Ye Qingcheng followed the wet nurse to the courtyard. Before she could get close, she heard sounds of laughter and playful noise. From a distance, Ye Qingcheng saw a pond filled with lotus flowers. The pond wasn't large, but there were boats navigating through the lotus blossoms, as if seeking to experience the joy firsthand.
Suddenly, the sound of plucked strings echoed. Ye Qingcheng turned her head to look at the people in the courtyard.
Ye Qingcheng's lips curved slightly, "Is someone playing the qin?"
Ye Qingcheng stopped, listening to the distant zither music.
A gentle breeze swept by, and the qin music was deep and powerful, majestic and magnificent, as if a single drop of water had rippled outwards. A dizi flute joined in, its tone tinged with contempt and a sigh, casting a veil of mystery. Then, a erhu joined, like a galloping cavalry, lamenting valiant ambition.
The pipa music began, delicate yet strong, with a lingering melody. The notes from the fingertips were soft, subtly seeking to overpower the other pleasing tones.
After all, no instrument could replace the sound of the pipa.
Though it was a combination of four musical instruments, their fusion was so seamless and complete that it stirred the blood, making one want to leap up and dance.
Birds also began to perch in the courtyard, drawing surprised glances from everyone.
Suddenly, the sound of a sword being drawn startled the birds. It turned out a man had drawn his sword and was about to perform a dance.
Following the rising emotion of the music, Ye Qingcheng saw the man uncontrollably leap into the air and tread on the water, venturing deep into the lotus flowers.
Ye Qingcheng chuckled softly, truly like the saying: "Striving to cross, striving to cross, startling a flock of gulls and egrets."
As the song ended, the audience was still lost in its afterglow.
A moment later, applause erupted as expected.
"Truly worthy of the title 'Capital's Foremost Talented Lady and Scholar'."
"If I were to step forward to accompany the music, I would certainly not be able to match it."
"Haha! What a lingering charm!"
Ye Qingcheng also joined in the applause.
The crowd quieted down and turned to look. Upon seeing Ye Qingcheng, their faces filled with confusion as they couldn't help but size her up.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the people in the courtyard who had not yet put down their instruments and were seated before them.
At the forefront were those playing the guqin and pipa.
A man and a woman.
The wet nurse who had brought Ye Qingcheng forward stepped up, found her young lady, and introduced her, "This is the Regent's Consort."
Her words startled everyone, who quickly rose to bow, "Greetings, Consort."
Ye Qingcheng was somewhat taken aback. After all, she had never received such courtesies at the Regent's mansion. Even the elderly women she had met earlier had merely nodded or offered a slight bow.
Bi Xi tugged at her sleeve. Ye Qingcheng finally came back to her senses, cleared her throat, and said, "No need for so much formality."
"Thank you, Consort."
Ye Qingcheng smiled slightly, "I too was invited to this mansion, so I apologize for the intrusion. You all need not be so formal in my presence." She then looked towards the guqin and pipa players, "Were you playing the music just now?"
The two looked at each other and bowed, "Reporting to the Consort, yes."
Ye Qingcheng smiled, "Then what is this piece called?"
The few exchanged glances and smiled at each other. The young lady playing the pipa stepped forward, "Reporting to the Consort, it has no name. This piece is something we composed spontaneously, and it has yet to be named."
Ye Qingcheng's heart trembled. Such a powerful and moving piece, with a lingering charm – and they called it spontaneous composition?
For a moment, Ye Qingcheng found herself at a loss for words.
It's over, we're not in the same circle at all, I can't fit in!
After a moment of silence, Miss Cheng stepped in to ease the situation, "Consort, please come sit! Try the pastries that were just served. They are from a new shop in the west of the city, and their pastries are delicious."
Ye Qingcheng nodded and smiled, her heart already in turmoil. Sister, you've smoothed things over so well.
In a daze, she thought she saw a look of disdain in the eyes of the girl playing the pipa as she looked at her.
No, it wasn't Ye Qingcheng misjudging. The girl was indeed looking at her with utter disdain. In any case, Ye Qingcheng was very displeased now.
Was it that big a deal that she didn't pick up on the conversation?
After sitting down, Ye Qingcheng pursed her lips and gave Miss Cheng a thin smile, but her gaze was directed at the pipa player, "May I ask who this lady is?"
Miss Cheng replied, "She is the Sheng family's fourth daughter, Sheng Yiran, a renowned talented lady in the capital."
Sheng Yiran, upon hearing herself mentioned, proudly straightened her back and adjusted her posture.
"Oh~" Ye Qingcheng nodded, so she was a talented lady! "Then the young gentleman playing the guqin with her is..."
"That is the only child of the Grand Princess and the驸马 (Imperial Son-in-law), Young Master Yu, Yu Changan."
Grand Princess? Ye Qingcheng's eyebrows twitched. In her understanding, Grand Princesses were always young and beautiful girls. How could their son be this old?
Miss Cheng, seeing her expression, understood she had misunderstood and quickly explained, "That is because she is the current Emperor's sister, the Grand Princess."
Ye Qingcheng finally understood. So she was the Emperor's elder sister! The current Crown Prince was about the same age as her father. Xiao Wangye could be Regent perhaps because of his seniority, but the Crown Prince's father, the Emperor, was already over sixty. This didn't seem right either!
The current Emperor was already over sixty, and the Grand Princess was his elder sister. Then why was her son so young? He seemed far too young!
Ye Qingcheng looked at Miss Cheng. Miss Cheng's mouth twitched, but she still explained, "That is because the Grand Princess did not wish to marry an official in her youth and be used for political alliances by the royal family. She delayed her marriage until His Majesty ascended the throne. His Majesty believed that his sister deserved to marry for love, and thus she married in her early thirties. However, there are rumors that the reason the marriage to the驸马 was settled so quickly was that the Grand Princess and the驸马 had long been deeply in love, and the驸马 had not taken a wife because he was waiting for the Grand Princess."
Oh~ Ye Qingcheng understood. A woman having a child at an advanced age!
All she had read when she transmigrated were love stories between male and female protagonists. She had paid little attention to court affairs. So, the Grand Princess and the驸马 had such a tragically beautiful and happy ending love story!
Looking at Yu Changan and Sheng Yiran conversing in the distance, their manners were polite, and they treated her courteously without any presumption. It seemed the Grand Princess had raised him very well! Because she had given birth late in life, she could only have one child, yet there were no complaints heard from the驸马.
It seems they are truly in love!
Therefore, for Yu Changan, he had never experienced any schemes and intrigues; he grew up surrounded by deep affection, which made it understandable why the Sheng lady beside him was a white lotus, putting on a front while having ulterior motives. He couldn't see it, and he couldn't see that Sheng lady's eyes were full of affection for him, nor could he see that!
Ye Qingcheng took a sip of tea and savored the taste. This Young Master Yu was a good person, but his heart was too soft. This was not good.
She felt sorry for his future wife! Staying in her own courtyard, feeling heartbroken!
However, these pastries were truly delicious. She would have to visit the west of the city on her way back and buy some to take home.
But what was the name of this new shop again?
Just as she was about to ask Miss Cheng, she saw her engrossed in conversation with others and had no opportunity to interject herself.
Ye Qingcheng looked around and realized she seemed to be alone, becoming a striking landscape, beautiful in her solitude.