As the bamboo tube emitted a rhythmic "bang bang" sound, everyone realized that it was a musical instrument brought by the little female bandit.

Such a crude musical instrument is quite unorthodox.

The young female bandit played a rhythmic prelude, then suddenly stopped and took a deep breath, displaying a certain imposing presence. She sang in a clear, melodious, and unheard-of opera style: "I was admiring the mountain scenery from the city tower when I heard a commotion outside the city. Banners were waving and their shadows were flying. It turned out to be the army sent by Sima. I had sent someone to inquire, and I learned that Sima was leading his troops westward."

Upon hearing this, everyone realized it was clearly a description of the border war, something that seemed very much like something the Ninth Prince could write. They then focused their attention even more intently, listening carefully to what the Ninth Prince was actually writing.

In the hall, the little bandit girl sang with skill and rhythm, yet her childishness remained, reminding everyone that she was merely performing a play: "...Zhuge Liang is waiting for you in the enemy tower, anticipating your arrival for a heart-to-heart talk. The streets of the western city have been swept clean, ready for Sima to garrison his troops. We in the western city have no other offerings but have prepared lamb and fine wine to reward your army. Now that you have arrived, you should enter the city. Why are you hesitating, caught in a dilemma? I only have two servants, and I have neither ambushes nor soldiers. Do not let your mind wander. Come, come, please come up to the city and listen to me play the zither!"

As the melodious and lingering note faded, the rhythm of the bamboo tube in the little bandit's hand also quickly came to a halt.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, my performance is over!" Ji Fengyao said cheerfully, curtsied to the emperor, tossed the bamboo tube and chopsticks in her hand onto the tray held by the maid beside her, and happily returned to Shang Xiye's side.

Shang Xiche and some of the ministers present were filled with turmoil: What was the Ninth Prince's intention in writing such a story at this time? In the story, Zhuge Liang invited the enemy general to come up to the city to listen to the zither in the empty city, but was the city really empty?

The Ninth Prince is now seriously injured in the capital. It seems that his henchmen have been lost and his sword has lost its edge, but is this really true?

Are they being too flamboyant and reckless with their recent actions?

The concubines and wives of the ministers present seemed to sense an unusual tension from the slight apprehension that the men inadvertently revealed. For a moment, no one had the mind to pay attention to whether the Ninth Prince's wife had lost face.

Originally, everyone wanted to see a joke, but they ended up being choked by the joke and had no one to complain to.

Ji Fengyao sat down next to Shang Xiye, covered half her face with her sleeve, and whispered excitedly, "Your Highness, did I sing well? Wasn't it great?"

Look how scared these bastards are!

"Hmm," Shang Xiye responded lightly and indifferently, but his eyes, which were always lowered, were full of smiles and praise as he looked at her: Excellent, my queen is excellent!

If the occasion weren't inappropriate, he would definitely pull her into his arms and give her a good kiss.

Why does this little thing understand his heart and please him so well?

Ji Fengyao glanced at Consort Qin's increasingly dark face opposite her, and looked quite innocent. Behind her sleeve, she silently mouthed to Shang Xiye: "Your Majesty, I have done my best."

Shang Xiye assumed she was referring to her performance at today's banquet, and returned her gaze with doting eyes, blinking gently.

The royal banquet reached its climax when the Ninth Princess Consort made her appearance and performed.

After the Ninth Princess finished her performance, the atmosphere became almost deserted, and the event ended hastily.

As everyone waited in turn on the deck of the dragon boat to board and return to their own private ships, Consort Qin, accompanied by her two personal maids, swayed gracefully as they caught up with them.