The drumbeats grew heavier and heavier, and the woman in the middle began to sway her body to the rhythm. Mingxiu had seen people dance this kind of dance on her phone before, but she had never seen a live version. Now that she saw the live version, she realized that the original dance was truly magnificent.
Consort Xuan danced a unique Mongolian dance, with expansive and wild movements that made Mingxiu's adrenaline surge. If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, she probably would have gone up and hugged the beautiful lady.
That dance was so cool!
Mingxiu was enjoying the view, but when she turned to look at the concubines below, she saw expressions of disdain, admiration, and indifference. Her expression immediately became composed.
"Good, very good. Consort Xuan is indeed worthy of being from the Khorchin. Her dance is excellent. I reward her." Emperor Kangxi was very pleased after watching Consort Xuan's performance.
Although he disliked the fact that the concubines of Khorchin were pregnant with imperial heirs, he was not stingy with praise, after all, the dance was truly excellent.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress were also very happy. Since leaving their hometown in their youth, they had never had the opportunity to return. Today, they had the chance to watch the dances of their hometown, which was a comfort. The Empress Dowager was somewhat lost in thought.
After Consort Xuan stepped down, Mingxiu went up directly. She originally wanted to wait a little longer, but the two before her performed so well that she lost some confidence.
So let's perform first.
"Your Majesty, I greatly admire Consort Xuan's dance, but alas, I am utterly inept at physical activity and cannot learn it. Therefore, I can only offer you a song as a tribute," Mingxiu said loudly from the center.
"Hahaha, how dare you say that? Aren't you afraid I'll laugh at you?" Kangxi laughed heartily after hearing Mingxiu's words.
Laughter echoed from behind.
Mingxiu was a little embarrassed: "I'm just telling the truth."
"Very well, then I'll see how the piece my beloved consort is going to play today is. If it's good, there will be a reward." Kangxi waved his hand, joking as he spoke, but his eyes were full of tenderness as he looked at Mingxiu.
"Yes," Mingxiu bowed.
With her lips slightly parted and her eyes closed in contemplation, Mingxiu began to play a tune. A melody filled with intense emotion flowed out, and Mingxiu stood in the middle, immersing herself completely in it. The song "Ten Years in the Human World" slowly began to play.
It's like going back to those years when I spent every moment with the characters in the book. What a decade it was! You were willing to guard the door for me for ten years, and I planned for you for ten years, sparing no expense, even using myself as a guide just to bring you out.
The intense sadness, carrying unspeakable emotions, was blown out. Kangxi felt as if something was scratching his heart, invisible and intangible, but he just felt uncomfortable.
The concubines around her simply thought the music was beautiful, carrying images of scenery, the future, and anticipation, along with a touch of melancholy.
The audience's emotions rose and fell with the highs and lows of the music until it slowly came to an end.
Mingxiu slowly opened her eyes: "Your Majesty, how did I play?"
Kangxi glanced at Mingxiu: "Very good. Although it is a little strange, it is certainly the most exquisite. I wonder who composed this piece."
Mingxiu was stunned; she really didn't know who wrote this.
"Your Majesty, I really don't know who wrote it. I just saw this tune in an ancient book and thought it sounded nice, so I learned to play it," Mingxiu said with a smile.
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly: "Very good, reward him."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Mingxiu said happily, then sat back down.
She breathed a slight sigh of relief as she sat down. Actually, she hadn't planned to play this piece tonight. The piece itself didn't express sadness, but she knew about its creation process, so she always tended to let her own emotions get into it, making it unsuitable for today's banquet.
She originally planned to play Jay Chou's "Blue and White Porcelain," but for some reason, she suddenly thought of this song when she went on stage. She wanted to know how they were doing now, so she played it without thinking.
Thankfully, the Emperor did not seem displeased.
Afterwards, everyone continued to perform, but there were no more musical instruments. Instead, they performed tea, calligraphy, and painting, a wide variety of activities that dazzled Mingxiu. She was secretly glad that she had performed early; otherwise, she might not have been able to win.
That's right, Mingxiu won in the end. Although she felt that she was not the best performer, she still won. When the emperor gave her the final prize, Mingxiu was still a little confused.
After glancing at the Emperor's smiling expression, I had a gut feeling that something was amiss.
But so what if there's something fishy going on? She still won.
It didn't let her hard work in tidying up today go to waste.
He happily packed up his things, and didn't forget to have someone send over the thermometer that Yinreng wanted.
Then, carrying the green bamboo, they leisurely returned home.
The Emperor still needed to send the Empress Dowager back, and then they would have a few more words, so the game ended after everyone had played for a while.
After washing up in the evening, Mingxiu sat by the window in her nightgown, drinking tea. This was her favorite room, which even had a small balcony.
A thick blanket was laid out under the balcony. Ever since the first day I discovered this small balcony, Mingxiu had someone sew a beanbag chair and make a footrest. I feel so comfortable in there at night.
"What kind of look is this?" Mingxiu was comfortably lounging on the sofa when she heard Kangxi's voice coming from behind her.
Turning her head back, she saw Kangxi slowly walking towards her. Mingxiu opened her arms and said, "Your Majesty, what brings you here tonight?"
Kangxi reached out and hugged her, lifting her from the sofa. He turned around and sat down inside, placing Mingxiu on his lap. Hearing Mingxiu's words, he reached out and playfully pinched her nose, saying, "You little ungrateful thing, how many days since I came to Changchun Garden haven't I been resting here with you?"
Mingxiu chuckled, removed Kangxi's finger from her nose, and gently kissed it.
Emperor Kangxi's heart trembled slightly.
"Your Majesty, I won the competition today, but Your Majesty went easy on me from time to time," Mingxiu said sweetly, leaning against Kangxi's chest.
Kangxi glanced at her, somewhat surprised, and said, "Why don't you think it's really because you performed the best that you won?"
Mingxiu pouted: "She is quite self-aware. She didn't practice this piece much before, so she's not very skilled at it. Not to mention others, even Consort Rong, I can't compare to her."
Kangxi found it somewhat amusing: "You really do have self-awareness, but if you know it, you know it, so why say it out loud?"
Mingxiu raised her head and chuckled, then leaned in to kiss Kangxi's chin: "Your Majesty, I am so happy. I am so glad that Your Majesty likes me the most."
Kangxi chuckled and gently patted her head: "As long as you're happy. Where did you hear that song today?"
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