The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

"Lingrong, how did you know that the person just now was Prince Guo? Do you recognize Prince Guo?" My sister was very curious about how I knew.

"Sister, among the several princes, only Prince Guo is the youngest and looks the most similar. I heard that Prince Guo enjoys playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, is good at music, and is intoxicated by singing and dancing. I just saw the flute he carries with him."

"Doesn't this explain it? It's undoubtedly Prince Guo."

We should go back quickly now. We have been out for a while. If we don’t go back, the emperor will find out that we are not here, and someone will be unhappy again.

Then we quietly sat back down, luckily no one noticed.

Concubine Cao suggested that they draw lots to perform. The sisters in the harem serve the emperor, and each of them has her own specialties. She also said that it was just a performance to liven up the atmosphere, and there was no need to take it seriously.

The first program was to ask the Queen to write a word for longevity in her calligraphy.

Everyone knows that the Empress is passionate about calligraphy and has great accomplishments. Even the Emperor often praises her.

The queen could not refuse, so she ordered people to prepare writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. The big "Shou" character won the applause of the whole audience.

Concubine Duan left the table midway due to feeling unwell and lack of strength.

The second program is for Lady Wan to perform a stunning dance.

When these words were spoken, everyone could not hide their surprise.

Concubine Xin couldn't help but speak first: "This stunning dance was created by Concubine Mei of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, and later modified by Empress Chunyuan. It once moved the world."

"How can Wan Guiren, a person of such talent, perform such a terrifying dance? Isn't Cao Guiren asking too much?"

Concubine Qi also spoke out in a rare moment of fairness: "If Concubine Wan doesn't dance, it will spoil everyone's fun. If she dances poorly, she will become a laughing stock. If she dances well, imitating Empress Chunyuan's dance, it will also be disrespectful."

"Aren't you trying to make things difficult for me?"

Concubine Cao smiled and said, "Those sitting here are all my sisters. It's a family dinner, so there won't be any problems."

Prince Dun said sarcastically, "Lady Wan may be beautiful, but she's not even as beautiful as the kabuki in my palace."

The Fifth Prince spoke again: "It's enough to be pretty, why bother with the stunning dance?"

Seeing he could no longer refuse, the emperor finally said, "It has been a long time since the Jinghong Dance has been performed in the palace. Lady Wan, you can just dance casually."

"Please allow me to change my clothes first, I will be right back."

Sister Mei asked the Emperor, "Ordinary stringed instruments are too vulgar. Let me play the zither to accompany Lady Wan."

"That's right!"

My sister had changed into a pink dance costume. She slowly took a few steps back, paused slightly, raised her hand and bowed to start the dance.

Jade fingers play the strings lightly, the sound is like the gurgling water,

She turned around, her steps light and graceful, like a startled swan, like a swimming dragon, and when she turned around and took a step, she was like a willow-waisted flower smiling and beautiful.

"It's beautiful, but nothing new." Prince Dun said. Concubine Qi said indifferently.

At this moment, the sound of a flute came from outside the door, gradually approaching. The sound of the flute was melodious and plaintive.

The dancer gently waved her long sleeves and danced to the sound of the flute. She tapped her slender feet a few times, raised her bun, and took small steps to stand still.

When the song was over, the dance amazed everyone.

"How many surprises do you have that I don't know about?" The emperor was also surprised.

"The dance is indeed exquisite, comparable to the dancers in this palace."

When Prince Dun said this, Prince Guo on the side was unhappy.

"The stunning dance performed by Lady Wan is a refined art form and should not be desecrated," Prince Guo retorted.

The emperor was willing to act as a peacemaker and persuade the two princes to reconcile.

Hua Fei then spoke up: "Lady Wan's stunning dance is beautiful. I've heard Lady An's singing is like heavenly music. I wonder if I can have the pleasure of hearing it today?"

This? Why did Concubine Hua suddenly ask me to sing?

Could it be that he had aroused Concubine Hua's suspicion because he had stood out several times before?

"I dare not show off my skills here, fearing that I might pollute your hearing. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Just now, Concubine Wan was modestly saying that she couldn't dance, but now she dances very well. Doesn't Concubine An also want to learn from Concubine Wan?" Concubine Hua said aggressively.

"Oh? Today, not only have I feasted my eyes, but I can also hear the heavenly music that Concubine Hua mentioned."

"I just don't know how this noble lady An sings!"

I looked at the emperor for help, and he was also in a dilemma.

"Lady An, just sing casually, just for the sake of making Princess Wen Yi happy."

As expected, for the sake of the emperor's own reputation, he would not care about anyone's feelings. We have always been just a tool to relieve boredom.

Any hope I had in the Emperor's favor was gone in an instant.

"Yes, I am sorry to show my ugliness."

"Lingrong, can I play the piano for you?" Sister Mei asked in a low voice.

"It's naturally better with my sister's help."

Just like the song I sang when I first met the emperor in my previous life, today I will sing a song called "Picking Lotus".

The sound of the piano gradually rose, and I cleared my throat and spoke softly: "Lotus can be picked in the south of the Yangtze River, and the lotus leaves are so lush. Fish play among the lotus leaves, fish play on the lotus leaves in the east, fish play on the lotus leaves in the west..."

"The song is soft and melodious, like the wind in the wind blowing through the willows."

“Although it’s a hot summer day, there’s a cool feeling.”

……

"Your Majesty, Concubine An's singing voice is like the sound of nature. This voice is already 70% similar to yours." The Queen was also surprised.

"This is already very rare. There is no one in this world who can compare to Chun Yuan."

After the song was over, everyone had an intriguing expression on their face.

The queen's expression was calm, dignified and generous. Her surprise only lasted for a moment, and she looked like she was enjoying the show.

"The song is refreshing, and the person is beautiful."

"Only the Kunshan jade shattering and the fragrant orchid weeping in the dew can barely be compared to it." The emperor was very happy at this time.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty, for the compliments!"

"Your Majesty, look at Consort Wan's dancing skills and Consort An's singing. They are truly extraordinary. If we hadn't had the privilege of witnessing them today, I'm afraid no one would have known about them."

Concubine Hua said nothing more. She hadn't anticipated what had happened today. She had intended to embarrass us, but it had the opposite effect. From now on, there would be no peace and quiet.

After the banquet, I saw Xin Changzai on the way out. She was not far ahead, walking alone.

I quickly followed him, stopped in front of Xin Chang and saluted.

"Thank you so much for speaking up for Sister Wan today."

"Sister An, you're too polite. I just can't stand Concubine Cao relying on Concubine Hua's power to bully Concubine Wan. Unfortunately, I'm a nobody, so my words don't carry much weight."

"I am very grateful for your words. Please rest assured, I will repay you in the future."

Xin Chang was polite for a while and then went back.

As night fell, the banquet finally came to an end. The lights came on, and the Forbidden City was brightly lit, magnificent and splendid.

I wonder if the sky outside the palace is still brightly lit and dim at night?