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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[J Jean] [K.Rom] [Lily J.] [Mel Melz] [Tori D.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Leticia P.] [Maria P.] [Nicole] [Passerby] [Smurfinbatik]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Fav Akira] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Reece P.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Amanda] [Book W.] [Britnae M] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [DetectiveGeek421] [Haruka N.]
[Hlau V.] [Ine O.] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Oushna]
[Quae] [Ray] [Scorpion Princess] [Victoria]
In the later half of the third month, the envoy of the State of Liang arrived in the State of Zhao’s imperial capital.
Grand Secretary Yuan, the Senior Official of the State Ceremonial Bureau and Marquis Xuanping met at the city gate of the capital in person.
Originally, Marquis Xuanping didn't intend to come, but he didn’t finish the last punishment of copying military books given to him. Then the Emperor told him that if he went to meet the envoy of the State of Liang this time, the punishment would be canceled.
Marquis Xuanping reluctantly went to the city gate, sloppily lying on his side on the couch of his carriage; even Grand Secretary Yuan almost couldn’t bear to look at his appearance.
However, when the envoy of the State of Liang arrived, Marquis Xuanping took on a new state.
He got off the carriage and stood there with an air of calmness, as though myriads of flowers were blooming around him. He looked magnificent and elegant like a jade.
The Emperor couldn’t be blamed for having him meet the envoys. After all, his face was simply the face of the State of Zhao.
Officials from both sides exchanged pleasantries. As for Marquis Xuanping, he normally couldn't pull a cultural fart or two, so naturally he didn't talk much at this time.
This was why Marquis Xuanping’s image outside had always been cold and aloof, cherishing his words like gold.
The envoys of the State of Liang resided in one of the imperial gardens which was close to the imperial palace.
In the evening, the Crown Princess hosted a banquet in the Qilin Hall of the imperial palace to welcome the envoys of the State of Liang.
“Wangfei, Wangfei! Time to get up!"
Rui Wangfei was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly shaken awake by Court Lady Xu.
She opened her eyes blankly, "What's the matter? What happened?"
Seeing her confused appearance, Court Lady Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, saying, "It seems Wangfei has forgotten about the banquet tonight. It's time to get up and dress up."
"Isn't it still early?" Rui Wangfei looked at the sky and went back to sleep.
After becoming pregnant, she was often sleepy, and Court Lady Xu didn't dare to force her up. She stayed by her bedside and let her sleep for half an hour more before waking her again.
Rui Wangfei washed up, changed into the heavy Wangfei attire, put on a pearl hairpin and ornaments, and entered the imperial palace with a glum face.
The third prince, Rui Wang, entered the palace early, and he was by the side of the eldest prince, Ning Wang, to receive the envoys.
Rui Wangfei saw him from a distance and waved at him, but he didn't see her.
“Wangfei!” Court Lady Xu whispered as a reminder.
Rui Wangfei sighed, "I know, I know, rules, bearing and manners."
Atop the steps of the Qilin Hall was the Emperor with Empress Xiao and Imperial Consort Zhuang.
Imperial Concubine Shu was still grounded, Imperial Concubine Yu was ill, and the other imperial concubines were not qualified to attend this kind of banquet.
Within the long hall, the envoys of the State of Liang sat on the left while the imperial family and court officials of the State of Zhao were sitting on the right.
Rui Wangfei sat on the mat and Court Lady Xu sat on the wooden floor behind her, ready to serve her at any time.
Rui Wang came over for a short while before he was summoned by the Emperor. This time, the State of Liang also sent some imperial family members, and several imperial princes were competing to show their faces in front of the Emperor and the State of Liang’s imperial family.
The banquet soon began.
Tonight's banquet was hosted by the Crown Princess, and even though Rui Wangfei disliked Wen Linlang, she had to admit that her banquet was well organized.
From the dishes to the decorations, from the staff to the program, every step was flawless.
After several entertaining programs, Crown Princess finally arranged the highlight, "To show our sincerest welcome to all the envoys, next, Rui Wangfei of the State of Zhao and the State of Zhao's number one court musician, Musician Xie, will perform a piece called ‘Jing Hong Zhao Ying’ together.”
Wait a moment, wasn't it supposed to be a solo?
When did it become an ensemble?
‘Jing Hong’ was a piece of music from the State of Liang, created by Yue Ying, the number one musician in the six states. The original song was divided into two parts, the first part was called ‘Jing Hong’, and the second part was called ‘Zhao Ying’.
It was just that the score of ‘Zhao Ying’ had been lost.
This music indeed started out as an ensemble of guqin and flute, the flute being more suitable for playing "Jing Hong" and the guqin for playing "Zhao Ying".
But if the guqin and flute both played the piece "Jing Hong", the guqin could easily be overshadowed by the flute.
These details were not clear to the general public, and probably only Rui Wangfei and a few other people who were well versed in music would understand this.
Did Wen Linlang intend to make a fool of her?
As soon as this thought flashed in Rui Wangfei’s mind, she heard the Imperial Secretary report, "Musician Xie had a sudden fall and couldn't come because of his injury."
Everyone was surprised.
Hearing this, Rui Wangfei was relieved thinking she was going to play a solo, but then, she saw a young man in a navy blue robe from the State of Liang stand up and say, "I heard that Rui Wangfei's guqin skills are unparalleled. This one is not as talented, but I would like to take this opportunity to play music with Rui Wangfei."
"This..." The Emperor looked oddly at this young man who came forward out of nowhere.
Yu Qinwang of the State of Liang introduced, "His name is Wu Ming, Lord Yue Ying’s direct disciple."
Everyone was once again surprised, their eyes revealing a look of envy and appreciation.
Lord Yue Ying had always been a legend among the six countries. They probably would never see Lord Yue Ying in their lifetime, but to meet his direct disciple was also an honor.
Oh, it wasn’t to make a fool of her, it was to pit her against her match.
Wen Linlang sure knew how to make the best use of everything
Rui Wangfei felt stuffy and remained mute.
Wu Ming took the flute and cupped his hands, saying, "Rui Wangfei, please."
Rui Wangfei gritted her teeth and said, "Bring me the guqin."
"Yes." Court Lady Xu went outside the hall to fetch the guqin case.
Someone had already set up a table and cushion in the center of the hall.
Rui Wangfei was in position.
Court Lady Xu opened the guqin case, and then she froze.
This wasn’t Wangfei's guqin!
Rui Wangfei saw her reaction and was puzzled. She also glanced sideways, but this one glance made her almost faint on the spot!
Where's her Qiuyue guqin? How did it become Fuxi guqin?
These two types of guqin were just different in style but the sound was the same. It was just that she was used to playing her own guqin. Besides, she never used an imitation.
However, she did recognize it as Gu Jiao's guqin because the burnt area at the end of the guqin was so memorable. In addition, the body of the guqin was actually engraved with the word Fuxi, which was a bit too much for a fake.
She remembered it very well.
But the guqin case was hers.
[T/N: Jinghong means graceful, lit. astounding swan; Zhaoying means photography, lit. shining image/shadow/reflection. ]
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