"Your Majesty, this minister knows that this envoy always believes that our Tianfeng has no talents. In fact, our great nation merely does not wish to trouble smaller nations. The two countries are bound by marriage, and any unpleasant words would harm Tianfeng's image. I did not expect this envoy to misunderstand the intentions of my Emperor. Since that is the case, I shall recommend someone who will surely make these envoys heartily convinced."
Upon hearing Prime Minister Liu's words, Feng Xie's clenched fist relaxed.
He naturally did not wish for conflict between the two nations, but he was simply too enraged. It would be better to defeat these detestable envoys through civilized means. Although his face still bore a hint of ferocity, it had softened considerably.
"Prime Minister Liu, please speak," he said, waving his hand with a spirit that soared like a rainbow, exuding overwhelming dominance.
"This person is our current Empress. The Empress's unique zither skills are unparalleled in the world. She simply dislikes ostentation, so she has not shared this with outsiders."
As Prime Minister Liu finished speaking, Feng Xie's phoenix-like brows rose, and a torrent of waves flashed in his eyes.
This woman had just claimed she knew nothing. Now she had nothing to say! His starry eyes fixed coldly on Liu Liu. Before Liu Liu could speak, a calm voice, imbued with deep authority, interjected.
"Since Princess Jie Lan of Yuehua has gifted our dynasty a musical piece, it is only fitting that this consort resolve Princess Jie Lan's query. Zither skills throughout the world are as vast as the five lakes and four seas, inexhaustible, and not confined to a single school," Liu Liu slowly rose, her ethereal words resonating throughout Chenming Hall.
Everyone's breath caught. The Empress's words were too profound. In this vast hall, only a handful could grasp the meaning behind her words. Among these few was Emperor Feng Xie himself. He had not expected this woman to possess such exceptional zither skills.
He was very curious what Prime Minister Liu meant by "unparalleled."
Little Princess Feng Wu Yang quickly tugged at her Imperial Brother, who was engrossed in watching their second cousin. "Imperial Brother, I didn't lie to you, did I? You'll know when you hear it later. Second cousin's zither playing can make you forget all your troubles."
Feng Xie's brow was clouded with frost. He remained silent. While he could disregard Feng Wu Yang's words, he could not dismiss Prime Minister Liu's. However, he was very curious as to how unparalleled this skill truly was. Thus, his beautiful eyes were fixed intently on Liu Liu.
Prince Yan, Feng Lie, seated at the foremost left, could not help but frown. He saw a flicker of interest in his Imperial Brother's eyes, that predatory glint. The thing he feared most had perhaps come to pass.
However, what did Prime Minister Liu mean? That Liu Liu's zither skills were unparalleled in the world? How had he never known this? He had been friends with her for three to four years, yet he didn't even know about her remarkable zither talent.
But would her zither skills surpass Jie Lan's, or Dai Mei's?
Nangong Yue, seated farthest away, showed little surprise. A shallow, warm light flickered in her clear, pond-like eyes. The Empress had so many admirable qualities.
However, as the light radiating from her grew stronger, the Emperor would surely notice her. If he noticed, he might never let her go. Gloom surfaced in his heart as he drank his wine in silence.
The civil and military officials erupted into thunderous applause. Though they disliked the Empress usually, at this moment, they found her holy and elegant.
Amidst the applause, attendants from the Prime Minister's mansion presented Liu Liu's beloved White Jade Wolf Tooth Zither. This zither was originally brought by Liu Ting to entertain his sister, but it unexpectedly served its purpose now. Liu Liu gracefully descended from her throne and moved towards the grand platform in the center.
Her posture was proud, her steps like flowers in bloom, as if she were an immortal maiden from beyond the heavens, possessing a natural aloofness, neither distant nor too close, yet blending into the very fabric of existence. Ethereal and otherworldly.
The White Jade Wolf Tooth Zither was set in place. Liu Liu concentrated her thoughts for a moment and then knelt before the zither. At this point, the vast Chenming Hall fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's anticipation grew. Most hoped that the Empress's zither skills would be exceptional, allowing her to defeat Princess Jie Lan and bring glory to the Tianfeng Dynasty. Only a select few wore cold smiles on their lips, hoping she would play an uninspired, common tune, thereby making the Emperor despise her even more.
Those arrogant envoys, though still harboring disdain in their hearts, found it inappropriate to be overly boastful given the solemn expressions of the crowd, and they also sat up properly.
Her delicate brows furrowed like autumn hues, her skin as translucent as thin ice. Her refined and indifferent demeanor, standing gracefully under the moonlight, as a gentle breeze stirred the thin veil before her face, was akin to a solitary chrysanthemum blooming coldly, exuding its unique fragrance.
Neither arrogant nor timid, yet she captivated everyone's attention. Feng Xie, seated high above, though his gaze was sharp, held a flicker of emotion, a soft glow appearing on his lips.
Her slender hands delicately plucked, and the ethereal notes, like sorrowful little sprites, began to dance, landing in the hearts of everyone at the banquet. The moonlight was cold, and a heavy melancholy filled the air.
The gazes of the crowd shifted from initial skepticism to deep admiration. Even Princess Jie Lan and those envoys were captivated, immersed in the ethereal zither music. Having left their homelands, guided by the music, faint pangs of sorrow arose within them.
This music led everyone into the melancholic sentiment of a moonlit night, unable to extricate themselves. The zither was like a spell, captivating everyone's minds. They slightly closed their eyes, indulging in the sensory pleasure. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, and ripples stirred on the water's surface.
As the wind scattered fallen blossoms across the path, a light, ethereal song suddenly began, like the echoing resonance of mountain valleys, or the chirping of orioles and orioles, captivating the heart.
When will the bright moon appear? Let us drink wine under the blue sky. I do not know what year it is tonight in the palaces of heaven.
I wish to ride the wind and return, yet I fear the crystal terraces and jade towers, where the heights are too cold to bear. I will dance with my clear shadow, and how can it be like being in the mortal realm.
As Zhu Liu turns, the low eaves and ornate windows are illuminated, shining upon the sleepless. There should be no resentment, so why does the moon always wax full when people part? People have joys and sorrows, the moon waxes and wanes, this has always been difficult to achieve. May we all live long, and share the moon's beauty across a thousand miles.
In her own ethereal singing, Liu Liu's thoughts drifted back to the past. This was a song her mother loved most before she passed away. Later, when she fell ill, her mother never sang again, spending her days by her bedside.
She died at the age of twelve, dressed in a princess-like snow-white gown, holding her beloved doll. Mother, are you well? Tonight, I actually thought of you. A misty haze formed in my eyes. Fortunately, the song ended.
The vast Chenming Hall remained silent for a long time until Liu Liu stood up and smiled faintly at Princess Jie Lan, asking, "Does Princess Jie Lan find the zither music of our Tianfeng acceptable to the ear?"
As her words fell, the entire Chenming Hall erupted in applause as if gone mad. This time, it was truly heartfelt applause. The dukes, ministers, and civil and military officials could not help but exclaim.
"The Empress's zither music is indeed worthy of being called unparalleled in the world."
"Indeed, her singing is also excellent. It is all thanks to Prime Minister Liu's excellent upbringing of his daughter."
Prime Minister Liu, listening to everyone's compliments, wore a smile on his face, but felt a hint of disdain in his heart. If it weren't to help the Tianfeng Dynasty, you people, who are like fish eyes mixing with pearls, would not be worthy of hearing my daughter's zither.
Princess Jie Lan returned to her senses from the song and stood up, bowing to Liu Liu. "Jie Lan offers her highest respect to Her Majesty. Truly, this is the demeanor of a great nation. Yuehua did not misjudge. We hope for Your Majesty's guidance in the future."
"Princess Jie Lan is too kind," Liu Liu nodded and slowly descended the grand platform. Cui'er quickly stepped forward to take the White Jade Wolf Tooth Zither.
Another wave of applause erupted from the crowd. Those envoys shamefully lowered their heads, no longer daring to speak carelessly.
On the dragon throne, Feng Xie's cold and handsome face lost its frosty demeanor, a fleeting spark of interest in his eyes. Hisηη eyes widened with points of starlight, like the deep night sky, profound and distant, concealing infinite sharpness.
When Liu Liu reached him, he extended a fair hand, as if to lead her inside. Liu Liu initially wanted to shake his hand away, but with so many eyes watching from below, she had no choice but to slowly place her hand into Feng Xie's large one.
His large hand was warm. Despite being such a domineering and fierce person, his hand carried a warmth that made one want to draw near. In contrast, Nangong Yue, who was clearly a gentle person, had a cold hand, a chill that reached from his fingertips to the depths of one's heart.