After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

"Clap! Clap! Well sung." The King's applause roused the captivated crowd.

The crowd clapped instinctively, and the hall was filled with such enthusiastic applause for the first time.

Mu Ningyan's face was extremely ugly. Ye Yaoyao had stolen her thunder, and how come she was acting like nothing had happened? Did the medicine not work for her? She stormed off the stage in a huff.

Ye Yaoyao is now well-known in aristocratic circles.

"This is indeed unique. What should we name this song?" the Emperor asked with great interest.

"Your Majesty, let's call it the Song of the Pig!"

"The Song of Pigs! Not bad, not bad. Write down the lyrics and let me see them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ye Yaoyao sat down to the side, wrote down the lyrics, and drew a simple cartoon pig sitting and laughing.

"Does this look like a pig?"

The Emperor stared at the last little pig with a look of surprise. He had only seen the shape in pictures and texts. Ye Yaoyao's drawing was simple, but the spirit was somewhat similar. He just didn't know that the pig could laugh.

“Your Majesty, I have drawn an abstract pig. It can be drawn in just a few strokes. It is very simple and even a child can draw it.”

"Hmm, indeed unique. The strokes are simple and full of childlike charm. This style has ushered in a new era for our country!"

The Emperor nodded approvingly, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Ninth Prince, look."

"Indeed, the calligraphy is beautiful, and the style is simple and interesting. This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."

Prince Jing carefully examined Ye Yaoyao's handwriting, and when he saw the little pig at the back, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Hearing the words of the two most distinguished people above, the ministers below were intrigued.

"May I be so bold as to take a look?"

The King of Jing had the painting circulated among the people, and the lyrics were written down. Everyone learned to sing it, and thus a song about pigs spread to the common people.

Consort Mei's eyes were full of admiration, and she praised without reservation:

"This is the first time I have seen such an interesting song and picture. The Ye family's daughter is very outstanding."

"I've only heard that Miss Ye the Third is a renowned talented woman, and Miss Ye the Fourth is no less so. I wonder if we'll have the honor of witnessing the talents of both Ye sisters today."

The speaker was the old lady of the Pingyang Marquis's mansion. She had a head of silver hair, a bright and clear voice, and shrewd eyes.

Madam Tang immediately replied:

"Old Madam Chu has forgotten so quickly. Miss Ye just mentioned that she would perform. We'll just wait and enjoy the show."

Ye Yaoyao stepped off the stage and glanced at the old lady of the Marquis of Pingyang.

Ye Xiyao rose and curtsied, "This humble woman will play a pipa tune to enhance the enjoyment of the palace banquet."

"I've heard that Miss Ye is a skilled pipa player; I'm in for a treat to hear her play."

"Madam Chu smiled, her eyes full of anticipation."

Could it be that this old lady has taken a liking to my sister?

The system displayed the information of the person in front of her to Ye Yaoyao.

The Pingyang Marquis's mansion was run by this old lady, and none of her descendants were outstanding; it was a typical case of wealth not lasting beyond three generations.

Ye Yaoyao glanced at it briefly, then focused on listening to Ye Xiyao's pipa music.

Ye Xiyao, with a faint smile on her lips, took the pipa, held it in her arms, and sat down on the stool.

The beautiful woman, still holding her pipa, sat quietly under the moonlight. Her clothes fluttered gently in the wind, and her face appeared even more gentle and charming under the moonlight, like a fairy descending to earth.

Her slender fingers gently rested on the strings; before she even played, one could already feel the natural harmony between her and the pipa.

[Your sister is so beautiful! Like a fairy.]

"The pipa is held in my arms, its fragrance filling my sleeves; her rosy cheeks hold a love that will last for a thousand autumns."

A young man couldn't help but murmur a poem, gazing at Ye Xiyao with fascination.

"A woman stands in the painted hall, holding a pipa; before the music begins, the melody already resonates."

Ye Yaoyao heard the admiring male voice and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw that most of the young men were mesmerized.

Ye Xiyao gently plucked and strummed the pipa, and the sound rose gently, like a babbling brook at first listen.

As her fingering quickened, the sound of the pipa suddenly became more intense, like a thousand horses galloping past.

Finally, the pipa music turned mournful and lingering, like weeping and lamenting, as if a woman in her boudoir was pouring out her endless longing and sorrow, which made people feel pity.

"You played so well! This isn't just playing the pipa; I heard a poignant story."

Ye Yaoyao turned her head when she heard a familiar voice, and found that Xin Chuli had sat in Ye Xiyao's seat.

"I think so too." Ye Yaoyao nodded gently, her eyes filled with pride for her sister.

They could tell from the music that the couple initially lived a peaceful and happy life, but then the husband went to the battlefield, leaving his wife at home, worrying and hoping for his return day and night.

Ye Xiyao's melody drew everyone into the story, and everyone listened intently, looking forward to the joy of their long-awaited reunion.

However, the melody turned somber and oppressive, and the painful tune swept in like a surging wave, the mournful voice making one's heart clench.

In the low, mournful notes of the strings, it's as if someone who has lost everything is weeping alone in the darkness, desolate and helpless.

After Ye Xiyao put down her pipa, only the sound of sobbing remained in the hall. Some noblewomen were already sobbing uncontrollably, and the ladies also had red eyes.

Some civil officials wiped their eyes with their robes, while the military officers drank in silence; a somber atmosphere permeated the entire hall.

"Well played!"

The Crown Prince broke the silence of the room by clapping his hands loudly, bringing everyone back to their senses.

There were few words of praise, but applause affirmed Ye Xiyao's performance.

"Waaaaah... The ending was so tragic."

Xin Chuli hugged Ye Yaoyao and cried uncontrollably.

Ye Jingyang looked at Xin Chuli in surprise, never expecting that the woman crying so miserably in front of him was the one whose swordsmanship was no less than his.

"Sister Xin, don't cry! You're about to be the center of attention!"

Upon hearing Ye Yaoyao's words, Xin Chuli immediately stopped crying and soon sat up straight, as if nothing had happened.

The Ye brothers were completely stunned; their expressions changed so quickly.

"This general has seen too much life and death, and his heart is already numb. Miss Ye has brought out the pain of the families of my Qin soldiers who have sacrificed their lives."

Although it's just a small part of it, I still thank Miss Ye for remembering them. This general toasts you.

General Sun, his face solemn and his eyes filled with sorrow, raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"I'd also like to offer a toast to Miss San."

The military officers all stood up and toasted her.

Ye Xiyao returned their greeting.

Ye Yaoyao sensed a hidden meaning in General Sun's words, so she called out to the system, and the next moment she understood the reason.

The pensions for soldiers who died in battle were paid in a lump sum, but after being exploited at each level, very little was left for the people.

General Sun knew some inside information, which involved a wide range of people, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

The common people suffered greatly from oppression, and many officials were involved. The emperor, who fancied himself a wise ruler, apparently lacked the vision of one.

Ye Yaoyao looked at the emperor on the high platform, and the system showed her the emperor's achievements.

[He's passable, but he lacks the strategy and vision of a truly enlightened ruler.]

The emperor is the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and he is the eighth in rank. The late emperor once felt that he was not suitable to be the emperor and considered deposing the crown prince.

This idea led to the other princes forcing the emperor to abdicate after his death, and none of them met a good end.

Only the Ninth Prince was still young at the time and was taken away early.

Ye Yaoyao gained some understanding of the evidence after reviewing the emperor's documents.