You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Read Chapter 292, "The Princess and the Queen Dance," now to begin your exciting day.

The capital city, the Jin Dynasty palace.

The former ornate buildings and magnificent buildings have not faded with the change of dynasties, but the palace servants walking among them have a cautious and fearful look on their faces.

The oppressive and chilly atmosphere that permeated the palaces clearly indicated that this place had become a different world.

Inside a slightly warmer room, silver charcoal burned quietly in a gilded dragon-shaped incense burner, dispelling the chill of late autumn in the north, but unable to dispel the coldness in people's hearts.

Several young women dressed in palace attire, with beautiful faces but pale complexions, sat silently with their heads bowed, some staring blankly out the window, others twisting their handkerchiefs, none of them speaking.

Among them were the concubines of Emperor Wanyan Dan of the Jin Dynasty, as well as unmarried princesses and noblewomen.

When the country fell, they were not immediately imprisoned like the men, but were temporarily housed here. However, this did not bring them any sense of security; their unknown fate was like a sword hanging over their heads.

The door to the pavilion was gently pushed open, and an old eunuch with gray hair and a thin face bowed as he walked in.

He was a former palace servant who had served two generations of patrons. His name was Uleji, and he was most adept at reading people and protecting himself.

At that moment, his gaze swept over the anxious noble ladies in the room, finally settling on a young girl sitting by the window.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a light red palace dress, with a slender figure and skin as white as snow.

With an oval face as delicate as jade carving, and a natural air of aloofness and scholarly refinement rarely seen in northern women, she was Wanyan Xue, the younger sister of Wanyan Dan, who was bestowed the title of "Princess Xue Ni".

She was gazing absently at a crabapple tree outside the window, its leaves all fallen. Her profile, bathed in the cold sunlight streaming through the window, was beautiful yet filled with a sense of detachment and suppressed sorrow.

Uleji waved for the other palace maids to leave, then walked over to Wanyan Xue's side, lowered his voice, and spoke with a sense of world-weariness and urgency: "Princess, my little ancestor."

"What time is it? Why are you still standing here in a daze?"

Wanyan Xue's long eyelashes trembled, but she didn't turn around.

Uleji sighed, his voice even lower, yet each word sharp as a needle: "The Jin Kingdom... is gone."

"We are now people of a vanquished nation."

"These titles of 'princess' and 'princess' are worthless right now; they might even be a death sentence!"

Wanyan Xue's body trembled almost imperceptibly, but she remained silent.

"Even if you didn't see it with your own eyes, you must have heard about what happened outside the city gates today."

Uleji continued, his voice trembling with fear: "That Song emperor is not one to be soft-hearted or to be lenient."

"The imperial family and officials are being arrested and interrogated at will, and I've heard they're going to investigate the blood debts from the southward campaign years ago..."

"How many influential people will fall from grace in the blink of an eye?"

"Our lives are now entirely in the hands of that emperor's will."

"He can only let us live if he wants us to live. If he wants us to die, it can happen in an instant!"

He observed Wanyan Xue's expression and saw that her lips were slightly pursed, knowing that he had touched a sore spot. So he leaned closer and said in a barely audible voice, "This old servant has been in the palace for decades. I may not have any other skills, but I do have some discernment when it comes to people and things."

"This emperor of the Southern Dynasty is unparalleled in martial arts and decisive in killing, but... I've also heard that he has a great fondness for beautiful women."

"Your beauty is unparalleled; there is no one else like you in the entire capital."

"This might be... this might be the only chance for survival right now."

Wanyan Xue abruptly turned her head, her clear, beautiful eyes instantly filled with unbelievable humiliation and anger, her cheeks flushing an unnatural red with shame and indignation: "Chief Steward Wu!"

"You...you actually want me to...to actively fawn over and curry favor?"

"I, Wanyan Xuetang, am dignified..."

"What, a princess of a fallen kingdom?" Uleji interrupted her, his tone unusually stern, tinged with sorrow: "My dear princess, wake up!"

"What 'dignity' can a daughter of a fallen kingdom still possess?"

"Just think about what happened to the princesses and concubines of the Song Dynasty when Bianliang (Kaifeng) fell during the Jingkang era?"

"They were abducted northward like cargo, subjected to endless humiliation and torture; even getting a whole corpse was a luxury!"

"Those are all members of the Han imperial family!"

"Now that the situation has reversed, how good can our fate be?"

He took a breath and earnestly advised, "Take advantage of this time, since His Majesty has just entered the city and may not yet fully understand the past events in the palace."

"If you can use your stunning beauty to take the initiative to show your goodwill and win his favor and pity, not only you, but perhaps the other ladies and princesses in this pavilion will have a way to survive, and even... have someone to rely on."

"If His Majesty remembers, or if it's offered up by those newly rich who are eager to make a name for themselves, or..."

"Or perhaps he'll be in a bad mood one day, and the consequences... I don't even dare to think about it!"

"It's better to suffer temporarily than to regret it later!"

"Clatter." Not far away, a young concubine dropped her teacup, which shattered into several pieces.

The humiliation of Jingkang casts a heavy shadow over the hearts of every member of the imperial family who knows this history.

The tragic fates of Han princesses and concubines serve as a clear mirror, reflecting their possible futures.

While actively currying favor is certainly humiliating, it seems better than being treated like livestock, arbitrarily rewarded, or even tortured to death...

It seems to be a better choice.

The anger in Wanyan Xue's eyes was gradually replaced by immense sorrow and helplessness. Crystal tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to fall.

She looked around and saw pale faces filled with fear, confusion, and finally resignation.

Noble birth and proud lineage are fragile and vulnerable in the face of the iron hooves of a conquered nation and the will of the conquerors.

Ulji's words, though cruel, are an undeniable fact.

She recalled the blurry yet imposing figure she had seen in the distance during the day on the imperial carriage, and a chill ran through her heart.

You should ask him...

Will the man who destroyed his own country and captured his own brother offer himself up?

Her slender fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white.

After a long while, a single tear finally slid down silently, disappearing into the luxurious fabric of her clothes.

She neither nodded nor uttered any further rebuttal, but simply cast her empty gaze back out the window, like a beautiful glass statue that had lost its soul.

Ulje knew that she had tacitly agreed, or rather, compromised out of desperation.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a complex sense of smug joy rose within him.

If this matter succeeds, he might still have a place in the new dynasty's harem.

……

Night fell, as dark as ink, enveloping the imperial palace in the capital. Inside the temporary residence, the lights shone brightly, dispelling the chill of the northern night.

Lu Zuo, Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, and others discussed matters such as pacifying the people, land reclamation, garrisoning, and governance of officials until late at night before finally concluding their discussion.

Yue Fei and Han Shizhong bowed and took their leave, each going about their own business.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

Lu Zuo rubbed his temples. Although he didn't feel tired, the days of fighting, entering the city, and handling complicated affairs had left him feeling a bit listless. He then ordered, "Someone, prepare some late-night snacks."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard standing outside the hall replied.

Before long, the palace door opened slightly, and an old eunuch walked in with his head bowed and a vermilion food box in his hands.

He came to the foot of the steps, knelt down respectfully, and held the food box high above his head: "This old servant, Uleji, pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. The supper has been prepared; please enjoy it, Your Majesty."

Lu Zuo glanced at him. The old eunuch had fair skin, a humble gaze, and meticulous movements, and he had the air of an old man in the palace.

"Are you a former member of the Golden Palace?"

"Your Majesty, I have been honored by the previous dynasty to serve as the Grand Eunuch for over twenty years."

Uleji's voice was steady, with just the right amount of respect: "To see the Emperor's face now is like seeing the sun after the clouds have parted."

"This old servant is willing to dedicate his remaining strength to Your Majesty, serving Your Majesty in your daily life. He also knows a little about the trivial matters of the capital palace and the old customs and human relationships, which may be of some use to alleviate your worries."

Lu Zuo pondered for a moment.

I do need someone by my side who is familiar with the workings of the court and the interpersonal relationships here.

"In that case, you will temporarily assume your old post, overseeing all internal affairs of this headquarters and taking charge of my daily life," Lu Zuo said calmly. "If you serve diligently, you will surely reap the rewards."

Uleji was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed, saying, "This old servant thanks Your Majesty for your divine grace!"

"I will gladly give my life for Your Majesty!"

With their position secured, the first step is considered complete.

He got up and took out several delicate side dishes and porridge from the food box, placed them in front of Lu Zuo's table, and stood by with his hands at his sides.

Lu Zuo used some casually, and the taste was acceptable.

Seeing this, Uleji put on a fawning smile and said cautiously, "Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs and works very hard."

"This old servant...this old servant has dared to suggest a little entertainment for Your Majesty to help you relax. I wonder if Your Majesty would be interested in watching?"

"Oh?" Lu Zuo put down his silver chopsticks and looked at him. "What program?"

Ulji felt reassured and gently clapped his hands.

Suddenly, clear and melodious music rang out from behind the heavy curtains that had been hanging on the side of the hall.

It was not the silk and bamboo music commonly found in the Central Plains, but rather the sounds of the Huqin, Bili, and Jiegu, which carried a distinct northern flavor. The rhythm was initially slow, like the night wind on the grassland brushing over the tips of the grass, carrying a touch of desolation and vastness.

As the music played, eight slender women emerged gracefully from behind the curtain in single file.

They were not wearing the elaborate court dresses commonly seen in the palace, but rather uniform attire similar to that of the Orochi women.

The upper body is a well-tailored short blouse adorned with tiny silver ornaments and colorful beads, revealing a slender and soft waist and a section of fair and delicate skin.

Her lower body was adorned with a long, multicolored skirt resembling flowing clouds and rosy hues. The skirt was extremely wide, with a light gauze outer layer and a silk lining, and it rippled like water as she moved, shimmering with light.

The women were barefoot, with tiny gold bells tied around their ankles, which jingled melodiously with each step.

Their hair was styled in the northern style, adorned with feathers, colorful silks, and sparkling gems.

Their faces were covered by a light, misty, pale gold veil, revealing only pairs of eyes that were either bright, shy, or affectionate. Under the light of the palace, their eyes sparkled and shone.

The music gradually became brighter, and the drumbeats became more frequent.

Eight women then began to twirl and dance.

Their dances are completely different from the reserved and graceful styles of the Central Plains, full of unrestrained vitality and primal allure.

Her slender waist swayed like a water snake, and her soft arms made various graceful gestures, sometimes like a swan spreading its wings, sometimes like a fox glancing around.

The colorful long dress billowed as she spun rapidly, like a giant flower suddenly blooming, or like neon lights flowing down from the horizon, dazzling and spectacular.

The skin of her waist and abdomen, visible beneath the short blouse, glimpses her dazzling whiteness as she twirls and bends, creating a visually striking image that complements the shimmering skirt and sparkling accessories.

The crisp sound of the ankle bells blended seamlessly with the music. The girls sometimes gathered together like lotus petals embracing, and sometimes scattered like stars in the sky. Their dance steps were intricate and varied, yet they carried a unique passion and wildness from a foreign land.

Although her face was not clearly visible beneath the veil, her slender figure, captivating eyes, and the blend of tenderness and a kind of sacrificial resolve revealed in her dance were enough to stir one's heart.

Lu Zuo leaned back in the wide chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrests, calmly appreciating the carefully prepared dance.

He could tell that these were not professional performers; their movements were somewhat awkward, and some of their eyes even carried an undisguised sense of panic and humiliation.

But this only adds a unique, conqueror-centric perspective to the story.

Especially the lead dancer, a girl in red, whose face was veiled, but whose cold eyes occasionally flashed with sorrow and resignation, clearly showed that she was no ordinary palace maid.

Uleji secretly observed Lu Zuo's expression and, seeing that he did not show displeasure but rather seemed quite interested, felt reassured. He smiled obsequiously and whispered, "Your Majesty, these are all..."

"We are all former palace servants, aware of the impending doom of a fallen kingdom. We only wish to use our meager skills to bring a moment of joy to His Majesty."

"Especially the lead dancer, who is Princess Xue Ni from the previous dynasty, is the most... the most beautiful, and also well-versed in Han poetry and literature..."

Lu Zuo remained noncommittal, simply watching the swirling red figure amidst the dazzling colors and rousing music, like a red lotus burning in the snow, carrying a poignant and desperate beauty.

As the dance drew to a close, the music reached its climax and then abruptly stopped.

Eight women prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing deeply towards the throne.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only their soft breathing and the lingering sound of the golden bells remaining.