SFS Chapter 239 Who isn't a shrewd person?
Chapter 239 Who isn't a shrewd person?
A hint of coldness flashed in Chu Qingyin's eyes.
Now that she is a concubine, there is no reason for her to openly dance to please others.
The reason why Consort Qin dared to make this suggestion was simply to put on airs by taking advantage of her role in organizing the banquet.
Although she was displeased, she still smiled and rose calmly, saying softly, "Sister Qinfei is too kind. It's just that I haven't practiced dancing for a long time, and I'm afraid I'll fall behind and spoil everyone's fun."
Seeing this, Qiao Qingling immediately said sarcastically, "Is Consort Liang afraid that she won't dance as well as before and will be laughed at, or is she looking down on Consort Qin and unwilling to perform?"
These words immediately caused a slight commotion at the table.
The crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes shifting back and forth between Chu Qingyin and Qiao Qingling.
Who among those present wasn't a shrewd and calculating person?
The discord between these two sisters is obvious to anyone with eyes.
Chu Qingyin ignored Qiao Qingling and looked only at the man on the dragon throne, saying softly, "What does Your Majesty think?"
Pei Yuanling drank a few cups of wine, his cheeks slightly flushed. He looked at Chu Qingyin with eyes full of doting affection and said with a smile, "If my beloved consort is willing, I would naturally be more than happy to oblige. If she is not willing, there is no need to force her."
Chu Qingyin bowed slightly: "Since Your Majesty wishes to see, then this humble concubine will make a fool of herself."
After saying that, he got up and went to the back room to change his clothes.
As soon as she stepped into the inner room, the little palace maid behind her hurriedly followed and carefully took off her eye-catching crimson palace dress.
The candlelight flickered inside, illuminating Chu Qingyin's icy face.
Qin Rong'er and Qiao Qingling were clearly trying to take this opportunity to suppress her, but she probably wouldn't let them have their way.
"Your Highness, this is your dance costume," the young palace maid said softly, presenting a moon-white dance costume embroidered with pale pink peach blossoms.
Chu Qingyin took it, a resolute glint in her eyes. The dance costume seemed to be pink, but under the palace lanterns it appeared cold white. What was their intention in giving her such a dance costume on this festive day?
"Bring me a bright red dance dress," Chu Qingyin ordered coldly.
"Yes."
The people inside the hall immediately withdrew.
The empty side hall was soon empty except for her. Just then, Lu Zhiheng's voice rang out from outside the door: "Why did you agree to perform the dance?"
She turned around and saw the tall man in the red official robe.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his face as handsome as jade. Perhaps because he had been drinking, his pale face was flushed with a faint blush, which added to his dashing and debonair appearance.
Chu Qingyin was slightly taken aback, then said calmly, "Lord Lu, this is the inner chamber of the palace. If you come here rashly and are discovered, it may cause trouble."
Lu Zhiheng, however, seemed not to have heard.
He strode into the room, his gaze fixed on Chu Qingyin: "This is clearly a trap set by Qin Rong'er and Qiao Qingling, why did you still walk into it?"
Chu Qingyin smiled faintly, a smile that carried a hint of helplessness yet also revealed her determination: "Lord Lu, you and I both know that in this palace, some things are unavoidable. If I refuse today, I will only give them leverage."
Actually, she did have some selfish motives.
Since she had already made up her mind to leave, she wanted to leave Pei Yuanling with a good impression one last time, so as not to let him take his anger out on Xianglan and the others after she left the palace.
Chu Qingyin stared into the other person's eyes and said seriously, "Lord Lu need not worry about this matter; I will make my own decision."
"That would be best."
Lu Zhiheng's eyes darkened. He stepped forward and cornered the person. "If the important matter is delayed because of this dance performance, Your Majesty will truly suffer a loss."
Chu Qingyin tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze without flinching, and said, "I know."
Lu Zhiheng pursed his lips and didn't say anything more.
This tranquility made the atmosphere between the two somewhat subtle for a moment.
After a long silence, Lu Zhiheng said, "I know you want to be perfect in everything, but there is no such thing as a perfect outcome in this world."
"I know."
A complex look flashed in Chu Qingyin's eyes as she said in a low voice, "There are just some things I must do before leaving the palace."
She paused, gazing into the distance, as if she could see a far more distant place through the layers of palace walls.
She really wants to leave, but she can't let that drag others down with her.
"You'd better keep your word, Consort Liang. I'm helping you this time, but it's a crime of deceiving the emperor. Don't make things difficult for me."
Lu Zhiheng's expression grew increasingly solemn, his gaze fixed intently on the other person, as if trying to see right through her.
Chu Qingyin remained calm, looking directly into Lu Zhiheng's eyes, and said, word by word, "Lord Lu, rest assured, although I am a woman, I keep my word. If we can get through today's matter safely, I will never forget your kindness in the future."
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly and turned his head away, as if suppressing some emotion. "Forget it, things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more. I'll be there to provide backup. If you're in danger, it's fine to give up this opportunity."
Chu Qingyin's heart stirred slightly, and as if possessed, she tiptoed and placed a kiss on his lips: "Lord Lu, whether I can regain my freedom depends on you."
"rest assured."
Lu Zhiheng took a step back, his Adam's apple bobbing, feeling his earlobes burning.
Chu Qingyin couldn't help but chuckle at his appearance. She stroked his earlobe and was about to speak when she heard footsteps and a maid's voice from outside: "Your Highness, the dance costume has been brought."
Lu Zhiheng's expression hardened, and he immediately retreated into the shadows.
Chu Qingyin took a deep breath and called out, "Come in."
The young palace maid carried the bright red dance costume into the inner room. She noticed that the atmosphere inside was a bit strange, but she didn't dare to ask any questions. She just carefully helped Chu Qingyin change into the dance costume.
The dance costume was exquisitely embroidered, with intricate patterns woven from gold and silver threads. When worn by Chu Qingyin, it made her even more radiant and beautiful.
After the maidservant withdrew, Lu Zhiheng walked up to Chu Qingyin again, looked at her deeply, and a look of amazement flashed in his eyes: "I'll wait for you to come out."
With that, he flashed out of the window and disappeared into the night.
Chu Qingyin tidied her makeup, calmed herself down, and then walked out of the inner room toward the banquet hall.
At this moment, everyone in the banquet hall was eagerly waiting.
Qin Fei and Qiao Qingling sat to the side, seemingly getting impatient.
Chu Qingyin slowly entered the venue, her water sleeves billowing, her gaze sweeping over Lu Zhiheng, who had returned first.
The man sat there calmly, as if the private conversation that had just taken place had never happened.
She took a deep breath, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, gently raised her hand, signaling the musicians to begin playing.
The melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments rose gently, and Chu Qingyin moved with light steps, her figure swaying gracefully like a willow in the wind.
Every movement she made was full of unique charm; as her water sleeves fluttered, it seemed as if fireflies were shimmering.
Pei Yuanling looked at Chu Qingyin in the hall, picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and his eyes were full of admiration.