The usually confident Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Nitrogen touched his face and fell into deep thought.
Emperor Yuming clenched his fist and coughed lightly, saying, "I apologize for the Crown Prince's embarrassment."
Shangguan Jingci snapped out of his reverie and smiled, "I do think you ladies are quite special."
"Oh?" The Empress became interested: "Why does the Crown Prince say that?"
Shangguan Jingci raised an eyebrow and smiled, "They all seem to have their own unique perspectives on their talents."
"..."
This is no longer a subtle mockery; it's clearly blatant sarcasm.
Emperor Yuming's face darkened. Although he couldn't lash out due to considerations of face, the imperial pressure still emanated from him, and everyone's expressions turned somewhat unpleasant. However, Shangguan Jingci remained smiling, seemingly unaffected.
The Empress sighed softly, then smiled and said, "I didn't realize the Crown Prince liked to joke. My ministers, don't just watch, make sure you eat and drink too."
Thanks to her intervention, the atmosphere in the hall improved considerably, and a chorus of agreement rippled through the room. Only Emperor Yuming remained sullen, raising his head to down the wine in his cup in one gulp, his expression displeased.
The Empress picked up the wine pot and personally poured a cup for Emperor Yuming, her demeanor elegant: "Your Majesty, please do not be hasty, please look at the palace gate."
As she spoke, she looked at the palace maid beside her, who gave a slight curtsy and clapped her hands twice.
Emperor Yuming subconsciously looked towards the door, and the others followed suit.
Suddenly, a burst of music came from afar, and everyone saw a white veil fly by, and a woman came flying through the air, and then the singing began.
"Chrysanthemums by the railing are shrouded in sorrowful mist, orchids weep with dew. A light chill hangs in the air behind the silk curtains, and swallows fly away in pairs. The bright moon, oblivious to the bitterness of parting, shines its slanting light through the red door until dawn."
The woman was dressed in white, her face veiled, and her hair adorned with only a single silver hairpin with tassels. She landed and rose gracefully, each step as if floating on lotus petals, her movements perfectly balanced and precise.
She danced and sang without making a single mistake. Her voice was light, melodious, and very pleasant to listen to, as if she were weeping in front of her beloved, or as if she were telling of the pain of parting.
Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I climbed the high tower, gazing to the ends of the earth. I long to send a letter, but the mountains are high and the waters wide, where can I send it?
Her melody was melodious and plaintive, as if she were sitting alone in a city of sorrow, making people feel as if they were there, and they couldn't help but feel a lot of worries and couldn't come back to their senses for a long time.
"Clap clap clap—"
"Hahaha, what a beautiful 'The bright moon knows not the bitterness of parting,' and what a beautiful 'Where is the mountain and the water?'" Emperor Yuming was the first to awaken from the music, his displeasure vanished, and he clapped and praised, "This music should only exist in heaven, how often can it be heard in the mortal world!"
The woman bowed respectfully, dignified and elegant: "Your Majesty is too kind. I am not skilled enough and have made a fool of myself before Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
"Oh?" Emperor Yuming became interested and asked curiously, "May I ask which noble family's beloved daughter is so humble and modest?"
Qin Xi looked at her, finding her somewhat unfamiliar, and then looked towards the hall.
She gave a slight curtsy, revealing a composed face beneath the thin veil. Her lips parted slightly as she said, "Your Majesty, I am the niece of the Empress, Cai Yueshi, daughter of Cai Xishan of Lingcheng, whose given name is Qinling."
As soon as he finished speaking, no one was surprised at all.
The Cai family of Lingcheng were relatives of the Empress, originally a prominent family in the capital with considerable influence in the court. Several years ago, to avoid suspicion from the Emperor, the Emperor's father-in-law personally ordered the entire family to relocate to Lingcheng. This move was considered quite righteous, and many scholars and poets praised it in their works.
The Cai clan is full of talented and good-looking people. The men are mostly successful in the court, while the women are all virtuous and beautiful. The men who want to marry them are so numerous that they wear out the threshold of the gate.
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