It was impossible to tell how much time had passed before the assembled officials snapped out of their reverie, erupting into thunderous applause that echoed through the grand hall.
"Miss Mu's skill on the qin is truly remarkable, perhaps even comparable to the contemporary master, Mr. Guo. The younger generation is indeed formidable."
"Exquisite, truly exquisite! To have the fortune of hearing such a heavenly melody today is a blessing of three lifetimes."
Beyond mere admiration, many officials found their hearts stirred with fervor by the piece, flocking to General Mu's side to offer their praises.
"General, my humble son has just turned sixteen this year—strong and in his prime. Might the military camp still be recruiting? I would have him serve as your groom."
"And my own good-for-nothing son has been spending his days drinking and carousing in the city's taverns. I shall send him to you at once to be disciplined and tempered."
Still reeling from astonishment, General Mu listened to the exclamations and compliments from his colleagues, his eyes nearly crinkling into slits from sheer delight.
As for why Mu Nanyin had suddenly become so proficient in music? It didn't matter—not in the slightest.
"Excellent! I never imagined that Miss Mu's qin skills would be so extraordinary. I believe she has won this contest. What say you, my esteemed ministers?" Emperor Jialin spoke, his gaze fixed on Mu Nanyin with a blend of appreciation and curiosity.
The ministers unanimously agreed, casting their votes in favor of Mu Nanyin.
The outcome was beyond doubt.
Emperor Jialin then turned to Princess Ning'an. "Ning'an, do you have any objections?"
Princess Ning'an's delicate face flushed crimson, her teeth clenched tightly. "Father, I admit my skills are inferior, but I refuse to accept defeat!"
Emperor Jialin rebuked her, "Ning'an, do not make a scene. A wager must be honored."
"The entire capital knows she's an illiterate fool. If she didn't plan this piece in advance, I would never believe it!" With that, Ning'an turned to Mu Nanyin. "Mu Nanyin, do you dare to compete with me again?"
Mu Nanyin smiled. "In what?"
"In your calligraphy!"
Mu Nanyin faltered slightly, her fingers trembling faintly over the qin strings.
In her past life, her handwriting had indeed been as messy as a dog's scratch. Later, it was Shen Sichen who had taught her to write, guiding her hand by hand.
In other words, her current calligraphy—whether in strength or brushstroke—was identical to Shen Sichen's.
Seeing her hesitation, Princess Ning'an grew even more convinced that her qin skills had been premeditated. She pressed forward, taunting her, "What? Are you afraid? Worried that your dog-scratch handwriting will disgrace you?"
Mu Nanyin frowned slightly and glanced at Shen Junlin.
She had worked so hard to persuade Shen Junlin to trust her. If she were to provoke his suspicion now out of momentary pride, all her efforts today would be in vain.
With this thought, Mu Nanyin quickly made her decision.
She straightened her back and walked slowly toward Princess Ning'an, her clear, watery eyes meeting the princess's gaze without restraint.
"Why should I be afraid? Since Your Highness is so certain I planned this in advance, aren't you worried that my calligraphy might also have been practiced long ago?"
Princess Ning'an glared at her fiercely.
She knew it!
She knew it was all premeditated—shameless, despicable!
"Mu Nanyin, you cheated!"
A faint smile curled at the corner of Mu Nanyin's lips. "Your Highness, you must not make such accusations lightly. It was you who challenged me to this contest. Now that I've won, it is you who refuses to accept defeat and demands another round."
"You—"
"We can have another match if you wish, but first, let's settle the outcome of the previous round."
Mu Nanyin advanced step by step, pressing closer to her with a confrontational gaze: "In the previous zither performance, I won. The Emperor himself declared it, and all the ministers witnessed it. Do you admit it or not?"
The sharp aura of a martial artist was overwhelmingly oppressive.
Princess Ning'an felt as if a mountain had collapsed before her, crushing her until she could hardly breathe.
"I…"
"Princess, do you admit it or not?" Mu Nanyin took another step forward.
Under her silent pressure, the confidence and defiance Princess Ning'an had mustered to accuse her of cheating vanished entirely, leaving only endless panic.
She retreated step by step until her back met the cold wall, cornered with no escape. Forced to lift her head, she trembled and nodded under Mu Nanyin's piercing gaze.
"I… I admit it!" After uttering these words, she slumped against the wall as if drained of all strength, collapsing to the floor.
A smile spread across Mu Nanyin's lips. "In that case, I ask the Princess to honor your wager."
Ning'an's face turned deathly pale. She had lost, and now she had to unconditionally fulfill one of Mu Nanyin's demands.
That meant, even if Mu Nanyin demanded she kneel and apologize or even ordered her to die in the next moment, she would have to comply.
"Mu Nanyin, if you want to kill or torture me, just get it over with!" Princess Ning'an steeled herself, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes.
"Why would I want your life? Don't worry, my request is simple. Today is the joyous occasion of my marriage to Prince Lin. By convention, you should now address me as Imperial Aunt."
Princess Ning'an's eyes snapped open. "Mu Nanyin, don't go too far!"
Mu Nanyin blinked innocently. "Too far? I haven't asked you to commit murder or arson in public, nor have I demanded anything against your principles. I'm merely asking you to call me Imperial Aunt—a simple matter of moving your lips. How is that going too far?"
Princess Ning'an trembled with rage, her chest heaving violently as if she might faint from anger at any moment.
A simple matter of moving her lips? She made it sound so easy.
Mu Nanyin knew full well that she loved Imperial Uncle, and today's competition had stemmed from that very reason.
Yet now, in front of everyone, she was demanding to be called Imperial Aunt?
Wasn't this a public humiliation? A slap in her face?!
Moreover, once she uttered the words "Imperial Aunt," it would signify her acknowledgment of Mu Nanyin as Imperial Uncle's wife. She would no longer have any grounds or right to harbor feelings for him.
This was even more unbearable than death itself!
Under Ning'an's hateful glare, Mu Nanyin rose with a smile and walked over to Shen Junlin, affectionately linking her arm with his. "Husband, do you think my request is too much?"
This was the second time she had called him "Husband" that evening.
Shen Junlin trembled slightly, nearly losing himself in her coquettishness. Almost instinctively, he shook his head. "Since we have already performed the wedding rites, you, Mu Nanyin, are my lawfully wedded Princess Consort."
He paused, his gaze sweeping slowly over the assembled crowd before adding deliberately.
"Anyone who dares deny this is showing disrespect to me."
The surrounding ministers, who had been enjoying the spectacle, quickly chimed in as they saw Prince Lin's displeasure turning toward them.
"We would not dare. We offer our sincerest congratulations to Prince Lin and the Princess Consort, wishing you eternal love and unwavering devotion."
"Exactly, exactly, Prince Lin and the Princess Consort are a match made in heaven."
Shen Junlin narrowed his eyes with satisfaction, then let his gaze drift lightly toward Princess Ning'an.
"Ning'an, what do you think?"