Chapter 114 The Seventh Prince
Song Chi quickly received a reply from Ji Ningche, who expressed his warm welcome and willingness to host her. Song Chi, without hesitation, dressed in red and went out.
It wasn't that she wanted to wear red; Jin Juan suggested it would make it easier to gain Phoenix True Feather's favor. So, wearing red wouldn't hurt.
Just as she was leaving, she quietly pried open the door to the neighbor's courtyard and found Mo Shubai, dressed in an elegant soft robe, reading a book under the lamp. At that moment, a servant handed her an invitation; it was from the Third Princess of Canglan Kingdom, inviting Mo Shubai out for dinner to reminisce. This Third Princess held a very high position in Canghai Kingdom; she was Ji Minghuang's elder sister and was originally the most qualified to succeed to the throne. However, she was aloof and disliked worldly affairs. Therefore, the responsibility of succeeding to the throne fell to Ji Minghuang.
The book does mention that Mo Shubai visited the Canghai Kingdom and traveled with his friend, the Third Princess of the Canghai Kingdom, enjoying themselves immensely with drinks and conversation.
At that moment, Song Chi couldn't help but hold his breath. Then, after Mo Shubai finished reading the post, he actually immediately sat down at his desk to write a reply.
Song Chi didn't know why, but she felt the air around her was sour. Then, after the reply was finished, she quietly went over to take a peek. Because it was so literary, she had to read it twice before she understood: Mo Shubai had politely declined, citing travel fatigue. It was that travel fatigue that was mentioned, with a lot of descriptions of the scenery along the way… which is why it took her so long to understand.
But in that instant, the moonlight shone brightly, and my heart returned to its place. Before leaving, I even looked up at the starry sky with my hands behind my back.
Even at the entrance, she couldn't help but subtly shrank her shoulders. Then, pretending to take a stroll, she made a large detour westward from her master's side of the hall. Although she didn't understand Mo Shubai's intentions, and it was for the mission, she still felt a little uneasy.
However, after passing through several palaces, one could see Hua Shalan, dressed in a light green shirt, sitting on the rooftop under the bright moon, where the moon and tree branches created a perfect artistic conception, with one leg dangling in mid-air.
Yes, yes, yes, she definitely has a great figure and long, slender legs, no explanation needed. But, don't try to seduce me.
Song Chi only needed to exchange a single glance with Hua Shalan across the night to know that this bastard was up to something. "Can't you change your ways of using trickery and force to take things?" she thought. She wasn't buying it, and she didn't think she was so wonderful that he would try to take her by force.
Just as she was secretly channeling her spiritual energy, a bright red palanquin carried by eight people arrived at Song Chi's side, announced by a high-pitched voice. "The Seventh Prince's palanquin has arrived, Miss Song, please." It was a palace attendant from the Seventh Prince's residence. Although heartless eunuchs didn't actually exist in the cultivation world, this attendant's shrill voice certainly had the feel of something from a TV drama.
To avoid Hua Shalan, Song Chi decided to take a sedan chair. As she leaped into the chair, she heard Hua Shalan let out a low laugh, then rested his chin on his hand, watching her with amusement. His dangerous and ruthless gaze, and his rotten-tomato-like smile, made her feel like he could devour a child at any moment.
She was then glad she had ridden in the palanquin, because along the way she saw Wen Yujiu, who was showing off his long legs while drinking on a rooftop. He gave her a low smile as she passed by. He didn't seem like a good person either.
Next came Cui Luoying, who played a melodious flute on the rooftop, her appearance exquisite. Then came Xue Rongzhan, Xie Lanqing, and Wen Xiujin—almost none of them were spared.
She even suspected... that the Seventh Prince might have deliberately planned the route this way. But... the palanquin was indeed traveling in a basically straight line westward. Even having a doubt made her feel guilty.
Venerable Xueqiao watched helplessly as Song Chi's red sedan chair headed west toward the Seventh Prince's Long Feather Golden Palace.
Previously, Song Chi had been dressed in a striking red outfit, looking quite beautiful and showing no sign of guilt or remorse. He had inwardly cursed her, calling her heartless and cruel. How could she possibly repay Shu Bai's deep affection?
Who knew that after getting ready, this brat shrugged in the courtyard. Then, when she got to the door, she quietly pried open the seal to check on her senior brother.
Just then, the Third Princess of Canghai Kingdom sent an invitation to Shu Bai. This Third Princess was naturally known to Venerable Xueqiao; years ago, when he was traveling with Shu Bai, Venerable Yu Huai of the Canghai Kingdom's royal family had also gone out for a stroll with the Third Princess. Venerable Yu Huai had suggested that they go together, as it would be more lively with more people.
Therefore, Shu Bai and the Third Princess had known each other since their youth and were true old friends. However, there shouldn't have been any romantic feelings between them like that of Fairy Yilan towards Shu Bai. They were genuine friends. Furthermore, the Third Princess was indeed of a detached nature and seemed to share a similar lack of thoughtfulness with Shu Bai.
This invitation to Shubai was indeed to reminisce about our separation.
However, Venerable Xueqiao noticed that Song Chi's face immediately turned sour upon seeing the invitation. "You, how could you have the nerve to meet the Seventh Prince in the middle of the night? Why can't you even accept an invitation from an old friend?" Venerable Xueqiao almost itched to raise his hand.
Shu Bai must have noticed his third junior sister peeking long ago, but he didn't show it at all. However, while writing his reply, he deliberately checked it twice while blowing on the ink to dry... This was probably because he was worried that the one peeping was too stupid to understand the flowery language of his polite refusal... Shu Bai, why go to such lengths? That girl is hardly worth your effort.
Even Venerable Xueqiao thought it would be better for Shu Bai to accept the invitation and annoy the girl. Who knows, this anger might even deepen their relationship. But then he remembered how, when he took on a disciple, Shu Bai had only slightly neglected Song Chi for a short while, and the girl had held a grudge for a full ten years afterward... Never mind.
Venerable Xueqiao covered his forehead with his hand, resigned to his fate. But if this brat continued to be so promiscuous, he was determined to teach her a lesson.
Song Chi quickly arrived at the Changyu Golden Palace. This golden palace, indeed adorned with gold, was truly magnificent and resplendent, exuding an immense imperial aura. Song Chi usually preferred warm colors, but she couldn't bring herself to like the chilling atmosphere emanating from this powerful palace.
The Seventh Prince was very accommodating and even left the hospital to greet him.
Today, this person is dressed in a deep red shirt, shedding his usual dignified and calm demeanor, and instead appearing somewhat relaxed and leisurely.
But his skin was too pale, and it wasn't just because of his fair skin; his cold and melancholic expression gave Song Chi the impression that this man had a very tragic life. Not in the literal sense of a tragic life, but rather the kind of tragic love life. The kind of tragic second male lead who loves his sister-in-law but cannot have her. Anyway, today, dressed in a deep red shirt, he exuded the aura of a protagonist in an illicit affair, and it was incredibly strong.
So much so that when Song Chi was having tea with her, his mind was wandering, and he fantasized about several versions of a tragic, illicit second male lead.
"Junior Sister Song?!" When Ji Ningche invited her to stroll through the garden, she was still distracted and didn't hear him clearly.
Song Chi quickly stood up; those little theater performances were nothing compared to the mission. "Senior Brother Ning Che, please." She also gestured for him to proceed.
Ji Ningche made way for her and eventually walked ahead.
His courtyard was still a few miles away, and after passing through countless palace gardens, he finally passed through a moon gate. Suddenly, a tranquil scene of several small hills surrounding a lake came into view, the hills covered with phoenix trees, their blossoms as large as golden peonies. To say that the scenery was incredibly beautiful wouldn't be quite right. It was more of a strange and unusual sight, unlike anything in nature.
Ji Ningche led her around twice, then smiled and guided her to the white jade pavilion in the middle of the lake for tea. He even asked her what she thought of the scenery.
"Beautiful." As for how beautiful it is, only talented men and women can truly appreciate it. Having suffered from a lack of education, she could only take out her zither, indicating that she was moved by the beautiful scenery and wanted to play a tune, but feared it might offend the Seventh Prince's ears.
Ji Ningche immediately smiled and said, "Junior Sister Song is a master of music, there's no need for such modesty. Please!"
Song Chi played three rather melancholic love songs in one go, despite Jin Juan's advice that phoenixes are easily moved by passionate and tragic pieces. Yet, he failed to move the phoenix's true feathers.
Song Chi thought for a moment and wondered if he liked classical music, so he showed off high-class pieces like "Three Variations on Plum Blossom".
Ji Ningche, on the other hand, had clear, bright eyes and seemed to greatly appreciate the "Three Variations on Plum Blossom." But Phoenix True Feather... she wasn't moved.
Jin Juan then jumped in. "We can bring some tunes from traditional operas."
It must be said that the Canghai Kingdom is indeed known for its drinking and entertainment. The word "drinking" refers to the Phoenix Wine, which is clear, sweet, and unique in the world. The word "entertainment" refers to the fact that the local opera is indeed more developed than that of the entire continent. Tomorrow's Phoenix Song Festival will feature floats carrying opera performances everywhere.
Song Chi didn't really have much knowledge of traditional opera, but she did have a large repertoire of songs with operatic elements. As for tragic songs, she actually had quite a few. However, looking at Ji Ningche's face, which seemed destined for a tragic, illicit love affair, she couldn't help but think of the song "A Lifetime of Mismatched Love."
She played it on the flute, and when she reached the middle section with operatic melody, she directly used her spiritual power to spread and swirl, creating operatic sounds.
"Flowers bloom and fade, fragrance wafts, shadows fill my heart. Where are the flower shadows now? On the Double Ninth Festival, I alone lament from the high platform."
At that moment, Ji Mingche's eyebrows twitched slightly; indeed, he loved this melody more. The song was filled with longing and sorrow, and the regret of a lifetime of missed opportunities. To be honest, it suited his dramatic, tragic second male lead persona perfectly.
The golden scroll also indicated that the phoenix feathers had been sensed, but it felt like something was still missing.
This was a mistake. Soon after she finished playing the flute, Ji Ningche stroked his forehead and pondered for a moment before smiling and saying, "This melody is catchy and easy to remember. Could it be a piece with lyrics and music? If so, I can have an actor sing it."
To complete the task, Song Chi wrote out the lyrics. Ji Ningche was probably slightly dissatisfied with some of the colloquial language, but still ordered someone to sing it. The singer's slightly melancholic and sorrowful voice indeed moved Phoenix True Feather.
A golden feather shot straight up from the golden phoenix flower to Song Chi's brow, and another floating feather instantly appeared in Song Chi's sea of consciousness.
Having completed her mission, she naturally took her leave immediately. She was actually a little guilty at this point, having already stayed there for almost an hour.
When I got back, I didn't think much of it; all I could think about was tomorrow.
The next day, she woke up to find the whole city singing about their tragic love story, including tales of a love that was destined to end in separation. Song Chi couldn't help but pound the wall in frustration. Tragic love my foot! She and Ji Ningche were completely innocent last night, and she wasn't involved in any illicit affair. She had no interest in tragic stories.
And then there's this... This entire imperial palace, it's practically riddled with holes. The music played last night can cause a city-wide uproar the next day. This cultivation world... it's utterly baffling.
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Author's Note: [Let me see][Let me see] Okay, I'll write about the senior brother tomorrow. This book will actually be finished in about a week or two~
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