From cute to empress

Life in the harem unfolded like a slowly unfolding scroll, filled with unknowns and challenges. I was so absorbed in the joy of learning that I was completely oblivious to the shadows casting their shadows.

The second talent show arrived as scheduled. This time, I planned to play the guzheng piece "High Mountains and Flowing Water" to express my expectations for my future life and my yearning for beautiful love.

I changed into a light blue dress specially made for me by a Su embroidery lady. The hem of the dress was embroidered with lifelike lotus flowers, which swayed gently with my steps, making me as elegant and refined as a fairy.

"Your Majesty is so radiant today, you will definitely outshine all the other beauties." The palace maids who helped me dress up exclaimed in admiration.

I smiled shyly, my heart brimming with confidence. I'd practiced day and night for this performance, striving for perfection. I was confident my efforts would pay off.

I walked to the stage, took a deep breath, and calmed my excitement. My eyes fell on the guzheng placed in the center of the stage. It is my most beloved instrument, and it has accompanied me through countless days and nights.

I gently stroked the strings, feeling a familiar touch at my fingertips, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. Just as I was about to start playing, my fingers suddenly felt something strange.

I was startled and took a closer look, only to discover that the strings had been tampered with! The originally smooth strings had been pierced with tiny holes, imperceptible to the naked eye, by a fine needle.

My heart instantly sank to the bottom of the valley, a chill running from my feet to my head. Who was it? Why did they do this? Was someone deliberately trying to frame me?

Countless thoughts flashed through my mind, but I couldn't find the answer. I clenched my fists tightly, trying to suppress the fear and anger in my heart.

I know now isn't the time to blame anyone. I need to calm down and find a way to resolve this predicament. However, time is running out...

A nameless rage surged from the depths of my heart. Who would do this to me? My eyes swept over the seemingly friendly faces in the audience, yet they felt incredibly unfamiliar. Could it be that within this deep palace, there was truly a constant danger?

"Your Majesty, it's your turn." The eunuch's shrill voice rang in my ears, pulling me out of my chaotic thoughts. I took a deep breath and tried to appear calm.

No, I can't give up like this! I told myself that the more times like this, the more I can't lose my composure.

I gathered myself, forced a smile, and walked slowly to the center of the stage. Under everyone's expectant gaze, I slowly sat down and gently stroked the strings of the zither with my bare hands.

With a crisp sound, a string snapped! My heart sank, but I looked up at everyone in surprise, "Oh, this string..."

There was an uproar in the audience, and everyone was talking about it.

"What's going on? Why did the string break at this moment?"

"Yeah, what a pity! I was looking forward to hearing the performance of the talented Niu girl."

"I think there must be something fishy going on here!"

I suppressed the uneasiness in my heart and tried to stay calm.

"Empress, are you okay?" Zhen Youcai appeared beside me at some point. He looked at me with concern, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"I'm fine." I shook my head slightly at him, indicating that I could handle it.

"What happened?" The emperor's voice came from a distance, with a hint of majesty.

"Your Majesty," I stood up and saluted, "I was just about to play when the strings suddenly broke. Perhaps it's because it's been neglected for a long time. I..."

"Oh? Really?" The emperor's voice showed no emotion.

My heart was in my throat and my palms were covered in cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say!" Zhen Youcai suddenly stood up. He pulled a white silk handkerchief from his sleeve, stained with a few drops of dark red blood. "Just now, when I was inspecting the instrument, I discovered that the strings had been tampered with, pricked with a fine needle, which is why they broke so easily!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

"What?!" The emperor stood up suddenly, furious. "Who is so bold as to do such a despicable thing in the palace?!"

My eyes met Zhen Youcai's. His expression was firm and calm, giving me great support. I knew he would never let me be framed for no reason.

All of this was seen by Concubine Mei who was hiding in the dark...

The emperor's face was terribly gloomy, and his sharp gaze swept across the room, as if he could see through everyone's thoughts. My heart was in my throat. How would this farce end? What punishment would Concubine Mei receive?

"Go, check for me! See who is behind this!" The emperor gave the order and the guards immediately took action. The atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became tense.

I secretly looked at Concubine Mei and saw that she was still sitting upright in her seat, with a barely perceptible panic on her face, but she was still trying to remain calm.

"Your Majesty, please calm down," Scholar Zhao stepped forward and bowed. "In my opinion, this incident was deliberately perpetrated by someone with the sole purpose of disrupting the palace banquet and ruining Your Majesty's enjoyment. Our top priority is to uncover the truth and severely punish the perpetrators, setting an example for others!"

"Master Zhao is right," Coach Sun chimed in. "But now that the strings are broken, I wonder if Talented Lady Niu has any other plans?"

Their eyes fell on me, with a hint of worry and inquiry. I understood what they meant. This talent show was very important to me. If I gave up like this, all my previous efforts would be in vain.

But how easy was it to switch instruments? I was proficient in the guqin, and only had a superficial understanding of other instruments. Moreover, with such a short timeframe, I had no time to prepare.

"Your Majesty," I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, "I do have other talents prepared, but..."

I paused deliberately, observing the emperor's reaction.

"Just what? Feel free to tell me." The emperor's tone softened a little, and he seemed satisfied with my answer.

"But all the talents I have prepared require some special props. Time is running out now, so I'm afraid..." I looked embarrassed and hesitated to speak.

"What props do you need? Just tell me and I'll order someone to get it!" The emperor waved his hand, his tone filled with unquestionable majesty.

I secretly groaned in my heart, what should I do? I can't just say I need an intelligent magic circle, right?

"This..." I stammered, not knowing how to answer.

"Don't worry, Miss Niu," Zhen Youcai, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "I believe that with Miss Niu's talent, even without props, she can still astound the audience."

His words were full of encouragement and trust, which gradually calmed my originally panicked heart.

"Yes, talented girl, don't be so modest, we are all waiting to appreciate your talent!"

"Yes, I believe you can do it!"

There were also some voices of support from the audience, which made me feel a little warm and powerful.

But without props, could I really do it? My eyes accidentally swept across the crowd and saw Su Xiushen and Qian Leshi, hiding in a corner, looking at me with worried faces. Their eyes were full of concern and encouragement, and they seemed to be cheering me on.

I took a deep breath and secretly made up my mind: No matter what, I will try my best!

I nodded gratefully in Zhen Youcai's direction, but my heart was in turmoil. I couldn't possibly tell everyone that my real talent was controlling intelligent magic circles to create all sorts of cool light shows, could I?

"Mengmeng, don't worry, we will help you find a solution."

After the performance, Su Xiu Niang and Qian the Musician hurried over to my side, looking anxious. Su Xiu Niang helped me straighten my sleeves, which had been tangled by the strings, and consoled me, saying, "You've always been smart. You'll definitely find a way."

I smiled wryly and shook my head. Smart? If I were truly smart, I wouldn't be in this situation. Having been in this world for so long, I've tried almost every ancient musical instrument, but aside from the guqin, I know nothing about any other instrument.

"How about I lend you my pipa?" Musician Qian suggested cautiously.

"No," Su Xiu Niang rejected it before I could even open my mouth. "A musician's pipa is a treasure. How can we lend it to anyone? Besides, Meng Meng knows nothing about pipa, and she won't have enough time to learn it on the spur of the moment."

Yes, time is running out. Tomorrow is the day for the talent show. Even if I start learning now, I can't learn to play the pipa overnight.

The three of us returned to my bedroom with sad faces. We racked our brains to think of a solution all the way, but we were still at a loss.

"How about we go find Guard Zhen and think of a solution?" Su Xiu Niang suddenly suggested.

My eyes lit up. Yes, how could I have forgotten him? Zhen Youcai is resourceful and resourceful. Maybe he can help me come up with a good idea.

"Okay, let's go find him now!" I immediately became excited and couldn't wait to find Zhen Youcai to discuss countermeasures.

However, when we arrived at Zhen Youcai's residence, we were told that he was not there.

"Not here?" My heart sank, and a sense of foreboding came over me. "Then where did he go?"

"This..." The guard at the gate looked embarrassed and stammered, unable to explain clearly.

"Tell me quickly, what happened?" Seeing him hesitating, Su Xiu Niang suddenly became anxious.

"In reply to Miss Su, Guard Zhen...he has been summoned into the palace by the Emperor." The guard lowered his head and spoke in a low voice.

"What?!" Su Xiu Niang and I exclaimed in unison.

The Emperor summoned Zhen Youcai at this time, could it be that...

My heart suddenly rose to my throat, and a bad premonition became stronger and stronger.