After a master of metaphysics severed ties with his family, the whole family was filled with regret!

Chapter 49 The Selection Banquet

Nalan Qingyin's words only made Luo Chujiu angry.

"This Empress Dowager is really troublesome. Doesn't she realize that no one in the harem is prettier than Cousin Kui Kui? Since His Majesty likes Cousin Kui Kui, he naturally won't like anyone else. What the Empress Dowager is doing is simply sending innocent women into the palace to waste their lives."

Luo Chujiu's voice was quite loud, and Nalan Qingyin immediately covered her mouth after she finished speaking:

"My little darling, keep your voice down! There are too many people around, you might get reported."

"Fourth Senior Brother, why are you so afraid? You are the Imperial Advisor. With you protecting me, no one will dare to hurt me."

Luo Chujiu only dared to speak so recklessly because she relied on her fourth senior brother's status and position; she simply thought that her senior brother would protect her.

Nalan Qingyin felt both happy and helpless upon hearing these words.

He was happy that his junior sister trusted him so much, but he was also frustrated because this was the imperial palace, not Xuanfeng Mountain. No matter how much power he had, could it be greater than that of the emperor and empress dowager?

"Alright, keep your voice down. It's fine to say these things in front of me, but you can't say them in front of the Empress Dowager."

Although Nalan Qingyin knew that Luo Chujiu wouldn't be so lawless, she still couldn't help but remind her.

Upon hearing this, Luo Chujiu gave her a puzzled look, as if to say, "Do I look stupid?" Nalan Qingyin understood and smiled without saying a word.

Xiao Beiming had initially noticed Luo Chujiu's gaze on him, but it was soon diverted by the Imperial Advisor's topic.

After seeing them, Xiao Beiming took the initiative to approach the Imperial Preceptor and Luo Chujiu.

"Would you like to take a seat with me, Xiao Jiu?"

"it is good"

"No, Xiao Jiu wants to sit with my teacher. You two are not married yet, so it's best to keep your distance."

Before Luo Chujiu could agree to Xiao Beiming's request, Nalan Qingyin directly refused on her behalf.

Luo Chujiu glanced at Nalan Qingyin with a reproachful look, but ultimately did not offend him.

"Your Highness, it would be better if you and I sat with my fourth senior brother. But would you like to move to sit next to me? That way we can sit together."

Luo Chujiu thought she was incredibly clever!

Xiao Beiming raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that this could be done.

"Little Jiu is so clever. How come I didn't think of this method? Please wait a moment while I switch places with someone."

After saying that, Xiao Beiming went to the female official in charge of seating arrangements. When he learned that the seat next to the Imperial Preceptor and Luo Chujiu belonged to a prince, Xiao Beiming went to that prince to switch seats.

When Prince Yongping saw that Xiao Beiming wanted to switch places with him, he agreed without saying a word.

Thus, Xiao Beiming sat down to Luo Chujiu's right, while to her left sat Nalan Qingyin, who was glaring angrily at Xiao Beiming.

The happiest person was Luo Chujiu. On her left was her doting fourth senior brother, and on her right was her fiancé. It couldn't be more wonderful!

After most of the guests had arrived, Xiao Jinglin and the Empress Dowager finally arrived late.

"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager pay their respects—" Only after Xiao Jinglin was seated did everyone rise.

Today, the Empress Dowager is the main character, so she sits in the main seat, while Xiao Jinglin sits to the left of the Empress Dowager, and Consort Jiang sits to the left of Xiao Jinglin.

As for the seat to the Empress Dowager's right, it was reserved for her niece, Consort Chen.

Once everyone had arrived, the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet began.

At this moment, Luo Chuxue was in a panic!

Earlier, she thought that Lady Luo Jiang had brought her to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet just to let her show her face in front of other princes and nobles so that she could find a good marriage after she came of age.

It wasn't until just now that she realized that what was ostensibly the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was actually a banquet for selecting imperial concubines.

Luo Chuxue had no desire to enter the palace! Becoming an imperial concubine sounded nice, but wasn't it just being someone's concubine?

Now that Consort Jiang is favored, she can only be a supporting character in the palace and waste her youth. Even if she is fortunate enough to be favored by His Majesty, she will only be a concubine at best. The position of Empress will never be hers!
She actually thought her aunt was genuinely looking out for her! Now that she thinks about it, it's truly laughable! Her aunt could abandon even her own daughter, let alone her niece?
Unfortunately, she had already submitted a program to entertain the Empress Dowager, and now it was too late to back down!
Soon it was Luo Chuxue's turn to perform. Luo Chuxue had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on stage to dance a dance she had carefully choreographed.

As soon as Luo Chuxue appeared on stage, she attracted the attention of many people. Some were attracted by her good looks, some by the rumors of the turmoil in the Luo family today, and some were simply there to watch the excitement. After all, who doesn't know that performing a show means wanting to enter the palace and become an imperial concubine?

After the dance, Luo Chuxue gracefully bowed to the Empress Dowager:
"Your subject Luo Chuxue respectfully congratulates the Empress Dowager on her birthday, and wishes her a long and healthy life."

"Very well, you must be the second young lady of the Luo family. Although I am in the palace, I have long heard of the outstanding talent of the second young lady of the Luo family. Seeing you today, you are also very charming. You are truly a wonderful person."

Luo Chuxue's expression stiffened, and she could only bite the bullet and continue to respond:

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise."

"You are too modest. That dance was excellent; I enjoyed it very much. What does Your Majesty think?"

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but look at Xiao Jinglin, as if asking him whether he wanted to keep Luo Chuxue to serve him.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin gave an irrelevant answer and suddenly looked at Consort Jiang beside him:
"Speaking of dance, I remember that Consort Jiang's dance was stunning. Just now, Miss Luo's dance reminded me of Consort Jiang."

The Empress Dowager was displeased that Xiao Jinglin would avoid her intentions in this way.

"This humble woman dares not compare herself to Consort Jiang. Consort Jiang is a beauty of unparalleled grace, while I am but a common woman, unworthy of Your Majesty's attention," Luo Chuxue quickly replied, feeling that if His Majesty had no interest in her, then there was still hope.

Xiao Jinglin understood the meaning behind Luo Chuxue's words and chuckled softly.
"Since Miss Luo's dance pleases the Empress Dowager, then I am pleased and bestow upon her ten bolts of silk and one hundred taels of gold."

"Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager thank you for your gifts."

Luo Chuxue hurriedly accepted the reward and then withdrew, thus saving herself.

Luo Wanping and Luo Jiangshi, however, were not so happy.

They originally thought that since the Empress Dowager had taken a liking to Luo Chuxue, she would have a chance to enter the palace to serve His Majesty. Who would have thought that His Majesty had no interest at all? What a pity!

Luo Chuxue's talent and appearance were already outstanding among those preparing to be chosen as concubines today. Who would have thought that His Majesty would be so uninterested? So the others gave up their unrealistic fantasies, and after performing and receiving their rewards, they returned to their seats and behaved themselves.

The Empress Dowager was extremely embarrassed and angry, but she couldn't show it in front of so many people, so she could only swallow her anger.

(End of this chapter)