Harem Daily Life

Tao Yanyan was somewhat disdainful of Concubine Zhao's tricks. The other party was Princess Yong, and if she won, she would inevitably offend the other party. Tao Yanyan didn't want to do such a thankless task, not to mention, why should she do what Concubine Zhao wanted?

She thought for a moment and said, "Princess Yong is an excellent zither player. Whatever I play is just a show-off. Let's just forget it."

Princess Yong was somewhat pleased with herself, for it turned out that the person that Prince Yong had been thinking about was actually a fool with no special skills and only a pretty face!

But how could she let go of such a good opportunity to belittle the other person?

Before Lady Zhao could speak, Princess Yong said, "Tao, you don't need to be so modest. We are all family here. No matter how you play, His Majesty and everyone else will not laugh at you. What instrument are you good at? I'll ask someone to get it for you."

Tao Yanyan looked at Princess Yong speechlessly. She felt that she was really suffering from Mercury retrograde tonight. Why were none of them willing to let her go?

Seeing her embarrassment, Prince Yong came to her rescue and said, "Since Talented Lady Tao doesn't want to play, then don't play it. How about..."

"Your Highness Prince Yong!" Lady Zhao stopped him and said, "Your Highness has helped Concubine Tao out every time tonight. Is it because she is familiar with the road when she led the troops to suppress the bandits this time? Concubine Tao is really approachable. Everyone wants to be close to her!"

As soon as Concubine Zhao finished speaking, Princess Yong's face turned pale, and there was a hint of anger in her eyes as she looked at Tao Yanyan.

Prince Yong was blocked from speaking, which did not help him much. He looked at the emperor, and saw He Linzhang looking at him, and the expressions of both of them were very subtle.

Tao Yanyan was so angry that she pinched the handkerchief in her hand, looked at He Linzhang, and said in a delicate voice: "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao bullied me and you didn't do anything about it. How can you be like this?"

He Linzhang: “…” Concubine Hui was still beside them. What was this young talent trying to do by acting like a spoiled child in front of so many people?

How embarrassing!

Concubine Hui couldn't help but laugh and said, "Oh, I've been in the palace for so many years, serving the late emperor for twenty years, but this is the first time I've seen Concubine Tao act so spoiled. Your Majesty's heart must be wrapped in honey!"

He Linzhang's ears blushed: "I'm sorry to have embarrassed Concubine Hui. Yanyan has always been outspoken and easy to get along with." This was what he said before responding to Concubine Zhao in an ambiguous way. It affirmed that Concubine Tao was easy to get along with and close to, so it was normal for Prince Yong to help her out.

Then he turned to Tao Yanyan and said, "Lady Zhao is not deliberately making things difficult for you. It's just to liven up the dinner. Just play a song. Don't worry, I will listen carefully."

Tao Yanyan glared at him and said, "Then your majesty must give me a reward. I can't show my ugliness for nothing."

Everyone laughed, and Concubine Hui said, "How about this, I will be a witness, and no matter whether you play well or not, His Majesty will reward you, what do you think?"

Tao Yanyan stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Madam Concubine, for making the decision."

After saying that, she walked straight to a musician who was playing the pipa and asked, "Can I borrow your pipa?"

The musician was originally from Prince Yong's Palace. The instruments they used were not expensive, but not bad either. Tao Yanyan had listened to the performance of this band before. The sound of the pipa was quite good, with a very authentic timbre, much better than the one that cost more than a thousand yuan in her previous life.

The musician handed over the pipa respectfully. Tao Yanyan nodded slightly to express her gratitude, then she carried the pipa to the middle of the hall and sat in the seat where Princess Yong had sat before.

It is said that "a thousand years of pipa and ten thousand years of zheng", if you want to master a musical instrument like pipa, you have to spend a lot of time practicing. No one expected that she would choose such an instrument.

Tao Yanyan searched her mind for the songs she had practiced in her previous life, and finally chose the one she had practiced the most. Her technique was not very sophisticated, but the song was novel, and the people here must have never heard it, so she should be able to tie with Princess Yong.

After selecting the song, she recalled the lyrics, tried playing a few notes, and started tonight's performance.

As soon as the prelude music sounded, it captured everyone's heart.

After a moment, Tao Yanyan opened her red lips and sang the lyrics in rhythm: "When the swallows leave, the branches are full of red beans. Travelers, don't ask when they will return. Who is alone guarding the clear water of Xiaoxiang, not knowing what time it is tonight? When the swallows return, there is no trace of my beloved. I must have a purpose, so I leave. I don't want my love to be left without a place to go, so I travel thousands of miles to look for her. He wrote with ink, and she danced with her sleeves in a dream. The love and intention in the play, strangers met, in the flowery and beautiful land..."

Tao Yanyan's skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, especially her bright eyes, which seemed to contain endless tenderness and wisdom. Her voice was soft, and her slender jade fingers stroked the pipa. Every note and every word seemed to be deeply engraved in He Linzhang's heart.

What other surprises does his little talent have that he doesn't know about?

In addition to He Linzhang, Prince Yong He Tingye was also touched by the lyrics of "My beloved has no trace" and "We will part ways". He couldn't help but pick up the wine glass and drink it down in another gulp.

Princess Yong sat beside him, her palms almost pinched.

Lady Zhao was also stunned. She didn't expect that her plan would fail! She looked at Tao Yanyan with a dagger in her eyes.

Shu Fei looked at the outstanding Cairen Tao, then looked at her cousin whose eyes were full of Tao Cairen, and silently lowered her eyes. Her thick eyelashes concealed the loneliness in her eyes.

When the song ended, Concubine Hui was the first to sigh: "Alas, this song should only exist in heaven, how many times can it be heard in the world. I wonder what song this is? The lyrics are also good, please write them down and sing them to me later."

Tao Yanyan nodded slightly and said, "I don't remember the name of the song. I learned it when I was a child, but it's been so long that I forgot it."

"It's okay. The musicians are here. Be sure to write it down and play it well in the future." Concubine Hui gave another instruction and was very satisfied with Tao Yanyan's song.

Tao Yanyan glanced at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you can't deny the reward you promised me."

He Linzhang said with a smile: "My word is as good as gold. How can I deny your request? Tell me, what do you want?"

After asking, he felt a little regretful. The young talent often said shocking things. Could it be that he wanted something difficult to say in front of so many people?

He Linzhang waited anxiously. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Tao Cairen's next words.

Tao Yanyan glanced at Lady Zhao and said, "I want to ask Your Majesty for someone."

"Ahem." He Linzhang coughed lightly: "Who is it?"

He Linzhang thought, you must not say the word "you" in front of so many people! My elders and brothers are here, I can't bear it!

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "I would like to ask Your Majesty to give Xianglan to me, but I am also worried that Lady Zhao will not agree, so I would like Your Majesty to facilitate this matter."

When He Linzhang heard that the person she wanted was not him, he felt relieved, but he also felt a little disappointed. What was going on?