When Li Rong heard this, he turned his head and saw Consort Rou and Hua Le's sedan.
The two were carried on the sedan. They were draped in fox fur and held a stove in their hands. They looked graceful and luxurious, showing how much they were doted on.
When Li Rong saw them, he couldn't help but smile.
"So it's Consort Consort Rou and Meimei Hua Le."
As Li Rong spoke, he looked them up and down. Hua Le didn't bow to her, so she also didn't bow to Consort Rou. The three parties had a tacit understanding of not following the rules. After a moment, Consort Rou laughed first and reminded Hua Le, "You didn't get off the sedan to bow to your sister. Who taught you the rules in the palace?"
"No need," Li Rong raised his hand to stop Hua Le from getting off the sedan and said directly, "Since Her Highness doesn't have me as her sister in her heart, there's no need for these empty courtesies. Consort, do you have other matters? I'll take my leave first. "
As he spoke, Li Rong waved his hand and led Pei Wenxuan to the main hall.
As soon as the two left, Hua Le turned to Consort Rou and said angrily, "Mother, look at her. How arrogant! You're a noble consort, but she didn't even bow to you … "
"Didn't you also not bow to her?"
Consort Rou laughed and didn't really care. He only said, "Qiong 'er, people have to pay the price for what they say and do."
As he spoke, Consort Rou patted Hua Le's hand and said gently, "Remember."
Pei Wenxuan followed Li Rong and left. He thought that Li Rong must have angered Hua Le and couldn't help but laugh, "Why did Your Highness lower yourself to their level?"
"So they won't bother me if I don't broaden their horizons?" Li Rong chuckled. "The result will be the same anyway, so I might as well say it out loud."
"Did Your Highness notice the girl standing beside them?"
Pei Wenxuan suddenly mentioned someone. Li Rong thought for a moment before he remembered the person's face.
That person was elegant and dignified. She was also a beauty, but Consort Rou's beauty was too great. Standing beside him, she seemed to pale in comparison. One had to think carefully to recall her appearance.
Li Rong was a little surprised that Pei Wenxuan mentioned her. She was about to turn around to ask when she heard Pei Wenxuan say, "It's Xiao Wei."
She was the niece that Consort Rou had always wanted Li Ming to bestow upon Li Chuan.
During the last palace banquet, Consort Rou had racked her brains to make Xiao Wei stand out in the incense selection competition so that Li Ming would have a reason to bestow a marriage. In the end, Li Rong had ruined everything. Now, nearly half a year had passed, and she was still in Huajing.
Thinking of this, Li Rong couldn't help but frown. She turned to Pei Wenxuan and asked, "What was the method you mentioned to help Chuan 'er get out of this situation?"
"Recently, a monk came to Huguo Temple. It's said that he knows the past and the present, and can predict the future."
When Pei Wenxuan mentioned this, Li Rong understood. She hesitated for a moment. Pei Wenxuan saw her silence and couldn't help but ask, "Is Your Highness worried about something?"
"This monk is a swindler."
Li Rong directly exposed him. Pei Wenxuan didn't care, "Are there any alchemists in this world who aren't swindlers? Only swindlers are easy to use. No matter what, in my previous life, he was indeed famous in Huajing and had many followers. "
"But in the end, he was still driven out of Huajing."
Li Rong frowned. Pei Wenxuan reminded her, "That's what you did. In this life, if you don't tear his skin off with your own hands, he'll be considered an expert. Make him say the prophecy that Your Highness won't be able to get married in five years, then instigate this matter among the people and let it spread. Now that the Shangguan family is almost under Your Highness' control, they can't produce a Crown Princess, so they won't let anyone else. This prophecy can be used as an excuse for the various factions in the imperial court to fight among themselves. In this way, within five years, "Pei Wenxuan raised a hand," Your Highness won't have to worry about marriage. "
"This is still risky." Li Rong tapped her fan against her palm and said slowly, "Let me think about it."
As the two spoke, they walked into the Great Hall. Many officials had already arrived in the Great Hall and were chatting with others. After Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan entered the Great Hall and sat down, Li Ming led the others over.
Li Ming led the concubines of the imperial harem. Shangguan Yue and Li Ming sat side by side. Consort Rou led the others behind them. As soon as Li Ming entered, everyone knelt down. After Li Ming had everyone rise, he said a few auspicious words according to his usual habit and then announced the start of the banquet.
The New Year's Palace Banquet was a necessary event every year. Those sitting at the front of the Great Hall were all high-ranking officials and nobles. Everyone was familiar with each other and was not reserved. After a while, the scene became lively. With the old officials leading the way, familiar officials started to move around. It could be considered a social occasion.
Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong sat to one side. The two of them were not well liked in the imperial court, especially Li Rong. Thus, no one came to talk to her. Pei Wenxuan accompanied her and chatted with her while cracking melon seeds.
The two observed the other people at the banquet. The old men were separated by their official positions and chatted in their own circles. The young people were separated by their birth and stayed in their own circles.
For a humble family like the Pei family, they had real power in the imperial court, but their name was not in the Noble Family Register. They were considered new nobles in the imperial court. Some of the high-ranking members of the Pei family could barely make conversation in the upper circles. Some of the lower-ranking members of the Pei family were in the circle of the humble, but they were calm.
The men were in the Great Hall, while the women were in the back. Other than the Empress and Consort Gui, Li Rong was the only woman in the Great Hall. It was very strange.
The two of them stayed together for a while. Then, someone ran over from the back of the Great Hall and whispered something in Li Ming's ear.
Li Ming listened for a moment and then scolded with a smile, "Little girls like to be in the limelight."
Although he said this, Li Ming still ordered Fu Lai, "Have the dancers leave. Bring Hua Le over."
Li Rong wasn't far from Li Ming. When she heard Li Ming's order, she couldn't help but look over.
Not long after, she saw Hua Le holding a jade flute walk over from the back of the Great Hall. She bowed to Li Ming and respectfully said, "Fuhuang."
Compared to Li Rong, Hua Le was much more docile. She was gentle and delicate. In Li Ming's heart, a woman should be.
When she arrived, the Great Hall slowly quieted down. Then, she heard Li Ming say with a smile, "I heard that you prepared a song to be performed with Prince Su to celebrate the New Year?"
"Yes," Hua Le held the flute and smiled, "It was Cheng didi's idea. He said that since the New Year started, he wanted to give fuhuang a good omen. He wanted to perform a sword dance for fuhuang. First, to celebrate the success of last year's war in the northwest. Second, to show the world the manliness that our Da Xia should have."
"He's only eleven years old," Li Ming mocked, but his expression was very happy, "He's going to be a man at this age?"
"Fuhuang," Prince Su, Li Cheng, who was sitting next to Consort Rou, said proudly, "Erchen's swordsmanship improved greatly last year. Shifu said that even though erchen is young, I won't lose to any adult man?"
"Oh?" Li Ming asked curiously, "Then can you beat your Taizi gege?"
If it was an ordinary family, Li Ming's question wouldn't be a big deal. But in the imperial family, when Li Ming asked this question, everyone's expression turned ugly. Li Rong smiled and looked at Li Cheng, waiting to see how Li Cheng would answer. Li Chuan's expression was calm, as if he didn't hear anything. He had a steady attitude.
"Of course," Li Cheng immediately replied seriously, "Taizi gege is good at studying. I'm different from Taizi gege."
"Did you hear that?" Li Ming laughed and turned to look at Li Chuan, "You're the older brother. If you don't work hard, your younger brother will look down on you."
When Li Chuan heard this, he smiled and bowed respectfully, "Fuhuang is right. Cheng 'er will be a fierce general in the future. He will guard the borders of Da Xia and raise the prestige of our country."
Li Chuan might be childish in front of Li Rong, but he had been the Crown Prince since he opened his eyes. He was no stranger to this kind of situation. He knew very well how to resolve the awkwardness caused by Li Ming.
However, in the end, he still carried a bit of a young man's temperament. When he replied, he couldn't help but jab at Li Ming. He was just short of directly telling Li Ming that the Su Prince's stupidity wouldn't make him the Emperor and that he shouldn't waste his efforts.
Li Ming heard the hidden meaning in Li Chuan's words. His expression immediately darkened. Consort Rou saw this and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, don't just talk. The child has prepared a gift for so long. You should take a look."
"Yes, yes, yes." Li Ming was given a way out. He turned around and no longer paid attention to Li Chuan. He smiled and said, "Dear officials, Princess Hua Le and Prince Su have specially prepared a grand dance to celebrate the New Year with everyone. Go, "Li Ming looked at Hua Le," Little Lark. "
Hua Le bowed to Li Ming and walked to Prince Su's side. She went on stage with Prince Su.
Li Cheng went on stage. He took off his coat and revealed his martial arts uniform. This uniform was the uniform used by the soldiers of the Northwest to practice martial arts. It implied that he was a soldier of the Northwest at this moment.
Then he went to take a sword and drew a sword flower on stage. Li Ming immediately applauded and said loudly, "Good!"
Li Rong smiled and knocked on his fan. He watched with great interest. Everyone was attracted to the stage. It had to be said that Li Cheng's sword flower was very good. At first glance, one could see that he was quite talented. It was no wonder that Li Ming was happy.
Pei Wenxuan leaned over and filled Li Rong's cup with wine. He whispered, "Your Highness, don't you feel unhappy?"
"What's there to be unhappy about?" Li Rong turned his head and chuckled. He said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "If you were on the street, you would have to pay. Now that you don't have to pay, why don't you take a few more glances?"
Pei Wenxuan knew that Li Rong's mouth was unforgiving. He smiled and didn't say anything. After Li Cheng finished drawing the sword flower, he received a lot of cheers. He stuck out his chest and looked very proud.
Hua Le stood on the side of the stage and said to Li Ming, "Imperial Father, the song I'm going to play today is' Ping Chuan Entering the Array Song '. This song has been lost for a hundred years. Son has looked through ancient books and only found half of it. A few days ago, I happened to hear Assistant Minister Su play this song for Brother Cheng, so I recorded the second half of it. Today, I present this song to Imperial Father. I hope Imperial Father will like it. "
It was this kind of modesty to secretly show off his amazing talent. Li Rong felt tired.
She turned her head and whispered to Pei Wenxuan, "Why haven't they started yet?"
"Be patient. There's probably something important that they haven't said yet." Pei Wenxuan patted her hand. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Hua Le say, "However, son only has the flute. Without the accompaniment of the guqin, it would be too weak. If Assistant Minister Su doesn't mind," Hua Le turned his head to look at Su Yongqing, who was sitting at the table with a calm expression, "would you be willing to accompany me and perform this song for Imperial Father?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at Su Yongqing. Pei Wenxuan subconsciously looked at Li Rong.
Li Rong noticed that Pei Wenxuan was looking at him and looked back at him strangely. While everyone was looking at Su Yongqing, the two people quietly looked at each other.
Su Yongqing didn't speak. Hua Le forced a smile and said, "Assistant Minister Su?"
Hua Le's call awakened Li Rong's mind. She finally understood Hua Le's purpose tonight. He had an ulterior motive for Su Yongqing!
With Hua Le's status, even if she was a princess, it would be difficult for her to marry into a noble family. Unexpectedly, Consort Rou and Hua Le knew that Hua Le wouldn't be able to marry into a noble family under normal circumstances. Thus, they chose an unusual path.
Now that she wasn't rejected by Li Ming and was born into a noble family, the best marriage partner was Su Yongqing, who clearly understood that he was going to inherit the Su Family.
For a moment, Li Rong was surprised by Hua Le's appetite. She didn't take the normal path and really went straight to the clouds.
However, she couldn't let Hua Le marry into such a noble family. Thus, without waiting for Su Yongqing to reply, Li Rong immediately stood up and said, "Younger Sister, there's no need to trouble Assistant Minister Su."
As soon as Li Rong spoke, everyone looked over. Pei Wenxuan stared at her with a cold expression.
Li Rong didn't dare to look at Pei Wenxuan. She directly walked up to the stage from behind the small table, not giving Hua Le any chance to refute. She smiled and said, "Actually, the 'Ping Chuan Entering the Array Song' isn't completely lost. It's just that many famous teachers aren't willing to teach it to ordinary disciples. Coincidentally, I once learned it from a famous teacher. Younger Sister, do you need an accompaniment? Elder Sister will help you. "
As she spoke, Li Rong gracefully sat on the ground in front of the guqin. Her red clothes were already dazzling, and Li Rong was born with outstanding beauty and an extraordinary bearing. She didn't restrain her aura. When Hua Le stood next to her, it was like a maid standing behind her. No one noticed them at all.
Hua Le realized that everyone's eyes were not on her. She subconsciously moved a little further away from Li Rong. She knew where her shortcomings were and didn't want to appear too obvious in comparison.
Li Rong saw Hua Le secretly moving to the side. She raised her eyes and said with a smile, "Younger Sister, move a little further to the side."
"Hmm?"
Hua Le was a little confused. Li Rong raised her hand and pointed to the side of the stage. She said gracefully, "Move a few more steps and then get off the stage. There's no harm in leaving Elder Sister to perform alone."
After Li Rong said this, faint laughter immediately came from the surroundings. Hua Le was a little embarrassed. She forced a smile and said, "Elder Sister, you're joking. Let's begin."
As Hua Le spoke, she turned her head and put the jade flute to her lips.
Li Rong lowered her eyes and raised her hand to pluck the strings. The tense opening melody came out.
Li Cheng gripped his sword and took a stance. Then he shouted loudly and began to perform along with the melody.
Consort Rou was able to reach this position because he naturally had his own unique skills. Although he was born into a poor family, Consort Rou's taste was not bad. For example, this Ping Chuan Entering the Battle Formation was chosen to suit Li Ming's taste. It could also display one's ability to control a musical instrument to the extreme.
At the beginning, the song was very tense. Then it gradually became more intense. The melody kept rising without any pause. It was as if one was holding a sharp blade and slashing into the enemy, killing to one's heart's content.
A person's song often represented their entire state of mind. Consort Rou's choice of song was not bad, and Hua Le's skills could barely keep up. If there was no comparison, Hua Le was not bad. But now that Li Rong was here, everything was different.
Li Rong had learned this song on the battlefield.
In her previous life, Li Chuan had led many expeditions to the north. Li Rong had personally gone to the front lines. This song was taught to her by Su Yongqing. She had played this song on the city gate tower to stimulate the soldiers' morale. Compared to her state of mind, Hua Le's flute sounded weak and tasteless.
Hua Le also noticed the problem. She could not help but panic. This panic caused her breathing to become chaotic. It became more and more difficult to keep up with Li Rong's music.
Li Rong's music became more and more intense, as if the battle had reached a critical moment. At this time, Hua Le's low voice could no longer keep up. She could only try her best to keep up. This made the music seem somewhat lonely. It was clearly the best time, but there was still something missing.
At this time, Su Yongqing silently stood up from the crowd and walked towards the nearest group of musicians.
Pei Wenxuan, who was in the row opposite him, also stood up and walked towards his own group.
Su Yongqing took off his coat as he walked. Then he came in front of the drum and placed his coat on the drum stand. In a low voice, he said, "I'll borrow this."
As he spoke, he took the drumstick from the drummer's hand and slammed it down!
The sound of the drum and Li Rong's music mixed together. The dense sound of the drum and the impassioned sound of the zither made Li Rong feel as if she had returned to the time when she was playing the zither on the city gate tower and Su Yongqing's drumming accompanied her. Li Rong looked up in surprise. It was at this moment that the hurried and desolate sound of the erhu suddenly cut in.
The sound of the erhu was much slower than the sound of the zither and drum. It seemed out of place. However, it was precisely because of this incompatibility that it was clearly different from the original tone.
Li Rong looked up and saw Pei Wenxuan sitting in the group of musicians opposite her. He had one hand on the string of the erhu and the other hand smoothly and powerfully pulled the bow. He was looking at her provocatively.
Li Rong saw from the corner of her eye that the musician next to him was holding the suona tightly and sighing in relief. She knew clearly in her heart —
If it were not for the suona, perhaps it would not be the erhu that was playing now.
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