Chapter 296: The Silent Princess in a Political Marriage 11

Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed in everyone's ears: "The Emperor and Empress have arrived..."
As soon as the voice fell, everyone knelt down to greet the Emperor.
Xie Shizhu knelt on the ground and looked up at the Emperor and Empress, both of whom were already in their fifties, with other imperial concubines following behind them.
She silently counted the number of concubines the Emperor had, and it turned out to be quite a few, at least over twenty.
In the original plot, this emperor was a person with a greedy nature. If he hadn't become old and his health deteriorated, he probably would have continued to take in concubines.
However, there were not many princes, only five of them.
And the Crown Prince is the son of the Empress.
After the Empress and the Emperor ascended the throne, the Emperor spoke and only then did they dare to sit down.
During this time, Xie Shizhu glanced at Song Yan unintentionally and saw a hint of something different in his usually gentle eyes, which quickly disappeared.
If I'm not mistaken, this peculiar behavior is due to Song Yan's ambition for the position of emperor.
Unfortunately, in the storyline, Song Yan, despite his strong martial arts and cunning mind, still failed to seize the position of emperor.
Just because, the female lead woke up later, realizing that Song Yan was just using her and didn't love her at all. So she deliberately played along with Song Yan.
In the end, she joined forces with the Crown Prince and together they took down Song Yan.
These actually have nothing to do with the original host's malice. What matters is that after Song Yan's death, Xie Xi fell in love with the Crown Prince and betrayed Beimo in order to support him.
Afterward, Beimo became a wasteland.
This is the main source of Xie Shizhu's malicious value.
After a while, the dishes were served, and Xie Shizhu picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
The delicacies in front of him were unprecedented in the royal palace, with chicken, duck, fish, and goose, all very sumptuous.
Xie Shizhu is only concerned about eating and doesn't care about anything else.
At this moment, everyone's attention is not on the meal but rather on the performances presented by the concubines and daughters around them.
The crown prince's consort has just finished her dance performance, and the emperor is greatly pleased, directly rewarding her with a thousand taels of gold.
Others watched with wide eyes as each one eagerly volunteered to perform a dance.
However, the only one who received the reward was the crown princess.
At this moment, Chao Lan looked over to the woman sitting beside her, who was bowing her head and solely focused on her meal. Chao Lan noticed that Xie Shizhu's lips were greasy, and a trace of disdain and mockery flashed across her face.
After that, she looked around and stood up directly, speaking respectfully to the emperor, "Reporting to Your Majesty, women from the Northern Desert have always excelled in singing and dancing. How about letting the Northern Desert princess perform a dance for Your Majesty..."
Xie Shizhu is in the midst of devouring a chicken leg, but suddenly appears somewhat bewildered.
The system can't hold back and says: "Host, this wicked woman! Give her a lesson!"
As soon as the words fall, everyone's gaze falls on Xie Shizhu.
Many people have not yet seen the first beauty of Beimo, and today finally met her.
Her skin is as smooth as fat, her eyes are beautiful.
However, it's a pity that she is dumb.
It is said that this princess of Beimo was forced to marry the sixth prince, who is sick, after being rejected by the crown prince. Translation:
In everyone's eyes, Xie Shizhu is just a woman with an empty appearance, and even not a normal woman, unable to speak.
The emperor remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "If she dances well, We will certainly reward her."
Xie Shizhu's scalp numb. It was impossible for her to refuse the emperor, or else her head would be at stake.
But she didn't know how to.
Song Yan took out a handkerchief and wiped off the oil at the corner of her mouth, his eyes showing a smile as if to comfort her.
Xie Shizhu hesitated for a few seconds, then gestured to Song Yan, saying, "I will not let the prince lose face."
After finishing speaking, Xie Shizhu courageously stood up, walked away from the seat, and stood in an open space. Then, she knelt down and paid her respects to the Emperor.
Due to her inability to speak, she cannot say flattering things like other people.
Song Wenyi stared straight at Xie Shizhu, starting to worry for her.
And by the side, the Crown Princess frowned slightly, after seeing Xie Shizhu's face, she was indeed a bit amazed.
Luckily, he is mute. If he could speak, it would be even worse.
After Chao Lan sat down, a disdainful expression appeared on her face, as she knew that apart from his appearance, Xie Shizhu had no other merits.
The emperor raised his chin slightly, signaling Xie Shizhu to begin his dance.
Xie Shizhu froze, regretting the boastful words he had just said to ingratiate himself with the big shot.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Xie Shizhu made a sudden move, startling those in attendance.
She took off her outer clothes and threw them on the ground.
Song Yan was momentarily stunned, his eyes suddenly becoming heavy.
Xie Shizhu took off her elaborate outer garment, revealing a tight-fitting white inner garment that accentuated her exquisite figure. Similar to her usual attire, the inner garment also had a skirt hem.
With everyone's baffled gaze, she slightly raised her eyes and curved her cherry-like lips into a faint smile, adding a touch of allure to her once clear eyes.
After a moment, Xie Shizhu swung her arm, twisted her waist, and danced the dance of the Northern Desert.
A gentle breeze brushes by as she stands on tiptoe and gracefully glides her body, causing her skirt to flutter.
With each dance step, the woman's ink-black hair sways in rhythm.
She resembles a delicate butterfly, gracefully dancing in the wind. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.
The wind blows her hair on both sides, and her every frown and smile bewitches people's hearts.
Song Yan notices the change in the gazes around him, from disdain to astonishment, and now to admiration.
And they are all captivated by Xie Shizhu, unable to look away.
He slightly furrowed his brows and turned his gaze burning with intensity towards Xie Shizhu.
Xie Shizhu had a slender and delicate waist that could be held with just one hand.
A different expression appeared on Song Yan's face, and he quickly realized that he had furrowed his brows and swiftly relaxed them.
He picked up the chopsticks again and lowered his head to eat, trying to disguise the unusual feelings in his heart.
After the dance, Xie Shizhu quickly picked up his regular clothes from the ground and put them on.
The dances in the Northern Desert were usually more lively, so this cumbersome attire hindered his performance too much.
The system, looking down at the stunned crowd, says: [Host, didn't you say you couldn't dance?]
Xie Shizhu smiled and replied, "I can't dance, but the original host can."
Xie Shizhu is kneeling on the ground, waiting for the Emperor's words.
Not far away, Chao Lan, who was waiting for Xie Shizhu to embarrass himself, couldn't even force a smile, with a terrifyingly dark expression on her face.
Many people still hadn't taken their eyes off her, until the Emperor's voice sounded and brought everyone back to reality.
"Truly deserving of the title 'North Desert's number one beauty," the emperor stroked his beard, his face filled with delight, as this was the most beautiful dance he had ever seen.
Afterwards, the emperor generously proclaimed, 'Reward her with five thousand taels of gold.'" Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.
Hearing this, everyone was envious and jealous.
Xie Shizhu quickly knelt down and kowtowed a few times.
With five thousand taels of gold, the Wang Family can become affluent, and at least while she is here, they can have meat every day. Please note that the "@" symbol is used for emphasis or to indicate that the following text is a direct quote.
When Xie Shizhu returned to her seat, Song Yan had a smile in his eyes as he gently took hold of her wrist.
"My lord, now the mansion is wealthy." Xie Shizhu gestured towards Song Yan with her free hand, her smile particularly striking at the corner of her lips.
Song Yan nodded, his eyes showing a slight flicker.
*
As the moon-viewing was nearing its end, suddenly the Minister of War walked up to the Emperor and said, "May it be known to Your Majesty, I also have something to offer to you." Translated:
After finishing speaking, the Minister of War handed the document in his hand to the eunuch.
The eunuch received it and handed it to the emperor with both hands.
The emperor took the document and quickly unfolded it. Upon seeing the words on it, his face turned dark in an instant, and then he suddenly shouted angrily, "Guards, capture the corrupt official, Minister of Revenue, Chao Hui."
As soon as the words fell, a look of confusion flashed across Chao Lan's face. Then, she watched helplessly as her father was pressed to the ground by the guards and taken away.
A while ago, a report was received at the Ministry of War's Chief Secretary's residence. I apologize, but I don't have enough context to provide a better translation of the content.
The above mentioned the embezzlement of military funds and salaries by the Minister of Revenue in recent years, and it was confirmed after investigation.
Therefore, taking advantage of the opportunity before the moon-viewing, he organized the evidence and submitted it to the emperor at this time.
Previously, the Minister of Revenue issued a notice, stating that whoever captures the Thief God will receive a significant reward.
This suggests that the stolen items are records of embezzlement.
Shortly afterwards, Chao Lan was also taken away.
The reason is that this kind of crime of greed will implicate nine generations.
Xie Shizhu looked at Chao Lan crying and being dragged away, raising an eyebrow slightly.
The system remained silent for a few seconds before saying: "Host, so you threw this thing into the residence of the Minister of War a while ago, right?"
Xie Shizhu casually said, "Indeed, the Minister of Revenue embezzled military funds. Naturally, the Minister of War despises him the most."
The system gives a thumbs up:【Impressive!】
*
After the moon viewing event, nobody could manage to laugh.
The sudden arrest of the Minister of Household Affairs has caused great panic among the people.
However, Xie Shizhu couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the gold on the carriage.
Soon, she got into the sedan chair and returned to her mansion with Song Yan.
When the other concubines in the mansion saw so much gold, they were both shocked and happy.
Even the maids and servants couldn't help but smile.
Having so much money meant that they would have meat to eat in the future.
They had also heard about what happened during the moon-watching event and knew that it was thanks to Xie Shizhu that they obtained this gold.
The maidservants gathered around Xie Shizhu, looking at her with admiration as if she were a goddess.
*
Song Yan arrived at the lotus pond, and while bathing, he thought about a woman's slender waist and a pair of eyes as clear as dewdrops.
The heart beat slightly faster than usual.
Suddenly, there came the sound of 'gugu'. Song Yan quickly got up from the pool, picked up his clothes from the floor, and dressed quickly.
He opened the door to the darkroom, and the pigeon flew onto his shoulder. Please note that the "@" symbols are not conducive for proper translation. It is recommended to remove them for better understanding and readability of the translated content.
Song Yan took down the pigeon and quickly unfolded the piece of paper hidden under its feathers.
It was written on it: Assassinate the Thief God, reward of thirty thousand taels of gold.