Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Where are you taking me?
After the snow had just cleared, the colorful buildings cast shadows as dark as ink, and a house was placed among them, with the white tiles on the eaves shining faintly.
The lantern hung on a thin rope, swaying in the wind and snow.
Fang Dian held the lamp aside and gently lifted the thick door curtain. "Miss, Fang Jin is waiting outside the door. He said he wants to see you."
After a moment, Fang Jin stepped into the house on the snow and bowed respectfully to Lu Suizhu. "Lu Qinshi, Qin Wuniang sent me to invite Miss Lu to play the qin in the pavilion. Please come with me."
She had been planning to take off her pearl hairpin and go to bed, but when she heard this, Lu Suizhu stopped what she was doing and glanced sideways at Fang Jin. Her expression paused slightly, and as she looked at the dark sky outside the window, she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"I already agreed with Qin Wuniang that I would go to Louyue Pavilion to play the zither every three days. I just played for three hours yesterday. Why did you ask me to come again today?"
"But—what went wrong?"
"Miss Lu, you're not right. Your zither skills are second to none in the capital. Wu Niang is eager for you to play every day. I've taken the liberty of inviting you tonight because the Minister of Rites and his colleagues are having a drink at Louyue Pavilion. You gentlemen are all refined people, and having heard of your exquisite zither skills, you were specifically asked to perform for me."
Speaking of the fashion of listening to the zither, it has to start from the time when Your Majesty ascended the throne. Your Majesty is currently ill and has a serious condition that is difficult to cure. The Queen Mother has been in power for a long time and she loves music the most, especially the pleasant sound of the zither, and often invites folk musicians to perform in the palace.
For this reason, the ministers in the court wanted to curry favor with the empress dowager, no matter they were civil officials or military generals, they all pretended to be cultured and learned, so they played the zither and listened to the zither, and the value of the zither players also rose accordingly.
This is also the reason why Lu Suizhu, a weak woman, can support the family alone.
The Minister of Rites we are talking about now should be the young Lord Pei. Lu Suizhu did play music for him, but his expression that day seemed indifferent, which did not show that he was a person who loved music. Could it be that he was also trying to gain a reputation as an elegant qin lover?
Seeing that Lu Suizhu had listened, Fang Jin quickly took the opportunity to lift the door curtain that blocked out the wind and snow, bent his waist even lower, and made a gesture of invitation.
"The sedan chair is ready outside the door. Miss, please understand Wu Niang's difficulties and come with me on this trip."
Fang Jin lifted the curtain for a long time, and there was still a pleading look on his face. Even though Lu Suizhu had some doubts in her heart, she did not delay her action. Besides, she had been friends with Qin Wu Niang for several years, and she could not harm her. She casually put on some makeup and followed Fang Jin into the sedan chair.
The carriage wound its way forward, a red lantern hanging above it emitting a little light, the clatter of the wheels muffled against the thin snow, the driver raised his hand and whipped the horse mercilessly, causing it to roar and gallop in pain.
It only took two quarters of an hour to get from Lu Suizhu's residence to Louyue Pavilion. Besides, the horse ran so fast that even if she was slow, she could sense that something was wrong. Just as she was about to lift the curtain, Fang Jin grabbed her wrist through her clothes.
"What do you mean? This isn't the way to Louyue Pavilion. Where are you taking me?"
Lu Suizhu's eyes were filled with anger. She lifted up her skirt and pretended to get out of the car. Fang Jin held on tightly and refused to let her go. His voice was anxious and pleading.
"Miss Lu, calm down. Qin Wuniang knows your rules and is unwilling to perform in the palace. She has no other choice but to resort to this desperate measure. The Crown Princess is celebrating her birthday today and has specifically requested the best zither player in Louyue Pavilion. If you leave today, everyone in Louyue Pavilion will be buried with you."
The carriage continued to move faster and faster, obviously having been prepared in advance. They had already arrived at the palace gate with high walls and red tiles. The night wind blew through the treetops, making a whistling and sobbing sound.
The anger gradually faded away, the carriage rolled over the ruts all the way, and stopped outside the closed palace gate. At this point, Lu Suizhu could only close her eyes and take a breath, no longer struggling and not wanting to pay attention to Fang Jin.
When the carriage stopped, a young eunuch holding a lantern came out to greet them. At Fang Jin's nod and gaze, Lu Suizhu lifted her skirt and followed the eunuch into the carriage.
Her master once told her not to get involved with anyone in the palace, and that even if she was good at playing the zither, she was not allowed to work in the palace. Today, she was going to disobey her master's order.
The road in the palace is deep and long. Even with torches and lanterns to illuminate it, it seems endless. It is layered like a painting and winding like a screen.
The young eunuch leading the way suddenly stopped, clutching his stomach and hunched over, his expression aching and anxious. "I'm so sorry, I ate something bad this morning. Miss Lu, follow this path and you'll reach the Crown Princess's chambers."
He pointed to several roads ahead, drew a few circles with his fingers in the air, and then stuffed the lantern into Lu Suizhu's hand and left in a hurry.
Lu Suizhu stepped a little harder on her embroidered shoes when she got off the carriage, and the snow just now stained her shoes, and she could faintly feel the damp coldness. The road to the East Palace was winding and tortuous, and it felt more and more remote as she walked. The wind and snow were like tearing cotton, accompanied by bursts of whistling sounds.
Until he heard someone talking in front, Lu Suizhu stopped and looked around, hiding the dimly lit lantern behind him.
"Xiao Mao, what is your intention in opening a private mine? I have been loyal to the emperor all my life and am ashamed to be associated with you. Today, no matter what, I must report this matter to the emperor. Please, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother..." The unfinished words were stuck in his throat and could not be uttered. His white clothes were soaked into blood in an instant.
"Extremely pedantic." Xiao Mao raised his hand slightly, and immediately someone stepped forward and kicked the old minister who died with his eyes open into the lake. There was a loud bang and the lake surface was shaken.
Lu Suizhu was so frightened by this scene that the lantern in her hand almost fell to the ground, and her heart was beating as if it was going to penetrate her thin back.
She turned around and walked away lightly, following the same path she had come from without daring to stop, not knowing where she was going.
"Hey Miss Lu, why are you here? Come with me quickly, don't miss the time."
It was the little eunuch from before. He took the lantern and continued to lead the way. Lu Suizhu nodded and followed him all the way to the Crown Princess's bedroom.
There were hundreds of bright lights here, as bright as day, and the sound of wine and music was endless, which was completely different from the dark and terrifying scene just now. Lu Suizhu knelt on the ground respectfully. Although he was nervous after what had just happened, his voice was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Commoner Lu Suizhu greets the Crown Princess.
"I heard that Miss Lu is the best zither player in Louyue Pavilion and is well-known throughout Shangjing City. Let us all see her today."
The Crown Princess' voice was gentle and kind. Lu Suizhu slowly raised her head and saw that her belly was bulging and she was already pregnant. The seat next to her was empty, obviously reserved for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Sitting below her was the Minister of Rites Pei Zhiji, who was the one who tricked her here. The others were all officials' wives whom Lu Suizhu did not recognize.
Lu Suizhu calmed herself down, and just as her hand touched the piano, she heard someone coming in with laughter.
"Why didn't the Crown Princess wait for me before starting?"
Seeing the man wearing a four-claw dragon pattern and strolling towards him leisurely, Lu Suizhu took a glance and suddenly lowered his head, then knelt on the ground with everyone else. His back was still trembling when he heard "no need for formalities".
The person who just killed someone was actually His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? How could this be possible? How could she be so unlucky to encounter such a thing?
When he stood up, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was talking with the Crown Princess, but his eyes were fixed on her, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. Yes, the entire East Palace belonged to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and how could the guests coming and going escape his control.
The small talk stops and the music begins.
When her slender fingers touched the strings, Lu Suizhu used the strength of her wrist bones to suppress the fear that was about to burst out. The prince's eyes were always wandering on her and never moved away. His fingers tapped on the cups and plates with the sound of the piano.
No, we can't just sit there and wait for death.
She started learning the piano with her master at the age of seven. At the age of fifteen, she was famous in the capital and became a teacher to many noble ladies in the capital. She could play wonderful music even if she only relied on her body memory.
"The guest's heart washes the flowing water, and the lingering sound enters the frosty bell. What a beautiful song."
"Looking for a soulmate in the mountains and flowing water, Miss Lu's piano music is a perfect match for this old man. Wonderful, wonderful."
When the song "Yangguan Sandie" ended, Lu Suizhu had never thought that time would last so long. Fine beads of sweat oozed out of her palms, but her face remained expressionless. She gave a polite smile to the praise at the banquet.
"In my opinion, they are indeed not inferior to the musicians in the palace. What do you think, Your Highness?" The Crown Princess had a smile in her eyes but her face was a little pale. Her hand gently stroked her belly. This banquet was not her original intention, but the Crown Prince used it as a gimmick to entertain guests.
Everyone's eyes fell on the prince, and Lu Suizhu became nervous again. How could she not be afraid when such a jackal was staring at her? She pursed her lips lightly, hid her hands in her sleeves, folded them tightly together, and forced herself to calm down.
Unexpectedly, the prince did not answer. Instead, he looked at Pei Zhiji, who remained silent, and asked with a smile, "What do you think, Minister Pei?"
Because this was a family dinner, Pei Zhiji wasn't wearing his official uniform. His eyes fluttered beneath his long lashes, and after much deliberation, he spoke slowly. "I'm not a master of music. Master Lu's piece, with its cacophony and sharp progression from simple to profound, is indeed exquisite. However, I feel restless, and there's a hint of impatience in it."
"Oh? Master Lu, I wonder if what Minister Pei said is true?"
Their eyes met, one joking, the other trembling with fear. The atmosphere was tense. In a split second, Lu Suizhu knelt on the ground and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I am a humble woman with limited experience. This is my first time meeting the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, so I am a little nervous."
"This piece of music is obviously played beautifully. Your Highness, please don't scare her. Master Lu, please go and claim your reward." The Crown Princess came to the rescue, and Lu Suizhu felt like she had been pardoned. At this time, she was still in the Eastern Palace, so the Crown Prince would not be so anxious to kill her to silence her.
When she followed the musicians out, Pei Zhiji was presenting a birthday gift to the Crown Princess. Lu Suizhu's eyes fell on the young Lord Pei, who was well-dressed and had a handsome appearance.
The sky was filled with stars, and the hems of her clothes were slightly lifted as they rubbed against each other. After receiving the reward, Lu Suizhu did not leave the palace, but waited for the banquet to end at a side door.
Until Pei Zhiji came out wearing a black cloak.
"Master Pei, please stay—"
Pei Zhiji had just drunk a few cups of wine at the banquet, and was now chilled by the wind, with a slight headache. He stopped when he heard someone calling him, and saw that it was the zither player he had just met.
Lu Suizhu came running. Not knowing which door he would leave the palace from, she waited at a point halfway between the many side doors. She was still breathless as she stood there, her face flushed but not feeling cold. She knew that if she didn't seize the opportunity today, she might not even be able to get out of the east gate alive.
"Master Pei, what do you think of what my daughter just said?"
"I just said it at the banquet. Master Lu Qin feels that my evaluation is unfair." When Pei Zhiji stopped, his hair was stained with broken snow. He frowned slightly and took a breath of cold air. He felt much more sober.
"That's not the case. Lord Pei hit the nail on the head. It's clear that my words about not being proficient in music are just a modesty. I think you can also hear that my daughter's conversation is better than that of the ordinary court musician."
"What exactly does Lu the zither master want to say?" Pei Zhiji was a little impatient because of the roundabout way of talking. He didn't know what the zither master wanted to say by pestering him.
"Master Pei, what do you think of presenting this song to the Queen Mother?" Lu Suizhu went straight to the point.
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhiji turned around and ignored it, and was about to leave. It was very common for people to curry favor with the powerful, but it was rare for them to target him.
Seeing Pei Zhiji's steps getting bigger and bigger, and about to walk out of the palace with no intention of turning back, Lu Suizhu stood where she was and spoke in a soft but resounding voice.
"Lord Pei is a nobleman, of high character and integrity, and disdains to curry favor with others. But what about the people of Liangxi? Can they afford to wait?"
The side door was quiet and deserted, and the silence made Lu Suizhu's voice particularly clear and loud. Pei Zhiji's back straightened instantly, and he stopped.
Lu Suizhu breathed a sigh of relief, quickly stepped forward to meet Pei Zhiji's level, and bowed. "That day, Lord Pei came to Louyue Pavilion for a drink. I had no intention of eavesdropping on what you said, but... I did hear a little bit. Now the Liangxi River is flooding severely, but local officials are inaction. You've repeatedly offered flood control proposals to the Empress Dowager, but they've always been rejected."
Pei Zhiji raised his eyebrows, as if waiting for her to finish her words.
"I can help you." Lu Suizhu looked at Pei Zhiji without moving his eyes, his thin body showing an incomparable determination in this snowy day.
"You can help me?" Pei Zhiji repeated with a soft chuckle. His voice was cold, as cool and clear as jade in the snowy weather. He held one hand in front of him, leaning slightly forward as he spoke. Now, looking at the young woman in front of him, he asked, "Why would you help me?"
"I can rely on myself. I can play the incomplete score of 'Kunhuang Yunu Qu' that the Empress Dowager has been searching for." Lu Suizhu paused, as if making a desperate move. "This song will surely help Lord Pei win the favor of the Empress Dowager. Are you willing to trust me once for the sake of the people of Liangxi?"
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