Chapter 790: Chapter 477 Kneeling Punishnt and Ribbons
Guanghan Palace’s midday banquet was just as Zhao Rong had expected when he arrived.
At the long dining table, only a few people including the Dowager Empress, Zhao Rong, and the young Emperor were seated, spaced far apart, strictly adhering to etiquette.
However, Zhao Rong still had not seen what she looked like, and even this ti it was worse than the previous occasion at the spirit hall, where he could see the body figure of the widow above.
This ti, she did not even reveal her figure, hiding behind layers of curtains.
Yet, from the Dowager Empress’s tone behind the curtains, it seed she was quite pleasantly surprised and delighted by his proactive visit.
The reason was self-evident.
To avoid suspicion, it wasn’t just the three dining, the Dowager Empress also invited Zhang Huizhi and other Confucian Scholars to join.
Thus, Zhao Rong had a rather dull al at the ceremonious palace banquet.
During the al, they mostly followed the Confucian etiquette of eating in silence, and the Dowager Empress’s occasional small talk was also in the form of sovereign to subject dialogue.
While eating, Zhao Rong counted the number of tis the woman behind the curtain reached for a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth.
Each dish in front of her was touched only with one pair of chopsticks, chewing each bite eight to ten tis before setting down the chopsticks, reaching for the handkerchief handed over by a crescent moon attendant beside her to wipe her mouth, and then taking a new pair of chopsticks to pick up another dish.
Zhao Rong nodded slightly, murmured to himself, then didn’t pay much attention to it, only occasionally glancing at the young Emperor Li Wangque.
Since the young Emperor had been beside his mother, he had beco imdiately well-behaved and quiet, eating his al while adhering to the proper etiquette and not looking around.
After two incense sticks had burned down, the midday banquet concluded.
“Would Teacher Zhao and the other esteed scholars care to stroll the rear garden after dining, and perhaps enjoy our Great Li Court’s chi bell music and dance?”
From behind the curtain, that hazy figure putting away her handkerchief asked in a clear voice.
This kind of invitation, as all present were scholars, obviously could not be accepted right away; well, at least not with so many people present and certainly not being the first to accept.
Zhao Rong exchanged looks with Zhang Huizhi and others, all of them discreetly shaking their heads to decline politely.
The young Emperor appeared slightly disappointed, but the youth dared not say anything, simply lowering his head, as if fearful that the widow mother above him might notice and ask him to stay.
Upon hearing their response, the Dowager Empress did not insist further, courteously letting Zhao Rong and the others leave.
After departing Guanghan Palace, Zhao Rong exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Huizhi and others before they separated.
Before leaving, Zhang Huizhi brought up the subject of drinking leisurely soti, to which Zhao Rong lightly laughed and agreed.
“Teacher Zhao, why did you not accept the mother’s invitation just now? The palace’s performances are unparalleled in Li Territory, and our Li ladies’ dance forms are considered the best in the northern mountains of Wangque, sothing many Immortals desire to witness. Teacher, have you not heard of it before?”
“However, those who dance and sing best are all in the Music Workshop and the palace, usually beside the mother, unreachable by outsiders,”
Zhao Rong thought for a mont, nodded, “I’ve heard Brother Yi Wu ntion a bit about it.”
The young Emperor, imitating Zhao Rong, rolled up his sleeves and walked beside him.
At this mont, he heaved a rather adult-like long sigh, his expression full of regret:
“Although I have beco Emperor, my mother rarely lets interact with these perforrs. Those sisters from the Music Workshop never perform in front of , like Sister Dou Kou, every ti she cos, she just oversees my studies… Teacher Zhao, it’s such a rare opportunity you passed up, it’s truly a pity.”
When the young Emperor spoke before Zhao Rong, referring to himself, he rarely used terms like ‘I’ or ‘my lone self.’
Er, you wanted to sneak a peek, so you feel it’s a pity for , right? Hearing you say this, if it weren’t for these days needing to ‘Seeing Heart and Understanding Nature’, I’d indeed go and experience for myself, eting the graceful beauties of your Great Li Court…
Zhao Rong blinked his eyes.
He furrowed his brows slightly, patted Li Wangque on the shoulder, and spoke gravely, “We scholars should not indulge in such distractions, and as the ruler of a nation, being engrossed in female entertainers is a sign of a failing state.”
The young Emperor’s expression beca serious, “Thank you for your teachings, Teacher.”
Zhao Rong humbly waived his hand.
He glanced at the road ahead, then suddenly whispered, “Truthfully, it’s not that you can’t watch such entertainnt.”
Li Wangque was startled, “Teacher, what do you an by that?”
Zhao Rong frowned, looking troubled as he sighed, “For a monarch to view such frivolous dances, there needs to be a senior of high moral standing by his side to remind and supervise.”
With so reluctance, he nodded, “Alright, next ti then; next ti you have a chance to watch such dances, you can co to and I will make sure it’s appropriate.”
The young Emperor: “……”
“What, your silence implies you don’t trust ?”
“No… no, I was just thinking whether it might burden you, tainting your clear-minded and virtuous realm?”
The young Confucian Scholar waved his hand, “No worries, with the little knowledge they possess, how could they possibly upset my realm? You can co to with confidence.”
“Alright… alright then, Teacher.”
The young Emperor scratched the back of his head.
The young Confucian Scholar nodded in satisfaction.
Actually, he wasn’t lying; once he overca this period and successfully practiced ‘Seeing Heart and Understanding Nature,’ his realm of desirelessness and clear-mindedness would undoubtedly elevate.
Even though several days had passed since that night, he still hadn’t fully grasped what ‘Seeing Heart and Understanding Nature’ truly ant, but it must certainly be a remarkable realm…
“Hey, Gui, if you’re still alive, give a shout.”
Zhao Rong called out in Heart Lake.
He waited for a mont.
No one responded.
Zhao Rong’s expression remained unchanged, rolling up his sleeves.
“Teacher Zhao, you know our Li won are skilled in dance, but do you know who the best dancer in Li Territory is?”
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