If Su Qingyu had broken the hairpin, it would have been a crime of disrespect. But if Li Chaoyun had broken it, it would have been an unintentional mistake.
There is no fairness in this world, especially in an era when imperial power is supreme.
Emperor Xuande said, "I know it was an unintentional mistake. You simply missed your grandmother too much. This hairpin... Hulu, tell the craftsmen in the Imperial Household Department to repair it, and then return it to Miss Su."
Eunuch Hu, the head eunuch beside the emperor, replied, "Yes," and a young eunuch walked up to Su Qingyu. He held a red lacquered wooden tray in his hand, carefully placed the hairpin on it, and took it away.
Su Qingyu thanked him, stood up, and returned to her seat.
Shen Yue whispered, "Princess Chaoyun seems to be doing this on purpose, so be careful."
Su Qingyu nodded slightly. Fortunately, she had been prepared and fixed a silver needle to the hairpin.
Although Emperor Xuande did not blame Li Chaoyun, Li Chaoyun himself felt ashamed for making such a joke in front of so many people.
The most important thing is that she was actually plotted against by Su Qingyu. How could she be willing to accept this?
After sitting for a while, it was time for the singing and dancing session.
Li Chaoyun suddenly said, "Today is the Emperor's uncle's birthday. Chaoyun wants to play a song to celebrate his birthday."
Princess Yongjia looked at Li Chaoyun lovingly. Apart from anything else, this daughter had a first-rate ability in coaxing people.
When the emperor heard that Li Chaoyun wanted to play the piano, he smiled and joked, "Then I will have a feast for my ears today."
Anyone could hear Emperor Xuande's favor for this princess.
Li Chaoyun did not bring his zither today, so he used the zither from the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
In the center of the hall, a eunuch brought in a zither table and placed the zither in place.
Li Chaoyun, dressed in a light blue soft silk Su-embroidered palace dress, walked step by step to the center of the hall. The flowing hem of her skirt revealed the aura of a royal lady.
She slowly sat down behind the piano table and gently plucked the strings twice to test the tone.
Then, the melody slowly flowed out from between the fingers.
The piece she played was the ninth, tenth, and eleventh sections of "Xiaoxiang Water Clouds," which is also the most brilliant part of the entire piece.
Li Chaoyun, who had been taught by a renowned teacher since childhood, excelled in qin (qin) playing. This piece, played with profound artistic conception, captured the grandeur of the Zhou dynasty and the peaceful and prosperous lives of its people.
I have to say that Li Chaoyun chose this piece very well. It has a good meaning and is played beautifully.
After the song ended, Emperor Xuande laughed heartily twice. "Come here, give me a reward. Give the charcoal tail in the storehouse to Princess Chaoyun."
Li Chaoyun stood up and thanked him, then said with a sweet smile, "Uncle Emperor, Chaoyun heard that the eldest daughter of the Su family is also an excellent zither player. Why not ask her to play a piece for you?"
"Master Shen's zither skills were praised by the master of zither music, Master Zhong. I imagine his wife wouldn't be much worse, right?"
Li Chaoyun finished speaking, a sneer flickering in her lowered eyes. After Shen Zhixiu and Su Qingyu were engaged, she had someone investigate. The eldest daughter of the Su family was only knowledgeable about mundane matters, with no particular prowess in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.
Her words were equivalent to putting Su Qingyu in a difficult position.
If Su Qingyu doesn't play the piano well today, she will be unworthy of Shen Zhixiu.
She wanted to let Shen Zhixiu know that among all the noble ladies in the capital, she was the only one worthy of him.
Su Qingyu pursed her lips and looked at Li Chaoyun. This man was really determined to drag her into this.
Qin music... She really wasn't very proficient in it. Li Chaoyun must have known this, so she said that.
Su Qingyu stood up and was about to find a reason to refuse.
Then Emperor Xuande said, "Chao Yun, this is a good idea. Shen Qing is a rare talent. I really want to see what kind of talent can match Shen Qing."
Emperor Xuande did not mean to make things difficult for Su Qingyu. He just thought that since Shen Zhixiu had suddenly arranged a marriage for her, it must be because the woman was extremely talented and had caught Shen Zhixiu's eye.
Su Qingyu couldn't bring herself to say no.
Now it is no longer a question of whether she plays or not. Once the emperor opens his mouth, she must play, and she must play well.
Otherwise, not only her, but also the Shen family and the Su family will be ridiculed.
But she wanted to surpass Li Chaoyun in piano music, so she had to play that piece. Secretly, she didn't want to play that piece again, but she had to play it today.
Su Qingyu lifted her skirt slightly, walked gracefully to the center of the hall, and sat down behind the piano table.
After trying two notes, his expression became solemn.
As Su Qingyu played, the smiles on everyone's faces faded. Su Qingyu's performance of Guangling San was magnificent and stirring.
Especially in the expression of hatred, it can be said that he is not inferior to the master of piano music.
But Shen Zhixiu's face changed when he heard the first sound.
This "Guangling San" is Shen Zhao's favorite song.
Is it a coincidence?
Shen Zhixiu held the green-glazed high-footed wine glass in one hand and subconsciously used force, causing the joints of his slender fingers to turn white.
Those who can attend this Longevity Festival palace banquet are all very good at observing people's words and expressions.
Elder Shen, who usually kept his emotions to himself, suddenly changed his expression, sparking speculation. Some wondered, could the rumors be true? Was the Shen family's reputation the reason they held on to the engagement, and was Elder Shen actually unhappy with the match?
Li Chaoyun felt even more delighted. No matter what the reason for Shen Zhixiu's change of attitude was, it was because he was dissatisfied with Su Qingyu, so she still had a chance.
Shen Zhao, on the other hand, was completely stunned. He had no idea that Su Qingyu played Guangling San so well. The melody was like a sharp knife, piercing Shen Zhao's heart.
If he hadn't been involved with Cheng Rujin in the first place, would he and Sister Qingyu have been able to create a beautiful story? Shen Zhao's thoughts were in a mess, and he picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all.
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