Chapter 303: Shooting Oneself in the Foot
Princess Shengping looked at Xingnong, a smile plastered on her face, making it impossible to discern the scheming beneath her cheerful facade. She appeared as if she genuinely wanted to perform a piece of music, to bless the Jin Kingdom Emperor and Shen Ruoxi’s wedding.
Since she had already said so, and her niece was willing to personally play a piece as a wedding gift for the Emperor, if she, the biological daughter, refused, wouldn’t that be unfilial?
Upon hearing this, Xingnong looked over. Before she could speak, Zhao Luran smiled and said, “I’ve heard that the music played by Princess Shengping is heavenly. To be able to hear the two esteemed princesses of Jin Kingdom perform together, thanks to the Jin Kingdom Emperor’s blessing, we envoys are truly blessed with a feast for our ears today!”
Then someone from the Yan Kingdom envoy also chimed in, “This trip to Jin Kingdom, not only have I witnessed the brilliance of Princess Xingnong, the young formation master, breaking through ancient formations, but I have also witnessed the grand wedding of the Jin Kingdom Emperor and Empress. Now, I can even hear the heavenly music of the two esteemed princesses. When I return to Yan Kingdom, I’ll have enough to brag about to my colleagues for a lifetime!”
On the platform, Shen Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing everyone’s words. When it came to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose, Xingnong was like someone with nine open orifices but one still closed! In short, she was completely clueless!
She discreetly tugged at the Jin Kingdom Emperor’s sleeve and whispered, “Think of a way to refuse! Xingnong doesn’t know anything about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or prose! Even the characters she knows were taught by my mother.”
The Jin Kingdom Emperor naturally knew this. It was all his fault that his precious princess and her had suffered so much. Seventeen years was such a long time! Thinking about Songya, and then about his own daughter, he felt even more indebted to Xingnong and Shen Ruoxi.
He patted her hand, signaling her not to worry.
He wanted to see which demons and monsters dared to make his precious daughter lose face!
The Jin Kingdom Emperor’s smile vanished, and he looked at the people speaking below with an expressionless face.
The Jin Kingdom’s ministers had initially planned to join in the cheerful banter, but they had lived under the tyrant’s unpredictable outbursts of anger for over a decade. They had long since developed the habit of constantly paying attention to the Jin Kingdom Emperor’s mood swings. At this moment, seeing his expression, they knew he was angry!
If they dared to utter a sound, they would definitely be on his bad side!
The ministers tightly pursed their lips, preventing themselves from making a single sound, lest they attract the tyrant’s attention.
As Zhao Luran’s Senior Martial Brother, Yang Xie naturally understood her intentions. At this time, he spoke up in agreement, “Haha, not just for a lifetime, just being able to personally witness Master Xingnong consecutively break two ancient formations is already something I’ll never regret in this life. If I could hear the heavenly music played by Princess Xingnong, I would die without regrets!”
The Jin Kingdom Emperor looked at him coldly. Die without regrets? He would help him achieve that!
Chu Tiankuo’s slightly upturned lips held a hint of coldness, “For Young Master Yang to be able to return to Zhao Kingdom alive, it’s best if Princess Xingnong doesn’t play. Of course, your death is not a pity, but it would be a pity if this joyous occasion were to be marred by your presence.”
The Jin Kingdom Emperor glanced at Chu Tiankuo, satisfied with his words.
Yang Xie was momentarily speechless. Was Chu Tiankuo cursing him to die?
With a sullen face, he said coldly, “What does the Chu Kingdom Crown Prince mean? On the Jin Kingdom Emperor’s joyous wedding day, talking about bad luck and death? Isn’t this trying to upset the Jin Kingdom Emperor? Who is truly bringing bad luck to this happy occasion?”
Chu Tiankuo retorted, “Of course, it’s you! You’re the one who wants to die without regrets! Princess Xingnong playing a piece of music would certainly be enough to make you die without regrets! It’s a pity that your status is not high enough; you’re not qualified to listen.”
Yang Xie: “…”
This time, he was so angry that he couldn’t speak! He didn’t know how to refute him!
Saying he was qualified to listen? That would be asking for humiliation!
Saying that Princess Xingnong was playing for the Jin Kingdom Emperor and Empress? After he finished listening, Chu Tiankuo would probably ask him, “You’ve heard it, didn’t you say you’d die without regrets? Why haven’t you died yet?” Or he would directly ask him to leave because he wasn’t qualified to listen!
In short, he was very clear that no matter what he said, Chu Tiankuo would have a retort that would leave him humiliated and embarrassed!
He didn’t dare to speak anymore.
The Jin Kingdom’s ministers looked at Chu Tiankuo, sighing inwardly. The rumors about the Chu Kingdom Crown Prince’s sharp tongue were indeed true!
However, after hearing his words, the tyrant’s expression seemed to have softened a bit!
No wonder Chu Tiankuo was able to become Princess Xingnong’s future husband!
Shen Hancheng smiled and said, “The Chu Kingdom Crown Prince is right! Not everyone is qualified to listen to the heavenly music of the two imperial sisters!”
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Shen Hanyu added, “Exactly! If Young Master Yang wants to listen, have your princess play a piece for my father. Only then will you be qualified to listen!”
The other princes chimed in, “That’s a good idea!”
“Zhao Kingdom Princess, please!”
“I wonder what instrument the Zhao Kingdom Princess is proficient in? I’ll have the palace attendants prepare it!”
Zhao Luran: “…”
She never imagined that things would turn out this way, with her being asked to perform!
Xingnong, who had been protectively surrounded by others, finally had the chance to interject, “Then thank you, Zhao Kingdom Princess!”
Provoke me, will you? Let you taste the consequences of shooting yourself in the foot!
At this moment, the Jin Kingdom Emperor smoothly said, “Haha, I’ve heard that the Zhao Kingdom Princess is proficient in the guqin! Someone, prepare a guqin for the Zhao Kingdom Princess! As for Songya’s kind intentions, the Empress and I have already received them! You and Xingnong are both tired today, having been hungry all day. Sit down, rest, and eat something. If you want to play, you can do so anytime; there’s no rush.”
Wasn’t she the one who had been hungry and tired all day? Zhao Luran felt frustrated, gritting her teeth inwardly. Still, she stood up and said with a smile, “… Then Luran will make a fool of herself!”
With the Jin Kingdom Emperor speaking, she didn’t dare to refuse.
Because of her, Zhao Kingdom had already fallen to the bottom! If she offended the Jin Kingdom Emperor again, she wouldn’t be able to explain herself when she returned.
Princess Shengping also knew that the situation was hopeless. Once the Emperor spoke, the matter was settled!
She didn’t persist, smiling and bowing slightly, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty!”
Then she sat down with a smile. Only she knew that she was holding back a surge of frustration and anger!
Of course, the Emperor could say “anytime” and “no rush”! But if she missed today’s opportunity, wouldn’t she just be someone who, apart from formations, knew nothing and was inferior to her in every aspect?
If she were to perform privately later, and word got out, the Emperor might become suspicious of her. The effect wouldn’t be as good as performing in front of the envoys from the four kingdoms!
However, the opportunity had been lost, and she had no chance now!
The guqin was quickly brought in by a eunuch. Zhao Luran took a deep breath, walked up, sat beside the guqin, and played a piece!
Moreover, she played with utmost seriousness, effort, and dedication. She didn’t dare to casually play and fool the Jin Kingdom Emperor.
Furthermore, she didn’t want to ruin her reputation!
After this competition of young formation masters, her reputation was no longer as high as before!
Zhao Luran’s guqin skills were indeed impressive, enchanting everyone and immersing them in her music.
As the piece ended, everyone was still lost in its beauty. It was Xingnong who praised, “Zhao Kingdom Princess, your guqin skills are truly superb!” that brought everyone back to their senses!
Zhao Luran twitched the corners of her lips and smiled, “You flatter me, Princess Xingnong!”
Then she quickly walked off the stage, worried that someone would ask her to play another piece!
After another dance performance, it was getting late, and the Jin Kingdom Emperor ended the banquet.
