Some of the onlookers on the shore recognized Chao Xiang, and they were all taken aback when they first heard Chao Xiang's voice coming from the flower boat.
To blow the gong on such a joyous occasion—is that madness?
Ji Fengyao was dressed in a magnificent white dress, playing the most rustic instrument—and, quite festively at that.
"Miss, they really don't dare to say a word! Go, Miss! You're awesome, Miss!"
Seeing that the nearby flower boats were all fleeing for their lives, moving further away from their own flower boat and falling silent, Xique couldn't have been happier with the sound of the suona. She jumped up with joy and shouted loudly to cheer for her young lady.
Shanyu Heye: "..."
Black Owl: "..."
Shang Xiye: "..."
After playing "White Dragon Horse" twice, Ji Fengyao noticed that the other boats were indeed unusually quiet, so she took a break as well.
After a while, the faint sound of a zither rose from the boat again, so she stood up and played it twice more.
After repeating this process several times, all the flower boats finally obediently returned to being small wooden boats that silently paddled on the water.
The musicians on the dragon boat, holding their instruments, all stood there, motionless.
The Empress Dowager, Emperor Shang Xiche, and the Empress sat in the main seat, their faces cold and silent. Even Consort Yin, who was usually the best at easing tensions, was still preoccupied with Chao Xiang's bewitching voice and didn't know where to begin.
Onlookers commented: "This is probably the quietest lake tour in recent years."
Arrived at Chimejima Island.
From the emperor, empress dowager, and imperial concubines to the officials and their families, everyone paid their respects to the people of the Ninth Prince's mansion. Their gazes lingered on Ji Fengyao for a long time before inevitably falling on the expressionless Ninth Prince, Shang Xiye.
Those disdainful and dissatisfied gazes seemed to be a collective accusation:
You are the dignified Ninth Prince, the most noble Prince Su of the Great Zhao Dynasty, and you just let that bandit be so arrogant and ignorant.
Shang Xiye's expression was calm and his gaze composed. His slender fingers, resting on the sheepskin blanket on his lap, unintentionally traced the white wool on it. With each glance he received, his fingertips would lightly brush across the wool.
Looking at the strange looks from these people, Ji Fengyao finally realized belatedly: Had she been a bit clumsy and played the flute poorly, bringing shame to the Ninth Prince's Mansion?
Looking at Shang Xiye, who had just disembarked, Ji Fengyao carefully took two steps closer, bowed, and said in a low voice, "Um, Your Highness."
"Um?"
Shang Xiye looked up at the little female bandit with a puzzled expression. Seeing her bright and clear eyes darting around nervously, his mood brightened.
"Well, you might not believe it, but I used to be quite good at playing this instrument. It's just that I haven't played it in a long time, so I've become rusty. I've done my best." Ji Fengyao felt that she had done her part to uphold the dignity of the royal family, and although the result wasn't ideal, her actions were understandable.
Shang Xiye met Ji Fengyao's clear, black grape-like eyes and smiled slightly: "Excellent."
Others might not be able to imagine how stunning the smile was because of the mask, but Ji Fengyao was all too familiar with this face, and that captivatingly beautiful smile instantly came to mind.
His gentle smile, like a spring breeze that appeared overnight, blossomed in her eyes, so stunning that she couldn't take her eyes off him.
Excellent? He actually said it was excellent?
Ji Fengyao looked up at the sun rising straight up from the east and asked in a daze: Really?
Why doesn't she believe it? She clearly stammered and stumbled over it.
At this moment, Qin Weiyang disembarked from the dragon boat and passed by the Ninth Prince and his entourage, generously giving Ji Fengyao a close-up of a mocking sneer and a roll of her eyes.
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