The price of "Huayan" has not been negotiated, and the day of the palace banquet has arrived.
Nangong Yue put on a lot of make-up, and entered the palace with Xiao Yi.
Today's palace banquet was arranged in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. When the two arrived, there were already many officials in the hall. As soon as they entered the hall, they attracted a lot of attention. Since the offering of captives at the Meridian Gate, Xiao Yi has been staying in Zhennan Wangfu, clinging to Nangong Yue, almost shutting the door, and taking Nangong Yue with him when he goes out occasionally, so that those who want to have a relationship with him have not been able to do so until today. It seemed that they had found an opportunity, and they came forward to greet each other one after another. After a short distance of more than ten feet, they walked nearly a stick of incense before they were able to be seated...
Before the emperor arrived, all the ministers and female relatives chatted in twos and threes, and the topic naturally revolved around today's palace banquet. Words like this one after another in the temple...
At that time, all the ministers took their seats in the hall one by one, and the empress ascended to the throne in their shouts of long live.
The emperor is radiant and full of energy today, and Dayu's country is becoming more and more powerful. For the emperor, it is more effective than any panacea.
After the waiter caught Liu Gonggong's wink, he reported in a sharp voice: "Tell the envoys of Baiyue to see you!" The "Baiyue" in his mouth is the name of the Nanman country, but Dayu and his subordinates are not familiar with the barbarians from all directions. It is called contemptuously.
Soon, six high-ranking ministers in strange costumes lined up in two rows and bowed into the Hall of Supreme Harmony with solemn and solemn expressions. Behind them are a dozen or so Nanban beauties, each wearing a white dance skirt with gold threads sandwiched between them. The sleeves fluttered like white waves.
Several envoys stopped in the center of the hall, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times to the emperor sitting on the throne.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the civil and military officials on both sides and the imperial wives all commented and whispered to these strangely dressed foreign visitors.
Since Dayu established the dynasty, Baiyue has never sent envoys to court, but today, it is to seek peace, and all the officials in the hall feel that their faces are bright, their eyebrows are beaming, and they all straighten their backs Straight, with his chin raised slightly, he looked at the envoys with contempt.
Logically speaking, if ordinary envoys came to Dayu, the emperor would of course give seats to these guests from afar at this time, but this time the envoys from Nanman Baiyue came to seek peace, and the emperor put on airs enough Enough, just lightly let them get up.
The head of the envoy bowed slightly and said respectfully: "His Majesty the Emperor Dayu, I have come here to seek peace with the Emperor of Heaven by the order of my king. My Baiyue is willing to cede the land of Nanyuan City and Silicon Jade City. One million taels of tribute silver, one thousand horses each, and ten thousand silks are exchanged for peace between the two countries."
Baiyue caused Dayu a lot of losses this time, how could he let it come true so easily! A cold light flashed in the emperor's eyes.
Uncle Xuan Ping has always been sympathetic to the holy will, he took a step forward, and said coldly: "Master A Da Chi, you and our two countries have enjoyed peace for seventeen years, but you are so ambitious that you send troops to occupy our land of Dayu, massacre I, the people of Dayu, want to seek peace with just two cities now? Is it too small to look down on me, Dayu?"
This peace negotiation is the same as doing business, you have to bargain back and forth several times, and A Dachi didn't expect to be able to do it all at once, so he was not in a hurry. He was about to speak, but he heard a male voice casually said: "Your Majesty, I doubt whether Baiyue really intends to talk about peace. As we all know, the road from Dayu to Nanyuan City is surrounded by swamps. If you want to go to Nanyuan City, you must Bypassing Liushui Mountain, what is the use of my Dayu coming to such a city? As for the silicon jade city, it used to be a good place to produce jade, but the jade has been mined out in recent years. Merchants and craftsmen come from there. Most of it has been evacuated, such a barren city, it is still delusional to give us Dayu!"
One sentence made Ah Dachi sweat profusely, and he couldn't help thinking: I don't know who this person is? I didn't expect that this king's capital is thousands of miles away from the southern border, and there are people who know so much about their Baiyue city.
He followed the sound with trepidation, and saw that the person speaking was a handsome young man in brocade robes, the other party looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, male and female, and his appearance was as beautiful as a figure in a painting.
An envoy behind A Dachi's left immediately whispered something in A Dachi's ear, and A Dachi's pupils shrank immediately, and he looked at him again in disbelief.
Xiao Yi!
He is actually Xiao Yi, the eldest son of Zhennan Prince!
It was the Xiao Yi who ruined his Nanman event this time!
A Dachi was in a very complicated mood for a while. Before this battle, the son of the Zhennan Prince was unknown; but now the story of his legendary defeat of the experienced eldest prince in the first battle has already spread throughout Baiyue. , and the rumors became more and more bizarre. Later, Xiao Yi, the son of Zhennan Prince, was said to be a god-like existence. Many Baiyue officers and soldiers even swore that he had a face like a yaksha and was truly ferocious. It made the listeners change their faces when they heard the wind, and the children cried at night.
I still remember the day when I entered the capital, although I only saw Xiao Yi's back, his wanton and arrogant attitude, which even ignored the prince, shocked him very much.
However, he did not expect that the frightening son of the Zhennan Prince in the legend was actually a picturesque young man. If someone had not told him, he would not have believed it, and he could not help but become alert in his heart: the Zhennan Prince's mansion was born in the old town where he passed away. Since King Nan started, he has formed an enmity with Baiyue... Now in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, if there is one person who does not want this peace talks to succeed, then it is only Prince Zhennan.
To decide whether His Highness the First Prince can return to Baiyue safely is the peace talks this time, and I must not make any mistakes.
A Dachi cautiously raised his eyes and glanced at the emperor on the throne. Seeing that the emperor's face was sinking like water, he hurriedly lowered his head again. The emperor said in a deep voice, "Envoy, what do you have to say?" beyond words.
A Dachi was so anxious that his forehead was sweating. The King of Baiyue chose Nanyuan City and Silicon Jade City naturally had his own selfish motives, but no matter what, he couldn't admit it here. He wiped his sweat with his cuff, and said in a trembling voice: "Emperor Dayu, Nanyuan City and Silicon Jade City are close to the southern border of Dayu, and my king also has good intentions. If Emperor Dayu has any objections, I can write a letter as soon as possible Discuss with my king again."
The envoy's bow was expected by everyone. After all, now that Dayu has won a great victory, whether to take advantage of the victory to pursue it or to stop the war depends only on the emperor's words, not to mention that the eldest prince of Baiyue is still in the emperor's hands. It's just that hearing the envoy's humble prayer at this time still lifted the spirits of the emperor and the officials in the palace and made them feel elated.
After a pause, the envoy continued: "Emperor Dayu, my king ordered me to bring sixteen beautiful beauties from our country to His Majesty this time, to show our country's sincerity to Your Majesty!"
At the same time as he was speaking, those stunning Baiyue women were all slightly bending over, showing their exquisite figures, which attracted a lot of admiring eyes from the palace for a while. This beauty from a foreign land is still unique.
With so many beauties, the emperor can't bear it alone, so...
The minister with a flexible mind had already thought about it, and looked around secretly, guessing who would have such a good fortune today.
Sure enough, after the emperor accepted the beauties, he began to award important officials. King Qi was the emperor's brother, so naturally he could not do without;
Such a beauty entered the back house, neither a concubine nor a concubine, at best she was just a plaything, and no one would care about charging an extra one.
At this time, the men were beaming, but the women felt sore. It's just that most of these ladies want to show their virtuousness, and they also worry that this is a gift from the emperor. I don't care anymore. But there are also some people who can't swallow this breath. Princess Qi endured it again and again, and suddenly thought of a plan, and the corners of her mouth slightly curled up triumphantly.
She stood up, blessed her body and said: "Your Majesty, Prince Xiao is the hero of this battle. My wife boldly said that the emperor must not forget to reward Prince Xiao!" Princess Qi was very proud, Xiao Yi and Nangong Yue It's a young couple who is newly married, and there must be no room for sand in their eyes. This time is really a godsend opportunity, Nangong Yue is sure to suffer this loss!
After being said by Princess Qi, the emperor's eyes also fell on Xiao Yi, and he was a little moved.
Indeed, Xiao Yi made a great contribution this time, so naturally he should be rewarded!
Xiao Yi glanced coldly at Princess Qi, but soon smiled nonchalantly, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you can reward me with these beauties for nothing! I have married Baiyue now." Damn, I heard that the people in Baiyue are eager to eat the blood of their ministers, if these beauties come to the minister's mansion... maybe the emperor will never see his ministers again tomorrow!"
When Xiao Yi said the first sentence, all the officials still frowned slightly, thinking that he was arrogant because of his favor, and it was very shameless, but when he analyzed it to the end, everyone including the emperor deeply believed it.
yes!
The prince of Zhennan killed so many Nanman people this time, these Nanman beauties probably hated him too!
This day and night defense, the most difficult thing to guard against is the person next to the pillow. Princess Qi's idea is really thought-provoking.
For a moment, countless speculative eyes were projected on Princess Qi.
Xiao Yi glanced lightly at Princess Qi, and said again: "Your Majesty, I am so touched by my concubine's concern for me. Why don't you give the concubine the beauties that the emperor intends to reward me with?"
This is said to be rewarded to the princess, but everyone knows that it is actually rewarded to King Qi.
Inexplicably got another Nanman beauty, King Qi was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked her, while Princess Qi's face turned green and pale. I didn't expect that Prince Xiao would be so ungrateful!
A Dachi didn't mind how Emperor Dayu allocated those beauties. As long as the emperor was willing to accept these beauties, it would be a very good start for the peace talks.
A Dachi said respectfully again: "His Majesty Emperor Dayu, His Highness the Saintess of our country has carefully prepared, and wants to perform a dance for you in the hall today, please allow me!"
Whether it is the emperor or the ministers of Dayu, they have long heard how beautiful and extraordinary the Nanman saintess is, and now they finally have the opportunity to see her true face, and they are all looking forward to it.
Soon after the emperor approved, two young women walked into the hall side by side. The one on the left was dressed in a green dress and looked just delicate. He held a red waist drum in his hand and looked like a musician.
The one on the right is wrapped in a white gauze skirt that wraps her graceful and exquisite body, her seaweed-like black hair hangs down to her waist. Her face was covered with a white veil, and under the veil, her clear and beautiful face was looming, revealing a bit of mysterious and hazy beauty.
Outside the veil, her bare forehead is as white as jade, as delicate and flawless as a porcelain doll carved from jade. But what attracted everyone's attention the most was her pair of bright eyes outside the veil. These eyes turned out to be as clear and blue as the sky, so translucent and beautiful that people couldn't look away.
Obviously, this masked stunning woman must be the saint in Achita's mouth.
Everyone's eyes wandered on her face, with a hint of disappointment in their eyes.
Since they all came to perform dances for the emperor, they still pretend to be mysterious and veiled, which is really suspected of being mysterious!
After the two women saluted the emperor together, the musician among them retreated in small steps. At the same time, she patted the snare drum lightly, and the soft and cheerful drum music sounded.
The woman in white jumped up lightly, raised her slender jade legs, and danced lightly, revealing her slender white and tender jade feet. Her snow-white bare feet are small and exquisite, her ankles are slender but plump, soft as if boneless, as smooth as jade, as soft as satin, her slender toes are well-proportioned and neat, and her light red toenails are crystal clear, like petals of peach blossoms.
It was covered by the long skirt that dragged the floor before, and it was not until this moment that everyone realized that the Nanman saint was dancing barefoot, and the eyes of all the officials in the temple couldn't help but widen.
In the very rhythmic drums, the woman in white dances her body heartily, she is like water, sometimes agitated, like stormy waves; Her delicate body is extremely soft and light, and every movement is unbelievably beautiful. Her body is as soft as a snake and can be bent to an incredible angle. When she jumps, she flies up like a pair of wings growing behind her... Sometimes elegant, sometimes charming , sometimes delicate, sometimes mysterious, when dancing, the white veil and gauze skirt fluttered with her dancing like butterfly wings, occasionally showing off her slender neck, and occasionally revealing her delicate red lips and pointed chin, trying to hide her To cover up, the exotic style revealed in her gestures is so dizzying that one can't wait to take off the veil on her face to have a glimpse of her face.
I don't know how long it took, the drumbeat gradually slowed down, then became as sharp as a storm, and finally came suddenly.
The dance of the woman in white also stopped with the sound of the drum, and it took only an instant for her to go from extreme movement to extreme stillness. Her slender figure stood in the palace, looking so thin, but she also had a feeling of being reclusive and independent.
She raised her slender hands and slowly took off the white veil on her face, revealing little by little her beautiful facial features, hibiscus dimples, soft red lips half-opened, coupled with those bright blue eyes, clear and clear, Looking around, she is so beautiful that she is unbelievably beautiful, but she is not coquettish or flattering, with a hint of holiness.
Amid the sound of gasping for breath, she gracefully knelt three times and kowtowed nine times: "Please refer to His Majesty Emperor Dayu for putting clothes on."
Her voice is like a clear spring, she is articulate, and what is even more surprising is that she can speak fluent Dayu dialect.
All the ministers couldn't help admiring, and whispered: This Nanman saint really deserves her reputation! That dance is completely different from their Dayu's dance, but it also reveals an indescribable beauty.
King Qi, who has always loved beauty, stared at the saint even more, his eyes were almost obsessed, seeing that Princess Qi secretly hated: Another vixen!
However, Concubine Qi also understands that there is only one saint girl, so she must not be in the turn of King Qi, and she doesn't know whether the emperor will accept it by herself, or...
Thinking about it this way, Princess Qi finally felt much more relaxed, and even felt a little bit of anticipation, waiting to see a good show.
Such a beautiful woman and good at dancing, even the emperor, who was used to seeing all kinds of beauties, couldn't help showing a little interest, and laughed loudly: "Excuse me!" After a pause, he said, "I didn't expect the saint to say that we Dayu words."
Bai Yi stood up and replied: "Back to His Majesty Emperor Dayu, Bai Yi has loved the Central Plains culture since childhood, not only learned Dayu's language, but also read a lot of Dayu's books."
A few words are not considered flattery, but they praised Dayu again, and the smile in the emperor's eyes grew stronger when he heard it.
The envoy Achita was secretly happy, and walked to the center of the hall again, stood beside the saintess in her clothes, bowed and said, "Respected Emperor Dayu, my king ordered me to tell your majesty that I want to marry Dayu with a saintess! I don't know what your Majesty wants?"
Marriage is not impossible, but, unlike those beauties who were randomly presented as playthings by the envoys just now, the marriage is to be announced to the world, and the emperor must give the saint a title... The emperor frowned thoughtfully, and his eyes were on the clothes Lingering on the beautiful face for a while.
Looking at the emperor's eyes, Ah Chi felt relieved, and felt that there was still great hope for this matter.
However, the ministers below were shocked. This saintess sounded like a saintess, but in fact she was just a ruthless southern barbarian who drank blood, but she looked alluring and charming, just like the reincarnation of Daji and the resurrection of Bao Si. If this is really brought into the harem by the emperor, the emperor will be fascinated. Not only will it disturb the harem, but it will even give birth to dragon sons mixed with southern barbarian blood.
A minister couldn't help getting up and said: "Your Majesty, this Baiyue saint is neither a princess nor a bloodline of the royal family. It is really inappropriate for Baiyue to use her as a marriage."
"Your Majesty, what Master You said is true." Another minister stood up and echoed, and deliberately looked at the saintess with a disdainful look, "This saintess is indeed a dancer, after all, she is just a dancer." .”
Hearing this, Achi's expression froze, revealing a hint of annoyance of being humiliated, and said: "Your Majesty the Emperor Dayu, what the saint danced just now was a dance for worshiping the gods!" Achi took a deep breath and argued hard He also said, "Please allow Achi to say a few more words. If the dancer is compared to a craftsman, then the saint in our country can be called a 'master'. This ordinary craftsman is just making the same work repeatedly, but the master It is creating. The dance that the saint just performed is extraordinary and refined, it is my Baiyue's dance of worshiping the gods, and it is definitely not the flattering dancer!"
Ah Chi's remarks were well-founded and moved several ministers in the hall.
Indeed, once any kind of skill reaches the status of "master", it is different from ordinary people, and it has reached a new level.
Master Nayou said again: "Minister Achida, although the holy girl has extraordinary dancing skills, she is compared to a 'master'. Is there any suspicion of boasting? I, Dayu, also have women with extraordinary dancing skills, but I dare not call myself a master." "As he said, he turned around and bowed to the emperor, "As far as I know, the third prince has a confidante, Miss Bai, who is also good at dancing. When Xiye's envoy visited Dayu, she danced and made the whole world dance. I was so amazed that even the envoys were shocked. The minister thought it would be better to invite Miss Bai and the Holy Maiden to compete to see who is more skilled and who is the real 'Master'!"
When Lord You mentioned this, the emperor also remembered Bai Muxiao's sword dance at the Fang Banquet in Yuncheng, and the sentence "killing a person in ten steps, never staying for a thousand miles" seemed to be still in his ears.
Although Bai Muxiao's words to the third prince were too frivolous and displeased the emperor, but the emperor also had to admit that this little girl was indeed somewhat daring.
The emperor pondered for a moment, and said: "Bring on my word of mouth, the daughter of the Xuanbai family will go to the palace!"
As soon as the emperor gave the order, a servant hurried away to take the order.
However, there was some commotion in the palace because of this sudden change. Most of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the female relatives didn't know much about Bai Muxiao, but they soon got to know Qi Qi after some insiders gave a detailed explanation. Eighty-eight.
For a moment, most of the eyes in the hall were cast on the third prince and the third concubine, and most of them were waiting to see the good show.
Since this white girl is the concubine of the third prince who has not entered the house, if she behaves badly later and loses face, it will be the third prince's face; if she saves face, the third prince and concubine will not be happy either. !
The eyes of the crowd seemed to be pierced with countless needles on the body of the third concubine Cui Yanyan, but her consistent upbringing did not allow her to lose her composure, so she could only put on airs and drink tea as if nothing had happened.
The dowry maid behind her has always understood her master's temperament. Seeing her grasping the porcelain cup too hard, she knew that she might be very angry, and her body couldn't help trembling subconsciously. The master is not happy, and the unlucky ones in the end are just these servants... In front of others, the master is still the elegant, noble and decent third concubine.
About half an hour later, Bai Muxiao walked slowly into the palace in a moon-white dress amidst the servants' shrieking announcement. Today is a formal palace banquet, and the other imperial wives who came to the palace banquet all wore heavy makeup. Therefore, they all have grand makeup, dignified and self-sufficient. In comparison, Bai Muxiao just wears a simple double flat maid and a few pink beaded flowers on her hair, which makes her look much fresher and cleaner.
As soon as Bai Muxiao entered the palace, Han Lingfu's eyes couldn't help but fall on her. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, he still couldn't hide the burning passion and admiration in his eyes.
This woman is the most sensitive, and the third imperial concubine Cui Yanyan is not a fool, so she naturally sensed something wrong with her husband, and her heart shivered. Because since they got married, the third prince has never consummated the house with her, even though she used the empress dowager to reveal the matter regardless of embarrassing tricks, the third prince still did not give in, and was even more indifferent to her.
Cui Yanyan had long suspected that the third prince would treat her like this, probably because of Bai Muxiao's relationship. Now, it seems that her suspicion was not wrong! Could it be that the third prince's hesitation in consummating the marriage with her is really because of this woman
Cui Yanyan's gloomy eyes were also fixed on Bai Muxiao's body, her expression was secretive.
After Bai Muxiao knelt down to salute the emperor, the servant explained the ins and outs of the matter, and Bai Muxiao's expression became more and more gloomy.
The emperor personally sent someone to the White Mansion to pick her up. Of course, she was in doubt, but the servant who came to deliver the word of mouth immediately hinted that this time was a great opportunity for her... But if she asked further, the servant would not agree. I don't want to disclose it.
Bai Muxiao didn't know until now that the reason why the emperor recruited her into the palace was to let her dance in front of the officials.
Bai Muxiao's eyes showed a look of humiliation, and it was dark.
At first, she was willing to dance in front of Xirong's envoys. First, it was out of her own will; second, it was to maintain Dayu's dignity in front of the envoys.
But this time it was very different!
The emperor's attitude of coming and going as soon as he is called is clearly belittling her and treating her like a dancer!
Although I don't think dancers are humble, but in the eyes of these Dayu people, dancers are cheap!
The emperor first ordered her to be the third prince's concubine, and now he regards her as a dancer and the like...
Even if she didn't look around, she could still know that those officials and so-called ladies were looking at her with contemptuous eyes as if looking at a plaything... Nangong Yue, the third concubine must be one of them!
Bai Muxiao knelt in the palace for a moment with downcast eyes, took a deep breath, and said loudly: "Back to the emperor, although the status of a common girl is low, she is not a dancer. Please choose someone else!" Of course Bai Muxiao knew what she said. What will happen to these words? If the emperor becomes angry for a while, it is possible to order her to be executed. But a scholar can be killed and cannot be humiliated. If she abandons all principles and goes after the emperor, will she still be the same as before
Even she would despise herself!
Bai Muxiao's words shocked the whole room, no matter whether it was Man Chao Wenwu or Gao Ming's wife, they all looked at her in disbelief.
Is this little girl crazy
The emperor asked her to dance a dance, it was a holy favor, she was so ignorant of flattery!
Probably only Nangong Yue was not surprised at all, she was happily eating the fish that Xiao Yi had picked for her. She didn't care at all whether Bai Muxiao danced or not. And Xiao Yi didn't bother to pay attention to who was dancing, seeing his stinky girl eating happily, he picked even more vigorously.
At this time, the person who cares most is probably the third prince and his wife.
Cui Yanyan looked at Bai Muxiao gloatingly, secretly hoping that the emperor would punish him severely!
However--
The next moment, Han Lingfu stood up resolutely, and respectfully said to the emperor: "Father, Miss Bai may be too reckless and bold in her words, but she is not bad. Miss Bai is not a dancer."
To be honest, Han Lingfu felt a little disappointed in his heart. He thought this was a great opportunity, enough to change Bai Muxiao's impression in the emperor's heart, but he didn't expect Bai Muxiao to reject it out of hand... Disappointed, Han Lingfu had to tell Himself, Bai Muxiao is the girl he admires, since she is unwilling, since she feels humiliated, how can I force her regardless of her wishes!
How could I just watch her anger her father, so that she would die in a coma
As a man, if he can't even protect the woman he loves, is he still a man
Han Lingfu said to himself firmly in his heart, so knowing that his remarks just now would displease the emperor, he still stood up and said it.
In an instant, Cui Yanyan's face could no longer be steady, and her entire face turned black.
This woman, this woman who is only worthy of being a lowly concubine, has actually fascinated His Highness the Third Prince so much. I don't know what kind of ecstasy drug this bitch gave His Highness, so that His Highness even dared to challenge the emperor! Isn't this crazy
Cui Yanyan's eyes were fixed on Bai Muxiao's body as if suddenly poisoned...
For Bai Muxiao, these were not important, but when she saw the emperor showing displeasure towards Han Lingfu, she couldn't turn a blind eye.
For his own sake, Han Lingfu did not hesitate to offend the supreme emperor, which might even affect his road to succession, he still has no hesitation.
She stared deeply at Han Lingfu for a moment, and said to herself that for the future of herself and the third prince, she had to make a choice. She could not be selfish and only cared about her meager dignity, but sacrificed his great future.
Compared with his sacrifice, even if he endured the humiliation for a while, what is it!
Bai Muxiao took a deep breath, finally made a decision, endured the humiliation, and begged for justice: "Please don't blame the third prince, Your Majesty, the daughter of the people is willing to dance!"
Hearing this, Han Lingfu looked at Bai Muxiao in disbelief.