---Aside---
The relationships and romantic storylines of the supporting characters will be revealed at the banquet.
However, these scumbags will eventually become cannon fodder.
Chapter Seventeen: A Song That Astounded the Audience
Shen Qianmo saw the Crown Prince through the gap in the curtain. In her previous life, she had been bewitched by Shangguan Che at the Hundred Families Banquet and had never left the house after marrying him. During this time, the Crown Prince also died mysteriously, so she had never seen him before.
The crown prince wore a bright yellow python robe. He was tall and slender with regular features, and could be considered a handsome man. However, his eyes were half-closed, and he was looking around as if searching for beautiful women. His lewd expression ruined the overall elegance of his attire.
It's no wonder that the court officials were dissatisfied and the princes were resentful of such a crown prince. Cowardly, incompetent, and lecherous, it's truly incomprehensible why the emperor insisted on passing the throne to the crown prince.
"Ah!" A continuous stream of women's amazed cries came from the tents of each household.
All eyes on the field turned to the newcomer. Shen Qianmo sensed Shen Qianyu's breath; her eyes, as if under a spell, gazed out of the tent, filled with adoration.
She walked in wearing a white robe with gold trim, her jet-black hair simply tied up, a smile on her face. Her graceful figure and unique charm gave people a sense of nobility and elegance.
Upon closer inspection, her jade-like features displayed a gentle curve. The smile at the corners of her mouth was as warm as a spring breeze, and her light-colored eyes held a tender gaze.
What a charming and handsome man! In my past life, I, like countless other young women, was captivated by his alluring appearance, lost myself in his gentle tenderness, and wholeheartedly believed in and loved him. But in the end, all I received was poison that pierced my guts.
In his eyes, his past self was probably nothing more than a beautiful but foolish woman. In his eyes, women could never compare to power.
"My God, the Third Prince is so charming! How can he be so handsome!" Shen Qianyu seemed to have lost her mind, shouting and jumping around the tent. Shen Qianmo suspected that if her hands weren't still injured and unable to exert any strength, she could definitely tear the entire tent fabric off right now.
"Yu'er! Come back! What kind of behavior is this!" Shen Lingyun seemed to have finally lost his temper and roared at Shen Qianyu, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
Seeing that her father was angry, Shen Qianyu immediately returned to the center of the tent, while Shen Qianmo lazily followed her back to the center of the tent.
"Mo'er, almost everyone's here! Now you can play!" Shen Lingyun glanced at Shen Qianyu, then gave Shen Qianmo a fake smile.
Shen Qianmo nodded obediently, her slender hands pressing on the strings. Touching the guqin in her hands, she couldn't help but admire it; truly worthy of being ranked third, the Phoenix Cry guqin, made of fine sandalwood, with dragon and phoenix carvings on the body, and strings as taut as silk threads.
With a light flick of her jade-like fingers, her slender, fair fingers touched the surface of the zither. She concentrated deeply, and suddenly the sound of the zither filled the tent. The music was magnificent and powerful, a true tale of a landscape drama.
The music was soaring and stirring, making the listener feel as if they were amidst a vast army. Shen Qianmo's ten fingers gently plucked the strings, yet it seemed to be plucking at the heartstrings, as if the picturesque landscape was vividly displayed in the music.
Shen Qianyu and Shen Qianxin looked at Shen Qianmo in disbelief, seemingly unable to believe that Shen Qianmo could play such music. Shen Qianxin, in particular, seemed to be overflowing with astonishment.
Shen Lingyun turned around and looked at the woman playing the zither. Was this woman really his unremarkable daughter? How could she play such beautiful music? It was as if she had transported him to a picturesque landscape, allowing him to experience the exhilarating thrill of a thousand armies at war, and the joy of ruling the world.
Although her features were still familiar and her appearance was still ordinary, at this moment, Shen Lingyun looked at Shen Qianmo and felt that this daughter was radiating a charming light.
A single melody captivated everyone present. Almost everyone outside the tent was mesmerized by this breathtaking piece.
After a long, long silence, just when Shen Qianmo thought everyone outside the tent was asleep, thunderous applause erupted. Almost everyone craned their necks to see who was playing the zither and what they looked like.
"Please forgive my boldness, Shangguan Che, but is the one playing the zither the daughter of the Prime Minister?" Shangguan Che's gentle and refined voice rang out from outside the tent.
The most outstanding aspect of this piece of music is not how beautiful the timbre is, but rather the artistic conception it conveys. I believe that someone as ambitious as Shangguan Che will be able to appreciate the artistic conception within the music.
"Oh my god, it's the Third Prince!" Upon hearing Shangguan Che's voice, Shen Qianyu almost fainted, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
Shen Qianmo glanced at Shen Qianyu's infatuated and dazed expression, nudged her, and gestured for her to answer Shangguan Che's question.
Shen Qianyu then realized what was happening, composed herself, and said to the outside of the tent, "Qianyu has made a fool of herself."
"So it's the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion! The eldest daughter's zither music is truly admirable!" There was a hint of excitement in Shangguan Che's words.
The music seemed to have penetrated his heart. Never before had a piece of music shaken him so deeply or given him such a strong impact. He even wanted to see what this young lady of the Prime Minister's mansion was like.
Shen Qianmo let out a cold laugh. She knew Shangguan Che's character all too well; this piece was played for him. It was meant to make him show affection for Shen Qianyu, and in doing so, the Great General would probably be very unhappy.
Shen Lingyun would definitely seize the opportunity to marry Shen Qianyu to Shangguan Che, hoping to please both sides. However, this wishful thinking is too simplistic and could easily backfire.
"Shen Qianmo! If you dare let a third person know what happened today, I won't be polite to you!" When Shen Qianyu looked at Shen Qianmo, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, revealing a sinister look as she threatened.
"I'm not interested in him," Shen Qianmo replied indifferently, her expression languid. Shen Qianyu was truly incredibly naive. If she really wanted to say something, did she think she could stop her with a mere threat?
"You'd better not be interested! If you have any improper thoughts, I'll..." Shen Qianyu continued to threaten, still not feeling at ease.
"Big sister! Don't forget your place!" Shen Qianmo impatiently interrupted Shen Qianyu, whispering in her ear.
Does she think she's Shangguan Che's concubine now? How dare she be so arrogant! Doesn't she know that arrogant people will die a terrible death?!
"Alright, Yu'er, I'll have your mother accompany you back!" Shen Lingyun looked at Shen Qianmo with satisfaction, not expecting his daughter to have such good zither skills. "Mo'er plays very well, Father will find you a good husband!"
"Father, Mo'er is still young and wants to spend more time with you!" Shen Qianmo smiled innocently. She didn't want to be a pawn; she wanted to choose her own husband!
Chapter 18 Feigning Illness to Leave
"Your Majesty, my eldest daughter has suddenly fallen ill. Please allow me to have my wife take her back to the residence to rest." Shen Lingyun led Shen Qianyu and Yin Youlan out of the tent and kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress sitting in the high seats.
"Granted. Qianyu's rendition of the Jiangshan Opera just now truly impressed me!" Shangguan Hao sat on the high seat, his gaze towards Shen Qianyu filled with admiration.
Shen Qianyu feigned embarrassment, but inwardly she was seething with hatred! That piece wasn't played by her at all, but by Shen Qianmo. Everyone was appreciating Shen Qianmo's piece, not hers! How could she accept this, how could she face it?
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am ashamed." Shen Qianyu curtsied, bowed to Shangguan Hao to take her leave, and pretended to be exhausted, leaning on Yin Youlan.
Shangguan Che's gaze never left Chen Qianyu after he left the tent.
Shen Qianyu was also stunningly beautiful. Beneath her almond-shaped eyes was a delicate nose, and her lips, though slightly thin, possessed a unique charm. However, Shangguan Che always felt that something was missing about her; she didn't seem like the kind of woman who could play such a piece of music.
"Miss, your performance just now truly impressed me. I hope to hear your beautiful music again another day," Shangguan Che said, bowing as Shen Qianyu passed by.
If he hadn't grasped the underlying meaning of the poem, he would have realized that Shen Qianyu was no ordinary woman; she must have been a wise woman with a strong sense of national responsibility, and that was exactly the kind of woman he needed.