Ji Wushang looked on with satisfaction, smiling at Ji Yinxue, and led the applause. The surrounding people, as if waking from a daze, immediately began praising Ji Yinxue. Ji Yinxue gracefully thanked everyone before stepping down from the stage.
Ji Wushang smiled at her and said, "Fourth Sister did a great job."
"It's thanks to your encouragement, sister, that I was able to perform so well," Ji Yinxue said with a smile, taking Ji Wushang's hand. "Thank you, elder sister."
"What are you thanking me for? Aren't we family?" Ji Wushang said with a smile.
Over there, Ji Meiyuan felt jealous and drank several glasses of wine. Then, ignoring the two of them, she turned her head and stared at Nan Jinxue with a dazed look.
But Nan Jinxue was already there, drinking alone in silence.
Ji Yinxue turned her head and saw Bei Gongjueshi's eyes burning with fervor, which made her feel embarrassed, and she turned her face away.
Bei Gongjueshi felt as if a flower had bloomed in his heart. He hadn't expected that his heart would flutter so quickly, and he hadn't expected that he would meet such a beautiful woman at the Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast.
"This painting is really good; even I am quite surprised," the princess sighed, and the others echoed her sentiments.
The princess ordered that the painting be carried away, the ink dried, and then it be framed and placed in the courtyard for guests to admire.
The time was almost up, and the Crown Prince said, "As far as I know, it should be the turn of Miss Ji from General Ji's mansion to show her skills. I have long admired Miss Ji's name, and it is truly an honor to see her today!"
Ji Wushang stood up, but upon hearing his words, his disgust for the Crown Prince intensified.
"What do you mean, 'I've long admired your name'? You've probably heard some rumors about me! Humph!"
Ji Wushang stood on the red carpet and bowed to the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess. When he looked up, he saw that a young eunuch was walking out of the Imperial Garden behind the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess. Moreover, there was another person accompanying him. This person was none other than Yiyun Shangcheng!
At this moment, he was dressed in the clothing of a foreign royal family, with a belt with a coiled dragon around his waist. What was even more eye-catching were his large earrings.
Ji Wushang was immediately taken aback. Why was he attending this Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast? Wasn't this the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty? What was a prince from the Western Regions doing here?
Yi Yun Shangcheng had just stepped out of the Imperial Garden with her head down when she saw Ji Wushang standing opposite her, who had also looked up to meet her. She was instantly astonished.
At this moment, she was wearing a light floral dress, her outfit was in a cool color scheme, and she wore a light pink jacket with trim. But she had a kind of temperament that emanated from her clear and pure eyes, and everyone couldn't take their eyes off her.
It was as if she had captured and suppressed his very breath.
"Your Highness, please." The young eunuch gestured towards Yiyun Shangcheng.
Yiyun Shangcheng immediately snapped out of her daze and turned around, "Thank you."
Upon seeing that it was Yiyun Shangcheng, the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess immediately stood up to greet them.
"I had long heard from my father that the prince from the Western Regions was coming to visit our country, but I never expected it to happen today!" the crown prince said politely.
Yiyun Shangcheng smiled slightly and performed a cross-shaped salute to the Crown Prince and the Princess. “I am sorry to disturb your country. Today, I was supposed to go to the Golden Palace to pay homage to His Majesty of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, but His Majesty sent word that I should go to this Inner River Garden to attend the Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast with the Crown Prince and the Princess and enjoy the festivities together.”
"Excellent!" The princess glanced at Yiyun Shangcheng with slight excitement and said, "Grant him a seat as the Prince of the Western Regions." Everyone loves handsome men, and this Prince of the Western Regions is especially exceptional.
Those around whispered amongst themselves, but seeing Yiyun Shangcheng's cold, handsome face and exotic attire, they dared not say a word. Rumor had it that although this Western Region prince had not achieved any great feats, those who had fought on the battlefield knew that in the Northwest Frontier, the most formidable enemy was Yiyun Shangcheng, whose offensive and defensive strategies were unparalleled!
However, many women secretly harbored romantic feelings and cast their gazes toward Evian City.
Yi Yun Shangcheng didn't seem to mind the gazes of the crowd, but simply stared directly at Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang immediately felt as if his body was being burned by Yi Yun Shangcheng's gaze, and felt extremely uncomfortable.
"Miss Ji, please." The princess gestured for silence, and everyone immediately fell silent, waiting for Ji Wushang to perform. With the addition of a prince from the Western Regions, what was there to say? Ji Wushang's mind was a little confused.
This is really a headache.
Bei Gongminhao was somewhat nervous. Yi Yunshangcheng and he were sworn brothers. Back then, the two of them had joined forces on Qingxuan Street and finally managed to escape by kidnapping Ji Wushang as a hostage. What had he said back then? But why was his gaze always fixed on Wushang today? Bei Gongminhao looked on, his eyes almost burning, as he looked towards Yi Yunshangcheng.
Nan Jinxue put down her wine glass, looking at Ji Wushang not far away. Was it finally time for her to perform? She'd really been waiting for this moment! Heh! Nan Jinxue sneered inwardly. Nan Jinxue, oh Nan Jinxue, you really are something! Sigh!
Yiyun Shangcheng seemed oblivious to the gaze, and simply smiled at Ji Wushang, "Before coming to your country, I heard on my journey that Miss Ji's singing skills are exceptional. Would you mind singing a song for me?"
Ji Wushang's face paled. Who said that?! His throat was a little sore today! How was he supposed to sing?! Was he trying to embarrass him?!
"My daughter is feeling unwell and cannot sing today. Please forgive her, Prince of the Western Regions." Ji Wushang bowed slightly to Yiyun Shangcheng.
Yiyun Shangcheng paused for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "I feel unwell? Where do you feel unwell?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Ji Wushang with strange eyes. It seemed that there was something fishy about the prince's words.
☆、060 Stormy Night! Full of Crisis, She Breaks Through!
Ji Wushang was also slightly embarrassed. He couldn't be disrespectful to this prince from the Western Regions in front of everyone. Besides, he was his savior. He just didn't expect to meet him again so soon.
"Your Highness, my daughter is fine." Ji Wushang cleared his throat and then said, "My daughter is still willing to paint again to enhance everyone's enjoyment!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately began to murmur among themselves. Hadn't Ji Yinxue already finished a painting? Why was she trying to rehash an old idea to fool them?
However, Yiyun Shangcheng was unaware that Ji Yinxue had already painted a picture, so she understood and said, "That's wonderful!"
The eldest princess glanced at Ji Wushang with displeasure. The prince from the Western Regions had just come out, and yet he was immediately attracted to this woman! However, she still had a smile on her face, "Someone, grant Miss Ji's request."
Ji Yinxue didn't understand why she would do this. Was it because she hadn't done enough to deserve this treatment? But that didn't make sense either. After all, she had just helped her and wasn't the one who embarrassed her. She just really didn't know what she was trying to do.
Nan Jinxue's gaze fell on Ji Wushang, and she watched her intently, no matter what she was performing.
Beigong Minhao looked towards Yiyun Shangcheng's side. Yiyun Shangcheng seemed to only notice him at this moment, and simply smiled at him without any other expression.
Ji Wushang didn't notice this; she didn't know who was who, nor did she want to know.
Ji Wushang watched as the painting screen and brushes were set up. Standing on the stage, Ji Wushang addressed the crowd, “I know my fourth sister has already performed painting, but I still choose to perform this one. As the saying goes, sisters are inseparable, and I am the same as her, so I chose this. As for painting, I am absolutely no match for my fourth sister. My inspiration comes from her.”
A collective sigh rippled through the crowd. Ji Wushang smiled slightly at Ji Yinxue, who, upon seeing this, felt a little relieved and ashamed of her earlier thoughts. Ji Meiyuan, however, glared fiercely at Ji Wushang, uttering, "What talk of sisters never parting! Humph!"
Ji Wushang slowly moved towards the center of the stage. Suddenly, she flashed into the painted screen, surprising everyone. What was Miss Ji up to? Just as they were about to speak, they saw Ji Wushang emerge from the screen. She had removed the robe that hindered her movements and was now wearing a light-colored long dress. A pink ribbon was draped over her hands and shoulders, making her look ethereal, as if she were a fairy from the Jade Pool dancing.
Fragrant embroidery and ethereal beauty are insufficient to describe her beauty at that moment.
Seeing her give a slight bow to everyone, the crowd felt somewhat relieved.
Ji Wushang smiled and began to dance. At this moment, the sound of string and bamboo instruments slowly accompanied her dance, and with the melodious sound of the instruments, Ji Wushang's dance became even more graceful.
If the musician playing the instrument was highly skilled, he could see that Ji Wushang was constantly changing her dance moves and slowly approaching the painted screen and the wolf-hair ink. When everyone saw this, they remembered that her original intention was to paint, and they immediately applauded.
Ji Wushang rolled up the ribbon and flicked it towards the ink. The ink splashed up into countless tiny droplets, almost staining Ji Wushang's skirt, but she gracefully floated past. Then, she flicked the ink-stained ribbon towards the painted screen again! Instantly, a large patch of ink splattered on the screen, flowing down as if it were some kind of natural masterpiece.
It wasn't over yet. Ji Wushang had already rolled up the ribbon with his other hand and splashed it towards the painted screen!
The people were immediately terrified. What was she doing?! Those two things just a moment ago looked like some kind of landscape, but now they looked like nothing at all!
The painted screen was already covered in large and small patches of ink from the scattered ink, so much so that it was practically ruined!
The usual way of thinking when painting is to start from the details and then arrange the overall composition. However, Ji Wushang started from the other end and did the opposite. At this moment, she was still dancing, but the ribbon had already rolled up the wolf hair at the right time. Everyone was surprised. The wolf hair was a great difficulty for a weak woman, but she actually rolled it up with a ribbon.
Ji Wushang frowned slightly. This power was a bit of an overestimation of himself, but he would not give up and would definitely persevere!
What kind of royal game is this? I've come this far; I had no say in the matter. If I lose face, it would bring shame upon General Ji's mansion, and I don't want to be laughed at! If it's a game, then I'll play it too! Who's in control is still uncertain! Who will be the master of this game is still uncertain!
To the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, Ji Wushang danced the most dazzling dance, captivating everyone around her. They wondered how she did it. As she twirled and swung her wolf-hair brush, ink splattered onto the painted screen as she flicked her silk ribbon. Gradually, the painting on the screen began to take shape. It turned out to be a phoenix rising from the ashes!
Those burning flames made everyone feel as if they were burning their own hearts! Ji Wushang tiptoed, raised his eyebrows slightly, and then put on the final touch. At the moment he put down the brush, it was as if a phoenix cried out in alarm!
It wasn't over yet. Ji Wushang looked at an empty spot to the side and danced towards it. The ribbon in his hand held up a wolf-hair brush, and eight large characters were written: "Singing in the Nine Heavens, Startling the Heavens with Fire Phoenix!"
With that, Ji Wushang flicked the wolf-hair brush back to its original position, then performed a short dance before finally putting the brush down.
Ji Wushang blinked slightly and looked at everyone, only to see that they all seemed to be in a daze, staring blankly at the painting and the beautiful figure from just now. However, Ji Wushang had already bowed to thank them, but no one had responded yet. Ji Wushang frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then walked off the stage.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, it was as if a thunderclap suddenly rang out above everyone's heads! Immediately, everyone reacted, and someone shouted, "It's going to rain!"
Before he could finish speaking, the rain began to pour down on everyone. Ji Wushang was immediately shocked. The painting he had just finished was still there! The stage was completely open to the elements. Was all his hard work going to go to waste like this?
Unexpectedly, a person suddenly flew through the chaotic crowd and landed on the stage.
Some people mistook it for an assassin and shouted, "Assassin!" Instantly, the scene became even more chaotic!
Yiyun Shangcheng frowned. Was she an assassin? But she couldn't worry about that now; the painting was more important. With that thought, she immediately peeled the painting off the screen and quickly rolled it up.
Turning around, she saw Ji Wushang standing there, neither dodging nor avoiding the rain, simply looking at her. Immediately, Yiyun Shangcheng held up the painting, "Miss Ji!"
"Thank you," Ji Wushang said. Yiyun Shangcheng immediately jumped down from the platform, while Beigong Minhao quickly helped shield Ji Wushang's head from the rain. "Miss Ji, quickly move to the side to take shelter from the rain." Ji Wushang turned her head, wanting to see where Ji Yinxue was, but Beigong Jueshi had already taken the lead and invited Ji Yinxue to the side to take shelter from the rain.
Ji Wushang nodded and jogged to the side, while Beigong Minhao caught up immediately.
When Yiyun Shangcheng saw the two jogging figures, the smile on her face froze, and she stopped walking, letting the rain wet her face.
When Ji Wushang turned around to look for Yi Yunshang's figure, he had already disappeared.
Ji Wushang frowned. What had just happened to him?
"What's wrong?" Beigong Minhao asked after turning around and straightening his clothes.
"It's nothing," Ji Wushang replied. "Thank you." Then he went to find Ji Yinxue, who was already chatting shyly with Beigong Jueshi, only saying one sentence at a time before switching to another.
Ji Wushang watched and stood aside with peace of mind.
It's a pity about his painting; I wonder where he took it.
Nan Jinxue kept thinking about finding Ji Wushang in the crowd. Finally, she saw her at the corner and immediately rushed up to her.
Unexpectedly, Ji Meiyuan suddenly stopped him. "Second Young Master Nan!" Ji Meiyuan said in surprise, "I didn't expect to see you here. This is wonderful!"
Nan Jinxue smiled slightly upon hearing this, "Second Miss."
"Second Young Master Nan, isn't it strange? The sky was so bright just a moment ago, but now it's raining, which has spoiled everyone's mood!" Ji Meiyuan said to Nan Jinxue with a slight smile on her face.
Nan Jinxue's eyes darkened slightly. She had drunk quite a bit of wine earlier, but she was already sober. "What the Second Miss said is true. I have some other matters to attend to, so please excuse me." With that, she cupped her hands in farewell to Ji Meiyuan. Ji Meiyuan was about to say something when Nan Jinxue had already walked towards the corner.
Ji Wushang watched the wind and rain. Although it had come so suddenly, the autumn rain was a beautiful sight. The chrysanthemums, washed by the rain, stood even straighter and were even more beautiful.
The eldest princess and the crown prince had already taken refuge in a side room. They had a young eunuch relay a message that everyone was allowed to wander around in the wind and rain. If they got wet, they could go to a side room and be led by a maid to change their clothes.
Seeing that Ji Yinxue was still chatting with Beigong Jueshi, Ji Wushang stopped worrying and went to the side to enjoy the rain. Beigong Minhao, on the other hand, really wanted to talk to Ji Wushang, but unexpectedly, he saw Nan Jinxue coming towards him. Naturally, he was displeased. Beigong Minhao stepped forward and said, "So it's Young Master Nan here too. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Your Highness, I've heard so much about you!" Nan Jinxue was a little displeased. She had just witnessed his kindness towards Ji Wushang, but she hadn't expected that he also harbored feelings for Ji Wushang. She had truly underestimated Ji Wushang! However, Ji Wushang was now so dazzling that she couldn't take her eyes off her.
"I heard that the Southern Prince's illness is getting better?" Bei Gongminhao asked, making a seemingly irrelevant remark.
Nan Jinxue was taken aback. How did he know about the Marquis's residence? But she still politely said, "My brother's illness has improved a lot."
"Did you attend this grand banquet today?" Beigong Minhao continued to ask.
"He should be, or he shouldn't be. You know he has mobility issues." Nan Jinxue was a little impatient, but she couldn't lose her temper because Bei Gongminhao was the crown prince.
Upon hearing this, Bei Gongminhao seemed to have a hint of regret on his face. "That's truly a pity. I've long heard that the Prince of the South lives in seclusion in the Marquis's mansion, but I've never been able to visit him. What a pity!"
Nan Jinxue rolled her eyes at him. What did this regret have to do with her? Was he stalling for time? There was no need for that!
"I'm so sorry, I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll have to take my leave first," Nan Jinxue said, forcing a smile.
Bei Gongminhao's dark eyes darkened slightly. "Fine." His face was already extremely displeased. Nan Jinxue didn't care about him at all. She turned her gaze away from him and looked towards the corner. But there was no sign of Ji Wushang.