Chapter 8, Pipa

She gently tapped the piano's head, lightly twisting and slowly plucking the strings. The sound of the drums harmonized softly at first, warm like the laughter of a spring day. Gradually, the long strings of the piano became more urgent, as if the cavalry of golden drums at the border was surging, subtly evoking a sense of worry

The son of the Minister Wang, intoxicated with wine, was engaged in a lively discussion. His gaze was sharp, and after a brief exchange of whispers with several young aristocrats, he appeared to be directing the musicians in the ensemble

Duke Yunyang listened to the whispers of Young Master Wang, and his interest grew even stronger, so he commanded her to raise her head

At this moment, the lights are brilliantly shining, and the hall is filled with the presence of adorned nobility. Amidst the swirling exquisite fragrances, a variety of delicacies are laid out like flowing water on the ebony table. The guests are enjoying the singing and dancing in the hall, engaging in laughter, whispering, or leaning half-drunk against the table.

The thunderous applause drowned out the entire venue, yet in the back hall, someone gently clapped and praised, "Great virtue!"

Baojin let out a low sigh upon hearing this, and without any hesitation, accepted the pipa handed to her by the maid. She sat upright to tune the instrument, leaned to whisper a few words to the drummer, and finally began.

Yunyang Hou quickly recovered and laughed, saying: "What a pity that the royal family's precious eyes are born on a servant of the teaching office; now the fairy has become a lowly status, how truly amusing!"

In recent years, he has favored his concubine, and since she has given birth to a son, he has become increasingly unrestrained, treating us mother and daughter as if we were mere weeds

So it turns out she is the princess of the Kingdom of Gumo

He actually came

With a crack, the Buddhist beads in Lady Yun's hand seemed unable to withstand the suffocating atmosphere, shattering into two halves

Yun Shi accompanied her elder sister to the front courtyard, where she saw on the high platform two rows of crane-top longevity flowers and golden silk honey candles, burning brightly as if it were daytime. The musicians had already taken their places, some sitting and some kneeling, arranged in a grand and orderly formation, playing melodious silk and bamboo music that filled the room.

Madam Yun smiled bitterly, her eyes slowly opening, revealing an unprecedented chill

Not good

It is merely the teachings and example set by my father

Mother... the fate of daughters is frail, and I can no longer serve at your knees. Tomorrow, I shall go to the Baiyun Monastery to cultivate my practice, and I will not step into the family home again

Baojin whispered, "If not for personal experience, how could one attain such a sound?"

Your brother-in-law has not been favored by Emperor Jingyuan; among the several ministers, he is the least significant. However, now, due to his great contributions in supporting the current emperor, he has suddenly become a prime minister. He is well aware that the current emperor is using him as a temporary measure to stabilize people's sentiments. Therefore, he is eager to establish connections and build a support network for himself.

Ah Shi, you do not yet understand his character well enough

He almost turned back to bow in reverence, but he forcibly restrained himself

Yun Shiyan's expression turned cold, and one could hear someone laughing loudly: "The music played by the Jiaosifang is exquisite, yet one wonders what kind of beauty is hidden behind that screen"

So are we to demean the marriage prospects of our own daughter? That son of Minister Wang is notorious; I would rather die than marry him

Yet he is the younger brother of the current queen, Sun Shi of Yunyang Marquisate

Yun Shi sat beside him, unable to suppress his emotions. He spoke to offer his counsel: "How could it come to this? Although my brother-in-law is passionate about his career, he is not entirely heartless. After the banquet, I will find him to discuss this matter in detail"

Come on, take down the screen!

She let out a faint cold laugh, her voice growing increasingly resentful, "Just wait..."

Yun said in a low voice, her tone almost despairing

Seemingly a bit unsettled, he exclaimed in admiration, then glanced at Baojin and gently inquired, "Which master did you study under?"

This sentence indeed had an effect, Yun clenched her teeth and remained silent. After a while, she got up to change her clothes and instructed her trusted maid beside her, saying: "Go fetch the medicine bottle from the third compartment on the left."

As the clouds gathered and her brows arched, she was just about to erupt when she heard a distant voice responding, "So be it..."

Hearing such a generous voice today is indeed a great fortune

The main wife, Yun, listened quietly to the lively music and singing coming from outside the courtyard, remaining completely unmoved, yet the Buddhist beads in her fingers began to spin faster and faster

The girl in the azure dress before her was merely eighteen, with a deep sorrow reflected between her brows, and as she spoke, tears fell like rain.

Master Xu Ji sat in the center, listening intently. Suddenly, his whole body trembled, and he was completely unaware that his jade chopsticks had fallen to the ground, as a look of reverence and fear surfaced in his eyes

Lady Yun spoke coldly, a fierce glint flashing through her beautiful eyes

As dusk approached, the residence of Chief Minister Xu Ji was already ablaze with lights, exuding an atmosphere of joy

Yun Shi could not help but be taken aback

Yinghua, are you trying to drive your mother to death?

Amidst the trampling of iron hooves, a desolate melancholy gradually deepens, and people believe it is the end. Yet, she swiftly gestures with her delicate hand as if pouring rain, and with three consecutive strikes, it is a decisive and invigorating gamble, as if a peerless hero is turning the tide, shaking the heavens and the earth.

Her ink-like, snow-like deep eyes caused everyone to gasp in shock, almost feeling a sense of shame in their own inadequacy

Xu Yinghua wept softly, her words filled with resentment towards her father

I will not allow him to act as he pleases

This is a flamboyant leader, leaning against the green and embracing the red, at the horse-racing platform. At his call, many privileged youths, under the influence of alcohol, responded in chorus.

At that moment, the string suddenly snapped, and the thunderous sound came to an abrupt halt. The audience remained in a daze, only regaining their senses after a considerable time, and it was then that the applause erupted.

In any case, we should first deal with the situation at hand— the front courtyard is currently in the midst of a feast. Do you intend to allow that woman to continue occupying the nest, sitting side by side with your brother-in-law?

Elder sister, what do you want to do

The guqin is a refined musical instrument; even when played by the sovereign, it is not considered disrespectful. However, the pipa is an instrument associated with entertainers, and those of noble status would never play it. While it is not spoken of openly, everyone is acutely aware in their hearts. This is a deliberate attempt to humiliate this deposed princess

Seeing the situation, Yun Shi knew that her sister would not sit idly by, so she let out a light sigh and no longer tried to persuade her

The voice, though casual, carries a faint chill.

At this moment, everyone was left dumbfounded, the entire assembly turned pale, and some individuals, unable to maintain their composure, dropped their wine cups to the ground, producing a crisp sound that was, however, overshadowed by the ravaging sound of the pipa piercing through the clouds

At the command of the Marquis of Yunyang, the crowd was momentarily stunned, and all they could see beyond the light veil was a woman in a white gown, bowing her head and playing the guqin. Her demeanor was serene, and countless gazes were directed towards her. Her long hair obscured her face, adding to her air of mystery

At this moment, the pipa's modulation becomes increasingly mournful, as millions of iron cavalry charge forth. A prosperous era is extinguished in a single night, with the nation shattered and families torn apart, husbands and wives separated, children scattered. In this vast world, all the splendor and prosperity vanish in an instant, and the sorrowful tones evoke a heart-wrenching despair in those who hear them

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, he became even more spirited, "What is the point of playing the zither? It's so dull. Come on, bring me a pipa!"