From cute to empress

The night was cool as water. Moonlight filtered through the carved window lattices onto my desk, illuminating the open scroll. My fingertips gently traced the pages, and the earnest teachings of Master Zhao seemed to still echo in my ears. These days, I've eagerly pursued a wide range of knowledge and skills, from poetry and songs to the arts of playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, from military strategy to statecraft. I strived to learn everything. I knew that what I sought wasn't merely the emperor's temporary favor, but the ability and confidence to stand by his side and shoulder to shoulder with him in conquering the world.

"Mengmeng, are you still reading? Go to bed early." Zhen Youcai pushed the door open and came in with a bowl of steaming white fungus and lotus seed soup in his hand. He is always so considerate and takes care of me in every possible way.

"Brother Youcai, I learned a new song today. Would you like to listen to it?" I put down the book and walked over to the guqin and sat down.

"Oh? Let me see our Mengmeng's piano skills!" Zhen Youcai smiled and sat down next to me, his eyes full of doting.

I took a deep breath, and with my delicate fingers, I plucked the strings. Melodic music poured out like flowing water. The piece, titled "Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix," was soaring and passionate, yet tinged with a touch of melancholy, perfectly capturing my current state of mind. I poured all my emotions into the music, at times as majestic as a mountain stream, at others as gentle and graceful as a whisper.

After the song ended, Zhen Youcai was still immersed in the beautiful piano music, unable to recover for a long time. "Mengmeng, your piano skills are really getting better and better! This piece of music is like the sound of nature!" he exclaimed.

I smiled slightly, but I knew in my heart that this was just a small beginning.

A few days later, a grand banquet was held in the palace. All the concubines, princes, and ministers were in their finest attire, and I was among the invited guests. The banquet was filled with singing and dancing, and the clinking of glasses created a lively atmosphere.

"I heard that Niu Cairen is an excellent musician. Could you play a song for me?" The emperor sat on the high dragon throne, his eyes scanning the entire room, and finally fell on me.

I bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "I'm sorry to show you my humble service."

I walked to the guqin in the center of the hall, took a deep breath, and slowly sat down. This time, I didn't choose those familiar pieces, but instead played an extremely unpopular piece - "Guangling San".

The melody of this piece of music is complex and varied, and requires extremely high technical skills. It is said to have been lost for many years. I accidentally found the incomplete score in an ancient book, and it took me several months to complete it.

My fingertips danced on the strings, sometimes gentle as a spring breeze caressing willows, sometimes passionate as waves crashing on the shore, and sometimes low and sobbing. The entire hall was silent, everyone was deeply attracted by my piano music, as if time had stood still.

After the song ended, the hall remained silent. Everyone was still immersed in the wonderful piano music and could not recover for a long time.

"Excellent! Excellent!" The emperor was the first to applaud, breaking the silence in the hall. "This piece is unheard of, yet so moving. Amazing talent, you truly are a hidden talent!"

I stood up, saluted the emperor again, and said modestly, "Your Majesty, I am very kind. I only have a basic understanding of music."

"Hahaha, what a musical expert!" The emperor was in high spirits. "Come here, give me a reward!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a palace maid came forward with a tray filled with all kinds of precious jewelry, which was dazzling.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift." I bowed again, my heart calm. I've never desired material possessions... I lowered my eyelids, masking the complex emotions within. The treasures bestowed by the Emperor were dazzling, but I knew they were all inseparable from one man—Zhen Youcai. From my naiveté upon entering the palace to my current triumph in the art of the zither, every step of the way has been inseparable from his encouragement and support.

"Mengmeng, you did it!" After the banquet, Zhen Youcai came forward, his eyes full of satisfaction and pride.

My nose felt sore and I almost cried. "Brother Youcai, thank you. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

He gently held me in his arms, and his gentle voice rang in my ears: "Silly, we are the closest people to each other. Your success is my happiness."

I clutched his collar tightly, my heart filled with gratitude and warmth. I knew what I was pursuing wasn't just to be at the pinnacle of power, but to be able to stay with him forever, forever.

However, within the palace, there is always a lot of deception and intrigue. Just when I was immersed in joy, a pair of resentful eyes were always staring at me.

"Hmph, she's just a vixen who can play a few tunes. What's there to be proud of?" Concubine Mei sat at the banquet, looking at me surrounded by people, her eyes full of jealousy and resentment.

Seeing this, the maid beside her hurried forward and whispered to comfort her, "Your Majesty, please calm down. She is just a little talent. The Emperor is just looking for something new. After a while, he will naturally forget about her."

Mei Fei sneered, gently wiping away the non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and said in a sinister tone, "I've been in the palace for so many years, I've seen all kinds of people. She's still a little naive if she wants to fight me! At the next family feast, I will definitely let her know what true talent and skill are!"

Her tone revealed a certain confidence that she was determined to win, which made people shudder...

Zhen Youcai, usually cheerful, was unusually silent on the way back to the palace. I vaguely sensed something was amiss, so I asked, "Brother Youcai, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

He came back to his senses and gave me a comforting smile: "No, I just thought that the emperor's praise for you today would inevitably arouse some people's jealousy."

My heart tightened, remembering the hostile look Concubine Mei gave me. I couldn't help but ask with some concern, "Are you talking about... Concubine Mei?"

Zhen Youcai nodded and said solemnly, "Concubine Mei has immense influence in the palace. She must be unhappy that you are so favored and new to her. You must be careful, don't trust anyone easily, and don't act alone."

His words cast a shadow over my heart. Although I was naive, I also understood the importance of careful planning in the harem. I held his hand and whispered, "I understand. I will protect myself."

Zhen Youcai held my hand back, his eyes filled with worry and tenderness. "It's my responsibility to protect you. I'll increase my manpower and stay by your side every step of the way."

I was touched, but also a little helpless. I didn't want to be a burden to him, and I didn't want him to be in danger because of me.

The next day, the sun was shining brightly, the birds were chirping, and the flowers were fragrant. Zhen Youcai and I strolled through the Imperial Garden. I tried to lighten his expression with light conversation, and he occasionally smiled, but I knew he was still worried about me.

"Brother Youcai, you don't need to be so nervous. I believe that as long as we are careful and cautious, we can overcome the danger." I stopped, looked up at him, and said in a firm tone.

He looked at me, his eyes full of tenderness and determination: "Mengmeng, I believe in you, and you have to believe in me too. I will always be by your side, protecting you and supporting you."

We smiled at each other, our feelings for each other needing no words at this moment. However, just as we were immersed in this tranquility and sweetness, a melodious piano sound came from not far away. The sound was crisp and pleasant, but it also had some traces of deliberate imitation.

My face changed slightly as I recognized that this was the song I played at the banquet that day, and the person who played it was Concubine Mei!

I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, only to see his expression grow serious, a hint of worry and vigilance flashing in his eyes… This was a blatant provocation from Concubine Mei! I clenched my fists, a fierce determination to not give in. Zhen Youcai noticed my change of mood and gently patted the back of my hand, signaling me to calm down. He whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

At night, a cool breeze blew gently, yet a fiery fire burned in my chambers. I sat at my zither, delicate fingers plucking the strings, and melodious music poured out. This zither is a fine guqin, named "Rao Liang," which Zhen Youcai had found especially for me. Its sound is as clear as the gurgling of spring water, and as cool and bright as moonlight. I played the piece I had played at the banquet that day over and over again, each note brimming with emotion and determination.

I don't believe I would lose to Concubine Mei in the same piece of music! I'm not trying to win favor, I just want to prove myself. I also want to tell everyone that I, Niu Mengmeng, am not a pushover!

"Dong—" The last note fell, and I breathed a sigh of relief, looking up at the bright moon outside the window. I didn't know when Zhen Youcai was standing behind me, his eyes reflecting my figure, full of admiration and pride.

"Mengmeng, you're playing the piano better and better." He said softly, with a barely perceptible tremor in his tone.

I turned around, looked at him, and asked, "Brother Youcai, do you think... can I win?"

Zhen Youcai didn't answer my question directly. Instead, he walked up to me, gently stroked my hair, and said softly, "Mengmeng, you must remember that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

I nodded, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. Yes, no matter what the outcome, I still have him, and that's enough.

The next day, I received news from the palace: a grand dance competition would be held in three days, and the emperor had specially invited all the concubines and talented women to participate. As I clutched the invitation, a bold idea suddenly occurred to me...

"Su Xiu Niang, do you think this is okay?" I pointed to a detail on the drawing and asked Su Xiu Niang next to me.

Su Xiu Niang examined it carefully for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "Your Majesty is truly ingenious and skillful. If this dance costume is made, it will surely amaze the entire audience!"

A confident smile appeared on the corner of my mouth. I wanted to show everyone that I, Niu Mengmeng, can not only play the piano, but also dance!