Chapter 52: Chapter 48: An Old Lecher’s Code of Conduct

The attire of Dongwu Country is quite different from that of Yunyi Country.

If Yunyi Country’s style is the luxurious elegance of silken robes fluttering in the spring breeze, jade-carved qilin belts in red, then Dongwu Country is a carefree smile while stepping out, clouds over West Lake, and the moon in the sky, bold and unrestrained.

Simply put, they let their chests go bare.

Those pectoral muscles, those abs, are they really free to admire!!!

Especially the one at the front, with a grand physique, bronze skin, distinct and deep facial features, dark eyes, wild and unrestrained, sensually unrestrained—a guaranteed dark-skinned alpha male!!!

He seemed to notice the Little Princess’s gaze, looked towards Shen Jingxian, and then smiled charmingly.

Shen Jingxian: Ah Wei has died.

Since childhood, she had seen many handsome men—scholarly types, cool types, cheerful types, etc.—but she had never encountered someone with such wild tension!!

That handsome, upright posture, strong physique, developed muscles, especially the blocky pectorals and abs—they give an immediate impression of firmness, height, and strength!

Following behind were a dozen men, all baring their chests with dark gauzy skirts reaching their ankles, anklets with bells attached, wearing base shorts underneath, with flowing hems, ringing with each step.

After performing a grand salute to the Emperor, the music sounded alongside the bells, and everyone finally realized that this group was here to perform a dance.

Dongwu Country admires the beauty of strength. In their eyes, a man’s physical strength is the most beautiful and most commendable, while women are the complete opposite; their bodies are too weak to be of any use other than causing trouble.

Thus, Dongwu’s dances are those best representing male strength, with only men participating.

To the Dongwu people, presenting a dance by men represents a gesture of respect, while offering a dance by women signifies disdain and humiliation.

Although the Empress understood this cultural tradition of Dongwu, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

Even if these men’s performance represented Dongwu’s utmost sincerity, it hid an extremely low status for women in the background.

Before marrying the Emperor, the Empress was also a heroine who refused to yield to men. She never thought she was inferior in any way. Had she not met that bear who was always following her, she might have become an official in the court or stationed at the border now.

When she was young, Yunyi Country wasn’t as enlightened towards women as it is now. Having experienced the darkest times, she is now extremely sensitive to this.

The Emperor sensed the Empress’s unease and quietly clasped her hand under the table, “My lady, don’t think too much.”

The Empress lowered her displeased gaze, returning the Emperor’s grip, “Mm.”

“My lady’s hands are really smooth.”

“Xiong Yuanxing, are you feeling itchy?”

“I was wrong, my dear.”

As the Emperor, Xiong Yuanxing was taught from a young age to never bow to evil forces.

But as a husband, one must be flexible in front of their wife!

Shen Jingxian was deeply shocked by the never-before-seen dance she witnessed, and for a moment, she felt the joy of Wu Zetian, Princess Shan Yin, and Princess Gaoyang!

In the original work, there were signs of Yunyi Country’s downfall. The Empress and Emperor’s indulgence of the Princess, allowing her to bully the people and gradually causing the Imperial Family to lose favor, was only part of the reason.

More importantly, it was Wen Ranchen’s scheming, aided by Song Yan.

Wen Ranchen held animosity towards Yunyi Country, rooted primarily in his father’s resentment.

Blind for ten years, struggling in the General Mansion for a decade, his hatred for Wen Jingming reached an insane level.

The thing Wen Jingming cared most about was Yunyi Country and the King on that dragon throne, so he was determined to overthrow the dynasty.

Knowing that Princess Yi Fen was their weakness, he meticulously planned, making the Princess fall for him.

He deliberately let the Princess see him getting close to Song Yan, causing her to misunderstand.

Using the Princess’s hand, he pushed Song Yan to his side.

After all, Song Yan was already as wealthy as a nation at that time, with endless resources and connections, but at heart, she was loyal and righteous. Unless forced, she wouldn’t rebel, which is why he used the Princess as a catalyst.

Ultimately, under the continuous trouble caused by the Princess, the two of them rebelled.

The day before the rebellion, the Princess was tricked by Wen Ranchen into becoming a hostage; if not for that, Wen Ranchen couldn’t have possibly taken Yunyi Country, which was at its peak.

In other words, as long as she didn’t fancy Wen Ranchen and didn’t target the heroine out of jealousy, she wouldn’t be used.

Although now, thanks to her efforts, Wen Ranchen might, perhaps, no longer hate his father as much, isn’t there a possibility for her to live more safely?

For instance, letting Song Yan know that she doesn’t like the scheming type like Wen Ranchen, but rather, prefers this handsome, excellent dancing, and muscular dark-skinned brother right in front of her!

Perhaps Yunyi Country also has such robust men, but conservative clothing prevents them from showcasing their charms?

However, all this is not something Shen Jingxian can think about right now. Her eyes sparkled.

That was the righteous light of an old-school pervert.

When the dance ended, the Emperor made a few token compliments, while other ministers only feigned smiles and flatteries.

In Yunyi Country, dances emphasizing strength like this are less favored compared to the graceful and airy dances of women, but since it’s a dance from another country, they had to give some face and praise it.

Only Shen Jingxian was genuinely excited, thinking of a way to keep one of these older brothers here.

It’s not that she wanted to have them, she just wanted to avoid a fatal ending.

Just as Shen Jingxian was pondering how to start, she heard the Empress ask, “Princess Yi Fen, do you like the dance offered by Dongwu Country?”

“I like it!” Shen Jingxian replied decisively.

This decisive look stunned the Empress for a moment, but seeing Shen Jingxian’s stern demeanor, she sighed.

This child, doesn’t even know to control her expressions when lying.

Poor Shen Jingxian, she wasn’t lying at all, just afraid she couldn’t control her smile and her mouth corners would reach her temples, so she had to keep a straight face.

“Since Princess Yi Fen likes it so much, I wonder if the Prince could bear to leave one of the dancers to accompany our young lady.”

Shen Jingxian:!!!!!!!

Oh mother, you truly are my dear mother, but isn’t it too much to leave them all, how can I bear this embarrassment…

Li Yan, upon hearing the Empress, instinctively glanced at the Emperor, who was smiling and showed no signs of being angry, indicating his tacit approval of the Empress’s request.

Women have such high status in Yunyi Country?

If it were Dongwu Country, be it the Empress or the Princess, daring to surpass the King in such a setting would be a capital offense.

Contemplating for a moment, Li Yan composed himself and replied to the Empress, “I am honored by the Empress and Princess’s favor, but these Dancing Men hold significant status in Dongwu. If the Princess truly likes them, perhaps she can keep one.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress no longer pressed the matter, only shifting her eyes from Li Yan with cool indifference and lovingly gazing at the Little Princess again, “Then Yi Fen, you may select one to stay.”

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