“Isn’t this An Xin…” Fu Ruyue suddenly broke into a smile, beaming with joy. “It’s been a long time. I’ve heard that the scenery in Wuhua Village is wonderful.”
An Xin glanced at her and said, "If the princess likes it, she can move in."
Fu Ruyue sneered inwardly. She thought the woman would pretend not to recognize her, but she remembered her so clearly. So all her behavior before arriving here was an act?
"There's nothing wrong with rural life. Raising chickens and ducks, farming and weaving, it's all so carefree," Fu Ruyue said with a gentle smile.
An Xin smiled casually and said, "Since the princess likes chicks and ducklings, I'll send you a few later. The princess is kind and will surely treat them well, won't she, Your Excellency?"
Ling Xiyao never expected that An Xin would bring him up. Being brought up so suddenly made his heart skip a beat for no reason.
Ling Xiyao forced himself to remain calm and said, "The princess is kind by nature and will naturally take good care of her."
An Xin's smile deepened. Just then, the banquet began, and the dancers surged forward, their movements graceful and alluring.
After such song and dance performances, it was often the time for the young ladies to showcase their talents, a good opportunity for them to bring honor to their families. Moreover, with the Prime Minister present, the young ladies would naturally spare no effort.
As expected, after the singing and dancing ended, someone suggested that the young ladies showcase their talents.
Fu Ruyue stepped forward and said with a smile, "Sister An must have extraordinary talents. Why don't you let us broaden our horizons?" Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it was enough for everyone in the room to hear.
Xu Ruolan's face turned pale, and she suddenly grabbed An Xin, saying, "Xin'er..." This child doesn't even know many words, how could she possibly have any talents!
An Youwei's expression changed, and he paused for a moment before speaking. However, Ling Tian interrupted him, saying, "Lord An, there's no need to be so modest. Like father, like son, this girl is probably no less than excellent."
Jing Lan glanced at An Xin with a faint look in his eyes; he actually thought the suggestion was quite good.
Ling Xiyao looked at An Xin with a complicated expression. He knew her all too well; she was not good at any of the traditional arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and he didn't know how she would resolve this awkward situation.
All eyes turned to them, even someone who had been basking in the sun in the distance looked over. An Xin patted Xu Ruolan's hand and shrugged, saying, "As for the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting... I'm completely clueless about them."
Everyone was stunned. How could someone admit it so openly!
Those who originally wanted to see a joke suddenly felt that the joke had been greatly diminished!
An Xin slowly stood up and said with a faint smile, "Since the princess has invited me, I have no choice but to make a fool of myself and play the drum."
Not far away, Yan Zhen suddenly raised the corners of his lips. He really liked this girl more and more the more he looked at her.
Everyone was stunned. "Play the drum?!" Was this girl going to play the drum?!
Soon a large drum was brought up. An Xin grabbed the drumsticks, took a slight breath, and then the drumsticks fell, "da, da, da, da," four drumbeats to begin. Then the drumming momentum rose, the drumbeats suddenly soared, and in an instant it was like ten thousand horses galloping and thunder roaring. Everyone felt their hair stand on end, and in a daze they could only see the flashing of swords, the clashing of horns and drums, the flames of war, and the iron cavalry pressing down on the city!
Everyone's breathing quickened instantly.
The drumbeats were powerful and unstoppable.
Anxin struck the drumstick, and the sound began: "My hair bristles with rage, I lean on the railing as the rain subsides. I raise my eyes, look up to the sky and roar, my heart filled with fierce ambition. Thirty years of fame and glory are but dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of road are but clouds and moon. Do not idly let your youthful head turn white, only to be filled with empty sorrow. The shame of Jingkang remains unavenged; the hatred of the subjects, when will it be extinguished! I will drive my chariot, shatter the Helan Mountains, my ambition is to feast on the flesh of the barbarians when hungry, and laughingly drink their blood when thirsty. I will wait to start anew, to reclaim our lost lands, and face the imperial palace!"
As the drumbeats ceased, Anxin tossed aside her drumsticks and slowly strolled back.
silence.
The crowd remained stunned for a long time, feeling a surge of passion within them, stirred by the sound of the drums!
Yan Zhen's gaze was deep, and at this moment, her heart pounded uncontrollably. Of all the flowers in the world, there is one that stands out uniquely!
Jing Lan slowly relaxed her fingers, and her gaze towards An Xin became unfathomable for a moment.
Ling Xiyao was stunned for a long time. In an instant, all the so-called arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting were smashed down by the sound of the drum. In that instant, this woman shone brightly!
An Youwei stared at An Xin in shock. He never expected that his daughter would have such a side to her, but this side filled him with pride and almost brought tears to his eyes!
Xu Ruolan grasped An Xin's hand with trembling hands, speechless for a long time. Although she did not understand the charm of the drumbeats, she still felt that An Xin played them so beautifully and so well!
Everyone was stunned and speechless. Without uttering a single wasted word before or after the drumming, he began to play, and with a breathtaking and powerful performance, he casually tossed the drumsticks aside and walked away.
Fu Ruyue covered her mouth in shock. The next moment, she wished she could bite off her own tongue. She suddenly regretted her loose tongue!
"Clap, clap, clap..." The applause rang out clearly, but it came from behind. Everyone suddenly came to their senses and saw that the applause of the Right Prime Minister was coming from the pavilion and tower.
Everyone's expression immediately changed. The Right Chancellor?!
The Right Chancellor has arrived too!
Then came chaos.
Everyone stared at the Minister, who could only manage a stiff smile: He had no choice; the Minister's temperament was eccentric, and if he didn't say anything, how could he dare to announce it?
An Youwei's expression instantly changed.
Yan Zhen walked slowly to An Xin, then casually pulled up a chair from the side and sat down lazily, saying, "What are you all standing there for? Continue."
Everyone: "..."
An Xin: "...!"
Xu Ruolan was restless. This person was actually... was actually the Right Prime Minister?! Heavens!
The Minister hurriedly said, "Continue, continue."
The young ladies looked at each other, and those who thought they had good talents were eager to try.
The Left Prime Minister has arrived!
The Right Chancellor has arrived too!
The Right Prime Minister's appearance was completely different from the Left Prime Minister's; his lazy, wicked, and half-smiling demeanor was undoubtedly captivating!