No need to avoid
Ah Qiu continued, "If he has drawn a chasm between us, making it clear that we are not meant to be, yet my heart is still burning with unease. I am saddened and distressed by his joy and sorrow, and my spirits are broken by his elation. What should I do?"
Shangguan Yuqi looked at her again with clear eyes and said, "So what if it is?"
She turned her head away, gazing at the setting sun casting its last rays above the palace, and sighed, “In one’s life, the least important thing is love, yet the most captivating and entangled thing is also love. If you had asked me this question twelve years ago, I would have answered that one should wield the sword of wisdom to sever the threads of love, regardless of whether it is true or false, whether it is a promise or a broken one. Because I have never felt that there is any real and lasting benefit in wasting one’s life on a man’s fickle love.”
A-Qiu understood what she meant. For the successor of the Gentleman's Sword, who regards swordsmanship as the highest pursuit, the goal is to align the swordsmanship with the principles of nature and to reach the state of non-action through action. All other things in the world are no longer of concern or attachment.
She was lost in thought; was Gu Yi like that too?
He ceased all worldly desires and stopped walking in the human realm. Although he entered the world, all his actions were aimed at transcending it, at pursuing a political ideal that was in accordance with the Way of Heaven, beyond the human realm.
What Shangguan Yuqi said next shocked her even more, leaving her stunned.
Shangguan Yuqi looked at her, her clear and bright eyes now veiled with a layer of sorrow and heartbreak.
She said softly, "But my answer now is that I am indifferent to gain and indifferent to loss. Life is a process that is a mixture of joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness. You don't have to resist it, just as you can't hold onto it."
As their eyes met, A-Qiu seemed to hear the sound of someone's heart breaking from another world.
Shangguan Yuqi perked up, glanced ahead, and said calmly, "There's something else I need to tell Dian Le."
A-Qiu said blankly, "Please enlighten me, Miss."
Shangguan Yuqi regained her calm and detached expression and smiled, "If Dian Le has time and is willing to spend more time with His Highness the Crown Prince, there is no need to avoid me."
A-Qiu was caught off guard and exclaimed in astonishment, "What?"
Before she could figure out where Shangguan Yuqi got this impression, she heard her say in a light tone, "His Highness needs friends, and you are his junior sister. If you two get along, it will only benefit him. As for other things, we can see about that later. Don't you think so?"
A-Qiu was initially bewildered, then became extremely embarrassed.
Shangguan Yuqi's words clearly indicated that she mistook the person she had mentioned in her earlier emotional confession for Crown Prince Xie Tiao.
Her response was encouraging, suggesting that everything is possible and there are opportunities, and advising her to start with what's close at hand.
Shangguan Yuqi is truly a loyal friend.
Although she herself did not have any particular thoughts about the Crown Prince, she was, after all, the one who accepted the imperial jade ruyi on behalf of the Shangguan family, and was the future Crown Princess candidate unanimously recognized by the court and the public.
However, she was able to set aside worldly and utilitarian views on this matter and support A-Qiu's efforts for love.
Although the object was completely wrong.
Ah Qiu's heart was still filled with warmth.
Before she could even begin to explain, Shangguan Yuqi smiled and nodded at her, signaling her to take her leave, before drifting away without a second glance.
A Qiu watched in a daze as her spotless white figure disappeared before continuing to walk forward.
But after taking only a few steps, she understood why Shangguan Yuqi had this misunderstanding.
In front of the vermilion pillars of the corridor, Prince Xie Tiao, with his elegant demeanor, stood beside a winter plum tree, waiting for her.
Ah Qiu steeled himself and stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Your Highness!"
Xie Tiao had been gazing in the direction she came from, but when she arrived in front of him, he looked away slightly and said, "Junior Sister A Qiu, why be so formal?"
A Qiu thought to herself, even if she had a hundred lives, she wouldn't dare call the Crown Prince "Senior Brother Xie." But outwardly, she obediently replied, "Your Highness, are you waiting for me here? Is there anything you require?"
Xie Tiao had wanted to talk to her while he was in the Jixian Hall, but there were too many people around. So he waited until everyone had left before waiting for her on the road she would definitely take back to Jinlingtai.
He had the opportunity to meet and spend time with A Qiu today, and they could meet again tomorrow during rehearsals and performances, but there would be even more people then. After the dance banquet, he, as the Crown Prince, would be residing deep within the Eastern Palace, while A Qiu would be just a minor musician, serving either at the Music Bureau or the Jinling Terrace. It wouldn't be so easy for them to meet again.
Therefore, if I don't say this now, I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to say it again.
Xie Tiao lived deep within the palace, and was actually quite lonely most of the time, rarely interacting with peers. His father's harem was simple and austere, lacking the vying for favor among concubines, but also filled with a sense of desolation.
Although Shangguan Yuqi, Pei Yu, and others frequently came and went, they mostly had their own thoughts and their interactions with him were based on the relationship between ruler and subject. They were not as innocent and carefree as A Qiu, whose joys and sorrows were clearly visible on her face.
He saw her as a vibrant and beautiful flower blooming in the depths of the palace; just looking at her filled him with boundless energy.
Xie Tiao smiled and said, "Junior sister, do you know that one of our teacher's wishes is to re-establish the Imperial Music Bureau and replace the political atmosphere of coercion with the teaching of rites and music?"
When A Qiu heard that he was talking about Gu Yi, she became more attentive and said, "I have not been following my master for long, so I am not clear about these things. Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
Seeing her interest, Xie Tiao became even more enthusiastic and said, "Teacher has always believed that the reason why the world is in constant turmoil is because there is no strong ruler who has clearly defined the order of rank and status. As a result, everyone with power wants to carve out their own territory, or even compete for the throne. If people's hearts are always competitive and driven by power and profit, then war and aggression will never stop."
A Qiu's beautiful eyes sparkled as she innocently asked, "Isn't our Southern Dynasty strong enough?"
Xie Tiao chuckled at her words, then said seriously, “Not enough. All around are barbarian tribes that are eager to devour and covet the wealth of Jiangdong. If our dynasty were to fall, the cultural relics and splendor that our ancestors built up over a hundred years to seek refuge here would all be buried under their iron hooves.”
Aqiu said, "That's why Master tried every means to invite the Marquis of Guannei to court. We Southerners must work together to recover the Central Plains in the north in order to hope for lasting peace."
Seeing her intelligence, Xie Tiao liked her even more and said, "That's not what I wanted to say. Teacher's efforts are focused on military victories, but on the other hand, having power and strength alone is not a long-term solution for governing a country. Suppressing with power is only temporary. The most extreme example is that Qin was able to conquer the six states one by one, but it perished after only two generations."
A-Qiu was initially polite to the Crown Prince, mostly out of courtesy, but now he sincerely asked, "On the other hand, is it the virtuous policy of 'if distant people do not submit, then cultivate virtue to attract them'?"
Xie Tiao said approvingly, "Rites and music are the outward manifestations of virtuous governance. Teacher has been preparing for this. What makes a regime superior to others is its more advanced design, and its embodiment is the civilization of rites and music."
How can we prove that our regime is better and more worthy of being chosen? Observe its clothing and style, its appearance and demeanor, whether the relationships between people in its country are harmonious and cheerful, and whether public affairs are well-organized.
These are precisely the categories within which ritual and music regulate and clarify.
If everyone is anxious and restless, only interested in currying favor and pursuing personal gain, and taking pride in the strong, then even vast fertile fields will become like desert wastelands, yielding no fruits of civilization.
A-Qiu seemed to be deep in thought.
Xie Tiao looked at this junior sister and grew to like her more and more. Whether it was the undisguised reverence that flashed in her eyes when she listened to him speak, or the thoughtful expression on her face at this moment, everything about her was extremely pleasing to his eye.
She was neither like the usual courtiers of the Crown Prince, who only knew how to flatter and fawn, nor did she accept everything simply because she was ignorant.
Unfortunately, it was getting late, and continuing to talk to her by the roadside would only attract too much attention.
Xie Tiao concluded, "In the most practical terms, if we are to re-establish the Imperial Music Bureau, we need capable music officials. Lord An is highly respected, but he knows music but not politics, and eunuchs cannot hold office."
He looked at A Qiu and said, "You are the youngest female official in the Music Bureau, the best dancer in the Dance Department, and a disciple of your teacher. Regardless of your status or qualifications, you have a promising future. If you have time, you can come to the East Palace for a visit soon, and I can tell you more."
A Qiu understood his meaning and curtsied, saying, "I understand, Your Highness. Thank you for your high regard."
Xie Tiao reached out and helped her up himself. Just then, a plum blossom petal fell onto her hair as the wind blew through the treetops, and Xie Tiao quietly brushed it away.
He didn't think anything was unusual; he just did it on a whim.
A Qiu stood frozen in place for a moment before smiling and saying, "I also have something to say to Your Highness."
Xie Tiao asked with great interest, "What is that?"
A Qiu said sincerely, "If Your Highness were willing to share these plans with Miss Shangguan, Miss Pei, and General Xiao Fan, they would certainly be willing to listen and offer suggestions."
Her suggestion was not unfounded.
The previous generation of the Four Flying Phoenix Guards had a bond of life and death with the current Emperor Xie Lang. She didn't know much about Sikong Zhao and Zhao Lingying, but among those she knew, Consort Chen was gentle and loyal, and Mu Huaying was meticulous and ruthless. But no matter how different their personalities were, they were all unwavering in their loyalty to Xie Lang.
Upon hearing this, Xie Tiao's handsome face showed a hint of bewilderment.
He wasn't slacking off; Shangguan Yuqi always remained indifferent, as if she didn't want to say anything more to him. He wasn't stupid, nor was he without self-respect; how could he not see through her rejection?
Perhaps for this reason, he never considered getting close to anyone else in Flying Phoenix.
They are either from prestigious families, daughters of military families, or noble ladies; they all stood out from the crowd and reached this position because of their own abilities and backgrounds.
In reality, apart from the title of Crown Prince, he had no one behind him and was not particularly outstanding.
He was not as eloquent as Gongyi Xiu, nor even as good at charming girls as Xiao Chang'an.
On Xiao Chang'an's first day at the East Palace, all the maids there were in a frenzy, their lives filled with excitement.
This is completely different from the strict and orderly atmosphere of the Eastern Palace under his previous rule.
He thought that if the halo and status bestowed upon him by the outside world were removed, probably no one in this palace would want to associate with him.
Except for the girl in front of me.
Even when she was a lowly courtesan, she never once approached him again, despite having saved his life.
When she became a rising star in the music academy and a successor of the young master based on her genuine talent and learning, she did not keep people at arm's length like Shangguan Yuqi.
She was different to him.
Xie Tiao shook off his confusion, perked up, and smiled at her, "Junior sister is right, I will try it in the future. But you must also remember what you promised me."
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