Crown Prince
Throughout the dynasty, whenever Junior Tutor Gu Yi recommended talented individuals, everyone from the emperor to the officials listened with utmost respect. This was not only because he recommended people without regard to kinship or enemies, but also because his insight into people and his ability to discern the subsequent impact of a single move on the entire political landscape were sometimes almost divine. It was a marvelous art of turning decay into magic and restoring life from chaos.
Gongyi Xiu seized the opportunity and said, "Please enlighten me, Junior Tutor."
Having served as a courtier alongside Gu Yi for many years, he often marveled at Gu Yi's meticulous and unpredictable thinking, a genius and mystery that only his master, Wan Qiqing, could match. He had also often deliberately analyzed Gu Yi's occasional expressions of intent and the hidden meanings revealed in his words after court meetings, as if playing a game of chess.
The conclusion is: skill approaching the Tao, one can attain divine understanding. This person always seems to be able to see the unseen signs in a situation, and their actions always have an unspoken meaning.
Therefore, although Gongyi Xiu has always been low-key, he is probably the person in the entire hall who is most familiar with Gu Yi's style.
At this moment, as Gu Yi spoke, Gongyi Xiu had a vague idea of who the person playing the zither was.
However, due to his status, even if he knew in his heart who this person was, he could not say it aloud; only Gu Yi could bring it up.
Sure enough, after a moment of silence in the hall, Gu Yi's clear and steady voice rang out: "Crown Prince Xie Tiao. He studied under me, and his qin skills also originated from me. In the world today, in the art of qin music, there is no one else but me."
The hall fell silent once again, so quiet you could hear your own breathing.
It wasn't that they didn't understand; on the contrary, they understood it completely. Therefore, while marveling at Gu Yi's keen insight into the current situation, they could only pretend to be ignorant and remain silent.
This is because it is absolutely not their place to express their opinion on this matter.
Pei Yuanli clenched his fist inside his sleeve, secretly grinding his teeth, but he couldn't bring himself to say a single "no".
The newly recruited Flying Phoenix Guards were originally assigned to Crown Prince Xie Tiao's Eastern Palace as secret guards, and are also the foundation of Xie Tiao's future governance and administration. Looking at the previous Flying Phoenix Guards and Xie Lang, their relationship can be described as a childhood friendship, a bond of loyalty that transcends life and death.
Among them, the future empress is most likely to emerge.
With Gu Yi's arrangement, Shangguan Yuqi's sword dance, accompanied by Crown Prince Xie Tiao's zither music, was presented at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in front of the civil and military officials of the Southern Dynasty. What would the world think of that?
Moreover, both "Qiankun Dingshi Ge" and "Wenwang Cao" are renowned national music and dance pieces, and the performers are no ordinary people.
Shangguan Yuqi was already the most beautiful woman in the Southern Dynasty, and legend had it that she was as beautiful as a fairy and as elegant as an immortal. So it was hard for the Crown Prince not to notice her when she made her first appearance in the palace.
Pei Yuanli thought to himself: Gu Yi, you seem to be independent and aloof, but it turns out you're actually on the side of the Emperor. I never suspected you. You so casually interfered at this crucial moment, and I've lost everything.
However, he could not show his feelings on his face.
Because Gu Yi had already made his point very clearly in just a few words. In terms of high status, musical skill, the lineage between Shangguan Yuqi and Shangguan Jin, and Gu Yi's own master-disciple relationship with Crown Prince Xie Tiao, there was no one more suitable than the Crown Prince to provide the music for the Shangguan family's "Song of Heaven and Earth Determining the World".
On the dragon throne, Xie Lang's expression shifted slightly, clearly surprised. He had not expected that Gu Yi's proposed candidate would be the Crown Prince.
Crown Prince Xie Tiao is gentle and refined, with an elegant and handsome appearance. He embodies the refined and graceful demeanor of the Xie family of Shanyang, and is also influenced by Gu Yiqin's music and philosophy. He is open-minded but not unrestrained, and is scholarly and respectful of etiquette.
His presence in the court was minimal because above him was the Grand Tutor Gu Yi, whose authority extended throughout the land; Emperor Xie Lang, whose power was felt across the land; and in his court were the Four Flying Phoenix Guards, Pei Yuanli, Shangguan You, Gongyi Xiu, and others—all renowned ministers of their time. Since the Crown Prince did not deliberately seek fame or create a reputation for himself, he naturally did not attract much attention.
Among the officials, Shangguan You was naturally unable to speak. Whether he supported or opposed the Crown Prince's suggestion to have the zither accompany Shangguan's sword dance, he would be in the wrong. Supporting it would be seen as currying favor with the powerful, while opposing it would be seen as disrespecting the Crown Prince.
Some matters are both public and private. Others should not easily offer their opinions or criticisms.
Xie Lang pondered for a moment, then decisively said, "Let's do as the young master says. The Crown Prince will play the zither to set the music for 'The Song of Heaven and Earth'."
His initial hesitation was not due to opposition, but because the Crown Prince was the heir apparent of the country, and his every word and action was under the scrutiny of the world. He could not act rashly. Although it was Gu Yi who made the suggestion, he had to consider it carefully and make sure that it would be beneficial to the Crown Prince before he could agree.
This also reflects Xie Lang's prudence as a wise ruler.
Gongyi Xiu immediately said, "I have long heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is skilled in playing the zither. It is truly an honor for us to hear him play today."
When the Crown Prince was mentioned, Xie Lang's usually stern expression softened, revealing a hint of warmth. He humbly replied, "The Right Chancellor flatters me. The Crown Prince's virtue and conduct have earned him a modest reputation, largely thanks to the guidance of the Junior Tutor."
The following sentence is also a humble expression. Although Gu Yi is nominally the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, he actually has very little time to teach the Crown Prince in detail, as the Eastern Palace has renowned scholars and Grand Tutors to teach him. The only thing he can truly say is the teacher-student relationship with the Crown Prince is the way of music.
Seeing that the emperor's expression had softened, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed, and the emperor and his ministers began to discuss other matters. Only Shangguan You remained silent, his brows furrowed.
Gongyi Xiu wondered if he was still angry about Pei Yuanli's rudeness. But the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family agreed to enter the palace, and the crown prince of the country played music for her. That was a great honor.
Honestly, since the Grand Tutor made the suggestion and the Emperor did not object, this starting point is very close to the future position of Empress. No woman in the world can have a more prestigious position than this. What could Shangguan You possibly want?
Looking down at his right shoulder, Zhao Lingying crossed her arms, also looking indifferent.
He thought for a moment, then gently touched Zhao Lingying's shoulder and whispered, "Shouldn't Miss Shangguan's entry into the palace be a sign of imperial favor and honor? Why does Lord Shangguan look so gloomy?"
Unexpectedly, Zhao Lingying, who was usually all smiles and even teased him, frowned and stepped aside as if she had touched a snake, saying seriously, "If you want to talk, then talk. Why did you touch me?"
Gongyi Xiu was handsome and dashing, a man sought after by noble ladies in the capital, and had never been so disdainful of a woman before. His face fell, and he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
To be honest, you can't blame him. He had never treated Zhao Ling particularly well, especially not as a woman. Besides, in all their interactions, Zhao Ling had mostly taken advantage of him; when would he dare to make any advances on her?
Fortunately, Zhao Lingying did not dwell on the matter further, only saying, "A daughter died in the palace of the previous dynasty, and a Grand Secretary committed suicide during the transition between the two dynasties. Now, another daughter is to be offered to the palace to bring glory to the dynasty. As Lord Shangguan, you must not be in a good mood."
Gongyi Xiu immediately shut his mouth.
For a century, the Shangguan family has enjoyed a high reputation among scholars and has been revered as the head of the Southern Dynasty's civil officials group, a pillar of the family for a hundred years. The sacrifices made by each member of the family behind this are indeed unimaginable to ordinary people.
Just then, Pei Yuanli laughed again and said, "At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Yu'er also has a few small trinkets that she wishes to present to Your Majesty and the entire court for your enjoyment."
Before anyone could speak, Kong Heng, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, said, “Since the beginning of this dynasty, the Grand Tutor has established court rules that women, dogs, and horses should not be discussed in the public court. The 'White Silk' and 'The Universe and the World' that we just discussed are national ritual music and ceremonial instruments, not female musicians or acrobatics. What Lord Pei said is not quite appropriate, is it?”
Pei Yuanli said calmly, "What I have said can also serve as a national symbol. It all depends on whether His Majesty uses it or not."
He stepped forward and stood on the steps of the palace, bowing deeply and saying, "Your subject, Pei Yu, once tamed lions and tigers in the Divine Hound Camp to break through enemy formations, and has already achieved some success. When Shun was alive, the music of the Nine Shao summoned phoenixes to pay homage and all beasts to dance. Today, Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler, and the virtuous teachings of the Junior Tutor have been transformed. Pei Yu wishes to lead a white tiger to pay homage to Your Majesty at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet. Firstly, this will demonstrate the virtue of our dynasty that benefits the world and moves even the beasts; secondly, it will also demonstrate the might of our dynasty's military might."
His words shocked and alarmed the entire court.
The art of controlling lions, tigers, leopards, and elephants is mostly found in ancient records and strange tales. Previous dynasties also had parks and enclosures for rare birds and animals, such as deer parks and animal parks, but to drive them to obey human speech, perform human-like worship rituals, or even charge into battle is unheard of and unseen.
Pei Yuanli's Mastiff Battalion kept giant mastiffs year-round to assist the capital's guards in law enforcement, dispersing refugees, and guarding prisoners—a fact well-known to court officials. However, the unrestrained mastiffs and horses of the Mastiff Battalion, which injured civilians and disturbed their homes, were also a long-standing source of criticism among the people of the capital.
However, Pei Yu's training of lions and tigers in the Divine Mastiff Camp for combat purposes was something no one had ever heard of before. While it was certainly novel, its true nature was uncertain, and whether it brought good or bad fortune was hard to discern.
Lions and tigers are both kings of beasts. If they enter the army formation, the warhorses will naturally be frightened and run away, and the enemy army will surely collapse at the first touch.
But this is contingent on lions and tigers truly being tamed and used by humans without unleashing their wild nature. Otherwise, if bloodshed occurs on the battlefield, and lions and tigers become enraged, they might even trample and devour their own kind, resulting in mutual destruction.
Zhao Lingying frowned and said, "Lions and tigers are different from cattle and horses by nature; they cannot be controlled by humans. From a safety perspective, would it be inappropriate to rashly bring them into the palace banquet?"
Her question echoed the sentiments of most people. While the sight of sacred music accompanied by the dancing of all the beasts was certainly an auspicious omen that pleased the courtiers, and it was also quite novel, if a lion or tiger were to suddenly attack and injure someone, the joyous occasion would instantly turn into a funeral, and the state banquet into a mourning event.
Pei Yuanli confidently replied, "I guarantee with my life that it will never happen. Yu'er has grown up with this white tiger since childhood and can be used at will. This tiger is also very intelligent and gentle, like a big cat, and never attacks people. Moreover, I will transport it in an iron cage first, and then release it at the banquet in the palace. At that time, Yu'er will be by my side, restrained, and tied with an iron collar, so there will be no chance of her escaping."
He looked at Sikong Zhao, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, and said in a more emphasizing tone, "General Sikong has also seen Yu'er playing with tigers in the army."
Xie Lang looked at Sikong Zhao, the former "Silver Saddle White Horse" of Flying Phoenix, who had no choice but to step forward and cup his hands, saying: "Your subject has indeed seen Miss Pei taming a tiger in the camp. This tiger... seemed docile in front of Miss Pei, but I cannot know whether it would still be so obedient when it was taken to another place and faced with a large number of strangers."
The former Flying Phoenix Guards were all former imperial bodyguards, valuing the emperor's safety above all else, and were unwilling to take risks for mere empty fame. Therefore, Sikong Zhao's words were quite reserved.
Just as Sikong Zhao finished speaking, the officer on duty outside the hall hurriedly entered from the side of the hall, ran to Sikong Zhao's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and handed him a document sealed with sealing wax.
When Sikong Zhao listened to the general speak, her expression became solemn. And when she opened the bamboo tube to examine the document, her expression changed several times. She immediately tucked the document into her sleeve and looked up at the hall.
Zhao Lingying's face immediately showed great displeasure, and he said to Xie Lang's back, "Young Master!"
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