"Your Highness, it is the Noble Consort and Miss Ximen playing the zither here."
"Oh, who is playing the zither?" Mu Qingyao asked faintly. The young eunuch dared not delay and quickly replied, "It is Miss Ximen."
As expected, it was Ximen Xinyue. Truly a captivating woman, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and a master of the zither. If playing the zither in the Imperial Garden was her scheme, this woman was quite intelligent and courageous. Many only dared to imagine such things but not to act upon them.
Take her sister, Mu Qingzhu, for example. But Ximen Xinyue not only dared to think but also to act, brazenly playing the zither in the Imperial Garden, even pulling the Noble Consort along. If anything were to go wrong, Chu Yuyan could shield her. This woman's cunning was truly formidable.
Mu Qingyao's interest was piqued. She waved her hand, "Prepare the carriage, this empress wishes to witness Miss Ximen's captivating grace."
Upon hearing her sister's words, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang's faces immediately fell. Their eyes fixed on the ground. Every time they saw that woman, they felt utterly overshadowed, their inferiority complex surging. Compared to her, the two of them were like mere clowns, nothing at all.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The young eunuch received the order and led the way. A grand procession headed towards the flower pavilion ahead.
The Flower Appreciation Pavilion, with its eight-sided octagonal hanging bells, swayed gently in the breeze, mingling with the melodious zither music, which slowly drifted through the Imperial Garden.
Below the pavilion stood several palace maids and eunuchs, listening intently. Suddenly, a young eunuch noticed the commotion. He looked up and saw a large group approaching from afar. The woman at the forefront possessed a chilling, radiant beauty that was impossible to gaze upon directly – who else but the Empress?
His complexion immediately changed in alarm, and he quickly led a few eunuchs and palace maids to kneel.
"The Empress has arrived," a eunuch announced.
The palace maids and eunuchs below the pavilion respectfully said, "Greetings to the Empress."
Inside the Flower Appreciation Pavilion, the melodious zither music abruptly ceased. Two slender figures emerged from the pavilion.
The one leading was none other than Noble Consort Chu Yuyan, her gentle grace undiminished, her eyes imbued with even more charm. She had shed her former timid and dejected demeanor. Mu Qingyao's eyes flickered twice. Did Chu Yuyan finally come to her senses?
"Your concubine greets the Empress."
Chu Yuyan bowed gracefully. As her words fell, Ximen Xinyue, who followed closely behind, bowed and said in a voice as clear as a yellow oriole, "Ximen Xinyue greets the Empress."
"Rise, both of you."
"Thank you, Empress." The two women slowly rose. Mu Qingyao shifted her gaze to Ximen Xinyue.
With just one glance, she felt this woman was extraordinary, possessing superior intellect and character, her every action and word exuding a delicate refinement. Her eyes held a playful charm, and she presented a naturally delicate and helpless appearance.
"Miss Xinyue is truly beautiful, and her zither music is also exceptionally moving."
Mu Qingyao spoke from the heart. This woman was indeed excellent, and she appreciated all that was good.
"Thank you for your praise, Empress," Ximen Xinyue said lightly, her voice as pleasing as her appearance. Mu Qingyao wondered if such a beautiful and refined person would catch the Emperor Xian's eye.
And her presence here, playing the zither, was it a spontaneous act or did it have another purpose?
"Miss Xinyue, could you play another piece for this empress?"
Mu Qingyao's clear and cool voice rang out. Ximen Xinyue immediately curtsied and said respectfully and softly, "Your Highness flatters me. Please come into the Flower Appreciation Pavilion to sit. Xinyue will play a piece for you."
"Good," Mu Qingyao nodded and led the way to the Flower Appreciation Pavilion. Mo Chou, Mei Xin, and Bing Xiao followed closely behind. Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang had intended to follow, but upon seeing the Noble Consort, they cautiously stepped back and said softly, "Noble Consort, please go ahead."
Chu Yuyan was the Noble Consort. Even if they were to be appointed as consorts, their rank would be slightly lower, so it was appropriate to show this courtesy.
Chu Yuyan nodded with a smile and walked in behind Mu Qingyao.
Once the Noble Consort had entered, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang followed without hesitation, no longer bothering to be polite with Ximen Xinyue, as their current ranks were the same.
Even if she was beautiful and played the zither well, so what? They were not afraid of her. Her father was a general, and their father was the Prime Minister. In no aspect were they inferior to her.
Ximen Xinyue maintained a serene smile on her face, though her heart seethed with resentment. However, she knew that she was nothing at this moment. To safely enter the palace, one had to endure what ordinary people could not. Only then could she step through the palace gates.
As long as she could enter the palace, the smile on her lips deepened.
In the Flower Appreciation Pavilion, there was a stone table and three stone stools. Mu Qingyao sat in the center seat, Chu Yuyan took another, and there was not enough room for everyone. Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang automatically stood by Mu Qingyao's side.
Ximen Xinyue walked to the zither stand by the pavilion, bowed first, and then knelt to play.
The zither music began, ethereal and melodious, flowing with indescribable beauty.
Mu Qingyao's gaze swept over the slender fingers on the zither strings – delicate, pink, long and graceful, hands born for playing the zither. Such hands could also wield weapons, which truly opened her eyes.
Ximen Xinyue was likely a formidable individual. Judging by her composed demeanor and her neither subservient nor overbearing words and actions, it was evident that this woman possessed great resolve.
Mei Xin poured a cup of tea and handed it to her mistress. Mu Qingyao took it, sipping the tea as she enjoyed the music.
As the piece concluded, a lingering fragrance remained, full of charm.
Ximen Xinyue stood up and slowly bowed, "Your Highness has seen my clumsy attempts."
"A good piece, skillfully played," Mu Qingyao praised.
These ancient people were truly remarkable. Anyone who emerged was either a talented scholar or a beautiful woman. With their skills in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, any one of them could awe the entire gathering.
Unlike her, besides singing songs occasionally, which was not ancient, she could play chess. Chess was something she could at least handle. As for the zither and music, she had no interest.
In her previous life, her mother had also wanted her to learn the zither, but she had no interest. Instead, she was drawn to books on military strategy and could spend an entire day studying them.
Fortunately, her grandmother had cultivated one of her virtues: playing chess. Chess could temper one's character, and with a steady disposition, great achievements could be made. Slowly, her chess skills improved.
"What does Noble Consort Chu think?"
Mu Qingyao turned to look at Chu Yuyan, whom she had seen before, fleeing in disarray. This time, she appeared much calmer, with an air of elegance. Perhaps she had come to terms with some things and was no longer anxious.
Chu Yuyan blinked in surprise, then nodded. Her gaze casually shifted to Mu Qingyao, secretly wondering who this Empress truly was.
Did she not know that the woman before her intended to vie for the Emperor's favor? Her playing the zither here was meant to attract the Emperor's attention. However, she hadn't told her that the Emperor rarely visited the Imperial Garden. Who would have thought it would be such a coincidence to encounter the Empress appreciating flowers in the Imperial Garden?