Hearing these words, Li Rong turned her head and saw the palanquins of Consort Rou and Huale.
The two were being carried in sedan chairs, draped in fox fur over their skin, holding warming braziers in their hands. They looked elegant and noble, their appearance clearly showing how greatly favored they were.
Seeing them, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile.
“So it’s Consort Rou and little sister Huale.”
As Li Rong spoke, she looked them up and down. Since Huale didn’t bow to her, she didn’t bow to Consort Rou either. The three parties presented a kind of mutually disrespectful understanding. After a moment, Consort Rou was the first to laugh, reminding Huale: “Seeing your older sister and you still haven’t dismounted to bow—who in the palace taught you such manners?”
“There’s no need,” Li Rong raised her hand to stop Huale’s movement to dismount, directly saying, “Since Princess Huale doesn’t have me as her older sister in her heart, there’s no need for these empty ceremonies. Your Ladyship must have other matters to attend to, right? I’ll take my leave first.”
With that, Li Rong perfunctorily waved her hand and led Pei Wenxuan toward the great hall.
As soon as they left, Huale turned to look at Consort Rou, furious: “Mother Consort, look at her—what kind of arrogance is that! You’re at least a consort, yet she didn’t even bow when she saw you…”
“Didn’t you also fail to bow to her?”
Consort Rou laughed, not particularly concerned, only saying: “Qiong’er, everything people say and do comes at a price.”
With that, Consort Rou raised her hand and patted Huale’s hand, saying gently: “Remember this.”
Following Li Rong’s departure, Pei Wenxuan thought she must have angered Huale and couldn’t help but smile: “Why does Your Highness bother arguing with them?”
“If I don’t argue with them, they won’t cause me trouble?” Li Rong laughed lightly. “The result is the same either way, so I might as well speak my mind and feel satisfied.”
“Did Your Highness notice the young lady standing beside them?”
Pei Wenxuan suddenly mentioned someone else. Li Rong thought for a moment before recalling that person’s appearance.
The woman was refined and dignified in appearance, also quite a beauty, but Consort Rou’s beauty was so overwhelming that standing beside her, the woman seemed to pale in comparison. One had to think carefully to recall her features.
Li Rong was somewhat surprised that Pei Wenxuan mentioned her. She was just turning to ask when she heard Pei Wenxuan say: “It’s Xiao Wei.”
That is, the niece Consort Rou had always wanted Li Ming to arrange a marriage for with Li Chuan.
At the last palace banquet, Consort Rou had schemed elaborately to make Xiao Wei stand out in the incense selection competition, hoping to give Li Ming a pretext to arrange the marriage, but Li Rong had disrupted those plans. Now nearly half a year had passed, yet she was still lingering in Hua Jing.
Thinking of this, Li Rong couldn’t help but frown, turning to look at Pei Wenxuan: “What was that method you mentioned earlier to help Chuan’er out of this predicament?”
“Huguo Temple recently had a monk arrive who is said to be knowledgeable of past and present, able to predict the future.”
When Pei Wenxuan mentioned this, Li Rong understood. After hesitating for a moment, seeing her silence, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but say: “Does Your Highness have some concern?”
“This monk is a fraud.”
Li Rong directly exposed him. Pei Wenxuan was completely unconcerned: “Are there any mystics in this world who aren’t frauds? It’s precisely because he’s a fraud that we can use him. Regardless of what you say, in the previous life he was indeed famous throughout Hua Jing with many followers.”
“But in the end, he was still driven out of Hua Jing.”
Li Rong frowned. Pei Wenxuan reminded her: “That was your doing. In this lifetime, if you don’t personally tear off his mask, he’ll be considered a master. Have him prophesy that Your Highness cannot marry within five years, then stir up this matter among the common people and let it spread. Now that the Shangguan family is more or less under Your Highness’s control, if they can’t produce a Crown Princess, they won’t let anyone else produce one either. With the internal strife among various court factions, this prophecy can become an excuse they utilize. Thus, within five years,” Pei Wenxuan held up one hand, “the Crown Prince’s marriage will be worry-free.”
“There’s still risk in this.” Li Rong tapped her palm with her fan, speaking slowly. “Let me think about it more.”
As they conversed, they entered the great hall. Many officials had already arrived and were exchanging pleasantries with others. After Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan entered the hall and just took their seats, Li Ming led people in.
Behind Li Ming came the harem consorts. Shangguan Yue walked side by side with Li Ming, with Consort Rou leading the others following behind. As soon as Li Ming entered, everyone knelt down. After Li Ming told everyone to rise, following his usual habit, he said a few auspicious words, then announced the feast would begin.
The New Year palace banquet was an annual essential event. Those seated at the front of the great hall were all high-ranking nobles and officials. Since everyone was acquainted, they weren’t constrained. Before long, the atmosphere became lively. Led by the senior officials, familiar officials began moving about and mingling—it was essentially a social occasion.
Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong sat to one side. The two of them were currently unpopular at court, especially Li Rong, so no one came to speak with her. Pei Wenxuan kept her company, cracking melon seeds and chatting with her.
The two observed the other people at the palace banquet together. The old men divided themselves by official rank, each talking and chatting in their respective circles. The young people mostly divided themselves by birth, each in their own circles.
The Pei family, as members of the humble class, now held real power at court but weren’t listed in the genealogies of the aristocratic families. Belonging to the new nobility at court, they didn’t quite fit in either group. Some high-ranking Pei family members could barely join conversations in elite circles, while some lower-ranking ones mingled in circles of the humble class, actually appearing quite comfortable.
The men were in the great hall, while the women were almost all in the rear hall. Apart from the Empress and the consorts, Li Rong was the only woman in the hall, appearing quite conspicuous.
After the two had been sitting together for a while, they saw someone hurry over from the rear hall and whisper something in Li Ming’s ear.
After listening for a moment, Li Ming smiled and scolded: “Young ladies just love showing off.”
Though he said this, Li Ming still instructed Fulai: “Have the dancers withdraw. Bring Huale over.”
Li Rong wasn’t far from Li Ming, and hearing him give this instruction, she couldn’t help but glance over.
A moment later, she saw Huale holding a jade flute, walking forward from the rear hall. She curtsied gracefully to Li Ming, respectfully saying: “Father Emperor.”
Compared to Li Rong, Huale had always been much more docile. She was gentle and delicate—the image Li Ming held in his heart of what a daughter should be like.
As soon as she arrived, the hall gradually quieted down. Then Li Ming was heard laughing: “I heard you prepared a piece to perform together with Prince Su to congratulate me on the New Year?”
“Yes,” Huale said, holding her flute and smiling. “It was younger brother Cheng’s idea. He said that at the start of the new year, we should bring Father Emperor good fortune. He wants to present Father Emperor with a sword dance—first to celebrate last year’s smooth campaign in the Northwest, and second to display to the realm the masculine spirit our Great Xia should possess.”
“He’s only eleven years old,” Li Ming grumbled verbally but looked very pleased. “Already wants to be a grown man?”
“Father Emperor,” Prince Su Li Cheng, seated beside Consort Rou, said proudly, “this son’s swordsmanship greatly improved last year. Master said that although this son is young, he’s not inferior to any grown man.”
“Oh?” Li Ming asked curiously. “Then can you defeat your Crown Prince elder brother?”
If this were an ordinary family, Li Ming’s question wouldn’t matter much, but in the imperial family, when Li Ming asked this, everyone’s expressions turned rather unpleasant. Li Rong held a smile at the corners of her mouth, her gaze falling on Li Cheng, waiting to see how Li Cheng would answer. Meanwhile, Li Chuan’s expression remained calm, as if he’d heard nothing, maintaining a steady and composed demeanor.
“Naturally I can,” Li Cheng immediately answered seriously. “Crown Prince elder brother excels at reading. Crown Prince elder brother and I are different.”
“Did you hear that?” Li Ming laughed heartily, turning to look at Li Chuan. “As an elder brother, if you don’t work harder, your younger brother will look down on you.”
Hearing this, Li Chuan smiled slightly and bowed respectfully: “What Father Emperor says is correct. In the future, Cheng’er will surely become a fierce general, guarding our Great Xia’s borders and promoting our national prestige.”
Though Li Chuan acted childishly in front of Li Rong, he had been raised as Crown Prince from birth after all. Such situations weren’t unfamiliar to him. He knew very clearly what method to use to defuse the awkwardness Li Ming created.
However, he still carried some youthful spirit. When responding, he couldn’t help but needle Li Ming a bit—practically telling him directly that Prince Su was too stupid to become emperor, so don’t waste your efforts.
Hearing the barbs in Li Chuan’s words, Li Ming’s expression immediately darkened. Seeing this, Consort Rou quickly said: “Your Majesty, don’t just focus on talking. The children prepared this gift for so long—you should watch it.”
“Right, right, right.” Having been given an out, Li Ming turned back and stopped bothering with Li Chuan, laughing: “Distinguished officials, Princess Huale and Prince Su have specially prepared a grand performance to celebrate the New Year and share joy with all of you. Go ahead,” Li Ming looked at Huale, “little songbird.”
Huale bowed to Li Ming, then walked to Prince Su’s side and ascended the stage together with him.
After Li Cheng mounted the stage, he removed his outer robe to reveal the training garments underneath. This outfit was what Northwest soldiers wore for martial practice, symbolizing that at this moment he was a Northwest soldier.
Then he went to retrieve a sword and flourished it on stage. Li Ming immediately began clapping, calling out loudly: “Excellent!”
Li Rong smiled as she tapped her fan, watching with great interest. Everyone was drawn to the stage. It must be said that Li Cheng executed this sword flourish extremely well—one look showed he had considerable talent in this art. No wonder Li Ming was pleased.
Pei Wenxuan leaned over to pour wine for Li Rong, saying quietly: “Doesn’t Your Highness feel displeased?”
“What’s there to be displeased about?” Li Rong turned her head with a light laugh, using a voice only the two of them could hear: “Watching this on the street would cost money. Now we don’t have to pay—why not watch more carefully?”
Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong’s mouth would spare no one. He smiled without speaking. After Li Cheng finished his sword flourish and received a wave of applause, he puffed out his chest, looking very proud.
Huale moved to one side of the stage and said to Li Ming: “Father Emperor, the piece I’m performing today is ‘Entering Battle Formation on the Plains.’ This piece has been lost for a hundred years. After searching through ancient texts, your daughter only found half a fragmentary scroll. Some days ago, I happened to hear Vice Minister Su play this piece for younger brother Cheng, which allowed me to record the second half. Today I present this piece to Father Emperor—I hope Father Emperor will enjoy it.”
Another instance of humbly showing off her remarkable talent. Li Rong felt she was already bored.
She turned her head and whispered to Pei Wenxuan: “Why haven’t they started yet?”
“Be patient. There’s probably still something important to say.” Pei Wenxuan patted her hand. As soon as he finished speaking, Huale was heard saying: “However, your daughter only has the vertical flute. Without accompaniment from a qin, it would seem too thin. If Vice Minister Su doesn’t mind,” Huale turned to look at Su Rongqing, who sat among the guests with a calm expression, “would you be willing to accompany me, to jointly present this piece to Father Emperor?”
Hearing this, everyone looked toward Su Rongqing, while Pei Wenxuan instinctively looked toward Li Rong.
Li Rong noticed Pei Wenxuan looking at her and returned his gaze curiously. While everyone else was staring at Su Rongqing, the two quietly locked eyes.
Su Rongqing said nothing. Huale maintained her smile: “Vice Minister Su?”
This call from Huale awakened Li Rong’s awareness. She finally understood Huale’s purpose tonight—the drunkard’s intent lies not in wine, but in Su Rongqing!
With Huale’s status, even as a princess, it would be very difficult to marry into a prestigious family. It seemed Consort Rou and Huale knew that under normal circumstances Huale couldn’t marry in, so they chose an abnormal path.
And currently among the unmarried prospects from prestigious families who weren’t rejected by Li Ming and came from noble birth, the best option was Su Rongqing, who was clearly going to inherit the Su family.
Li Rong was momentarily surprised by Huale’s ambition—not taking the normal path, she aimed directly for the clouds.
However, she couldn’t possibly allow Huale to marry into such a prestigious family. So before Su Rongqing could answer, Li Rong immediately stood up and said directly: “Little sister, why trouble Vice Minister Su?”
As soon as Li Rong spoke, everyone looked over. Pei Wenxuan stared at her, his expression somewhat cold.
Li Rong didn’t dare look at Pei Wenxuan. She walked directly from behind the small table onto the stage, not giving Huale any chance to object to changing performers, saying with a smile: “‘Entering Battle Formation on the Plains’ hasn’t actually been completely lost—it’s just that many master musicians are unwilling to teach ordinary disciples. As it happens, I also once learned it from a renowned expert. Little sister needs accompaniment? Elder sister will help you.”
With that, Li Rong gracefully sat down before the qin. Her red garments were already eye-catching, and Li Rong possessed extraordinary beauty with exceptional bearing. Without restraining her presence, when Huale stood beside her, she seemed like a servant girl standing behind her mistress, attracting not half a glance.
Realizing the crowd’s attention wasn’t on her, Huale instinctively took small steps away from Li Rong. She knew her shortcomings and didn’t want to appear too obvious by comparison.
Seeing Huale secretly moving aside, Li Rong raised her eyes and smiled: “Little sister, move a bit further to the side.”
“Hm?”
Huale was somewhat bewildered. Li Rong raised her hand and pointed toward the edge of the stage, saying elegantly: “Walk a few more steps and go directly off stage, leaving elder sister to perform alone—that would be fine too.”
After Li Rong said this, faint laughter immediately arose from the surroundings. Huale felt somewhat humiliated and forced a smile: “Elder sister is joking. Let’s begin.”
With that, Huale turned her head and placed the jade flute at her lips.
Li Rong lowered her eyes, raised her hand and plucked the qin strings. An intense opening melody rang out.
Li Cheng gripped his sword, assumed a starting stance, then gave a great shout and began performing according to the rhythm.
As someone who could reach her current position, Consort Rou naturally had her unique qualities. Though from humble origins, Consort Rou’s taste wasn’t poor. For example, this “Entering Battle Formation on the Plains” was chosen to both suit Li Ming’s preferences and truly showcase a person’s mastery of their instrument to the extreme.
The piece began with great intensity, then gradually grew increasingly fierce. The melody continuously climbed higher without any pause, as if wielding a sharp blade and charging into enemy ranks, fighting with complete exhilaration.
A person’s music often represents their entire state of mind. Consort Rou chose the right piece, and Huale’s technique could barely keep up. Without comparison, Huale would have been considered decent, but now with Li Rong present, everything was different.
Li Rong had learned this piece on the battlefield.
In the previous life, Li Chuan had launched multiple Northern campaigns, and Li Rong had personally gone to the front lines. Su Rongqing had taught her this piece at the front. She had once performed it on the city tower to boost the soldiers’ morale. Compared to her realm of understanding, Huale’s flute sound immediately seemed thin, weak, and utterly tasteless.
Huale also became aware of the problem. Her heart couldn’t help but panic. This panic disrupted her breathing, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with Li Rong’s qin playing.
Li Rong’s qin playing grew increasingly passionate, as if reaching the critical moment of battle. At this time, Huale’s low notes could no longer keep up at all and could only struggle to follow, making the qin sound seem somewhat lonely. Clearly at its finest moment, yet something always seemed lacking.
Just at this moment, Su Rongqing silently rose from the crowd and walked straight toward the musicians’ ensemble closest to him.
Meanwhile, across from him, Pei Wenxuan also stood and walked toward the musicians’ ensemble on his side.
As Su Rongqing walked, he removed his outer robe. Then he came before the large drum, placed his garment on the drum stand, and said quietly: “Borrowing this.”
With that, he took the drumsticks from the drummer’s hands and struck down fiercely!
The drum sound merged with Li Rong’s qin playing. Dense drumbeats, passionate qin notes—in an instant, Li Rong seemed to return to that year when she played the qin on the city tower with Su Rongqing accompanying on drums. Li Rong looked up in surprise, and just at this moment, the urgent yet desolate sound of an erhu suddenly pierced through.
Compared to the qin and drum sounds, the erhu was much slower, seeming incompatible, but precisely because of this incompatibility, it became increasingly distinctly separated from the original melody.
Li Rong raised her eyes and saw Pei Wenxuan sitting among the musicians across from her, one hand pressing on the erhu strings, the other hand smoothly and forcefully pulling the bow, looking at her rather provocatively.
From the corner of her eye, Li Rong saw the musician beside him clutching his suona and breathing a sigh of relief. She clearly understood in her heart—
If he hadn’t failed to grab the suona, what would be sounding now might not have been the erhu.