Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 215: Celebrating Longevity (4)
The head of the courtyard stepped forward upon hearing the words and received the sandalwood box handed to him from beside the Empress Dowager, opening it to reveal a lotus flower composed of seven-colored petals. After admiring its beauty, he observed its unique characteristics for a good while before frowning slightly, closing the box, and saying to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, forgive your humble servant’s incompetence, but I really do not know if this rainbow lotus can continue its life; however, it is indeed of the highest quality among medicines, exceedingly rare in this world."
"Ah, Young Master Jueqing has indeed been considerate." After listening to the head of the courtyard, the Emperor’s gaze swept toward the box in the hands of the Empress Dowager’s attendant and turned back to Jueqing to speak.
"Your Majesty, I have another treasure here to present to you." He took out a small square box, only the size of a palm.
"Oh, bring it here quickly."
Upon hearing this, Little Lizi shook off the dust and hurried down the steps to approach Jueqing, who handed the box to the Eunuch. The Eunuch cast a glance at Jueqing before returning to the Emperor’s side and carefully opening the box. Inside, on top of the cold ice, lay a chubby, vibrant red worm that was still wriggling. With a puzzled frown, he asked, "What is this?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this is an Ice Blood Cicada, whose value is no less than that of the seven-colored lotus," said Jueqing, with a slight curl of his lips, looking at the Emperor.
"Good, good, reward him with two bolts of heavenly silkworm brocade, a thousand taels of gold, and a case each of pearls and agate." The Emperor, greatly pleased, waved his hand generously, bestowing even two bolts of the heavenly silkworm brocade, which was limited to only five bolts each year, showing how much the Emperor desired longevity right now.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." He knelt down to bow once more.
"Please rise."
Seeing the Emperor so happy, the Empress Dowager was struck by a sudden idea and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, every year the dances in the palace all seem the same to me; today, with everyone gathered, why not let the ladies show off their talents?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, let’s see which talented lady stands out this year, and who knows, there may be a good match as well!" Empress Song, looking at the young women below and thinking of her own Momo who still lacked a princess, then glanced at her elder brother’s Song Miaoqiu, whom she found quite agreeable. Seizing the opportunity, she suggested the Emperor arrange a marriage. In this way, by adding kinship to kinship, her elder brother would be firmly on her side. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
"Very well, then let us see which talented lady stands out tonight. Tonight, I will play the role of matchmaker, assume the role of the matchmaker deity." He smiled and looked at the daughters of the various ministers, finally resting his gaze on the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Justice, then smiling meaningfully before shifting his eyes away. "Long live Your Majesty, I am Yudie, the legitimate daughter of the Situ Hidden Clan, and the performance I will present is a dance," said Yudie, stepping forward swiftly and gracefully greeting the Emperor with a curtsy.
Feng Xuxu noticed and thought to herself, was this the same Yudie whom she had seen being arrogant and overbearing? One moment sharp-tongued and critical, the next as delicate and fragile as a flower in the rain. She was indeed unpredictable in front of others.
The sound of a zither commenced, and following the melodious music, Yudie began her dance, sometimes cheerful, sometimes soft, and in the next moment, she started to spin, like a butterfly frolicking among the flowers.
When the piece ended, the hall erupted in applause, and this led to more performances by the young ladies—some played the zither, others the flute; some painted—there was every imaginable skill on display.
Feng Xuxu watched a few performances but lost interest, as they were either dances or songs, the same few routines over and over again. So, she sat there playing with Xiaojin, teasing him whenever she had nothing else to do. Seeing Xiaojin annoyed by her, flicking his little tail, and complaining with his little serpent mouth, "Master is annoying," before then burrowing into her sleeve to find a comfortable spot to continue coiling around Feng Xuxu’s arm to sleep.
Just as she was about to pull Xiaojin down to play with her, a pleasing sound of the pipa began to play. She looked up and saw a pure and beautiful girl holding a pipa, with shy eyes and smiling red lips—she played beautifully. Feng Xuxu listened and shook her head; the performance lacked emotion.
