The Charm of a Powerful Woman Spreads Across the World - Chapter 192
After the wonderful performance, the young talents present had basically locked in the beauties they wanted to pursue, so it was the men's turn to perform next.
Ru Feng looked at the slip of paper in her hand. It might be about playing the flute, playing the zither, composing a poem, or competing in martial arts... But what she didn't expect was that the slip in her hand was "Dance"!
Ru Xue turned her head to look at Ru Feng's crumpled paper and asked in surprise, "Little brother, let's change it. Men don't dance." In fact, there is a type of man who does dance, but someone of Ru Feng's status shouldn't be dancing.
Ru Feng nodded. Indeed, men of status here do not dance; dancing is a woman's affair. Moreover, generally speaking, men and women draw different lots, so logically she shouldn't have drawn the "dance" lot.
“Your Majesty, my fortune slip is for ‘Dance,’ is there a mistake?” Ru Feng stood up and said loudly.
Everyone was stunned, staring at the two palace maids from before.
The two older palace maids had already returned to the Empress's side. After noticing everyone's gaze, they remained calm and simply said, "The prior inspection found no errors; this was probably an accident."
"Haha, what a surprise!" The emperor suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, affectionately calling out Ru Feng's name, saying, "Ru Feng, this is the will of Heaven! Although no man of high status has ever danced in public since the founding of my Zi Luo Kingdom, I see that Ru Feng is exceptionally handsome and intelligent, and I imagine that his dancing will be a delight to behold." As he spoke, he revealed an expectant expression.
Ru Feng's lips twitched slightly as she looked at the emperor without speaking. She didn't care about her status, but could her stiff physique even dance? She thought of Wu Yan and Murong Yinghe—those were true dancing geniuses. If she were to dance, wouldn't that be like performing a monkey show? Not only would it be embarrassing, but she'd probably be ridiculed afterward.
"Father, Young Master Rufeng can't perform the dance anymore. He's a man. How can we watch him dance?" Tantai Beiyao immediately shouted, but was met with a glance from the emperor, who said, "What kind of behavior is this, a young lady shouting like that? How did your mother raise you?"
Upon hearing this, Tantai Beiyao could only bite her lip, glance apologetically at Rufeng, and sit back in her seat with a wronged expression.
Just as the atmosphere was getting a little awkward, Yu Xuan spoke up: "Father, dancing is generally something that only entertainers of low status do, while women are not restricted. As for Feng, he is now a third-rank general in our country. If he were to dance in public..." He didn't finish his sentence.
The people present fell silent, and all they could hear was the sound of bees flapping their wings.
The emperor smiled slightly, a smile that softened the lines of his face. He said with a smile, "It is said that on the way here today, Ru Feng also attracted a crowd of onlookers. This shows how popular Ru Feng is. He is no less than the legendary Pan An. So Ru Feng is another Pan An."
Ru Feng's lips twitched slightly. Another Pan An? Saying that he was more handsome than Pan An was acceptable, but comparing himself to Pan An was unacceptable. The historical Pan An, after the death of his mother and wife, re-entered officialdom at the age of fifty, but he was a sycophant who fawned on the powerful and wealthy. He also had an improper sexual relationship with the ugly Empress Jia Nanfeng. He sold his body and soul, and was disgraced in both body and soul.
So if she really was another Pan An, how would she live her life? Besides, Pan An died at the age of fifty-three, and she didn't want to die so young. She still wanted to be an old monster with Wen Chen.
Those present who were familiar with this nearly forgotten history couldn't help but look at Ru Feng with sympathy upon hearing this.
Ru Feng simply cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty flatters me." His tone was light and casual, as if he didn't care.
"Haha, and I just said that no one but Yao'er can change this. A king's word is law. Does General Rufeng want me to go back on my word?" He stared straight at Rufeng as he spoke.
Ru Feng hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Your humble servant dares not."
Seeing the emperor's resolute attitude, no one else dared to plead for him, and could only worry inwardly.
At this moment, Yun Tianze said, "Your Majesty, I will also join you. I can accompany Ru Feng." His expression was indifferent, but his eyes looked at Ru Feng with tenderness.
Everyone was shocked. The ruler of a nation was actually willing to accompany Ru Feng? Moreover, according to the rules, he, as the ruler of a nation, would not perform in public. Unexpectedly, he was making this request. Then, what is his relationship with Ru Feng...?
Only a few students from Fengxian Academy guessed that the ruler of Chun Teng Kingdom was none other than the former Yun Tianze. He and Ru Feng Zhu used to be on good terms, so it wasn't surprising at all.
Yu Jue and Yu Xuan also made the request. Yu Xuan said, "Father, since I'm going to perform anyway, why don't I perform with Ru Feng now? We were chosen to sing."
Yu Jue smiled and said, "Father, I am playing the zither."
The emperor's expression darkened. He glanced at the empress sitting beside him, but found that she only had a cold face and did not express any objection, so he had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
Now the atmosphere has instantly heated up. Just think, the four handsome men present are already pleasing to the eye on their own, but if they stood together... some women are already getting excited.
Ru Feng was stunned when he realized he had to dance. Even if Yun Tianze, Yu Jue, and Yu Xuan were willing to accompany him with music and singing, what was he supposed to dance? How was he supposed to dance?
Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. Thinking of this, Ru Feng looked at the emperor awkwardly and said, "Your Majesty, I can't dance, I only know how to wield a spear and sword. Otherwise, I'll demonstrate a set of boxing techniques or a set of sword techniques." Of course, composing poetry would be even better, as it would be elegant and refined, and wouldn't require sweating.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor hurriedly said, "No, that won't do. You clearly drew the 'dance' lot, how can you change it so easily? Here's what I've heard from my two sons..." He glanced at Yujue and Yuxuan and continued, "They said that Rufeng has an exceptional memory, even a photographic memory, so I'll let you watch a dance first, and then you can just imitate the general idea. That's settled then, guards!" There was an almost imperceptible excitement in the Emperor's voice.
Upon hearing this, Ru Feng's face immediately fell. He looked at Yu Jue and Yu Xuan, but the two dared not meet his gaze. They simply stared intently at the divination sticks in their hands, as if a flower had grown on them.
As if they were born from the same womb, their movements were so synchronized!
Just as Ru Feng was secretly angry, the person she was going to study with came out.
The crowd gasped as they watched the woman walk gracefully towards them.
It's Wu Yan! The best dancer in the Violet Kingdom! But... isn't she always dancing in brothels? Why is she here now?
Dressed in white, Wu Yan walked without looking to the side, then gracefully bowed and said, "This humble woman, Wu Yan, greets Your Majesty!"
The emperor waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Just dance a short piece and let General Rufeng learn from it."
Wu Yan nodded, glanced calmly at Ru Feng, and as the music began, Wu Yan began to dance gracefully to the music...
Ru Feng stared blankly at her. Hadn't she already been redeemed by Mu Wenchen? And even been arranged to stay in a separate courtyard? How could she be summoned here by the emperor now? This was too strange.
Like a spirit wandering in the void, he sat blankly on the stool, silently watching Wu Yan's graceful dance...
As the song ended, Wu Yan bowed gracefully and stepped aside. Everyone came to their senses and looked at Ru Feng.
As Ru Feng was still in a daze, she suddenly heard a buzzing sound, and someone said, "Ru Feng, I don't know how she got here either." The voice was full of frustration.
Ru Feng's spirits lifted. Wasn't this a secret telepathic transmission? Wasn't that person Mu Wenchen? Didn't he say he wouldn't come?
As Ru Feng thought about turning around, she heard, "Don't look for me, I'm behind you. Everyone's watching you now."
Upon hearing this, Ru Feng realized it was true, and her face flushed red instantly. She hadn't looked at anything at all.
Thinking of this, Ru Feng straightened his spirits, looked at the displeased emperor, and said, "Wu Yan is the best dancer I have ever seen. Even if I, Yu Chi Ru Feng, had the best memory, I could not replicate her. So please forgive me for not being able to do it!"
"Ru Feng!" Gao Yueqi and Ru Xue exclaimed softly, looking at Ru Feng with concern.
Ru Feng looked up at the worried gazes of some people, but just stood there stubbornly.
"Could it be... that you intend to defy the imperial decree?" The emperor's expression darkened further, and everyone sat up straight, keeping their eyes down and not daring to look around. It seemed that the emperor was going to make things difficult for General Rufeng today.