Chapter 174 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Bai Ruiji 1

He only gave part of the reason. It was true that the imperial concubine was frail and clingy. He just wanted to listen to music to relieve his boredom and didn't want to coax her.

"Yes, sir." Wang Qin accepted the order and went to instruct someone to summon people from the South Mansion.

A short while later, the pipa players dressed in blue winter clothes were led to the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the eunuch.

Wang Qin stared intently at one of the pipa players. Despite wearing the same clothes and having the same hairstyle, she stood out remarkably, with fair skin and delicate features that evoked pity.

"Eunuch Wang?" the eunuch beside him called out.

Wang Qin quickly straightened up, not daring to look at Bai Ruiji again. He knew clearly that with such a face, she would no longer be a pipa player if she met the Emperor.

"Go inside, everyone."

Wang Qin led everyone into the hall, making sure Bai Ruiji was in the first place, while he followed behind, slightly behind her.

Bai Ruiji glanced at Wang Qin in surprise. Wang Qin noticed her gaze and smiled obsequiously.

"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"Get up." The emperor leaned back on the couch, glanced at the pipa player below, and then couldn't look away.

The young girl stood gracefully, like a blooming white jasmine, pure and flawless. Her eyelids were slightly lowered, and her eyelashes fluttered a little too quickly, carrying a hint of timidity, making her exceptionally endearing.

The hands holding the pipa were fair and slender, with the fingertips slightly red, which seemed to be due to the cold winter weather, adding to her cuteness.

The emperor sat up and asked, "What is your name?"

Bai Ruiji looked up in surprise, and after confirming that the Emperor was looking at her, she curtsied and replied, "This servant's surname is Bai, and my given name is Ruiji."

Bai Ruiji's voice was soft and delicate, like it had tiny hooks, making people's hearts itch with desire.

"Bai Ruiji." The Emperor read Bai Ruiji's name aloud, a smile playing on his lips. "A good name. You may all leave. Let her play for me."

"yes."

The remaining pipa players left, and Bai Ruiji sat on a stool brought by a young eunuch and began to play "Yangchun Baixue".

The light and melodious sound of the pipa rose up, like heavenly music, making people seem to see the scene of winter passing and spring coming, and all things reviving.

When the music ended, the emperor asked, "Did you learn to play the pipa from a young age?"

Bai Ruiji replied softly, "I learned to play the Yueqin (a type of lute) from a young age, but after entering the Southern Palace, the instructor said that the late emperor liked the pipa (another type of lute), so I switched to learning the pipa."

"Oh?" The Emperor looked surprised. "I'd like to hear how your moon lute sounds. Wang Qin, have someone bring a moon lute here."

"yes."

After flicking his whisk and bowing, Wang Qin left the hall and soon returned with a moon lute.

Bai Ruiji took the moon lute and played a piece of music. The melody was beautiful and melodious, and her skills were superb and smooth.

The Emperor smiled and praised, "As expected of someone who has been playing the Yueqin since childhood, you play it much better than the Pipa."

Bai Ruiji rose, holding the moon zither, and bowed gently, saying, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your praise."

"You seem a little afraid of me? Am I that scary?" The Emperor asked, looking at the delicate beauty who resembled a white rabbit.

"No." Bai Ruiji shook her head repeatedly. "His Majesty is the supreme ruler, with an imposing presence. This servant is not afraid."

The Emperor naturally saw through her stubbornness but didn't mind; such things were quite normal.

"Once you've seen it enough, you won't be afraid anymore. Keep playing."

After playing a few more pieces, the Emperor, having other matters to attend to, released Bai Ruiji to return to the Southern Palace.

In the following days, whenever the emperor had free time, he would summon the pipa players from the Southern Palace, but each time he would only leave Bai Ruiji to play in the palace.