Reborn into the palace, she seduces the emperor's heart, driving the chief minister to madness!

Chapter 98: A Dance That Stunned the Audience

Xianglan looked at the pink and white shimmering dress in the wardrobe. The dress was decorated with green pearl flowers. Even before it was unfolded, she could imagine how beautiful and elegant her mistress would look in it.

She carefully took out the dress and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is already beautiful and charming even without makeup. If you were to dress up carefully, His Majesty might not even be able to stay at the palace banquet any longer."

Hearing the teasing tone in those words, Chu Qingyin gave a faint smile.

What she wanted was for Pei Yuanling to fall for her, so that she could completely win his heart, gain more say, and clear her brother's name.

That night, as dusk settled in the Yaofeng Palace.

The concubines and ministers who accompanied the entourage have been arranged in order of rank on both sides.

Empress Wang, Pei Yuanling, and Chu Qingyin were the only three who had not yet arrived.

Sitting to the left of Qin Rong'er were Consort Lu Mingzhu and Beauty Qiao Qingling.

Of the concubines accompanying the emperor, only Consort Qiao was chosen by the emperor to accompany him; the rest were arranged by Empress Wang.

Originally, Empress Wang did not intend to have Lu Mingzhu and Qiao Qingling accompany her, but since Lu Mingzhu's confinement period was over, she thought it would be more lively with more people, and since the Wang family intended to be on good terms with the Lu family, she brought Lu Mingzhu and Qiao Qingling along.

Consort Qin Rong'er did not like to interact with newly promoted concubines in the past. In addition, Chu Qingyin and Wei Yiqiu in the harem had suppressed her a lot. In order to avoid trouble, she temporarily hid her sharp edge and did not show her face much.

Now that both of them are gone, she has become more lively.

Her primary goal this time was to win over Lu Mingzhu, the cousin of Grand Secretary Lu Zhiheng, while Qiao Qingling was just a side matter.

So the three of them sat down together.

"This Consort Qiao is really putting on airs. It's already this late and she still hasn't shown herself. Does she intend to come with the Emperor and Empress?" Qin Rong'er raised an eyebrow, her delicate face showing undisguised disgust.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Upon hearing this, Lu Mingzhu chimed in, "Sister Qin may not know, but this Qiao Qingyin has always been someone who loves to show off."

Qin Rong'er snorted, "So arrogant, I'd like to see how long she can stay so smug."

Qiao Qingling listened quietly to their back-and-forth conversation, without saying a word, but her hands under her light pink long sleeves unconsciously clenched into fists.

Recently, I don't know what's wrong with her father, Qiao Gongquan. He had already agreed to bring her birth mother, Aunt Jiang, back to the mansion.

But suddenly he changed his mind, not only ordering that her birth mother would never be brought back to the manor, but also instructing that from now on, Aunt Jiang must stay in the manor and not step out.

What difference is there between this order and a disguised form of house arrest?

The fact that her father suddenly showed no mercy must be because Qiao Qingyin was instigating and encouraging him behind the scenes. Otherwise, how could her father suddenly be so heartless?

Since she had tried to avoid Qiao Qingyin in the palace but still couldn't get a good result, she would no longer have any reservations after that day.

Qiao Qingyin, since you won't let me have an easy time, then I will definitely not let you have peace either.

"My two elder sisters don't know, but this sister of mine is always this capricious at home. It's only because His Majesty is so lenient, otherwise, who could put up with her temper?"

As Qiao Qingling said this, Qin Rong'er and Lu Mingzhu couldn't help but smile, "That's right."

Consort De watched them from the side, a hint of impatience hidden beneath her calm face.

Just then, a high-pitched eunuch's voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall, "His Majesty has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

Everyone looked towards the outside of the hall and saw the young emperor stride in, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with gold thread, with the empress beside him in a magnificent dark blue phoenix robe.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

Everyone in the hall rose and bowed.

Pei Yuanling looked up and surveyed the area below, but did not spot that familiar figure.

Yinyin hasn't arrived yet?

At the same time, Lu Zhiheng, who was ranked first among all officials, couldn't help but frown.

After the Emperor and Empress were seated, Pei Yuanling raised his hand, signaling everyone in the hall to rise, and then glanced at Chen Zhongliang.

Chen Zhongliang immediately understood and bowed forward: "Your Majesty?"

"Go and see where Consort Qiao is."

"Your Majesty, Consort Gui has already sent word that if Your Majesty inquires, she will tell you that she has prepared a surprise for you."

"surprise?"

Although Pei Yuanling looked puzzled, a sense of anticipation arose in his heart.

"Step aside." He waved his hand, and Chen Zhongliang stepped aside.

Empress Wang, who was standing to the side, took in the emperor's expression. A hint of doubt appeared on her dignified face, but she quickly concealed it.

Before long, the palace banquet officially began, with Pei Yuanling starting by raising his wine cup to drink with the ministers and concubines.

The pre-prepared song and dance performance then began immediately.

Under the bright and dazzling palace lanterns, six graceful dancers slowly danced in from outside the hall. Their white dresses clung to their bodies, outlining their beautiful figures and exuding a unique charm.

The courtiers couldn't help but show their amazement. Some of the young noblemen accompanying them were not composed enough. Their gazes fell on the dancers' exposed slender waists, and they were so mesmerized that they forgot to blink.

Lu Zhiheng, however, only glanced at it briefly before lowering his eyes, maintaining his aloof and indifferent demeanor.

Pei Yuanling, seated at the head of the table, took in everything. He raised his thick eyebrows slightly and turned to look at Empress Wang beside him: "I've heard that Your Majesty's younger sister is of marriageable age. Is there anyone you'd like to marry into?"

Empress Wang paused slightly, then said, "..."

What does Your Majesty mean by these words?

Everyone already knew that her younger sister was in love with Lu Zhiheng, so how could His Majesty not know?

Although she had many doubts, she dared not speculate. She smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My younger sister is still young, and the elders in the family would like to keep her for a few more years."

"Oh, is it because you can't bear to part with it, or because you haven't found someone you like?"

Just as Empress Wang was about to explain, the Emperor continued, "I think Minister Lu is quite good."

What does this mean? Is it a test of the Wang family's attitude?

Empress Wang smiled faintly and said, "My younger sister is unruly and mischievous. How could she be worthy of Grand Secretary Lu? Please don't joke around."

"Your Majesty, please do not be modest. As a daughter of the royal family, you are certainly no ordinary woman."

As Pei Yuanling spoke, he raised his eyes to look at the handsome young prime minister below him: "The Wang family is still reluctant to marry off their daughter, and Minister Lu also prioritizes state affairs. It is quite a good match. I think it would be better to let Minister Lu get to know your sister more. Perhaps if the two of them get to know each other, they can also find a good match."

"What does the Empress think?"

Although the question was posed, it wasn't a genuine inquiry into her meaning. Empress Wang naturally understood this and nodded slightly: "Since Your Majesty is willing to act as the matchmaker, I will certainly do my best to cooperate."

The dancers were still gracefully dancing in the hall when suddenly, a melodious song drifted over, blending into the music of string and wind instruments, sounding exceptionally lively, like heavenly music.

As everyone was captivated by the beautiful singing, a veiled woman entered with graceful dance steps.

The woman wore a pink and white shimmering dress. As she danced gracefully, the emerald green beaded flowers on the dress moved with her, shining brightly like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present.

Almost instantly, Lu Zhiheng recognized the person as the graceful figure swept past him.