did Emperor Chong Zhao stroke his beard and nod, his gaze falling on the wolf tooth silver chain around Princess Tuya’s waist.
“The blessing of the Wolf God truly possesses a unique charm, making me eager to behold the Saintess’s true appearance.”
Everyone was curious, whether beneath that veil lay a face that could topple cities and kingdoms…
But the smile in Emperor Chong Zhao’s eyes made it hard not to have one’s imagination run wild.
Tuya shyly lowered her gaze, the silver veil shifting slightly. Her amber-brown eyes, like melted snow, captivated the gaze.
“Your Majesty, the Saintess has cultivated on Wulan Holy Mountain since childhood, and her veil cannot be lightly lifted.” E Er Qi kowtowed, his expression solemn and reverent.
“Only those who receive heavenly blessings are permitted to see her true face.”
A stir went through the hall.
All the civil and military officials knew that this destined person could only be His Majesty.
The Emperor intended to take the beauty into his harem. E Er Qi’s words subtly implied that this was not merely a dance offering, but a beauty offering. Amun Rah wished to use a princess to gain Daliang’s support against Ashina…
Consort Xiao, after the recent “suicide attempt” incident, had become much more restrained than before, appearing meek and cautious.
But at this moment, watching the Emperor’s fingers tap the armrest of the Dragon Throne, her lacquered nails almost dug into her flesh. A strange tension, like spider silk, wrapped around her heart, making her feel suffocated…
She keenly sensed that the Emperor had developed an interest, but she was angry yet dared not voice it…
Empress Xie, however, smiled and removed the bracelet from her wrist.
“What a beautiful jade carving. A reward.”
Tuya bowed gracefully, the silver bells tinkling softly, “Thank you, Your Ladyship the Empress, for your grace.”
Empress Xie looked at Emperor Chong Zhao with a meaningful smile.
“The Princess’s posture is as graceful as a lotus, her movements as light as a swallow… If she were to wear our Daliang’s Moonlight Skirt, she would possess a different charm entirely.”
She turned to the Emperor, the tassels of her Phoenix Hairpin unmoving, “What do you say, Your Majesty?”
Emperor Chong Zhao was very pleased with the Empress’s understanding and nodded in agreement.
“Since the Empress is so fond of her, then the Princess shall remain in the palace and stay for a few more days.”
He then raised his hand to stroke his beard, scanning the officials.
“Issue an imperial decree: bestow upon Princess Tuya a Moonlight Gauze Skirt as a gesture of hospitality and to foster good relations between our two nations. Order the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to present it within three days, before the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, without delay…”
Consort Xiao’s expression changed drastically—
This was clearly an intention to keep Tuya in the palace and share his favor with her!
Well played, Xie Suxin, smiling with daggers hidden!
The officials exchanged glances, nodding in agreement with unspoken understanding, presenting a scene of harmonious imperial relations and joyful unity.
—
That night, the candlelight in Zichen Hall burned until the third watch.
Fine wine and delicacies were sent in one by one, and the sounds of silk and bamboo music were incessant.
Consort Xiao stood on the steps, gazing at the flickering light from the window. Her brocade cloak was damp with night dew, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Wang Chengxi emerged with an empty medicine bowl, sighing.
“His Majesty is accompanied by a beauty and cannot be disturbed. Your Ladyship should return tomorrow.”
Consort Xiao’s face turned cold, and a bitter sweetness rose in her throat.
Thinking of the graceful figure dancing for His Majesty, and how she had parted her red lips to enchant the Imperial Heart, she trembled, almost unable to stand.
“Your Ladyship…” Wang Chengxi wanted to help her but dared not.
Consort Xiao clutched her handkerchief and sneered, “His Majesty indulges in so much wine, is he disregarding his Imperial Body?”
Wang Chengxi lowered his head and bowed, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“The autumn moon will soon be full again.”
With a soft sigh, Empress Xie emerged from the corridor. The gold thread entwined peonies embroidered on her indigo robes shimmered with a soft silver glow under the moonlight. Her wide sleeves hung down, exuding dignity and grace.
Wang Chengxi quickly stepped forward and bowed.
“This old servant greets Your Ladyship…”
Empress Xie waved her hand at Wang Chengxi.
After he retreated, she slowly approached Consort Xiao, her voice gentle.
“At the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet that year, Sister Lingrong danced under the moon like a celestial being, astonishing everyone. His Majesty even bestowed upon you the Eastern Pearls gifted by the late Empress Dowager…”
That night, the moon in the sky was like a plate, its silver light pouring down like silk. Xiao Lingrong, to the beat of the drums, swayed her waist, becoming a favored consort of Emperor Chong Zhao’s former residence.
From then on, his favor continued for over twenty years, surpassing all others in the harem.
Tonight, the shadows cast by the glazed palace lanterns were crushing her youth inch by inch onto the gold bricks.
“Is Your Ladyship the Empress here to pierce my heart?” Consort Xiao sneered.
“This Palace is merely reminding Sister—” Empress Xie looked at the glazed palace lanterns on the eaves, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes carrying a smile, “The winds in the harem always blow in the direction of His Majesty.”
Consort Xiao turned her back to the moonlight, her voice chilling, “Then perhaps Your Ladyship the Empress can guess whether this Xizi Saintess entering the palace will contribute to the alliance between our nations, or will she stir up the harem, bringing disaster or fortune?”
Empress Xie smiled gently, tilting her head to look at the distant moon in the sky.
“For women in the harem, what talk of disaster or fortune? To receive His Majesty’s favor is her fortune. As Empress, I only wish for His Majesty’s happiness and good health.”
She then smiled slightly, with a hint of deeper meaning.
“Does Your Ladyship the Consort not think so?”
Consort Xiao’s face turned ashen, and after a moment of stunned silence, she flicked her sleeve and left.
—
It was late into the night.
In the Buddhist hall of Princess Ping Le’s Mansion, the candlelight flickered.
Ping Le held prayer beads, looking at a gilded Buddha statue offered on the desk.
The Buddha’s eyes were lowered, as if overlooking the suffering of all beings, yet it could not see through her inner sorrow, nor point her the way forward.
Nanny Zhou knelt below, her voice kept very low.
“Princess, the Second Young Lady Lu from Grand Tutor Lu’s family has been frequently entering Jiaofang Palace recently.” She wiped the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief. “It is said that Her Ladyship the Empress likes her very much and often keeps her for meals.”
Ping Le sneered, turning the prayer beads on her fingertips.
“Lu Xi?”
She raised an eyebrow, “Back in the Women’s Society, she looked down on the Eastern Palace the most. Now she knows how to curry favor?”
“Indeed.” Nanny Zhou agreed. “It is said her mother sends things to the palace every day, hoping to secure a marriage with the Eastern Palace. Princess, should we…”
Ping Le raised her hand to interrupt her, her gaze falling on the oil lamp before the Buddha.
The lamp oil was running out, and the flame flickered, much like her current state of mind.
That day at Lu Mansion, the child’s cries still echoed in her ears. The words “bad woman” struck her like heavy hammers, making her vision blur and her heart tear with pain.
“Go tell Lu Xi,” Ping Le suddenly said, her voice carrying a hint of malice, “that this Palace has an important matter that requires her help, and invite her to the mansion for a chat.”
Nanny Zhou was startled. “Princess, this…”
“What?” Ping Le turned to look at her, a half-smile in her eyes.
“Do you think this Palace is joking?”
Nanny Zhou hurriedly kowtowed. “This old servant dares not. It’s just… Second Young Lady Lu is currently focused on currying favor with the Eastern Palace, and may not be willing to listen to us.”
Ping Le sneered, gesturing for Hong Xing to bring a brocade box. She opened it, revealing a bracelet of Qinan agarwood.
The bracelet was wrapped in gold thread, carved with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, and inlaid with obsidian. It looked very luxurious.
Ping Le slowly caressed it for a moment, then handed it to Nanny Zhou with half-closed eyes. “Give this to her and say that this Palace remembers her old sandalwood bracelet and has specially gotten her a new one.”
Nanny Zhou’s eyes widened, and she crawled forward to take the wooden bracelet.
“Your Highness the Princess, this purple sandalwood bracelet inlaid with gems was a gift from His Majesty when you came of age…”
Ping Le’s eyes were sinister. “When living people are being worn down to death, what use are dead objects?”
Nanny Zhou seemed to understand. “Princess means to…”
“Hush—” Ping Le reached out and adjusted the lamp wick. The flame suddenly leaped higher, casting her shadow on the wall, making it appear particularly ferocious. “Some things don’t need to be said too clearly. Lu Xi is smart enough; she’ll know what to do.”
The lamp wick sparked, making the face of the gilded Buddha statue flicker in and out of view.
Looking at the cold smile reflected on Ping Le’s lips, Nanny Zhou involuntarily took half a step back and shivered.
At some point, the Princess’s temperament had changed.
She no longer threw cups and smashed dishes or publicly reprimanded servants, openly displaying her anger and ruthlessness by relying on the Emperor’s favor. Instead, she learned to hide her needle in cotton, use others as a knife, and scheme in secret…
Readers aren’t leaving many comments, is the book not good?
Li Zhao: Someone isn’t good-looking.
Xue Sui: That’s what the person upstairs is talking about…
Li Zhao: Guards, convey my oral decree. It’s the end of the month, give tickets to Jiu Qing!
Xue Sui: Good boy!
