Luo Lan stood up, took a few steps back while holding up her dress, folded her hands together, and slowly said:
"The title of this piece, 'Spring Dawn Chant,' is naturally associated with spring. The beginning, with its quiet melody, heralds the arrival of spring, and the laziness of people enjoying its warmth and quiet, feeling the hope it brings... The second half of the piece has a brisk tempo, signifying that from spring onward, people begin to have infinite hope for life. The sharp notes at the end imply that no matter how beautiful spring is, it will eventually pass. Music, like life, is but a few short decades long and will eventually end."
“Bold.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Hong, who had been sullen all the time, suddenly slammed the table and roared, pointing his finger at her and humming:
"Princess Yu is truly bold. She actually mentioned these unlucky words right in front of the Emperor on New Year's Day. Are you really trying to displease the Emperor? It seems this wild girl from the countryside really lacks discipline."
"You're so bold."
Luo Lan looked back at her without fear. Although his voice was gentle, it contained a harshness that could not be underestimated.
"General Wu, I was talking about the meaning of the song. You actually thought of the emperor. May I ask what you meant?"
"I……"
Wu Hong knew he was in the wrong, so he could only stop talking in disappointment.
Huang Shixiong suddenly clapped his hands and laughed:
"Alright, Princess Yu's song is truly unique. When I listened to it just now, it made my heart feel peaceful and tranquil, as if I had truly returned to spring. I think Princess Yu wins this round."
At this time, Wu Yuanzhang, who had been silent all this time, interrupted and said:
"Princess Yu's piece is too short. I can't hear the charm of it at all. Your Majesty, I don't think she won this game. It's a draw at best."
At this time, Liu Dechang, who was sitting there pondering, suddenly spoke with a serious expression,
"Your Majesty, I believe that Princess Yu's song is only sung in heaven, rarely heard on earth. I also believe that Princess Yu should be awarded the victory in this round."
As soon as he finished speaking, Leng Xi and Leng Ming also felt that Luo Lan should win this round. Some people who were in collusion with the Wu father and son naturally did not dare to say much, but the young ladies of the ministers' families all thought that Luo Lan should win this round. Even Yu Qiaoqiao, who was full of jealousy towards Luo Lan, felt that Luo Lan's music was extraordinary and made people feel relaxed and happy when listening to it.
The Emperor glanced at everyone and nodded slowly, "Princess Yu's music really calmed my heart for a while. I didn't expect her to play the zither so well. This round, Princess Yu wins."
As soon as he said this, Wu Hong's eyes were filled with anger but helplessness. He had to admit in his heart that Luo Lan's music style was indeed better than Zhang Ning's.
The emperor ruled that Luo Lan won, but Luo Lan's face remained calm. However, when he looked at Leng Yu, there was a hint of tenderness between his brows.
Wu Hong rolled up his sleeves unwillingly, with a hint of anger in his voice, and shouted,
"Okay, Qin, you win. Now, I'll challenge you to a round. Do you dare to accept?"
Luo Lan nodded without hesitation, "General Wu personally took action, Luo Lan dare not refuse, General Wu, please."
Hearing this, Wu Hong confidently asked his servants to bring up the chessboard.
Wu Hong swung his clothes and sat down on the chess stool.
Luo Lan shook her clothes lightly with a gentle expression and sat down opposite Wu Hong.
Wu Hong pointed at the chess piece and said with a righteous look on his face:
"You are a woman, so you go first with black."
Luo Lan unceremoniously took the box containing the black chess pieces in front of him and smiled at Wu Hong.
"Thank you for your courtesy, General Wu."
As soon as she finished speaking, she picked up a chess piece, looked at the chessboard with a burning gaze, and placed the chess piece in the lower left corner.
Seeing this scene, Wu Hong's mouth curled up. He concluded that this woman didn't know how to play chess and was just bluffing.
So he relaxed his guard and started making his moves.
The two men were playing chess enthusiastically, chasing each other. Several ministers who knew chess stood up from their seats and watched from a distance.
At this time, the place was extremely quiet and no one dared to make any sound. The emperor also held his breath, quietly waiting for Luo Lan to lose this game.
The emperor knew that Wu Hong's chess skills were among the best in Daning Kingdom. In his early years, he was defeated by Wu Hong. Since then, he dared not play chess with Wu Hong. After many years, his chess skills must have improved.
So, he thought to himself that Luo Lan was bound to lose this round. He even imagined Luo Lan lying on the ground and barking like a dog, and his face suddenly turned pale and blue.
Luo Lan's chess moves left Wu Hong somewhat baffled. After he placed the last chess piece, he concluded that he had won. He looked at Luo Lan with pride, raised his eyebrows and said:
"Princess Yu, I'm grateful for your kindness."
Luo Lan tilted his head, pouted, and looked at the chessboard with an aggrieved look. Then he picked up a chess piece and said in feigned confusion:
"But there's still an empty space here. I'll fill it up and then decide the winner."
The moment her chess piece fell, someone among the onlookers suddenly clapped and cheered.
"Excellent! This chess move is brilliant, truly unprecedented and unparalleled!"
"Yes, yes, this move is truly amazing and impossible to defend against."
"This move is truly eye-opening. I've been playing chess for so many years, but I've never seen anyone with such profound chess skills. Today is truly an eye-opener."
“…”
Listening to the endless praise from these people, Wu Hong disdained to look at the chessboard for a second. He stood up proudly and clasped his fists towards everyone and said:
"Thank you all for your praise. I have been learning chess since I was young and have never given it up. It is no big deal that I was able to defeat Princess Yu, who doesn't know much about chess."
The emperor's face also turned cold. He knew that Wu Hong would then smugly make Luo Lan lie on the ground and bark like a dog. This would really bring shame to the royal family.
But at this moment, Luo Lan said leisurely:
"General Wu, you have nowhere to go."
Hearing this, Wu Hong frowned, looked at her with a dark face, and then stared at the chess board in a daze.
At this time, someone carefully reminded:
"General Wu, it is indeed you who lost."
Wu Hong, who had just been full of pride, suddenly lowered his head and looked at the chessboard with a frosty expression when he heard this. He shook his head vigorously in disbelief.
"Impossible, this is impossible, how is this possible? I, Wu Hong, have never lost a game of chess, how is this possible?"
At this time, Huang Shixiong and Liu Dechang, as well as Leng Yu, Leng Xi and Leng Ming, all gathered around with curiosity in their eyes.
Leng Ming, who was always quiet, glanced at the chessboard and couldn't help but say:
"The Empress's chess moves are truly astonishing. She can't tell what she's doing, yet she manages to win completely. She's truly exceptional."
Leng Xi was also there, pursing his lips, his face filled with excitement, praising:
"Sister-in-law, you are truly amazing. I'm afraid the title of Daning Kingdom's number one chess player will soon be passed on to someone else."
Hearing this, Huang Shixiong felt relieved and laughed out loud.
"Hahaha, great, young and promising indeed, young and promising."
Hearing this, Wu Hong clenched his fists and roared in dissatisfaction.
"This must be a case of a blind cat catching a dead mouse. This is impossible, this is impossible. Do you dare to play another round with me?"
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