Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

Not to mention Shen Mingxiu, even the women present couldn't help but gasp.

Wei Rong's actions just now resembled those of a soldier charging into battle, aiming straight for the enemy leader's head.

Everyone in the hall held their breath, and the guards hesitated to move, for it was the Empress, and she was not holding a weapon.

As expected of someone from a military family, Wei Rong's imposing presence and ruthless attacks were something Wei Beimu had taught her quite a bit.

In the blink of an eye, Wei Rong's fan was already like a sharp sword, held against Shen Mingxiu's neck.

The music fades.

"Your Majesty!" Shen Mingxiu craned her neck, too terrified to move an inch.

"What is the Imperial Concubine afraid of?" Wei Rong chuckled. "My fan cannot take a person's head."

Xiao Heng suddenly spoke up: "Nonsense!"

He was still reeling from Wei Rong's dance, but for a moment just now, he felt that Wei Rong's dance was not like the sword dance of the great victory at the border, and that fan seemed to be coming to take his head.

But one thing cannot be denied: it's beautiful, truly beautiful.

It was a different side of Wei Rong that he had never seen before, both beautiful and cool.

Even its aggressive aura is captivating.

If before the dance, most eyes were filled with skepticism and anticipation, now that the music has ended, there is admiration and praise.

This piece of music is magnificent and grand, and it is indeed very suitable for such a dance. It is both uplifting and inspiring.

"Slap, slap, slap—"

The first person to applaud was Ling Xianru. His applause, like him, was casual yet resounding.

"Like father, like son. If Your Majesty the Empress were a man, you would surely have the bearing of a great general." He praised her generously, seemingly unintentionally dispelling Shen Mingxiu's fear.

The political situation was turbulent, and everyone was eager to hear what was happening. As for Wei Xing, who was at odds with the Wei family, he first praised Wei Xing for his outstanding abilities and then praised Wei Rong for his great general demeanor.

I don't know whether it's genuine or not.

As soon as he clapped, everyone in the hall joined in.

Xiao Heng realized he might have overreacted. He patted Shen Mingxiu's shoulder reassuringly and then praised her, "Indeed, it's quite good. I never knew the Empress had such a pleasant surprise in store for me."

His expression alerted Wei Rong that something was wrong.

Men, especially emperors, have countless beauties in their harems. If a man's gaze lingers on a woman for a few more seconds, her name will be sent to that palace that night.

Shen Mingxiu could easily see it; her hands clenched tightly beneath her wide sleeves, unwilling to give up.

This segment was arranged solely to humiliate Wei Rong, forcing the dignified Empress to perform in public, which inherently carried a sense of humiliation.

But to everyone's surprise, it backfired, and Xiao Heng looked at her with new respect!

How could a woman not understand a man? Every man in this hall has his eyes shining!

Wei Rong once again stole the show. No matter how well she organized the palace banquet, people would remember Wei Rong's dance first, and would only casually remark, "The Consort Xian's idea was really good!"

This is not the result she wanted!

Moreover—Shen Mingxiu glanced at Ling Xianru, and what right did Ling Xianru have to clap for her!

He clearly—

Wei Rong had already closed her folding fan and returned to her seat: "Your Majesty is extremely busy with state affairs. If it weren't for the Consort's blessing, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."

After listening, Xiao Heng felt conflicted. He didn't know whether to say that Shen Mingxiu's arrangement had led him to discover another side of Wei Rong by accident, or to blame her, since he wasn't the only one who had discovered this side of her.

After three years of marriage, Xiao Heng thought for a moment and asked, "What do you want?"

!

He only offered rewards to the first nine people.

When he got to the Queen, he asked her directly what she wanted.

This clearly means the jackpot has been given directly to the Queen!

Wei Rong remained calm, a smile playing on her lips: "It is already a blessing for me that Your Majesty has shown me such skill. I have lived in the deep palace for so long and have no other desires. It would be better if Your Majesty awarded the prize to the gentlemen or ladies, for they possess genuine skill, while I am merely showing off my limited abilities."

Her words were pleasing to the ear.

Xiao Heng paused for a moment, then nodded: "Very well, the Empress mentioned that she has been living in the deep palace for a long time, which must be because it is boring. When spring comes, I will take you on a spring outing."

Is the Empress trying to regain favor with this dance?

An undercurrent suddenly arose again; no one dared to whisper, they just looked at each other.

It seems the political landscape of the harem is about to change again.

Wei Rong naturally wouldn't refuse Xiao Heng in public, so she readily agreed, "Your Majesty, I thank you."

"Stop thinking about these things like eating, drinking, and having fun. The emperor, empress, and the imperial heir are your top priorities," Feng Zuyi suddenly said. "In the past few years, because the emperor's foundation was unstable, I couldn't make arrangements. This year's imperial selection must be put on the agenda no matter what."

It is obvious that the Empress Dowager wanted to support her maternal clan.

Mentioning the imperial concubine selection now is nothing more than waiting to send his two nieces into the harem so that he can make plans for the future.

Wei Rong had no objection: "What Mother says is absolutely right."

"Speaking of which, Minister Ling is of marriageable age," Xiao Heng suddenly interjected, "Has your family arranged a marriage for you?"

While drinking warm water, Wei Rong glanced at Shen Mingxiu out of the corner of her eye and saw that the other person was wringing out a handkerchief and looking at Ling Xianru.

Ling Xianru was actually a little younger than Xiao Heng, around twenty-four years old. He was incredibly influential in the court, but I had never heard of his private affairs.

Wei Rong followed up, "That's right. His Majesty values ​​Ling Qing highly. Since you are close in age, it's time for you to get married."

Perhaps because she spoke up, Ling Xianru didn't hold back much and looked at her.

Wei Rong just didn't understand that look in his eyes; it seemed like—mockery?

She had a strange feeling in her heart. Could it be that he knew that she had overheard his conversation with Shen Mingxiu?

If that's the case, isn't he afraid?

If word got out that a courtier and a concubine were involved, it would be a disgraceful affair.

But Ling Xianru had already looked away and replied to Xiao Heng, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty and Your Highness. I am indeed not yet married."

"If you have someone you like, just say it, and I will arrange a marriage for you." Xiao Heng became interested: "If not, with your good looks, there must be someone in the entire court who is fond of you. If you still don't have anyone, then I will arrange a marriage for you."

Ling Xianru smiled and asked, "Your Majesty already has someone in mind?"

"Of course," Xiao Heng had been waiting for this, and gestured to the old imperial brother-in-law sitting at the table: "The Feng family has a daughter who has come of age, and my uncle's family has two younger sisters who are of marriageable age, but unfortunately they are not here today."