The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 85: The Empress Dowager Suppresses Her Angry as She Secretly Tests the Countess in the Forbidden City~

Faced with Shen Moqing's unceremonious gaze, the beautiful foreign woman was not angry; she even deliberately puffed out her chest.

She arrived late, so the other ladies had already snatched up any decent, handsome male companions.

In such a formal social setting, it is extremely shameful for a lady to dance alone without a male companion, even more so than to run naked down the Champs-Élysées.

Although her diplomat husband was also present, a husband-and-wife team is absolutely not allowed.

High society balls have unique etiquette for the upper class. You must be holding someone else's wife or be held by someone else's husband, otherwise you are no different from a commoner.

"Shall we dance a song? I'm a great dancer."

In an effort to win over this handsome young man whose attitude was wavering, the wealthy woman even extended her left hand.

Shen Moqing reluctantly shifted his gaze from the snow-white skin to the lace gloves in front of him, and said helplessly, "Madam, I am not good at dancing."

"So, you have a female dance partner?"

"No, I was just afraid of stepping on your foot."

-

"What a polite gentleman. Come on, the waltz is simple, I can teach you." The tall, beautiful foreign woman finally breathed a sigh of relief and took her hand. "But you still have to be careful, if you step on your floor-length dress~"

Achieve instant fame?

With these thoughts in mind, Shen Moqing followed the noblewoman into the lively dance floor.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Men and women dressed in their finest attire embraced each other and danced with great enthusiasm.

The waltz, also known as the ballet, originated in the European countryside 50 years ago. It is simpler, easier to master, and more charming than the traditional court dance, the minuet.

They hugged even tighter and jumped even wilder.

It quickly became a global phenomenon, with nobles and the poor alike dancing the three-beat "boom-cha-cha" from the factory shacks of London's West End to Manhattan in New York.

This illustrates a point: what's popular is universal. If the masses enjoy it, nobody can stop them.

-

Accompanied by an elegant waltz.

The noblewoman took the initiative to place Shen Moqing's hand on her incredibly supple waist, speaking in broken Chinese: "My name is Maria, I'm from Paris, I'm not a commoner, I'm a count."

"Just call me Xiao Shen."

The countess spoke broken Chinese, often interspersed with English words. Why did she speak English? Because Shen Moqing couldn't understand French.

"Shen, bend your knees slightly, lean your body forward a little, and relax your shoulders. Very good, just like that. Tighten your back and waist slightly, and place your body weight on your palms. Very good, you learn very quickly."

If you can't communicate by language, you can make up for it with gestures.

Body language is the most universal language in the world.

Shen Moqing learned very quickly because he was deeply influenced by the free and useless campus atmosphere when he studied at Dan University. He often participated in masquerade balls and made many interesting friends. After starting his career as a teacher, he gradually neglected his dance skills.

If you have the basics, it's easy to pick it up again.

The seemingly useless has great use.

An eighteen-year-old boy can openly and confidently dance with a girl in his arms.

"Wow, Shen, you're amazing!" Maria was overjoyed to see her male dance partner's rusty skills improve so rapidly, feeling like she had struck gold.

"Shen, your ancestors must have been nobles, right?"

"How did you know?" Shen Moqing was taken aback, even more surprised than when he had just heard that the Third Frankish Republic actually had nobles.

"A peasant can't learn that quickly; we nobles are born with an understanding of art. Since we're all nobles, we don't need to be so reserved."

As she spoke, she leaned forward and pressed herself against him.

Nobility knows no borders.

It's not uncommon for nobles to hug and kiss each other.

The story of a penniless young baron, a wealthy elderly countess, the lover of a middle-aged baron, the sister of a foreign duchess, and the queen's lover is widely discussed in their circles.

The original connections between nobles were a glorious and common thing.

"Shen, how old is the oldest piece of furniture in your room?"

"Almost 200 years."

"It's quite old. Was it purchased?"

"No, it was stolen."

"Fantastic!!" Countess Maria was very satisfied with the answer. Robbery was great, and it was an old nobleman—it suited her taste perfectly. So she pressed her hips even tighter.

Shen Moqing immediately lost her composure.

我→

Even the well-traveled count was taken aback, his feelings a mixture of shock, attraction, and eagerness.

What?

Fuck?

Here?

Although we nobles are well-informed, it's not appropriate to do it in public.

"Earl, I'm so sorry~" Shen Moqing apologized verbally, but her face didn't turn red.

"Oh, it's alright. No matter what mistakes young people make, God will forgive them. Shen, I'm 29 this year and have been married three times. I love horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and all art."

Shen Moqing didn't listen at all. What do your marital history and hobbies have to do with me?

He was only slightly ashamed of his act of brazenly drawing his gun to threaten an international friend.

At the same time, a very strange phenomenon was discovered: he had never seen a single one of the young imperial guards dancing with the wives of the ministers in the dance hall.

Don't these people usually work shifts?

Where did it come from?

He gazed at his handsome, dashing, and graceful dancers, lost in thought.

Maria sensed her partner's distraction, so she switched to a hesitant step, a special dance move where one hesitates and looks around for a suitable position when the dance floor is crowded, almost like embracing and shaking oneself in place.

"Shen, are you married?"

-

"Newlywed."

"Are you a palace guard?"

"No, I'm a Navy warrant officer."

"Then how did you end up at the ball in the Forbidden City?"

"At the press conference just now, I was the spokesperson appointed by the Empress Dowager."

"Oh my God."

Maria was overjoyed, her body trembling slightly. A young, handsome foreign nobleman with a promising political future was someone worth getting to know better.

I have such good taste!

Putting aside the potentially huge political gains in the future, they won't lose out either.

"Shen, how about trying the spinning dance?"

"I'm afraid I'll step on your long dress."

"That's not important. What's important is that we start spinning."

Under the Countess's deliberate guidance, the two of them spun wildly on the dance floor like a pair of butterflies, darting left and right, and soon became the focus of the entire audience.

Two waiters standing respectfully in the corner whispered to each other.

"who is he?"

"Shen Moqing, the new favorite of the Western Palace, is not one of ours."

Five minutes later, Maria, drenched in sweat, dragged Shen Moqing, whose face was flushed, away from the dance floor and walked to the long table, her eyes filled with seductive allure.

"Shen, cheers to our meeting!"

"Cheers!"

The finest wine comes from the right bank of the Seine, with a rich color, a slightly astringent taste, and is best enjoyed in one gulp.

Suddenly~

A well-dressed diplomat, impeccably dressed in his military uniform and with his hair neatly combed, walked in from the side. He also came to offer a toast and greeted me, "Shen, Salut~".

Shen Moqing was puzzled, "I don't know you."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Maria, standing to the side, held the hands of a man in each hand: "Shen, he is my husband, a former army lieutenant colonel, now the military attaché at the embassy, ​​Lord Jean-Pierre."

"My dear, this Shen comes from a family of noble families for three generations."

"Nice to meet you, Shen." Pierre winked playfully with his left eye, his tone ambiguous. "Mustbeanice"

"Night." Then, he turned and left.

My Confucius!

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Solemn and quiet.

Empress Dowager Cixi leaned against the heated kang bed, wrapped in a bright yellow silk robe, her delicate feet bare, and closed her eyes in deep thought.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent a message asking if we may attend the ball."

"Absolutely not."

"Yes."

-

"Tell my son that after his wedding, I will not stop him."

"Yes."

Empress Dowager Cixi's real name was Jiang Yilan. Before marrying into the royal family, she was a master dancer. Many talented young men took the initiative to ask her to be their partner. No one understood the ambiguity of the ball better than Lan'er.

Now, it's not that I don't want to, but that I simply can't.

I don't know how much time passed.

An Dehai, a trusted confidant, returned from the ball with his shoulders covered in snowflakes.

"My lord, you didn't see it. There was a woman with big breasts dancing with Lord Shen. They were dancing so happily that even I blushed."

"Whose woman is she?"

"I've inquired, and she's the wife of the military attaché at the Third Frankish Republic's embassy in Beijing. Master, guess what? That green-haired tortoise is just standing there watching."

Empress Dowager Cixi clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Master, I've been sending people to keep an eye on things. Should we arrest them?"

"master?"

"If you dare utter such shameless words in front of me again, I'll send you to the Imperial Prison." The Empress Dowager's phoenix eyebrows shot up, and she shouted sternly, "Go, send him here to recuperate—no, send someone to take him back to his residence. Don't say it's my order; do it in the name of my son."

"庶" (shu)

"Also, just say that his wife is slightly unwell and that he should return home as soon as possible."

"庶" (shu)

Snowflakes were falling outside.

The house is warm as spring.

Granny Wang stood respectfully to the side, her eyes downcast and her mind at ease. As someone who knew the whole story, she thought to herself, "Miao Ai is really courting death, stepping on both the Empress Dowager Cixi and a foreign woman."

As if she had guessed what her confidante was thinking, the Empress Dowager suddenly turned her head, her gaze intense: "I took the wrong wine."

"liquor?"

Granny Wang was startled. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she suddenly realized what was happening and tentatively asked, "Did Master mistakenly take that pot of 'Rejuvenating Wood' wine from the inner room?"

-

"Um."

"That wine is a secret recipe from the Ming Dynasty court. Not to mention young men, even old men can regain their youth after drinking it," Wang Mama muttered softly, stealing glances at her master's expression.

Her eyebrows resembled willow leaves in early spring, often carrying the sorrow of rain and clouds.

Her face was like a peach blossom in March, subtly exuding charm and allure.

After a while~

Empress Dowager Cixi rose slowly and picked up the jade ruyi scepter on the kang table to scratch her itch.

"Granny, this is a reward for you."

"This servant must have accumulated good karma for generations to meet such a wonderful master." Granny Wang was moved to tears, and with a casual gesture, she gave her a lifetime's worth of grain for an ordinary family.

"Get up. In these extraordinary times, be extra careful in everything you do."

"This servant understands." Wang Qianniang gritted her teeth, secretly thinking about how to share her mistress's burdens.

An ancient poem says: "The meaning in her eyes and the emotion in her brows never cease; a destined encounter leads to romance. Wang Po, greedy for bribes, has no other skills but sweet talk and a silver tongue."

North of the stage is Shufangzhai.

A side hall guardhouse.

The music from the ball could be faintly heard.

The warrant officer, poisoned by a rare toxin, and the countess, whom he had seduced, embraced passionately. At the critical moment, there was a knock on the door from the outside.

thump~

dong dong~

The knocking was very restrained.

"Who?" Shen Moqing was startled and instinctively reached for her waist, but the holster was empty.

"Lord Shen, don't panic. This servant is Li Lianying. There's something urgent at your residence, so I've sent someone to summon you back." Li Lianying's voice came from outside.

The professor breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both annoyed and wary.

"Shen, it's alright, there's plenty of time in the future." Maria said, straightening her clothes as she gave him a flirtatious look.

One minute later.

Shen Moqing opened the palace door.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, Leonardo DiCaprio, wearing a straw hat and with his head bowed, refused to peek inside.

"you?"

"There are a few Imperial Guards outside who say they are acting on the Emperor's orders to escort you back to your residence. Tomorrow morning, please go to the command post early to check your numbers. This servant knows nothing."

Thanks.

Shen Moqing patted Li Lianying on the shoulder and left in a hurry.

Five minutes later, Maria returned to the ball, quite calmly, treating the Forbidden City as if it were also Versailles.

In the wind and snow.

Four Imperial Guard knights and a light carriage with the curtains drawn tightly passed through the Imperial Garden and exited through the Xuanwu Gate.

The entire time was spent in silence.

-

Inside the carriage, Shen Moqing had already realized that something was wrong tonight, but she couldn't quite figure it out for the time being.

"My lord, we've arrived."

Needle and Thread Alley, Yunqiwei Mansion.

Shen Moqing slowly stepped off the carriage, touched his sleeve—it was empty—he hadn't brought any money. So he said in a low voice, "Brothers, please wait a moment."

The vermilion gate, its copper nails gleaming.

Even amidst the wind and snow, and despite the deep of night, two guests emerged from the mansion, their smiles ingratiating, and bowed to Lin, the accountant who had escorted them to the door: "Please stay, please stay."

Lin Zhixiao also cupped his hands in greeting: "Take care, please take care." He glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, quickly lifted the hem of his robe, and jogged over, cupping his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Second Young Master."

Shen Moqing nodded: "Give the brothers some red envelopes, hurry up."

"Yes."

The next second, Lin, who was usually slow and deliberate, rushed into the mansion like the wind.

"The second young master has returned home!"

As usual, the doorman Jiao Da shouted out.

Throughout the entire household, only two people enjoyed this treatment: one, the Old Madam; two, Young Master Qing.

At the entrance of the government office.

After dismissing the Imperial Guards.

Lin, the accountant, asked in a low voice, "Old Jiao, does the second young master stay up this late every day?"

Jiao Da said with admiration, "Our young master is busy with state affairs all day long. He leaves the manor in the early morning and returns late at night. This old servant feels very sad seeing him like this." As he spoke, his eyes reddened.

They entered the inner courtyard.

They entered their own home.

"Young Master is back." Pearl said with a look of surprise and delight.

"Where is Madam?"

"In the bedroom."

Shen Moqing walked hurriedly, with Pearl following closely behind.

-

Pushing open the diamond-patterned openwork lattice door, the bedroom was dimly lit.

In front of the dressing mirror, Du Yulan's back was swaying gracefully, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall. It was late at night, and she was removing her makeup, combing her hair, and preparing to go to bed.

Hearing the door open, she turned around, overjoyed, and hurried to greet them.

"My husband~"

fed up.

There's no need to endure it any longer.

Shen Moqing stretched out his left hand and pulled, loosening the brocade ribbon and opening his casual robe.

"Returning home on a snowy night, it is fitting to engage in marital relations."

"Why."

Du Yulan lowered her eyes, slightly concealed her collar, bowed in greeting, and then, like a startled little rabbit, scurried towards the rosewood canopy bed that had been salvaged 200 years ago, smoothing out the wrinkles in the sheets to hide her fluctuating emotions.

"Young master, shall I go prepare the fragrant soup?"

"Hmm." Shen Moqing lifted Pearl's chin. "Don't leave later."

"Sigh~"

The pretty maid was overjoyed. She slowly raised her head, her makeup light and delicate, her starry eyes hazy, exuding a mix of playfulness and allure, making her incredibly captivating.

No one understands the art of intimacy better than a personal maid!

A night of intimacy is nothing out of the ordinary.

A poem says: "Swearing oaths to the sea and mountains, they fought for a thousand kinds of beauty; pink clouds fearing the rain, they stirred up a myriad of allure."

The next day.

It was still dark outside, but Shen Moqing had already quietly gotten up.

Du Yulan and Zhenzhu, one on each side, quickly helped her get dressed and then put on a bearskin satin cloak to protect her from the wind and cold.

"Respectfully seeing off my husband."

The two spoke in unison.

At this point, Pearl was eligible to be promoted to concubine. Her monthly allowance also increased by two levels to 10 taels per month. Daily life—

Their food, clothing, and daily necessities have also improved to a higher standard.

The snow stopped, and although there was no sun, the snow reflected light, making the lighting along the way quite good.

Shen Moqing was preoccupied with the battle at the front, so he walked quickly.

Along the way.

The servants, maids, and old women all stepped aside to the side of the road and bowed in greeting.

"May the Second Young Master be blessed."

He strode confidently, his gaze unwavering, his face imposing; those who saw him held him in awe, as if he were a god. This is perhaps the subtle allure of power.

Forbidden City.

Located in a side hall to the west of Wuying Hall, a wooden sign with the words "Frontline Command Post" was hung at the entrance, the paint not yet completely dry.

Four Imperial Guards in military overcoats stood guard outside the station.

Shen Moqing actually spotted an acquaintance and nodded slightly to him. Zhang Xun immediately stood at attention and saluted, his movements meticulous.

-

Enter the command center.

On each of the two walls, there are four or five military maps of different sizes.

In the left corner, three wired telegraph machines were ticking away.

In the center of the room, everyone gathered around the giant sand table turned to look at him.

[Xiaoxiaosheng is very satisfied with the gradually unfolding fictional world view in this book, and he also enjoyed writing it. He hopes you enjoy reading it too, and let's win together!]

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