Chapter 983

After Han Ji appeared, she pushed the atmosphere of the Changyan Society to its climax.

Everyone shouted in unison.

Han Ji was full of charm, constantly tossing her head and swaying her hips as she danced gracefully.

As she danced, those present grew even more fervent.

Among them, some with low cultivation could not resist leaving their seats and swaying along with her.

Ögedei sat upon the imperial throne, utterly mesmerized.

He could only sigh—how could such a beauty be none other than Prince Ruyang's favorite concubine?

His eyes brimmed with unrestrained greed.

When the song ended, the music abruptly ceased, and the dance halted with it.

Han Ji was once again surrounded by the northern-style women.

This left countless ministers feeling hollow and bereft.

Some with weak self-control openly cried out,

"Han Ji, Han Ji, why have you stopped dancing? How can you stop?"

"Come out and dance again! I haven't had enough!"

"Insolent!"

Ögedei, too, was reluctant to see it end, but he deliberately rebuked,

"You wretches! This is Prince Ruyang's favor—how dare you be insatiable?

Guards, take these disgraceful fools out immediately!"

Odu immediately ordered the Keshig to drag the ministers, still dazed and entranced, out of the square.

Seeing those with weak willpower dragged away, the others finally snapped back to their senses.

Ögedei then turned to Prince Ruyang and spoke gently,

"I once thought the world's music and dance were all alike, beyond my discernment.

Who would have thought that today, seeing Prince Ruyang Fu's performance, I'd realize I was a frog at the bottom of a well!"

"Indeed! After seeing Prince Ruyang Fu's dance, I doubt I'll ever want to watch any other again."

Odu quickly added.

Yelu Chu could see clearly this was a trap set by the emperor and his minister.

Just as he was about to warn Prince Ruyang, the old man spoke up,

"Your Majesty jests—northern music and dance are mere rustic fare, how could they compare to the imperial court's exquisite performances?"

"Prince Ruyang is too modest."

Seeing Prince Ruyang take the bait, Odu immediately said,

"Not to mention anything else—just Han Ji, dancing like the moon surrounded by stars, outshines thousands upon thousands.

Your Majesty, what do you say?"

"Exactly! Han Ji's dance belongs only in heaven—how often does one hear such a thing on earth?"

Ögedei chimed in, wearing a look of deep nostalgia.

"Han Ji's dance truly cannot be compared to ordinary performances."

If it were anything else, Prince Ruyang might have argued, but when it came to Han Ji, he wore a look of quiet pride.

"What a pity! After today, I shall never see Han Ji's dance again."

Ögedei suddenly burst into tears before all, appearing heartbroken.

Odu mirrored him exactly, visibly moved.

Yelu Chu, seeing the emperor and minister's grotesque display, truly wanted to turn and leave.

But he was Grand Tutor, Chief Minister of all officials—he had to stay, no matter how much he disliked it.

"Since Your Majesty so loves Han Ji's dance, this old minister humbly offers her to Your Majesty."

Just as Ögedei and Odu's performance grew more intense, Prince Ruyang suddenly stunned them all.

"What? Chahan, are you serious?"

Prince Ruyang's words left the entire Yuan elite in shock.

Even Ögedei, who had plotted meticulously, stared in disbelief.

After all, he and Odu had performed for so long, hoping only that Prince Ruyang would let Han Ji dance one or two more times.

Then he would feign reluctance, suggesting she stay overnight in the palace to observe further.

Only then would Prince Ruyang have no choice but to yield—and Ögedei would take Han Ji into his arms.

Who could have imagined Prince Ruyang would be so cooperative—just a few tears and heartfelt words, and he offered Han Ji outright?

"I would never jest before the throne."

Prince Ruyang bowed and said,

"If Your Majesty holds Han Ji in such high regard, how could Chahan dare keep her for himself?

I only hope that after accepting Han Ji, Your Majesty will treat her kindly—that is all this old minister asks."

Many had speculated that before Han Ji appeared on the Heavenly Dao Hundred Flowers List, she was Prince Ruyang's cherished favorite.

After ascending the list and gaining enhanced abilities, she became his sacred taboo.

Who could have imagined Prince Ruyang would tear off his own taboo and truly offer her to Ögedei?

Even though Ögedei had pondered long and prepared countless arguments,

Now, with this unexpected windfall, he was stunned for a long while.

Seeing Prince Ruyang's face—pained yet solemn—Ögedei finally believed him.

He stepped down quickly from the imperial throne, went to Prince Ruyang's side, and helped him up.

"Such loyalty from Prince Ruyang—I only now realize it!"

"Odu, Odu, hurry and find the Grand Tutor to draft an edict—hasten to promote Old Chahan to Northern King, his descendants forever to shake the northern frontier."

Prince Ruyang's Wang Jue is already an extraordinary rank.

It rivals Mu Huali's title of King of Lu.

Now, in his excitement, Wuokuai has granted a Northern King higher than both Prince Ruyang and the King of Lu.

Added to that, the promise of hereditary rule and eternal dominion over the northern frontier is tantamount to making the Northern King's lineage a state within the state.

The weight of this reward is truly shocking.

Odu, upon hearing this grant, was stunned and envious, standing frozen in place, unsure what to do.

Yelu Chu, upon hearing this grant, also sighed deeply.

This new Great Khan of mine, though low in tactics, is truly generous to those who follow him!

Is a single Northern King's Wang Jue truly worth the loss of Han Ji?

Upon hearing this, Prince Ruyang—no, Northern King Old Chahan—immediately knelt again with his son Wang Baobao to thank the Great Khan.

Then he gave a soft command to the line of singing maidens behind him,

"Han Ji, come and pay your respects to the Great Khan."

At his command, the singing maidens parted, revealing once more Han Ji's peerless figure and beauty.

At her appearance, countless people present fell into rapture.

Following Old Chahan's instruction, Han Ji moved like a willow brushed by a breeze, her slender form swaying, barely graspable, until she reached Wuokuai's side and bowed low,

"Your servant, Han Ji, pays homage to the Great Khan."

"Rise, rise."

Wuokuai longed to rush forward and pull Han Ji into his arms.

But restrained by royal decorum, he spoke with a foolish, besotted expression.

"Han Ji! From today on, you are no longer bound to me or my Wang Fu."

"From today, you belong to the Great Khan. Do not entertain a second thought."

Old Chahan said solemnly to Han Ji.

Hearing Old Chahan publicly give her away to Wuokuai, Han Ji's eyes filled with tears.

"Yes, Your Highness's command is etched in my heart."

"Very well, go."