A common man's anger
Gu Yi will use "Ling Shu" as the theme for the White Silk Dance. This news was sent to the Inner Palace Music Bureau by Lie Changkong alone. Given Gu Yi's personality, he would naturally not announce it widely, and it was indeed unnecessary.
Officials speak for themselves, and those in charge of the treasury speak for themselves; public matters are not discussed in private, and women are not mentioned in public. As far as Gu Yi was concerned, the Music Bureau was under his jurisdiction, and he could simply have the Junior Master Charioteer inform the headquarters; it was not a big deal and there was no need for a court report or public discussion.
But this news overshadowed all other major events, even including the news that Marquis Li Chongyu of Guannei had submitted a memorial stating that he would pay homage to Jianzhang Palace three months later.
And within a single day, the news spread to every nook and cranny of the imperial court and the inner palace.
The fact that Grand Tutor Gu Yi was willing to play the zither for "White Silk" was something no one had expected. This was because Gu Yi was known for his aversion to female musicians and banquets. Even when the emperor celebrated the Lantern Festival with the people at the Phoenix Gate every year, he would not participate, let alone play the zither or tune the se for it.
Fortunately, Emperor Xie Lang was not keen on banquets and female entertainers, so the two got along well and there was never any coercion between them.
But when Emperor Xie Lang heard the news from the inner palace, his first words at the court assembly the next day were: "At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Grand Tutor Gu will perform the zither music and the 'White Silk Dance.' Of the three wonders of our dynasty, the 'Grand Tutor's Zither' has already been performed, shouldn't the 'Gentleman's Sword' also be presented?"
Xie Lang, who was always dignified and composed, seemed to be stretching his neck at this moment, as if he were looking around expectantly.
Pei Yuanli suppressed a smile and said, "That's right. Lord Shangguan, why not perform a sword dance to add to the festivities? After all, everyone's anticipation for the return of the Gentleman Swordsman is the same as their longing for the peaceful sounds of the Young Master Qin."
His words carried a hint of sarcasm. This was because the Shangguan family's "Ice Bamboo Sword" was passed down only to men, not women. The previous wielder of the "Ice Bamboo Sword" was Shangguan Jin, the then Grand Secretary, who was known as "a swordsman in green robes, with unparalleled elegance," and was also the uncle of the current Left Prime Minister, Shangguan You.
However, not all the men of the Shangguan family are skilled in martial arts. Someone as talented in both literature and martial arts as Shangguan Jin is a once-in-a-century find.
In essence, this was the result of the Southern Dynasties' monarchs' deliberate suppression of the Shangguan family. As the leading scholar-official family in Jiangzuo and the head of the civil official group, and as a prominent and honorable member of the imperial family, the Shangguan family should not have pursued military affairs or coveted military power.
The Gentleman's Sword, a family heirloom of the Shangguan family, is passed down through each generation by the family's "tomb keeper." However, the "tomb keeper" never serves in official positions, existing solely as a branch of martial arts tradition. This is also a tacit understanding between the Shangguan family and successive monarchs.
Shangguan Jin was originally the tomb keeper of his family, but due to internal and external troubles at the time, the five tribes of Hu horses successively invaded the south and threatened the Yangtze River, and the local powerful Tianshi Dao rebelled. Emperor Wen disregarded the opinions of the people and appointed Shangguan Jin. Thus, the imperial power forcefully summoned him out of the tomb.
After Shangguan Jin was appointed as the Grand Secretary, he personally reformed and trained the Jianzhang Army, the central army of the Great Huan Dynasty, transforming it from an extremely corrupt force into one with considerable combat power. He quelled the rebellion of the Celestial Masters, attacked the Hu tribes that were moving south, and formed an alliance with Li Mingyuan, the Marquis of Guannei, and the female general of Fanmen in the Northwest, agreeing to be interdependent and share weal and woe, and to jointly resist the Di and Qiang armies on the border.
It can be said that Shangguan Jin extended the reign of the Great Huan Dynasty by several years, and the military prestige of the Southern Dynasty was also revived by him. Although there was constant infighting and strife among the fraternal members afterward, at least the borders were not disturbed by the barbarians for nearly twenty years, and the race was not in danger of extinction. This also provided valuable time for Gu Yi to consolidate power over the world later.
However, after the Battle of Crossing the Yangtze River, the Shangguan family's glory reached its zenith. Shangguan Jin then resigned from his post on the grounds of violating ancestral precepts, and younger members of the family, such as Shangguan You, took up official positions.
The last time Shangguan Jin appeared before the world was at the founding of the Dayan Kingdom, when the "Three Wonders" of Jinshui Tower gathered. Gongye Jia spread incense and flowers to perform the ritual of worshipping heaven and earth, and the Junior Tutor Gu Yi composed "Wen Wang Cao" on the Ling Shu Qin. Shangguan Jin, the former Grand Secretary of the Great Huan Dynasty and the inheritor of the "Gentleman's Sword" at the time, performed the sword dance "Qiankun Dingshi" with the "Binghuang Sword".
Few people know that this was the last time Shangguan Jin appeared before the world, and also the last day of his life.
On the night he witnessed the establishment of the new dynasty and the arrival of a peaceful era as a former official of the previous dynasty, and presented the Gentleman's Sword Dance on behalf of the scholars of Jiangzuo for a century, he dressed in white mourning clothes and committed suicide by sword in the ancestral hall of the Shangguan family.
A loyal minister does not serve two masters, and thus, a renowned minister fell. As a high-ranking official who once turned the tide and saved the Great Huan Dynasty from dire straits, Shangguan Jin's death marked the end of an era and paved the way for the future of his family.
But in the hearts of the Shangguan family, who value kinship above all else, the "Song of Heaven and Earth Determining the World" is a lost art, and an eternal sorrow in the hearts of every member of the family.
When Xie Lang mentioned the "Gentleman's Sword," he naturally had no intention of mocking or joking. He was simply thinking about the other member of the Shangguan family who was now skilled in swordsmanship.
However, Pei Yuanli's sarcastic tone when mentioning the "gentleman's sword" had already enraged the Left Chancellor, Shangguan You. He was usually calm, composed, and had the demeanor of a scholar, but he could not suppress his anger and directly drew his sword from the scabbard of the warrior in front of the palace next to him with a clang.
A flash of cold light appeared in the hall, as bright as autumn water. The assembled officials retreated in fear, except for Grand Tutor Gu Yi and Emperor Xie Lang, whose expressions remained unchanged.
Shangguan You held his sword directly to Pei Yuanli's chest and said coldly, "I may not know how to wield a sword, but even a commoner can cause bloodshed in a fit of rage. Even if no one inherits the Gentleman's Sword, it will not be reduced to being ridiculed by you, Lord Pei!"
Those who know even a little about the inside story understand that Pei Yuanli had deeply wounded the Shangguan family. The "Binghuang" sword technique is passed down only to men, and ten years have passed since Shangguan Jin's death; the Shangguan family has no male heir capable of wielding a sword. Shangguan You is the pillar of the family in this generation. However, it is also true that he, and most of the men in the Shangguan family, are refined and elegant scholars, and are restricted from using swords due to family rules.
Without making a sound, Pei Yuanli extended two fingers of his left hand from the sleeve of his court robe, caught the gleaming blade in front of his chest, and gently pushed it away, saying, "It was my mistake. Lord Shangguan, please don't be so angry!"
With a flick of his two fingers, he possessed the strength to cut through iron like a mountain, pulling the sword aside. Fortunately, he was mindful of the situation and did not use excessive force to avoid causing Shangguan You to fall. Even so, Shangguan You's body was slightly tilted by the sword.
Someone immediately and gently supported his left elbow from below his right shoulder, helping him to stand steadily without making a sound.
Amidst his busy schedule, Shangguan You glanced to his right and saw that the man was none other than the Left Chancellor, Gongyi Xiu. He didn't have time to react immediately, but after calming down, he realized he had lost his temper and drawn his sword in front of the emperor. In the corrupt and conservative previous dynasty, he would at least have been proven guilty of assassinating a high-ranking official.
Although everyone knew that was impossible. He was just a civil official, and even if General Pei Yuanli stood still and let him behead him, it would be good enough if he didn't.
At this moment, Gu Yi changed the subject, saying, "The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will bring together both civil and military officials, so we must strengthen the palace's defenses. Of the four new Flying Phoenixes mentioned last time, General Xiao Fan is already on his way to the capital. Sect Leader Li sent a message saying that his disciples have arrived in the capital and are ready to be deployed at any time. I wonder if the eldest daughter of the Pei family and the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family will be able to enter the palace before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet."
Pei Yuanli immediately bowed and said, "My wife went to the palace to see Consort Chen the day before yesterday and reported that Yu'er is ready in all matters and is just waiting for instructions to enter the palace to assume her duties. I believe His Majesty is already aware of this matter."
Upon hearing this answer, most of the officials showed displeasure. Everyone in the court knew that Pei Yu's mother, Mu Huaying, and the current head of the inner palace, Consort Chen, were former Flying Phoenix Guards who were like sisters, bound by a bond of life and death. It was one thing for the Pei family to be so eager to enter the palace, but to also use the personal relationship between Madam Pei and Consort Chen was clearly an attempt to suppress everyone else.
However, since none of the other three spoke up for him, the courtiers could only grumble inwardly, as it was not worth offending Pei Yuanli for his sake.
Emperor Xie Lang nodded, but said without revealing his emotions, "It is true that Hua Ying entered the palace. However, since Consort Chen did not mention it to me, I cannot ask what the sisters said in private."
This is why they were already blocked by Consort Chen. No matter how eager the Pei family was to enter the palace, Consort Chen and the Emperor had to consider the overall situation and maintain a balance.
Xie Lang looked at Shangguan You again, considering whether to ask about the matter of Miss Shangguan Yuqi entering the palace.
Shangguan You, now past forty, with a refined and scholarly face, revealed a resolute expression. He bowed deeply and said, "On behalf of my niece Yuqi, I request that she enter the palace as a member of the Flying Phoenix Guard. The time will be at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet. Yuqi will present the Shangguan family's traditional sword dance, 'The Song of Heaven and Earth,' with 'Ice Bamboo.'"
From the emperor down to the civil and military officials, no one expected that Shangguan You, who was always reluctant to agree, would agree so readily this time.
Even more unexpectedly, the Shangguan family's "Gentleman's Sword" not only had a successor, but was passed on to their daughter, Shangguan Yuqi.
Xie Lang's face brightened considerably, and he repeatedly said "good" with obvious satisfaction.
Legend has it that Shangguan Yuqi was dressed in white like snow, with unparalleled beauty and graceful figure. She was not only known as the most beautiful woman in the Southern Dynasty's civil official family, but also a top-notch swordswoman with exceptional talent in the Jiangzuo martial arts world. Her temperament and elegance were as bright as the moon, comparable to that of Empress Wen of the previous dynasty, Shangguan Yanxiu.
With her standing among the palace guards, it was like a beautiful tree growing on the steps, adding immeasurable glory to the imperial family.
Xie Lang then turned to Pei Yuanli and said, "So, what does the General think about the eldest daughter of the Pei family entering the palace on the same day?"
Pei Yuanli pondered inwardly, but smiled calmly and said, "I will obey Your Majesty's orders."
Shangguan Yuqi was to present "The Song of Heaven and Earth Determining the World" in front of all the civil and military officials. Firstly, it was to carry on the legacy of her great-uncle Shangguan Jin, reminding people of her family's generations of upright officials and to admire the demeanor of Shangguan Jin, a famous scholar, loyal minister, and Confucian general. Secondly, it was to easily elevate herself to the position of one of the "Three Perfections" of the Southern Dynasty, alongside "Shaoshi Qin" and "Qianjin Xiang".
Pei Yuanli thought to himself, "This young lady doesn't show up until she does, and when she does, she really has a commanding presence and seizes all the advantages."
On the scene, Gu Yi hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have already agreed to accompany the dance for 'White Silk,' so I will not play the zither alone for 'The Song of Heaven and Earth'."
Then everyone remembered that back then, Shangguan Jin's "Qiankun Dingshi Sword Dance," known for its "one sword in green robes that could topple Jiangzuo," was accompanied by Gu Yi playing the "Wen Wang Cao." Shangguan Yuqi's performance was not a private banquet, but a national sword dance, so Gu Yi should also play the zither. However, Gu Yi was not an ordinary zither player, but the foremost zither player in the Southern Dynasty. Asking him to play two performances would be too disrespectful to him, so it was absolutely impossible.
Furthermore, Shangguan Yuqi is ultimately a junior to Gu Yi. Unless he deliberately promotes her, he has no obligation to play second fiddle to her.
Gu Yi composed music for "White Silk" because it was a dance left behind by the late Empress Wen, and it was also the beginning of a new era for the music bureau of this dynasty. The music bureau was under the jurisdiction of his Taichang Temple, so it was a much more logical choice.
Pei Yuanli felt somewhat relieved upon hearing Gu Yi's words. He thought to himself, "As expected of the Young Master, his words hit the nail on the head, thwarting Miss Shangguan's plan to use the world to carry her sedan chair with just one sentence."
Gu Yi pondered for a moment and said, "But the 'Song of Heaven and Earth' also has symbolic significance in this dynasty and should not be underestimated. I can recommend someone to play the zither and provide music for it."
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