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Mu Junqi listened, clearly not expecting Consort Qian to challenge her in front of so many people, but she maintained her composure and lightly parted her lips, saying, “Empress Dowager, Consort has little knowledge of dance and may not be able to perform well. If I offend your eyes, that would be Consort's fault. However, in Consort's opinion, Consort Qian’s dancing is graceful and unmatched.”
Upon hearing this, Consort Qian looked at Mu Junqi with delight and disdainfully replied, “Empress, your words make me feel embarrassed. However, I have long heard that you are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Moreover, as the National Mother of our Western Yan Kingdom, wouldn’t it be a shame if you cannot dance? Or perhaps you simply do not wish to?”
Her words sparked a flurry of discussions among the Ministers, as if failing to perform before everyone today would be a grave disrespect. Helplessly glancing towards Mo Xiao Li, she saw him expressionlessly sipping his Pu'er tea, as if he hadn’t heard their conversation at all.
For some reason, she felt a wave of frustration rise within her. Standing up, she looked at everyone and softly said, “Since that’s the case, This Palace cannot refuse.” She then slightly bowed to Empress Dowager and continued, “Then Consort will embarrass herself; I hope Empress Dowager will not laugh at Consort.” After saying this, she stepped onto the stage.
At that moment, the Yun Jin Palace was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard. Everyone was intently watching the person standing on the stage. Mu Junqi received the Pipa from a palace maid beside her and bowed towards Mo Xiao Li. The beautiful sound soon followed as she began to dance gracefully to the music. With her eyes closed, she immersed herself in the melody, feeling as though she was expressing her sadness, helplessness, and pain through her movements, making everyone forget to breathe.
Suddenly putting down the Pipa, the musicians played a beautiful dance tune again. A group of dancers appeared on stage, with Mu Junqi moving among them. Centered in their midst, she extended her arms gracefully while skillfully manipulating the colorful ribbons in her hands. Each leap made her seem like a butterfly soaring in mid-air.
The surrounding people displayed expressions of awe and admiration. Just when everyone thought it was about to end, the accompanying dancers withdrew one by one, leaving her alone in the center.
She suddenly tossed aside the colorful ribbons in her hands; with a flick of her long sleeves made of sheer white fabric tinged with pink, they created a perfect arc in mid-air.
As the performance concluded, thunderous applause erupted after a long pause. Regardless of her reputation, at that moment her dance and song captivated everyone. After finishing her performance, she naturally turned to look at Xia Ziqian, meeting his gaze. Her heart raced instantly; her cheeks flushed as she hurriedly bowed before stepping down from the stage.
Once seated again, the flush on her face had yet to fade. She lowered her head slightly but felt a cold and fierce gaze fixed on her. Looking up, she saw Consort Qian’s angry expression but chose to ignore it and withdrew her gaze.
Next came the dancers performing on stage while officials whispered among themselves; it was quite lively for a moment. However, sitting next to Mo Xiao Li, Mu Junqi could clearly sense his anger. Unsure if it was just her imagination or not, she felt that his anger was directed at her but didn’t dwell on it further as the banquet came to an end.
Since that evening banquet, Mu Junqi had not seen Mo Xiao Li for a long time. However, she felt quite relieved by his absence. Days passed quietly until after Empress Dowager returned; according to customs, the Harem Consorts were supposed to pay their respects morning and evening. Yet, due to poor health, Empress Dowager had canceled those duties.
As the year-end approached, I woke up to find heavy snow falling outside, like goose feathers. After calling for Mur to help me get ready, I still felt extremely cold in the bedroom. I ordered a few more heaters to be added, but it was still bone-chillingly cold. I had no choice but to wrap myself in a thin blanket and lie on the soft couch, holding a heater in my arms.
Only then did I feel a bit warmer, and I couldn't help but recall the times before entering the palace when I would build snowmen and play with Mur in the Apricot Blossom Pavilion whenever it snowed. Now that I was in the palace, the rules and etiquette constrained everything, including love...
Just as I was dozing off, Mur rushed in, flustered, saying, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened."
I straightened up, and the thin blanket slipped off me. The sudden chill made me shiver involuntarily, but I frowned and asked, "What’s going on? Why are you so flustered?"
Gasping for breath, Mur managed to say, "I just heard that Lord Xia has been imprisoned due to negligence."
Upon hearing this, my mind went blank as I stared at Mur and softly said, "You're joking, right? How could he... how could he..." Before I could finish my sentence, I set down the heater and stood up. The biting cold immediately surged from my feet throughout my body. Struggling against the shivers, I grabbed Mur and looked at her expectantly.
Mur hurriedly squatted down to help me put on my shoes and then whispered, "I don't know the specifics either, but this was an order from the Emperor last night. Now everyone in the palace is speculating about what Lord Xia did wrong."
At that moment, I slowly began to calm myself down and casually said while sitting on a nearby chair, "Then go find out what exactly happened."
Mur stared at my suddenly changed expression, standing there in a daze without knowing what to do until I reminded her to go out.
Watching Mur leave, I felt as if all my strength had been drained away. I recalled Mo Xiao Li's sudden change of expression during that banquet and suddenly realized something but forced myself not to think about it.
However, my heart raced faster; sweat beaded in my palms as I anxiously paced around the bedroom.
I didn't know how long it had been when Mur finally returned. Without waiting for me to greet her, she asked, "What happened?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, last night the Emperor summoned Lord Xia to Yun Jin Palace, but I do not know what they discussed. Later, he took him to the Imperial Garden. During that time, someone saw the Emperor coughing continuously, and then for some reason, he became angry and ordered for him to be locked up," Mur said respectfully, glancing cautiously at Mu Junqi.
At this moment, Mu Junqi felt as if she could not think; she sensed that everything stemmed from her actions. Helplessly sitting in her chair, she stared blankly ahead. Mur worriedly said, "Your Majesty, it should be fine. Why don't you go plead with the Emperor?"
However, Mu Junqi merely sneered and replied, "If all of this is caused by me, how could it possibly end because of me? If I go now, it will only make everything worse." Mur could only look at her with concern.
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