ebookland Chapter 147 Hu Xuan Dance
Chapter 147 Hu Xuan Dance
April 17th is Zhen Huan’s birthday.
Because Zhen Huan's pregnancy was unstable and he was worried about An Lingrong's health, she was listless all day long. Yongzheng was very distressed and decided to take this opportunity to celebrate and relieve her worries. So he took the concubines to the Old Summer Palace a day early.
Because Shen Meiyu was in her second month and An Lingrong was seriously ill, neither of them could go. Zhen Huan had no intention of celebrating her birthday, but she could not refuse the emperor's kindness, so she boarded the carriage to the Old Summer Palace with little interest.
In the Yanxi Palace, Shen Meizhuang sat in front of the piano and played it gracefully to entertain An Lingrong.
Gently plucking the seven strings, the melodious sound of the piano flows out like a clear spring, winding and tortuous, clear and transparent, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.
An Lingrong lay quietly on the bed, listening intently to the beautiful music. Every note danced in the air like a spirit and flowed into her ears.
At the end of the song, An Lingrong couldn't help but sigh, "It's as majestic as Mount Tai, as vast as the rivers. Sister, do you think I'm your soulmate in this song?"
Shen Meizhuang stood up and walked over to An Lingrong, smiling and asking, "Isn't it?"
An Lingrong nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, of course!"
"Today is Huan'er's birthday, it's a pity that we can't celebrate with her!" Shen Meizhuang sighed.
"Yes! However, now that the Emperor dotes on Sister Zhen and is willing to go to the Old Summer Palace to celebrate for her, Sister Zhen will surely be even happier." An Lingrong said with a smile, "Besides, now that Sister Zhen is pregnant, the Emperor's attention to her will also make other people with bad intentions more cautious."
"You're right! But your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so don't worry too much. Taking good care of yourself is the most important thing. What do you want to eat for dinner? I'll ask the kitchen to make it and send it over!" Shen Meizhuang asked with concern.
Speaking of food, An Lingrong swallowed hard, sighed, and then said, "Alas! I can't eat greasy food or seafood. I can only eat some porridge!"
Shen Meizhuang laughed and said, "Okay, when you're fully recovered, I'll have the kitchen cook your favorite dishes every day to help you gain back the weight you've lost!"
Speaking of this, An Lingrong's mood also became a little low. She took Shen Meizhuang's hand and asked, "Sister, you haven't taken good care of yourself since giving birth. If this continues, you may suffer in the future!"
Since she fell ill, Shen Meizhuang had been grief-stricken and worried, she cried almost daily. She also had to travel back and forth between Yonghe Palace and Yanxi Palace, caring for her newborn child, Liudan, and accompanying herself during her illness. She also frequently visited the Yangxin Palace, leaving her with little time to rest at home. As she aged, postpartum illnesses might set in.
Shen Meizhuang didn't care much, "Have you forgotten again? I come from a family of military commanders, and I have a good physical foundation, so it won't be a problem!"
On the other side, in the Old Summer Palace, Zhen Huan had already flown a kite and watched the lotus flowers, and attended a banquet at Jiuzhou Qingyan with the concubines.
She sat next to Yongzheng, putting on a professional fake smile and playing the role of a favorite concubine.
After sending off a wave of ladies who came to offer their blessings, the smile on Zhen Huan's face fell. She felt a little uninterested and wondered what Sister Mei and Rong'er were doing at the moment. The table full of delicious food was not as sweet and tasty as the cup of milk tea made by Rong'er.
Yongzheng looked at her face and asked with concern, "Hanhuan, are you feeling unwell?"
Zhen Huan forced a smile and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing well. I am very happy that Your Majesty has taken such pains for me. I offer a toast to Your Majesty."
After saying that, he picked up the wine glass.
Yongzheng nodded with satisfaction.
Xia Dongchun took advantage of the break to stand up and bow, saying, "Your humble servant congratulates Her Majesty Wan on her birthday. I have no other talents, but I am willing to dance for Her Majesty."
"it is good!"
Seeing that she was sensible, Yongzheng naturally would not offend her.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to change my clothes."
After a while, a palace servant spread a round carpet about one meter in diameter in the middle of the venue. Xia Dongchun wore a red and pink short jacket with narrow sleeves, a long scarf, green silk half-crotch trousers, red leather boots, and jingling bracelets, earrings, and rings. Her clothes were bright and eye-catching, and quite exotic.
Yongzheng's eyes lit up and he sat up straight.
Xia Dongchun places her feet on the ground with three-quarters of her feet, as if about to leap off the ground but not quite, her hands raised, spinning rapidly like the wind. As she spins faster and faster, she holds a long scarf in her hands, her movements light and graceful, with a flowing beauty that is more unrestrained and lively than traditional Central Plains dance.
The accompaniment also became percussion instruments with a stronger sense of rhythm, echoing the bright and flexible speed changes of Hu Xuan dance.
The Hu Xuan dance originated in Central Asia (present-day Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, the King of Kangguo presented a dancer who performed the Hu Xuan dance to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Since then, the Hu Xuan dance became completely popular throughout the Tang Dynasty under the promotion of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.
This dance requires the dancer to hold their head high, chest out, and waist upright, fully utilizing the movements of their head, shoulders, waist, arms, elbows, knees, and feet to create a variety of dynamics and beautiful forms. This is complemented by various eye expressions, embellished with decorative movements such as head turns, hip shakes, and swings, creating a style that is unrestrained, elegant, and a blend of strength and flexibility. The main technique employed is the rotation, which requires rapid speed and continuous changes of posture within the rotation.
After the song ended, Xia Dongchun still stood steadily on the round carpet.
"Good!" Yongzheng clapped his hands and laughed.
The Empress echoed, "The frosty roots are broken, the goat's horns are sharp, the pole is crowned with a red disk, the fire wheel is dazzling, the black pearl bursts out and chases the flying stars, the rainbow halo light scarf is like a stream of lightning, who can tell the beginning and the end of it? How can the four seats tell the back? Xia Chang dances here, and this palace is amazed!"
Xia Dongchun couldn't hide the pride on his face, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliments!"
Zhen Huan, who was standing aside, looked at the person in front of her and felt annoyed. She frowned, quickly picked up the teacup and took a sip, then covered the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. Seeing this, Jin Xi hurried forward and stroked Zhen Huan's back.
This series of actions naturally attracted Yongzheng's attention, and he quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhen Huan suppressed the nausea of rolling around and said, "Sister Xia dances very well, but she spins so many times that I am dazzled and a little dizzy."
Xia Dongchun immediately put on a tearful expression, "It's my fault, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "I know you mean well, but Wanpin is pregnant now, so don't dance around her anymore!"
"Yes! I will obey the emperor!" Xia Dongchun responded obediently.
Yongzheng pulled her to sit next to him, and smelled the fragrance emanating from her body, feeling a little aroused.
Nian Shilan, who sat below, saw Yongzheng's expression clearly and sarcastically said, "Concubine Xia is truly multi-talented! However, I have heard that the Huxuan dance was popular during the Kaiyuan period, and An Lushan was the master of it. He used it to win the favor of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Yuhuan, causing Emperor Xuanzong to become obsessed with singing and dancing and neglect state affairs, which allowed An Lushan's army to seize Chang'an. Does Concubine Xia's dance today count as misleading the emperor?"
Xia Dongchun's smile froze on her face. After a moment, she quickly stood up and knelt down: "I have absolutely no such intention. I just wanted to make Your Majesty and Concubine Wan laugh. Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
Seeing that Yongzheng remained silent, the Empress spoke up, "An innocent man is guilty of possessing a treasure. It is absurd to blame the An Lushan Rebellion on that group of innocent Huxuan women!"
Nian Shilan wanted to suppress Xia Dongchun, but she didn't want to compare the emperor to Emperor Minghuang of Tang, who was indulged in pleasure and had no ambition to make progress. Although Yongzheng didn't say it, he felt uncomfortable in his heart!
After these words were spoken, Yongzheng finally got a way out. He let Xia Dongchun stand up and glanced at Concubine Hua lightly.
After the banquet, Yongzheng returned to the palace and summoned Xia Dongchun to sleep with him that night.