24 The Dance of Lutes and Swords, Ye Ying Calculates
ck then, so she found an excuse for sending them back to the Gu family by saying that she was worried about her grandmother being sad when her mother died. In recent years, this household mainly consi...The Emperor's Capital Rhapsody 24. Duel of Lute and Dance, Ye Ying's Calculations
24. Duel of Lute and Dance, Ye Ying's Calculations
Although Ye Li found the event rather boring, it was understandable why the annual Flower Festival, which had become the most important gathering for noblewomen in Chu, had its unique appeal. When Princess Zhaoyang ordered her attendants to bring out the prizes prepared for the winners of the Flower Festival, Ye Li couldn't help but feel surprised and understand the excitement on the faces of the previously reserved and graceful young ladies. Every maiden present was from a renowned family, having seen countless treasures since childhood. The precious items that could move them would certainly not be ordinary. More importantly, winning such prizes would bring immense prestige to them, both in their current households and when they married and joined their future in-laws, allowing them to look down upon their peers with pride. As the prize appeared next to Princess Zhaoyang, making the young ladies' hearts flutter uncontrollably.
This year's judges for the Flower Festival were undoubtedly significant figures. Although only one of the six men and a woman sitting at the table beside Princess Zhaoyang, the cold-faced Prince Li Mo Jinglei, was someone she knew; there was also that laughing man in embroidered robes who inexplicably smiled at her. Even though it was just for an instant, Ye Li confirmed that the man had indeed smiled at her, and his smile was more than a mere polite one. "Who is the red-robed person" Ye Li whispered to Qin Zeng.
Among the seven people present, only one wore a red robe; Qin Zeng immediately recognized who she was referring to and covered her mouth as she replied softly, "He's Feng Zhiyao, the third son of the Feng family in the capital. It is said that he is naturally flirtatious and born of a concubine, thus not favored by his father, the head of the Feng family. There were rumors two years ago that he would be expelled from the Feng family. However, his lute skills are indeed unparalleled in the capital."
Seeing them whispering to each other, Mu Ying also approached with a smile and said, "Princess Zhaoyang has certainly spared no expense this year by inviting so many famous people."
Wu Tianxiang looked ahead with a dignified expression, but she was not idle either. "The prizes this year are also generous. Preserving Youth Pearls, Purple Phoenix Hairpins, and even Snowy Sound Lutes that were bestowed by the previous emperor. If it weren’t for my inferior skills compared to Ye Ying’s, I would have gone up to try."
Wu Tianxiang admired the Snowy Sound Lute displayed in front of her with a hint of regret. It was one of the five most famous lutes in existence and every music lover's dream treasure. Ye Li felt even more regretful, "I haven’t touched a lute for many years."
The four of them exchanged glances before helplessly shrugging their shoulders as they admired the prizes and people on stage. Qin Zheng quietly introduced the people seated there to Ye Li. "Those few up on stage, the elderly gentleman is Scholar Su Zhe who is also the teacher of the current emperor. If not for the Princess’s influence, he wouldn’t have been able to be invited here. The rest are Jin Bang狀元from previous years and current officials of the Ministry of Personnel Mo Jian, Lord Youth of Mu Yang Manor Mu Yang, eldest son of General Northern Defense Cold Qingyu."
Ye Li glanced at each person Qin Zheng mentioned without leaving any trace, committing them to memory. "Who is that woman" Although she had never thought Ye Ying was truly breathtakingly beautiful, she admitted that Ye Ying was indeed very beautiful. However, today’s discovery made her feel that the title of the most beautiful lady in the capital seemed precarious for Ye Ying. Not only did the Princess from Nanzhao add to the competition, but Wu Tianxiang’s looks alone were comparable to Ye Ying’s. Although Qin Zheng had a graceful and refined demeanor befitting someone from an erudite family, her beauty was not comparable to Ye Ying's charm either. Furthermore, there were several women at the banquet who were also excellent in their own right. How could such minor differences allow Ye Ying to maintain her position as the most beautiful lady for years Looking at the woman sitting on stage with a stunningly beautiful face that exuded alluring charm even when seated between two men, she seemed completely different from the demure grace of a noblewoman.
Qin Zheng’s expression was somewhat odd. She paused before saying, "That one... is Miss Yao Ji from the City of Utmost Beauty. Known for her dual talent in playing music and dancing, Ye Ying’s dance couldn’t even be compared to hers. Moreover… she has a close relationship with Lord Youth of Mu Yang Manor and Third Young Master Feng."
Qin Zheng seemed somewhat awkward while saying this, but Ye Li understood the woman's identity. Seeing her sitting between Lord Youth and Third Young Master Feng, her eyes sparkling as she chatted freely and gracefully, Ye Li felt that this lady was also a remarkable woman.
As the four of them continued their conversation, Princess Chang announced the official start of the Hundred Flowers Festival competition. Ye Li had initially wondered how so many items like music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, singing, and dancing could all be started simultaneously. However, it was clear that everyone was well aware of the process. Tables with ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones were placed at the edge of the venue for those who wanted to participate in painting, calligraphy, or poetry competitions. Servants brought various musical instruments and stood on both sides of the stage while leaving the center area open for women who wanted to showcase their dance skills. Ye Li couldn’t help but admire how humanized the event’s setup was; it didn’t force everyone to perform all items and thus prevented many from embarrassing themselves.
By Lady Princess Zhaoyang's side, both Princess Qixia and Countess Ronghua stood up at the same time. However, while Countess Ronghua walked towards where the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone were placed, Princess Qixia headed for the center of the venue. Clearly, she intended to perform a dance. Yet, Ye Ying went to the place where a Yaoy Qin was kept, plucking it lightly with her jade-like fingers as melodious music flowed from under them.
"It looks like Princess Qixia really is challenging Ye Ying," said Murong Ting with a smile. Who didn’t know in the capital that Ye Ying’s specialty was dancing The moment Princess Qixia came on stage, she chose to dance, clearly intending to give Ye Ying a hard time.
Hua Tianxiang praised as he watched Princess Qixia's graceful movements: "People from Nanzhao are skilled at singing and dancing. And who doesn’t know that Princess Qixia is號稱第一美人。說不定今日就是棲霞公主要豔壓群芳了。”棲霞公主的舞熱情奔放，又不失優雅大方，既有外族的熱情奔放，又有大楚的雍容華貴。相比之下，還冇開始跳舞的葉瑩光是穿著就顯得遜色一些。慕容婷也讚同地點點頭笑道：“我看單論舞蹈的話，也隻有瑤姬能勝過棲霞公主了。這一場舞下來，今年葉瑩可要敗了。”
"Ye Ying is no ordinary person. She's still so composed despite seeing Princess Qixia’s strength," Qin Zheng reminded.
Hua Tianxiang smiled and said, "If she doesn’t have this much ability, Ye Ying wouldn't be able to show her face either. Since the dance is destined to lose, naturally she has to stabilize her skill in playing the qin no matter what."
Ye Li frowned and said, "I fear that Princess Qixia might come prepared." Although she was no longer a marksman this life, it didn’t affect her good eyesight. Ye Li hadn’t missed the sneer that flashed across Princess Qixia’s eyes when her gaze landed on Ye Ying.
Meng Mu Ting was speechless and said, "Don't tell me that this Qixia Princess is also better at the zither than Ye Ying."
Hua Tian Xiang shook her head and replied, "If it were so, then the Qixia Princess should have played the zither first before dancing. Dancing is extremely exhausting; dancing after playing the zither can easily affect one's performance. Listen to Ye Ying's music."
The originally melodious sound of the zither suddenly became urgent and rapid. The graceful figure of the Qixia Princess also moved faster, with only the fluttering sleeves visible in the center as if a fierce wind was wreaking havoc on blooming flowers.
Clearly, Ye Ying had probably noticed this or felt threatened by the Qixia Princess's strength.
The spectators clearly noticed the change below. The Zhaoyang Grand Princess frowned and gave Ye Ying an indifferent look. Yao Ji, who was elegantly leaning back to admire the Qixia Princess's dance, suddenly giggled and turned her head towards Mo Jing Li with a serious expression, saying, "Prince Li, the future Princess of Li truly is remarkable. I am in awe, Yao Ji." Mo Jing Li remained cold and did not give Yao Ji even a glance, only frowning slightly. In his eyes, Yao Ji, who came from the Song Family Manor's entertainment district, was unworthy to speak with him. He naturally didn't need to pay attention to what Yao Ji said either. Yao Ji paid no heed to his indifference, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she smiled, saying, "The capital's number one beauty truly lives up to her reputation, but it's a pity that there is a lack of proper hospitality."
Yao Ji didn't speak loudly, but the place where Ye Ying sat was closest to the viewing platform. Yao Ji's words just landed softly in Ye Ying's ears. Su Zhe, the Academician of Taixue who had not made any indication before, also snorted lightly. If Ye Ying didn't need to pay attention to Yao Ji's words, then Su Zhe's attitude made Ye Ying's heart tremble. Her originally fluid finger movements paused for a moment. Although she quickly recovered, Feng Zhirao sitting next to Yao Ji gradually frowned and smiled coldly, saying, "I thought that after a year, the Princess of Li would have improved her zither skills even further. I didn't expect..." was now almost non-existent. The entire city could be described as being almost entirely occupied by soldiers under military management. The wide streets were empty; no pedestrians or vendors with ch...