After a few days, the envoy from the Western Regions came to the palace. Not long after, a eunuch came to summon them from the postal station to perform a dance before the emperor and ministers.
There were two to thirty dancers from the Western Regions this time, each full of foreign charm and extremely beautiful.
Yu Yao was one of them, and also the lead dancer.
After careful dressing, they changed into the special ethnic dance costumes, and then hurriedly entered the palace.
Jingguo's palace was resplendent with gold and brightness, a harmonious blend of music and dance.
As the melodious ancient music began to play, a group of colorful, graceful, and exotic beauties walked into the main hall.
They danced gracefully, perfectly portraying the mystique and magnificence of Western dance.
Suddenly, the dancers scattered to the sides, and a beauty appeared spinning.
Yu Yao was dressed in a red chiffon gown, revealing her arms and slender waist, with her jade legs faintly visible through the thin chiffon as she moved.
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with allure, exuding a sense of seductive charm. Whenever she looked at someone, it felt as though she was conveying a sense of longing and affection.
Compared to the women in the Central Plains, the women from the Western Regions have more plump figures and more feminine appearances.
Her dance, combining the vigor and fervor of the West with the grace and soft beauty of a Central Plains woman.
Every turn, every lift of her hand, exudes a captivating charm that is intoxicating.
Inside the main hall, everyone was attracted by her dance, and their eyes followed her figure closely.
This includes Emperor Xuanhuán Càn of Jingguo, as well as Xuanhuán Chéng, who was seated at the head among the ministers.
Yu Yao's eyes swept towards Xuanhuán Chéng with a hint of intention or indifference. Her seductive figure moved with the rhythm of the drums, her slithery waist, twisting like a snake, seemed to have a magical allure that attracted the attention of everyone present, her fiery passion.
The ministers of Jingguo are used to the soft and classical music of Wu, so this fiery and passionate Western dance was very shocking to them.
A few elderly and rigid ministers cursed: "Unbecoming. "
The young ministers, on the other hand, watched with pleasure, their eyes fixated.
The faces of the concubines in attendance were not very good.
"Shameless! Revealing arms and legs is one thing, but performing such a dance in public is disgraceful."
Consort Li, sitting on her cushion, glared at Yu Yao with enmity and couldn't help but start cursing.
The Queen looked at Consort Li and nodded slightly, agreeing and saying: "Indeed, they are from a barbarous land and have no manners."
There are already enough women in the harem. If another exotic one comes, the days to come might be even tougher.
Emperor Xuanhuán Zàn heard the queen's words and chuckled, "Your Majesty is mistaken, Consort, this is Western culture, naturally different from our Jingguo. Just enjoy it; there's no need to be angry."
The main hall was filled with the sound of strings and pipes, and the room was brilliantly lit.
Xuanhuán Chéng sat quietly, holding a wine cup, sipping from it intermittently. His eyes were fixed on the women dancing in the center of the scene, as if he were appreciating the performance.
Yu Yao knew that Xuanhuán Chéng was watching her, and with a slight smile, her dance became even more enchanting, and her eyes grew even more seductive.
She deliberately made each movement more provocative, and every eye contact was filled with seductive allure.
"Prince, what do you think of Yu Yao's dance?"
Taking advantage of the situation, the Western envoy pandered, knowing that Yu Yao was a killer sent by the court to assassinate Xuanhuán Chéng. He naturally didn't want her to stay in the palace and stepped forward to help.
Xuanhuán Chéng did not answer, only glancing at the envoy with a faint glance and then refocused his attention on Yu Yao.
Though there was no expression, his eyes were sparkling with a strange light.
Western beauty, indeed, lives up to its reputation.
Especially the one in front of him.
Seeing that Xuanhuán Chéng did not reply, the envoy looked embarrassed and sullenly retreated to one side.
Yu Yao saw that Xuanhuán Chéng did not respond, his eyes remained calm and still, as if he had not seen her provocations.
But his eyes did not leave her, indicating that Xuanhuán Chéng was satisfied with her, but he was constrained by his status or his own temperament.
Knowing that she had captured Xuanhuán Chéng's attention, she felt at ease.
However, how to enter the Marquess's residence is a problem. She can't just ask for it herself.
Emperor Xuanhuán Zàn sat on the dragon chair, watching the scene below, and his heart could not help but stir.
Although the Western Regions outwardly submit to Jingguo and pay tributes every year, they have been restlessly agitating, and their wolfish ambitions have never diminished.
He looked at Yu Yao dancing in the hall, and a hint of regret flashed across his eyes.
He wanted to bring the woman into his harem, but thought about having to guard against her constantly in the future, and found it troublesome.
His gaze shifted to Xuanhuán Chéng, who was intently watching the dance, and he suddenly had an idea.
The pillar of Jingguo, a great hero. It is quite reasonable to give the beauty to him as a reward.
Let him worry about it.
After the song was over, Yu Yao also stopped and knelt down, calling out respectfully: "Long live the emperor!"
Emperor Xuanhuán Zàn's gaze lingered on Yu Yao for a long time, exclaiming: "The Western dance is indeed well deserved of its reputation. The dance is beautiful, and the person is even more beautiful. This is very good. Reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the favor."
Yu Yao smiled and spoke respectfully.
Taking advantage of the situation, the Western envoy smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Yu Yao is the desert flower of our Western Regions. Her dance and appearance are top-notch. She was specially sent over a thousand miles to present them to Your Majesty."
Although the envoy hoped more for Yu Yao to enter Xuanhuán Chéng's Qin mansion.
But the words had to be put that way, otherwise it would be an affront to the emperor.
The concubines in attendance became tense and focused on Xuanhuán Zàn.
The empress's face was also not very good, and her hands were tightly twisting the handkerchief.
Fearful that the emperor would agree if he were pleased.
However, Xuanhuán Zàn did not, as everyone expected, keep the Western beauty in the palace.
Although he did want to in his heart.
"Although I love beauty, I value heroes more. My younger brother has a formidable reputation and many military victories, serving as the guardian of Jingguo. Today, I shall bestow this Western beauty upon my younger brother. What say do you have, Young Brother?"
He looked at Xuanhuán Chéng and smiled, asking in a gentle tone.
This remark sent shockwaves through the crowd.
But it was not entirely unexpected.
The queen and the concubines in attendance secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and their faces were not as bad as before.
Yu Yao tensed up, staring at Xuanhuán Chéng, unsure of what the man would answer next.
Xuanhuán Chéng's lips curled slightly, his handsome and profound face unreadable, as if he was not moved by the unexpected gift.
He looked at Xuanhuán Zàn and nodded slightly, "Thank you, my brother, for the gift."
He accepted the gift.
Yu Yao breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the weight on her heart had finally fallen.
She quickly left the palace and was sent to Xuanhuán Chéng's Qin Mansion - the Fuchun Mansion.
The title "Qin Wang" refers to Xuanhuán Chéng's rank and title as a marquis.
Located in the northwest corner of the capital city of Jingguo, there was a lush bamboo grove, where the leaves rustled like whispers.
The gate of the mansion was intricately carved with delicate dragon and phoenix patterns, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Walking into the interior, pavilions, pavilions, and towers were layered and arranged in a harmonious way, with artificial mountains and flowing water adding to the fun.
Yu Yao was settled down in the Fragrant Flora Garden located in the northwest corner of the Qin Mansion by the butler.
The courtyard was filled with a variety of flowers, blooming in all seasons, creating a beautiful and tranquil environment.
The problem is that the courtyard is too secluded, located far from the main hall, as if it was meant to be a corner of the mansion.
Yu Yao knew that this was to keep her in check, and she didn't mind.
There was a servant girl in charge of attending to her, named Xiang Ling, a lively and lovely girl who always smiled warmly, giving a sense of familiarity.
"Xiang Ling, is there anyone else besides the Lord in the Qin Mansion besides the Lord?"
Yu Yao sat on a soft bed by the window, gently plucking the strings of her zither, casually asking.
Xiang Ling was pouring tea and, upon hearing her question, paused for a moment before replying, "To answer Miss, the Lord has not taken a wife. Besides His Lordship himself, there are no other masters."
Yu Yao's lips curled up slightly and she continued, "Then, do there have concubines and retainers in the Qin Mansion?"
Xiang Ling knew that she was a dancer gifted by the emperor to the Lord, so it was natural for her to be concerned about these matters.
She gently placed the freshly brewed tea on the table, explaining, "There are several women living next to Fragrant Flora Garden, all of them granted by the emperor and the empress dowager. However, the Lord has not taken them as concubines or given them titles; he merely keeps them in his household."
Yu Yao was somewhat surprised. She remembered that Xuanhuán Chéng was nearly thirty, which in ancient times would be considered middle-aged.
Not taking a wife was one thing, but sending women to the Qin Mansion as ornaments and not using them was another.
Is it truly a matter of keeping himself pure, or is there some unknown illness that he is suffering from?
Thinking about the fact that Xuanhuán Chéng often fought on the front line, Yu Yao couldn't help but suspect that maybe he had been injured somewhere and couldn't be used…
Thinking this way, her expression became strange.
Then she shook her head. If Xuanhuán Chéng had any physical problems, the system would definitely tell her.
"Wangye... he has always been like this?" Yu Yao questioned tentatively.
Xiang Ling looked at her and nodded, "Yes, the Lord is not particularly interested in women. He is fully absorbed in the state and military affairs. The empress dowager is worried about this every day, organizing flower-viewing banquets one after another, but the Lord doesn't even look at them..."
Yu Yao did not ask further. She had almost foreseen her own fate, as the women granted by the empress and the emperor were just decorative in the mansion.
Even more so, she was a dance girl presented by the Western Regions as a tribute, which would definitely be more guarded.
