Chapter Thirty-Three: Green Tea Accompanies Her Sister
It not only contains vivid and alluring portraits of handsome men, but also details each person's "special skills," charm, preferences, and even where they frequent... making it a veritable "guide to seduction."
He slammed the book shut like a thief, his heart pounding. He nervously looked around, and when no one was watching, he couldn't resist secretly flipping through it again. The more he read, the redder he became, his heart pounding with excitement.
Tucked inside the book was a note with a few lines of small writing: "Knowing you are troubled, I specially sought this item to relieve your worries. I only hope it will bring you a smile and that we, as siblings, will live in harmony."
Sister Yiqiu's Gift
Song Wenbin was overjoyed, and all his depression and irritability vanished.
He suddenly looked up at Song Yiqiu, who was calm and composed not far away. He excitedly raised his wine glass, gestured in her direction, and then drank it all in one gulp.
You understand me best!
Just then, the tea party officially entered the talent show segment.
Elders and younger generations were seated separately.
As is customary, the host country will perform first.
In previous years, Song Sangyu naturally opened the show, and this year is no exception.
With graceful steps, Song Sangyu sat down in front of the guqin in the center of the venue. Her jade-like fingers lightly plucked the strings, and a piece called "Lotus Emerging from Water" flowed out. The melodious sound of the guqin was truly mesmerizing.
Song Yiqiu sat quietly at the table, but she keenly felt an undeniable gaze fixed on her.
She turned her head and looked right into Crown Prince Xiao Yongjing's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
Why is he here too?
Song Yiqiu was slightly startled, but quickly calmed down.
There's nothing to be ashamed of if you act discreetly.
Instead of dodging, she slightly raised her chin and glared back defiantly.
Xiao Yongjing seemed surprised by her reaction, paused for a moment, and deliberately raised his glass to her.
Song Yiqiu ignored him and looked away.
Just then, Song Sangyu finished her song, and the audience erupted in applause.
Fu Langxing followed him the whole time, his eyes filled with admiration and affection.
Amidst the praise, Song Sangyu slowly rose, but instead of returning to her seat, she walked smilingly to Song Yiqiu.
Warning bells rang in Song Yiqiu's mind. Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave, she heard Song Sangyu speak:
"My sister's musical skills are far beyond my reach. However, I have heard that when my sister was with my grandmother, her performance of 'Sword Dance' amazed everyone and earned her the reputation of 'a dance that moved the capital'."
"Since we are here today, I wonder if I, younger sister, would have the honor of accompanying you on the music? Please, elder sister, display your stunning dance skills and broaden our horizons!"
Her words, though seemingly flattering, actually put Song Yiqiu in a very difficult position!
Everyone knows that Song Yiqiu has been away from home for seven years. The border region is harsh and cold, so how could she have time to practice dancing?
This is clearly an attempt to embarrass her in public!
All eyes immediately focused on Song Yiqiu.
No sooner had Song Sangye finished speaking than Fu Langxing burst out laughing, his tone full of sarcasm:
"Song Yiqiu, Sang Yu means well, you're not afraid, are you?"
"After seven years in the frontier, you've probably forgotten how to dance, haven't you? If you don't know how, just admit defeat and step down instead of stubbornly making a fool of yourself."
Princess Xingrong also covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed contemptuously:
"That's right, Sang Yu is exceptionally talented, that's a well-known fact in the capital. As for some people... they're probably only good at fighting with knives and spears. This kind of elegant occasion is indeed not very suitable."
The other noble ladies echoed this sentiment:
"Yes, yes, if you can't break free, don't force it."
"Why humiliate yourself? You should be grateful that Miss Sangyu is willing to help you out of this predicament."
"Come down quickly, don't waste everyone's time."
Seeing this, Song Sangyu promptly showed a guilty expression, her face on the verge of tears:
“Sister, I’m so sorry… it was my oversight. I saw that you’ve moved back to the main courtyard these days, and I thought you wanted to practice more and regain your old skills…”
"I didn't expect... it was Sang Yu who was abrupt and upset my sister."
Her words, seemingly an apology, actually implied that Song Yiqiu had monopolized the main courtyard but made no progress, and even suggested that Song Yiqiu was angry and embarrassed because she had exposed her.
She paused, then spoke softly:
"How about... we let Sang Yu make a fool of herself again, in place of her sister..."
"Who says I can't dance?"
Song Yiqiu, too lazy to listen to her nonsense, interrupted Song Sangyu's performance.
She slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over the gloating faces before finally settling on Song Sangyu, and she smiled knowingly:
"Since you're so eager to accompany me, then play. You should be very familiar with 'Breaking the Enemy's Formation,' right?"
"The Song of Breaking the Enemy's Formation"?!
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room changed their expressions.
"Breaking the Enemy's Formation" is not something an ordinary young lady can handle. Its melody is stirring and powerful, with extremely fast rhythmic changes, requiring a high level of fingering and strength from the performer.
The accompanying dance is a perfect blend of strength and grace, requiring exceptional body control and power, far surpassing ordinary graceful dances.
Song Yiqiu is clearly making things difficult for him on purpose!
Song Sangyu's face turned pale instantly, her eyes reddened, and she said aggrievedly:
“Sister… if you really don’t want to dance, you don’t have to humiliate me like this… this ‘Breaking the Formation Song’…”
Song Yiqiu raised an eyebrow:
"Oh? Didn't my sister claim to be a talented woman from the capital, with exceptional musical skills? You can't even play 'Breaking the Enemy's Formation'?"
"Or is it that... all the music my sister practices so diligently is just some seductive tunes to win praise at tea parties?"
Just then, a mocking male voice came from the outer edge of the crowd:
"The Battle Formation Song? This piece is a basic post-meal digestive tune in our border military camps. How come the incomparably noble Second Miss... doesn't know it? Or did the Second Miss only practice a few appropriate pieces for today's tea party?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Zhang Heze had arrived at some point and was leaning against a flowering tree, watching the commotion with his arms crossed. His purple robe was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.
Princess Xingrong's eyes lit up instantly. She quietly tugged at the sleeve of the noblewoman beside her and whispered:
"Who is that young master...?"
The noblewoman answered in a low voice:
“Princess, you don’t know? That’s Zhang Heze, the owner of Dousheng Manor. His family is incredibly wealthy, and he’s a famous merchant in the capital. It’s just… a pity he’s a merchant, so his status is probably not a good match for Your Highness…”
Princess Xingrong stared intently at Zhang Heze's handsome and dashing face, murmuring:
"Not good enough? This princess thinks... just right."
Song Sangyu was rendered speechless and frozen in place by Zhang Heze and Song Yiqiu's back-and-forth banter. She disliked military songs as being unrefined and therefore did not study them seriously.
Seeing his beloved embarrassed, Fu Langxing immediately stepped forward to help:
"Song Yiqiu! Why are you being so aggressive! Sang Yu, she..."
"Aggressive?"
Song Yiqiu interrupted him coldly.
"She was the one who offered to accompany us, and now she's the one who can't play the music. Young Master Fu, who exactly is being so aggressive?"
"Or is it that in your eyes, everything Song Sangyu does is right, and everything I, Song Yiqiu, do is wrong?"
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