Chapter 305: The Only Prince (1)

A lively melody spilled from the woman's fingertips. At the beginning, the piece was smooth and clear, making people feel refreshed. Everyone was intoxicated by this winding melody. The woman raised her plain hands, and the melody suddenly reversed, sounding like the hoofbeats of horses and the simultaneous ringing of bronze drums. The zither sound rose and fell, sometimes containing hidden dangers, sometimes sounding like a sure victory. Under the woman's hands, the seven strings displayed their ability to change to the extreme. Just as the zither sound gradually faded and everyone thought the piece was over and was about to praise it, a sudden zither ring sounded—a desolate tune, as if complaining, like an invisible hand tearing at the listeners' hearts, causing an inexplicable pain and sorrow.

Qingfeng listened carefully until a sigh like a broken zither string sounded. Qingfeng clapped lightly and smiled, "What a piece of *Qiu Tu*. The piece is good, and the zither skill is also good." This piece was extremely difficult to play; she had only heard her eldest sister play it once. For this woman to be able to perform it like this, her zither skill was already outstanding and her technique proficient. It was just a pity that this piece was about a hunting story—the hunter's ambition to win, the domineering spirit of playing with the prey in the palm of his hand, and the prey's feeling of having nowhere to escape yet being unwilling to be slaughtered. Both her sister, a lady of the boudoir, and this young lady had failed to express it to the fullest.

Yu Handan was startled. She looked up at the person opposite her. The peerless beauty, which could not be covered by the two obvious scars, allowed her to recognize the woman's identity at a glance—Qingfeng. What surprised Yu Handan was that she had actually recognized it? She chose this piece because it was vigorous and atmospheric, showing domineering spirit in the vastness, which was why she wanted to perform it at the celebration. This *Qiu Tu* was actually a remnant piece left over from several hundred years ago, and not many people knew it. In order to coordinate with the bell and drum performance during the celebration, she had even specially rearranged the music. She didn't expect Qingfeng to recognize it without any effort and even clap when the last note sounded, showing that she knew the essence of this piece well. She had long heard that the Qing sisters were not only peerless beauties but also learned and talented; seeing them today, it was indeed well-deserved!

Yu Handan stood up, bowed elegantly to Qingfeng, and smiled in reply: "Thank you for the praise, Consort Qing."

Qingfeng also smiled and nodded, "This zither of yours must also be specially made." Otherwise, at that last moment, the zither strings would have definitely broken.

Yu Handan showed a look of surprise, and finally smiled with some regret: "Yes, but it still seems strenuous to play."

The two admired each other, actually chatting idly in the main hall as if no one else was there. Xin Yuening couldn't stand such neglect and coughed lightly, saying loudly: "This is Yu Handan, the apple of the eye of the Minister of Rites, Yu Zesi's family. Before the Eastern Empress Dowager went to the Linchuan Villa to recuperate, she had already decided that Handan would perform at the celebration. I wonder what everyone thinks?"

Everyone finally came back to their senses, looking at the Empress's expression while cautiously praising her.

"His Highness the Prince has arrived."

Just as the eunuch's shrill announcement fell, a seven or eight-year-old boy rushed in. The child wore a white jade and gold crown, a dark purple small jacket, a golden belt around his waist, and an imperial green hollowed-out pendant hanging from his waist. With red lips and white teeth, he was full of nobility. He walked to the main seat arrogantly and bowed: "This son greets the Empress Mother."

"Get up quickly." Xin Yuening had a smile on her face, stood up to welcome him, her eyes full of doting, and asked gently: "Why is Jing'er here?"

The child glanced sideways at Yu Handan and her emerald zither, and said disdainfully: "During the celebration, envoys from various countries will come to pay homage. How can this kind of petty zither singing and dancing manifest the majesty of Qiongyue? This son just learned a set of sword techniques from Commander Guo. Why don't I perform at the celebration to let them see the majesty of Qiongyue?"

What big words! In an era of peace and prosperity, when there was no need and no way to dance with swords and guns, playing the zither and playing chess was a way to manifest the demeanor of a great country. Not to mention that the majestic momentum contained in *Qiu Tu* was enough to shock the heroes, even if he were really allowed to go up and perform, with a seven or eight-year-old child's flowery fists and embroidered legs, could he manifest the majesty of Qiongyue?

Qingfeng sneered, but Xin Yuening was proud and laughed happily: "My son can naturally win glory for Qiongyue, but you are a dignified prince of Qiongyue, who will look down upon the six kingdoms in the future. How can you perform for the envoys of small countries who come to pay homage!"

Yan Jing thought about it—that was true. He was the future ruler of a country; it was indeed inappropriate to perform for those envoys. But he couldn't show off the sword techniques he had just learned, and he felt uncomfortable all over. After thinking about it, Yan Jing smiled: "Then how about I perform for the Empress Mother?"

Xin Yuening smiled approvingly: "Good."

Yan Jing walked to the center of the main hall. A eunuch came to his side holding a two-foot-long precious sword with both hands. The sword was not yet sharpened, the blade was snow-white, and the patterns forged from refined steel shimmered in the dance. The various gems inlaid on the hilt also blinked brightly. He danced the flashy moves quite well; it seemed the weight of this sword was also specially made for him.

Looking at the triumphant child in front of her, Qingfeng had a moment of trance. Was this the way the royal family raised children? Was Yan Hongtian like this when he was young? Impossible. Thinking of that man full of domineering spirit, who could stop people's breathing with just one look, Qingfeng immediately denied this guess.

If this child were raised like this, he would only be an arrogant, ignorant, and foolish emperor in the future. Why didn't Yan Hongtian care? This was his son, right?

"Master, be careful!"

Qingfeng was lost in thought when she suddenly felt a gust of wind attacking. She only heard a cry of alarm from Fuling in her ear, her arm was pulled back fiercely, and Qingfeng fell backward, sitting on the ground in a sorry state.

Coming back to her senses, she saw the short sword pointing straight at her, less than a foot from her face. The sudden change startled the other concubines, who gasped. Qingfeng was secretly annoyed—he actually dared to point a sword at her! She even dared to shout at his father, let alone a spoiled, arrogant, and bullying child!

Under Qingfeng's cold, piercing gaze, Yan Jing timidly withdrew his short sword, then felt that it was very embarrassing to withdraw his sword just because he was glared at by a woman. He raised his head and sneered: "I thought it was some peerless beauty who bewitched the Emperor; it's just an ugly monster."

"Jing'er, be respectful." Xin Yuening walked slowly to Yan Jing's side and looked at Qingfeng, who was still sitting on the ground, without a trace of guilt on her face, "Sister, are you alright? Jing'er is truly unruly; don't take it to heart."

Qingfeng suddenly lowered her head, let out a light hum, and covered her belly with a look of pain.

"Master?" Fuling hurried forward to support her, but Qingfeng leaned on her shoulder and groaned incessantly.

Xin Yuening raised her phoenix brows and asked with feigned concern: "Sister, what's wrong?" Hmph, it would be best if the child miscarried!

Seeing that Qingfeng couldn't get up for a long time, Shuxin felt a trace of unease and hurried forward to support her. Qingfeng's child couldn't be kept, but not in this way today. The Empress was causing trouble for herself and the prince.

Qingfeng grabbed Fuling's hand and managed to stand up. Pushing Shuxin away, Qingfeng glared at Xin Yuening and said to Fuling: "Return to the palace!"

Qingfeng's glare didn't make Xin Yuening angry, but instead made her very happy. Watching Qingfeng stagger away, Xin Yuening didn't send anyone to support her.

Qingfeng seemed to be in great pain, leaning her whole body in Fuling's arms. Fuling couldn't support her, and when they walked to a table, Qingfeng stumbled and almost fell again. Beauty Yu, who was behind the table, hurried up to support her. Qingfeng didn't know if it was because she was angry or in pain, but she raised her hand and slapped Beauty Yu. Beauty Yu knelt on the ground timidly, and Qingfeng pointed at Beauty Yu, who was kneeling on the ground, and roared: "Are you all trying to kill me?"

Wu'er had been by Zhen Zhen's side for so long, so she wasn't stupid. Qingfeng wouldn't slap someone for no reason, and it just happened to be Beauty Yu. After thinking for a while, she seemed to have some clues. Wu'er stepped forward to support the trembling Beauty Yu and hummed in a low voice with an unconvinced look: "It was Consort Qing who bumped into us; why blame it on my master?"

This complaint was neither high nor low, enough for those around to hear. Seeing Qingfeng's face sink, she shouted angrily: "You... how dare you!"

The woman in blue standing behind Beauty Yu, judging by her dress, should also be a Beauty. She had suffered quite a bit when Consort Hui was protecting Beauty Yu before, so this time she naturally wanted to kick someone while they were down. Seeing Qingfeng so angry that her face turned blue, the woman in blue looked at Wu'er and said: "So it's Wu'er from Consort Hui's side. No wonder. But do you think you're still serving Consort Hui now?"

"Someone!" Qingfeng pointed at Wu'er, not knowing if it was because of pain or anger, her voice was trembling: "Throw her into the Cold Palace and let the master and servant be reunited!"

The guards in Yilan Palace looked at the Empress. Seeing the Empress smiling and nodding, they immediately stepped forward and dragged Wu'er out of Yilan Palace.

Xin Yuening walked to Qingfeng's side. Seeing her face was iron-blue, she was very happy, but she still said hypocritically: "It's just a lowly maid. Sister, why be angry? Your body is important." Hmph, at that time she even wanted to join forces with Zhen Zhen to deal with her. Now she wanted to see who was dealing with whom!

Qingfeng didn't even look at Xin Yuening and was supported by Fuling out of Yilan Palace. Walking on the palace path, Qingfeng's face returned to normal, but she still let Fuling support her. Qingfeng asked in a low voice: "Does the Emperor really only have this one son so far?"

Fuling nodded lightly, "Yes."

No wonder the child was so arrogant, and Xin Yuening was so fearless. Even if he caused her to miscarry today, Yan Hongtian couldn't do anything to the child. Yan Jing was Yan Hongtian's only son; in this way, he must be the future Crown Prince, the heir to the country. If Yan Hongtian had any accidents, he would be the Emperor. How could Yan Hongtian, such a shrewd and wise man, allow such a situation to occur? If that child ascended the throne, let alone her having no way to survive, even court officials like Lou Xiyan and Su Ling might be wiped out by the Xin clan in the future.

The joyful mood of the past two days took a sharp turn for the worse. Gripping Fuling's hand tightly, Qingfeng whispered: "Zhen Zhen is about to give birth. You first find a midwife, wait for Wu'er's news, and make sure both mother and child are safe."

"Yes." Fuling's expression was also unusually solemn. If she hadn't managed to pull the master back today, and that sword had truly injured the master, what would the Emperor have done?

Night had long fallen. Fuling looked helplessly at the person in the study who was painting with undivided attention. Since returning from Yilan Palace, the master had started painting. She originally thought she was just on a whim, but she didn't expect to stand there for three hours. She hadn't eaten dinner either, only drinking two sips of soup.

Glancing at the painting paper, it looked like it was almost finished. Fuling was about to order Ruyi to prepare some food when she saw a tall and straight figure stride into Qingfeng Palace. The people in the courtyard hurriedly knelt to pay their respects, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 306 =====