Pipa Language

“You can only beg me,” Fu Qinxiang said, a barely perceptible smile flashing across her face as she looked at Tang Ying kneeling on the gold-threaded carpet. “Right now, Zhao Chen is just an empty hostage; you have no choice but to rely on me. What, still don’t want to speak?”

Tang Ying was essentially pushed into the position. Originally just a commander of the Imperial Guards, managing only two thousand men, he was now promoted to Grand General of the Border Defense by Fu Qinxiang's recommendation. Not only did he command one hundred thousand men, but he was also right next to the Emperor, requiring him to be extremely careful with his every move. However, he was determined not to ask this infamous man for help. He believed that going to the Thirty-Two Garrisons of the Border Defense to starve was a hundred times better than flattering a powerful and treacherous official with a few kind words—that was his original thought.

Tang Ying clenched her fists, her lips pressed tightly together.

"So tough," Fu Qinxiang walked around behind Tang Ying, slowly squatted down, and whispered in his ear, "Do you know what happened to your sister yesterday?"

Tang Ying tensed up instantly, and a light sweat broke out on her forehead.

Seeing this, Fu Qinxiang chuckled: "Tang Yao has been targeted. You can choose to die as you please, but if anything happens to you, you can probably guess what will happen to your sister. It's not a good deal to take someone down with you when you go to your own grave, and it's also immoral."

“Fu Qinxiang. You really are the bastard child left behind by Fu Linchuan,” Tang Ying said, emphasizing each word.

Fu Qinxiang feigned surprise, saying, "Wow, the generals of Dazhao are indeed quite bold, addressing me by my given name and even adding a curse. General Tang is truly formidable." She then stood up, scrutinizing the other's face. "Whether I am a bastard or not is unimportant. You all resent me, daring only to curse me in your hearts. Anyone who speaks out will lose their head. You are the first one so fearless, and I, Fu Qinxiang, admire you. But either way, I will win. What can you do to contend with me? It's all in vain."

"You!" Tang Ying drew her side sword and stabbed at Fu Qinxiang without hesitation, but Heng Hui reacted quickly and broke his arm. The cold blade fell to the ground with a thud, the echo lingering in the hall for a long time.

Fu Qinxiang was thoroughly enjoying herself. She said, "Don't be so hasty, General Tang. I'm here to negotiate with you. Why are you so angry?" She narrowed her eyes. "It doesn't matter who you follow. I know you admire Zhao Peiming and have always wanted to follow him, but you're not worthy. You can learn his form but not his spirit. Do you know what he fought for? Are you angry? Hate your own incompetence and your bad luck?"

“I’m just like you. I haven’t had a good life either. I’ve tasted the bitterness of dry grass and tree bark. I also have hatred in my heart. You can’t cut off my head with your sword. I’ve also felt that powerlessness. In the imperial court, there is no such thing as innocent good and evil, only interests.” Fu Qinxiang picked up the knife and personally put Tang Ying’s scabbard back on.

"What happened to my sister?!" Tang Ying couldn't stand her nonsense and asked, unable to bear it any longer.

“It’s all fine now.” Fu Qinxiang looked up at the round window at the end of the road.

“I summoned you, and you braved the cold wind to travel north, rushing day and night for three days to see me. You wavered, didn’t you? You were just afraid of bearing the infamy of the world, so you hesitated to resist and struggle. Am I right?” Tang Ying’s body trembled, and her pupils suddenly shrank. Fu Qinxiang said slowly, “Then if one day I write history, and you follow me, you will be a great general with a glorious name for all time, praised by future generations.”

"...What exactly do you want to do?" Tang Ying squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

"It's just recommending my loyal followers to your army. If they perform well, give them a promotion. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

"What are the benefits?"

"I will clear away the rumors circulating around the Emperor and transfer you back to Tiansong within three months. Your troops will also be stronger with the addition of my loyal followers. I will also thoroughly investigate the matter of Tang Yao's murder and will use my own people to protect her safety."

Tang Ying covered her severed arm and remained silent.

"I'll give you time to think it over. I'll first get rid of those gossiping people for you. Once the Emperor's attitude softens a bit, I'll send you a letter, and you can then submit a petition to recruit talented people for yourself." Fu Qinxiang gave Heng Hui a wink, and the latter picked him up and took him outside.

"This Tang Ying is interesting. You could say he's cowardly, but he dared to draw his sword. You could say he's tough, but judging from his expression, he probably only agreed half-heartedly." Heng Hui closed the palace door and said contemptuously.

“They’re just nobody. If they don’t become part of our group, they’re destined to be manipulated at will. They have no choice and can’t be heroes.” Fu Qinxiang said with a smile.

—————

"Give...give the pipa back to her!" Tang Yao cried out in fear in her dream, tears streaming down her face, her hands instinctively twisting the brocade quilt tightly.

"I'm here, I'm here, don't be afraid." The emperor held the pale fingertips in his palm and gently woke Tang Yao.

In a daze, Tang Yao saw a figure that blotted out the sky. She instinctively tried to sit up, but found that she couldn't muster any strength, which made her fully awake. She gasped for breath and finally saw clearly who the "demon" beside her bed was.

"Your pipa is here, no one can steal it." Perhaps disgusted by those few breaths that sounded like tearing silk, the emperor's concerned gaze instantly turned into a stagnant pool. Tang Yao recognized him, but felt that the face was extremely unfamiliar, so she abandoned the idea of ​​throwing herself into his arms to seek his affection.

"Missing home?" The emperor didn't let go, still speaking coldly.

“Your Majesty,” Tang Yao said, pulling her hand away and grasping the emperor’s little finger in return. Her eyes were blurry with tears as she looked up. “I have lived in the music hall for a long time and rarely hear the sound of the pipa in the palace. I feel lonely.”

"Very well, I'll have them play for you." The emperor looked at the eunuch at the door, "Who is the best pipa player in the palace? Name them."

"Uh, Your Majesty, the best pipa player in the palace is none other than Consort Hui," the eunuch said, his eyes darting around.

"Summon her to play, and bring a few more people with her." The emperor waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, the cause of my illness has not yet been determined, and it may be inappropriate for me to meet with my sisters in the palace." Tang Yao thought that since she was sick, she would play the role of Xi Shi to the end, so she moved even more lightly and tried to make her voice as delicate as possible.

The emperor glanced at Tang Yao and said helplessly, "Whatever you say." Then he gave the eunuch a wink.

"Well, Your Majesty, the second best should be that celestial musician Liu who was in the same music hall as Consort Li before."

"Oh? Since we live under the same roof, I must be familiar with Yueyin. She's the one."

Before half an incense stick had burned, footsteps and bells came from the outer courtyard, continuing until they reached behind the screen wall, where they gradually quieted down.

"Bring it in."

Tang Yao unconsciously raised her body slightly, and the emperor helped her lean against the cloud-shaped pillow behind her. Only then did she see her long-lost master. Her master wore a veil, which only made her eyes more captivating, and the shocking scar was completely concealed. After everyone knelt down and adjusted the strings, the emperor gave an order, and Liu Zhiluo began by plucking the strings. Instantly, the music filled the air, like a celestial palace.

"Your Majesty—all the military documents you sent to investigate have been submitted to the Imperial Study for your review!"

The emperor glanced at Tang Yao with concern, and Tang Yao looked back at him and nodded slightly.

After the Emperor left, Tang Yao said softly, "Everyone, there's no need to play anymore."

Everyone exchanged glances, none daring to stop, until finally all eyes fell on Liu Zhiluo. Liu Zhiluo finished her last syllable, rose, and bowed to Tang Yao. As she closed her two fingers, the blood clotted at her fingertips was a shocking sight.

"What is this?" Tang Yao exclaimed in surprise.

Liu Zhilu knelt down and said, "Your Highness, it is because of my diligent practice every night."

"No!" A girl with pigtails and a thin veil beside Liu Zhiluo exclaimed, "It's because Fu Qinxiang has been sending people to supervise her finger exercises every night! That's why the old wound on her fingertip keeps reopening and bleeding..."

"Lingluo!" Liu Zhiluo whispered to stop her.

“…Lingluo?” Tang Yao propped herself up to recognize her. “You…how did you become so haggard?” Only then did she notice that the musicians in the room were actually her sisters with whom she had spent every day.

Lingluo was not frightened at all. Instead, she stood up, lifted her veil, and exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Tang Yao! My master and I are like this because of Fu Qinxiang! She branded my face with a hot iron to ruin my appearance and prevent me from being chosen by the Emperor to enter the palace!" She stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Liu Zhiluo. Looking at her master, she did not blame her, but only felt heartache. "Master cannot say anything. She has to live well in the palace. She still has Lord Jiang."

Jiang Zhong is dead. Could it be... that Liu Zhiluo is Jiang Heng's biological mother? Tang Yao was shocked.

“I’m different,” Lingluo looked directly at Tang Yao. “I have no parents, so naturally I’m not afraid of death! If there’s anything Sister Tang Yao can do for me, I’ll go through fire and water for her!”

Tang Yao laughed at the childish words: "Little Lingluo, do you know what kind of world the palace is like? If I could be as innocent and brave as you, I might live a more carefree life."

“It’s carefree. Even if you’re harmed one day, you’ll still smile at them,” Liu Zhiluo raised her hand and gently tapped Lingluo’s forehead. “Live well and see the world for Consort Li and Master. Today, I’m entrusting this task to you. Complete it well.”

Lingluo's eyes glistened with tears as she pursed her lips and nodded.

"But Consort Li, since you summoned us, there must be something we can do to help. Please give your instructions now," Liu Zhiluo said.

Tang Yao helped Liu Zhiluo up from the bed, then gestured for everyone to sit in a more comfortable position. She then whispered, "Fu Qinxiang also harmed me. The cold medicine she gave me made it difficult for me to conceive. Recently, something went wrong, causing me to bleed uncontrollably. I need to pretend for a few more days until she finds out for herself."

"What? She's investigating on her own? Doesn't that mean the results are nowhere in sight?" Lingluo pouted, angrily.

"Since it has been identified as a cold poison, why did you still drink it?" Liu Zhiluo asked worriedly.

Tang Yao shook her head: "She is always cautious in her actions. The mastermind behind this poisoning may be someone else. Judging from her manpower, it would be faster for her to investigate. As for why I drank it... I only have the Emperor to rely on in the palace, but even the Emperor can't do anything about her. If I don't drink it, it would be an open act of enmity against her. Given her personality, my brother and I would both suffer. If I drink the cold medicine, the only benefit is that I can keep the Emperor here. As long as I can't give birth, he will remember me and come to my palace more often."

"What about the other concubines? Are they all unable to bear children?" Lingluo continued to ask.

"Even if they could give birth, who would dare? Fu Qinxiang has already secretly issued a death order. Whoever gives birth to a dragon child will face endless troubles," Tang Yao said helplessly.

"Given her momentum, I'm afraid it's not..." Liu Zhiluo didn't finish her sentence.

“Yes. We all know what she’s thinking,” Tang Yao changed the subject and lowered her voice, “However, it is said that the Emperor once favored a palace maid. That palace maid was clever and escaped from the palace before the Empress Dowager found out. Rumor has it that she is still hiding in Tiansong, changed her name, and even gave birth to a prince.”

"This is too far-fetched. It makes absolutely no sense." Lingluo wasn't interested and shrank back into the circle, hugging her knees.

“I think that if this is true, perhaps we will have another child,” Liu Zhiluo said slowly.

"One piece? What piece?"