“This ‘Spring Courtyard Snow’… it feels like it’s describing me.”
Ye Qinghuan, always composed even in the face of a collapsing mountain, now had red-rimmed eyes.
“In this life, I have walked on thin ice. Raised in the palace from childhood, shaped by my father’s harsh teachings, and my imperial brother’s dying words—‘My sister must emulate Yao and Shun’—they have weighed heavily on me. I have pushed forward, burdened and cautious at every step.”
It was precisely this song that allowed Empress Ye Qinghuan to shed her mask for the first time and face her true emotions.
Li Qiushui stood stunned beside her.
She never imagined that the valiant and wise Empress Ye Qinghuan would have such a vulnerable side.
And the one to unveil this side… was that playboy Lin Ming!!
At that moment, another ethereal and clear singing voice floated down from above—imitating the same melody of “Spring Courtyard Snow”!
“It’s the first courtesan singing!”
Amidst misty water and moonlit sand, the number one courtesan, Nangong, stepped out, dressed in a sheer white robe, her gaze full of deep feeling. Her heavenly voice was laced with sorrow and melancholy.
The rarely seen top courtesan had personally appeared!
“Dare I ask, Young Master Lin, under what chance encounter did you gain inspiration for this ‘Spring Courtyard Snow’?”
Nangong bowed slightly with emotion in her eyes as she asked gently.
Her enchanting gesture instantly made many scholars and poets who admired her burn with jealousy.
Why?
They had racked their brains for years and not received even a compliment from Nangong.
Even runner-up Xie Lingyun’s greatest honor was merely her accompaniment on guqin.
But now, because of a single song, she had lowered her status and approached Lin Ming herself.
Lin Ming returned the gesture politely, “You flatter me, Miss. Though I wasn’t raised in the palace, I did accompany my father on many visits to the inner court in my youth. I’ve heard a thing or two about palace affairs. It was this inspiration that led to the creation of ‘Spring Courtyard Snow.'”
He made it up on the spot, of course.
This was a popular modern guofeng (national style) song. The ancients had never heard anything like it—naturally, it sounded refreshingly new to them.
“What a fortuitous inspiration. This must be divine fate.”
Nangong’s eyes sparkled. “The structure is irregular, and the wording hasn’t reached true mastery. It falls slightly short compared to Young Master Xie’s ‘Yu Meiren.'”
“But precisely because you broke the mold—creating your own tonal structure and melody—this piece has carved out a unique style. In the lyrical history of the Great Duan Empire, it will be remembered with bold and brilliant strokes!”
“This guofeng song… could very well be the origin of a new tradition!”
Hearing her praise, many looked at each other in disbelief. Wasn’t that a bit too exaggerated?
But Nangong, as the top courtesan of Wanhua Tower, was said to be among the best of the era in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Her evaluation carried great weight! Get faster updates on g.com.
“Indeed, Duke Commander’s ‘Spring Courtyard Snow’ is already a peerless work in terms of innovation,” someone said.
Even Xie Lingyun, once proud and aloof, now spoke with a hint of humility, “In that regard, I admit defeat. Despite studying composition for years, all I’ve done is refine the works of predecessors—new wine in old bottles. I can’t compare to Young Master Lin.”
If people had initially feared Lin Ming’s martial power…
Now, they were in awe of his literary talent.
Lin Ming smiled faintly as the system echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Empress’s anger +50. Lifespan extended… Reward: Foundation Establishment Pill x1!]
As expected, just as he guessed, the Empress Ye Qinghuan was aware of everything happening here.
She might even be in the room next door right now!
…
Having seen her plan fall apart, Wan Canglong’s face twitched uncontrollably.
He instinctively glanced toward the adjacent room.
Ye Qinghuan had already wiped away her tears, her face now dark and cold.
“How could this happen? Lin Ming has such talent, and yet I received no intelligence on it beforehand!”
“Unless… the Embroidered Guards and Eastern Depot under Wei Zhongxiang are all useless, only feeding me false information!”
Li Qiushui said bitterly, “Your Majesty, everyone in the capital knows the Duke Commander’s heir never reads. But it turns out Lin Ming was hiding his strength, deceiving the world. He must have studied extensively in secret back at the Lin residence!”
“Your Majesty, what should we do now? Should we leave?”
Ye Qinghuan sighed, seeing how flustered Li Qiushui was.
“Qiushui, you’ve been with me since childhood, yet you’ve learned nothing of how I handle the world.”
“You think this means I’ve lost? Not at all! Just being able to write one guofeng song—what does that prove?”
“To be worthy of me, composing poems is far from enough. It won’t change his image as a spoiled playboy!”
“I’ve already sent Hu Lin to secretly lead 3,000 Imperial Guards out of the palace. They’re lying in wait outside Wanhua Tower. At my signal, they’ll storm the tower and seize Lin Ming!”
“Tonight, no matter what, I will force him to sign the divorce agreement and break off the engagement!”
A cold gleam flashed in Ye Qinghuan’s eyes.
She was not one to play by the rules. She was the resolute and ruthless Empress of the Great Duan Empire.
Li Qiushui was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with joy.
“No wonder Your Majesty has remained so calm! So this was the plan all along—use force to compel him!”
Ye Qinghuan said calmly, “Do you think I’m some sentimental and delicate woman? Wrong. No matter how beautiful his song is, it is nothing compared to the legacy of my ancestors and the empire.”
Though she said this, a ripple of emotion stirred within her heart.
If she had once felt only coldness and disdain toward Lin Ming…
Now, she couldn’t help but develop a bit of appreciation for his talent.
“If he knows his place tonight, I might consider sparing him and letting him live comfortably as a wealthy young master.”
…
At this moment, outside Wanhua Tower, the 3,000 Imperial Guards were already in position.
Upstairs in the tower, Li Qiushui opened a window and deliberately tossed a handkerchief out as the signal.
Hu Lin instantly perked up.
“Her Majesty has finally made the call!”
“Charge! Storm Wanhua Tower! Capture Lin Ming!”
“But remember, upstairs in Wanhua Tower are sons of the six great noble houses and other aristocratic clans. We are only to apprehend—no killing! If things go wrong, not even Her Majesty can protect us!”
“Yes!”
The 3,000 Imperial Guards—Her Majesty’s most loyal soldiers—immediately charged like tigers down a mountain, surging toward Wanhua Tower.
However, just as they moved—
A sudden downpour of arrows rained from the sky!
Swish! Swish!
Countless charging guards fell in pools of blood on the spot. A large number were killed instantly!
Hu Lin’s mind went blank with a thunderous roar.
From all directions, fully armed soldiers in iron armor were pouring in continuously.
They were the Lin family’s private troops!
Luo Feng sat atop a carriage nearby, legs crossed with a playful grin.
“Our Young Master already guessed Her Majesty might deploy ambush troops nearby, so he arranged a surprise ambush first.”
“Surprised? Didn’t expect this, did you?”