The banquet was halfway through, and the wine flowed freely. Someone proposed, "Sitting here doing nothing is boring. How about we play a drinking game?"
Another suggested, "I think a 'flying flower' game would be more fitting."
"Impromptu poetry is also fine," someone added.
"Why is it always things that you scholar-officials' families are good at? If you ask me, let's compare sword dances."
"Heh, then why don't you just go up and perform for everyone's entertainment?"
Having had some wine, everyone gradually let loose. The families of the civil officials and military officials were inherently at odds, sitting on opposite sides. As they spoke, their eyes began to redden.
Especially on the military officials' side. Performing on stage? Wasn't that something for lowly dancers and singers? Although they weren't as skilled in poetry as the daughters of civil officials, they understood these veiled taunts.
"Enough, enough!"
Zou Yun'er interrupted the escalating argument. She twirled her wine cup, her gaze sweeping over Nan Yuan'er.
Whether it was a flying flower game, a drinking game, or composing poetry, Nan Yuan'er always came out on top. She'd be crazy to agree to any game that allowed her to steal the spotlight.
She thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "How about this? If the ladies of the various households find sitting here dull, why don't you showcase your individual talents and perform something?"
Performing alone was a very different matter from performing for everyone. The former was humiliation, while the latter was a test. The reputation of many talented young ladies was forged at such banquets. Zou Yun'er's suggestion was met with widespread approval.
As for Qin Yushan, she certainly couldn't compose poetry, but she could dance with a whip.
"Then, who will go first?"
Zou Yun'er looked around and asked with a smile.
A young lady stood up, bowed to Zou Yun'er, and then addressed the crowd, "If everyone doesn't mind, I will volunteer."
It was the legitimate daughter of the Zhongwu Marquis's mansion.
The crowd had no objections. She walked out from behind the table and stood in the center. She bowed again, "Your Highness, this humble daughter requests a pipa."
"Good!" Zou Yun'er readily agreed.
A palace musician stood up and handed the pipa to the young lady from the Zhongwu Marquis's mansion. She thanked him. A maid from Lilan Palace brought a chair for her. She sat down with the pipa, her slender fingers plucking the strings.
A moment later, the pipa music began.
Nan Shiying sipped her wine and listened to the music. Lu Wan whispered in her ear, introducing each official's family member: "Your Highness, this is Shen Man, the legitimate daughter of the Zhongwu Marquis's mansion. The Marquisate is hereditary. The old Marquis passed away from illness a few years ago, and the current head is the old Marquis's second son, Shen Ziyun. The old Marquis's eldest son was born to an outside mistress, so he could not inherit the Marquisate."
"Shen Man is Shen Ziyun's eldest daughter."
Nan Shiying nodded. She wasn't particularly interested in the family relationships. She simply felt that this rendition of "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress" was much better than what the palace musicians played.
As the song ended, everyone applauded.
Qin Yushan downed the wine in her cup and stood up abruptly, bowing to Zou Yun'er, "Your Highness, it's my turn."
Zou Yun'er glanced at Nan Shiying, a faint smile blooming at the corner of her eyes. "Good."
Qin Yushan walked to the center and said to the musicians in the pavilion, "Please play 'Ambush from Ten Sides'."
The musicians rose and nodded their compliance.
As the music started, Qin Yushan drew the soft whip from her waist. She moved with the exhilarating music, her long whip whistling, striking the air. The sound of it cutting through the air harmonized strangely with the music. In the pavilion, it seemed as if a dragon was roaring. Everyone was captivated by Qin Yushan's valiant demeanor.
"Your Highness, be careful—"
Lu Wan's voice suddenly rang out. Nan Shiying looked up and saw a whip shadow, carrying a fierce wind, whistling towards her face.
As soon as the sound fell, Lu Wan lunged forward, shielding Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying grabbed Lu Wan's shoulder and pushed her behind. She suddenly threw the wine cup in her hand. In mid-air, it collided with the whip shadow.
With a crisp sound, the wine cup shattered. The whip shadow did not change direction but its momentum slowed. Nan Shiying's gaze seemed to sharpen, like a drawn sword. She focused her eyes, her dark pupils momentarily becoming a black hole that devoured everything. The whip shadow gradually became clear in her eyes. She raised her hand and, with a casual grab, seized the long whip. Then, she pulled with all her might.
The immense force caused Qin Yushan to lose her balance, and she tumbled to the ground.
Nan Shiying did not get up. With a sudden yank, the whip broke free from Qin Yushan's grasp and fell into Nan Shiying's hand. Holding the whip, she swung it forcefully. The whip whistled, tearing through the air, and struck Qin Yushan mercilessly. The crack of the whip was piercing, instantly ripping through her clothes.
Her clothes tore open, revealing raw, bleeding wounds underneath.
"Ah~"
Screams of terror erupted from all around. The faces of the ladies and madams turned ashen. Even Zou Yun'er's eyes flashed with a trace of fear.
This person was so ruthless.
And... wasn't Nan Shiying rumored to be a good-for-nothing?
What was going on with her skills?
Nan Yuan'er also looked surprised. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind: this wasn't Nan Shiying.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.
"Qin Yushan committed insubordination and attempted to assassinate the Imperial Consort. This whip is my punishment for you. This time, for your father's sake, I will spare you. If there is a next time, I will break your limbs and hand you over to the Ministry of Punishment!"
Nan Shiying's voice was filled with overwhelming killing intent. Her voice wasn't loud, but to everyone's ears, it was like thunder.
Qin Yushan's whip strike was in vain. Not only that, but she also had to beg for forgiveness and express her gratitude.
Others might not know, but Qin Yushan knew very well that this was the second time she had been disciplined by Nan Shiying, and instead of retaliating, she had to beg for forgiveness and express her gratitude.
The wind blew through her torn clothes and into her wounds, raising a layer of fine goosebumps on her skin. She suppressed the pain and struggled to her feet.
Gritting her teeth, she said, "This humble daughter's skills are lacking, and it was not intentional. Nevertheless, I still offended the Princess Consort..."
Her hand, hanging by her side, clenched into a fist, her knuckles turning slightly white. She stood straight, but under Nan Shiying's chilling gaze, she knelt on the ground with great difficulty, "Your Highness is benevolent. This humble daughter thanks Your Highness."
Saying this, she lowered her head.
Nan Shiying looked at Qin Yushan, who knelt to thank her, seemingly apologizing but subtly defending herself. A smile touched her lips. She raised her hand, threw the whip at Qin Yushan's feet, and said dismissively, "If your skills are lacking, don't embarrass yourself again in the future."
Blood seeped from Qin Yushan's tightly clenched teeth. It was as if she wanted to devour Nan Shiying whole. She spat out a "Yes" from between her teeth.