Beat him up
Xie Tiao smoothly stopped his stance, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a smile, "My father... oh, His Majesty was once a member of the Imperial Guard, so of course I practiced some martial arts when I was young, but later," his voice lowered, "His Majesty no longer had time to teach me, so I stopped practicing much." He gave a self-deprecating smile and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the surroundings, "I can't compare to you all."
Later, Xie Lang ascended the throne. Since he had no birth mother, his position was undoubtedly prestigious, but few people had the time or energy to pay him much attention. Consort Chen oversaw the six palaces, but as both a concubine and the emperor's security officer, she was often overwhelmed with other matters.
Although the Crown Prince was from a military family, he was not personally trained and educated in the military camp by Pei Yuanli like Pei Yu. However, he had at least been trained in physical fitness and the six arts of archery and horsemanship, and he still practices regularly to this day. This is due to his disciplined and respectful nature.
In A Qiu's opinion, Xie Tiao only needs to practice for a few more hours, try to find the right landing point on the drum surface, and make the leaping seven stars movement, which should not be difficult.
Lady Sun said, "There is still one more hurdle. In the final scene of this dance, A Qiu will step over the shoulders and backs of the four of you, using the momentum to fly through the air and make various gestures. I wonder if Your Highness can bear the weight of one person, or if you are willing to bear the weight of one person?"
Of all those present, Consort Sun was the most straightforward. She hadn't expected the Crown Prince to actually be of any use. But now that he had proven so unexpectedly useful, she naturally began to consider how to make the most of him.
A-Qiu immediately replied, "That's no problem at all. Master, you just need to place His Highness in the middle. When I stand up, I will pay attention to where I land, just lightly touching the Crown Prince's shoulder without putting all my weight on him."
Her light-footed skill allowed her to walk on water as easily as floating on a duckweed. As long as the distance wasn't too far, she could simply glide past Xie Tiao and make a show of it.
However, Xie Tiao, as the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, is of such noble status that whether he can tolerate a female dancer stepping over him is another matter entirely.
When Xie Tiao heard Consort Sun ask frankly, "Are you able to bear the weight of one person, and are you willing to bear the weight of one person?", he suddenly blushed. But he immediately turned his face away, no longer looking at A Qiu, and said only, "If you cannot even bear the weight of one person, and are unwilling to bear it, how can you, as the crown prince, shoulder the responsibility of the world?"
His words drew attention not only from everyone present but also from An Daoling. Everyone thought the same thing: The Crown Prince… truly worthy of being a student of the Junior Tutor Gu Yi, his values are as firm as metal and stone.
Only Xiao Chang'an frowned visibly.
Sun Neiren was very satisfied with Xie Tiao's answer, and then turned to Gongyi Xiu, saying firmly, "Then please let the Left Prime Minister demonstrate something."
A-Qiu was extremely satisfied with this.
Since joining the dance troupe, she had been strictly disciplined by her wife, Sun, and was constantly practicing martial arts and singing. Now, she was very willing to let this senior disciple of Lanling Hall experience the strict discipline of her music and dance master.
This means sharing joys and sorrows, and being of one mind with fellow students.
With Gongyi Xiu's graceful and agile movements, reminiscent of a dragon in flight and a startled swan, he held a folding fan on the drum surface as if walking on flat ground, moving about effortlessly. A Qiu was only worried that he might overdo it and reveal his martial arts skills.
Gongyi Xiu, after performing the Seven Stars Steps several times, smiled and said to his wife, Sun, "Instructor, do you think my stance is good enough?" He also gave A Qiu a flirtatious look, clearly showing off to his junior sister. The implication was: Look, I won't end up like some people who get beaten up by the instructor.
The movements he displayed were not martial arts moves, but rather variations of martial arts techniques such as "Swallow Skimming the Water," "Azure Dragon Probing the Claw," "Shooting the Swallow," and "Exploring the Sea," commonly found in various Northern opera styles. Combined with his tall, handsome figure, it was truly an indescribably stunning and elegant performance.
A Qiu was so angry she almost laughed, while Xiao Chang'an's face fell.
Before Lady Sun could answer, Xie Tiao exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Beautiful! Beautiful! I've long heard that the Left Prime Minister is the most dashing and handsome man of this dynasty, and people are right!"
Perhaps because he felt accepted and recognized, he, who had never really thought much of Gongyi Xiu's philandering ways, was much more tolerant today and was even able to genuinely praise him.
Xiao Chang'an's lips twitched down, and he said with a sneer, "Sir, you do indeed have the air of a brothel owner. You haven't wasted your years of visiting brothels." This was a sarcastic remark that although he came from a prestigious family, he had learned his mannerisms from brothel performers and street actors.
Gongyi Xiu, however, was not angry at all. He snapped open his folding fan, revealing a white background with gold and pink peonies, and said with a smile, "You flatter me. Young Master Xiao, you've been quite the traveler. When I was your age, I was still studying properly, writing and composing all day long. You are truly a rising star, surpassing your predecessors."
Upon hearing this, A Qiu knew that his senior brother's men were also monitoring Xiao Chang'an's movements. Otherwise, how could Gongyi Xiu know that Xiao Chang'an frequently visited brothels, given that Xiao Chang'an had only been back in the capital for a few days?
An Daoling was refined and gentle in his youth, and still highly respected in his old age. He showed an expression of unbearable pain as he covered his face and coughed, saying, "My lords, time is running out. Let's hurry up with the rehearsals."
Although the performance is scheduled for tomorrow, the event ended early today. Because the state banquet tomorrow cannot be made to go wrong, An Daoling instructed everyone to rest early today. As for himself, he still needed to check the dance costumes, masks, and other items sent by the Imperial Household Department with Consort Sun and Xue Hongbi. He would not leave until everything was checked, locked, and the procedures were verified to be correct.
When A Qiu left Ji Xian Palace, she was with Shangguan Yuqi. She had already spotted Gongyi Xiu, Xiao Chang'an, and even Xie Tiao, all of whom subtly hinted that they wanted to speak with her privately.
But the only person she wanted to say a few words to at that moment was the ethereal and serene Shangguan Yuqi. Therefore, as soon as An Daoling said goodbye, she gave Zhang Exu and Cui Luzhu a few instructions and then followed Shangguan Yuqi's white-clad figure.
The remaining three men, Gongyi Xiu, Xie Tiao, and Xiao Chang'an, looked at each other in the hall.
Shangguan Yuqi was usually a loner, possessing an aura that would deter any lecherous man from approaching her. But today, she seemed to sense something, and she lagged behind, walking slowly.
When A Qiu caught up, Shangguan Yuqi stood beside her and asked unhurriedly, "How has Dian Le been lately?"
For some reason, whenever A Qiu heard her voice, she naturally felt extremely gentle and warm. In the eyes of others, Shangguan Yuqi was an extraordinary sword immortal and a lady from the most prestigious family in the Southern Dynasty, giving people a sense of aloofness.
But for A Qiu, being with Shangguan Yuqi felt as familiar and comfortable as being with a friendly older sister next door.
A Qiu recalled Shangguan Yuqi's angry expression when she returned from the Taigan Hall with people, and hesitated to speak. Shangguan Yuqi already sensed this and smiled, saying, "Please speak frankly." She was like a sword, straightforward and without pretense or concealment.
After looking around to make sure no one was around, A Qiu whispered, "I wanted to ask Miss, is she doing alright in the Eastern Palace?"
Shangguan Yuqi was slightly taken aback, not expecting that A Qiu was concerned about her situation. A bitter smile appeared on her usually carefree and beautiful face as she said without any pretense, "Actually, it's alright. The Flying Phoenix Guards are called the Eastern Palace Guards, but most of the time they only patrol and monitor the outer perimeter of the Eastern Palace. They also take turns presiding over the defense of Jianzhang City and are familiar with all the important fortresses and towns in the capital. They don't have much time to spend with Your Highness."
A Qiu was caught off guard when Shangguan Yuqi so frankly told her about her interactions with the Crown Prince. She said awkwardly, "I was just concerned about Miss's feelings."
Some things are not for someone of her status to say. For example, even if she knew perfectly well that Shangguan Yuqi probably had no interest in becoming the Crown Prince's concubine, and that the Crown Prince's feelings were just wishful thinking, she couldn't bring herself to say anything to support her.
Because she is not influential enough at the moment, she has no right to support or oppose the wishes of either the Crown Prince or Shangguan Yuqi.
Shangguan Yuqi was slightly taken aback, as if she had never expected that someone outside her family would care about her, and that their concern was not for practical matters, but simply for her feelings. She smiled slightly and replied, "The Left Prime Minister just brought up the old topic again, making fun of me and His Highness the Crown Prince. I just wish I could give him a good beating."
In fact, Gongyi Xiu was not the only one spreading rumors about this marriage both inside and outside the court, but only Gongyi Xiu had the audacity to spout nonsense in front of Shangguan Yuqi.
But what surprised A-Qiu was Shangguan Yuqi's attitude.
Not just anyone can anger Shangguan Yuqi, and even fewer people can make her say things like "beat him up."
Shangguan Yuqi didn't give her a chance to react, and said softly, "You came out with me specifically, so you must have something to ask me. Is that all?"
A Qiu knew that the situation in the capital was tense at the moment. The Grand Commander, Sikong Zhao, had been transferred away by Gu Yi, and Shangguan Yuqi, as the head of the Flying Phoenix Guard, was responsible for the security of the palace and must be extremely busy. He was probably deliberately lagging behind a few steps to wait for her.
She unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, and after a moment she said softly, "Young Miss's swordsmanship is divine, and her mind is also clear and pure, pointing directly to the source. Therefore, A Qiu would like to ask Young Miss a question."
She herself didn't know why she only wanted to ask Shangguan Yuqi, who was like a celestial swordsman, about this most mundane question. Even though she knew that the other had cultivated himself in seclusion since childhood, detached from worldly affairs, and would probably never have the innocent thoughts of a young girl like her, nor understand the entanglements and troubles of love, Aqiu still wanted to get an answer from her.
Perhaps it's because, in her heart, Shangguan Yuqi is like the embodiment of perfection, or like the bright moon shining in the night sky, as if anyone could easily find their way home by asking her.
Shangguan Yuqi paused, a rare occurrence, and solemnly said, "Dianle, please ask. Yuqi will answer to the best of my knowledge."
A Qiu met Shangguan Yuqi's clear phoenix eyes and said softly, "If there were someone who seemed to be close yet distant to me, never expressing their feelings, but who accompanied me, helped me, and protected me regardless of life or death, what would I do?"
To her surprise, when Shangguan Yuqi heard these words, her usually serene face gradually lost its color. Her cherry lips parted slightly, her gaze was unfocused, and her expression was blank and dreamlike.
In that instant, A Qiu felt that Shangguan Yuqi's gaze had already pierced through to a distant place.
After a long while, she sighed softly, without blaming A Qiu for asking her about love in the slightest. Instead, she seemed to be saying to A Qiu, or perhaps to her own shadow, "If there is true love, how can there be silence?" Her gaze then turned sharply to A Qiu, and she replied, "The only exception is the peach and plum trees, which do not speak, yet a path is formed beneath them."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
