Chapter 267 - 162: A Final Resolution (Part 2)

As they were talking, Wei Chengchao glimpsed Emperor Jing arriving as expected, and hurriedly tidied his clothes and stepped forward to greet him.

Although Emperor Jing was dressed in ordinary attire today, with a piece of white jade hanging from his waist, his every movement exuded imperial grace.

Mr. Wei followed half a step behind, and when he saw his son approaching to pay respects, Emperor Jing raised a hand to stop him.

"Today, I am just traveling incognito to join the fun, no need for formalities."

Though Emperor Jing said so, Wei Chengchao remembered his father’s advice to be cautious and respectful before His Majesty, so he did not dare to be careless and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty’s presence is truly a great blessing for Brocade Workshop."

After speaking, Wei Chengchao respectfully led the two of them to the VIP seats.

Along the way, peonies freshly picked that morning, still carrying dew, were placed in ceramic vases, with their subtle fragrance lingering and the faint sound of musicians tuning their strings.

A temporary T-stage had been built outside the main gate for fashion show performances.

In ancient times, affluent families would invite opera troupes to perform for celebrations.

So, the guests watching all assumed that the T-stage was a theater stage, and regarded it with nonchalance.

At this time, the seats on both sides of the T-stage were already filled, with the Champion Marquis’s family among them.

Seeing Wei Chengchao leading Emperor Jing to their seats, everyone rose to pay respects, but Emperor Jing gently pressed his hand down, indicating they sit.

"I am here to offer my congratulations too, no need for formalities. Everyone, please, have a seat!"

As soon as Emperor Jing finished speaking, an urgent drumming sound suddenly came from the stage. It was an unusual, lively, and rhythmic music, unlike traditional opera gongs and drums.

"What... what instrument is this?"

Mrs. Lin, the wife of Cao Xiong, shook her teacup, a few drops spilling onto her brocade skirt.

She had never heard such enchanting melody, feeling like her entire body became lighter with the music.

On the T-stage, familiar opera actors did not appear, but instead eight young men and women lined up and stepped out in rhythm with the drumbeats.

The men were in well-tailored standing-collar robes, as dignified as pines.

Some women wore modified qipao with skirt slits subtly revealing stocking-clad legs. Some wore a more Westernized outfit, holding round fans, graceful like willows.

The men in standing-collar Zhongshan suits were as dignified as pines, while the women in qipao or Western dresses with fans were graceful like willows.

"Oh my!"

Several ladies immediately used their fans to cover their eyes, yet couldn’t resist peeking through the gaps.

"What a disgrace! What a disgrace!"

Assistant Minister of Rites, Mr. Zhou, slammed the table, his folding fan pointing at the women sashaying on stage, reprimanding, "How can women expose their skin so openly in public..."

Before Mr. Zhou could finish, a female model in a light purple qipao, with exquisite entwined patterns embroidered on the lapel and slits revealing her long legs, walked to the front.

The female model stopped right in front of Mr. Zhou, striking a pose with one hand on her hip and the other gently touching her bun, playfully turning before him.

"Th-This..."

Mr. Zhou’s folding fan paused in mid-air, his eyes widened in shock, and his beard twitched with anger.

As the Assistant Minister of Rites, he valued etiquette above all. Yet here, a woman dared to flaunt directly before him, how could he tolerate it?

Emperor Jing chuckled, almost bursting into laughter. Though he too thought these women’s clothing, revealing arms and legs, was inappropriate.

But for some reason, he couldn’t take his eyes off them.

He even fantasized about how wonderful it would be if his concubines wore such refreshing dresses every day, dancing in the imperial garden...

Wow! That feeling... let’s leave it at that.

He even felt that Mr. Zhou was making a mountain out of a molehill, being too old-fashioned.

"Father, the embroidery on these clothes is so exquisite! If only I could wear such a dress,"

Cao Xiong’s daughter, Miss Cao, tugged gently at her father’s sleeve, her eyes shining with a strange light.

Mrs. Lin snorted, "Shameless and improper! The slit on the skirt goes up to the thighs, and yet they dare to wear it out. Simply... simply..."

Even as she spoke, Mrs. Lin’s gaze remained glued to the qipao’s exquisite, slender waistline.

The male models on stage were just as impressive, dressed in a hybrid of redesigned Zhongshan suits and traditional long robes, with hard Western lines yet not lacking in Eastern genteelness.

A male model wearing round glasses walked to the front of the stage, suddenly doffing his hat and bowing in a Western manner, causing several ladies to giggle behind their hands.