Man Yin’s "Song of the Beautiful Woman" merely spoke of a young girl’s self-pity, while Ji Mo’s "The Scarlet Actor" sang of an actor's entire life, even elevating it to the heights of national hatred and patriotic sentiment.
The artistic conception expressed by the two songs was worlds apart.
This was even after Ji Mo had held back. He had merely played and sung casually. If he had poured his heart into it, unleashing his full strength, the result would have been unimaginable.
There was no need to judge the winner; the superiority was evident.
A single song could inspire these cowardly, pleasure-seeking wastrels to enlist in the army and serve the country. Such skill was truly astonishing.
"How do you find my song? Is it enough to cover the cost of this meal?"
Ji Mo stood up and walked out from behind the beaded curtain, saying earnestly to Man Yin, "I advise you, Miss Man, not to seek patriotism, but I hope you won't overcharge customers in the future."
He had no intention of making things difficult for Man Yin, nor did he expect an apology.
After saying this, he turned and left, striding out of the Tianxiang Pavilion.
Man Yin was lost in thought, filled with shame.
Ji Mo's words, like a sharp knife, pierced her heart.
She had initially thought he was deliberately picking a fight and humiliating her.
She never expected him to be a hidden master with unparalleled skill. How could she have the nerve to show off in front of such a person? It was truly embarrassing.
"Not seeking patriotism, but hoping you won't overcharge? You scoundrel, though I, Man Yin, am a woman, I am by no means as shallow as you imagine."
Man Yin felt a strong sense of injustice.
In Ji Mo's eyes, she was a greedy woman obsessed with money.
This was unacceptable to her; she was not that insignificant.
Man Yin secretly resolved to make him see her in a different light.
Ji Mo exited the Tianxiang Pavilion, followed closely by Li Qiufeng and Hong Xing.
Li Qiufeng’s gaze remained fixed on Ji Mo’s retreating figure, her eyes shining ever brighter.
Hong Xing, filled with worry, tugged at Li Qiufeng and whispered, "Miss, this person is truly terrifying. One song can change the temperament of these young masters. Is what he played a demonic melody? We must stay away from him, lest we be bewitched and suffer unimaginable consequences."
"Hong Xing, stop talking nonsense. How could Young Master Ji be such a person?"
Li Qiufeng reprimanded, unable to tolerate such words.
"He isn't? Miss, your soul is being snatched away. I think this Young Master Ji is very strange, and we should stay away."
Hong Xing was filled with concern.
After all, Ji Mo was so capable, yet he pretended to be down and out.
Dressed in coarse cloth and with only a few copper coins to his name, who was he trying to fool?
He definitely had ulterior motives.
She even suspected that Ji Mo was deliberately approaching Li Qiufeng with malicious intent.
"Ji is actually at the Tianxiang Pavilion. Did he come specifically to help Ying Tianbao win over those official disciples, intending to form factions? Or is he looking for an opportunity to please Man Yin and get close to Yue Longgang?"
Not far away, Wang Guang, having learned of Ji Mo’s whereabouts, had specifically rushed over.
Seeing Ji Mo emerge from the Tianxiang Pavilion, he couldn't help but speculate about the purpose of his visit.
In Wang Guang's mind, Ji Mo was a cunning and insidious villain. Since he had instigated Ying Tianbao to contend for the throne, he must have had some plan.
"Ah, the person next to Ji, isn't that the Crown Prince's intended consort, Li Qiufeng?"
Subsequently, Wang Guang saw Li Qiufeng and was utterly astonished.
He wouldn't have recognized her at first, but upon seeing Hong Xing, he immediately saw through Li Qiufeng's disguise as a man.
"So the rumors of snatching the Crown Princess were not unfounded. This fellow has actually made his move. I just didn't expect it wouldn't be Ying Tianbao making the move, but this fellow himself. How insidious!"
Wang Guang was stunned. He never imagined that Ji Mo, who was usually inactive, would immediately hook up with Li Qiufeng upon making his move.
The usually aloof Li Qiufeng was now smiling radiantly, chatting and laughing with Ji Mo, her gaze constantly fixed on him.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, you've been cuckolded!"
Thinking of this, Wang Guang's heart nearly leaped out of his chest.
The situation was more serious than he had imagined. If Li Qiufeng were to be charmed away by Ji Mo, would the Grand Tutor Li Xiu then lean towards Ying Tianbao?
In that case, Ying Tianci's position as Crown Prince might not be secure!
Something major had happened; he had to figure out exactly what was going on.
After Ji Mo and the other two had walked away, Wang Guang hurried into the Tianxiang Pavilion to understand the situation.
"What? That Ji is actually so bold as to humiliate Miss Man Yin?"
After a brief understanding of the situation, Wang Guang's face broke into a wide grin.
Humiliating Man Yin would offend Yue Longgang, and given that Marshal Yue's temper, he would definitely not let it go.
Ji Mo was definitely doomed!
Wang Guang left in a hurry and headed straight for the Crown Prince's mansion to report the situation to Crown Prince Ying Tianci.
"Hahaha, congratulations! He truly brought it upon himself, offending Yue Longgang. This fellow named Ji is digging his own grave."
Upon hearing the news, Ying Tianci swept away the gloom from his face and burst into laughter.
He had initially thought this was a troublesome opponent, but it turned out he was merely a useless braggart. Who else could he have offended but Yue Longgang? It was like digging his own grave.
"Wang Guang, this is good news. Why the long face?"
Ying Tianci didn't understand why Wang Guang still had a somber expression. Such good news should be celebrated with revelry.
"Uh, Your Highness, I have a question I'd like to ask you. A friend of mine has been cuckolded, and I don't dare to tell him directly. What should I do?"
Wang Guang was extremely conflicted.
Li Qiufeng had been charmed by Ji Mo, and the Crown Prince had been cuckolded, but he didn't dare to say it to his face.
"Haha, cuckolded! Such matters are indeed difficult to state directly; one can only hint, subtly hint at the other person. Is the friend you speak of the third son of the Minister of Rites, Yang Wei? That fellow is debauched and has exhausted himself. He must not be able to satisfy his dozen concubines, and someone couldn't bear the loneliness and gave him a green hat."
Ying Tianci was in a good mood. Upon hearing about someone being cuckolded, he became even more interested.
Since Wang Guang only had a few dissolute friends, he was happy to see them become the butt of jokes.
"It's not Yang Wei. Your Highness, look at this jade cabbage of yours; the carving is exquisite, lifelike, and so verdant, truly very green."
Wang Guang began to hint.
"You like it? It's yours. Could it be General Wu? I heard his wife is like a tigress and not very faithful."
Ying Tianci guessed again, completely oblivious to Wang Guang's hints.
Wang Guang shook his head and continued to hint, "Your Highness, look at this painting, 'Spring March'; it is truly full of greenery."
"Oh, I understand. Your friend, could it be yourself?"
Ying Tianci looked at Wang Guang with confusion, a look of sudden realization on his face.
Then, he said guiltily, "Brother Wang Guang, take whatever you like; it's all yours. I've always treated you as a brother. As the saying goes, brothers are like hands and feet, and women are like clothes. You found out about me and your concubine Ru Yan, but you won't mind, will you?"
What?
Wang Guang froze.
How could it be that after all this, it had turned back on him?
His most beloved concubine had been involved with the Crown Prince. He felt completely devastated.
He never expected that the clown would be himself.