Неaring this, Li Rong turnеd hеr hеаd аnd saw the pаlаnquins of Cоnsort Rou аnd Нuа Lе.
Тhе two werе carried on their sedаn сhairs, drаpеd in fох fur рelts аnd hоlding hаnd wаrmеrs. Thеy lookеd grаcеful and luxurious, а cleаr sign of the grеаt fаvоr thеу еnjoyеd.
Sеeing thе twо оf them, Li Rоng cоuldn't hеlp but smile.
"Sо it's Сonsоrt Rou and yоunger sister Huа Lе."
Аs Li Rong sрoke, she sizеd thеm uр. Huа Lе did nоt grееt hеr with a сurtsу, so shе, in turn, did not grеet Cоnsort Rоu. Тhе threе оf thеm rеached а tacit understanding to disrеgard etiquettе. After а momеnt, Сonsоrt Rou was the first to smile, chiding Hua Le, "You see your elder sister, yet you don't get down from your palanquin to greet her. Who in the palace taught you such manners?"
"There's no need," Li Rong said, raising a hand to stop Hua Le's movement to dismount. "Since Her Highness Hua Le doesn't see me as her elder sister in her heart, there's no need for such empty formalities. Does Your Ladyship have other matters? I shall take my leave first."
With that, Li Rong gave a perfunctory wave of her hand and led Pei Wenxuan toward the grand hall.
Just as they left, Hua Le turned to Consort Rou, fuming, "Mother Consort, look at her! How arrogant can she be! You are a Noble Consort, yet she doesn't even greet you..."
"Didn't you also fail to greet her?"
Consort Rou smiled, not seeming to mind much. "Qiong'er," she said, "people must pay a price for what they say and do."
As she spoke, Consort Rou patted Hua Le's hand gently. "Remember that."
Pei Wenxuan followed Li Rong as they walked away. Thinking that Li Rong must have angered Hua Le, he couldn't help but smile. "Your Highness, why lower yourself to their level?"
"If I don't, will they stop looking for trouble with me?" Li Rong chuckled. "The outcome is the same either way, so I might as well get some verbal satisfaction out of it."
"Did Your Highness notice the young lady standing beside them?"
Pei Wenxuan suddenly brought up someone else. Li Rong thought for a moment before her face came to mind.
The woman was elegant and dignified, a beauty in her own right. But Consort Rou's beauty was so overwhelming that, standing beside her, she seemed to pale in comparison. One had to think carefully to recall her appearance.
Li Rong was a little surprised that Pei Wenxuan had mentioned her. She was about to turn back and ask when she heard him say, "That's Xiao Wei."
The very niece that Consort Rou had been trying to have Li Ming betroth to Li Chuan.
At the last palace banquet, Consort Rou had gone to great lengths to make Xiao Wei stand out in the incense selection competition, hoping to give Li Ming a reason to decree the marriage. Li Rong had foiled her plans. Now, nearly half a year later, she was still lingering in Huajing.
At this thought, Li Rong couldn't help but frown. She turned to Pei Wenxuan and asked, "What was the method you just mentioned to get Chuan'er out of his predicament?"
"A monk has recently arrived at Huguo Temple. It is said he is versed in all things past and present, and can foresee the future."
The moment Pei Wenxuan mentioned this, Li Rong understood. She hesitated for a moment. Seeing her silence, Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but ask, "Does Your Highness have any concerns?"
"This monk is a fraud."
Li Rong exposed him directly. Pei Wenxuan was unconcerned. "Are there any mystics in this world who aren't frauds? It is precisely because he is a fraud that he can be used. In any case, in my past life, he was indeed famous throughout Huajing and had numerous followers."
"But in the end, he was still driven out of Huajing."
Li Rong frowned. Pei Wenxuan reminded her, "That was your doing. In this life, if you don't personally tear off his mask, he is a great master. Have him issue a prophecy that the Crown Prince cannot marry within five years, then stir up the matter among the common people and let it spread. The Shangguan family is now more or less under Your Highness's control. If they cannot produce a Crown Princess, they will not let anyone else do so either. Amidst the infighting of the various court factions, this prophecy can become a pretext for them to use. Thus, for five years," Pei Wenxuan held up one hand, "the Crown Prince's marriage will be of no concern."
"This is still risky." Li Rong tapped her palm with her fan, speaking slowly. "I'll think about it some more."
As they spoke, they entered the grand hall. Many officials had already arrived and were exchanging pleasantries with one another. Shortly after Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan entered and took their seats, Li Ming arrived with his retinue.
Behind Li Ming were the consorts of the inner palace. Shangguan Yue walked beside Li Ming, while Consort Rou led the others behind them. The moment Li Ming entered, everyone knelt. After Li Ming bade them all to rise, he followed his usual custom of saying a few auspicious words before declaring the banquet to begin.
The New Year's palace banquet was an annual fixture. Those seated at the front of the hall were high-ranking officials and nobles. They were all acquaintances and not overly formal. Before long, the atmosphere grew lively. Led by the senior ministers, familiar officials began to move about, turning the event into a social occasion.
Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong sat to one side. The two of them were currently out of favor 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.
Together, they observed the others at the banquet. The old men were grouped by official rank, each talking and chatting within their own circles. The young men, on the other hand, were mostly grouped by their family backgrounds.
A family of humble origin like the Peis, who now held real power at court but were not listed in the registers of the great clans, were considered the new nobility and didn't quite fit in with either group. Some high-ranking members of the Pei family managed to make conversation in the upper echelons, while some lower-ranking ones were in the circles of the humble clans, where they appeared more at ease.
The men were in the main hall, while the women were almost all in the rear hall. Aside from the Empress and the Noble Consort, Li Rong was the only woman in the main hall, making her stand out conspicuously.
After they had been sitting for a while, someone was seen jogging over from the rear hall and whispering something in Li Ming's ear.
Li Ming listened for a moment, then chided with a smile, "Young girls just love to show off."
Though he said this, Li Ming still instructed Fulai, "Have the dancers withdraw. Bring Hua Le over."
Li Rong was not far from Li Ming. Hearing his instruction, she couldn't help but glance over.
In a moment, she saw Hua Le, holding a jade flute, walk forward from the rear hall. She gave Li Ming a graceful curtsy and said respectfully, "Father Emperor."
Compared to Li Rong, Hua Le had always been much more docile. She was gentle and delicate, the very image of what Li Ming thought a daughter should be.
As she arrived, the hall gradually quieted. Then, Li Ming was heard saying with a laugh, "I heard you've prepared a piece of music to perform with Prince Su to wish me a happy new year?"
"Yes," Hua Le said, holding her flute with a smile. "It was younger brother Cheng'er's idea. He said that at the start of the new year, he wanted to bring good fortune to Father Emperor. He wished to present a sword dance for you, both to celebrate last year's victory in the northwest and to show the world the masculine spirit our Great Xia ought to have."
"He's only eleven," Li Ming grumbled, but his face was full of delight. "And he's already trying to be a man?"
"Father Emperor," Prince Su, Li Cheng, said proudly from his seat beside Consort Rou, "your son's swordsmanship has improved greatly this past year. My master said that though I am young, I am no worse than any adult man!"
"Oh?" Li Ming said with curiosity. "Then can you beat your Crown Prince brother?"
In an ordinary family, Li Ming's question would have been nothing, but in the imperial family, his asking it made everyone's expression turn a little sour. A smile played on Li Rong's lips as her gaze fell on Li Cheng, waiting to see how he would answer. Li Chuan, however, remained calm, as if he had heard nothing, maintaining a steady and composed posture.
"Of course I can," Li Cheng immediately replied with a straight face. "The Crown Prince brother excels at his studies. I am different from him."
"Did you hear that?" Li Ming laughed heartily and turned to Li Chuan. "You, the elder brother, if you don't work harder, even your younger brother will look down on you."
Hearing this, Li Chuan smiled faintly and bowed respectfully. "Father Emperor is right. Cheng'er will surely become a valiant general in the future, guarding the borders of our Great Xia and spreading our nation's might."
Though Li Chuan could be childish in front of Li Rong, he had been the Crown Prince since he could remember and was no stranger to such occasions. He knew exactly how to defuse the awkwardness Li Ming had created.
However, he still retained a bit of youthful spirit, and couldn't resist taking a jab at Li Ming in his reply, all but telling him directly that Prince Su was too foolish to become emperor, so he shouldn't waste his efforts.
Li Ming caught the barb in Li Chuan's words, and his expression immediately darkened. Seeing this, Consort Rou hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, don't just stand there talking. The children have been preparing this gift for so long, you should watch it."
"Right, right." Given a way out, Li Ming turned back and paid Li Chuan no more mind. He smiled and said, "My dear ministers, to celebrate the new year and share in the joy with all of you, Princess Hua Le and Prince Su have specially prepared a grand performance. Go on," Li Ming looked at Hua Le, "my little songbird."
Hua Le curtsied to Li Ming, then walked to Prince Su's side, and they went up on stage together.
Once on stage, Li Cheng untied his outer robe, revealing the martial arts attire underneath. It was the uniform worn by soldiers in the northwest for training, signifying that he was now a soldier of the northwest.
He then took a sword and performed a flourish on stage. Li Ming immediately began to clap, shouting, "Excellent!"
Li Rong smiled, tapping her fan, watching with great interest. Everyone's attention was drawn to the stage. It had to be said, Li Cheng's sword flourish was extremely well done. It was clear he had a talent for it, no wonder Li Ming was so pleased.
Pei Wenxuan leaned over to refill Li Rong's wine, whispering, "Is Your Highness not displeased?"
"What is there to be displeased about?" Li Rong turned her head and chuckled, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. "You'd have to pay to watch this on the streets. Since it's free now, why not take a few more looks?"
Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong's sharp tongue was unforgiving. He smiled without a word. After Li Cheng finished his flourish and received a wave of applause, he puffed out his chest, looking very proud.
Hua Le stood to one side of the stage and said to Li Ming, "Father Emperor, the piece I will be playing today is the 'Song of Entering the Fray on the Plains.' This piece was lost for a hundred years. After searching through ancient texts, your daughter was only able to find half a scroll. Some time ago, I happened to hear Vice Minister Su play this piece for younger brother Cheng'er, and only then was I able to record the second half. I present this piece to Father Emperor today and hope you will like it."
It was that same humble way of subtly showing off her amazing talent again. Li Rong felt she was already tired of it.
She turned her head and whispered to Pei Wenxuan, "Why haven't they started yet?"
"Be patient. There's probably something important they haven't said yet." Pei Wenxuan patted her hand. Just as his voice fell, Hua Le was heard saying, "However, your daughter only has a long flute. Without the accompaniment of a qin, it would be too thin. If Vice Minister Su would not mind," Hua Le turned to look at Su Rongqing, who was sitting calmly among the guests, "would you be willing to accompany me, so we may present this piece to Father Emperor together?"
At these words, everyone looked at Su Rongqing, while Pei Wenxuan subconsciously looked at Li Rong.
Li Rong sensed Pei Wenxuan looking at her and returned his gaze with a questioning look. While everyone else was staring at Su Rongqing, the two of them quietly met each other's eyes.
Su Rongqing said nothing. Hua Le held her smile. "Vice Minister Su?"
Hua Le's call brought Li Rong to her senses. She finally understood Hua Le's purpose tonight. Her interest was not in the wine, but in Su Rongqing!
With Hua Le's status, even as a princess, it was difficult to marry into a high-ranking family. It seemed Consort Rou and Hua Le knew that under normal circumstances, Hua Le couldn't marry into such a family, so they chose an unconventional path.
And among the noble families not currently spurned by Li Ming, the best unmarried candidate was this Su Rongqing, who was clearly set to inherit the Su family.
For a moment, Li Rong was astonished by Hua Le's appetite. By not taking the usual path, she was truly aiming for the sky.
But she couldn't possibly let Hua Le marry into such a prominent family. So, before Su Rongqing could answer, Li Rong immediately stood up and said directly, "Younger sister, why trouble Vice Minister Su?"
The moment Li Rong spoke, everyone looked over. Pei Wenxuan stared at her, his expression somewhat cold.
Li Rong didn't dare to look at Pei Wenxuan. She walked directly from behind her small table onto the stage, giving Hua Le no chance to object or switch performers. She smiled and said, "Actually, the 'Song of Entering the Fray on the Plains' is not completely lost. It's just that many famous masters are unwilling to teach it to ordinary disciples. As it happens, I also once learned it from a renowned master. Younger sister needs an accompanist? Elder sister will help you."
With that, Li Rong gracefully sat down on the floor before the guqin. Her red robes were already eye-catching, and Li Rong herself was a peerless beauty with an extraordinary air. She made no effort to restrain her presence. When Hua Le stood next to her, she looked like a handmaiden standing behind her, completely unnoticeable.
Hua Le realized that everyone's gaze was not on her. She subconsciously took a small step away from Li Rong. She knew where her own shortcomings lay and didn't want them to be too obvious in comparison.
Seeing Hua Le secretly shuffling to the side, Li Rong raised her eyes and smiled. "Younger sister, why don't you move a little further to the side."
"Hm?"
Hua Le was a little bewildered. Li Rong raised a hand and pointed to the edge of the stage, saying elegantly, "A few more steps and you can get right off the stage. It's fine to leave your elder sister to perform alone."
When Li Rong said this, faint laughter immediately rippled through the crowd. Hua Le was mortified, but she forced a smile. "Elder sister is joking. Let's begin."
As she spoke, Hua Le turned her head and placed the jade flute to her lips.
Li Rong lowered her eyes, raised her hand, and plucked the qin strings. The tense opening melody instantly flowed out.
Li Cheng gripped his sword, took a starting stance, and with a loud shout, began to perform along with the music.
A person like Consort Rou, to have reached her position, naturally had her own unique methods. Although she came from a humble background, her taste was not poor. For example, her choice of the "Song of Entering the Fray on the Plains" both suited Li Ming's preferences and could truly showcase a person's mastery of an instrument to the extreme.
The piece began with great tension, then gradually grew more intense, the melody climbing ever higher without a moment's rest, as if one were wielding a sharp blade, charging into the enemy ranks, and fighting a bloody, exhilarating battle.
A person's music often represents their state of mind. Consort Rou's choice of music was not wrong, and Hua Le's skill was barely able to keep up. Without comparison, Hua Le would have been considered quite good. But with Li Rong present, everything was different.
This was a song Li Rong had learned on the battlefield.
In her past life, when Li Chuan launched multiple northern expeditions, Li Rong had personally gone to the front lines. Su Rongqing had taught her this piece there. She had once played it on the city walls to boost the soldiers' morale. Compared to her level, Hua Le's flute sounded thin, weak, and bland.
Hua Le also noticed the problem. Panic flared in her heart, and this panic threw her breathing into disarray. Keeping up with Li Rong's qin became even more difficult.
Li Rong's qin music grew more and more passionate, as if the battle had reached its climax. By this point, Hua Le's flute could no longer keep up at all and could only struggle to follow, making the qin sound somewhat lonely. It had reached its best moment, yet something was missing.
It was at this very moment that Su Rongqing rose silently from the crowd and walked straight toward the row of musicians closest to him.
And across from him, Pei Wenxuan also stood up and walked toward the musicians on his side.
As Su Rongqing walked, he took off his outer robe. He then arrived before the large drum, placed his robe on the drum stand, and said in a low voice, "I'll borrow this."
With that, he took the drumsticks from the drummer's hands and slammed them down!
The sound of the drum mingled with Li Rong's qin. The dense drumbeats, the passionate qin—in an instant, Li Rong felt as if she had returned to that moment on the city wall, playing the qin while Su Rongqing accompanied her on the drum. Li Rong looked up in surprise, and at that very moment, the sound of an erhu—an urgent and desolate sound—cut in sharply.
The erhu's sound was much slower than the qin and drum, seeming out of place. But it was precisely this dissonance that made it stand out so clearly from the original melody.
Li Rong looked up and saw Pei Wenxuan sitting among the musicians on the opposite side. One hand was pressed on the erhu's strings, the other drawing the bow smoothly and powerfully, looking at her with a rather provocative expression.
Li Rong saw out of the corner of her eye the musician next to him, who was tightly clutching a suona, letting out a sigh of relief. She knew with certainty—
If he hadn't failed to grab the suona, what was ringing out now probably wouldn't be an erhu.
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