Pei Wenxuan's erhu sounded like it was playing a chord for Li Rong, but it was completely different from the drumming. Li Rong was fast but slow, while Li Rong was slow but fast. However, the combination of the two was strange. Amidst the abruptness, there was an inexplicable … pleasing to the ears?
Everyone was shocked. Li Ming turned to the Ministry of Rites' Minister Gu Zidao, who was most proficient in music, and asked, "Minister Gu, is this how the 'Ping Chuan Entering the Battle Formation Song' should be played?"
Gu Zidao twirled his white beard and listened carefully with his eyes closed. After Li Ming asked, he slowly opened his eyes and turned to face Li Ming. He said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the original 'Ping Chuan Entering the Battle Formation Song' was naturally not played this way. At the beginning, His Highness Ping L E, His Highness Hua Le, and Assistant Minister Su collaborated on the guqin, flute, and drum. It was the most orthodox. Prince Consort Pei's subsequent addition of the erhu was an innovative move."
Li Ming twirled the prayer beads in his hand and nodded. "It's not bad."
"Prince Consort Pei's addition of the erhu is very different from the 'Ping Chuan Entering the Battle Formation Song' of the past. However, there is a different meaning to it. Previously, the 'Ping Chuan Entering the Battle Formation Song' depicted King Ping Chuan leading his troops into battle and slaughtering his enemies. However, with the addition of the erhu, there is a sense of desolation. The addition of the erhu to the last stanza of the song describes the corpses and the suffering of the common people in the later stages of the war. It immediately filled the song with a lot of artistic conception and added a lot of color to the music. It's a pity that Prince Consort Pei is obviously not good at erhu, and Assistant Minister Su doesn't often use drums. "Gu Zidao laughed." If a master were to play it, it would be even more outstanding. However, the two of them have reached a certain level of artistic conception. It's a pleasure to be able to enjoy the music of these two young people in the main hall. "
As Gu Zidao made his comments, the music gradually faded and the audience applauded. Most of them were discussing the changes in the erhu after the addition of the music. Li Cheng and Hua Le had long been forgotten.
Hua Le could still tolerate it, but Li Cheng was so angry that he threw his sword away and rushed back to Consort Rou's side with tears in his eyes.
Hua Le's expression was not very good, but after all, she was older and could not be as willful as Li Cheng. Li Rong stood up and walked to Hua Le's side. He smiled and said, "Sister, you play the flute well."
"Sister, please don't make a fool of yourself." Hua Le forced a smile and returned to her seat without saying anything else.
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan had just sat down when Pei Wenxuan said softly, "You played the guqin well. I couldn't hold back my desire to show off."
"Lord Pei, there's no harm in holding back." Li Rong had a smile on his face. His lips moved and he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "If the musician didn't hold the suona tightly, I'm afraid you would have to play the mourning music in the hall."
"You look down on me too much." Pei Wenxuan said in the same voice. He leaned his head towards Li Rong and said, "I have a broad mind. Today, I can play the joyous' Good Marriage 'for you."
"You …"
Li Rong wanted to reply, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by a loud and clear voice of praise.
"Today, you played the guqin well, played the flute well, played the drums well, and played the erhu … well." Li Ming's voice rang out. He said happily, "Most importantly, Prince Su's sword was well danced! Danced with vigor! This is what a man of Da Xia should be like. What do you think, my beloved subjects? "
The entire hall was silent. It was slightly awkward. After a moment, it was Gu Zidao, the sly old man, who spoke first. He said with a smile, "Your Majesty is right. Prince Su is so young and has such spirit. It's really rare. In the future, Crown Prince will be able to prosper the country with his literary skills, and Prince Su will be able to conquer the country with his military skills. One scholarly and one martial, the two brothers are of the same mind. It's a blessing for Your Majesty, and also a blessing for Da Xia! "
"Gu daren is right." Su Minzhi smiled. Following Gu Zidao's words, he praised Li Chuan and Li Cheng. This way, he didn't offend either side. Finally, someone began to speak.
With one sentence after another, the scene finally became lively. Li Ming saw that the officials didn't respond to his words, so he didn't say anything else. However, he seemed to be somewhat unwilling. He turned to look at Li Chuan and asked, "Crown Prince, you see, your elder sister and younger sister all want to do something to celebrate the New Year. As the crown prince, what do you think now?"
"Son isn't as good at dancing as you," Li Chuan's voice was steady, "I can only be diligent in the court in the future, share Fuhuang's burdens, and benefit the people."
"Flowery words, you make it sound nice." Li Ming snorted coldly. Li Chuan's face was stiff, pretending that he didn't hear Li Ming's sarcasm. Li Ming was silent for a while, and then directly said, "You're seventeen years old now. The matter of choosing the Crown Princess should be put on the agenda. How long do you plan on delaying it?"
When Li Rong heard this, her heart jumped. She was afraid that Li Chuan would refuse like this. Just as she was about to open her mouth to help Li Chuan out, she heard Li Chuan calmly say, "Son has never had the intention to refuse. I will listen to Fuhuang and Muhou's orders."
Li Rong was a bit surprised. She didn't think that Li Chuan would respond so calmly. Li Chuan had agreed, so Li Ming couldn't say anything more. He only said, "Then when spring comes, you can prepare to choose the Crown Princess."
"Yes."
Li Chuan said respectfully. Li Ming saw that Li Chuan wasn't moved by force or persuasion, so he simply turned his head and rewarded the four performers. After waiting for a while, he hastily ended the palace banquet.
When Li Ming left, everyone dispersed. Some went to the imperial garden to sober up, while others simply left.
Li Chuan and the others drank a bit too much. It seemed that they couldn't handle the alcohol. They waved their hands at the officials and left. Li Rong saw Li Chuan get up and walk towards the waterside pavilion. She patted Pei Wenxuan's hand and said in a low voice, "I'll be back soon. Help me cover it up."
After Li Rong finished speaking, she didn't wait for Pei Wenxuan to reply. She quickly got up and chased after Li Chuan.
Li Chuan was served by a eunuch. He walked all the way to the waterside pavilion. Li Rong quietly followed behind him. She saw that his figure was tall and slender. He seemed to have grown a bit taller. He vaguely overlapped with the emperor in her memory who was so thin that he lost his human aura. She felt a bit nervous.
Li Chuan walked to the pavilion in the middle of the lake and had someone lower the curtain. Li Rong walked in and saw Li Chuan sitting in front of the long table. When he saw Li Rong walk in, he smiled: "Sister, why are you here?"
"The main hall is stuffy," Li Rong hesitated, "I came out to get some fresh air."
As she spoke, she walked to Li Chuan and sat down: "Did they make you drink too much?"
Li Chuan laughed: "How could that be? None of them dared to make me drink. I just didn't want to stay, so I came out. "
"Your marriage …" Li Rong hesitated, but before she could finish, Li Chuan directly interrupted her: "Sister, I want to ask you a question."
Li Rong looked up at him. She knew that Li Chuan wouldn't casually ask a question.
She hesitated for a moment, but still said: "Ask."
"If," Li Chuan smiled bitterly, "I'm saying if, today, I refuse Imperial Father, will you help me?"
"I will." Li Rong answered without hesitation. Li Chuan nodded lightly. "I know, I always knew," Li Chuan's voice was a bit hoarse, "Sister is the best to me."
"Chuan 'er," Li Rong looked at Li Chuan and felt a bit sad, "Actually, you can refuse today."
"What about the next time?" Li Chuan asked directly, "I can't refuse people like this forever. There's a price to pay for being willful. "
"Sister," Li Chuan paused and hesitated for a long time, then slowly said: "I'm sorry for the Qin Family. I'm also … sorry for Qin Zhenzhen. "
"If I had agreed to marry Sister Ya," Li Chuan was a bit confused, "would the Qin Family not have been framed?"
"No."
Li Rong's answer was resolute and decisive. Li Chuan looked up at her and asked doubtfully: "No?"
Li Rong hesitated for a moment. After a long time, she slowly said: "Chuan 'er, no matter what you do, Sister will support you. You don't have to wrong yourself."
Li Chuan didn't say anything. He lowered his eyes and looked at the tea in his hand. After a long time, he smiled: "Sister, I'm actually very curious. I don't know when it started, but your attitude towards me became very indulgent. It's like no matter what I do, you're willing to support me. Why? "
"I'm your sister," Li Rong said seriously, "I want you to live well, just like how you are now."
"Then tell me the truth," Li Chuan stared at her, "Did I do the right thing?"
Li Rong was momentarily speechless. Li Chuan looked at her quietly: "In this palace, I hope to marry someone I like. I also hope that the person who marries me is someone who truly likes me. Sister, don't you think that's the right thing to do?"
Without waiting for Li Rong to speak, Li Chuan took a deep breath: "It's not the right thing to do. The first time you stood on my side, I was very happy. But from the day the Qin Family fell into trouble, I regretted it. "
"When Qin Zhenzhen left, I went to see her off," Li Chuan closed his eyes. He put one hand on his knee and supported himself with the other, "At that time, I thought that if I married Shangguan Ya according to Imperial Mother's wishes, and then took in a few more concubines according to Imperial Father and the other officials' wishes, then it would just be a group of beasts biting each other in the circle. I'm a beast, and so are the other party. I can't harm the people who pass by."
"But I just couldn't accept it. I felt pity for the person who married me, and I also felt pity for myself. As a result, I harmed the Qin Family."
"Imperial Mother is right," Li Chuan placed the cup on the table and propped himself up, "I can't take advantage of Sister and Imperial Mother's love for me to act recklessly. Sister, you don't have to worry. I've thought it through. The woman who marries into the Qin Family knows what the palace is like, but she still wants to come. Naturally, she won't be sad because of love. "
"I can't cause trouble for Sister. I'm the Crown Prince. This is a small matter. Sister, don't worry, "Li Chuan smiled," I'll take care of it. Don't worry. I'm a man. I'll be fine. "
After Li Chuan finished speaking, he looked around, "I can't let anyone see that we've been talking for so long. I'll leave first."
As he spoke, Li Chuan took the lead and left.
Li Rong sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake. After a long time, she turned her head and looked at Li Chuan. She saw that Li Chuan's back seemed a little like an adult.
Li Rong sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake for a while. Then she stood up and walked towards the main hall. There weren't many people left in the main hall. Pei Wenxuan was still sitting in his seat, waiting for her. After she sat down, Pei Wenxuan looked at her face. He seemed to want to say something, but stopped himself.
A moment later, he finally said, "It's late. Let's go home first."
Li Rong nodded. Pei Wenxuan ordered people to prepare a carriage. Then he had someone bring a cloak. He put it on Li Rong and tied it for her.
Li Rong saw that he cared for her in every possible way. She couldn't help but smile and whisper, "I thought you were still angry with me."
"I'm angry," Pei Wenxuan tied the cloak and smoothed out the cloak. He put his hands in his sleeves and turned to walk out of the hall. He said calmly, "In any case, Your Highness won't coax me. In the end, I still have to bow my head. What's there to be pretentious about?"
Li Rong heard this and thought it was funny. She walked to Pei Wenxuan and whispered, "I got up today because I don't want Consort Rou to get what he wants. Hua Le had been a chess piece in Consort Rou's marriage alliance since she was young. Hua Le knew that she wouldn't choose such a song for no reason and ask Su Yongqing to play it. She did this today to let the world know that Consort Rou and the Su Family have a good relationship. This way, the people of the Han Clan who follow Consort Rou will have more confidence. If Su Yongqing really expressed his stance today, with Imperial Father's temperament, he might even appoint a marriage. "
"His Majesty can't really appoint a marriage."
Pei Wenxuan calmly analyzed, "Hua Le is marrying Su Yongqing now. If Su Yongqing refuses the marriage in court, His Majesty won't be able to do anything. He doesn't dare to take the risk."
"As for the other reason," Pei Wenxuan stopped and turned to look at her, "I can accept it for the time being. But I still feel uncomfortable. It's annoying. What do you think I should do?"
Li Rong tapped her fan against her palm and sighed, "In the end, I don't think you're angry at all."
Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows. Li Rong looked up. Her eyes were full of understanding. She said helplessly, "You just want to take advantage of me."
"Your Highness is joking," Pei Wenxuan directly refuted and said seriously, "This official isn't …"
Before he could finish, Li Rong threw herself into Pei Wenxuan's arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.
Pei Wenxuan's voice came to an abrupt stop. His body was a bit stiff. The people around them couldn't help but look at them. Li Rong looked up at Pei Wenxuan and asked innocently, "Are you still angry?"
Pei Wenxuan looked into Li Rong's eyes. He knew that Li Rong was digging a hole for him to jump into. In the end, he could only answer honestly, "I'm not angry."
"Then do you want to take advantage of me?"
Li Rong continued to ask. She vowed to prove that Pei Wenxuan was looking for an opportunity to take advantage of her.
Pei Wenxuan sighed and said helplessly, "Can I not?"
After saying that, Pei Wenxuan pulled Li Rong's hand away and pulled her forward, "Okay, you win. Let's go home."
Li Rong heard Pei Wenxuan's words and couldn't help but laugh. She took the initiative to hold Pei Wenxuan's hand and leaned forward, "Pei Wenxuan."
"Your Highness, do you have any other orders?" Pei Wenxuan's hand was held by Li Rong. He looked like he was ready to climb a mountain of swords or dive into a sea of fire.
Li Rong laughed and whispered, "Does this count as coaxing you?"
Pei Wenxuan was slightly stunned. He suddenly realized that Li Rong seemed to be taking the initiative to coax him just now.
He couldn't say anything for a moment. He felt a little happy, but he also felt that he should be steady. He walked in the darkness. When he passed through the palace gate, the shadows shrouded them. They were in the temporary darkness when Pei Wenxuan softly answered, "Yes."
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