Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 121 - Princess Consort Ling Performs Her Talent
Chapter 121: Chapter 121 Princess Consort Ling Performs Her Talent
Murong Man, serving as a forerunner, played the highly challenging piece “Flat Sand and Wild Goose,” melodiously and smoothly, earning furious applause and universal acclaim from everyone.
While the title of the foremost beauty moved on from Murong Man, the title of the first talented lady remained with her.
Her performance of “Flat Sand and Wild Goose” indeed demonstrated great effort. Having witnessed her play first, the other noble girls who had intended to play the zither were disheartened.
Unless they could play better than Murong Man, stepping up would be tantamount to making a fool of oneself.
“Murong Man is truly pitiable, such a talented lady and yet, who would have thought her fate would be so fraught!”
“After all, she has scholarship; even after today, there will be plenty of people who wish to marry her.”
“That’s true, taking such a woman home to support a husband and instruct children would indeed be a lucky affair.”
“Though she may not be as beautiful as Princess Consort Ling, her scholarship is undoubtedly many times superior. In my opinion, when taking a wife, it’s wisdom one should marry, for beauty is the most unreliable,”
Young noble ladies and wives whispered amongst themselves, and the topic inexplicably shifted back to Murong Jiu.
Indeed, her countenance today was too dazzling; Consort Qin from the Western Regions is beautiful enough, but compared with Murong Jiu, she falls far short.
Mainly because these Han people do not appreciate exotic charm. While Consort Qin is undoubtedly beautiful, Murong Jiu is the true epitome of beauty.
Her eyes were like clear pools, her brows like distant mountains, her almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks, her complexion more tender than a lotus flower; with her ice-like skin and jade-like bones, she was naturally stunning—a presence that could not be overlooked at first glance.
Ever since she took her seat, almost everyone turned their gaze towards Murong Jiu.
Particularly the young noblemen, their eyes nearly stuck to her, and if not for the icy gaze of Prince Ling commanding such a strong presence, who knows how much longer they would have kept looking.
Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.
Even now, after Murong Man’s performance, some were restlessly sneaking glances towards Murong Jiu.
If it weren’t for the fact that Murong Jiu was already married, after today, her doorstep would likely be worn out by suitors.
Seeing this, the women, of course, were not pleased.
A noble girl who was on good terms with Murong Man spoke up:
“Miss Murong’s rendition of ‘Flat Sand and Wild Goose’ is indeed delightful. It seems Marquis Mansion has taught her well. Princess Consort Ling, also a Miss of Marquis Mansion, I wonder how her playing is?”
This noble girl was the daughter of the Minister of the Rites, surnamed Fang and named Yujiao. She was already betrothed, her fiancé being the eldest son of the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat’s family, considered to be marrying up.
After being engaged, she met with her fiancé several times, both sides very satisfied. Yet after seeing Princess Consort Ling once at Marquis Ensu’s Mansion, her fiancé became somewhat distracted, and today she even noticed her fiancé frequently glancing at Princess Consort Ling—how could she bear this?
Moreover, when entering the palace, Murong Man accompanied her, and her maidservant kept talking about how much Murong Man suffered and felt aggrieved, also mentioning that Princess Consort Ling rejoiced in her misfortune behind her back, making sarcastic and mocking comments. Fang Yujiao then harbored thoughts of venting her friend’s frustrations.
If Murong Jiu embarrassed herself at the palace banquet, these despicable men would surely be disillusioned, and perhaps, Prince Ling would also come to loathe Princess Consort Ling.
This way, Murong Jiu, with only her beauty, would be left with nothing.
The other noble girls harbored the same thoughts as Fang Yujiao. As soon as she spoke up, others immediately echoed her sentiments.
“Indeed, it’s said that Princess Consort Ling is excellent in medicine, so she must be outstanding in other aspects too, right?”
“To receive such affection from Prince Ling, Princess Consort Ling’s talents must also be quite formidable!”
“Princess Consort Ling, please showcase your skills, so we can feast our eyes and ears!”
Although they heaped praise with their words, in reality, it was a provocative tactic—first to extol someone to the heavens before the fall, for a fall from a greater height hurts all the more, doesn’t it?
The Emperor was in a good mood. He looked at Princess Consort Ling, whose appearance had grown more pleasing to his eye, and heard from a little eunuch that the Empress Dowager had rewarded her with a jade bracelet. He had seen the bracelet many times; the Empress Dowager had worn it for many years, which must mean it was a treasured item.
Having given it to Princess Consort Ling, it appears she has won the Empress Dowager’s favor.
Thus, he spoke, “Today’s Mid-Autumn palace banquet is meant for everyone to enjoy themselves. Princess Consort Ling, should you have any talents, just show them, and don’t worry whether your performance is good or not.”
Since the Empress Dowager liked her, it was inevitable that the Emperor would be more indulgent towards Murong Jiu.
Upon hearing this, Murong Man tightened her fists and then smiled:
“I heard from Sister Baozhu that Princess Consort Ling is very skilled in chess, so I believe her talents extend to other areas as well. I wonder if Princess Consort Ling would like to play a melody. Noble Consort Qi’s Phoenix Head Zither is quite fine.”
Just when everyone thought Murong Jiu would refuse, Murong Jiu curved her lips into a shallow smile:
“Alright, then I shall play a piece as sister has requested.”
Her beauty dazzled the crowd, and only then did they clearly hear what she had said.
What? She’s going to play the zither?
With Murong Man’s jeweled reputation as a precedent, she still wants to play the zither?
That’s just foolish!
Noble Consort Qi’s lips curved up into a mocking cold smile, thinking that a girl raised in the countryside playing the zither, she better not break hers.
She said, “Murong Jiu, the level of Manman’s performance of ‘Flat Sand and Wild Goose’ is extremely high. If you can only play, perhaps you shouldn’t.”
She didn’t want to lose face for herself and her son Jun Yuyan.
Noble Consort Qi still didn’t like Murong Jiu; in her eyes, Murong Man was the most suitable candidate for her daughter-in-law.
But if Murong Jiu made a fool of herself, the gossip would spread throughout the palace.
So it would be best not to play, and just sit down quietly in her place.
Just then, Jun Yuyan spoke up, “Since Ah Jiu wishes to play, let her do so. Empress Dowager, I’ve heard that your palace has a Lv Qi zither passed down from the previous dynasty, over four hundred years old, I wonder if it might be borrowed.”
Murong Jiu looked at him with sparkling eyes; she had only mentioned in passing that she had learned zither playing not long ago but had not expected Jun Yuyan to have such faith in her—to ask for an even better zither from the Empress Dowager without a single question.
The Empress Dowager smiled, “You have a good memory. Servants, bring my Lv Qi.”
Noble Consort Qi’s face changed, feeling like her son was slapping her in the face.
She didn’t want Murong Jiu to play, yet he insisted on it. But wouldn’t it be her face that’s lost if Murong Jiu made a fool of herself just the same?
Besides, with a Phoenix Head Zither already present, he stubbornly requested the Empress Dowager’s Lv Qi; wasn’t this deliberately making her uncomfortable?
Her Phoenix Head Zither naturally couldn’t compare to the Lv Qi, which had been played by many famous scholars and was Great Yan’s most prestigious zither—one she hadn’t even had the chance to touch.
Yet Jun Yuyan had gone so far as to borrow it for Murong Jiu to use!
But since the Empress Dowager had agreed, the Emperor, looking pleased, quickly sent an efficient eunuch to follow the palace maid to fetch the zither.
The crowd at the scene buzzed even more.
Not a single person believed Murong Jiu could play the zither.
Horse riding and archery are simple enough to learn in a moment, and playing chess isn’t too difficult, but playing the zither is a different matter.
If she doesn’t play well, it would be a torturous experience for the ears.
Even if Murong Jiu had learned, in the eyes of the onlookers she was just an amateur, how could she compare to Murong Man?
The Lv Qi was quickly brought over.
This ancient zither was painted black and faintly glowed with an eerie green. Although it hadn’t been played for a long time, it was kept in excellent condition, immediately distinguishing it as something extraordinary.
But the thought of such a fine zither being played by Murong Jiu gave a sense of waste and sacrilege.
Murong Jiu slowly stood up and walked to the center.
Suddenly, for reasons unknown, Murong Man was filled with an ominous premonition.
