Construyendo una dinastía de canciones armoniosas

Capítulo 52

As Lin Suyang stepped onto the last stone step, she looked up and saw Qin Hao smiling and extending his hand not far ahead. Suddenly, a pang of pain shot through her heart, and a familiar, distant voice pierced through the deafening shouts around them: We should go…

She felt another wave of dizziness. She paused, clenched one hand tightly in her sleeve, and then forced a smile as she walked forward.

Qin Hao took Lin Suyang's hand from Shunzi and held it firmly in his palm. Lin Suyang stiffly tried to move, but the grip tightened. She turned to look at Qin Hao, who was still smiling and looking down. "May Heaven bless our Great Yang, granting favorable weather, abundant harvests, and national peace and prosperity. Today, our daughter, Lady Yun, is hereby declared Empress of our Great Yang, bestowed the title of Jingshu. Her son, Qin Xiao, is the Crown Prince Yande of our Great Yang. This is hereby proclaimed to the world to express our gratitude for the Emperor's grace."

"Our Emperor's virtue is boundless, bringing blessings to millions of people. May our Great Central Kingdom enjoy a long life of a thousand years!"

"Our Emperor's virtue is boundless, bringing blessings to millions of people. May our Great Central Kingdom enjoy a long life of a thousand years..."

The deafening sounds rose and fell, and fireworks burst forth in the distance, instantly transforming the nearly dark sky into a dazzling spectacle, like summer flowers vying for attention in a luxurious and flowing display that lasted for a long time.

Lin Suyang stared blankly, her mind a complete void. Suddenly, the fireworks scattering in the sky transformed into Si Junxing's face, gazing at her with sorrow and grief. She opened her eyes wide, tears welling up, and when she tried to reach out and touch his face, she realized how unreachable he was.

"What's wrong?" A soft question rang out, and the last thought in the air turned into sparks and scattered down. Lin Suyang looked around blankly, as if he had lost something, and fell heavily into the surrounding air, never to be found again.

He... is gone. Lin Suyang lowered her eyes, hiding the tears that were about to spill, then raised her head again and said, "It's nothing, just some feelings."

Qin Hao looked at her and saw his own pale and powerless reflection in her eyes. He swallowed the bitterness in his heart, turned his head, and said loudly to everyone who was still kneeling on the ground, "My beloved subjects, please rise."

The horns began to sound, and the ministers who hadn't looked up since Lin Suyang entered the palace gates finally straightened up. Upon seeing the new Empress's face, almost everyone except Lin Cheng gasped. They first looked at each other in disbelief, seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes. Then they looked up and saw Emperor Hong's suddenly cold gaze sweep over the crowd below, while the Empress beside him also wore an indifferent expression, just like that of Grand Tutor Lin before her.

The ministers were all wondering what was going on. They had thought the person who gave birth to the crown prince was someone important, but how could it be Grand Tutor Lin? No, it must be someone exactly like Grand Tutor Lin?

After some thought, their gazes all turned toward Minister Lin, and seeing his surprised expression, the ministers were even more astonished.

General Xin frowned and thought for a while. His mind, which had been focused on military matters for many years, was powerless to solve this problem. He glanced at Lin Cheng and saw Lin Cheng looking back at him. There seemed to be something stirring in that ambiguous smile...

Volume Four, Palace Romance, Chapter 116: Phoenix Hairpin and Luan Hairpin (Part Two)

Following the grand ceremony was a banquet for all the officials. King Qin Ke of Yin, Lin Ziyan, the commander of the Imperial City Guards, and Li Kuangjin, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, had all returned from the Northwest in time. Moreover, there would be other distinguished guests at the banquet, including the King of Yan Liao and his younger brother, the Eighth Prince.

Lin Suyang felt as if she were being burned in a raging fire, her lungs and heart burning as if she had been branded with an indelible mark. She didn't know what it was, but something that didn't belong to her was slowly emerging from the depths of her heart, something she couldn't see or touch, drifting like a wisp of smoke.

Qin Hao, unaware of Lin Suyang's unusual behavior, took her hand and sat on the throne at the top of the palace. The long table in front of the throne was filled with fruits and cooked food. Except for a large empty space in the center of the hall, low tables specially set up for the officials were placed around the perimeter.

What should have been a joyful and cheerful scene was now incredibly eerie. The ministers were either deep in thought or glancing up at each other from time to time, until King Qin Ke of Yin entered, announced by a palace attendant in a shrill voice.

A gentle gaze pierced the seat of honor. Lost in thought, Lin Suyang suddenly felt her hand tighten. Looking up, she saw Qin Ke staring intently as he walked towards her, his expression tinged with a faint sadness and melancholy. A flood of images of him flashed through her mind—cute, gentle, smiling—each image taking shape only to vanish in an instant, leaving no trace.

Qin Ke's actions had long attracted the attention of the surrounding ministers. Besides those who were curious and inquisitive, some were gloating or simply looking for a good show.

Qin Ke remained unmoved and slowly walked to the first step in front of Emperor Hong, where he stopped. He respectfully bowed to Qin Hao and said, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

"Uncle, you may rise. It is truly commendable that you have come so quickly to attend the Empress's coronation ceremony. Please sit down and rest."

Qin Ke remained motionless, still watching Lin Suyang, his intense gaze almost suffocating her. Lin Suyang lowered her head, not wanting to touch him again, her eyes downcast. Only the chaotic noise filled her ears.

Qin Hao, standing to the side, called out with obvious displeasure, "Royal Uncle?"

Qin Ke snapped out of his daze and replied, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Only then did he walk toward the seat prepared especially for him.

No sooner had they sat down than the eunuch announcing the arrival shouted again, "The King of Yan-Liao has arrived..."

The hall quieted down considerably. Han Yufeng, dressed in a gold-embroidered crimson robe, entered the hall with an elegant air. His strikingly handsome features, almost otherworldly, immediately drew gasps of admiration from many. Almost instinctively, they glanced at Lin Suyang, who sat at the head of the table.

Following behind Han Yufeng was also a handsome young man. However, compared to Emperor Sheng Han, his expression was cold, and the murderous aura between his brows easily kept people at a distance.

From the moment the two entered the main hall, Lin Suyang's heart pounded. Her eyes remained fixed on the person behind Han Yufeng. Qin Ke and Lin Cheng, who had been observing her expression, frowned slightly and also looked towards that person.

"It's him. He really came." Lin Suyang was incredibly excited. Without realizing it, she pulled away from Qin Hao's hand, gripping the edge of her sleeve tightly. Her palms were sweating profusely. He. Si Junxing. He's here.

However, Si Junxing acted as if he hadn't seen her and followed Han Yufeng to perform the national salute to Qin Hao. Then, without looking to the side, he sat down opposite Qin Ke.

Lin Suyang felt a chill in her heart. How could she forget that she was now the Empress of the Great Yang, while he was the Eighth Prince of Yan Liao? Their identities were vastly different, not to mention that they had already chosen the path of parting ways.

She lowered her head again, a sudden, unbearable pain shooting through her chest. She couldn't hear what Qin Hao was saying beside her; her mind was completely blank. Those cold eyes kept flashing before her eyes, piercing her entire body with a stinging pain. Her consciousness gradually faded, replaced by another arrogant laugh: "Are you afraid? Is your heart aching? Cowardly woman, let me help you..."

"Empress?" Qin Hao asked worriedly, assuming Lin Suyang was unwell, after she hadn't spoken for a long time. "Is something wrong?"

Lin Suyang raised her head and smiled sweetly at him, saying, "Your Majesty is overthinking it. I am perfectly fine." Her voice was alluring and captivating, a stark contrast to her previous coldness.

Qin Hao frowned, but heard her continue, "Today is an auspicious day, Your Majesty. Would you like to see me perform a song and dance? Your Majesty has never seen my dance before, has he?"

Seeing that Qin Hao remained silent, Lin Suyang moved closer to him and asked, "Your Majesty, don't you want to? I've been preparing for this for a long time..."

"You're tired," Qin Hao said, putting his arm around her. "I'll have Yanzi take you home." Not understanding her unusual behavior, Qin Hao assumed it was because of Si Junxing.

Unexpectedly, Lin Suyang suddenly pushed his hand away and stood up in front of everyone. Then she turned sideways and sat on his lap. She stretched out her two soft, boneless arms to wrap around his neck, and whispered in his ear, "But... I want to dance for you."

Qin Hao was startled. The familiar fragrance wafted towards him, so close, so real. He reached out and put his arm around her waist, looking into her hazy eyes. He nodded as if possessed. By the time he realized what was happening, she had already let go of him and walked down gracefully.

"wait for me."

The officials below stared in disbelief at this scene. How dare the empress be so audacious!

The others almost simultaneously darkened their faces, especially Han Yufeng, who was furious when he saw Lin Suyang sit on Qin Hao's lap. Si Junxing, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, drinking alone with his wine glass, despite his unpleasant expression.

"You are all in for a treat today," Qin Hao said with a smile. "The Empress thanks His Majesty Shenghan for traveling all the way from Yan and Liao, and has specially prepared this song and dance performance for His Majesty to enjoy."

"Oh, in that case, I'll have to open my eyes wide," Han Yufeng replied with a forced smile.

A short while later, the candlelight in the main hall suddenly dimmed, and melodious music drifted in from outside the hall. The music played softly for a while before a fiery red ball floated into the hall.

As the fiery red gradually unfolded, everyone gasped. The empress, who had just appeared unadorned, was now adorned with heavy makeup, her entire body draped in a crimson gauze robe over a thin white blouse. The white blouse hinted at glimpses of skin, sparking the imagination. Her slender ankles, deliberately exposed, were adorned with chains of small bells and luminous pearls. Her long hair flowed freely, and the wind blowing in from outside enveloped her in a dark and alluring mist. Already possessing stunning beauty, this new attire instantly drew everyone's attention.

The music continued, yet it grew ever more serene and gentle, like a trickle of water flowing through a crevice in a cliff and then heading towards a distant place.

Xianhong does not know how to thank

Flowers bloom before the cold.

Water chestnut flowers adorn the emerald green edge of the rain.

Ascending the thousand-layered palace

Lost in the journey of ten thousand miles, the wild geese never return.

When will the letter of love bring an end to my sorrow?

Several melodies of longing fade into oblivion.

Silk robes soaked with the scent of zither, bamboo, wind, and moon.

Black hair, yet feelings of timidity

Though the night is deep and people have left, only emptiness remains as farewell.

Jade hairpins and carved railings hold the cocoon of sorrow

Grand Hyatt, White Hair, East Source, West Flow, Shallow

The tender feelings between the characters of "heart"

Clear ink dots the tea leaves in the misty rain.

A light touch of old rouge

Candlelight fades, brocade frost sleeps

Who admires the kite when it's just a lone string?

Xiao Dong is tired of living in his boudoir

The West Chamber's Folding Curves and Powdered Faces

The waning night, withered branches, and the endless horizon seem to stretch on.

Tears soaked through her silk handkerchief, unable to conceal her face.

Wine spilled at dusk before the seven strings broke

The music and songs are tired of inviting the moon to pity.

The desolate autumn scenery and the lonely palace

A light veil draped over towering mountains, water reflecting the sky.

Bilingual eyes filled with affection, yet the feeling was diminished.

They met but remained silent.

The konghou plays a heartbreaking tale of this life.

Butterfly Love, oh Butterfly Love, the song is like weeping and lamenting. So sorrowful and heartbreaking, the flowers fall and the water flows on, longing turns to intoxication, etched deep within yet unknown to oneself.

The tone was so mournful, but when Lin Suyang sang it, it not only sounded heartbreaking, but her delicate and weak figure seemed as if she could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

Qin Hao's hands clenched tightly. His heart was in turmoil. What had made her so heartbroken? He looked at Si Junxing, who was drinking alone in the audience, with eyes filled with anger and jealousy.

Don't think that Si Junxing is truly heartless and has severed all ties with Lin Suyang. Even if Lin Suyang completely forgets him, he probably won't forget her. From the moment he entered the hall, he had seen Lin Suyang out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn't be too obvious, worried that it would cause her trouble.

He forced himself to remain calm and walked up to her, bowed, and sat down. It wasn't until Lin Suyang's unusual behavior later that he was truly shaken.

She wasn't Lin Suyang. That was the only explanation he could think of. Lin Suyang had always been aloof and indifferent. Although she hadn't been taught from a young age that women must be reserved, she wouldn't have become so promiscuous. Not to mention the deliberate dressing she wore upon returning home.

Si Junxing believed that no matter how much she changed, she would never want to wear those rouge and powders that annoyed her, or those clothes that only courtesans dared to wear. But... if she wasn't Lin Suyang, then who was she?

Setting down his wine glass, Si Junxing carefully observed Lin Suyang, who was twirling and fluttering like a butterfly in the center of the hall—her movements, her eyes, and her smile.

It's almost certain that this person is definitely not Lin Suyang, at least not Lin Suyang's own soul.

Si Junxing didn't know why he thought that way. He just realized that no matter where he looked, she was undoubtedly Lin Suyang's body. Faces could be changed, but finding someone in this world with the exact same body was harder than climbing to heaven. Moreover, he found even more compelling evidence.

Lin Suyang had a tiny flower on her right ankle, which, if not looked closely, could be mistaken for a mole. Actually, it was drawn on by Si Junxing one night after their marriage, while she was asleep, using an extremely fine needle and specially made ink. At the time, he only wanted to draw it to prove she belonged to him; who would have thought so many things would happen later? If he hadn't just seen her bare ankle, he wouldn't have remembered it.

If that's the case, then Lin Suyang is most likely drugged or under the influence of witchcraft! Si Junxing suppressed his intense unease and secretly told himself to stay calm. If he took her away now, who knows what might happen.

Lin Suyang was immersed in the dance music, her long sleeves fluttering and her clothes dancing in the breeze. The candlelight around her flickered, captivating all who watched. Those who pondered, however, were filled with doubt.

A thousand reasons cannot be exhausted. Ten thousand ugly schemes cannot be devised. Lin Suyang suddenly let out a sneer, and her alluring, bewitching face transformed into the most addictive poison, bewitching people until they lost their three souls and seven spirits.

Volume Four, Palace Romance, Chapter 120: Phoenix Hairpin and Luan Hairpin (Part Two)

The music ended, the people dispersed, and it was time to say goodbye.

As Lin Suyang's last dance move slowly ended before Qin Hao's eyes, she smiled and walked towards him with captivating beauty. Qin Hao smiled and opened his arms, about to take her into his embrace, when suddenly a palace servant rushed in to report: "Qingxiang Palace is on fire!"

A fire broke out in Qingxiang Palace! The assembled officials were immediately taken aback and turned to look at the emperor. Qin Hao's face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and put out the fire." With that, he stood up, grabbed Lin Suyang's hand, and rushed out.

The ministers also stood up and followed Qin Hao out. Han Yufeng and Si Junxing exchanged a glance, then quietly left their seats, while Qin Ke and Lin Cheng had already rushed to the front.

Outside the palace, Qin Hao looked up at the towering fire in the direction of Qingxiang Palace, his brows furrowed. Ignoring the large group of people behind him, he strode towards that direction.

They hurried to Qingxiang Hall and saw that a fire had started in the center and was gradually spreading to the surrounding areas. The guards who were fighting the fire surrounded the hall and tried to put out the fire with water, but to no avail. Instead, the fire grew bigger and bigger and soon spread to the entire hall.

"Where is the Crown Prince? Where is the Crown Prince?" Qin Hao grabbed someone and asked.

"Your Majesty, this servant did not see the Crown Prince. The people inside...they cannot be rescued," the man replied tremblingly.