CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138 OFFERING SONGS AND DANCES

Truly, man’s plans cannot compare to heaven’s will.

But fortunately, this Mu Daying is quite obedient.

So it’s quite appropriate to have her by my side for some conversation.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I have understood."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Princess Consort Lan’s eyes instantly showed a hint of displeasure, but she quickly concealed it.

She immediately chimed in.

"Ying’s belly looks much bigger than mine. I’ve heard from the nanny that a large fetus must be a healthy son. It seems that Ying will soon give birth to the Fourth Prince for Your Majesty in just two or three months!"

She is adept at diverting trouble to others.

In front of the concubines, she keeps saying she likes a princess and is pregnant with one.

Yet she throws the always low-key Noble Princess Consort Ying out as a shield.

As soon as these words were spoken, Noble Princess Consort Ying frowned.

Talking about giving birth to a prince in front of Princess Consort Yi, isn’t this laying a trap for her?

She was just thinking about how to respond, but Mu Lanchun interrupted her from behind.

With an air of childlike innocence, she seemed curious and said.

"Lady Lan, is this true? But when my sister-in-law back home was pregnant, she also had quite a large belly. Many midwives said it was a son, but it turned out to be a clever and cute little niece."

"Indeed, regardless of whether it’s a prince or a princess, with Lady Ying’s temperament, it will surely be a gentle and polite child who doesn’t fight or compete."

Lin Wanyi had never heard Ming Changzai speak before, and unexpectedly, her first words helped resolve the situation for Noble Princess Consort Ying.

For a moment, everyone looked towards Ming Changzai, and even Noble Princess Consort Ying was smiling gratefully.

Princess Consort Lan’s expression was not very pleasant.

There were so many people eager to find faults in her words.

Isn’t this undermining her authority?

She immediately became unhappy.

Lately, she doesn’t know why, but she hasn’t been as calm as before.

Perhaps ever since Nanny Chai’s death, she’s been having bad luck.

Originally, when she was in the palace, the Emperor would come to see her once every few days.

Occasionally, he would sit with her and have a meal.

Now, let alone seeing her, even sending a message through Dong Yuzhong hasn’t happened.

It seems the incident with the Second Prince has indeed displeased the Emperor.

She fears that before the child in her belly is even born, she will lose the Emperor’s favor.

If that happens, wouldn’t it be troublesome?

So she’s trying to attract more attention.

But for some reason, it seems to be having the opposite effect.

"Since entering the palace, Noble Princess Consort Ying has indeed been nourishing her character and doesn’t like to go out."

When Princess Consort Yi chimed in, everyone fell silent.

Compared to Lin Guifei, the concubines were actually more intimidated by Princess Consort Yi.

After all, she was formidable, with the Liu Family as her backing.

As long as she didn’t intend to rebel, no one in the harem could shake her position.

Not to mention, she also held the Emperor’s only healthy and intelligent prince.

Princess Consort Lan was furious but couldn’t make enemies with everyone.

She had no choice but to shut her mouth and take a sharp sip of the tea beside her.

To quell her anger.

Lin Wanyi watched coldly. In places with many women, there’s often a lot of drama.

Now there are only two pregnant concubines, but every time they meet, they have a few words of competition.

If the harem were filled with blossoming flowers and many offspring, no one would likely have a peaceful day.

Thinking of this, she was even more determined to take her medicine properly.

Otherwise, she might not be so lucky.

"Alright, whether a prince or a princess, they are all my children. Princess Consort Lan is about to give birth, so it’s better to pay more attention."

With just one sentence from the Emperor, the tension eased back down.

Princess Consort Lan forced a smile.

But there was a hint of displeasure in her gaze towards Noble Princess Consort Ying.

Seeing this, Princess Consort Yi smoothly redirected the topic with a gentle smile towards everyone, saying.

"Today is the Qixi Festival. I’m sure you all saw the flower tower when entering Shengjing Building. There is a folk tradition of lighting incense and praying one by one. I’m thinking that all sisters could showcase their meticulously crafted items, or offer songs and dances. If anyone stands out, the Emperor will surely reward them!"

It’s here!

This is the most interesting part of today’s palace banquet.

Ever since coming to the traveling palace, the concubines have had few opportunities to see the Emperor.

Not seizing such a good chance would be a waste.

The first to be unable to hold back was Bai Pin.

As a woman from Jiangnan, singing and dancing seem a necessity.

She’s no exception.

It’s said that when she first entered the palace, her rendition of "Lotus Steps" became famous across the Six Palaces.

This earned the Emperor’s favor.

Today is her time to shine, so naturally, she’ll be the first to step up.

With a slender and graceful figure, she immediately stood up.

Her eyes twinkling with allure, she said flirtatiously.

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy, but I have choreographed a new ’Fallen Flower Flowing Water Dance’ for your appraisal."

Fallen Flower Flowing Water Dance?

What is that?

Is she trying to express that the falling flowers have intent, yet the flowing water is heartless?

Lin Wanyi was a bit puzzled, but seeing the same confusion on the faces of other concubines.

She straightened her posture and fixed her gaze on Bai Pin.

A chance to watch a beauty dance was something she couldn’t miss.

Seeing Bai Pin eager to perform, the Emperor couldn’t refuse and simply acknowledged with a nod.

Then Bai Pin immediately had a large object brought in.

Finally, Lin Wanyi understood what it meant to be "prepared."

A block of finely polished transparent white crystal, hollowed out and filled with clear spring water.

The sound of gently flowing water seemed to enchant everyone bit by bit.

It was quite marvelous.

And today, Bai Pin wore a dress adorned with scattered flowers, paired with a flying bun, making her look lively and ethereal.

Standing atop the white crystal, she began to dance gracefully.

As she danced, she also sang a song.

Her voice was ethereal, accompanied by the previously prepared echoing drums around the hall, adding a touch of wistfulness.

At first, Lin Wanyi thought Bai Pin’s attire was overly dazzling today.

But once she stood atop the white crystal, it seemed perfectly harmonious, indeed evoking admiration.

Her body was lithe and boneless, her dance was enchanting and peerless, her singing reminiscent of an oriole’s chime.

It complemented the exquisite stage perfectly.

At the last moment as the song ended, petals hidden in her sleeves fell over the hall.

They descended like a cascade, scattering mesmerizingly in the grand hall.

It was stunningly beautiful.

No one knows who started it, but everyone began applauding eagerly.

One must admit, with Bai Pin’s "Fallen Flower Flowing Water Dance," other concubine’s talents seemed somewhat lacking.

"Your Majesty, I offer this dance in celebration of the festival, wishing Your Majesty health and our Great Wei Dynasty eternal prosperity."

She surely knows how to please with her words.

Even Lin Wanyi was somewhat entranced, thinking that being an Emperor was truly wonderful.

Countless beauties vie to present their dedication, even she, might struggle to resist their allure.

"Indeed, Bai Pin has put effort into this dance, reward her."