Spring flowers

Chapter 3 The Musician
Princess House.

Wei Yishang took Feng Yueqiao's waist token, and the guards behind the door didn't question her much, letting her in easily.

Wei Yishang had just entered the backyard when she was spotted by the steward of the princess's residence.

After ascertaining Wei Yishang's background, the steward became somewhat anxious and said:

"Ms. Feng is sick? Why did she have to fall ill at this crucial time?! What should we do?!"

Wei Yishang asked doubtfully, "Could it be that in such a large princess's residence, there are no other musicians besides Sister Feng?"

The steward sighed, "Yes, there is. However, none of the musicians are as skilled as Master Feng. Today, the Princess specially hosted a banquet to invite Young Master Ye. Knowing that Young Master Ye has always loved music, the Princess specifically instructed that Master Feng must accompany the guests and play the zither to please Young Master Ye. Who would have thought that man proposes, God disposes? Master Feng has fallen ill..."

The eldest princess has always been spoiled and willful. If the banquet is ruined because of this and the eldest princess is angered, the entire princess's residence will probably suffer as a result.

Only Wei Yishang knew that the Princess's true intentions today were not what they seemed.

Feng Yueqiao's musical skills were merely a smokescreen to conceal the true purpose of the banquet. Regardless of whether Feng Yueqiao was present or not, the only person the Princess cared about was Ye Mingzhen.

Seeing the manager's frantic expression, Wei Yishang suddenly had a brilliant idea:

"I have a good idea that will guarantee the Princess a pleasant time at tonight's banquet. Would you be willing to listen to my suggestion, Steward?"

Upon hearing this, the steward's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Speak quickly."

……

As dusk approached, the banquet was ready. After carefully dressing up, the princess was helped into the main hall by her maids.

Ye Mingzhen had been waiting for a long time.

Ye Mingzhen is a gentleman, with elegant manners, and he does not easily show his emotions.

However, he had long since lost patience with the princess's persistent harassment.

Tonight, Ye Mingzhen was preparing to tell the Princess his feelings clearly, as he didn't want to be bothered by her any longer.

"Mr. Ye, please take a seat."

After taking their seats, the eldest princess gestured to the maid beside her to pour wine for Ye Mingzhen.

The princess had already drugged that cup of wine; once Ye Mingzhen drank it, her goal would be achieved.

Ye Mingzhen looked at the full wine glasses in front of him but did not reach for them. He was preoccupied with what he wanted to say to the princess.

So he stood up and bowed to the princess, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I have something I would like to say to you."

The eldest princess was a smart woman; she had already been rejected by Ye Mingzhen too many times.

Now that Ye Mingzhen has spoken, she already knows what he wants to say.

"Not in a hurry."

The eldest princess smiled and changed the subject:

"I know that Young Master Ye is fond of music, so I have specially invited the most outstanding musician in my household to play for you. Young Master Ye, please listen to what I have to say first..."

As soon as the words were spoken, the maidservant beside the princess clapped her hands.

Immediately afterwards, Wei Yishang, who had been prepared in advance, entered the main hall with her face veiled.

The princess was focused on Ye Mingzhen and did not notice anything unusual about the musicians today.

Ye Mingzhen, however, looked into Wei Yishang's eyes and immediately recognized that she was not Feng Yueqiao.

Wei Yishang bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Princess and Young Master Ye."

At this moment, the princess's gaze finally fell on Wei Yishang.

Seeing that Wei Yishang's hands were empty and she wasn't carrying a zither, she frowned slightly and said:

"What's going on? Where's your zither? I specifically instructed you to play it for Lord Ye."

The next moment, Wei Yishang took out a wooden flute from her sleeve and said softly:

"Your Highness, I have long heard that Young Master Ye is fond of music and has a profound understanding of it, especially his flute playing, which is truly heavenly."

"Today, the Princess has hosted a banquet and invited Young Master Ye. This servant dares not make a fool of myself, lest I disgrace Young Master Ye's ears. How about Young Master Ye plays a tune for the Princess, so that this servant can learn from him?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess was slightly taken aback, clearly not quite understanding at first.

She never expected that a mere musician would be so bold as to invite her guest to play the wooden flute right in front of her.

The eldest princess instinctively wanted to make a move, but then she heard Wei Yishang say:

"It has been said among the people that the sound of the xiao (vertical flute) is the music that seals love. Young Master Ye's xiao playing is exceptional. If he could play a tune for the Princess, not only would the Princess like it, but it would probably become a beautiful story."

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess suddenly realized that Wei Yishang's words made some sense.

She disliked other women showing off their talents in front of Ye Mingzhen, thus diverting his attention.

Moreover, the princess genuinely wanted to hear Ye Mingzhen play a tune for her, so that she could have a beautiful and unforgettable memory.

The eldest princess smiled and looked at Ye Mingzhen, saying, "In that case, what does Young Master Ye think?"

Ye Mingzhen naturally did not want to agree.

Let's not even mention the wooden flute that Wei Yishang just mentioned as a love token.

Ye Mingzhen always believed that the music he loved could only be played for close friends, and he disdained to show off in front of outsiders.

Ye Mingzhen wanted to refuse, but before he could speak, Wei Yishang had already stepped in front of him. Under the guise of pouring wine for Ye Mingzhen, Wei Yishang leaned close to his ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I put a drug in the wine."

"..."

Ye Mingzhen looked into Wei Yishang's eyes and felt that her gaze and voice were very familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before.

Wei Yishang continued, "If you want to get away, do as I say."

After saying that, Wei Yishang placed the wooden flute on the table in front of Ye Mingzhen, and then obediently stepped back and stood there without making any further moves.

"Since it is the Princess's kind invitation, I will gladly accept."

After hesitating for a moment, Ye Mingzhen picked up the wooden flute on the table.

Although he couldn't remember who Wei Yishang was for a moment, he suddenly felt a strange sense of trust in her and unconsciously did as she said.

Upon hearing this, the princess was overjoyed.

Ye Mingzhen was always aloof and indifferent, and the princess thought he would refuse to play, but to her surprise, he actually agreed.

The princess immediately said expectantly, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Ye. I will listen attentively."

Ye Mingzhen raised the wooden flute and slowly began to play.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea passed, and when the song ended, the princess was still completely captivated.

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Ye Mingzhen was already so outstanding that she was deeply captivated by his heavenly flute music.

"Young Master Ye is indeed a man of great talent, skilled in both literature and art."

After sighing, the eldest princess felt a pang of self-pity and said, "Young Master Ye is so outstanding, I wonder which young lady will catch your eye and be worthy of you."

Ye Mingzhen said calmly, "You flatter me, Princess."

"I have just entered officialdom to serve His Majesty, and I am only thinking about realizing my ambitions. I have not yet considered starting a family."

Ye Mingzhen's words implied that he was focused on his career, had no intention of considering romantic relationships, and would not marry into the princess's household.

However, the eldest princess had long seen through Ye Mingzhen's attitude, so how could she give up so easily?!

The eldest princess pretended not to understand Ye Mingzhen's words and laughed:
"Young Master Ye has lofty ambitions, which is commendable. However, as the saying goes, one should first settle one's family affairs before considering other matters. Now that Young Master Ye has reached the age for marriage, if you have someone you like, you might as well tell me... I can help you make a selection."

The eldest princess is testing Ye Mingzhen. If Ye Mingzhen is foolish enough to reveal the name of that young lady, then that woman will be in trouble.

Fortunately, Ye Mingzhen simply shook his head and did not answer the princess's question.

Seeing this, the princess's gaze fell once more on the wine glasses on the table, and she urged:
"Young Master Ye, you must be tired from playing the flute. Why don't you have a drink and rest for a while?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the eldest princess, seemingly afraid of being rejected by Ye Mingzhen again, raised her wine cup and said, "I would like to toast you."

The princess then drank it all in one gulp.

"..."

Ye Mingzhen had already heard Wei Yishang's warning, and combined with the Princess's strange behavior, he was almost certain that he was facing a trap.

However, he is now in a difficult situation.

He couldn't refuse to drink this cup of wine in front of the princess, otherwise he would be openly severing ties with her.

Ye Mingzhen raised his wine glass, then lowered his head to drink, using his sleeve to cover his mouth.

He appeared to drink the glass in one gulp, but in reality, he secretly poured all the wine into the bowl...

Before long, the eldest princess began to question Ye Mingzhen.

"Young Master Ye's complexion looks a bit off. Are you feeling the effects of the alcohol? Would you like to go to a guest room to rest for a while?"

Ye Mingzhen naturally began to feign unconsciousness, supporting his forehead with one hand and whispering:

"Your Majesty, I am suddenly feeling a little dizzy... Please allow me to take my leave."

The eldest princess smiled and then winked at Wei Yishang, who was standing behind her, saying, "Help Young Master Ye to rest next door."

Wei Yishang quickly stepped forward and helped Ye Mingzhen up.

As Ye Mingzhen stood up and walked towards the palace gate, he suddenly grabbed Wei Yishang's wrist out of the Princess's sight and whispered, "Miss Wei, did I act well?"

Wei Yishang was slightly surprised, not expecting that Ye Mingzhen had already guessed her identity.

Even though they had only met once, how did Ye Mingzhen recognize her?
Little did he know that after the poetry gathering, Ye Mingzhen had some impression of Wei Yishang.

He hadn't recognized Wei Yishang at first because it was so sudden and unexpected, but now he had realized it.

"That's not enough. You need to completely faint before the guards at the princess's residence will lower their guard."

As soon as Wei Yishang finished speaking, Ye Mingzhen closed his eyes and actually pretended to faint.

Wei Yishang was just a slender and weak woman, so naturally she couldn't support the tall and strong Ye Mingzhen.

Fortunately, the steward appeared at the door in time and helped Wei Yishang escort Ye Mingzhen into the guest room.

The steward helped Ye Mingzhen to bed. He was panting heavily, but he still remembered to instruct Wei Yishang:

"The Princess will arrive shortly. I'll go and make some preparations first. Please take off Young Master Ye's shoes and socks quickly, so as not to delay the Princess's good time."

After saying that, the steward hurriedly left.

(End of this chapter)