The sun and moon vie for brilliance
The ministers who had previously opposed the movement most vehemently now all looked unconvinced and wanted to argue further.
Xie Lang said in a deep voice, "When Empress Wen was alive, the previous dynasty was at its peak. The palace was filled with melodious songs and graceful dances, which we have all witnessed. Although Emperor Wu was later incompetent and licentious, indulging in female entertainers and living a life of extravagance and debauchery, which led to the downfall of the country, it was ultimately due to the people involved, not the music."
"Now that the country is at peace, I wish to revive the literary tradition and restore refined tastes. Do you, my lords, not wish to see the elegant traces of the past during times of peace and prosperity, and to create new and beautiful tales for our dynasty, instead of putting on a show of austerity and self-imposed hardship in the palace, and then returning home to enjoy the pleasures of your private courtesans?"
His question was quite stern.
It is not uncommon for aristocratic families to keep private troupes of entertainers to accompany banquets and enjoyment. This practice did not begin in this dynasty, but has been a custom of the upper class since ancient times, and no emperor of any dynasty has ever banned it.
Xie Lang himself was diligent and frugal, but neither he nor Gu Yi could control the leisurely and extravagant lifestyle of others in their private residences.
Very few officials in the court came from humble backgrounds; most were from prominent families with generations of wealth and influence, and many kept private female entertainers in their homes. Of course, they could argue that enjoying female entertainers at home after meals was one thing, but enjoying them at a public banquet in the court was quite another. However, they weren't so lacking in tact as to say:
The one who suggested the white silk dance was Junior Tutor Gu Yi. He might not care about such empty debates about Confucian ethics; but first, there was Zhao Lingying, the Director of the Imperial Library, who made sarcastic remarks, then the Left Chancellor Shangguan You who was angry, and now Emperor Xie Lang personally made the final decision. Anyone who still wants to win the reputation of "upright and outspoken remonstrance" would have to weigh the consequences of offending all four of them.
For a moment, no one spoke in the court.
Pei Yuanli immediately replied, “Your Majesty is quite right. I fondly recall the splendor of the White Silk Dance of yesteryear. Speaking of which, I have a former performer in my household named Hongbi, who was originally bestowed upon me by the late Emperor as the head performer in the palace. She once practiced the White Silk Dance with Empress Wen and gained considerable skill from it. Now that the new dynasty is showing its grandeur and needs talented individuals, I wish to present this performer to add luster to the first grand musical and dance event of our dynasty. I wonder what Your Majesty and the Junior Tutor think?”
Gongyi Xiu thought to himself: "Old ginger is spicier." Pei Yuanli's response, indicating that he also had a dancer in his household and was willing to offer one to help complete the White Silk Dance, served several purposes. First, it gave other officials who kept dancers a way out; second, it showed support for the emperor and the Grand Tutor; and third, it successfully defused the awkward topic. It was a brilliant move that killed several birds with one stone.
Xie Lang's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Granted! Do any of you gentlemen have any other objections?"
No, of course not.
Even Grand Marshal Pei Yuanli has expressed his support, so who else can have any objections?
Therefore, sometimes victory depends not on viewpoints, but on numbers—especially heavyweight numbers.
Gu Yi felt that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Thus, the court meeting ended in a relatively harmonious atmosphere, and the officials dispersed.
After Gu Yi finished court, he was about to return to Jinlingtai when he heard a woman's voice behind him call out, "Young Master, please wait."
Gu Yi turned around and saw Zhao Lingying, the clerk of the Imperial Library. Her usually beautiful and lively face now showed a hesitant expression.
Gu Yi asked, "What is it, Consort Zhaorong?"
After hesitating for a long time, Zhao Lingying said softly, "Lingying thanks the Young Master for his righteous help to Azhao last night."
Gu Yi thought to himself, "So that's what it's about." He nodded slightly and prepared to leave.
Little did he know that Zhao Lingying was inwardly turmoil because of the two words "Not good" that Lie Changkong had posted outside the Ministry of Personnel. Grand Tutor Gu Yi, when discussing politics, mostly focused on the matter at hand and had never lightly criticized anyone. Such fierce and public criticism was unprecedented.
However, if it is to be public, it was not named, nor was it stamped with an official seal or issued with a formal document. Instead, it was only a note, which can be considered to have saved face.
This made the perceptive and quick-witted Zhao Lingying quite unsure of his attitude, so she had to probe and ask him indirectly.
Seeing that Gu Yi had nothing more to say, Zhao Lingying felt relieved. But when she saw him about to leave, she hurriedly called out, "Young Master, please wait!"
Gu Yi turned around again and asked, "Is there anything else, Zhaorong?"
He was a man of few words, but in truth, he was an extremely patient man. At this moment, he turned around and waited quietly for Zhao Lingying to speak.
He occasionally cooperated with the Flying Phoenix Guards on official business, but they never had any private relationship. He himself was neither partisan nor affiliated with any group, and believed in the public good, while the Flying Phoenix Guards were the Emperor's men, and he clearly distinguished between them.
Zhao Lingying had called him back several times, so she must have something important to say. Therefore, he was no longer in a hurry to return to Jinlingtai, but simply stood and waited for her to finish speaking.
Zhao Lingying hesitated for a long time before finally saying softly, "Does the young master know that the white ramie used in the White Ramie Dance, although called ramie, is actually made from silk gauze woven from silkworm silk produced in Wu region? Its flowing posture is like clouds and streams, with a lingering charm and a sense of ethereal mist in the mountains. Ordinary white ramie is too coarse and heavy, and it does not have the feeling of flowing clouds and water when it is moved."
Her answer left Gu Yi, usually so wise and decisive, even more confused. He wondered if she had stayed behind just to spread knowledge about textiles. But out of politeness, he replied, "Thank you for informing me, Your Highness."
He didn't understand why she had come specifically to tell him this.
Zhao Lingying relaxed, a slight smile appearing on her lips, and said succinctly, "If the Yuefu dance requires this Wu-style silk gauze, the Junior Tutor can send someone to the Junior Residence to fetch it, and Lingying will naturally send someone to deliver it."
The Palace Attendant was in charge of all money, accounts, utensils, and property, and Zhao Lingying was the head official in charge of these. Among the six palaces, Consort Chen was in charge of people, while Zhao Lingying was in charge of property.
Gu Yi then realized that Zhao Lingying had gone to such lengths to express her goodwill towards him. He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself: he had spent ten years scheming and planning, engaging in numerous battles and facing life-or-death situations, always doing what was right, and certainly not just for the sake of currying favor with others.
However, the Four Guards of Flying Phoenix were neither outsiders nor villains, and he had no reason to refuse their kindness.
Gu Yi politely said, "Then, thank you very much, Consort Zhao." He then turned and left again.
As Zhao Lingying watched Gu Yi's graceful figure disappear into the distance, her bright eyes gradually turned melancholic, as if shrouded in a light mist of sorrow.
She thought to herself, "These days, there aren't many people who still remember Bai Zhuwu. It's rare that you, Young Master, are one of them."
Although he was already an adult, every time Gongyi Xiu entered the "Songxue Hall" where his master Wanqiqing lived, he still felt the same strong and warm feeling of shock and admiration he had when he first entered it as a child.
Master Wanqiqing was the most perfect man he had ever seen in his life.
Unlike those renowned scholars of Jiangnan who possessed only empty, philosophical elegance but were hesitant and indecisive when faced with real challenges, he was also unlike those valiant generals who were merely reckless and arrogant, lacking any refinement or civility.
Of all the people he had ever met in his life, only Junior Tutor Gu Yi could rival him.
But the young master Gu Yi is different. Behind his mysterious indifference lies a melancholy temperament, like the moon in the clouds. When it shines, it illuminates the earth, making the mountains and rivers clear for thousands of miles, but when it is hidden, it is like a quiet night in the deep mountains, mysterious and profound.
The Master, on the other hand, was like a radiant sunrise, surrounded by rosy clouds. His every gesture exuded a powerful confidence, and his words and actions transcended worldly concerns. He was as passionate and unrestrained as a celestial horse soaring through the sky, possessing an unparalleled charm that could conquer hearts.
From childhood, whenever he was by his master's side, he would feel the aura and power of a towering mountain overlooking an abyss, or the sunrise over Mount Tai. He had always secretly strived to become a figure like his master, capable of navigating complex situations with ease and elegance, and leading the world's affairs.
I wish to make all mountains pay homage and all rivers flow to the sea.
And he has always done a very good job.
This was an accident.
When Gongyi Xiu took out the genuine Gu Yi calligraphy that he had kept for a day from his sleeve and unfolded it—the two large, warm-colored ink characters "Not good" appeared on the desk, and Wan Qiqing's eyes immediately showed a look of amazement and emotion.
Even the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Your handwriting reflects your personality.
Wan Qiqing stared at it for a long time before finally reaching out his hand and slowly mimicking the strokes with his fingers.
"This person is extremely steady in character and possesses a rare and noble tranquility. Whether it is a simple stroke or a complex turn, he treats it all the same and proceeds with each character in detail."
"Its atmosphere is as serene as distant mountains and as secluded as a deep valley. It is as stable as a rock, yet within its stillness lies boundless potential for growth."
"In short, it is 'unconventional'. Without deliberate effort or artifice, the true essence is revealed naturally everywhere."
Gongyi Xiu glanced listlessly at Gu Yi's "authentic calligraphy," and said hesitantly, "This was sent to my disciple by A Qiu."
As expected, the moment A Qiu was mentioned, Wan Qiqing's full attention immediately shifted from the "Gu Yi's authentic work" in front of him to this youngest and most beloved disciple, and he immediately asked, "Has something happened in the palace?"
Gongyi Xiu bowed and replied, "I don't know. Master also knows that because of the Four Constellations of Tianji and the Four Guards of Feifeng, we have not placed any people or spies in the inner palace to avoid alerting them. And I haven't heard any major disturbances in the outer court." He considered for a moment and said, "I suppose it's just A Qiu being silly, nothing serious."
Wan Qiqing asked calmly, "What is this 'big thing' you're referring to?"
Gongyi Xiu looked up in surprise, unable to answer for a moment.
Wan Qiqing disagreed, saying, "Xiu'er, as the Right Chancellor, you are at the top of power. For you, perhaps only things like seizing the throne, usurping the country, and deposing the heir apparent are considered big events. But have you ever thought that for ordinary people, the death of a farm ox is a big event, and going out to sell goods in the rain and returning empty-handed is also a big event."
Gongyi Xiu was ashamed and said, "Indeed, this disciple is careless. Please enlighten me, Master."
Wan Qiqing turned his gaze back to the "Gu Yi's Authentic Work" in front of him and said indifferently, "The Inner Palace Music Bureau is a lowly place, a melting pot of all sorts of people. It's normal for a girl like A Qiu to encounter difficulties there."
Gongyi Xiu broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that he had always regarded A Qiu as the leader of the Divine Weapon Hall of Lanling Hall, the assassin "Jing Ke", but he had never really regarded her as a girl.
A Qiu rose to fame at a young age, eccentric and unconventional. She wielded a sword called "Assassination of Qin," its gleaming light illuminating the snow, startling thirteen states at night. She even ranked above him on the list of banished immortals. Gongyi Xiu always believed that nothing in the world could stump this resourceful and exceptionally intelligent junior sister.
Even someone as brilliant as Marquis Liu, whose wisdom was unparalleled in his time, would find it difficult to gain the upper hand against her in a one-on-one battle of wits.
Perhaps for this reason, when A Qiu let out the Lanling Howl at night, although he responded and came out, he did not really think that A Qiu had encountered any urgent or difficult matter.
Looking back now, within the deep palace, there were four or five thousand people, with strict order and hierarchy. As a dancer and musician, A Qiu was just an ordinary person among the masses, and she couldn't help but feel guilty.
But listening to his master Wanqiqing's words, it seemed he knew everything about the inner palace's music bureau. Gongyi Xiu couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Master, are you saying that someone in the music bureau is abusing women?"
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