At this moment, seeing the banquet atmosphere cold and stiff, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager found themselves in an awkward position. Concubine Xian immediately stood up, descended from her elevated seat, and walked directly to Yun Xiao's side. She reached out and took Yun Xiao's hand, speaking softly.
"The Empress Dowager noted that Sister's health was not good, hence she did not disturb Sister. Now that Empress Sister has arrived, where is our place?"
Concubine Xian, Ye Yuyun, personally escorted Yun Xiao to her own seat, then turned and instructed a eunuch standing nearby, "Prepare another banquet for me."
"Yes, Your Ladyship," the eunuch quickly arranged another seat.
Concubine Xian, Ye Yuyun, was low-key and deeply favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
This action further increased her favorability in the eyes of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Both cast appreciative glances at Concubine Xian.
Upon Concubine Xian's move, Shu Yuan Ye Suxue's teeth itched with hatred, her pupils turning a deep crimson.
Unfortunately, Ye Yuyun had seized the initiative, and she had once again suffered defeat.
However, she refused to believe that the Empress Dowager would ultimately choose her over her own niece. Ye Suxue gritted her teeth secretly, observing the changes in the hall.
The Empress was settled, the dancers began to perform again, and the banquet continued.
Yet, the atmosphere was no longer as enthusiastic as before. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor's expressions remained unrelaxed, their gazes seemingly, intentionally or unintentionally, sweeping towards Yun Xiao.
The foolish girl, with a smile on her face, watched the singing and dancing while eating, enjoying herself immensely.
The happier she became, the more uneasy the Empress Dowager felt, finding it difficult to swallow her food.
However, in the presence of all the civil and military officials and the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty, she could not act out, and could only swallow her resentment. Her face, from then on, lost its smile.
Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty had a fondness for the Emperor of the Eastern Qin. Seeing the displeased expressions of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and knowing that her brother had contributed to it, she immediately stood up with a smile.
"Today is still the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Yan Ling, though untalented, presents a birthday dance from our Northern Dynasty to congratulate the Empress Dowager on her boundless fortune and longevity."
The Northern Dynasty Princess's dance livened up the banquet, making the atmosphere a bit more fervent.
It was rumored that the Northern Dynasty excelled in song and dance, and their princess was the cream of the crop.
Looking at the princess, she was dressed in a wide-sleeved, ornate robe, very vibrant with its myriad colors.
So many colors on one person should have appeared gaudy and unsightly, but the Northern Dynasty princess managed to wear them with an extraordinary flair.
Her jade-like skin and icy complexion were further accentuated by the vibrant colors, appearing healthy and suffused with a faint blush. Her bright eyes and sharp teeth betrayed her undeniable elegance.
The banquet erupted in enthusiastic applause and thunderous cheers.
The Empress Dowager, for the first time, showed a rare smile. She nodded slightly at Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty, saying, "The Princess is thoughtful. It seems we are in for a treat."
The Northern Dynasty's birthday dance was actually a duet. One person, with small drums tied to their waist, lightly tapped out a congratulatory song.
The other person, following the rhythm of the drumbeats, displayed graceful and agile dance moves. The two performed with perfect coordination, a truly beautiful sight.
Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty personally performed the birthday dance for the Empress Dowager. Her intentions were clear: the princess had set her sights on the young and handsome Emperor, and was deliberately trying to please the Empress Dowager.
Crown Prince Yan Yu of the Northern Dynasty saw his sister's eager actions and immediately understood her intentions. His expression darkened. A princess of a kingdom was personally dancing a birthday dance for someone else.
Yan Ling was consistently proud and self-assured; when had she ever been so accommodating to others? This action indicated her determination to have her way.
Even if he opposed it, he likely could not stop her.
Yan Yu could only watch Yan Ling with a grim expression as she led her personal maid onto the red carpet in the center of the banquet.
The dancers retreated, clearing the space in the center.
Prince Shangguan Lin, having just suffered a setback and seeing the Northern Dynasty princess personally performing a birthday dance for the Empress Dowager, was unwilling to miss such an opportunity to mock the Northern Crown Prince. He was the first to start clapping, and as he clapped, he spoke aloud.
"Indeed, Northern Yan and our Eastern Qin are friendly nations. The Princess is willing to personally perform this birthday dance, which shows her kind heart."
After Shangguan Lin spoke, ministers beside him nodded in agreement, "Indeed, indeed. The Northern Dynasty has always been on good terms with us. With the Princess personally dancing at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, we have truly been treated to a feast for our eyes."
Discussions continued. Shangguan Lin was about to say more when he received a warning gaze from the Empress Dowager high above, and finally reined himself in. He cupped his hands, smiled at Yan Yu, and sat down.
The drumbeat began. The Princess's personal maid had already fastened small waist drums, and joyful music slowly started.
Princess Yan Ling began to dance, her graceful body moving like a colorful phoenix in flight.
Everyone at the banquet watched with rapt attention, their eyes fixed on the two figures in the arena. Besides the festive drumbeats, there was no other sound.
The Northern Dynasty's birthday dance was grand and magnificent, unlike the subtle Eastern Qin songs and dances.
Such a dance, never before seen, was novel. Everyone watched with great interest, even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor on their elevated seats were engrossed.
After the dance concluded, the audience was still immersed in the rich and festive drum music, unable to snap out of it.
Suddenly, the sound of clapping erupted. Everyone startled, and turning their heads, they saw the Empress, beaming with a joyful smile, vigorously clapping her hands. She pointed at the people below and spoke with sharp wit, "Fun, fun, a bunch of fools."
As Yun Xiao's voice fell, everyone in the hall changed their expressions, becoming extremely unpleasant. They were all infuriated to the point of death. How dare this fool call others fools? It was truly infuriating.
For a moment, no one knew how to speak. They looked at each other, and then all turned their gazes towards the Empress Dowager in the center.
The Empress Dowager's face was grim. The furrow in her brow, which had just smoothed out, knitted together again. Her chest rose and fell, indicating that she was deeply angered.
Today was truly an unlucky day. This fool had disrupted her birthday banquet. How could she not be furious? However, in the presence of the Northern Crown Prince and Princess, she could not lash out, and could only suppress her anger, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
While others remained silent, Yun Xiao's maid, Wanwan, turned pale with fright. She quickly reached out and covered the Empress's mouth, repeatedly pleading.
"Mercy, Empress Dowager! Mercy, Your Majesty! The Empress knows nothing. Whatever others say about her, she will say the same about others."
Yun Xiao's mouth was covered, but she blinked her eyes and did not forget to cooperate with Wanwan's actions, nodding vigorously. At the same time, she glared forcefully at Wanwan, appearing very angry.
Today, the reason she had spoken so shockingly was precisely to anger the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
Ideally, they would be so angered that they would spit blood, and then divorce her.
This way, she could go to Fengya Pass to help her father and brother, and it would not affect them.
Although she knew this possibility was extremely slim, as Yun Mo was currently fighting the Xiliang army at Fengya Pass, the Emperor and Empress Dowager, no matter how foolish, would not divorce her at such a time.