Ning Xin’er bowed slightly and walked toward the guqin.
She paused before Yun Li, lifting her eyes to give her a somewhat hostile glance filled with sarcasm and mockery, then lowered her gaze to examine the phoenix forehead of the counterfeit qin…
But with just one look, she abruptly froze.
Yun Li smiled charmingly, “May the Changning County Princess examine carefully. Matters involving the Phoenix Seal can easily lead to the execution of one’s entire clan.”
Ning Xin’er’s pupils suddenly contracted.
How could there possibly be Empress Xiyun’s Phoenix Seal…
But when she closed and reopened her eyes, focusing her gaze once more, the Phoenix Seal was indeed there on the phoenix forehead!
“Impossible…” Ning Xin’er looked dazed.
Where would Yun Li get the capability to obtain this long-lost legendary qin!
Wei Chunxi observed Ning Xin’er’s expression.
She immediately sent her personal eunuch to verify. The young eunuch bowed and examined it before reporting, “Your Majesty, the phoenix forehead of this qin indeed bears Empress Xiyun’s Phoenix Seal.”
The kneeling crowd looked up in astonishment.
It truly was Empress Xiyun’s Phoenix Seal…
So this was indeed the genuine Zhaoyun Guqin?
“This can’t be!” Ning Yuewei suddenly stood up, disregarding etiquette as she rushed to the qin.
But she staggered backward in fright…
Because she had indeed seen the Empress’s Phoenix Seal on it!
Wei Chunxi spoke with authority, “Xin’er?”
Ning Xin’er’s expression seemed frozen on her face. It took her a long moment to gradually regain her composure before she stiffly turned around, “In reply to Your Majesty, this is indeed… the Zhaoyun Guqin.”
No matter how unwilling she was to admit it.
When it concerned the Phoenix Seal, she dared not lie. Deceiving the sovereign could lead to beheading at minimum, or execution of one’s entire clan at worst…
The Spring Banquet became completely agitated due to the appearance of the Zhaoyun Guqin.
Wei Chunxi hadn’t expected that this girl would stumble upon it by accident, especially since she had just insisted the qin was fake, leaving her somewhat embarrassed now…
“Since this is the genuine Zhaoyun Guqin, then We have wronged the Princess Consort.” Her expression was unpleasant.
Yun Li smiled charmingly, “A-Li doesn’t blame Imperial Sister-in-law.”
Wei Chunxi: “…”
We are the dignified Empress Dowager! Who are you to blame Us?
She clenched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand with some annoyance, “Since the Princess Consort has the qin, let the competition continue.”
The Ning sisters returned to their seats in a daze.
The kneeling young ladies stood up, still stunned by the appearance of the famous qin… But even if Yun Li possessed the famous qin, what did it matter? She still didn’t understand qin techniques!
Yet just as everyone was doubting…
Yun Li gracefully and calmly sat before the table.
Her slender jade-like fingers touched the qin strings, and with gentle plucking and slow twisting, magnificent sounds like pearls falling on a jade plate suddenly resonated.
“Zheng—”
Deep, melodious qin music flowed from her fingertips.
The previously disdainful attendees seemed bewitched, involuntarily turning their gaze toward her!
They saw Yun Li sitting elegantly, her delicate fingers becoming one with the qin strings. As her water-red cloud sleeves rose and fell, the tassels swayed gently, and the strings vibrated slightly…
The qin music, like butterflies spreading their wings, instantly captured the ears of everyone present!
The women began discussing in astonishment.
“Yun Lanyue actually knows how to play the guqin…”
“Wasn’t it said she knew nothing about music? But she’s clearly playing better than the Changning County Princess!”
Hearing this, Ning Xin’er couldn’t help but clench her fists.
She stared intently at Yun Li, unable to understand what had gone wrong. Impossible… this was impossible!
When had that wretched Yun Li learned to play the qin?
Coincidentally, Yun Li chose that moment to gracefully lift her eyes.She lifted the corner of her eyes with a charming smile, casting a glance at Ning Xin’er that instantly shook the other’s composure, then lowered her gaze to focus on the guqin.
But merely playing better than Ning Xin’er was far from enough.
With downcast eyes, her jade-like fingers plucked the strings, weaving celestial melodies that soared to the rafters. The deep, soulful notes rose as if ascending to embrace the moon in the heavens, unfolding into a magnificent musical movement!
Wei Chunxi, initially sulking and unwilling to listen, found herself abruptly stunned as Yun Li’s music swelled—evoking the clash of arms and the vastness of mortal existence, its lingering melodies refusing to fade.
“Phoenix’s Arrival…” she murmured.
Over twenty years ago, when Emperor Heng led his campaign, she was but a child accompanying her father beneath the city walls, where she once heard Empress Xiyun’s famed composition—”Phoenix’s Arrival”!
Wei Chunxi stared at Yun Li in astonishment. “She’s playing ‘Phoenix’s Arrival’…”
Hearing this, Ning Xin’er whipped her head around.
Her pupils contracted sharply. “How is this possible?”
Yun Li knew nothing of music—how could she possibly perform the lost masterpiece “Phoenix’s Arrival”!
Yet the Spring Banquet in the imperial gardens erupted in murmurs once more.
The young ladies grew restless, whispering among themselves…
“The Empress Dowager says this is ‘Phoenix’s Arrival’!”
“Impossible! This legendary composition was lost—how could Yun Lanyue play it!”
“But the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be mistaken!”
“She… she actually knows how to play the guqin!”
“Not only is she skilled, but she’s performing ‘Phoenix’s Arrival’ on the legendary Zhaoyun Guqin?”
Ning Xin’er’s fingertips nearly dug into her palms.
Ning Yuewei looked dazed. Though she understood little of famous tunes, the surrounding whispers told her the situation was dire—it seemed Yun Li was about to win this round…
And with overwhelming, unstoppable force!
Rong Zhou stood tall beyond the imperial gardens, hands clasped behind his back, hearing the soul-stirring melody from afar.
He had never heard his mother’s “Phoenix’s Arrival,” but during his time traversing to the modern era, he had heard Yun Li practice it.
This was his first time hearing the masterpiece since reborn into the Great Yu Dynasty…
In this melody, he could hear the vast vision of governing the world, the fervent passion of warriors, and Empress Xiyun’s original prayer when she composed it—
Peace across the land, serenity over the seas.
“Zheng—”
As the final note faded, Yun Li withdrew her sleeves and stilled her fingers. Though the music ceased, the lingering resonance of the Zhaoyun Guqin continued to ripple through the blossoms of the imperial gardens…
No one present could regain their composure immediately.
Long after the echoes dissipated, the melody still reverberated in their minds!
Truly worthy of a masterpiece composed by a general’s daughter…
And truly fitting for the current general’s legitimate daughter to bring it back to the world!
Only one who had witnessed the lonely nights at the frontier, who had entrusted longing beneath isolated smoke and eternal moon, could play such a grand celestial movement with a heart embracing all under heaven!
“What a legendary masterpiece, ‘Phoenix’s Arrival’…”
“Such skill truly deserves to be called the finest in the capital! How could Princess Consort Changning compare?”
“We thought the Princess Consort knew nothing of music—turns out it was humility! The world’s rumors nearly made everyone believe she was truly worthless!”
“Worthless? If such skill counts as worthless, then every woman in the capital must be worthless!”
Ning Xin’er was nearly consumed by jealousy.
How could this be…
How could this happen!In the Spring Banquet’s contest of the four arts, it should have been her, the capital’s top talented maiden, who seized the crown and shook the world!
How could Yun Li have stolen the spotlight?
Ning Xin’er felt her anger surge straight to the top of her head.
Yun Li gracefully rose to her feet and bowed humbly, “These are but trifling skills; Ah Li has embarrassed herself.”
To be praised so publicly like this…
What trifling skills! What an embarrassment!
Ning Xin’er detected the mockery in her words and nearly failed to contain her fury, when suddenly, a round of applause was heard, accompanied by a eunuch’s loud announcement, “The Regent Prince has arrived!”
Everyone turned to look, only to see…