The song was filled with lament and longing, like weeping and pleading, causing those who heard it to grieve and those who listened to it to shed tears.
This piece is an adaptation of "Ten Miles of Red Makeup," a song I composed on that flower boat. Now, however, it has lost all its flavor and become melancholic.
Gong Shu entered carrying a bowl of bird's nest soup. "Master, are you alright?" He rarely played the flute, yet why did he seem so deeply sorrowful now? Even he could sense his own grief. Shouldn't he be happy? He was about to marry Miss Ji, fulfilling his own wish. Could there be something fishy going on?
"I'm fine." Nan Xuzong placed the flute in his arms. "If I die, you don't need to ask anyone to avenge me."
"Master, what did you say?" Gong Shu was shocked and stepped forward nervously to ask, "Master, has something happened?"
“I observed the stars last night, and ah,” Nan Xuzong gave a bitter laugh, “maybe this is my fate. Or perhaps, I won’t even be able to marry her, and then, I’ll be gone.” He seemed to find it difficult to say, but he still did.
Gong Shu was horrified. "Master, there must be a way to fix this! Master, who wants to kill you? Is it those people? Master, do you think we should have our men take action first?"
Nan Xuzong waved his hand, signaling him to be quiet. "No one but her will kill me."
"Besides him? Who is it? Sir, tell me some ideas so I can make arrangements immediately."
“No, no need.” Nan Xuzong suddenly smiled. “To die at her hands wouldn’t be so bad.”
"Master, I don't understand." Gong Shu looked at him, feeling as if he were about to die. No, he was the master of his life, the master of many others' lives, and his existence was more important than anyone else's!
"If you don't understand, then don't try to understand. Get out of here!" Nan Xuzong waved his hand, stopping him from speaking. "Take the bird's nest away too, I don't need it."
“Master.” Gong Shu frowned slightly and took a step forward.
"Get down," Nan Xuzong said calmly.
Gong Shu could only shake his head and then walked away.
Master is acting strangely tonight. It's already strange that he can't sleep well late at night, but what he just said is even stranger.
Is something big about to happen?
Gong Shu turned around, but only saw Nan Xuzong staring blankly at the sky.
"Wu Shang, how do we break this deadlock? Teach me, please? Who has captured your heart?" Nan Xu Cong looked at the sky, where Ji Wu Shang's smiling face appeared.
I haven't seen her smile in a long time.
For several days in a row, Ji Wushang stayed in his Xinyuan Garden, thinking about how to kill that man and how to get rid of those damned people.
After trying many methods, finally...
Winter hunting season has arrived.
Despite the cold wind blowing, the entire imperial city became more lively than ever before, bringing a warm and joyful touch to the frigid weather.
Ji Dingbei got up early in the morning and then gave instructions that if anyone was going on a winter hunt with him, they should go with him; if they changed their minds and didn't want to go, they should stay at the mansion and enjoy the good time.
Ji Wushang would definitely go.
☆、144 Wu Shang, I want you.
Ji Wushang tidied up his belongings, putting some powder and medicine into his pocket, along with a dagger!
After tidying up, Ji Wushang led Zhu'er into the main hall.
Ji Dingbei was already waiting there. Aunt Qin—no, I should change my address—was also there, but it seemed that Madam Qin did not intend to come along.
Seeing Ji Wushang arrive, Ji Dingbei quickly said, "Wushang, hurry, we have to go right away."
"Yes, Father." Ji Wushang said, then smiled at Madam Qin. Madam Qin stepped forward and said with a smile, "Wushang, be careful on the road. You should often go with your father. When your father goes hunting, just watch from the side. Don't go with him. He knows martial arts, but you don't. You must take good care of yourself."
"Yes, thank you, Mother." Ji Wushang nodded and called her Mother.
Originally, she should have called her "Mother".
However, Ji Wushang really couldn't call her that. He already had a mother, so she was his mother now!
"Okay, good." Madam Qin was already very happy. She was able to get to where she was because of Ji Wushang's help.
Ji Wushang smiled and took his leave, then set off with Ji Dingbei.
This winter hunt was held at the training ground in the suburbs. Part of the Ma family army guarding the imperial city was stationed at the Pengfei Training Ground in the suburbs, and most of the Ji family army led by Ji Tiankui was also stationed at this training ground.
Ji Wushang was a little excited. He was finally able to see Wu Zi. He hadn't seen him for a long time and really missed him. He wondered if Wu Zi had lost weight or gotten a tan.
Lifting the curtain, one could see quite a few young masters and ladies who had accompanied them; this winter hunt was indeed a grand event.
Ji Wushang scanned the area and finally spotted a carriage slowly approaching. It was none other than Nan Xuzong's specially modified carriage.
Ji Wushang looked at him and his eyes flashed with cold, sharp light. He was filled with indignation, as if the man owed him dozens of lives. He longed to step forward and plunge the dagger in his hand into the man's chest.
But I must be patient, I absolutely must be patient. I still have a lot to do, and there's still time. I'm not afraid of not having enough time to settle this matter!
Hiding the dagger, Ji Wushang lowered the curtain, but the moment she did, Nan Xuzong turned his gaze in their direction. It was her; he couldn't be mistaken. Yet, he felt that gaze, like a knife, cutting cruelly into him.
Wu Shang, if you really were to stab me in the chest with a dagger, I wouldn't even flinch.
The group gradually entered the training ground. The Pengfei Training Ground was very large, and palace maids and eunuchs were already guiding them and settling the carriages and sedan chairs of the young ladies and gentlemen. They also provided some temporary tents for them so that they could have a place to rest.
Ji Wushang entered the tent belonging to General Ji's mansion. He had just taken a sip of tea and was thinking about how to see Ji Wusi when he immediately said to Zhu'er, who was standing to the side, "Zhu'er, go and find out for me where Wuzi is now. I miss him."
"Yes." Pearl nodded and immediately went out.
Ji Wushang sat on the couch, waiting for a reply. It wasn't hunting season yet, and the ministers who had accompanied the Emperor on his expedition would be going to pay homage and offer sacrifices. This meant that Ji Dingbei had no time to manage Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang was completely free.
Ji Wushang poured himself a cup of tea and then slowly savored it.
Just then, someone gently knocked on the door from the outside.
Hearing this, Ji Wushang thought it was Ji Wusi who had arrived and said, "Come in quickly." However, when no one came in, Ji Wushang felt a little suspicious, so he had no choice but to put down his teacup and go forward to lift the tent flap. It turned out to be a servant.
"What's wrong?" Ji Wushang asked.
"Miss Ji, this is from the Second Prince." The servant said, handing a small slip of paper from his pocket to Ji Wushang, who took it and said, "Thank you."
"That's alright, I'll go back and report now."
"Hmm. I want to ask, why did His Highness give me this note?" Ji Wushang waved it.
"Your Highness, I don't know either."
Ji Wushang waved for him to leave, then looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to his tent, lowered the curtain and went inside.
The message read, “Wu Shang, my mother will send someone to invite you to her palace shortly. You must not drink or eat anything, not even what your mother bestows upon you.” It was signed Huangfu Ting.
Ji Wushang immediately burned the note over the candlelight. Why did he give him this message? Was it a genuine reminder? Or was he playing some kind of trick? The Second Prince is definitely not simple; it's best to be cautious about his sudden kindness. As for whether he will actually drink the tea or wine bestowed by the Empress, that's hard to say.
Ji Wushang took out a small bottle from his pocket, opened it, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. Being careful is always the best policy.
Just as Ji Wushang finished eating, she heard someone calling from outside, "Excuse me, is Miss Ji here? Miss Ji?"
"What is it?" Ji Wushang stepped forward and opened the curtain. It was a eunuch. Could it really be the Empress who had come to invite him over?
"In reply to Miss Ji, I was ordered by the Empress to take you there for a visit."
"Alright, please lead the way, Father-in-law." Ji Wushang nodded, ready to face whatever comes his way and see what tricks she had up her sleeve.
A figure in the distance watched Ji Wushang walk away with the eunuch, and immediately went back to report.
After walking for a while, Ji Wushang finally saw a grand and imposing tent ahead, from which came the sounds of string and wind instruments. It seemed that the Empress truly knew how to enjoy life. He wondered what she wanted him to do.
The eunuch knocked lightly, and then another eunuch came out. He pulled back the curtain with his delicate fingers. Seeing that it was the other eunuch and Ji Wushang, he nodded and said, "Please."
The eunuch who had brought him also nodded to Ji Wushang, "Miss, please."
"Yes." As soon as Ji Wushang entered, he was greeted by a fragrant floral scent.
Once inside, it felt like being in a paradise on earth. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and the surroundings were shrouded in mist. Several dancers were performing in the hall, accompanied by the gentle and soothing sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments.
Ji Wushang hesitated for a moment, but her father-in-law stepped forward and led her, saying, "Please come with us, Miss."
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded, then followed him inside.
The sounds of string and wind instruments still linger.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and saw that the Empress was lying lazily on the chaise longue, her eyes slightly unfocused, watching the dance in front of her, and she seemed to be drowsy.
The eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the eldest young lady has been brought here."
"Hmm," the Empress murmured languidly, and the eunuch immediately withdrew.
Ji Wushang then noticed that the Seventh Princess, Huangfu Lan, and the Second Prince, Huangfu Ting, were also present. Huangfu Lan's gaze was deep as she looked at Ji Wushang while she helped massage the Empress to make her feel comfortable. Huangfu Ting, on the other hand, was half-closing his eyes, watching the dancers. When he saw Ji Wushang arrive, his eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, and he stared intently at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang knelt down, "This commoner Ji Wushang greets Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the Second Prince, and Your Highness the Seventh Princess."
"Get up!" The Empress nodded, then slowly sat up straight from the couch, while Huangfu Lan smiled at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang smiled back.
Huangfu Ting didn't say much, so Ji Wushang remained silent.
"I heard the Seventh Princess say that Miss Wen Ji's dancing is unparalleled in the world. I wonder if Miss Wen Ji could dance a piece for me?" the Empress asked knowingly.
Ji Wushang was startled. Shouldn't he be dancing here? Besides, weren't these dancers there to entertain them? What did they need him for?
"Yes." But since she was the empress, he could only agree.
Ji Wushang took off his cloak and robe, while the dancers had already been dismissed by the eunuch. Fortunately, there was a heater here, so it wasn't too cold even without a robe.
Ji Wushang stood in the middle, then bowed to the Empress, Huangfu Ting, and Huangfu Lan and said, "Since today is a good day for the winter hunt, I would like to humbly perform a dance called 'Rainbow Skirt Dance'."
Upon hearing the name, Huangfu Ting immediately perked up. Few people danced this piece because it was extremely difficult. Rumor had it that one had to be drunk to dance it. Now that she wasn't drunk, how could she dance it?
"Very well, someone, bring wine!" the Empress said, waving her sleeves wide.
Immediately, a young eunuch brought over a pot of wine, and Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Huangfu Ting frowned. Hadn't he sent her a note? Hadn't she seen it? It said she shouldn't accept any food or drink bestowed by the Empress, yet she went and walked right into the trap herself, actually asking the Empress to give her wine?
Ji Wushang took the wine pot, her alluring eyes flashing, and with a light step, she stood in the hall.
At this moment, the sound of string and wind instruments began, and Ji Wushang, holding a wine cup in one hand and a wine pot in the other, began to dance gracefully.
At this moment, Ji Wushang seemed like a butterfly, her body light and graceful, her toes seemingly possessed divine power, as she fluttered gently. The music gradually rose in pitch, and Ji Wushang's dancing rhythm quickened.
Every move she made seemed like a fairy who had mistakenly descended to the mortal world, leaving both women and men in awe.
As Ji Wushang danced, she poured herself a glass of wine, then raised it high before leaping to the ground. She tilted her head back, her eyes alluring, and gazed at the glass in her hand. Slowly, she tilted her hand, and the wine poured from the glass, tracing a long arc before falling into her mouth. The sound was like a clear spring flowing into a stream, a gentle stream flowing into her heart.
Huangfu Ting was mesmerized by the action, and the person who suddenly entered from outside was equally mesmerized.