The Virtuous Concubine

The piano music in the Yonghe Palace flowed like spring water, making this originally drowsy afternoon more refreshing and comfortable. The eunuchs and palace maids who were originally doing sweeping and sewing could not help but slow down their movements and listened for a while before continuing.

The Empress's life is very regular. It seems that it is time for her to study and relax. The Empress's love for "study" is well known in the palace. She is always reading books, learning things, or studying something new.

In short, they couldn't stop for a moment. Although there were some people who were tormented, it was much better than the other palaces where people were lifeless, just waiting for the emperor's favor every day, and were often beaten or scolded.

Life in Yonghe Palace was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air under the management of Empress Defei. If the superior likes something, the subordinates will follow suit. The people in Yonghe Palace were also full of vigor and vitality. Under her influence, the palace maids and eunuchs were exposed to new things and skills every day, and they were full of energy every day.

Bai Fu gently added a pot of new tea to Malu and Sophia. The fragrance of tea and the sound of the piano intertwined together, adding a bit of elegance.

A small uninvited guest came outside. He did not get out of the sedan chair. Chen Xin, the most useful eunuch beside him, stopped the announcement and accompanied him to eavesdrop quietly outside the Yonghe Palace.

When Sophia's piano music gradually stopped, after a while, another burst of slightly unfamiliar and sluggish piano music continued. The prince sat in the sedan chair, and through the light gauze curtain, he could vaguely see a proud look on his face: "The Virtuous Concubine's playing is not as good as mine."

Chen Xin lowered his head and did not dare to respond. He knew that the prince liked others to flatter him, but he was outside the Yonghe Palace at the moment. If he dared to pull Concubine De to flatter the prince, he would not live to see the next day.

It was easy for the Empress Defei, who was in charge of the palace, to deal with a small eunuch. Even if the Empress didn't care, there were still many people who disliked him and wanted to get rid of him.

Seeing that no one showed up, the prince felt a little bored and got off the sedan chair to go to the Yonghe Palace to meet Xiao Si's mother. They had only met at banquets and other big occasions before, and had never had a serious conversation. The prince was a little nervous.

Concubine De didn't flatter him like Concubine Rong, nor did she hate him like Concubine Hui. She... She just kept her distance from me. The prince thought so, but he didn't stop. Although he didn't report it, no one dared to stop him, so he could only run quickly to tell Concubine De a message.

At this time, in the piano room, Malu had also finished playing this short chapter. This ancient piano was not very easy to use. Due to technical problems, it took a lot of force to hit the keys every time. Malu planned to ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs in a few days if there was any way to improve it.

Bai Xia was looking at her mistress's focused profile, her heart full of admiration: "My mistress, you play the piano so well. I have learned a lot from you."

Malu looked up and smiled gently at Bai Xia: "The world is so big, there are certainly endless new things to learn. I also hope that you can broaden your horizons and not limit yourself within this small palace wall."

The two were talking. Although Sophia, who was standing next to them, could not understand their conversation, she was also infected by the atmosphere between them and watched quietly with a curious and friendly smile. At this moment, a little palace maid suddenly ran in and said breathlessly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here!"

Malu was slightly startled, then she regained her composure. She nodded to the little maid: "I understand. You can leave first. Come on, Bai Xia, call Sophia, and we'll go pick her up together..."

At this time, the prince had already walked into the piano room accompanied by Chen Xin. Seeing that someone had arrived, Ma Lu bowed gracefully and said, "Your Highness, the prince's presence has really brought glory to Yonghe Palace."

But I was extremely surprised in my heart. This prince is so handsome!

Of course, Malu was not a devil. She was overwhelmed with having to deal with two men now. She simply made a comment - the prince was indeed the most handsome among all the princes.

To put it bluntly, none of them are as pretty as the ones that Kangxi could have given birth to.

Normally, she was very well behaved and rarely looked him in the face. The light was good this afternoon, and she was quite surprised at the sight. The future Crown Princess was so lucky.

The prince nodded slightly, and his eyes turned to take in the furnishings of the piano room.

There is a desk, two piano desks in this piano room, and three large, full bookshelves against the wall. There is no treasure cabinet or anything like that, and even the most basic furnishings are missing.

There was a piano in the corner and a small table for tea next to it, but no other utensils.

shabby.

The prince, who didn't know Malu's living habits, had a first reaction and conclusion that it was shabby. It seemed that he was really struggling because of the cold treatment of the emperor. He had a better impression of Concubine De.

His father wanted to adopt the fourth prince to Empress Xiaoyiren, and his wet nurse Ling Pu, who was also one of the ministers of the Imperial Household Department, told him about it.

But to his surprise, the Fourth Prince and his mother were extremely opposed to the separation, and were unwilling to separate even at the cost of angering the Emperor. In his opinion, this was a godsend for the Fourth Prince, and whether Concubine De loved the Fourth Prince or not, she should have agreed.

So he followed Soetu's advice and waited and saw how the situation developed.

But he had been observing and waiting for such a long time, and the attitudes of the Emperor, Concubine De, and the Fourth Prince had not changed at all, which made him and Soetu a little anxious.

The people of the prince's family felt that they could not win over the emperor, and that Concubine De and the Fourth Prince would eventually give in. Moreover, the mother and son might be trying to retreat in order to advance, pretending to be reluctant, so the prince wanted to use the piano incident to test the waters today.

Both of them had their own ulterior motives, but Malu was naturally not afraid and allowed the prince to look around in a somewhat presumptuous manner.

After reading it, the prince resumed his proud expression and said, "I have heard that Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine is multi-talented. After seeing her today, I can see that she is indeed as famous as her reputation has been."

Malu smiled and responded, "Your Highness, you are too kind. It was the musician Sofia who was playing just now. I was just following along and learning."

The prince turned to Sophia and spoke to her in fluent foreign language for a few words, then turned back to Malu and said, "I heard that the queen also played a piece of "Like a Deer Admiring the Stream", but some parts were not played correctly."

Malu couldn't help but look at the prince with new eyes. Although he was known for his arrogance, he was indeed a man of real talent. The conversation between him and Sophia just now should have been in Cyrillic, which was later known as Russian! And he immediately recognized what song he was playing. He was still a child, but he was so amazing!

She quickly smiled and said, "I have just started learning, please give me some advice, Your Highness."

The prince was quite magnanimous and sat down in front of the zither. He said, "Since Your Majesty is so sincere, I will give you some pointers."

In an attempt to show off, the prince decided to demonstrate it first. He played the entire piece fluently, then stopped. Sophia and the others naturally took the lead in applauding and cheering.

After the prince was satisfied with the performance, he flipped through the music score and explained each section to Malu, explaining which parts needed more practice, where the problems lay, and the key to the fingering. Malu was moved to tears.

Chinese teaching is so important!