Chapter 59: Already Expected
Everyone looked at her in surprise, not knowing what she meant.
Queen Mother Qin frowned slightly and scolded softly, "Yan'er."
This scolding did not stop Qin Jieyu, but instead completely ignited the fire in her heart, and her anger grew even stronger.
"Aunt, isn't Yan'er right?"
Queen Mother Qin was furious to see her unrepentant look, but she was afraid that her rebuttal would embarrass her, so she was speechless for a moment.
It was Empress Cui who spoke at the right time: "It's not surprising that Concubine Qin, having just entered the palace, doesn't like the singing and dancing in the palace."
This has already given face to Concubine Qin.
If she had known better, she would have continued with what she said.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Qin said presumptuously, "This song and dance is so monotonous. Even after a long time, I don't think it's interesting anymore. Seeing that you sisters are not interested, I have a good suggestion. How about Concubine Pei come on stage to liven up the atmosphere for us?"
This is a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for Pei Tingyue.
The concubines noticed this and wanted to watch the show, their eyes wandering between the two of them.
After being called, Pei Tingyue stood up from her seat and bit her lip lightly: "What do you mean, Concubine?"
Concubine Qin raised her eyebrows and put on a hat. "Could it be that Lady Pei is unwilling to entertain His Majesty and the sisters?"
Pei Tingyue stuttered, "Of course not..."
Her voice was very soft, and she was obviously lacking in confidence.
Concubine Qin looked at her with a sneer, "I just entered the palace today. I wonder which of the arts, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Lady Pei is good at?"
Pei Tingyue lowered his head in embarrassment, unable to speak.
Seeing her dejected look, Concubine Qin felt a little relieved, but she didn't intend to let her off easily. "Concubine Pei, you don't know how to do anything?"
Pei Tingyue lowered his head and remained silent.
Obviously, he is extremely inferior.
During the banquet, the sounds of concubines' intercourse and sneers could be heard.
Seeing Concubine Qin pressing her like this, Empress Cui became somewhat displeased and said with a gloomy face, "Concubine Pei has already sent a birthday gift to the Emperor, so forget about adding to the fun."
Concubine Qin's expression was cold, and she wanted to make one last mockery of Pei Tingyue, "The Emperor dotes on you so much, but you're being so evasive and procrastinating when he asks you to help with the fun. You're really wasting his love."
Pei Tingyue lowered her head even more, and it took a long time before she looked up. She felt humiliated, and her eyes were a little red. "I am willing."
This answer surprised everyone.
Just as Empress Cui was about to say there was no need to force herself, she saw her eyes become firm. After taking a deep breath, she walked to the center of the stage and bowed.
"Today is the Emperor's birthday, and I am willing to help celebrate."
Sitting at the main seat, Xie Chen's expression showed no emotion, and his voice was low: "Are you really willing?"
Pei Tingyue nodded: "I am willing."
Concubine Qin looked disdainful. "Miss Pei hasn't mastered the art of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. I'm afraid she's never even touched singing, dancing, or the guzheng. She doesn't know anything. How can you possibly entertain us?"
Pei Tingyue sneered in his heart.
She had anticipated the difficult situation she would face today. Since she had anticipated it, she had to be prepared.
She is not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but that doesn't mean she is not good at other things.
She has a special talent.
She did not answer the question, but walked to the court musician and talked to him for a few words, and then asked the palace servants to blow out half of the candles.
After everything was ready, she sat sideways in the center of the Mingyue Terrace, holding a kesi round fan to half cover her face. The dim light made her look hazy and vague.
Everyone's eyes were focused on her.
Qin Jieyu's heart was beating fast, could it be that she really had some talent?
So what did she do? She built a stage for someone with her own hands?
After nodding to the musician, Pei Tingyue slowly opened his voice.
"Outside the Green Willow Bay, my beloved plays the flute, while the mist and rain are rustling in the small building..."
A soft and gentle voice rang out from the Moonlight Terrace, attracting everyone's attention. It was not because of the stunning singing, but the tone of voice.
The ordinary lyrics and music are sung in the soft Wu dialect unique to Jiangnan, which makes people feel numb.
"It was a night of clear wind and bright moon, and I was just enjoying writing a few poems about picking lotus flowers."
“…”
The gentle lyrics and the music seem to pull people into the misty Jiangnan.
The song is over.
Everyone at the table was stunned for a long time.
It wasn't until the palace servants relit the palace lanterns that she came to her senses. Empress Cui smiled and said, "The only concubine in our palace who is from Jiangnan is Concubine Pei. On weekdays, she changes her accent to talk like us, which makes us forget how gentle the Jiangnan Wu dialect is. This song is fresh and I like it."
Xie Chen looked at the person in the center of the stage, a smile in his eyes: "This is the first time I've heard her speak like this, it's really tender and sweet."
The emperor and empress said so, and the concubines could only agree.
Only Concubine Qin had a dark face and said nothing. She felt nauseous but could do nothing about it.
Pei Tingyue listened to the praise and lowered her head shyly: "I hope my Jiangnan songs have not polluted the ears of the Emperor and the Empress..."
Empress Cui smiled gently, "Miss Pei, there's no need to be so modest. This song is truly wonderful. Stop standing and sit down."
"yes."
After returning to their seats, the emperor and empress sent someone to deliver the dishes on their table as a reward.
The concubines looked at this scene with mixed feelings.
Even if the new concubine targeted Concubine Pei, it would be of no avail, as she would still be in the spotlight.
No matter how reluctant they were, they had to admit that the innocence of the harem had changed.
The birthday banquet did not end until the hour of Xu.
As soon as she returned to the rear hall of Changle Palace, Pei Tingyue took off her hairpins and rings and went to the ear room to take a bath.
Yun Shu wiped her body and said cheerfully, "That Concubine Qin is truly despicable. She actually wanted to embarrass me! But she never expected that I had anticipated this. After I finished singing, I saw that Concubine Qin's face had turned the color of liver!"
Pei Tingyue leaned against the edge of the barrel, closing her eyes to rest. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but smile slightly: "So happy?"
Yun Shu clenched her fists: "Who told her to bully a beauty? I am happy to see her suffer."
Pei Ting said lazily, "I'm happy now, but I'm afraid the days ahead will be tough. Concubine Qin will probably hate me."
She said she was having a hard time, but there was no worry in her voice.
"Ah?" Yun Shu's face fell. After thinking carefully, she said, "Then...then why don't we strike first?"
Pei Tingyue opened his eyes and asked curiously, "It's not that simple. Are they preparing for a rainy day now?"
Yun Shu blushed: "I will improve a little by following the beauty."
"Yeah." Pei Tingyue chuckled, "Be smart."
Yun Shu smiled for a moment, then focused and asked, "Should we take action first?"
Pei Tingyue shook her head: "She has just entered the palace. If we act rashly without even knowing the truth, we might leave loopholes. Let's wait and see."
Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle.
After soaking for a while, Pei Tingyue's fatigue subsided a lot. He just wiped his body clean and returned to the bedroom to prepare for sleep.
The palace maid reported.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
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