Chapter 300: Chapter 243: Another New Consort

Yun Yan truly lives up to her reputation as one of the dual beauties of the Capital City, her qin playing is extraordinarily exquisite, and the melodic sound seems to penetrate the soul, leaving people entranced.

Many men in attendance turned their gazes towards her, eyes filled with amazement and admiration.

Even the Emperor’s eyes lit up with fervor, and not far from him, Xu Ci couldn’t help but think to herself, "This is what men are like."

Even if the Emperor favored her cousin, it didn’t stop him from paying attention to other women, with the harem full of beauties.

She instinctively glanced at Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling.

Jun Moling was not listening to the enchanting music at all but was meticulously picking chicken bones out with chopsticks.

Then carefully placed the tender chicken meat into Shen Ruoxi’s bowl.

Seeing this scene, Xu Ci’s eyes slightly heated up, her heart full of envy.

But she quickly took a deep breath, reminding herself: loving the Emperor might end in devastating defeat, since she had entered the palace for her family, she must adhere to her duties, all for the Xu Family.

With this thought, her mood gradually calmed down, and she felt more thankful for Shen Ruoxi, whose hardships in love had finally come to fruition, bringing true happiness.

When the song ended, its resonance still lingered in the hall, and the Empress Dowager, full of satisfaction, enthusiastically exclaimed, "Reward her."

After Yun Yan expressed her thanks, she elegantly returned to her seat.

The Empress Dowager unusually asked, "Lord Yun, Miss Yun hasn’t been engaged yet, right!"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s posture visibly straightened, seemingly listening attentively.

Xu Ci understood in her heart that there was probably going to be a new consort in the palace.

Yun Li hastily stood up, bowing to the Empress Dowager, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, my daughter indeed is not yet engaged."

The Empress Dowager appeared a bit surprised; how could such an outstanding girl remain unmarried?

"Is it that Miss Yun is unwilling? I remember she is seventeen, isn’t she?"

Presumably, this was the only reason.

The Yun Family was slightly related to the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager’s sister was Yun Yan’s grandmother, though she had passed away many years ago.

Yun Li’s expression turned slightly awkward, indeed his daughter’s standards were high.

Moreover, Yun Yan was always competitive. Lin Xuening, who was famed alongside her, married the serene and refined Prince Lan, she felt one step below.

So even if her future husband couldn’t surpass Lan Jue, she hoped he would not be too different, hence her marriage was repeatedly delayed.

"It is not so, merely that she has yet to meet the right person," Yun Li said.

Yun Yan slightly lowered her head, an imperceptible trace of disappointment in her expression.

In her heart, she favored Jun Moling, as which girl in the Capital City did not wish to marry him?

But he was already married and had publicly stated that in this life, he would only have one Princess Consort, no concubines; she could only resign.

Furthermore, becoming Jun Moling’s concubine would be a step down from Lin Xuening, something she could not permit.

The Emperor suddenly coughed, breaking the short silence, "Miss Yun’s marriage is in my hands."

At these words from the Emperor, the Empress Dowager immediately understood the implied meaning, while Yun Yan pursed her lips, privately wondering if she was to become the Emperor’s concubine.

Currently, in the Emperor’s harem, there is only one Empress, one Imperial Concubine, along with two concubines, a Noble Lady, and a favoured beauty.

She thought that entering the palace, she could likely secure a prestigious position, which was not bad.

Yun Li, well-versed in officialdom and court affairs, instantly grasped the Emperor’s implication and hastily helped his daughter express gratitude.

The Emperor gestured for them to rise, then asked, "Is there any other young lady who wishes to perform?"

The many young ladies present were eager and ready.

However, Yun Yan’s display of musical prowess was too dazzling; compared to her, they were of a different calibre, and if they ventured on stage now, it would surely be a disgrace.

Thus, although the Emperor inquired, no one responded.

The Empress Dowager hadn’t spoken yet when a poised young woman stepped forward, curtsied, and said: "Your Majesty, Your Grace, I humbly present my performance."

Mrs. Zhou was taken aback by this, not expecting her daughter to step forward.

She knew well that her daughter was uneducated, lacking skills in any of the arts.

She didn’t believe that her daughter could learn any real skills in half a year at Nvzhen Hall.

Just as she was about to intervene, Old Mrs. Xiao gestured her to stop, lowered her voice, and said, "How can a mother not know what her daughter is capable of?"

Xiao Chengyu, on the other hand, was very confident because previously she indeed knew nothing, but since Ning Zhen’er entered the Xiao Family, she had learned a lot. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Before, it seemed new and fun, never taken seriously, but during those half-year dullest times at Nvzhen Hall, it was these songs and dances that got her through.

If not for them, she couldn’t imagine how she would have endured those days.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly, asking, "Who are you?"

Even the Empress Dowager looked bewildered, evidently not knowing which family Xiao Chengyu belonged to.

Xiao Chengyu responded unhurriedly and gracefully, "My elder brother is the third-rank military general Xiao Chengyi, and I am Xiao Chengyu."

The half-year spent in Nvzhen Hall had stripped her of previous greenness and recklessness, making her actions elegant.

"Very well, show us what talents you have," the Emperor said with interest.

"I will perform a song and dance," said Xiao Chengyu.

With the light lift of her lips, she began to sing "Half a Pot of Yarn."

Her voice wasn’t high-pitched, yet gentle and melodious, like a babbling brook.

Combined with the half-year influence at Nvzhen Hall, her every movement displayed elegance; in the soft song, her dance steps were graceful and light, even the usually composed Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but pay attention.

Shen Ruoxi wasn’t drawn by Xiao Chengyu’s song and dance but because of Ning Zhen’er.

Ning Zhen’er once introduced numerous dances at a theatre performance, and Shen Ruoxi was fortunate enough to witness it once; the diverse variety of dance styles was dazzling, and what Xiao Chengyu performed was only one leftover from Ning Zhen’er.

Witnessing Ning Zhen’er’s singing and dancing would show what truly spectacular means, compared to which, Xiao Chengyu was quite far inferior.

And this afternoon, it seemed Ning Zhen’er had specially prepared a dance for the Empress Dowager, which was bound to be stunning!

Shen Ruoxi wondered, Ning Zhen’er, whose father was only a blacksmith, whom did she learn from to gain such rare, astonishing skills?

Though Xiao Chengyu’s performance wasn’t top-notch, it was novel and unique.

The song was melodious and touching, like a celestial sound, her dance was equally beautiful, each move embodying the essence of "beauty," completely overshadowing Yun Yan.

Everyone was dumbfounded, immersed in the delightful, gorgeous performance.

When she gracefully concluded, even the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but clap with approval.

"Reward, reward," the Empress Dowager said joyfully.

Xiao Chengyu thanked and accepted the praise with a proud face.

Xu Ci noticed the gleam in the Emperor’s eyes and internally pondered that there might soon be another concubine in the palace.

Xiao Chengyu’s singing and dancing performance was indeed intended to attract Jun Moling.

Upon finishing, she continued to steal glances at Jun Moling.

However, Jun Moling, like a deaf and blind man, showed no response to her performance, devoting all his attention to preparing food for his wife Shen Ruoxi, much to Xiao Chengyu’s frustration.

She couldn’t understand what charm Shen Ruoxi possessed for Jun Moling to be so enamored, showing no prince’s demeanor.

Yet thinking of her own strategy, she smirked, if you don’t want a concubine, then I’ll make sure you have no choice but to take one.

"Is Miss Xiao not yet married?" At this time, it was the Eldest Princess who asked.

Xiao Chengyu immediately put on a coy expression and softly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Princess, indeed I am not yet married, but I do have someone in my heart."

"Oh!" The Eldest Princess seemed a bit surprised, her voice gentle, "Since you have someone in heart, could you share which family and which young man he belongs to?"