The Great Wei Music Bureau

Last time, we talked about Li Yi explaining the special effects he designed to each group, and each group also put forward their own ideas, but he is not a god, and it is impossible for him to satisfy everyone's wishes. So will the queen be satisfied with the song and dance designed by Li Yi? Let's take a look together.

The day when the Queen came to review the singing and dancing program finally arrived. Li Yi did not sleep in that day because he did not bother the beauties, and Shiyu repeatedly told him not to stay in bed. In the early morning, everyone dressed up to welcome the inspection of the First Lady of Wei.

Everyone was eagerly waiting, and the Queen's phoenix chariot finally arrived at the royal hunting ground. After some bowing and kneeling, Shiyu and a group of officials from the Music Bureau accompanied the Queen to the stage. Of course, except for the Queen, everyone else was standing.

Shiyu stood beside the queen, with a group of officials from the music bureau standing behind her. The eunuchs and palace maids needless to say. The queen smiled at Shiyu and said, "Wan Siyue, can we start?"

Shi Yu nodded and said yes, and waved to Li Yi behind the stage. The latter understood, and then ten groups of songs and dances took the stage one by one. Because it was daytime, Li Yi did not use special effects, and simply asked the Queen to review it with songs and dances. The opening was a congratulatory speech from the Ministry of Rites accompanied by the music "Long Live the Emperor". The congratulatory speech was written by the Minister of Rites, Kong Xiu, and it was naturally an excellent work. For a birthday banquet, words of praise are of course indispensable. This is a rule and a ritual, so this program can only be described as being quite conventional. But after this program, it means that the banquet song and dance performance has officially begun.

First, there was a dance music "Cloud Palace Swift Sound". This music from the 86 version of "Journey to the West" has no lyrics. It is just a word "ah" from beginning to end, but it gives people a feeling of entering the clouds and being in a fairyland. The queen asked Shiyu with a smile: "Wan Sile, what is the name of this song? Is it composed by Li Changshi?"

Shi Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, all the songs were written by my husband. After receiving the imperial edict, I dared not be negligent in the slightest. I racked my brains and spent a whole night writing these lyrics and music." Shi Yu said this obviously to show off. Of course, she had the capital to show off. No one could write ten songs in one night that could be performed at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.

Queen Gongsun Feng nodded and smiled, "Only one night? Changshi Li is indeed worthy of being the most talented man in the capital. When the empress dowager's birthday banquet is over, I guess it's time to change the words 'Shangjing'." Hearing the Queen's praise, Shi Yu was of course complacent. How could the man she liked be an ordinary person? The title of the most talented man in the Wei Dynasty would sooner or later fall on her husband.

Next up was Yuehua's dance "Dunhuang Flying Apsaras" and "Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara". Wearing a golden corset and a high crown, Yuehua danced gracefully on a lift, which slowly rose to a height of more than one person above the stage, giving her a real sense of flying. Shiyu explained: "On the day of the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, when this dance was performed, the stage was filled with clouds and mist, creating a sense of flying into the sky and becoming an immortal."

Gongsun Feng nodded and smiled, "Oh, I know a little bit about Li Changshi's ability. I'm sure it will be a different mood at that time."

Shi Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. My husband has no ability at all. It's just a trick of Confucianism to control talent."

Gongsun Feng was not angry at Shiyu's boasting. As the queen, she naturally had to have a big vision. She looked at Shiyu and asked with a smile: "Wan Sile, I heard that Li Changshi has taken in a new concubine. Is this true?" Uh, didn't we agree to have a big vision? Why did she start to play tricks now? Alas, this is what women are like!

Shi Yu smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am not a new concubine. I am the one my husband promised me when we were in Qing'an City. If we count by time, I am the latecomer."

"Oh, so that's it. Li Changshi is really a talented and romantic man. I think Wan Sile will have many sisters in the future." This hit Shiyu's sore spot! Shiyu had already thought of some ironic words in her mind, but she didn't dare to say them. She had to hold it in and replied with a smile: "Maybe, it just so happens that I am also a person who likes lively occasions. If I have more sisters, I can have more people to talk to."

Gongsun Feng thought: Oh! Are you saying that no one in my palace speaks the truth? There are no good sisters to chat with? Although she thought so in her heart, she still smiled dignifiedly and elegantly on the surface.

At this time, the "Dunhuang Flying Apsaras" dance on the stage had finished, and the lift platform had also been lowered to the same level as the stage. The music changed, Yuehua smiled and straightened her posture, and suddenly dozens of hands appeared behind her, waving up and down. This scene immediately attracted Gongsun Feng's attention, and she asked, "Wan Sile, what is this?"

Shi Yu quickly explained, "Your Highness, this dance is called Thousand-Handed Guanyin. My husband is a lay disciple of Buddhism. This dance was inspired by what he learned while worshipping Buddha, so he designed this dance."

Gongsun Feng stared at the stage intently and said, "'Thousand-Armed Guanyin' is really interesting. Li Changshi's tricks are endless." After saying that, he looked at Shiyu, who smiled faintly but said nothing.

The next program was the song and dance "Shui Tiao Ge Tou", a poem by Su Dongpo, a masterpiece handed down from generation to generation, accompanied by dancers in plain clothes and long skirts. The poem, the music and the dance were all good. Gongsun Feng said: "I want to ride the wind to go back, but I am afraid that the jade buildings are too cold up there. I dance with my shadow, it's not like being in the human world. People have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, the moon waxes and wanes, this has always been difficult to achieve. I wish you a long life, and we can enjoy the beauty of the moon together even though we are thousands of miles apart. It is really a beautiful poem. I am afraid that in terms of poetry and songs, no one will be able to compete with Li Changshi in the next 100 years."

Shi Yu smiled and said, "Have you ever heard of the term 'talented and talented'?"

Gongsun Feng shook his head and said, "I have never heard of it. I would like to hear more about it."

Shiyu recounted the story of Yang Hua saying that Li Yi was extremely talented. Gongsun Feng laughed and said, "Interesting. Scholars have always looked down on each other, but Yang Hua praised Li Changshi so much. I think he must be convinced."

Shi Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. Scholars are proud and never bow their heads. But Yang Yilang has not lost his integrity. Didn't he say that he took a bucket?"

Gongsun Feng smiled and covered his mouth, "I know that Yang Hua. When he became famous, he caused quite a stir. He defeated the entire Seeking Talents Hall in a debate by himself. Even His Majesty believed that he would be the future inheritor of Confucianism and Taoism in the Wei Dynasty. I never thought that Chang Shi Li would come to Shangjing and stand out. Now several great Confucian scholars in Shangjing are very fond of him." Shiyu learned her lesson this time. She did not show off. She kept smiling and was a quiet and good baby.

The next dance to take the stage was the solo "Red Wish". When the beautiful lady Zhao, dressed in red shirt and red pants, came on stage, the empress frowned and asked, "She is so tall. I'm afraid she is much taller than most men."

Shi Yu replied, "My lady, her name is Zhao Hanfeng, and she is eight feet tall, which is indeed taller than most men."

Gongsun Feng sighed, "Alas, it will be difficult for a girl this tall to get married in the future."

Shiyu smiled and said, "Find someone taller than her or someone who doesn't mind her height."

Gongsun Feng was shocked and said, "I'm afraid it's difficult. I'm afraid there is no man in this world who would like a woman taller than himself. Speaking of Wan Si Le, how was she chosen?"

Shiyu replied, "He was someone specially chosen by my husband."

When Gongsun Feng heard this, he looked carefully at the face of the beautiful Zhao, and watched her slender figure dancing on the stage. He suddenly laughed and said, "Oh, so it was Changshi Li who chose her. Now I understand that there are still men in this world who like women who are taller than themselves." After saying this, he looked at Shiyu with a smile. Shiyu of course heard the true meaning of this, but due to her status and etiquette, she held back.

Gongsun Feng saw that Shiyu was angry and thought: I let you show off your affection and your man, but I, the queen, can't control you! Humph! Are you convinced now?

Zhao Hanfeng finished dancing and stepped off the stage. The music suddenly changed. War drums thundered, and then the military slogans were heard. Soldiers stood straight and carried military drums, beating them as they marched to the beat of the drums. Soon they formed a line around the stage. There were also hundreds of people on the stage. Then the military flags were waving. After two thumps, all the soldiers put down their drums at the same time. When the military bugle sounded, the soldiers hummed at the same time, "Ah-ah-ah!"

Li Yi came on stage in military uniform. Shi Yu was shocked. What was going on? Why did my husband come on stage? Wasn't this song originally sung by soldiers? Why was it suddenly changed? What was he up to? Gongsun Feng didn't know that this was a sudden event, but when she saw Li Yi on stage, she became interested. She had seen Li Yi's singing concert before, so she didn't notice Shi Yu's surprise.

Li Yi's face was solemn, his demeanor was majestic, and he sang the song with great passion and heroic spirit. Even Shi Yu was confused. How could Li Yi, who was usually the most frivolous when playing around, look so impressive in his armor, and look like a real person?

As her mood changed, the expression on Shiyu's face also changed, from shock to joy, and then to shyness. Gongsun Feng noticed the change in her facial expression.

Gongsun Feng asked, "Wan Sile, what's wrong? Why is your face still red?"

Shi Yu was awakened by the Queen's question, and immediately gathered her thoughts and answered: "Your Highness, this is the first time I've seen my husband in armor. I was not used to it for a while, and it felt like he was a different person. I'm a little rude, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Gongsun Feng smiled faintly and said, "It's okay. This Changshi Li is really thoughtful and hardworking. The armor is not light. It's not easy for a scholar like him to wear it."

Shiyu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. I think the injury must be quite serious. It's hard for him."

Gongsun Feng looked at Shi Yu's smile, which was obviously inconsistent with her words, and wondered: What's going on? Is there anything wrong with what I said? Li Yi is a scholar, and it must be difficult for him to wear armor weighing dozens of kilograms. But her expression didn't look like she felt sorry for Li Yi. What was the problem here?

The Queen was still thinking when Li Yi on the stage finished one song and then started another. He sang two songs calmly and then waved his hand like a general. The soldiers around the stage picked up the drums and retreated in unison with the same movements and steps, shouting slogans.

The next program was a duet of "A Beautiful Moon Over Flowers". Although the two sang very well, the Queen's mind was not here. Her thoughts were still on Shiyu's abnormal smile. Before she could figure out what was going on, the song was over. Shiyu asked, "Your Majesty, the Queen doesn't seem to be satisfied with this song. Do you want me to talk to my husband about changing the program?"

Gongsun Feng came back to her senses and shook her head, "No, no, I think it's good. The flowers are in full bloom and the moon is full. It's suitable for the occasion and the scene. It's not bad. But before that, Li Changshi personally sang two songs. In comparison, this one can't help but be a little behind."

Shiyu nodded and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is very true, but please look forward to the last song, which is my husband's meticulous work."

Gongsun Feng smiled and said, "Oh, then I really have to take a good look at it." As she spoke, music sounded and the lift slowly rose. Bailing's unique voice instantly pierced through the stage. Before Gongsun Feng could react, she got goose bumps all over her body. She rubbed her arms subconsciously. Shiyu smiled faintly.

Another lift on the stage brought Zhao Hanfeng onto the stage. The two of them sang and danced, and their cooperation became more and more tacit. In addition to the interaction in movements, there was also eye contact. Perhaps it was because there were few audiences today, the two of them performed more calmly on the stage. The transition between Bailing's high and low notes was more natural, and her breathing was smoother; Hanfeng's dance was more elegant, and the artistic conception was further enhanced.

Gongsun Feng watched intently, rubbing her arms from time to time. When Bai Ling finished singing and Han Feng finished dancing, Gongsun Feng stood up and clapped her hands in approval. However, she suddenly realized that she had lost her composure. She straightened her body and smiled at Shi Yu, "Wan Sile, I am very satisfied with your singing and dancing. What should I give you as a reward?"

Shi Yu smiled and replied, "Thank you for the praise, Queen. This is what we should do, and I dare not accept the reward."