Just as Chu Yuan was about to stand up and express her opinion, Song Tangyin suddenly pressed her shoulder and stood up first.
His voice was as cold as ice. "My wife is unwell, Your Majesty. How about I play a tune on the flute to entertain everyone? That way, it won't spoil Princess Huixin's enjoyment."
As intelligent as he was, how could he not see that Huixin was deliberately trying to make Chu Yuan look foolish?
He wouldn't give them that chance.
The beauty of the kite lies not in these flashy and impractical things; how could they possibly understand that?
"This..." the emperor hesitated.
Chu was indeed unwell, and dancing and singing were clearly not suitable for her. If she were forced to perform, wouldn't that be putting a pregnant woman in a difficult position?
But Princess Huixin was unhappy and pouted, saying, "Father, you mustn't set this precedent. Otherwise, if everyone finds a substitute to play, what's the point of this game?"
We asked everyone's opinion before the game started. You didn't express your opinion then, but now you're saying no. Is that intentional?
Lord Song's flute playing is superb; it's a pity that it was Madam Song, not Lord Song, who was chosen.
As she spoke, Huixin deliberately turned to ask the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, who was attending the banquet, "Head of the Imperial Medical Academy, in a situation like Madam Song's, would playing the zither and singing have any effect?"
What could the chief physician say? It was a battle of gods; a nobody like him dared not get involved.
He touched his nose and said truthfully, "As long as I don't overwork myself, it won't have much of an impact."
Hui Xin shrugged. "Did Lord Song hear that? Even if Lord Song has a reputation for protecting his wife, it wouldn't be right for him to switch the blame in front of the Emperor and outwardly comply while inwardly disobeying him, would it?"
This accusation was like planting a thorn in the emperor's side.
The emperor might wonder, "In Song Tangyin's heart, is he more important, or is his wife and children more important?"
If faced with a situation where one party must be sacrificed to achieve the other's success, who would he choose?
Song Tangyin is not an insignificant official; he is the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and will soon be promoted to Grand Secretary, the first Grand Secretary in the dynasty to be under thirty years old!
Whom his heart belongs to is of paramount importance. To put it bluntly, his success today is not only due to his own abilities but also to the recognition he receives.
As a subject, one should know how to be grateful, consider the overall situation, and have the spirit to sacrifice one's own interests when necessary, rather than being swayed by personal feelings.
Therefore, the emperor remained silent, calmly observing the scene, waiting to see how Song Tangyin would choose.
Others were also watching, each with their own thoughts.
Seeing this, Huixin couldn't help but chuckle to herself. "You ungrateful wretch, Song Tangyin, how dare you refuse me?"
And then there's the Chu family, a lowly woman from a small place, who dares to monopolize a talented young man like Song Tangyin, who is so extraordinary.
Clearly, they are overestimating themselves!
Today, she wanted to take this opportunity to humiliate her and regain her sense of superiority as a princess.
But just as everyone was waiting to see a good show, Chu Yuan tugged at Song Tangyin's sleeve, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone present to hear.
"Husband, it's alright, I can manage." Her voice was as beautiful as heavenly music.
The crowd was slightly taken aback, then found it interesting.
Didn't she know that Princess Huixin was deliberately making things difficult for her?
Chu Yuan knew this, of course, but she wasn't afraid at all.
It's just a performance, isn't it? She's a graduate student in art and a well-known art instructor with many years of experience, why would she be afraid?
In her past life, she won many awards on stage.
Besides, the original owner of this body was quite good at playing the guqin, and she had also drunk the talent-enhancing water. I'm just afraid that Princess Huixin will be so surprised that her jaw will drop later.
Upon hearing this, Song Tangyin lowered her head slightly. Her handsome appearance, coupled with her bright red official robes, made her look stunning and upright, and she was even more elegant and well-dressed.
No wonder Huixin felt resentful.
Moreover, his voice was very gentle, and his affectionate phoenix eyes were only for her. "Yuan'er, don't be afraid, I will protect you."
Chu Yuan shook his hand, "I know my husband doesn't want me to be tired, but as the imperial physician said, appropriate exercise is actually beneficial."
Today is my first time entering the palace to meet the Emperor. Princess Huixin must have arranged this so that everyone would get to know me and remember me more quickly. I don't want to waste the Princess's good intentions."
Upon hearing this, the emperor on the throne couldn't help but smile again. This Lady Chu was indeed a woman who understood the bigger picture.
This only made Huixin seem more petty and unforgiving.
"Since the Chu family has said so themselves, let's get started." The emperor spoke up as a peacemaker, while also scolding, "Huixin, stop fooling around."
Nobody's a fool. How could the Chu family be randomly selected from a box of dozens of names?
It was all because Princess Huixin deliberately made things difficult for her.
Chu Yuan stood up gracefully. Her features were beautiful, but her clothes were simple and elegant. Her skin was fair and delicate like solidified cream. When she was still, she shone like a bright pearl. When she moved, she was generous and graceful. Her beautiful figure was pleasing to the eye.
Even when she was five months pregnant, she still had a slender waist and graceful figure when viewed from behind.
It has no trace of being bloated or flimsy.
Song Tangyin has a sharp eye; this one person alone outshines the entire backyard!
The ministers were filled with resentment.
"What art does Yuan'er perform?" Song Tangyin asked in a low voice as she helped Chu Yuan walk onto the stage.
Chu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Let's use the guqin."
Her major was ballet, but it was clearly not suitable for ancient times.
The guqin is more in line with popular trends, and the original owner was already skilled at it, so it wouldn't be surprising or suspicious.
Don't forget, Chu's father and mother also attended the palace banquet, but they were seated at the very back. Seeing their own daughter being mistreated, they could only watch helplessly.
Song Tangyin nodded, understanding the situation.
After she helped Chu Yuan sit on the zither stool prepared by the palace servants, everyone waited for her to leave so they could "enjoy" Chu Yuan's performance. Suddenly, Song Tangyin stepped to the side, stood tall and elegant, lifted her robe, and knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, my wife is skilled in the zither, and I am proficient in the xiao. Why don't my wife and I perform together to congratulate Your Majesty on the eternal stability of your empire and the long-lasting peace of your nation!"
His voice was clear and resonant, full of genuine emotion.
The emperor immediately beamed with joy, not giving anyone else a chance to interrupt, and promptly approved, "Good! Minister Song, you are still so eloquent. I accept your congratulations!"
The emperor's method of governing his subjects was indeed effective: giving a slap followed by a sweet treat.
Chu Yuan glared at Song Tangyin, "Meddlesome!"
If he didn't come, she could show off her Beethoven Canon or something, but this way, she can only choose conventional pieces like "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate".
Song Tangyin was afraid that Chu Yuan would be nervous, so he started playing the flute first, wanting Chu Yuan to follow behind him. With his skill, it wouldn't be a problem to help Chu Yuan complete a piece smoothly.
Who would have thought that as soon as Chu Yuan's zither music began, her powerful skill and adept technique astonished him, forcing him to cooperate fully in order to blend seamlessly with Chu Yuan's zither and flute.
The emperor and his entourage were clearly stunned, their minds uncontrollably drawn to the sounds of the zither and flute, their thoughts stirred.
Chu Yuan smiled slightly, surprised that Song Tangyin could keep up with her pace.
You should know that she is not an amateur; she is a master who has won international awards, and she also has the added benefit of talent enhancement water.
It seems that Princess Huixin's statement that Song Tangyin was proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—was not an exaggeration.
After that, if she is unhappy, can she act spoiled and ask Song Tangyin to play the zither and flute to cheer her up?
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