But how did he know about this treatment method?
The Prince of Zhenbei lowered his head slightly as he listened. He actually said that he didn't know that Minhao and Jueshi were working for him, which meant that someone else had asked Minhao and Jueshi to do things for him... "Or, the person wearing the bamboo hat lied to me. It has nothing to do with you, Cong'er."
Nan Xuzong's face was stern. "No matter what, I will have someone investigate this thoroughly!"
The Prince of Zhenbei nodded, "That's good!"
Just then, a servant called out from outside, "Your Highness, the Third Prince has arrived and wishes to see you, as well as the Prince of Nan!"
"Oh?" The Prince of Zhenbei walked over and opened the door to the study. "Quickly let the Third Prince in."
"Yes!" The servant immediately went down and soon returned with a man wearing a dark blue robe. He wore a jade crown and his starry eyes gleamed with cold light. He strode forward.
The study of the Prince of Zhenbei was just opened, and the Prince of Zhenbei was sitting at his desk, while Nan Xuzong was sitting opposite him, and they seemed to be chatting about something pleasant.
Huangfu Xuan stepped forward, and the Prince of Zhenbei stood up to greet him, "Third Prince!"
"Greetings, Prince Zhenbei!" Huangfu Xuan bowed to the Prince Zhenbei.
The Prince of Zhenbei was quite surprised. He was a prince; how could he possibly expect the prince to bow to him? However, in terms of seniority, he was the prince's maternal uncle. Oh well, even with such a distant relationship...
"Your Highness, you mustn't do that!" Prince Zhenbei quickly helped Huangfu Xuan up. "Your Highness is of noble birth, how can you bow to an old man like me? Please sit down, please sit down!" He immediately invited him to take a seat.
Nan Xuzong bowed to Huangfu Xuan and said, "Greetings, Third Prince!"
"My Grand Tutor! Haha, no need for such formalities!" Huangfu Xuan said with a smile.
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. This title sounded awkward no matter how he looked at it! He was Nan Xuzong, the Prince of Nan! What Grand Tutor! Although he had been appointed Grand Tutor to assist Huangfu Xuan, he still wasn't used to hearing such a title!
However, this was said to the Prince of Zhenbei, not to Nanxu Cong.
Huangfu Xuan was reminding the Prince of Zhenbei that Nan Xuzong was already assisting him, and if he was thinking of trying to win over the Prince of Nan to work for the prince, then he should give up on that idea!
The Prince of Zhenbei smiled but didn't react much.
The three of them sat around the table.
"I wonder what business Your Highness has with me?" the Prince of Zhenbei asked.
...
In the Luoyin Garden, the five people chatted about everyday things, and they were all very happy. After some time, Princess Qinlian suggested with a smile, "It's still early today, why don't we compose some poems, or sing a song, or perhaps do a dance to liven things up?"
“Yes, yes, I agree. It’s been so long since I’ve heard Princess Consort Nan sing!” Princess Qinxiang said with a smile.
Princess Qinqing smiled and put the pastry into her mouth. She listened to them talking without rushing, and after eating, she said, "Mother, what do you think?"
"We should ask Princess Nan for her opinion, after all, Princess Nan is a guest, not just the two of us." Princess Zhenbei smiled and looked at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "In that case, singing some tunes would be perfect. Anyway, no one else is coming here, so it's fine for just the few of us to fool around and make a fool of ourselves!"
Princess Zhenbei covered her mouth and chuckled, "The Princess Consort of the Southern Heir is right!"
"Come quickly, have the maid bring some string and wind instruments. Mother, which one do you want?" Princess Qinlian said with a smile.
Princess Zhenbei laughed, "These performances are for teenagers like you, how come it's my turn, an old woman?"
"Your Highness, you are too modest! Everyone in this capital knows that the Prince and Princess of Zhenbei were an enviable couple, so stunning that no one could look away! Are you just going to show off your skills to us?" Ji Wushang said with a smile, then his gaze drifted to Princess Qinlian, Princess Qinxiang, and Princess Qinqing.
Upon receiving the news, the three children rushed to coax her, "Mother, please sing or dance something to broaden our horizons!" The three children grabbed the hands of the Princess of Zhenbei, who smiled helplessly and said, "You children, I'll find you all good families to marry into in the future, so you won't bother me anymore!"
"Look, Mother is saying those things again!" Princess Qinqing laughed. "Let eldest sister get married first, hee hee!" Princess Qinxiang, being young, immediately teased the Princess Consort of Zhenbei upon hearing her words.
Princess Qinlian blushed. "Third sister, don't talk nonsense!"
Princess Qinqing smiled; the child's face was indeed extremely adorable.
Princess Zhenbei smiled and had the guqin brought up. She sat down in front of it, smiled, and wondered if she could still play a decent piece. She hadn't touched the guqin in many years.
Thinking back to those days, I played a piece of music and won the favor of the Prince of Zhenbei. At that time, the former princess had just passed away, and the Prince of Zhenbei happened to be at the Marquis of Jinbei's residence to discuss matters with the Marquis of Jinbei. I never expected that I would play a piece of music in the backyard, and that was the day I met the Prince of Zhenbei...
Coming to her senses, the Princess of Zhenbei smiled and gently placed her hands on the strings. Ji Wushang and the three princesses sat to the side, watching the Princess of Zhenbei begin to play.
Although Princess Zhenbei was a bit old, she was still a beautiful woman. Time had not diminished her beauty, and the charm of a mature woman made her exude an innate nobility.
With a gentle pluck of the strings, the Princess of Zhenbei began to play. This piece was the same one she had played at the Marquis of Jinbei's residence, a piece about a small bridge, flowing water, and a humble dwelling, carrying a touch of tranquility. The Princess of Zhenbei's face was very elegant at this moment, and her slender hands played out the moving melody.
The three people talking in the study were all quite surprised when they suddenly heard such music, and the most surprised of all was the Prince of Zhenbei.
“It’s Qianqian.” The Prince of Zhenbei said in a daze, his expression full of love. Yes, he would never forget such a song. That day, he was moved by such a song. He loved such a song full of spirituality.
Qianqian... is the maiden name of the Princess of Zhenbei.
Huangfu Xuan and Nan Xuzong exchanged glances, then both turned their gazes to the Prince of Zhenbei. The Prince of Zhenbei stood up and said, “Don’t laugh at me, but it was because of this very piece of music that I fell in love with her. Now, eighteen years have passed, and she is playing this piece again. I… I am so excited!” The Prince of Zhenbei disregarded the presence of the two of them and spoke his heart out.
He immediately lifted his foot and walked out.
Huangfu Xuan and Nan Xu Cong were quite surprised; this was the first time they had ever seen the Prince of Zhenbei lose his composure like this!
Nan Xuzong said calmly, "Why don't we go and take a look together?"
"Hmm." Huangfu Xuan was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected that the Princess Consort of Zhenbei would still be able to firmly hold onto the Prince of Zhenbei's heart after eighteen years. This was a legend in the capital. You must know that the Prince of Zhenbei had never taken a concubine. He had only brought in one or two maids during the time when the Princess Consort was pregnant, and they had long since been given a settlement allowance and sent back to their hometowns.
It can be said that the Princess Consort of Zhenbei has always enjoyed the exclusive favor of the Prince of Zhenbei.
After Princess Zhenbei finished playing the piece, she was quite moved, repeatedly touching the strings of the instrument, and said, "I really like this piece, and I hope you all like it too!"
"Your Highness's musical skills are truly superb! I admire you greatly." Ji Wushang stood up and looked at her. "If I'm not mistaken, this piece was played by Your Highness for the Prince many years ago, wasn't it?"
"I happened to feel that this piece of music suited my taste, so I played it in my boudoir. I never expected that the Prince would be in the hall at the time..." Princess Zhenbei recalled, then stood up, smiling and regaining her composure, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh. Come, you lot, let me see your performance!"
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Princess Qinlian should go first!"
Princess Qinlian pouted and said, "How can it be me?"
"Elder sister, hurry up!" Princess Qinxiang said, linking arms with the Princess of Zhenbei. "Mother played so beautifully just now!"
"Of course." Princess Qinqing stepped forward as well, then looked at Ji Wushang and Princess Qinlian, "Elder sister, Princess Consort of the Southern Prince, you two hurry up!"
Ji Wushang took a step back and said, "Please." He looked at Princess Qinlian with expectant eyes.
Princess Qinlian nodded, "Then I'll make a fool of myself, but please don't tease me!"
"How could I be joking with you? There are only a few of us here, just having some fun." Princess Zhenbei was sitting on a stone bench to the side, and Ji Wushang, Qin Xiang, and Qin Qing sat side by side with her.
Princess Qinlian looked out at the fallen flowers, which were quite beautiful. Dancing in the wind would be a wonderful choice.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Princess Qinlian, would you like to dance a piece? How about I play a tune and you dance?"
"Good!" Princess Qinxiang clapped her hands immediately.
Princess Zhenbei scolded, "Qinxiang, how can you be so rude? You need to be more mindful."
"Yes, Mother." Princess Qinxiang lowered her head, but the Princess Consort of Zhenbei smiled and patted her shoulder, her eyes full of affection.
"Then I'll have to trouble Princess Consort Nan!" Princess Qinlian smiled at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang ordered the maid to move the guqin to the peach tree. After setting it up, he had a carpet laid out and sat on it. Princess Qinlian stood in the breeze, where the peach blossoms were in full bloom and looked beautiful.
Princess Qinlian, dressed in a pink gown, stood in the wind, looking at Ji Wushang. Her robes fluttered in the breeze, exuding a graceful and ethereal beauty.
"Is Princess Qinlian ready?" Ji Wushang placed his hand on the guqin and looked up to ask.
The curve of her neck was so beautiful that it was impossible not to admire it.
Princess Qinlian nodded slightly, her gaze turning to the three people watching.
The sound of a zither then began to play.
Princess Qinlian was also very knowledgeable about the guqin, so she quickly figured out what Ji Wushang was playing. She immediately turned around and began to dance.
The Prince of Zhenbei was on his way to Luoyin Garden, but the music had stopped before he was halfway there. He stopped, feeling quite disappointed, unsure whether to continue or not.
I just lost my composure in front of those two brats.
But so be it. From the conversation just now, I know about their situation. Although Huangfu Xuan is not yet capable of being a monarch, given time, as long as Nan Xu Cong assists him, he will surely become a good emperor.
He could observe the situation while assisting Huangfu Xuan and testing him in certain matters.
At this moment, Huangfu Xuan and Nan Xuzong walked over from outside.
Huangfu Xuan actually pushed Nan Xuzong's wheelchair, which surprised the Prince of Zhenbei. A prince pushing a heir's wheelchair... But thinking about it, could it be that they both knew that Nan Xuzong was originally the fourth prince?
"Your Highness," the two called out almost simultaneously.
Huangfu Xuan narrowed his eyes and glanced at Nan Xuzong, who also looked somewhat displeased. Why was he calling him the Prince of Zhenbei along with him?
"It's alright, let's go back!" the Prince of Zhenbei said. "I was truly out of line just now, and you two must have laughed at me!"
"Not at all, it's just that the music is so beautiful that it's a feast for our ears!" Nan Xuzong said at this moment.
Just then, the sound of a guqin rang out again, and Nan Xuzong's eyes lit up immediately, "Wu Shang's guqin music!"
The two were taken aback. These women really had quite the refined taste, coming one after another.
"Alright, alright, why don't we go and take a look? We've already covered most of the matter," the Prince of Zhenbei suggested.
Nan Xuzong nodded, while Huangfu Xuan had not had the chance to hear Ji Wushang play a piece since he had heard him play one at the welcoming banquet. This was a good opportunity.
“Hmm,” Huangfu Xuan replied.
"Judging from the direction of the sound, it should be Luoyin Garden," said Zhenbei Wang. Then he made a gesture of invitation, and Huangfu Xuan pushed Nan Xuzong's wheelchair forward.
This was Huangfu Xuan's first time visiting the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, so he naturally took a few more glances at it. His memory was also excellent, and he kept all the places he had seen in mind.
When the three were still at the gate of the Luoyin Garden, the music they heard became clearer and warmer, its sound like flowing water and a clear spring, flowing into their hearts.
Nan Xuzong's gaze was fixed on Ji Wushang, who had his back to him but was focused on playing the instrument. Ji Wushang watched Princess Qinlian dancing in the wind with a slight smile on her lips.
Nan Xuzong could only see Ji Wushang playing her instrument, and could only hear her music.
At this moment, the Prince of Zhenbei's eyes were fixed on the Princess Zhenbei, who was resting. She was listening to music and watching the dance while talking to the two princesses. Her eyes were gentle and loving.
Huangfu Xuan, however, was different. His gaze fell on Ji Wushang, watching her absorbed expression, and the music flowed obediently from her fingertips and the strings. His gaze softened, and he felt that she was otherworldly and pure. The little girl from years ago was gone; now, she was an ethereal fairy. But she already belonged to someone else.
Huangfu Xuan's gaze fell on Nan Xuzong, who was staring at her intently, his eyes devoid of any emotion. In his world, there was only Ji Wushang. Huangfu Xuan smiled slightly; it was truly rare to find a man who loved her so completely. Huangfu Xuan then turned his gaze to Princess Qinlian, who was dancing, and his eyes flickered.
Her shrine dance was very skillful and beautiful.
Ji Wushang felt as if a pair of burning eyes were fixed on his back; they had arrived. But after a moment's thought, he decided to pretend he didn't know. Besides Cong and the Prince of Zhenbei, who else had come?
Ji Wushang smiled at Princess Qinlian, his fingers vibrating the strings of his zither even faster. Princess Qinlian smiled broadly, listening to the music, twirling like a butterfly spreading its wings. The surrounding wind was stirred by her, mingling with the falling petals, making the entire scene even more exquisitely beautiful.
Ji Wushang thought for a moment and was about to make up his previous plan when he didn't expect that Princess Qinlian would suddenly lose her foot and fall to the ground!
Huangfu Xuan's eyes narrowed. His martial arts were extremely fast, and in an instant, he was in front of Princess Qinlian and caught her steadily.
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat, his hands stopped abruptly, and the music abruptly ceased.