It is said that the daughters of officials are pitiful, having to be used as bargaining chips by their parents to marry off others. Now it seems that princes like Shangguan Che are equally pitiful, having to sell themselves for the sake of the country.
"Third Brother's flute playing is truly beautiful!" A resolute and gloomy voice rang out, and a man dressed in black walked into the arena with a smile on his lips, saying, "Sorry! I'm late."
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the two figures, one in black and one in white.
Shen Qianmo also raised his eyes with interest. Clean and crisp black, a pure black, even the belt was made of black jade. Tall and slender, with resolute and upright features, he was like a cheetah poised to pounce, exuding a kingly aura in the darkness.
"Eighth brother, you've worked hard training the capital's troops!" Shangguan looked at the newcomer with a smile, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
The newcomer was none other than the Eighth Prince, Shangguan Jin. Shangguan Jin held the military power of the capital, and he deliberately arrived late to the Hundred Families Banquet today in order to give Shangguan Che a warning and let him know that he still had military power.
“How can you compare to Third Brother?” Shangguan Jin retorted calmly, the deep look in his eyes making Shangguan Che feel very uncomfortable.
"Che'er, Jin'er, if you two want to catch up, go somewhere else. Don't take up the space where all the young ladies and gentlemen are performing their talents." Shangguan Hao's loving voice rang out at the right time.
Almost everyone knew about the discord between Shangguan Jin and Shangguan Che, so how could he, as the emperor and their father, not know?
It's a pity the Crown Prince is so disappointing! The Crown Prince was born to the woman he loved most in his life, and he was determined to pass the throne to him. However, the Crown Prince was lustful, incompetent, and foolish. How could he trust him to pass the throne to him?
"Yes, Father!" Shangguan Che and Shangguan Jin left the central stage together.
The joyous atmosphere of the banquet was given a different touch by Shangguan Jin's arrival.
"Qianxin is willing to perform a dance to welcome the Eighth Prince." Shen Qianxin stood up at the right time, her eyes filled with deep affection, yet she concealed it perfectly with gentleness and poise.
Her purple dress fluttered in the wind as Shen Qianxin slowly walked towards the center of the stage. Shen Qianmo heard the man gasp.
Shen Qianxin is indeed very beautiful, and her gentle and tender temperament can certainly attract men's attention. However, Shangguan Jin is not an ordinary man, and it may not be so easy for her to attract his attention.
"It is truly an honor for Shangguan Jin. May I ask what kind of dance Miss would like to perform?" Upon hearing Shen Qianxin's words, Shangguan Jin raised his eyebrows slightly. At this moment, the Second Miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion suddenly showed him goodwill. Could it be that the old fox Shen Lingyun was willing to help him?
If that's the case, then all the better. He was originally worried about not having support from the court, but with Shen Lingyun's help, he wouldn't be afraid of Shangguan Che anymore!
"The Eighth Prince will know once he sees it." Shen Qianxin's expression was not overly ingratiating; her calm demeanor won over everyone even more.
Shen Qianmo slightly curved her lips. This second sister is quite shrewd. Not bad, not bad.
---Aside---
The progress of the banquet is a little slow.
The main purpose is to depict the characters of the supporting roles and the emotional connections between them.
Chapter Twenty: Duet Dance
Night had fallen, and the moonlight shone on Shen Qianxin, reflecting a bright glow. Her light purple dress seemed to be coated with a layer of silver light, and Shen Qianxin held a jade sword in her hand, performing a sword dance.
The sword wielded by Shen Qianxin possessed a sharp and powerful aura, yet her dance steps were extremely gentle, like a willow swaying in the breeze. The balance of strength and gentleness was perfectly embodied in Shen Qianxin's dance.
Shen Qianmo's smile deepened. Shen Qianxin's mind was indeed exquisite. This sword dance expressed both her boldness and her girlish shyness.
This must have been a great attraction for Shangguan Jin, who had been leading troops for many years.
Sure enough, Shangguan Jin, holding a sword, leaped onto the open space in the arena and danced with Shen Qianxin in unison with her steps.
For a moment, the field fell silent, and everyone stared at the couple in the open space.
When Shen Qianxin saw Shangguan Jin come up, a faint, smug smile flashed across her lips. She glanced at Shangguan Jin with a hint of shyness, and her eyes trembled slightly when they met his handsome face.
Shangguan Jin's eyes also became slightly misty as he looked at Shen Qianxin, somewhat infatuated, yet a clear understanding remained deep within them.
Shen Qianmo looked at the couple on the field. They seemed to be secretly in love and were a perfect match, but in reality, they each had their own thoughts.
Shen Qianxin only wanted wealth and status. And Shangguan Jin, perhaps, only wanted the power behind Shen Qianxin.
His gaze drifted away listlessly, and he saw Yao Yuanshan's disappointed look. This simple-minded son of a great general probably still loved Shen Qianxin deeply.
"That was truly spectacular! I've never seen such a magnificent sword dance before!"
"That's right!"
After the dance ended, the courtiers immediately echoed their sentiments.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Eighth Prince!" Shen Qianxin gave Shangguan Che a slight curtsy, her eyes filled with a tenderness that seemed to be there, and she turned her face to the side with a touch of shyness, revealing a beautiful profile.
“Miss, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Jin.” Shangguan Jin said to Shen Qianxin with a gentle smile.
"Jin." Shen Qianxin called out shyly, her eyes fixed on Shangguan Jin, then she turned and left the stage, leaving behind a graceful figure.
Shangguan Jin watched Shen Qianxin's retreating figure and a thoughtful smile appeared on his face.
Shen Qianxin is indeed very beautiful and has a clever mind, but her every move is somewhat fake, which is not his type. However, for the support of the Prime Minister's Mansion, he is determined to win Shen Qianxin over.
"I never expected the Eighth Prince, who has always led troops, to be so gentle!"
"Yeah! I like him so much!"
"Alright, stop dreaming! Can't you see they're already all lovey-dovey with the Prime Minister's daughter!"
Several daughters of officials were whispering among themselves.
"The Prime Minister's daughter? Just a concubine's daughter, does she even deserve it?" Yao Ruoqin glanced disdainfully in Shen Qianxin's direction, her words sharp and sarcastic.
Since the last incident, Yao Ruoqin has hated Shen Qianxin and Shen Qianmo, and her words were naturally very impolite.
"Little sister, how could you say that about Qianxin?" Yao Yuanshan frowned slightly upon hearing his younger sister's words, and said with great dissatisfaction.
"Brother! Look closely, she's already secretly developing feelings for the Eighth Prince, what are you still so infatuated about!" Yao Ruoqin glanced at her brother and said with some disdain.