CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 35: THE TRIBE OFFERS BEAUTIES

According to the rules, they should not look directly at the Emperor, yet their gazes were subtilely drifting towards him.

After two courses had been served, Xie Zhixing sensed something amiss.

Upon investigating, the problem was found to originate with Concubine Jiang.

Concubine Jiang, pampered by the Empress Dowager, was accustomed to deference even if not hugely favored. Yet unexpectedly, she faced defeat in front of a little Attendant Lady and turned to cry to the Empress.

The Empress, busy with a myriad of affairs, had no time for her.

The hunting ground was unlike the vast harem where faces were seldom seen. Concubine Jiang’s plight caught the attention of others. The Princess Consort of the Kesha Tribe happened to visit the Empress, inciting curiosity to uncover what had transpired. Concubine Jiang did not avoid others when she insulted Yun Jiao, and their dialogue was clearly overheard by nearby eunuchs and palace maids.

The most crucial aspect of Qiu Lie was fostering relationships with the nomadic tribes.

Prince Kesha expressed goodwill and submission to the Emperor, naturally involving the ladies who also sought to curry favor through the favored concubines.

To please him, finding out which concubine the Emperor favored lately became crucial.

Thus, the news spread like wildfire across the Grassland.

Recently mocked by Prince Duan, Xie Zhixing felt as though struck by a blunt club upon learning of the affair.

I am utterly wronged!

My reputation!

I have never engaged in dalliance with the concubines while reviewing documents!

Xie Zhixing furrowed his brows and glanced around the venue but did not spot the culprit: "Where is Attendant Lady Xi?"

Ying Lu whispered, "Your Majesty, should Attendant Lady Xi be summoned here?"

Xie Zhixing remembered then that attendants below the rank of Consort were not qualified to attend such banquets.

The Empress seated beside him trembled slightly at her fingertips.

Even during the banquet, the Emperor was thinking about the Yun Family.

Since Lady had her miscarriage, the Emperor had become increasingly distant, unlike before when he never complained despite her long absence of issue. The more she thought, the more she resented Lady, now having yet another target to hate.

Xie Zhixing: "No need."

On hearing this, the Empress felt a sense of relief.

"If the Emperor is concerned about Attendant Lady Xi, wouldn’t it be better to summon her to dine together?" Lady laughed and said.

He snorted softly, "Do not air the family’s dirty laundry."

The Prince Kesha had brought along not only his concubines but also some veiled maidens dressed as young girls. In the middle of the night banquet, after drinking rounds, when the sound of the horsehead fiddle resonated across the Grassland, those maidens beside Kesha’s ladies silently changed into dance clothes and gracefully stepped forward to perform a dance for the Emperor.

Three dancers performed, each very beautiful.

Yet, a glance was enough to tell that the two girls in red were meant to compliment the maiden in the middle. The girl wearing golden-white silk had the high nose and deep eyes typical of the Kesha people but lacked the weather-beaten skin, her exposed skin appearing like snow in the moonlight and bonfire.

The mainstream dance in Yan Chi favored artistic beauty, not so among the Grassland people.

The girl’s dance moves were too seductive, filled with charm, her gaze either directed into space or sneaking towards the Emperor, with a clear goal of wanting to be sent in as a Lady, causing the concubines present to clench their back teeth.

Concubine Jiang exclaimed and covered her mouth, "I cannot appreciate such a dance, it makes me blush."

As a woman, she was utterly improper.

The female relatives brought by the Yan Chi’s Imperial Family thought similarly; although their status difference with the Emperor wasn’t as vast as that with the concubines, they still shared their mild envy with their lords, who echoed, "Indeed, indeed, the lady is correct. Let me take a few more looks to criticize properly."

"Is that criticism? Your eyeballs look like they’re about to fall out!"

"I am condemning with my gaze!"

...

After the dance, the girl performed a grand salute with her head to the ground.

"Yi Na pays respect to the Emperor, offering the Kesha people’s sincerest loyalty to Emperor Yan Chi."

The nearby Prince Kesha took the opportunity to interject, stating that Yi Na was his youngest and most beloved daughter, who grew up listening to the great deeds of Emperor Yan Chi, deeply admiring his charm, which delayed her marriage just to seize this opportunity to dance, hoping to ask if the Emperor favored his daughter.

I must say, the dance was performed exceptionally well.

As Xie Zhixing hesitated, the three girls disappeared before his eyes.

Suddenly, the music surged, and they entered once again.

...

By the fourth repetition of the enchanting dance, he was numbed.

For others, the dance remained mesmerizing, captivating their attention, while the accompanying concubines, though internally sour, had to admit the sensual and passionate dance was quite appealing.

The crowd discreetly watched the Emperor’s reaction, surprisingly finding, the Emperor was unimpressed!

On the Emperor’s stern face, there was a touch of numbness, fatigue, speechlessness, and a bit of impatience.

Prince Kesha felt a deep unease.

Yi Na was meticulously nurtured princess, possessing the unique charm of a Grassland girl and a slight understanding of Yan Chi culture, never exposed to harsh weather, developing skin as smooth as milk, considered the first beauty of Kesha. Before coming to Hanyang Hunting Ground, they were confident Yi Na would astound everyone and captivate the Emperor!

Yet unexpectedly, Emperor Yan Chi was even more composed than anticipated.

Faced with peerless beauty, he remained unmoved.

People then observed, facing such a splendid dance, reluctant to blink for fear of missing a moment, yet the Emperor turned his head away to converse with an eunuch! What urgent matter required handling at this moment?

Only the Empress and Lady heard it.

The Emperor said, "Go check on Attendant Lady Xi to see if she is aggrieved. If possible, assist her."

Those who heard it understood—

The beauty presented by Kesha paled in comparison to Attendant Lady Xi!

"Yi Na pays respect to the Emperor, offering the Kesha people’s sincerest loyalty to Emperor Yan Chi."

As the woman saluted again, Xie Zhixing’s expression was indifferent.

Even when Prince Kesha proposed presenting his most cherished daughter, he merely asked the Empress, "If you think she is acceptable, shall we retain her?"

In many instances, Xie Zhixing was willing to give face to the Empress.

Some lamented the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress, envying her respect by the Emperor, and she knew she should be pleased, but couldn’t help thinking he wasn’t untouched, just felt this maiden wasn’t up to Attendant Lady Xi: "Since Princess Yi Na has long admired the Emperor, then I also ask the Emperor to give her a chance."

Prince Kesha intends to offer personnel to Yan Chi, accepting them ensures the counterpart’s peace of mind.

Those present raised their glasses to congratulate the Emperor on obtaining a beauty.

However, following the conclusion of the night banquet, the Emperor hastily proceeded to Attendant Lady Xi’s tent.