Empress Dowager Du said coldly, "Since Miss Jiang is so eager, let's begin."

As Empress Dowager Du spoke, the noble ladies, though still disdainful, dared not gossip any longer, waiting to see how Jiang Luoluo would embarrass herself.

Jiang Luoluo, however, remained calm and walked slowly to the musical instruments. Her gaze swept around, and she selected a round wooden amplifying tube. While not comparable to modern professional equipment, it was sufficient for the occasion.

She took a deep breath to calm herself, then spoke, her voice clear and resonant: "It's all about courage..."

The moment those words left his mouth, Xie Yizhi's pupils contracted sharply, and his gaze instantly fixed on Jiang Luoluo.

The wine cup in his hand trembled slightly, even his fingertips shook a little.

Xie Yizhi, this iron-willed young prince, has always been as steadfast as a rock. Very few things can stir his emotions, and almost all of these emotional fluctuations are related to Jiang Luoluo.

Last time, her blurting out "what time of day" shocked him, and this time, it was just as unusual.

The lyrics and the voice seemed to belong to a different era, yet they deeply moved him.

She is also...?

She was just like him...?

A burning light suddenly ignited in Xie Yizhi's eyes, like a flame fanned by the wind, growing ever more intense.

Xie Yizhi downed his drink in one gulp, stood up, and walked towards the stage. Mo Yang, who was accompanying him, was very perceptive and immediately ran over to fetch the guqin.

Xie Yizhi walked to a corner of the stage, sat down in front of the piano table, his expression calm, yet with a hint of solemnity.

Upon seeing this, Mo Yang quickly placed the guqin on the table.

Xie Yizhi's long, slender fingers, which had once wielded swords on the battlefield and traversed the lands of war, slowly pressed down on the strings of the zither to test the sound.

As he moved, the audience suddenly fell silent, even their breathing became softer, and the noble ladies almost cried out in their hearts.

With a gentle pluck of her fingertips, melodious and graceful piano music flowed from the strings, the stirring melody blending perfectly with Jiang Luoluo's singing voice like a blazing fire.

"I've faced despair with love, yet I refuse to shed a single tear..."

The singing and piano music intertwined, like heavenly music, slowly drifting down from the stage and seeping into the hearts of everyone.

The expressions of the noble ladies in the audience, who had initially been enjoying the show, gradually changed. They unconsciously held their breath and focused intently, as if unwilling to miss this wonderful performance that seemed like a match made in heaven.

Xie Yizhi's fingers flew across the strings, flowing smoothly, and the music gradually rose to a crescendo.

His gaze remained fixed on the woman on the stage, his expression filled with an undisguised fervor and deep affection.

At that moment, he seemed to see no one else but her, the woman who seemed to transform into a blazing fire in his song, illuminating the depths of his heart.

Gu Boyuan sat at the table, and for some reason he saw Xie Yizhi looking at Jiang Luoluo with such intense and burning gaze.

A surge of bitter anger welled up inside him. How come he hadn't noticed Jiang Luoluo's many good qualities before?

As Xie Qiyu led Xie Zhichen slowly into the banquet, her calm expression turned into one of shock the moment she heard the song.

His steps faltered slightly, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes, and his voice repeated softly, "To fight...?"

"This tattered cloak, fight! Fight! With the humblest dream, I pay homage to the sobs and roars in the darkness... Who says only those who stand in the light are heroes!"

Jiang Luoluo's voice grew more and more impassioned, her final words like a piercing chariot.

Her voice was slightly hoarse, yet it contained a power that moved people deeply.

As the song ended, she turned her head slightly to look at Xie Yizhi, her eyes filled with a smile.

Their eyes met, and the light between them seemed to convey a deep understanding without words, like embracing each other across the distance in this noisy world.

Xie Zhichen was the first to wave his little arms and cheer for Jiang Luoluo, and everyone else followed suit and clapped along.

Standing behind the emperor, Xiao Lingchuan couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his burning eyes.

Yes, who says only those standing in the light are heroes? Those who crawl forward in the darkness are heroes too.

Even the noble ladies who had just mocked her couldn't help but nod in approval!

In the room, the princes and ministers stood in solemn respect, the faces of the noble ladies were filled with emotion, and even the usually composed Empress Dowager Du remained silent for a moment, saying nothing more.

The crowd spontaneously joined Xie Zhichen in cheering, applauding and applauding!

Although Lu Anrou and Yao Shiyu were unwilling, they could only join the others in clapping.

Xie Qiyu snapped out of her daze, looked down at Xie Zhichen beside her with a deep gaze, and tightened her grip on his small hand slightly.

This is not just a song, but something that touches people's hearts and ignites the fighting spirit of indomitable will and desire in everyone's heart.

Jiang Luoluo bowed slightly to the crowd, then slowly walked off the stage, a calm smile in her eyes.

Xie Qiyu held Xie Zhichen's small hand and walked slowly and steadily to the high seat to sit down.

As the emperor took his seat, everyone in the room rose and knelt in respect. Xie Qiyu raised his hand in a gesture of apology, his voice gentle yet authoritative: "My beloved ministers, please rise. Today is a flower-viewing banquet prepared by the Empress Dowager. I had nothing else to do, so I came to observe."

Unexpectedly, I happened to see General Jiang's daughter singing. She was a young lady from a respectable family, yet she was thinking of the soldiers on the frontier, which deeply moved me.

He was specially awarded one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of silk as a commendation.

After he finished speaking, everyone in the room stood up. Some whispered among themselves, while many others gritted their teeth in envy.

Empress Dowager Du frowned slightly, her displeasure barely concealed in her eyes.

She gently put down her teacup, her voice calm but containing a hint of dissatisfaction: "Your Majesty, there are quite a few noble ladies and gentlemen who have performed dances, played the zither, and wielded swords today. Each of them is highly talented and their skills are refreshing."

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