The governor of Zhili governed Baoding and was the first governor. Years ago, he served concurrently as the minister of the Northern Warlords, and his power was even greater. Naturally, there was no lack of people who were promoted and valued by the Emperor, but there were more people who had three equal forces in the court to play a role in restraining each other.
There was only one woman in Zhili's governor's manor, and she was the main wife. She had a son and daughter. The husband and wife were harmonious, and the two children were sensible. The daughter was thirteen years old this year, and the son was nine years old this year. He could be said to be a winner in life.
His daughter's name was Luo Xiao. At the age of thirteen, she was well-mannered. Although her appearance was ordinary, her voice was pleasant to the ear, like the chirping of an oriole.
Luo Xiao was the first person to perform her talents. She naturally chose to play the zither and read the lyrics. The zither music was rhythmic, and the euphemistic "Military Camp" made people think of the good news that the Emperor had just said, making people repeatedly praise it.
'Military camp' was a poem written by a king of the previous dynasty when he was guarding the border. Later, the soldiers led by that king won the battle, but the king died on the battlefield. The poem was also collected.
One after another, there were performances of playing the flute, calligraphy, writing poems, singing, painting, and playing music. There was not the slightest bit of embarrassment that the emperor had when he was present. It seemed that the Deep Sea Night-Luminescent Pearl was irresistible.
Moreover, he did not have to worry about being chosen by the emperor and taken in as a concubine. Not to mention that the Emperor had come today because Su Weihong had won the battle, so he had come to get close to the Empress. The emperor was forty-seven years old this year, and most of the women present were young women who had just reached adulthood. They would not be accepted into the emperor's harem if they were not sixteen or seventeen years old. In this way, the ladies had less scruples.
Su Qiandan was eager to give it a try. Finally, when the young lady in front of her finished her painting, she hurriedly stood up and said,""Emperor, Niangniang, this official's daughter wants to perform a dance, so I'll go down and change my clothes first.”
The Emperor frowned slightly and then nodded.
Although his frown was not obvious, it was still captured by Su Xin Yan who had been observing him quietly. Su Xin Yan smiled silently. He picked up the sake in front of him and looked at the wine in the white jade wine cup with interest, as if he was looking at someone through the wine. Then, he used one hand to block the wine cup and drank it all with the other.
Looking at the painting that was brought up, the Empress praised generously,""Bamboo is one of the Three Friends of Sui Han. It represents justice and perseverance. Coupled with its excellent painting skills, it is indeed a masterpiece.”With that, he looked down at the embarrassed young lady.
Su Qiandan, who had changed into her dance costume from the side hall, came in quietly.
She was wearing a dance costume that was the same color as the plum blossoms, and there was a row of golden bells on her waist. As she walked, they made a "ding ding" sound, like music. The dance costume had wide sleeves, but the sleeves were tightened around the wrists. Su Qiandan, who had taken off her embroidered shoes, was only wearing a white muslin sleeve and a pair of pink earrings. The earrings were light and could dance slowly in the wind.
When the music started, Su Qiandan swayed her body. Every leap made her seem as gentle as a swallow. Her body was as soft as a cloud, and her arms were as soft as bones. Every step she took was like a woman who loved plum blossoms running through the autumn plum trees, like a butterfly dancing among the flowers.
Su Xinyan raised her eyebrows as she enjoyed the dance music that this nine-year-old brought. She kept drinking, pouring, and drinking. Not only were the two servant girls watching anxiously, but the Empress and the people of the An Nation Marquis Manor who had been looking at Su Xin Yan were also secretly worried.
His own sister had already performed, so it was naturally the turn of the eldest daughter of the Minister's Residence. Su Xin Yan's face was flushed red from the alcohol. Even she herself did not know if it was the dizziness from the cold or the headache from the alcohol. No matter how heavy her head was, Su Xin Yan was still very clear-headed.
All kinds of performances had already been performed, and some of them were performed by more than one young lady. Su Xinyan quickly calculated in her heart. She would not admit that she had not thought of performing something just now.
Walking to the center of Qin An Hall, Su Xin Yan slightly bent her knees." Emperor, Empress, this subject's daughter needs a zither, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”
The Emperor looked at Su Xinyan, and joy flashed in his eyes. He was probably looking at his brother, Su Weihong, through Su Xinyan.
The Empress smiled and ordered the people behind her,""Fuzi, go get bengong's pear wood zither.”
Soon, the palace servants brought over a stool and a zither stand, and Fuzi placed the Pear Blossom Wood Jade Zither on it. This zither was made entirely of pear wood. The insignia of the zither was a green jade. The strings were made of a white horsetail coated with pine resin. They were tough and unbreakable.
Su Xinyan first poured the ink onto the paper in a seemingly disorderly manner. Then, she dipped the pen in wine and drew on it for a long time. The paper was still a mess, and he couldn't see anything.
The sound of the zither began. It was a soothing tone, a gentle zither sound, and a clear child's voice. The warm wind gently blew across everyone's faces, as if it was mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers. At first, it was a soothing tone. As Su Xinyan sped up, the sound of the zither became dangerous, making people feel heavy. At this moment, the piece of paper had a form, but it was blurry and he still couldn't see anything.
Unknowingly, the music seemed to bring them into the lives of the soldiers at the border. Although it was just imagination, they could feel their hardships. However, the sound of the zither slowed down again, and the pure sound of the zither was like water. The painting showed a picture, as if there were two people facing each other.
The sound of the zither continued, as if…there was only the girl playing the zither, the sound of the zither, the breeze, and everyone else in the world. The clear sound of the zither flowed, as if it came from a deep valley. The zither music stopped, but the sound still seemed to ring in his ears, leaving an endless aftertaste.
The portrait was now completely clear. It was a scene of two parties fighting on a desert battlefield.
Fuzi presented the painting to the emperor. The emperor looked at it carefully, wondering how the chaotic painting had become such a beautiful painting. She was puzzled, but she didn't show it on her face. She nodded in admiration." What do you think, Empress? I see that the daughter of the Minister of Rites is skilled in the zither and her painting skills are not bad.”
"ChenQie also feels that it is very good. Moreover, the emperor has already said so. This time's reward for XinYan girl is well-deserved.”After all, she was the person beside him. The Empress naturally understood the meaning of the Emperor's words. Since she was holding Xin Yan's servant girl, she naturally had to reward her.
Su Xin Yan stood up from the stool and knelt down to thank him.
No one could find fault with his manners. Even those who were very dissatisfied with the result could only hide their dissatisfaction and throw out a smile.
Su Qiandan was still wearing her dance costume. Her black eyes were fixed on Su Xinyan. At such a young age, she naturally loved to be in the limelight. It was naturally not good to have her limelight stolen by someone else, not to mention that the limelight was stolen by her "good sister".
Consort Xian smiled as she took in this scene." The eldest daughter of the Su family is beautiful, well-mannered, and talented. If not for her young age, I'm afraid that the person who proposed marriage would have broken through the door of the Minister's residence.”
Consort Xian's words were very proper. If she did not hate her to the core, Su Xin Yan would probably have a good impression of her.
All of the women looked at Su Xin Yan, who had just finished her performance. They recalled Consort Xian's words and wondered if they should first settle the marriage between their sons and this girl.
Su Xin Yan frowned." You must be joking, Empress."”
Before Consort Xian could say anything, the Empress had already said," This girl is BenGong's niece. She lost her mother at a young age, and BenGong treats her no different from YiXiu. If it's choosing a husband, BenGong will have to take a look. Xinyan, take this Pear Blossom Wood Jade Zither back. It's fated with you.”#
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