The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 464

Chapter 464: 235 Slap in the Face (Second Update)

Chapter 464: 235 Slap in the Face (Second Update)

In late March, the emissary from Liang Country arrived at the capital of Zhan Country.

Prime Minister Yuan, the Minister of Honglu Temple, and Duke Xuanping personally welcomed them at the city gate.

Originally, Duke Xuanping was reluctant to come. However, the emperor noted that if he would personally welcome the emissary from Liang Country, his punishment of copying scripts could be absolved.

Reluctantly, Duke Xuanping came to the city gate, sitting casually in his carriage, his apparent disinterest even making Prime Minister Yuan uncomfortable.

However, the arrival of the Liang Country emissary brought a renewed spirit to Duke Xuanping.

He descended from his carriage and stood calmly amidst the crowd, his demeanor as elegant as jade. One could truly understand why the emperor insisted that he welcome the emissary – his face was indeed the face of Zhan Country.

The officials from both sides exchanged pleasantries. Duke Xuanping, who usually wasn’t much for eloquent speeches, remained reticent.

Therefore, the outside world’s impression of Duke Xuanping was that of a reserved man who values his words like gold.

The emissary from Liang Country stayed in a royal garden, very close to the imperial palace.

In the evening, the Crown Princess held a banquet in the Qilin Palace to welcome the emissary and help him settle in.

“The Princess Consort, The Princess Consort, it’s time to rise!”

Princess Consort Rui was in deep sleep when she was awoken by Lady Xu.

She opened her eyes in a daze, asking, “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

Lady Xu, finding the situation rather amusing, responded, “You seemed to have forgotten the banquet this evening. It’s time to get up, wash, and get dressed.”

“Isn’t it still early?” Princess Consort Rui glanced at the sky and promptly fell back asleep.

Since she had been sleeping more than usual due to her pregnancy, Lady Xu didn’t dare disturb her further and let her sleep for another half an hour before waking her.

After freshening up, the Princess Consort Rui put on her heavy formal attire, adorned with pearl hairpins and jade accessories, and headed to the palace with a scowl.

Prince Rui, the Third Emperor’s son, had arrived at the palace earlier. He had been assisting Crown Prince Ning in welcoming the emissary.

From afar, Princess Consort Rui saw him and waved at him, but he didn’t notice.

“Princess consort!” Lady Xu whispered a reminder.

Princess Consort Rui sighed, “I know, I know. Rules, demeanor, comportment.”

The steps leading up to the Qilin Palace were occupied by the emperor, Empress Xiao, and Noble Consort Zhuang.

Consort Shu was under house arrest; Consort Xian was ill, and the rest of the concubines did not qualify to attend the banquet.

In the grand hall, representatives from Liang Country sat on the left, while the royal family and high officials of Zhan Country occupied the right.

Princess Consort Rui sat on a cushion while Lady Xu sat on the wooden floor behind her, ready to attend to her needs.

Prince Rui came over for a while but was soon summoned by the emperor. The royal family from Liang Country also attended, so the princes were jostling for a chance to be noticed by the emperor and the Liang Country royals.

The banquet soon began.

The banquet was organized single-handedly by the Crown Princess. Despite her dislike for Wo Linlang, Princess Consort Rui had to admit that she did an excellent job.

From the food to the decorations, from manpower to the program, everything was flawless.

After a few mood-boosting performances, the Crown Princess arranged for the highlight of the event: “To express our welcome to the distinguished emissaries, next, Princess Consort Rui of Zhan Country and our premiere court musician, Xie, will perform a duet of ‘Startling Swan Reflection’.”

Wait, wasn’t it supposed to be a solo performance?

When did it turn into a duet?

‘Jinghong’ is a piece from Liang Country; it was composed by Yueying, the preeminent musician in the six states. The piece is divided into two parts – the upper part is ‘Jinghong’ and the lower part ‘Zhao Ying’.

However, the musical score of ‘Zhao Ying’ has been lost.

Originally, this piece was intended to be a duet for the zither and flute, with the flute being more suitable for ‘Jinghong’ and the zither for ‘Zhao Ying’.

If ‘Jinghong’ is played as a duet for the zither and flute, the zither can easily be overwhelmed by the flute.

Most people wouldn’t be aware of these details. Among those present, perhaps only Princess Consort Rui and a few who are well-versed in music will understand this.

Was Wo Linlang intentionally planning to embarrass her?

Just as this thought flashed through Princess Consort Rui’s mind, a palace maid announced, “Master Xie has injured himself and cannot attend.”

This news shocked everyone.

Princess Consort Rui thought that she would have to perform solo. But then, a young man in a navy-blue robe from Liang Country side stood, “I’ve long heard of the unmatched musical skill of Princess Consort Rui. I may be unskilled, but I’d like to perform a duet with the Princess.”

“Who is this?” The emperor looked perplexedly at the young man who had unexpectedly volunteered.

The prince of Liang Country introduced him, “His name is Wuming; he is a disciple of Master Yueying.”

Everyone was taken aback again, looking on with surprise, admiration, and envy.

Master Yueying had always been a legend among the six states. They knew they would probably not be able to meet him in their lifetime, but to meet his disciple was just as honorable.

Oh, so the aim wasn’t to embarrass her but to use her as a sidekick.

Some people really know how to use every resource at their disposal.

Princess Rui kept silent.

Wuming held his flute and performed a ritual bow, “Princess Consort, please.”

Princess Rui gritted her teeth, “Bring the zither.”

“Yes,” Lady Xu went outside the hall and brought back a zither case.

There was a table and cushions already set up in the center of the grand hall.

This piece was created by Wuming’s master, and Wuming had practiced it countless times. Not to mention that he had an advantage on his musical instrument, so no matter how you looked at it, he should be the leader.

Because of unfamiliarity with this zither and mental disturbance, Princess Rui did not enter the state initially.

But gradually, she herself was attracted by the sound of the zither.

How could there be such an easy-to-play zither? How could there be such a pleasant zither sound?

The sound of the Fo Xi zither immediately overshadowed the sound of the flute.

Everyone’s expression changed.

Empress Xiao whispered, “What… what kind of zither is this… Was the Fo Xi zither you heard in Liang Country this good?”

The Crown Princess had visited Liang Country as a member of a Zhan Country delegation when she was young.

With a complicated expression, the Crown Princess looked at Princess Rui in the center of the Grand Hall, “I only saw it, but I haven’t had the honor to hear it.”

When the piece ended, there was deadly silence in the Grand Hall, as the beautiful zither sound played by Princess Rui had everyone immersed in it.

Suddenly, the Prince of Liang Country stood up and was the first to applaud Princess Rui: “Amazing! Amazing!”

The applause was given to Princess Rui twice in a row. Even though the piece was good, the part played by the flute was really not much. All their attention was attracted by the melodious zither sound.

Those who had once mocked Princess Rui didn’t dare to utter a word now.

If this was called a broken zither, then probably no antique zither in the world would not be.

Wuming looked at Princess Rui and the antique zither in front of her: “My master’s Yueying Fo Xi zither is not as good as this zither, may I ask Princess Rui, where did this zither come from?”

A Yueying Fo Xi zither was already the most perfect replica zither among the six kingdoms. If there was something better, what kind of zither would it be? The real Fo Xi?

If others said so, it might not be that significant. But Wuming was a direct disciple of Yueying.

The Emperor suddenly laughed.

His third daughter-in-law had improved his prestige again.

He couldn’t exactly tell them that she picked it up by mistake.

Princess Rui thought for a moment and said solemnly, “I borrowed it from a friend.”

Wuming asked, “That friend is–”

Princess Rui retorted, “Sorry, I can’t tell you.”

Wuming bowed and returned to his seat.

With Princess Rui’s brilliant performance with the Fo Xi zither, all the carefully arranged pieces that followed by the Crown Princess seemed tasteless.

Everyone only remembered this zither, and the Princess Rui who played this zither.