NCCnovel Chapter 279 Fighting for Cen Jiexiao?
Chapter 279 Fighting for Cen Jiexiao?
Inside the gilded palace, the air was thick with the sweet aroma of ambergris, making Cen Jiexiao's head spin. She couldn't help but frown. This smell was truly unpleasant after a long time. Looking around, she saw the palace was magnificent, with carved beams and painted buildings, an utterly luxurious place. In the center of the palace stood several massive round tables, laden with a dazzling array of delicacies from land and sea.
The noble ladies around them were all heavily made up and adorned with precious jewels, as if competing to see whose jewelry shone brightest and whose clothes were the most luxurious. Their jewels were dazzling, from gold hairpins and jade bracelets to jadeite and agate. Under the light, the glitter was so intense that it hurt Cen Jiexiao's eyes.
Each of these ladies was like a proud peacock, vying for attention to detail, eager to display all their valuable possessions, lest anyone else should be blinded to their wealth. Their chatter was animated and affectation-filled, their conversations revolving around family matters and cosmetics, which made Sister Cen drowsy.
Cen Jiexiao secretly complained to herself, this wasn't a flower-viewing party, it was clearly a show of wealth. She fiddled with the snacks in front of her, her mind already wandering.
This damn banquet, Cen Jiexiao secretly speculated, what exactly is the Queen Mother up to? She exchanged pleasantries with the ladies around her while observing the surrounding situation calmly.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively. Empress Dowager Li put down the jade cup in her hand and slowly scanned the crowd, finally landing on Cen Jiexiao. Her eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if she wanted to see through Cen Jiexiao.
"President Cen, I see that you are extremely intelligent and popular among the people. How about you stay in the palace and serve as a female official to assist me in handling palace affairs?" Empress Dowager Li spoke slowly. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into a hushed silence, a pin drop audible. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Cen Jiexiao, with envy, jealousy, and even gloating. They all wanted to know how Cen Jiexiao would respond to the Queen Mother's invitation.
Cen Jiexiao sneered inwardly, here it comes! The Queen Mother has finally revealed her true colors. Pretending to be frightened, she quickly stood up and saluted, lowering her brows and saying, "Your Majesty, you are so kind. I am afraid that I am not qualified for such a heavy responsibility."
"President Cen, there's no need to be so modest. I believe in your abilities. Besides, with my personal guidance, you will definitely be able to do the job." Empress Dowager Li smiled like an old fox, with a shrewd gleam in her eyes.
This isn't guidance, it's surveillance! Cen Jiexiao gritted her teeth secretly, but she still maintained a humble smile on her face and said softly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness, but I'm used to being free and undisciplined, and I'm afraid I can't adapt to the rules of the palace."
The light in Empress Dowager Li's eyes dimmed slightly, a flicker of displeasure passing through her, but she quickly regained her usual grace and elegance, as if nothing had happened. She gently lowered the jade cup in her hand, making a crisp sound that was particularly clear in the silent hall. This brief silence made Cen Jiexiao's heart skip a beat. She seemed to sense the empress dowager's suppressed anger, which made her even more nervous and uneasy.
"Rules are dead, but people are alive." Empress Dowager Li spoke slowly, her tone filled with unquestionable majesty.
"I can make an exception for you." She paused, staring at Cen Jiexiao with burning eyes, as if she wanted to see through her inner thoughts.
"What an exception!" Cen Jiexiao cursed inwardly. This wasn't an exception at all; it was clearly forcing someone to do something against their will! She understood that the Queen Mother was determined to keep her in the palace. She claimed to appreciate her talent, but in reality, she wanted to use her as a pawn to control Chai Zhen, a hostage to be manipulated at any time! This old fox really had a good plan!
Cen Jiexiao secretly raised her eyes and glanced at Chai Zhen, who sat at the head of the table. He still wore an indifferent expression, as if none of this had anything to do with him. He lazily leaned against the dragon throne, his slender fingers gently tapping the armrests. Each tap struck Cen Jiexiao's heart, leaving her feeling a wave of powerlessness and despair. A hint of a smile played at the corner of his mouth, making it impossible to decipher his thoughts. To Cen Jiexiao, this smile was so glaring, so cold.
"That Chai Zhen! He failed at the crucial moment!" Cen Jiexiao cursed inwardly, but she could do nothing about it. She knew that Chai Zhen's silence at that moment might have a deeper meaning, that perhaps he was secretly plotting something. But she was now alone and helpless, relying on herself.
Cen Jiexiao took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger and anxiety in her heart. She forced a smile on her face, feigning embarrassment. She bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes moving around as if she were pondering something. She had to come up with a foolproof plan that would protect herself while also avoiding the Queen Mother's suspicion.
Cen Jiexiao felt that her heartbeat was like the beating of a drum, hitting her eardrums again and again, almost breaking her chest.
The Queen Mother's piercing gaze was like two sharp knives, piercing her heart and nearly suffocating her. Her mind raced, but it felt like it was stuck in a quagmire, unable to find any solution. Despair surged like a tide, threatening to drown her. At this critical moment, a clear voice shattered the suffocating silence, like a ray of dawn piercing the dark night sky.
Chen Zigui slowly stood up, his movements unhurried yet imbued with a force that could not be ignored. His figure stood tall and straight, as majestic as a mountain, standing firmly in the center of the hall. He bowed deeply to the empress dowager, performing standard court etiquette. His every gesture exuded a refined elegance. Then, he raised his head, gazed firmly at the empress dowager, and spoke with neither servility nor arrogance.
"Empress Dowager, I believe that Dean Cen is knowledgeable and talented, and is truly a pillar of the country. His staying in Linkang Prefecture to teach and educate people and run the academy will be of immeasurable merit." Chen Zigui's voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the hall.
He paused, then continued, "Dean Cen has devoted countless hours to the management of Zhaoyin Academy. His new educational policies have revitalized the students of Linkang Prefecture and cultivated countless talents for the imperial court. If she stayed in the palace, she could certainly serve the imperial family, but wouldn't that be a waste of her talent for educating people and promoting national prosperity, and a disappointment to the countless students across the country?"
Chen Zigui's tone was neither hurried nor slow, yet each word was full of wisdom and power. His words were like gentle spring rain, moistening everything silently, yet also carrying an undeniable power.
The Queen Mother's expression, originally a bit smug and arrogant, gradually turned serious. She stared at Chen Zigui with a sharp gaze, as if trying to see through his inner thoughts.