Chapter 149 Shocked Everyone With Her Performance
Mrs. Tong thought that Tong Yingying might gain the power to manage the East Palace. Although Tong Yingying was not born by her, she was way smarter than Tong Xuan. After marrying into the East Palace, with the support of Duke Wu Mansion, Tong Yingying might be able to gain the Queen’s favor.
“Even if the crown princess doesn’t manage the East Palace well, I’m afraid it won’t be up to your daughters to manage it.” Duchess Wu came over and said helplessly, “Brother is already unwise, and Sister-in-law, you are even sillier than him.”
Mrs. Tong obviously wanted to make use of Zhou Sisi from Duke Wu Mansion who was mentally deficient… But how could she just make it so clear? Although Zhou Sisi was a bit retarded, the Zhou family would definitely not allow the Tong family to use Zhou Sisi as a springboard for Tong Yingying to marry into the East Palace! Mrs. Tong hurriedly assured, “Sister-in-law, you’re right. Our Tong family dares not make use of Duke Wu Mansion.”
Earl Cheng’en Mansion was Li Lingling’s natal family, but the one who came today was not Li Lingling’s mother, but Concubine Li of Earl Cheng’en’s heir, whose father was very favored by the Empress Dowager.
When Fulu heard about this, she said, “What is my uncle doing? How could he send a concubine to this banquet? Although Li Lingling is not a good person, it’s too much to have a concubine attend this kind of a banquet…”
A general’s daughter said, “I heard that today’s banquet was cooked by Concubine Li’s father, Imperial Chef Li, who was very favored by the Empress Dowager.” “Mrs. Zheng, who offended Concubine Li last time, has turned into soil now.”
“Everyone in Earl Cheng’en Mansion is very respectful to Concubine Li. She is almost more important than the wife of Earl Cheng’en’s heir.”
Qiao Jinniang looked over. Li Lingling didn’t have any disdain for Concubine Li, but treated her as a distinguished guest, which was really confusing
“Mommy!” Tuan’er trotted over and threw himself into Qiao Jinniang’s arms.
The people on the side all saluted.
Qiao Jinniang picked up little Lu Xi and kissed him on his soft little face. “Dear baby, do you miss Mom?”
Little Lu Xi snuggled into Qiao Jinniang’s arms and said, “Yes, I miss you a lot! When can you live with Daddy?”
Qiao Jinniang smiled and said, “It’s almost time.”
Today, Lu Chen and his brothers also came to attend the banquet, but Princess Jinghua didn’t come because she hadn’t recovered yet.
During the banquet, Consort Huai Li Lingling offered to perform a beautiful dance for the guests.
Li Lingling was very good at dancing, but seeing her wearing a thin dance dress in such a cold winter, Qiao Jinniang couldn’t help but shiver.
After Li Lingling finished dancing, she looked at Qiao Jinniang. “I have heard that Miss Qiao is from the South where it is famous for its beautiful songs. I wonder if I will be lucky enough to listen to Miss Qiao sing. I will also personally dance to your song.”
Qiao Jinniang: “…”
She liked to listen to Southern songs, and there were singers in her restaurants, but she wasn’t good at singing.
Qiao Jinniang said, “I’m not good at singing, but I can play zither. If you don’t mind, I will play a song together with Consort Huai.”
Nowadays, noblemen would learn the Six Arts, while noble girls would learn zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, singing and dancing
Qiao Jinniang was poor at painting, but was not that bad at other arts.
Now that Consort Huai had performed her dance, if she rejected performing, she might be despised. Moreover, since she had already decided to marry into the East Palace, there was no need to hide her talent.
Li Lingling swept her gaze to Tong Yingying and said, “Speaking of zither, Miss Tong is the best at it. The beautiful ‘High Mountain and Flowing Water’ she performed at her coming-of-age ceremony four years ago stunned everyone. Why don’t you two have a little competition?”
Tong Yingying got up and said, “Miss Qiao’s ancestors are all military generals. How about playing ‘Da Mian’ today?”
Da Mian was the song depicting the famous General Lanling in the Southern and Northern Dynasties killing the enemies on the battlefield. Lanling was too handsome to intimidate his enemy so he always wore a mask on the battlefield.
After this matter was compiled into a song, few people played it, but in the past ten years this song became very popular. Da Mian was also called “Lanling on the Battlefield”.
Qiao Jinniang felt fortunate. She might not know other songs, but she was very familiar with this song, so she replied, “Okay.” Tong Yingying smiled and said, “This song can’t be done without a dance. Please allow me to invite His Royal Highness to dance.”
What Tong Yingying thought was that for the sake of his father, Imperial Censor Tong, the Crown Prince would not reject her today.
However, Lu Chen didn’t even give her a look or even a response. Obviously, he didn’t take Tong Yingying seriously, and just pretended that he didn’t hear her.
Qiao Jinniang stood up and said, “If we play it well, why do we need a dancer? I’d like to play this song with Miss Tong!”
Tong Yingying looked at Qiao Jinniang with contempt. She had been practicing zither since she was four years old, and very few people in Chang’an could compete with her in zither.
Qiao Jinniang, who came from the small town, Lin’an, might only be able to play some vulgar folk songs. What made her think she could compete with her in zither?!
Li Lingling ordered people to bring up two zithers.
Qiao Jinniang tried it out. These zithers were of very good quality. And the common plot in novels where her zither would be secretly damaged didn’t happen here.
Li Lingling had thought about doing something to the zither, but since Qiao Jinniang stupidly said that she wanted to compete with Tong Yingying in zither, she felt that it was unnecessary. Qiao Jinniang might have learned zither for a few days, but Tong Yingying had been practicing it for two hours a day ever since she was a child.
Ordinary people had no chance to beat her in zither.
Fulu asked Qiao Ruoyi curiously, “Have you ever seen Qiao Jinniang play a zither at home? Everyone knows that I am her friend. If she is defeated by Tong Yingying, wouldn’t I lose face?”
Qiao Ruoyun also looked at Qiao Ruoyi worriedly.
Qiao Ruoyi said, “Sister only likes reading books, counting money, and occasionally carving radishes and making cakes and delicacies. I have never seen her play a zither.”
Fulu was worried. Zither playing required practicing every day, not to mention Da Mian which was extremely difficult to play.
Qiao Jinniang sat in front of the zither and tuned it for a while. After all, she hadn’t played the zither for more than half a year. Watching Qiao Jinniang tuning the zither, Tong Yingying was amused and asked, “Can you really play the zither, Miss Qiao?” If she could play the zither, why was she tuning the zither like a four-year-old?
Qiao Jinniang sat upright and said, “Okay, I’m ready.”
Tong Yingying also took a seat, and Qiao Jinniang and Tong Yingying sat opposite each other in the pavilion, one in red and the other in white.
Qiao Jinniang put her hands on the zither, closed her eyes and placed her fingertips on the strings.
Once they started to play, Tong Yingying on the opposite side almost couldn’t keep up. After she managed to stabilize, she found it too difficult for her to keep up with Qiao Jinniang.
She had no choice but to give up, because she was unable to keep up with Qiao Jinniang’s pace. If she forcibly kept up, she would seem incompetent in playing this tune. When the crowd heard Qiao Jinniang play, they envisioned that in a majestic mountain, Warrior Lanling, wearing armor and a mask, was fighting bravely to kill the enemy. The tune was solemn, deep and magnificent.
The guests seemed to be witnessing the heroic scenes on the battlefield where soldiers were fighting and horses were galloping.
When the song was over, everyone was silent.
Tong Yingying waited for Qiao Jinniang to finish playing before saying, “What you played is not Da Mian!”
