The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 140 - The Emperor's New Favorite

Du Changzai's words instantly revived Bai Pin's initially disappointed mood.

Dance skills? Did that mean it might conflict with hers?

Could it be that, having seen her own performance, Ming Changzai now felt embarrassed to dance herself? Thinking this, Bai Pin, who loved using others as stepping stones, wasn't about to let such an opportunity slip by.

She immediately fanned the flames, saying, "I had no idea that Ming Changzai had also prepared a dance. I heard that you were born in the Northwest and later raised in Dengzhou. Surely you must embody the spirit of both places. Today, you must perform so that I, your elder sister, can see it for myself."

Then she turned to the Emperor with a playful smile and added, "Your Majesty, I've always loved music and dance since I was young. If I gain a kindred spirit like Ming Changzai today, I'll surely be able to create even better dances to present to you!"

With her words, Ming Changzai had no choice but to dance. Otherwise, Bai Pin could easily accuse her of disrespect.

Lin Wanyi watched from the sidelines.

After all, she wasn't the main character today. It seemed the real show was only just beginning.

But with Bai Pin's exquisite performance setting the bar, what kind of dance would Ming Changzai need to perform to capture the Emperor's attention?

Not only was she curious, but so was everyone else.

Finding herself in a tight spot, Ming Changzai looked hesitant. Seeing no one coming to her aid, she had no choice but to say she would go and change her attire.

Bai Pin, eager for her to make a fool of herself to showcase her own superiority, immediately teased, "Make sure to dress up nicely, Ming Changzai. It'd be a waste not to do justice to such beauty."

In terms of beauty within the palace, only Lin Wanyi could compare to Bai Pin, though their beauty was of two extremes. Bai Pin was alluring and seductive, while Lin Wanyi was refined and pure. Ming Changzai, caught between the palace beauties, was not particularly noteworthy.

So when she heard these words, Ming Changzai's expression turned slightly sour, though she could only manage a forced smile as she left.

Lin Wanyi found it increasingly strange—why would Lin Guifei back someone as ordinary as Ming Changzai, even forcing Du Changzai to create a path for her, drawing attention with those words?

When she saw Ming Changzai return, she noticed that she was wearing a light veil over her face, and her attire had a distinctive Western flair. The vibrant colors, combined with a complete transformation in her makeup, made her look entirely different. Her hair was braided and draped over her left shoulder, adorned with bright red berries and sparkling sequins.

After changing into her dance attire, Ming Changzai looked like an entirely different person. She was no longer the timid palace lady but resembled a young maiden from the Western regions, gazing passionately in the Emperor's direction.

With the first notes of the huqin playing, Ming Changzai began to dance with fiery energy. Though her skills couldn't match Bai Pin's grace, her dance was unlike anything anyone had seen before, captivating all with her whirling movements in the center of the hall.

Even Lin Wanyi, despite having traveled with her grandfather, was seeing such attire and dance style for the first time.

A sidelong glance at the Emperor revealed his gaze was fixed intently on Ming Changzai, which stirred a fleeting pang of jealousy in Lin Wanyi, though she quickly brushed it aside. Ordinary men often had multiple wives; how much more so would an Emperor, ruler of the world? From the day she entered the palace, she knew she would only be one of many women in his life and didn't entertain further thoughts.

Refocusing on Ming Changzai, she noticed the dance was ending.

Ming Changzai was slightly out of breath, her movements more vigorous than Bai Pin's, making her visibly more tired. With a mix of nervousness and anticipation, she looked at the Emperor, only to find him silently watching.

Bai Pin's irritation grew. Clearly, this dance was far inferior to her carefully crafted one, so why couldn't the Emperor take his eyes off Ming Changzai? Was youth truly that captivating?

For a moment, doubt clouded her mind as she glared at Ming Changzai.

After a while, the Emperor finally spoke. "Excellent! This dance was well-choreographed!"

With that, he began to applaud, and, following his lead, the other concubines also clapped, though none looked particularly pleased.

After today, this previously unknown Ming Changzai might well become the new favorite.

Du Changzai forced a smile, though her tense breathing betrayed her anger, which Lin Wanyi picked up on.

Love begets sorrow, and love begets fear. She finally understood that few of the concubines' "love" for the Emperor was genuine. In that moment, she felt a flash of sympathy for the Emperor, who was perhaps also trapped by the burdens of his position.

Indeed, though Ming Changzai merely received a reward, even as she returned to her seat, the Emperor's gaze followed her the entire way, leaving several concubines gritting their teeth in resentment.

During the palace banquet, Lin Wanyi seemed to be the only one who ate freely. Ying Fei and Ye Guiren also ate a fair amount, likely because they were seated closest to her. Looking around, it was clear that Ming Changzai barely touched her food, while Du Changzai's dishes were aggressively picked apart, as if in anger.

Calmly playing her role, Lin Wanyi avoided attracting any attention during the banquet.

By the time the moon hung high in the sky, the palace banquet had finally ended.

Everyone hoped they might be the lucky one to receive the Emperor's favor tonight, but to their surprise, he left for Zeping Isle under the pretext of attending to state affairs.

Initially, Lin Wanyi thought nothing of it. But when she noticed a few of the concubines casting pitying looks in her direction, she realized the truth.

She was headed west, the same direction as the Emperor, yet he hadn't even thought of her and had left without a word.

Her favor, it seemed, had vanished as quickly as it had come.

Ying Fei and Mu Daying, both fairly friendly with her, naturally came over to help her save face.

"The moon is quite high. Will you be alright walking back, sister? Should I send for a palanquin to carry you?" Ying Fei kindly offered, only to be politely declined by Lin Wanyi.

"The moonlight is beautiful tonight, and I haven't left Huifang Courtyard in a while, so I might as well walk back and enjoy the view. Don't worry, sister."

She pointed to Xia An and added, "Besides, Eunuch Qiu and Xiao Luzi are waiting outside to escort me. With them holding lanterns, there won't be any problems."

Seeing her determination, Ying Fei didn't insist further.