Chapter 124 You Don’t Have This Blessing

You don’t have this blessing!

Meng Yan muttered inwardly, glanced sideways upwards, and saw the middle-aged woman looking at her with a smile on her face, but her eyes were full of coldness.

She knew clearly what Concubine Xuanhe meant by this move. She was simply throwing her as a brick to attract Lin Yanrong's jade.

No matter how exquisite her guzheng playing was, it was no longer novel to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and it was no longer surprising. This made Lin Yanrong's novelty and freshness stand out even more.

Wasn’t it like this in the previous life?

Meng Yan smiled, stood up and was about to answer, but unexpectedly met Lu Haozhi's eyes.

There was a hint of expectation and even a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Meng Yan avoided his gaze and said loudly, "Your Highness, you are too kind. My skills are just ordinary. Moreover, since I became a noble concubine, I have been diligently cultivating my virtues as a woman, always prioritizing dignity and prudence. I have been unfamiliar with the art of playing the musical instruments for a long time, so I would not want to bring them up again and make a fool of myself."

Lu Haozhi showed no sign of surprise, but his eyes couldn't help but dim slightly. He picked up the wine cup with the red and gold chrysanthemum pattern and drank it all in one gulp.

Concubine Xuanhe was not about to let her off easily and continued, "Your Highness, what are you saying? Everyone in the palace knows that when the Empress Dowager celebrated her birthday, your rendition of 'He Hua Yan' won the whole house's applause and even the Empress Dowager herself presented you with a jade ruyi. It is truly a pity not to be able to witness such a splendid performance. I will take advantage of my age and seniority for once. I beg you, Concubine Meng, to show off your talents and let all of you here enjoy your performance."

Before Meng Yan could reply, Lu Haozhi spoke first, "My Lady Consort, the Imperial Concubine hasn't played the guzheng in years. Why force yourself? There are so many concubines in the palace waiting to perform. Are you afraid you won't see or hear enough?"

Being rejected by the emperor in public, Concubine Xuanhe's old face turned red with embarrassment, and she said hesitantly, "I... just want to make the Empress Dowager happy..." Without saying a word, she stopped talking.

Meng Yan curled her lips into a faint smile and sat down again.

At that moment, Concubine Yun stood up from her seat, bowed to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and said with a smile, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, how about I, your concubine, perform my humble service first, and throw a brick to attract jade."

With the permission of the two, Concubine Yun stepped out and walked to the center of the venue.

A palace servant had already brought over a round stool made of rosewood and an ivory pipa.

Concubine Yun sat on the stool, holding the pipa firmly, and with her slender fingers, she pressed the strings firmly, and played the song "Flying Flowers Chasing the Moon" with a ding-dong sound.

Everyone had made preparations for today's banquet, and all they brought out were their best skills. Yunpin's pipa playing was truly exquisite, like a silver bottle breaking and pearls falling on a jade plate.

Meng Yan sat at the table, enjoying the music leisurely, feeling quite relaxed and happy.

Concubine Ren Xian's words drifted over from the side, "What a pity! If the Imperial Concubine was willing to show off her talents, it would be truly magnificent."

Meng Yan smiled slightly, "Will Concubine Xian also perform later?"

Ren Shuyi shook her head, "I'm not interested in this, so why would I bother joining in the fun?" Suddenly, she pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm sure your good sister has prepared something good?"

After chatting for a few words, Rong An suddenly came from behind and whispered to Meng Yan, "Your Highness, the Emperor has been watching you for a while. Seeing that you never move your chopsticks, he thought that the dishes today might not be to your taste, so he ordered his servants to send another plate of pine nut sea bass and a plate of goose oil rolls to complement your meal." As he said that, he waved his hand, and sure enough, two palace maids brought up the dishes.

Meng Yan was stunned. These two dishes were her favorites in the past.

She raised her head and looked upwards, only to see Lu Haozhi drinking by himself, not looking at her.

As soon as Concubine Yun finished playing a song, other concubines immediately took over, either singing or dancing. One after another, they took the stage, making it very lively.

Meng Yan is good at drinking, and she has been busy with many things recently. Today she can finally relax a bit, listen to the fairy music and watch the graceful dancing. She actually drank more than ten cups of Lihuabai in one breath, and her pretty face turned red instantly.

Bai Yuxin was watching from the side, a little worried, and whispered, "Sister, be careful not to get drunk."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a burst of urgent drum beats, which was completely different from the situation when everyone was performing just now.

Meng Yan knew what was going on, so she laughed and looked over.

The venue was empty, and dozens of musicians from the palace music bureau were sitting in the audience, each holding an instrument and playing it.

Another high-pitched singing voice sounded, attracting everyone's attention.

The singing came from a small island on the lake. The island was covered with lush trees and there was a pavilion in the center. Several dancers in pink dresses were dancing around it, but the pavilion was empty.

I only hear the voice but don't see the person.

The singing rose from the ground, like a long line thrown straight into the sky, high and melodious, like heavenly music.

Ren Shuyi and Bai Yuxin were both stunned after hearing this. Even Liang Chengbi, who was sitting opposite them, looked surprised.

Meng Yan picked up a piece of sea bass with chopsticks and put it into her mouth, chewing it carefully with a faint smile on her face.

The one singing loudly in the pavilion was naturally Lin Yanrong.

However, her performance in this life seemed even more stunning than that in her previous life.

The singing voice seemed to reach the heavens when it was high-pitched, and was gentle and lingering when it was low. Although the voice was about 70% similar to Lin Yanrong's when she spoke, it was too beautiful to be her own.

Meng Yan raised her eyes and looked upwards. Empress Dowager Jiang had little interest in singing and dancing. Her expression was indifferent, as if she was not listening.

What surprised her even more was that Lu Haozhi was just drinking alone with his head down, while Rong An was whispering something to him.

At this moment, Meng Yan suddenly felt as if a pair of eyes were glued to her. The eyes were greedy and full of malice, which made her shiver in the hot summer.

She looked over and saw that there were only a few princes and princesses opposite her, none of whom she was familiar with. She didn't know who was looking at her like that.

Meng Yan was about to look over one by one when she heard someone exclaim, "Ah, it's Concubine Lin!"

This voice interrupted her thoughts, and the sight disappeared instantly. She had to temporarily put aside her suspicions and just looked in the direction where everyone was looking.

As expected, Lin Yanrong was already standing in the pavilion. She was wearing a long emerald green dress embroidered with lotus flowers, and her face was covered with a layer of veil. Looking at each other across the water, she really looked like the so-called "beauty by the water".

After Lin Yanrong finished singing, someone in the hall shouted "good", and immediately there was a wave of applause and cheers.

Ren Shuyi muttered, "Mrs. Lin's voice doesn't usually sound this good."

Meng Yan smiled without saying anything. She didn't understand that the songs sung by Lin Yanrong in her two lives were not the southwestern tunes written in the books, but her singing must be different.

After a while, Lin Yanrong took a small boat back to Penglai Island and went to the palace to kowtow to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. "My concubine is so presumptuous, but I dare to hope that the Empress Dowager will like it."

But then Empress Dowager Jiang said slowly, "Where did you learn this song 'Wanlichun'?"

Lin Yanrong's heart tightened slightly, but she remained calm as she replied, "Your Majesty, I learned this from a teacher at the Imperial Music Bureau. He said it's an old palace song. I'm not very talented and knowledgeable, so I don't dare compare myself to my sisters. I learned this little song just to sing it for the Empress Dowager's amusement."

Empress Dowager Jiang laughed, "This is an old song from over ten years ago. I never thought anyone in the Jiaofangsi would still sing it." Then she said noncommittally, "You've worked hard, go down and rest."

Lin Yanrong was stunned. This piece of music...hadn't Prince Jin said it was a favorite of the late emperor? Her performance today was sure to please the Empress Dowager, so why didn't the Empress Dowager seem pleased at all, and why hadn't she received any of the praise or rewards she deserved?!