Qin Yushan walked to the center of the great hall and bowed gracefully to Ji Hong and Consort Zou. "Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, today is a joyous occasion for Lin Yuan and Da Li to forge a bond of friendship. This humble daughter dares to offer a song, 'Ping Lan Xuan,' to wish Lin Yuan eternal prosperity and lasting peace."
"Excellent. It is rare to find such a thoughtful heart. Your request is granted!"
Ji Hong, in high spirits, waved his hand grandly and ordered the court musicians to bring forth a guqin.
When the palace maids had set up the guqin, Qin Yushan, lifting her skirt hem, sat down elegantly. She placed her hands on the strings, took a deep breath, and then her delicate fingers plucked the strings.
"Zheng~"
A single note, like the clear cry of a phoenix from the nine heavens, suddenly soared over all the hushed whispers, lingering in the air. It startled everyone into silence, their ears perked to listen.
Qin Yushan's fingers moved with increasing agility across the strings. The melody sounded like galloping horses trampling the earth, like the clash of weapons, like the roars of battle cries. A scene of two armies clashing unfolded before everyone's eyes through the music. Then, a rapid exchange of short and long notes surged, igniting a palpable sense of martial fury. Just as the overwhelming aura of conflict filled the hall, the music abruptly paused. Then, it resumed, like the triumphant blast of a war horn accompanied by the cheers of the populace.
Finally, the melody became long and gentle, fading away until the last note dissipated. The audience remained immersed in the music, their senses still captivated, unable to recover for a long time.
"Magnificent!"
Ji Hong's dragon countenance was greatly pleased. The accumulated gloom he had felt from Nan Shiying moments before vanished instantly.
This song, 'Ping Lan Xuan,' not only showcased the talent of Lin Yuan's noble daughters but also sent a clear message to Da Li. Even though Lin Yuan was willing to maintain a peaceful alliance with Da Li, if Lin Yuan so desired, its armies could still march unimpeded and utterly defeat Da Li.
"Crack~"
The wine goblet in his hand shattered. The envoy from the Da Li delegation suppressed the fury in his heart. How could they not understand the implications of this song, 'Ping Lan Xuan'? Lin Yuan was pushing them too far!
The people of Lin Yuan paid no mind to whether the Da Li envoys were happy or not. They were simply surprised that Qin Yushan possessed such a hidden talent. They had always believed her elder sister, Qin Yurou, was the undisputed queen of guqin music among Lin Yuan's noble ladies. They never expected Qin Yushan to be equally accomplished.
"Wonderful, truly wonderful!"
"Speak, what reward do you desire!"
At this moment, even if Qin Yushan asked to be made a county princess, Ji Hong might very well agree.
The onlookers, hearing the Emperor's implied offer, felt a pang of envy and jealousy. Such a reward was not something just anyone could receive.
They watched Qin Yushan, speculating what reward she might request.
Qin Yushan stood up and walked around to the guqin. Not daring to claim credit, she said, "This humble daughter thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness. However, I am filled with trepidation and do not feel I have done anything worthy of reward. I merely wished to add a touch of interest to the banquet."
"Lord Qin, you have raised a good daughter!"
Ji Hong looked at the humble and courteous Qin Yushan with a sigh of emotion. He was immensely satisfied with Qin Qiancheng's family upbringing. Both Qin Yurou and Qin Yushan were exceptionally well-raised by Qin Qiancheng. However, the thought of Qin Qiancheng colluding with Ji Jinmo made his words of praise taste somewhat bitter.
Qin Qiancheng blinked in surprise, clearly not understanding why the Emperor's attention had turned to him.
His daughter had clearly done something that pleased the Emperor, had she not?
Qin Qiancheng rose with a hint of confusion, bowed his head, and replied with trepidation, "This minister is humbled."
The moment he spoke, Ji Hong sensed something was amiss. But as a monarch, even if things were not as they should be, words spoken could not be taken back.
He laughed heartily, "General Qin Qiancheng is adept at raising his daughters. Reward him with ten thousand taels of gold and several bolts of fine silk."
Qin Qiancheng quickly knelt and thanked him, "This minister thanks Your Majesty for your benevolence."
Qin Yushan followed suit, kneeling on the ground, "This humble daughter thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
Ji Hong waved his hand, allowing Qin Qiancheng to rise. He placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and looked at the kneeling Qin Yushan with a smile in his eyes. His voice was gentle as he asked, "Since I said I would bestow a reward upon you, you should accept it..."
It was unclear if there was a hint of coercion in his words.
Qin Qiancheng was momentarily uncertain of the Emperor's intentions and could not signal Qin Yushan. A surge of anxiety and worry welled up within him.
His clenched fists were already slick with cold sweat. Qin Yushan's lips trembled uncontrollably. She felt as if a great mountain were pressing down on her back, so heavy that she could barely breathe. However, the situation had reached this point, and she could not afford to retreat. She thought that surely, His Majesty would readily accept her request once he heard it.
Qin Yushan repeated her mental affirmations, convincing herself. After a long while, she slowly raised her head. "Your Majesty's great kindness fills me with gratitude. However, this humble daughter... this humble daughter does not desire any reward."
Her voice faltered. Before Ji Hong's expression could change, she continued, "This humble daughter has heard from my elder sister that she always believed her guqin skills were unmatched in the capital. It was only after having the good fortune to hear the Consort play that she suddenly realized her own limited understanding."
"My elder sister held the Consort in the highest esteem. This humble daughter has never had the opportunity to witness the Consort's guqin artistry, and I feel a great sense of regret. Today, by the grace of Your Majesty's reward, this humble daughter only wishes to implore Your Majesty to fulfill this admiration I hold for the Consort."
As Qin Yushan spoke, she shifted on her knees and looked towards Nan Shiying, her plea earnest. "Please, Your Ladyship, play a song to fulfill this lifelong wish of this humble daughter!"
As her words fell, the surroundings fell silent. Everyone looked at each other, feeling that this banquet had devolved into a feast of gladiators.
Nan Shiying could play the guqin? And her skills far surpassed Qin Yurou's?
Could this be true?
If Nan Shiying possessed such talent, why had they never heard of it before? Before Nan Shiying had usurped the position and married into the Regent's mansion, they had never even heard Nan Shiying's name.
Furthermore, Qin Yushan admired Nan Shiying?
Qin Yushan probably wished Nan Shiying dead! This woman had not only been reprimanded by Nan Shiying but had also been whipped on the back by her.
This was Qin Yushan's first public appearance since that incident.
Admiration?
Was this an attempt to make Nan Shiying lose face?
Everyone's thoughts varied, but at this moment, none dared to discuss anything. They simply waited quietly for the Emperor's response.
Hearing Qin Yushan's request, Ji Hong almost burst out laughing. Although Qin Qiancheng was detestable, his daughter was utterly delightful. How could he refuse such a sincere request?
Ji Hong turned his head and said to Nan Shiying, "The Consort possesses such talent? I have never heard of it before. Today, I shall have the pleasure of being enlightened."
Nan Shiying glanced at Ji Hong, then at Qin Yushan, and suddenly smiled.