Chapter 35 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (05)
“It would be dull to simply admire the flowers tonight. Why not add some entertainment to liven things up?” the Empress Dowager said kindly.
The crowd hurriedly responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the eunuchs swiftly prepared the necessary items— a large drum, a floral ball, and several red ribbons tied into decorative shapes.
“The game is ‘Pass the Flower.’ When the drum starts playing, the floral ball will be passed around. Once the drum stops, whoever is holding the ball must come forward and draw a ribbon, then perform the talent written on it,” explained the chief eunuch standing beside the Empress Dowager.
The noble ladies were eager to participate. They had been trained in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, so no matter what they drew, it would not be difficult for them. If they managed to impress the Empress Dowager or even the Emperor, they might have a chance to rise to a position of power.
“Begin the drumming—”
Dong, dong, dong, dong…
A young eunuch was playing the drum. To ensure fairness, he was blindfolded and faced away from the participants, beating the drum in a steady rhythm.
Dong, dong, dong, dong…
The floral ball was passed along slowly. Everyone wanted to be the first to showcase their talent, yet no matter how much they hesitated, the drum continued, and the ball kept moving.
Though the drummer himself could not see, other eunuchs discreetly signaled him. The drumbeats would not stop until the floral ball reached the Prime Minister’s daughter.
“Tang Tang, stop eating! The ball is coming your way,” the system suddenly warned.
Bai Tang hastily swallowed a mouthful of osmanthus cake, blinking in confusion as the floral ball landed in his hands.
The passing sequence had looped around, and the ball had reached Bai Tang from his left side. To his right sat the female lead.
“Tang Tang, whatever you do, don’t let the ball reach the female lead! If she gets it, she’ll definitely attract the male lead’s attention!” the system urged anxiously.
Bai Tang’s mind snapped back to reality. He looked up at Jiang Liangwu, who was watching the game with keen interest, his gaze fixed on the floral ball. Bai Tang pursed his lips. Hmph, does he care about the female lead that much?
Completely forgetting that Jiang Liangwu had yet to even meet Bai Shang at this point, Bai Tang stubbornly clung to the floral ball, refusing to pass it along—much to the female lead’s growing frustration.
However, in Jiang Liangwu’s eyes, Bai Tang’s reluctance to let go of the floral ball was interpreted as something else—he believed the little one liked him too and wanted to showcase his talent to win his favor. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. If it’s him… taking a consort—no, making him empress—wouldn’t be impossible.
“Hurry up and give it to me! Give it to me!”
As the drumming grew faster, Bai Shang became impatient. She had no intention of missing this chance to make a name for herself tonight. Instead of waiting for Bai Tang to pass the floral ball, she directly snatched it from his hands.
And at the exact moment Bai Shang seized the ball, the drumbeats abruptly stopped.
The Empress Dowager, rarely seeing her son show such a gentle expression while staring at someone so intently, felt deeply comforted. She had once thought her cold-hearted son would never find a confidant, but now, it seemed that he truly cared for Bai Shang. Perhaps it won’t be long before I can hold my first grandchild.
With this thought, her smile toward Bai Shang grew even more affectionate.
“The Prime Minister’s daughter, is it? Go ahead.”
At the Empress Dowager’s command, and under the envious gazes of the noble ladies, Bai Shang, brimming with confidence, drew a ribbon and unfolded it. The words written on it read: Dance.
Dancing? That’s nothing to me.
Having trained in dance since childhood, Bai Shang found it effortless. However, she pondered—what kind of dance would captivate the Emperor in an instant?
She glanced at Jiang Liangwu, who sat with an imposing aura, deep in thought.
Noticing her hesitation, the daughter of the Minister of Appointments smirked and remarked sarcastically, “Could it be that Miss Bai doesn’t know how to dance? So much for the Prime Minister’s so-called scholarly family.”
Her words were sharp and unkind, dragging the entire Prime Minister’s household into the insult.
Just as Bai Shang was about to retort, a cold and indifferent voice rang out—
“The Minister of Appointments’ family isn’t particularly well-mannered either.”
Though the Minister’s daughter could insult Bai Shang, she shouldn’t have implicated the entire Prime Minister’s household. That would mean insulting Bai Tang as well.
The moment Jiang Liangwu spoke, the Minister’s daughter turned pale, immediately dropping to her knees in terror. “Your Majesty, I misspoke—please forgive me.”
A smug smile appeared on Bai Shang’s face. As expected, I was meant to be the female lead. Otherwise, why would the Emperor defend me the moment we met?
“Tang Tang, look at him! Hmph—”
The system was so furious that it could barely speak.
Bai Tang felt the same way.
Could it be that Jiang Liangwu really fell for the female lead at first sight?
His clear, watery eyes became misty, and his shoulders started to tremble slightly.
No, no… don’t cry…
Jiang Liangwu’s heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. Had those words truly hurt the little one?
Author’s Note:
Today, I feel like my chapter is especially long. Don’t you think so?
Mini Theater:
Jiang Liangwu: Tang Tang, you misunderstood! I really wasn’t looking at that woman!
Bai Tang (coldly): Oh~
System (gleefully watching the drama unfold): Oh ho~ ( *′)′)′)*′)