Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

It wasn't until Lingyan spoke up and reminded Emperor Jingzhao at the head of the table, "Father, are you satisfied with our performance?"

Emperor Jingzhao was still immersed in the performance, as if the beautiful melody and dance had transported him to another world.

Hearing Ling Yan's question, he suddenly came to his senses, his eyes sparkling with surprise and admiration: "Satisfied! Very satisfied!"

His words were filled with joy, and he was the first to burst into laughter and applause.

Applause spread like a tide throughout the hall, as if it could create waves of heat.

Everyone snapped out of their daze and joined in the applause.

In an instant, thunderous and deafening applause resounded throughout the hall, as if it were shaking the entire palace.

Ling Yan looked at the scene before her with a broad smile.

She winked at Xiao Muyao, who looked at her with eyes full of admiration and respect. He gave her a thumbs up, expressing his highest praise.

Then Lingyan looked at He Jingchuan and Lu Yanqing with a smile.

The two couldn't make it too obvious, so they both smiled and nodded.

Lingyan's smile grew even brighter, and she made a heart shape with her hands towards the three princesses beside her and Xie Zhiyi.

Although they had never seen this gesture before, they quickly understood what Lingyan meant.

Although it was somewhat straightforward and novel, they also smiled and returned each other's loving gestures.

The applause gradually subsided, but the atmosphere in the hall remained enthusiastic.

Emperor Jingzhao continued to exclaim loudly, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! The lyrics are wonderful! The music is wonderful! The zither is wonderful! The flute is wonderful! The song is wonderful! The dance is wonderful! Truly, all six are wonderful!"

The officials below echoed the praise, saying, "Yes! It almost made me forget that I was in the main hall."

"No, it's not. I feel like I've been taken to that world."

"Who can disagree? It's so fitting for the occasion."

"Dancing with the bright moon, accompanied by the gentle breeze."

"That's such a beautifully written word!"

"Yes, the line 'When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky' is truly wonderful."

"And the last line, 'May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, though separated by a thousand miles,' is a timeless masterpiece!"

"Yes! She sang very well!"

"The melody is also very nice!"

"The zither and flute were also performed very well!"

"The dancing is also very good!"

"Yes, one is strong and the other is gentle, one is unrestrained and the other is graceful, they are a perfect match."

…………

Ling Yan was used to the constant praise from everyone and showed no sign of anything unusual.

The other four, however, were so flattered that they lowered their heads and blushed.

Because they had never received so much praise or so much approval before.

I'm happy, of course, but I'm a little overwhelmed.

Lingyan looked at the crowd's lingering praise and then at the expressions of the people beside her.

With a smile, he stopped them, saying, "Alright, gentlemen, we have already felt your love and praise for this performance, but there have been enough compliments. Thank you very much for your love and support."

Upon hearing Lingyan's words, everyone seemed to snap out of their daze and stopped their endless praise, and the hall instantly returned to calm.

The three princesses and Xie Zhiyi finally breathed a sigh of relief during this moment of silence.

Emperor Jingzhao turned his gaze to his three daughters, his eyes filled with pride and joy.

He smiled and said, "I really didn't expect that the three of you would be so talented and perform so well. You are indeed my daughters, so outstanding."

Upon hearing their father's praise, the three princesses all wore humble smiles and replied in unison, "Thank you for your praise, Father. It is all thanks to your excellent guidance."

Then, Emperor Jingzhao turned his gaze to Xie Zhiyi, his tone revealing a hint of gentleness: "I never expected that the Xie family would have a daughter who dances so exceptionally well. I used to think that the people of the Xie family only knew how to study, but today I have truly broadened my horizons."

Faced with Emperor Jingzhao's praise, Xie Zhiyi replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I have only done my part. Your Majesty is too kind."

Emperor Jingzhao nodded in satisfaction, then his gaze swept over the several unmarried princes, as if he were pondering something.

Then, he turned around, waved his hand and said, “No need to be modest, good is good. Since it is good, I have decided to reward you. The top three today are undoubtedly among you, but I feel that none of you are dispensable in this performance, so all five of you will be rewarded.”

Upon hearing Emperor Jingzhao's words, the group immediately curtsied and expressed their gratitude: "Thank you for your reward, Father/Your Majesty."

Then, several eunuchs stepped forward, each holding a jade plate with an exquisite jade ruyi on it.

The group took the jade ruyi from the tray and bowed to Emperor Jingzhao again to express their gratitude.

The jade ruyi shimmered with a warm luster under the light, symbolizing the honor and praise they had received that day.

Overjoyed, Emperor Jingzhao bestowed an additional jade pendant upon each of the individuals.

The jade pendant is crystal clear and carved with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns, symbolizing good fortune and nobility.

The five were undoubtedly the biggest winners of the night; their talent and charm captivated everyone.

Whether it was the noble ladies performing or the civil and military officials, they all expressed their complete admiration and praised their performance highly.

Afterwards, when the group returned to their seats, a refined, dignified, and simple-looking middle-aged official among the officials stood up.

With bright eyes, he asked, "May I ask, Princess Rui, did you compose this poem?" His voice was filled with respect and excitement.

What could Lingyan say? She could only nod silently.

I'm so sorry, Su Shi.

But today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and this poem is really perfect for a performance.

In fact, everyone had already anticipated this; if they had seen such stunning poetry, how could they not remember it?

Therefore, they believed it must have been done by Princess Rui.

Given that the Princess Consort Rui possesses such great talent, they are naturally not surprised.

This time, however, she once again amazed everyone with her talent.

This poem is absolutely amazing!

At this moment, the official who had spoken earlier continued excitedly, "May I ask if Your Highness could write down this poem so that I may read it?"

His eyes sparkled with a love and longing for poetry.

Lingyan smiled and nodded, indicating that she had no objection.

She walked to the table, spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, picked up a brush, and dipped the tip of the brush in ink.

Then, she gently waved her arm, the pen tip dancing on the paper, and lines of writing flowed out like water.

In less than fifteen minutes, she had written the entire poem "Shuidiao Getou" on the paper.

The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, seemingly containing endless emotions and strength, which made people admire it.

The official immediately stepped forward and carefully, with a hint of nervousness and reverence, accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you, Princess Rui."

Ling Yan smiled and said, "Lord Xie, you're too kind."

Indeed, this official was Xie Zhiyi's father, a renowned Confucian scholar of the time.

Seeing this classic masterpiece that is over 800 years old yet still has been passed down through the ages, one would naturally cherish it as a treasure.

I will also study and appreciate it repeatedly.

Not only him, but all scholars would do the same.

All the officials were literate, and they all crowded around Lord Xie, eagerly requesting to copy his writings.

The situation almost got out of control.

Emperor Jingzhao coughed once.

Only then did everyone leisurely return to their original seats.

Emperor Jingzhao then spoke up: "This is in the main hall. You are all key ministers of the court. What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Can't you go to Minister Xie's residence to copy the documents tomorrow?"

The officials quickly rose and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive us! We were out of line."

Emperor Jingzhao did not press the matter further, and the officials returned to their seats, preparing to visit Lord Xie's residence again the next day.

The banquet then continued, and the hall became lively again.

There were laughter and cheers.

Just then, a young eunuch who came to refill the wine poured wine for He Jingchuan slipped a note from his sleeve and placed it under the tray.

Then they left as if nothing had happened.

He Jingchuan frowned and silently took the note in his hand.

He then lowered his head and opened the note.

After reading what was written above, his expression turned serious, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Then I felt extremely confused and uneasy.

Then, after glancing at the person opposite him, he got up and left the main hall without hesitation.

After a cup of tea, He Jingchuan arrived at an abandoned palace.

No one has been to this palace for a long time; the doors are dilapidated and the windows are broken.

He opened the door and walked in.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a few flickering lamps barely illuminating the surroundings.

He Jingchuan held his breath and looked around. He quickly found a figure standing by the bed, seemingly waiting for him to arrive.

A fierce glint flashed in He Jingchuan's eyes, and he asked in a slightly angry tone, "May I ask, sir, where is my brother?"

His voice echoed in the empty palace, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

The figure by the bed slowly turned around, a hint of resentment in his voice: "Is the general really so cold-blooded and heartless? Don't you want to catch up with an old friend? After all, I've been pursuing you for so many years."

Her voice was soft and lingering, as if carrying an indescribable sadness.

He Jingchuan didn't answer her question, but coldly repeated his previous question: "Where is my brother?"

His voice was even colder and harder, showing no intention of wasting any more words with her.

The figure sighed, a hint of hurt in his voice: "Did the general recognize my voice?"

He Jingchuan closed his eyes. Although he felt impatient, for his younger brother's safety, he could only coldly reply, "I can't tell."

His voice was devoid of any emotion; he was simply stating a fact.

Upon hearing this, the person on the other end exclaimed in an incredibly sharp voice, "Can't you recognize me? I've been chasing you for so many years, and you can't even recognize my voice?"

Her voice was filled with disappointment and anger.

He Jingchuan said in a cold tone, "I never pay attention to unimportant people, so naturally I wouldn't be able to tell."

The person opposite was clearly provoked. Upon hearing this, he laughed loudly and then said with great sadness, "Irrelevant? So I am an insignificant person to you?"

He Jingchuan had lost his patience. He spoke up, demanding, "Fifth Princess, where is my brother?" His voice was filled with barely suppressed rage.

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Princess asked with delight, "You knew it was me?" Her voice carried a hint of anticipation and nervousness.

He Jingchuan replied coldly, "The only person who could bribe a eunuch in the palace to deliver a message to me, arrange to meet me in this abandoned palace, and have been chasing me so relentlessly for so many years is the Fifth Princess."

The implication is that you shouldn't overthink it.

He only has the most basic reasoning ability.