However, Duke Zheng was still a highly respected minister who was alive, and even His Majesty had always treated him courteously. The Empress naturally could not be rude to him, so she had to smile and said, "In that case, please sit down."
Consort Qi then smiled and spoke, "There are often sword dances in the palace, and there have never been any accidents."
This remark provided an opportunity for the Empress to step down.
Noble Consort Li spoke with a chuckle, "Consort Xian, you mentioned sword dances, but how can they be compared to Prince Yong'an's act in making a living? The two can't be mentioned together."
In the great hall, the young ladies all had different thoughts, and no one had expected things to develop this way. They had made all sorts of preparations, thinking they could show off their talents in poetry and music during the banquet, but they never thought that the Empress would have Prince Yong'an perform, let alone that Prince Yong'an would refuse outright.
