Chapter 11: Bei Ming Chen Xuan 1

Time and again, amidst greetings that grew louder with each repetition, three men and three women were ushered inside by the crowd.

Qingyun cast a lazy glance at them. The Empress Dowager, dressed in a magnificent pale yellow palace gown, possessed phoenix eyes that commanded respect without anger. Though she was over fifty, the years had left only faint traces on her face. The Emperor, only in his thirties, wore a dragon robe and was quite handsome, yet he carried an air of world-weariness; one look told you he was an enlightened ruler. The Empress, also nearing thirty, wore a phoenix robe; her skin was fair, and despite her age, she was well-preserved. As for Princess Xingdie, she was only fourteen or fifteen—the Empress’s youngest daughter—and had already blossomed into a graceful young woman.

"Rise, my subjects. There is no need for such formalities." After helping the Empress Dowager to her seat, the Emperor glanced at the ministers kneeling on the floor and spoke slowly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." My, what a deafening sound! It was truly thunderous. Qingyun sat in a remote corner, and no one noticed her.

"Your Majesty, now that everyone has arrived, shouldn't the banquet begin?" A smile bloomed on the Empress Dowager’s face. "Cheng’er and Hao’er, pay attention."

"Yes, Imperial Grandmother," Beiming Cheng and Beiming Hao replied in unison. However, their intentions were elsewhere; Beiming Cheng’s gaze was constantly searching for Qingyun, while Beiming Hao was fixated on the delicacies upon the tables.

"Mother, I understand," the Emperor responded with a smile. "Did you all hear that, my subjects? The banquet begins. Forget the formalities between ruler and subject. Let us begin."

"Yes."

——————————————

Just as the banquet was halfway through, the Empress spoke up: "I hear that many talented young men and women have come today. I wonder if we might have the pleasure of seeing their talents?"

Qingyun narrowed her eyes. Finally, the main event. And wasn't this exactly what Mu Qinglan had arranged? Thinking of this, she glanced at Mu Qinglan, who was blushing as she looked at the Crown Prince, and curled her lips in disdain.

The Empress Dowager, knowing the Empress’s intent, nodded in agreement. "Prime Minister Mu, I have heard that your daughter, Mu Qinglan, is the most talented woman in the capital. I wonder if we might have the honor of witnessing her talents?"

Mu Yuling, being named, stood up immediately. "In reply to the Empress Dowager, it is Qinglan’s honor to be appreciated by you."

Mu Qinglan’s face flushed even deeper.

"Haha, Prime Minister, you are too modest. In that case, let your beloved daughter perform," the Emperor laughed. Qingyun couldn't help but sigh inwardly—what a fine Emperor he was!

"Yes."

With a crimson face, Mu Qinglan stood up, walked a few steps with ladylike grace, and knelt. "Yes, Your Majesty." Her peripheral vision, however, kept drifting toward the Crown Prince.

"Tell me, Mu Qinglan, what would you like to perform?" A hint of a smile flashed in the Empress’s eyes as she looked at Mu Qinglan—the look of a mother-in-law scrutinizing her future daughter-in-law.

"This subject would like to offer a song," Mu Qinglan said, still kneeling, not fully raising her head.

The Emperor waved his sleeve. "Rise. Someone, prepare the zither!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Only then did Mu Qinglan stand. Amidst the envious and jealous gazes of everyone present, she walked to the high platform and sat down. Placing her hands on the zither, she took a deep breath and moved her hands with practiced skill. As her fingers danced, a melody as smooth as flowing water drifted out. Everyone was entranced.

Qingyun raised an eyebrow and looked at Ming Feng behind her. "What do you think of her zither skills?" Compared to Qinghuang’s, this was like heaven and earth!

"I just feel like something is missing," Ming Feng could only offer this explanation, as he truly didn't understand music, though his master seemed to understand everything!

Qingyun nodded. "What is missing in her music is emotion. Her playing lacks soul."

After Qingyun pointed it out, Ming Feng had a sudden realization. That was it! It was the lack of emotion! He had always felt the music was stiff and lacked the charm it should have had.

As the song ended, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.

"Good! Prime Minister Mu, you have a fine daughter!" The Emperor was delighted. "Come, reward her with a thousand taels of gold and a pair of 'Bilu Qiongzhu' pearls!"

"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty. This subject has one more request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it," Mu Qinglan said slowly as she knelt to express her gratitude.

"Oh? What request? Speak." This Emperor was truly generous!