Chapter 197 I Can't Stand It
Wang Yu, with her back to Xiao Qing, glared fiercely at the girl.
It was this one glance that suddenly changed the course of the episode, which could have passed peacefully.
Although Wang Yu was a delicate young girl, her behavior in this setting made many people look down on her.
Regardless of Wang Xiang's political maneuvering in court, let's talk about how he raised his daughter...
However, I had heard that the Prime Minister doted on his daughter too much, and seeing it today, I can confirm it is true.
Among the relatives was such a princess, who was favored since childhood and inevitably became spoiled and willful as she grew up.
However, after experiencing the invasion of the northern barbarians and being detained in Ping'an City, she became quite depressed. Now, although she is getting on in years, she is still unmarried and spends her days at home in a dull mood, which is driving her family crazy with worry.
Girls can be betrothed at fifteen, and Wang Yu is seventeen this year. However, this princess is two years older than Wang Yu.
She was Xiao Fu, the granddaughter of the Duke of Anguo. She hadn't wanted to come today, but she couldn't bear her mother's tearful pleas and the constant nagging, so she came with her grandfather.
Duke Anguo certainly didn't want her to discuss marriage at this banquet. He felt that so much time had passed, and any pain should have faded with time.
A national crisis is not just one person's tragedy. Even if his most beloved granddaughter doesn't remarry, she shouldn't be so despondent.
Xiao Fu couldn't bear to see Wang Yu like this. It would stir up some memories she didn't want to recall.
So she slightly raised her chin, suddenly stood up and greeted him, saying, "Your Majesty, Miss Wang's dance was indeed beautiful. However, the music lacked a certain artistic conception. The two combined were not quite as aesthetically pleasing."
Duke Anguo was surprised that his granddaughter would say such a thing, and his eyes immediately lit up with joy.
You know, his granddaughter hardly ever talks at home these days.
Upon seeing that it was Xiao Fu, Wang Yu calmed down somewhat and asked, "What does the princess think?"
The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves again.
Xiao Fu was speaking to the emperor. Even if the emperor was young, his position was still there. How could she speak to someone before the emperor had even spoken?
Wang Xiang's expression changed as he realized that he had been far too negligent in disciplining his daughter.
He quickly knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old minister deserves to die. This old minister failed to teach him properly..."
"Oh—" Xiao Qing gestured for Wang Xiang to rise without paying much attention, but inwardly he was quite pleased. "Prime Minister, please rise. They are all young girls, at the lively and adorable age, it's perfectly normal for them to bicker and play around."
Why did you have to turn such a proper Winter Solstice feast into this?
However, she also found it strange that someone as shrewd and calculating as Wang Xiang would raise such a thoughtless daughter.
However, given Wang Yu's tactless nature, even if she was Wang Xiang's daughter, it was understandable that he didn't want her to enter the palace, and no one could say anything was wrong.
Wang Yu wasn't stupid; she quickly realized that her performance was truly awful.
She was used to being carefree and willful at home, but today, when she performed a dance in front of the palace and saw Xiao Qing's gentle expression and praise for her dancing, she became even more carried away.
She quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I was out of line. I am willing to accept punishment, please do not blame my father."
In order to make a good impression on His Majesty, she decided that no matter what anyone said, she should hold back. Just like her father told her, she should act like a block of wood and not make any more decisions on her own!
Xiao Qing chuckled and said, "It's alright, get up."
She quickly changed the subject: "By the way, just now the princess of the Duke of Anguo's family said that this piece of music lacked a bit of artistic conception?"
Xiao Fu said, "That's right. This piece is called 'Looking Forward to Spring.' I heard it was originally composed by a poet from the south. The rhythm starts around the winter solstice, which conveys the feeling of longing for warmth in the cold. However, the piece I just played didn't seem to have much of that feeling."
She paused for a moment, then said, "I have heard that there is a person in Nanhua City who is quite skilled at playing the zither. Miss Wang has also competed with him. However, I suppose Miss Wang is proficient in dance, so naturally she is not so fond of playing the zither."
She looked around. "Oh dear, what a pity, it seems he's not here today."
She narrowed her eyes. "Your Majesty, I have heard that this girl has been learning the zither since childhood. When she was ten years old, she played a piece called 'Returning Home' in the palace. The sound of the zither drifted over the wall, and those who heard it were moved to tears and lingered, unable to leave. She has also played many other pieces, all of which are masterpieces. Your Majesty, why don't you summon her to the palace? Whether what I say is true or not, you will know once you try."
Wang Yu knew who she was talking about.
She bit her lip, refraining from speaking.
Xiao Qing asked curiously, "Which family's woman is the princess referring to?"
Xiao Fu smiled, "I have only heard of her name, but have never seen her in person. Her name is..."
She looked at a seat opposite her and finally uttered the last few words: "Chu Lianzhou".
Some people in the room changed their expressions.
Xiao Fu smiled and said, "Why didn't Lord Chu bring Lian Zhou to the palace today? Everyone says there is an order of seniority. The eldest sister is not yet married, so how could it be the younger sister's turn?"
His words left everyone speechless.
Xiao Qing thought to herself, "So Xiao Fu is someone who dares to speak her mind and act on her words!"
Although Wang Xiang's original intention was to "set her up on a blind date," everyone should know the truth in their hearts, but she actually said it outright.
Lord Chu, whom she had called out, stood up and replied somewhat nervously, "Lian Zhou... is not feeling well, so... he did not attend the banquet today."
Xiao Fu smiled. "If it's truly due to physical discomfort, then so be it. But if it's for some other reason... then that would be deceiving His Majesty!"
She clasped her hands in a fist salute to Xiao Qing, her posture both proud and elegant.
Xiao Qing quickly grasped Xiao Fu's beauty from her clasped hands and one sentence.
If they weren't related by blood or shared the same surname, Xiao Qing felt that if she had to choose, she would choose Xiao Fu!
This person must be interesting!
Lord Chu seemed somewhat at a loss, making his refined and scholarly demeanor appear weak and easily bullied.
Xiao Qing noticed that this Lord Chu worked in the Ministry of Revenue. He was usually a quiet and unassuming person.
The girl sitting next to him couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she stood up, bowed to Xiao Qing, and said, "Your Majesty, my elder sister is indeed unwell. Moreover, she injured her fingers while practicing the zither, and I'm afraid she won't be able to play for the next few days."
Xiao Fu narrowed her eyes, her long eyebrows arched like trees, exuding a royal air and imposing presence.
Xiao Qing looked at her again and again, and truly felt that Xiao Fu was the real princess!
In modern times, that would be considered a mature and sophisticated woman!
Fu Mingyi glanced at Xiao Qing a few times, and seeing that she was still staring at Xiao Fu, he couldn't help but frown.
Duke Anguo stroked his beard, glanced at Lord Chu, and said in a low voice, "Fu'er, that's enough."
But Xiao Fu was also stubborn and had no reason to leave things half-done.
Instead of stopping, she sneered and said, "Your Majesty, I think the Chu family is deliberately hiding Chu Lianzhou and refusing to let Your Majesty see him."
She's not afraid at all.
The Great Xiao Dynasty had always treated its imperial relatives well, allowing them to live a life of ease and comfort without ever doing anything. During the reign of the late Emperor Tianhe, a member of the imperial clan once pointed his finger at Emperor Tianhe and accused him, but Emperor Tianhe simply smiled and let the matter drop.
She dares to say what others don't!
She's a princess; she's not afraid of offending the entire court. Could they possibly tear a piece of her flesh off?
Lord Chu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.
The girl next to him also turned pale.
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