Chapter 17: All Enter Xingqing Palace

Zheng Yi looked at the four women and asked, “Do any of you have a talent to display?”

Although he spoke to all four, it was clear to any discerning eye that the Supreme Emperor’s gaze was fixed solely on Qin Yuyao.

Leaving aside her identity as a “celestial seedling,” her beauty and bearing alone placed her above all the other women. Even among the four concubines first chosen by Emperor Zheng Yuansen, none could quite compare with her in looks or grace.

Moreover, this girl was but eighteen, her beauty still budding and not yet in full bloom. In another two years, who could say what allure she might possess?

The other three women remained silent, but Qin Yuyao stepped forward and spoke first. “Your Majesty, I am skilled in dance.”

“Oh? Dance?” Zheng Yi’s interest was piqued. “Will you require musicians?”

She replied, “Your Majesty, I am adept at the sword dance and need no musicians.”

“A sword dance?” Zheng Yi’s curiosity deepened. Could it be that this girl was also a martial artist?

“Then let us see your sword dance—without delay.”

Qin Yuyao’s delicate features betrayed a hint of embarrassment. “Your Majesty, I did not bring my sword into the palace…”

“Bring her a sword!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Wang Zhonghai, standing at the side, promptly answered and left the hall.

Though the selection had gathered hundreds, the vast hall fell into a strange, expectant silence as all eyes watched and waited. Low murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Zheng Yi paid them no heed, continuing to study the girl intently.

Qin Yuyao remained perfectly composed, her eyes lowered, unmoved by the whispers that swirled around her, as though none of it concerned her in the least. Zheng Yi noted her calmness with silent approval. Such a woman must either possess an unshakable temperament, or be one well-seasoned by hardship.

Soon, Wang Zhonghai returned carrying three swords, his expression wary as he approached Qin Yuyao. To perform a sword dance before the Supreme Emperor? What sword skill could a girl so young possess? Could she be an assassin, seeking an opportunity…? Thus, while fetching the swords, he had discreetly ordered an investigation into her background, but nothing unusual was found.

Qin Yuyao, oblivious to his suspicion, selected the lightest of the swords and stepped back.

“Your Majesty, I am ready.”

“Very well. Begin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

She stood in a white dress, the waist drawn tight to accentuate her graceful figure. Her beauty was unrivaled, her brows and eyes hinting at valor, her gaze bright as stars.

With a soft exclamation, she moved—and the sword moved with her, like a white spirit flitting through the air. Her form was agile, her steps light, each swing of the blade infused with a fierce energy. In her hands, the sword seemed alive: at times like a dragon bursting from the sea, whistling through the air; at others, like a swallow darting and gliding, swift and nimble.

Her hair fluttered in the wind, her red skirt snapping, the girl and her blade merging into a single, breathtaking image. Qin Yuyao’s gaze was steady and focused, her eyes seeming to pierce time itself, carrying endless stories.

Her sword dance revealed not only exquisite skill but also an unyielding spirit. As a startled swan or a swimming dragon—no words could better describe her.

Zheng Yi was utterly captivated, unconsciously sitting straighter, admiration shining in his eyes. The assembled ministers held their breath, transfixed by the extraordinary performance.

As the final pose settled, Qin Yuyao sheathed the sword, breathing lightly, a sheen of sweat on her brow.

For a moment, the hall was hushed; then applause and cheers erupted.

Zheng Yi burst into laughter. “Excellent! What a marvelous dance!”

“A reward!”

Qin Yuyao bowed once again, a faint smile on her lips. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise.”

Zheng Yi looked upon her with full approval, though a trace of oddity lingered in his expression. From the sword dance, he could see her character was steadfast, her pride evident. Yet, because her spiritual roots were weak, she had been cast out by the Changhe Sect—how much resentment must she harbor?

Now she entered the palace as a candidate, her true purpose unknown. But the emperor, Zheng Yuansen, had already made his choices for consorts, and would not change his mind. The remaining candidates were all left to the Supreme Emperor—Zheng Yi’s hunting ground.

How must she feel about this? Yet, what concern was it of his? Having entered the palace and become a candidate, there would be no leaving.

Without further hesitation, Zheng Yi declared, “Qin Yuyao, with beauty and wisdom, has pleased me greatly. She shall enter Xingqing Palace as my favored beauty!”

“What?” Qin Yuyao was stunned, instinctively looking up.

She had thought the Supreme Emperor was choosing on behalf of the emperor—how could this be…?

The Imperial Consort suddenly interjected, “Qin Yuyao, to be chosen by the Supreme Emperor is your good fortune. Why not offer your thanks?”

Hmph! Not a single one of these little foxes would enter Taiji Palace if she could help it! If any of them did, she would make their lives miserable! In her view, it was best that all these candidates were sent to Xingqing Palace. Dealing with Lü Su alone in Taiji Palace was already difficult enough; if more vixens arrived, how many times a month would she see the emperor?

Qin Yuyao’s beautiful eyes flickered as she quickly recovered, and knelt gracefully. “Your servant… thanks Your Majesty for your favor!”

“That is enough,” Zheng Yi said with a wave of his hand. “I am weary, and it grows late—the selection ends here.”

Empress Lü Su and Imperial Consort Shentu Yu both rose instantly. “Yes, Father Emperor.”

Lü Su then asked, “How does Father Emperor wish to arrange these candidates? Shall they be dismissed to their homes, or remain in Taiji Palace…?”

“Xingqing Palace is lonely and quiet. Let all these candidates enter Xingqing Palace,” Zheng Yi replied without hesitation.

“The best among them shall be my beauties; the rest will serve as attendants.”

This pronouncement stunned not only Lü Su and Shentu Yu, but also caused the nearby ministers to wear the oddest expressions.

What had gotten into the Supreme Emperor? Over two hundred candidates, and he wanted them all in Xingqing Palace?

Most of these girls were merely daughters of respectable families, but there were also many from high-ranking official households. If they became imperial consorts, that would be one thing, but to be made mere servants was quite another.

“This matter is settled,” Zheng Yi declared, brooking no argument. Without a backward glance at the puzzled faces, he strode to Qin Yuyao, took her hand, and led her away.

The other women were mere decoration; only this one, with her special background, could not be allowed to leave.

After Zheng Yi’s departure, the ministers began to murmur among themselves.

“What shall we do? The Supreme Emperor means to take all the candidates?”

“My niece is among them—she’s only eighteen!”

“The Supreme Emperor has grown utterly foolish! To covet so many young women at his age—he could be their grandfather!”

“This is outrageous—I must appeal to His Majesty!”

“I will go as well!”

“Yes, we’ll go together!”

A dozen or so officials, most of them from the Ministry of Rites, the Household Department, or the Ministry of Revenue—those who had overseen the selection—hurried toward Taiji Hall.

But when they arrived, they were rebuffed; the emperor refused to see them.

As dusk settled, Ye Ge emerged from the hall.

“Master Ye!” the officials cried, rushing forward.

“Master Ye, has His Majesty finished his affairs? We request an audience!”

Ye Ge cast them a disdainful glance and sneered. “His Majesty is well aware of your concerns.”

“He has asked me to deliver a message.”

“Please, Master Ye.”

“The Supreme Emperor is my imperial father. Would you have me defy him and bear the name of unfilial son?!”

The officials blanched and dropped to their knees. “We dare not!”

“If you dare not, then withdraw,” Ye Ge said, flicking his whisk and grinning. “If the Supreme Emperor wishes for the candidates, then deliver them all to him. Should any dare defy this, do not blame me for what follows!”

“Yes…!”