Chapter 45: Ice Water Blame
Of course the Queen would not reprimand Xiao Changzai.
Because Concubine Chen arrived later than her.
If she scolded Xiao Changzai, what would the Concubine Chen say?
So she could only endure it, but that didn't mean she didn't mind.
After Xiao Changzai arrived, everyone waited for a long time before the Concubine Chen finally arrived.
She greeted the queen in a perfunctory manner, and after sitting down, she saw that everyone was staring at her.
She rolled her eyes upwards, covered her nose and yawned, saying lazily:
"Didn't we say we were going to discuss how to celebrate the emperor's birthday? Can you see a flower if you stare at me?"
After being rebuked by her words, the concubines withdrew their gazes, and after the Queen started the conversation, they all talked about what programs or gifts they had prepared to celebrate Xiao Jingheng's birthday.
When it was Song Zhao's turn, she said timidly:
"I don't have any special skills, but I am good at playing the pipa. I have been practicing diligently these past few days, hoping to present a piece of music to the emperor on his birthday."
The Queen smiled and said, "Yes, the sound of the pipa is clear, full and bright, and it is quite difficult to play. In the harem, only the Concubine Chen, who has many skills, is proficient in one or two, but she is not an expert."
The Concubine Chen glanced at Song Zhao from the corner of her eye and sneered, "Then play well. I am also waiting to see your performance."
Then she turned to look at Xiao Changzai, "Oh, Xiao Changzai, you look really good today. I heard that your song moved the emperor's heart yesterday and made him like it very much. When the emperor's birthday banquet comes, you can sing for us so that we sisters can open our eyes and see what kind of singing voice can make the emperor look at you with attention."
The jealousy in Concubine Chen's words was almost overflowing, and no matter how dumb Xiao Changzai was, he could hear the tone of her words.
She immediately said in panic: "I am a petty person, not worthy of being on the stage. How dare I show off my skills in front of you ladies?"
This made the Concubine Chen catch the mistake, "Not presentable? The Emperor summoned you to Chaoyang Palace because he likes to listen to your singing. Now you say this is not presentable? Haha."
The Concubine suddenly laughed, and looked her up and down with sharp eyes, "Why? Are you trying to say that this person who is not presentable is the emperor?"
Song Zhao had been waiting for the show for the whole morning, and it had just begun.
Xiao Changzai was so frightened by the Concubine Chen's words that she turned pale and dared not sit down. She quickly stood up and knelt down towards her.
"I dare not... Please forgive me, Concubine Chen. I just said something wrong. I didn't mean that..."
When she gets nervous, she becomes tongue-tied and can't even speak clearly.
The Concubine Chen didn't even look at her, and let her be so formal in front of her.
The remaining concubines were all there to watch the fun, and no one was willing to smooth things over for Xiao Changzai.
At this moment, the Queen cleared her throat and said:
"Empress Chen, we can all tell whether Xiao Chang meant to disrespect the emperor. It was an unintentional mistake on her part, so please don't make things difficult for her."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Chen glanced at the Queen, then smiled and helped Concubine Xiao up.
"I was just joking with you, why are you so scared? I envy your good voice. When you are free someday, can you teach me?"
Xiao Chang breathed a sigh of relief and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, that's not true. I have humble skills, and it's my honor that your Majesty appreciates them."
"You have a really sweet mouth, no wonder the emperor likes you. We have come to this point, today is worse than tomorrow, are you free today?"
Xiao Changzai nodded repeatedly, "Of course I am free."
The Concubine Chen said, "After you pay your respects to the Empress, you can return to the palace with me and teach me well."
Everyone's eyes fell on Concubine Chen and Xiao Changzai.
Only Song Zhao was looking at the queen.
The queen had a faint smile on her lips, and she looked calm, but it always made Song Zhao feel cold.
Just now, on the surface, the Queen was speaking for Xiao Changzai, but who doesn't know that Concubine Chen and the Queen are not getting along?
If the Queen spoke up for Xiao Changzai, it would make Concubine Chen feel that the Queen was deliberately trying to win over Xiao Changzai.
In the eyes of Concubine Chen, Xiao Changzai stole her favor yesterday, and today the Queen threw an olive branch to her. How could she still tolerate Xiao Changzai?
The Queen's tactic of using the opponent's force to counter attack was indeed extremely clever.
Later, when the greetings were over, Xiao Changzai followed the Concubine Chen back to the palace.
On the way to Yonghe Palace, Xiao Chang was still thinking:
The Concubine Chen has great power in the harem. If you can curry favor with her, you will have a good life in the future.
When she arrived at Yonghe Palace with this expectation, Concubine Chen asked her to sing it first as an example.
Xiao Chang sang the song "Dream in the Garden" fluently, loudly and emotionally, which was really of a high standard.
But when Concubine Chen listened, her mind was filled with the seductive look she had on Xiao Jingheng's dragon bed last night.
So, without waiting for Xiao Changzai to finish singing, she said:
"You sang this song well, but it didn't sound right. Try to sing it louder and higher in pitch, and let me hear it."
Kunqu Opera emphasizes the water-grinding tune, which is gentle and graceful, with three sighs in one singing. It is not about who has the loudest voice or the highest pitch.
Singing at the top of your voice like that loses its charm.
But the Concubine Chen insisted on listening, so Xiao Changzai had no choice but to sing.
When singing the high notes, one can tell that Xiao Changzai was already struggling, and was almost forcing himself to sing them.
After hearing this, Concubine Chen clapped her hands and said, "That's right, that's much better. Sing it a few more times so that I can learn while listening."
It was only at this moment that Xiao Chang realized that the Concubine Chen was deliberately making things difficult for her.
But it was easy for her to enter the Yonghe Palace, but it was not so easy for her to get out.
She could only listen to Concubine Chen and sang it twice more at the top of her voice.
After she finished singing, her voice was ruined, and even her speaking voice became hoarse.
"Empress Chen, ahem...I am a little overwhelmed, can I..."
"You can sing for the emperor all night, but you can't sing when I ask you to? Why? Are you unwilling to sing for me?"
Xiao Changzai quickly swallowed the second half of his sentence and said again:
"My throat is a little uncomfortable. Can I ask Your Majesty for a glass of water?"
Concubine Chen laughed, "Look at how stupid I am. You've been singing for quite a while, but I haven't even prepared a cup of water for you. Yingxiang, go get some water for Concubine Xiao."
Yingxiang quickly handed a cup of water to Xiao Changzai.
But Xiao Changzai saw that the clear water was full of ice cubes, and her fingers holding the cup felt frozen.
When Concubine Chen saw that she didn't drink, she asked, "Didn't you say you wanted to ask me for water? Why don't you drink?"
Xiao Changzai's eyes were red and sour, and he had no choice but to drink the glass of ice water.
The Concubine Chen then smiled complacently, yawned and said:
"I am a little tired, so I will go in and rest for a while. Yingxiang, you will be responsible for serving Xiao Changzai and let her sing for two hours. When you are proficient in it, come and teach me."
Yingxiang respectfully escorted Concubine Chen back to her bedroom. When she passed by Xiao Changzai, she deliberately raised her voice and said:
"Don't worry, Madam. I will serve Concubine Xiao well!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
