The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Upon hearing this, Yu Xin'er smiled gently and replied, "My lord, you are fortunate to hear this. Although I have never heard it myself, it is said that Minister Chu's zither music is melodious and graceful, like heavenly music, extremely pleasing to the ear. It is said that whenever his zither music is played, even passersby in a hurry will stop involuntarily, as if drawn by invisible threads, forgetting their way home; birds and beasts in the mountains and forests, whether eagles or squirrels, will be attracted by the music and gather in a circle to listen quietly; even the fish in the stream will leap out of the water because of the music, as if they are resonating with the strings and dancing a waltz under the moon."

Hearing this, Chu Liangchen shook his head slightly, a humble yet slightly embarrassed smile on his face. He spoke gently, "Madam's words truly make Liangchen feel ashamed. Praise in this world is often exaggerated. Liangchen is just an ordinary person. What I can play is only what I feel in my heart and what my emotions are. If I can make you all smile, I am already very satisfied."

Yu Xin'er's voice carried an undisguised excitement: "I, Yu Xin'er, am not exaggerating. Minister Chu's zither skills are truly unparalleled in this world. The beauty of his music is comparable to that of Gao Jianli, who moved people's hearts with his 'Yi Shui Han' during the Warring States period, and it is no less than the calm and composed zither music of Zhou Yu before the Battle of Red Cliffs during the Three Kingdoms period. Such skill cannot be described with just the word 'unparalleled'. It is truly heavenly music. Minister Chu really has no need to be overly modest."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling with agreement with his wife's words and anticipation for the upcoming gathering: "Very well, Madam, since Minister Chu's zither skills are so extraordinary, how can we miss this rare opportunity? Quickly fetch the zither, and let this hall be filled with extraordinary melodies."

Yu Xin'er nodded happily, her steps light as if walking on clouds, carrying a hint of eagerness and excitement, she quickly passed through the carved beams and painted rafters of the main hall, and disappeared behind the screen in an instant.

Before long, she returned, carrying a simple yet elegant guqin in her hands, its body gleaming with a warm luster.

At the same time, Guan Lingxuan couldn't help but follow Yu Xiner into the hall, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

A moment later, the four sat around a table, the candlelight flickering and illuminating their focused and expectant faces.

Chu Liangchen was currently piously plucking the strings of the guqin on his desk. His fingers were nimble and expressive, as if engaging in a silent dialogue with the instrument. Each touch stirred up a melodious and profound tune that instantly filled the entire space.

The music, like the mournful cry of a lone goose in the cold night, pierced the silent air and reached the softest corners of the heart. Each note carried endless sorrow and longing, its profound imagery capable of painting a series of poignant and beautiful scenes.

Amidst this melodious tune, Xiao Jinyan, Yu Xin'er, and Guan Lingxuan were involuntarily captivated, as if drawn by invisible threads, unable to move an inch.

They stood frozen, their eyes glazed over, their faces a mixture of shock and resonance, as if all their worries and sorrows had been washed away by the music, leaving only a tremor deep within their souls.

As the song ended, its lingering melody resonated long afterward.

After a long while, Xiao Jinyan slowly withdrew from that dreamlike state of mind, as if waking up from a long dream, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

He gently turned his head and looked at Chu Liangchen, who was sitting upright beside the guqin, and said, "Minister Chu, what is the name of this piece? How can it be so moving?"

Chu Liangchen's fingers were still lightly resting on the strings, seemingly still immersed in the lingering charm of that 'tragic song'.

Hearing Xiao Jinyan's question, he slowly raised his head, his gaze deep: "This piece is called 'Elegy,' and it was created by me based on my own experiences and the various aspects of life. It is intended to express the helplessness and sorrow on the road of life."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan felt a ripple in her heart.

The music seemed to touch the most sensitive part of his heart, reminding him of a series of past events—those days intertwined with laughter and tears, those years marked by constant setbacks and hardships. Everything seemed to reappear as if it were yesterday, vivid in his mind. Some of those memories were sweet and warm, while others were heart-wrenching and unbearable to recall.

Looking at the talented Vice Minister Chu before him, Xiao Jinyan felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside her.

He slowly opened his mouth and said, "Minister Chu, why did you play this 'sorrowful song' for me? Are you trying to tell me that even if the road of life is full of thorns, I should still move forward bravely?"

Chu Liangchen smiled slightly and said, "Life is like a play, full of joy and sorrow. I played this piece not just to make you feel sad, but also to help you draw strength from it and understand that no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must maintain a tenacious heart. Because only by experiencing the storm can you see the most beautiful rainbow."

Upon hearing this, the surroundings seemed to become even quieter.

Xiao Jinyan, Yu Xiner, and Guan Lingxuan exchanged a smile, their eyes sparkling with a new light.

They knew that this 'tragic song' not only touched their hearts but also planted seeds of hope within them, inspiring them on their future path.

Chu Liangchen gently plucked the strings of the guqin, his eyes flashing with a complex light, and slowly said, "To tell you the truth, Jin Yan, every note of this 'Elegy' is like a fine needle, deeply piercing my heart. It is playing out my current state of mind, and also yours, perhaps without realizing it, but you are subtly resonating with it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan said softly, "Well done, Minister Chu. Your mournful song contains a thousand words hidden in its melody, like a tragic poem from an ancient legend, making one want to explore the story behind it. Tell me, what exactly is this song about?"

Chu Liangchen sighed softly, as if he were organizing his thoughts, or perhaps recalling those beautiful yet bittersweet memories: "This matter is a long story, full of twists and turns, and emotional entanglements. It would probably take three days and three nights to finish telling it. But since Jin Yan is so eager, I will make the long story short and let me tell you slowly."

"I, Chu Liangchen, and my beloved wife, Princess Xincai, were a match made in heaven. Our hearts were in love, and our affection was as deep as the sea. We did not seek great power or wealth, but only wished to be an ordinary couple who lived a simple life, like birds flying in the forest or mandarin ducks by the stream, living a simple, happy, and peaceful life. Our world was once so pure and flawless, as if even the air was filled with sweetness and warmth."

At this moment, Guan Lingxuan, who was standing to the side, was drawn in by Chu Liangchen's words. She asked softly, "And then? Such a beautiful scene, could it also be beset by storms?"

Chu Liangchen unconsciously increased the pressure on his fingers, and the strings emitted a sharp, mournful cry, just like the cry and resentment deep within his heart.

Chu Liangchen's voice was low and trembling as he said, "I never expected that on that sunny day, the princess would be hastily summoned into the palace by Liu Kun under a fabricated pretext, and then disappear without a trace. Within the palace walls, power and conspiracy intertwined into an invisible net, quietly rewriting her fate."

"Days passed, and anxiety and unease hung over my heart like dark clouds. Then, a few days later, Liu Kun's men broke the silence, bringing with them a disfigured and heartbreaking corpse. They coldly declared that the princess had unfortunately contracted a terrible plague in the palace and had died overnight. At that moment, my heart felt as if it were being torn apart by a thousand sharp blades, and I was in unbearable pain."

"However, things are unpredictable, and a deeper conspiracy was yet to come. A few days later, rumors spread throughout the capital that a woman named Xie Zhaoyi had quietly joined Liu Kun's harem. She was said to be extremely beautiful and dignified, and she quickly became the new favorite of the harem."

And all of this was revealed by Yu Xin'er's trembling lips, revealing a shocking truth: "That Consort Xie is none other than our long-lost Princess Xincai."

A resolute glint of anger flashed in Chu Liangchen's eyes, and his clenched fist trembled slightly: "Liangchen naturally knows perfectly well that the woman with an unfamiliar surname, who is favored under the name of Consort Xie, is my beloved, Princess Xincai. She is not only Liu Kun's blood-related aunt, but also the only treasure I want to protect in this chaotic world. I never expected that Liu Kun's ambition and ruthlessness would reach such a depth. He actually dared to turn against his own kin, using such despicable means to imprison the princess in the deep palace, strip her of her identity, and tarnish her reputation, all to satisfy his unspeakable desires."

At this point, a flame of revenge flickered in Chu Liangchen's eyes. He knew that this was not only for the princess, but also for justice and fairness.

Guan Lingxuan continued, "Liu Kun, this kind of person is worse than an animal! How dare you treat a woman like this?"

Chu Liangchen's eyes were empty and desperate. He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse: "After experiencing this 'wife-stealing incident,' I, Liangchen, have come to realize how insignificant an individual's power is in this world. I know that I am alone and helpless, like a small boat struggling in a raging storm, powerless to turn the tide."

"I tried, with all my courage and wisdom, to rescue my beloved wife from the clutches of that devil, but I found it was all in vain. Not to mention seeking justice for my wife and avenging the humiliation I suffered. At that moment, I felt as if all my strength had been drained away. I was depressed, disheartened, and the whole world lost its color. I almost succumbed to despair and never recovered."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned, his eyes revealing determination and unyielding spirit. He asked softly, "And then? Liangchen, how did you get back on your feet?"

A complex light flashed in Chu Liangchen's eyes—a mixture of gratitude and hope for rebirth.

He took a deep breath, as if burying all the pain and despair in his heart, leaving only the longing for the future: "Just when I was at my most lonely and helpless, on the verge of a mental breakdown, feeling like the whole world was about to collapse, Jin Yan, you were like a ray of light, piercing through the darkness and illuminating my path. Your appearance was like an arrangement of fate, allowing me to see the dawn of hope. At that moment, I understood that even the smallest force, when gathered together, can become a torrent that changes destiny."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's lips curled into a calm smile, his tone brimming with heroic spirit: "Liangchen, we are brothers, no need for thanks. We'll help each other when injustice is seen. From now on, your affairs are my affairs. Let us fight side by side, not only to rescue your sister-in-law, but also to let those who do evil know that justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent!"

Chu Liangchen continued, "Jinyan, this sad song was specially composed for you. I hope it can transform into a gentle breeze, blowing away the sadness in every corner of our world, and letting laughter and sunshine shine on the earth once again."

Xiao Jinyan gently stroked the ancient strings of the zither in his hands, his response carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion: "Liangchen, a kindred spirit is hard to find, so hard to find. To meet you in this vast sea of ​​people is the greatest fortune of my life."

Upon hearing this, Chu Liangchen smiled resolutely: "Jinyan, you and I not only share the same interests, but we are also kindred spirits. In this chaotic world, we are destined to fight side by side."

Yu Xin'er and Guan Lingxuan, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel a subtle ripple in their hearts. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with envy for this deep friendship, mixed with a hint of barely perceptible jealousy, thinking to themselves: Xiao Jinyan and Chu Liangchen, this pair of best buddies, truly make one both jealous and envious.

Just then, Xiao Jinyan gently put down her zither, turned her gaze to Chu Liangchen, and said, "Liangchen, great musician, shouldn't we do something? We can't just stay immersed in this sadness forever."

Upon hearing this, Chu Liangchen smiled mysteriously and said, "Indeed, it's time to do something."