Chapter 162 Ashamed

Chapter 162: Shameful

The palace gates closed behind them, shutting out the twilight.

A palace attendant bowed low and led Cheng Ge and Grand Tutor Lin through the main corridor of the palace.

The journey was silent, save for the flickering lamp shadows, the atmosphere heavy.

Cheng Ge kept his eyes downcast, his breath steady, following closely as they entered the main hall—a rush of noise and warmth greeted them.

The hall was magnificent. Golden dragon pillars supported the towering vaulted ceiling; thousands of palace lanterns and candles illuminated the interior in a dazzling display of splendor.

Long rosewood tables were arranged in neat rows according to rank, draped in bright yellow and crimson silk brocade.

On each table, gilded silver ewers held fine wine, jade plates were piled with fresh fruits, and ornate palace pastries sat on small dishes. In the center, a large censer sent up curls of incense smoke.

The chief eunuch stepped forward and guided the two men to different positions.

Grand Tutor Lin walked straight to the seat of honor below the left side of the throne, not sparing Cheng Ge a single glance.

Cheng Ge was led to a seat near the rear, on the western side of the hall—the last seat.

A clear chime of bells sounded, the music swelled, and dozens of rainbow-clad dancers swept into the open space in the middle of the hall.

Cheng Ge glanced left and right; the tables were not close together, and he saw no familiar faces.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was watching, he quietly picked up a small white porcelain wine cup, stole a sip of sweet, clear osmanthus wine, and narrowed his eyes in contentment.

Tsk. The palace wine was truly something special. He then picked up a delicate pastry shaped like an osmanthus flower, nibbling on it contentedly while admiring the dancers whirling in their flowing sleeves.

At that moment, the light at the entrance shifted.

Zhou Yinyun, the hereditary prince, and Yun Xunyu, the third prince of Nanling, stepped into the hall at almost the same time.

Zhou Yinyun was dressed in a black python robe trimmed with gold thread, his bearing dignified and noble.

Yun Xunyu, in his embroidered brocade robes typical of the Southern lands, moved with a languid, exotic air.

As soon as they entered, both instinctively swept their gazes across the hall—and almost simultaneously caught sight of a figure at the western side table.

Cheng Ge was leaning back slightly, eyes bright as he followed the dancers' spins, his cheeks slightly puffed, clearly still chewing a pastry he had just popped in his mouth.

Zhou Yinyun's gaze lingered on Cheng Ge for a moment before he looked away nonchalantly and made his way to his own seat.

Yun Xunyu, with a smile in his eyes, let his gaze rest on Cheng Ge for a good while before leisurely strolling to his place.

Cheng Ge was oblivious to all this, still lost in the dancers' beauty, even surreptitiously refilling his cup with half a cup of osmanthus wine.

Just then, the eunuch standing at the entrance suddenly straightened his back.

A high-pitched shout from the ritual director rang out: "His Majesty the Emperor arrives!"

Like a stone thrown into a still lake, the entire hall fell silent in an instant!

The music stopped abruptly; the dancers froze, lowering their heads and holding their breath.

All officials, regardless of rank, rose as one, bowed and stood with hands folded, their movements perfectly synchronized.

Emperor Zhou Mingqi, in his bright imperial yellow dragon robe, strode steadily into the hall, his imperial aura inspiring awe.

Behind him came Crown Prince Zhou Zhan, in his apricot-yellow crown prince robe, with the dignity befitting the heir apparent.

Next was the Second Prince Zhou Hao, his demeanor humble and respectful.

Zhou Mingqi's gaze swept over the assembled officials, paused for an extremely brief moment as it passed the western table, then moved on.

Crown Prince Zhou Zhan's eyes followed Zhou Mingqi, and almost instinctively, they landed on the same figure.

Even Second Prince Zhou Hao, a step behind, seemed to let his gaze drift over that direction.

Cheng Ge set down his cup, wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and quietly hid behind the crowd of officials.

"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!" Everyone knelt and prostrated.

Zhou Mingqi raised his hand to signal them to rise and then slowly walked to the throne and sat down.

Cheng Ge rose with the others and discreetly glanced at the food on Zhou Mingqi's table.

As expected, there were many pastries and fruits he didn't have. He subconsciously swallowed and returned to his seat at the end.

Sitting at the last seat, watching the dancers, Cheng Ge's mind began to wander.

He couldn't help but start imagining what his as-yet-unseen fiancée might look like.

Would she be plump and round, or slender yet well-proportioned? Almond eyes full of tenderness, or peach blossom eyes sparkling and lively?

As he thought, the corners of his mouth curled up into a dreamy, almost lascivious smile.

Hmm... Little Gege had been in much better spirits lately.

But the wedding night was a top priority in life. To be absolutely sure, he'd need to boil more goji berries afterward to strengthen himself.

Right! A few days ago, the Crown Prince sent some top-grade ginseng—just in time to use it.

With both remedies, he'd definitely satisfy the bride... hehehe...

The more he indulged in such thoughts, the more brazen his smile became.

Just as Zhou Zhan had finished toasting Zhou Mingqi, he happened to catch a glimpse of Cheng Ge staring at the dancers with that goofy grin. His grip on the wine cup tightened slightly.

Cursing inwardly: *Are those mediocre dancers really worth staring at? They're not even as good as the shaman who danced during the sacrificial ceremony!*

Second Prince Zhou Hao, inadvertently glancing over at Zhou Zhan, gave a slight smirk, a trace of mockery in his eyes.

Zhou Mingqi raised his hand. The music stopped, and the dancers bowed low and quickly withdrew.

At that moment, an inner attendant stepped forward and whispered a brief report into Zhou Mingqi's ear.

Zhou Mingqi's expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly.

The attendant straightened up, cleared his throat, and announced in a loud voice: "Presenting—Her Highness, Princess Wuya of the Southern Kingdom!"

This proclamation broke the silence in the hall. Everyone turned their eyes toward the palace entrance.

Cheng Ge also craned his neck, momentarily forgetting about the dancers and his fiancée.

Just as everyone's gaze was fixed on the palace gate, two palace attendants with downcast eyes silently approached Cheng Ge's low table.

They quickly and gently placed several plates of exotic fruits and pastries on his table.

Cheng Ge turned his head instinctively, and when he saw the fine things on his table, his expression froze for a moment.

He quickly looked up and inconspicuously glanced toward the imperial throne.

He saw Zhou Mingqi sitting bolt upright, his gaze straight ahead, his expression still dignified.

Cheng Ge figured this banquet was totally worth it—not only was there entertainment, but the food and drink were also well arranged.

Consort Chen, seated at the emperor's lower right side, swept her gaze over Zhou Mingqi and then casually glanced at Cheng Ge.

She raised her hand, picked up the glazed cup before her, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips, and took a delicate sip.

Then, her gaze returned to the palace gate.

The palace gate was slowly pushed open again. First came the crisp, melodious sound of bells, accompanied by light footsteps.

Then, a radiant and seductive figure appeared at the entrance, instantly seizing everyone's attention.

The woman was draped in a sari, its gauze as thin as cicada wings, layered and flowing, yet boldly outlining her voluptuous curves.

Her slender waist was exposed, studded with tiny gold flakes that shimmered with every step.

Intricate armlets adorned her arms, and her bare feet, fitted with golden bells, rang out with every step.

Her thick black curly hair hung loose, and her full red lips curved slightly upward, exuding a wild, almost bewitchingly wicked allure.

She walked into the hall as if no one else were there, like a blazing flame cast into a clear pond.

Instantly igniting the air and searing the nerves of all the scholar-officials present, who were steeped in Confucian propriety.

"Hiss—this—this—"

Many elderly officials recoiled as if burned, covering their faces and turning aside, their old cheeks flushing crimson.

The elderly minister beside Cheng Ge suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "This, this... what utter impropriety! How shameful!"

Meanwhile, Cheng Ge was holding a pastry, watching with great interest, thinking this princess was actually pretty good-looking.

Suddenly hearing that something was off around him, he looked around, baffled.

Then, he quickly raised the wide sleeve of his official robe and covered his face completely.

"Shameful! Shameful! Do not gaze upon the improper! Do not gaze!"