Qiao Si's hairstyle was simply tied up, but the crown and the head ornaments on both sides were made of gold, shining brightly and showing her nobility.
Zhang You had given her sharp, sword-like eyebrows, and the eyeliner at the end of her eyes was slightly raised, adding a touch of playfulness. Her lips were painted a vibrant red, making them bold and bright. A touch of cinnabar between her eyebrows, paired with Qiao Si's usual sharp eyes, gave her a domineering look and a touch of divinity.
After Zhang You finished the painting, he felt it was so suitable!
Qiao Si is just right for such bright colors!
There was still some time before they went on stage, and because Zhang You was good at makeup, Qiao Si pushed her to do the makeup for Qiao Er and Qiao Nai.
When Zhang You was pushed over, she winked playfully and joked with Qiao Si: "Is it better to make up the Second Miss, or...?"
Qiao Si scolded her, "Ah, put on your makeup properly. This princess is magnanimous and won't bother with her."
Qiao Si, who is always nitpicking with Qiao Er, is most like a girl of her age, quirky, lively and cheerful.
Zhang You smiled happily, "Yes, yes, the princess is right."
Zhang You had followed Qiao Er for a period of time before and knew her preferences. In addition, she was wearing a moon-colored light hibiscus long dress for her performance today, so Zhang You put on some gentle makeup for her.
Qiao Nai, however, wore a goose-yellow, wide-sleeved shirt, a moon-white mask, and a persimmon-red vest. This was a change from her usual attire, and she looked quite pretty. Zhang You then applied dark, curved eyebrows to her face and added two coats of rouge to her cheeks, highlighting her vitality.
"Miss, you should try this kind of makeup and dress more often. It's very suitable." Zhang You looked at Qiao Nai who had put on makeup. The rouge color covered her pale skin due to years of illness and taking medicine, adding a bit of vitality to her skin. She looked like a girl of her age, with a beautiful face and a pretty face.
Qiao Nai stared at herself in the small bronze mirror, seemingly never having imagined she'd ever experience such a beautiful moment. On her wedding day, she'd meticulously researched her makeup, hoping to impress her new husband. Yet, upon entering the palace, she felt denied the proper respect. Looking back today, she finally understood that a woman's pursuit of beauty shouldn't be about pleasing others; it's about pleasing herself. She wanted to be beautiful for herself.
"Let me see... this color really suits my cousin! I said this color is good!" After hearing Zhang You's words, Qiao Si walked over with great interest, took a closer look at Qiao Nai's dress, and praised her endlessly.
Qiao Nai had originally wanted a lighter dress, not wanting to draw too much attention. After all, she was divorced and feared rumors, so she just wanted to keep a low profile and avoid being noticed.
Qiao Si saw her inferiority complex and specially chose a gorgeous dress for her. She just wanted to tell her that she didn't have to live for other people's words. No matter what, the Qiao Palace would support her behind the scenes. What's more, she was a good person.
Even Qiao Er praised Qiao Nai's outfit. They all secretly hoped that Qiao Nai would follow her true heart. She loved playing the zither, so she could indulge herself on a high platform or in the mountains, unconcerned with the world, quietly enjoying her beautiful music.
Qiao Nai was somewhat touched. She smiled and told them to stop. She really wasn't good at handling compliments like that. "Alright, alright, stop teasing me, both of you. I'll consider wearing more clothes next time."
When Qiao Si and the others were about to go on stage, Zhang You and the others went on stage first and placed the props they were going to use on the stage.
By the time they retreated to the stage, their performance had already begun.
It is said that this piece of music was composed by Qiao Nai earlier, and was completed after he came to Dingzhou.
It tells the story of a young man, filled with ambition, who took up his sword and fought bloody battles. The battlefield was treacherous, and he faced life and death several times, his life hanging by a thread. But with his passion and unyielding spirit, he survived step by step until, in the end, they won. After years of hard work, he has almost forgotten the faces of his parents at home, but he still remembers the spring scenery of his hometown when he set out for the war. Back then, willow trees swayed, and he and his friends bid farewell to their families and hometown. Now, alone, carrying the relics of his comrades, he set out on the journey home under the snow. Years of war had already scarred his body and soul, but as he rode back home, it was as if flesh and blood had grown back, and warmth and beauty filled his heart, as if every snowflake in the sky celebrated his homecoming.
The music starts out slow but fast at the beginning, and gradually becomes more intense, following the boy's mood, sometimes lonely, sometimes stubborn, sometimes painful, sometimes sad, pushing the story to a climax. The piano sound stagnates for a long time, and then drops two notes, and then slowly flows down like a spring, nourishing the scarred heart, and finally returning to peace and tranquility.
Qiao Si's sword dance also echoed the youth's state of mind. Every high note matched Qiao Si's sharp swordplay. The hem of his red robe fluttered, the red tassels on his shoulders swayed with it. The light sword in his hand shone with a white flash, and the sound of the blade piercing the air seemed to harmonize with the music and singing. The entire performance was a seamless, harmonious whole.
Everyone in the audience was shocked by the performance.
The lyrics and music of the past were all about love between men and women, but this song combines the individual and the country. It is not just ordinary love, but also the longing of a young man away from home, the sadness of war, the loneliness of being alone, the joy of peace, and the homesickness of returning home...
Every note tells the emotional changes of the protagonist.
Moreover, the people of Dingzhou had all experienced this war, and no one understood such feelings better than them. Some people had already secretly wiped away their tears when they heard the climax...
When the song ended, everyone applauded enthusiastically and shouted loudly. They didn't know what to shout, but just wanted to vent, letting out the pain they had experienced.
Zhang You listened to the noisy voices below and felt like his eardrums were about to explode.
Qiao Si and the others' performance completely aroused their emotions, causing the next magician to come on stage to express his feelings with tears in his eyes before starting his performance.
However, at this time, Zhang You had already followed Qiao Si and the others back to the inn.
Before they even entered, they heard Prince Qiao calling them over, praising their performance today. He was particularly relieved by his children, except for the eldest. He also loved the surprise they had prepared today and wished his soldiers could also see such singing and dancing.
Zhang You and the others did not follow them in. As they were going to watch the next performance inside, if they went in, it would be a disturbance. Only a few close maids were left inside, and they all tactfully stayed outside.
Later, Qiao Si sent someone out to tell them to act on their own and not to stand outside stupidly. After all, today was New Year's Eve, and they could play for a while and go down to watch the performance on the stage.
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