However, if some of the senior officials in the court could hear Pan Wei's thoughts at this moment, they would probably shake their heads with a helpless, bitter smile.

Then, with a touch of emotion, he retorted: "No, it's not that we are born without any desire for power!"

Power—that's something so many people dream of. Who wouldn't want to hold it tightly in their hands and enjoy the feeling of being high above, pointing out the flaws in the world, and controlling everything?

"It is truly because, in this grand court of Chengxiao, there exists a figure as majestic as Mount Tai and as dazzling as the sun, that we dare not covet such a position!"

In Chengxiao, the King of Jinrui Zhao was renowned far and wide. His high reputation and great power had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts, and everyone knew him.

Under the powerful deterrent of King Jinrui Zhao, the old ministers were all as clear-headed as mirrors, realizing that compared to the seemingly irresistible and coveted power, it was far more important to act decisively.

My hard-won life and the reputation I've built up over a lifetime are the most important things.

After all, if someone, out of greed for power, were to engage in any behavior that attempted to disrupt the balance of power or endanger the stability of the court, they would be in serious trouble.

Under King Jinrui Zhao's thunderous and ruthless methods, unpredictable and unimaginable serious consequences could arise in an instant.

At that time, not only will power vanish like a dream, but one's life, wealth, and reputation may also be destroyed, leaving one utterly disgraced.

Therefore, faced with the choice between power and stability, they had no choice but to weigh the pros and cons and choose the latter.

After carefully cultivating a successor, they obediently stepped down from the tempting and dangerous stage of power, returning to a peaceful life in order to secure their remaining years.

As this grand and luxurious palace banquet unfolded like a magnificent and splendid scroll under the night sky with its lanterns lit, it slowly drew back the curtain.

Luanxiu's gaze was drawn in by a mysterious and invisible force, involuntarily and wholeheartedly fixed on the musicians.

The musicians before me seemed like a group of fairies who had gracefully descended from a misty, dreamlike fairyland.

Each one is like a unique and dazzling star, radiating an irresistible charm.

Look at those handsome men, their upright postures like bamboo shoots emerging from the ground, displaying resilience and elegance in the breeze.

Every line seems to have been meticulously sculpted, showcasing masculinity and heroism.

Their faces were handsome, as if they were carefully carved from fine jade, with distinct features and strong lines.

Her eyes and brows exude a lively and elegant charm, much like a clear mountain stream flowing with wisdom and talent.

It seems that with just a glance, one can feel the overwhelming sense of poetry and elegance.

The beautiful women had faces as lovely as blooming flowers in spring, delicate and alluring.

Every inch of her skin was as delicate and smooth as mutton fat jade, radiating a soft glow.

Their eyes shone brightly, like stars twinkling in the night sky, full of gentleness and tenderness, and their every gesture exuded grace and charm.

Like a gentle spring breeze, it quietly blows by, bringing waves of fragrance that are intoxicating and enchanting.

Their beauty was so outstanding that even the most graceful dancers, whose movements were as light as butterflies, felt inexplicably inferior in comparison.

Like stars under the bright moon, they shine, but appear slightly dimmer under the moon's radiance.

The court musicians, both men and women, were all carefully selected and chosen, and their appearances were considered to be of the highest caliber.

They are like fairies and immortals who have stepped out of a fairyland, a sight to behold.

The reasons behind this were crystal clear to everyone, both inside and outside the palace, with no secrets whatsoever.

King Jinrui Zhao was naturally fond of all beautiful things in the world, especially those with outstanding appearance and extraordinary temperament, whom he had a special fondness and appreciation for.

The Emperor Emeritus doted on Qin Qianluo to the extreme, treating her like a precious gem, afraid she would melt in his mouth or break in his hands.

I always acted according to her wishes, and always put her preferences first.

When it came to selecting musicians, a matter of court elegance, they naturally catered to the court's tastes, sparing no effort to search for people from all over the world who were outstanding in appearance and skilled in their craft.

Over the years, this imperial music hall has become like a treasure trove of beautiful faces from all over the world, including the musicians who play the zither and lute and create heavenly sounds.

The dancers, still gracefully performing on stage and portraying the myriad aspects of human life, were all exceptionally beautiful and possessed extraordinary temperament, becoming a bright and unique sight at the court banquets.

Such outstanding figures gathered at the palace banquet, like the most dazzling stars in the night sky coming together.

This attracted the attention of many sons of officials, who couldn't help but follow their figures like magnetic needles, as if drawn by an invisible magic, unable to extricate themselves.

Many of them had eyes full of pure appreciation and admiration, as if they were admiring rare treasures, and were intoxicated by the beautiful demeanor and exquisite skills of the musicians and dancers.

Their eyes shone with sincerity, or perhaps they were captivated by the moving melodies flowing from the musician's fingertips.

Or perhaps they are captivated by the dancers' graceful and elegant movements; it is a pure pursuit and appreciation of art and beauty.

However, there are also some people who harbor ill intentions, their eyes gleaming with the filthy light of greed and desire.

Those gazes, like repulsive reptiles, roamed freely over these beautiful people, filled with ill intent and blasphemy, making one feel a chill and indignation.

However, most of the musicians and dancers were perfectly aware of their situation and status.

They were well aware of their lowly status within this rigidly hierarchical class system.

Even if one is fortunate enough to enter a wealthy and powerful family, one is nothing more than a concubine who is used for amusement and manipulated by others.

In those seemingly glamorous but actually treacherous mansions, one inevitably suffers many grievances and hardships.

It's like being trapped in an invisible cage, losing both freedom and dignity.

Moreover, the royal family has always treated them with great kindness and care.

The daily rewards were quite generous, including precious and rare gold and silver jewelry that shimmered with a captivating luster, as if they could illuminate the entire world.

They were lavishly bestowed with luxurious and exquisite silks and satins, soft and smooth to the touch, like flowing moonlight.

Moreover, the royal family provided them with excellent living conditions and learning opportunities, allowing them to continuously improve their skills within the palace.

Access to top-tier art resources is like swimming freely in an ocean of knowledge and art.

As they grow older and reach the age where they can leave the palace, they will be able to live a wealthy, comfortable, and leisurely life, relying on the wealth and skills they have accumulated in the palace over the years.

They can open their own small shops in the city and sell their own exquisite handicrafts.

With their superb skills, they can also become highly respected instructors, passing on their knowledge to more people who love this craft.

In this light, why bother trying so hard to squeeze into those seemingly glamorous but actually treacherous high-class households?

Why venture into those complex, treacherous, and turbulent waters? Those who are oblivious to the situation, who try to climb the social ladder but fail to see reality, often meet a tragic end.

They may have suffered endless neglect and bullying in high-class families, losing their original innocence and happiness.

Perhaps due to momentary greed and vanity, he fell into an inescapable predicament, ending up disgraced and ruined.

Although a very small number of extremely lucky people manage to secure a place in a prestigious family and live a seemingly glamorous life.

But ultimately, they are extremely rare, like shooting stars that occasionally streak across the vast night sky, brief and scarce.

As for Luanxiu, her mind is simple and pure, like a clear stream, without any impurities.

It is simply a pure love for all the beautiful people and things in the world, like an innocent child, filled with an instinctive longing and curiosity for beautiful things.

Just like her natal Gu—the Ice Silkworm Gu, that Gu worm is like a rare and exquisite treasure, breathtakingly beautiful, as if it embodies all the beauty and mystery of the world.

The Ice Silkworm Gu has a crystal-clear appearance, as if it were carefully carved from the purest and most flawless ice crystals in the world, radiating a cool and soft luster.

It seems to reflect everything around it in a dreamlike way, as if you are in a snowy world, pure and beautiful.

Its overall emerald green color resembles a deep, secluded pool, or a piece of warm, delicate, and priceless jade.

Under the subtle changes of light, it shimmers with a captivating and mysterious glow, as if telling an ancient and enigmatic story.

Each texture is like a masterpiece of nature, containing endless mysteries that captivate people and make them want to explore it further.

Of course, although the Ice Silkworm Gu is breathtakingly beautiful, it is also an extremely dangerous Gu worm, like a deadly thorn hidden in a flower bush, seemingly beautiful but harboring murderous intent.

The icy threads it spews are like deadly messengers from hell, delicate yet containing endless chill and killing intent, as if they can penetrate the soul and freeze life.

Once someone is infected, they will instantly die, as if time freezes at that moment, the breath of life comes to an abrupt end, and the whole world falls silent.

Even more peculiar is that the bodies of those afflicted remain uncorrupted, like cold sculptures, silently telling the story of the Ice Silkworm Gu's terror and mystery.

It was truly astonishing, yet also chilling, as if enveloped by an invisible force, making one feel the fragility and impermanence of life.

Xinghua inadvertently caught a glimpse of the little princess's entranced expression out of the corner of her eye, and a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

He sighed deeply, then slowly raised his hand and gently rubbed his forehead, as if trying to dispel the helplessness and embarrassment that welled up in his heart.

She was intimately familiar with the little princess's obsession with beautiful people and things.

However, no one could have predicted that at this meticulously prepared, solemn, and distinguished palace banquet, which brought together dignitaries from all sides...

The little princess was so uninhibited, as if all her reserve and restraint had been instantly stripped away.

His eyes were fixed on the musician, filled with undisguised infatuation and longing, just like a naive child who had never seen the world.

Seeing herself like this in front of everyone made Xinghua feel utterly humiliated, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.

She simply couldn't bear to look at the little princess in such a shameful state.

It felt as if the awkwardness would intensify with every second they looked, so they quickly looked away from their little princess.

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