The Morning Sun Palace
By the time the banquet to celebrate the victory began, most of the officials ranked fifth or higher and their families had arrived.
The celebratory banquet was about to commence, yet Leng Ruo Li was nowhere to be found. Even Jun Mo Han's whereabouts were unknown.
At this moment, Leng Jin Yu paced anxiously outside the entrance of the Morning Sun Palace.
If he weren't the protagonist of the evening, he would have long since run off to find his eldest daughter.
Suddenly, a clear and pleasant female voice called out from behind him.
"Father~"
Leng Jin Yu quickly turned around and saw a slender figure rushing towards him.
"Father, I'm here."
Leng Ruo Li called out beautifully.
"Li'er, where did you go? You worried your father sick."
"I'm sorry, it's my fault for being playful and getting lost in the palace, causing you to worry, Father."
"Alright, alright, it's good that you're okay."
To prevent Leng Jin Yu from worrying about her, she decided to keep what happened tonight a secret from him.
Afterward, Leng Jin Yu glanced at the aloof and proud figure behind Leng Ruo Li and quickly thanked him.
"Your Highness Prince Leng, thank you for helping this old minister find Li'er tonight."
"General Leng, there's no need for such formalities with this Prince."
With that, he turned and entered the Morning Sun Palace ahead of them.
Leng Jin Yu, with Leng Ruo Li, followed closely behind Jun Mo Han into the Morning Sun Palace.
Just as they sat down, a figure clad in imperial yellow appeared at the entrance of the Morning Sun Palace, accompanied by the grating, duck-like voice of a eunuch:
"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
The Emperor, along with the Empress and the consorts from various palaces, took their seats. Everyone quickly stood up and knelt on the open ground in the center, exclaiming:
"Long live His Majesty! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"
"All my ministers, please rise!"
The Emperor, seated on the dragon throne, waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone rose and took their seats.
Leng Ruo Li, as an ancient person with a modern soul, strongly disliked these kneeling rituals. However, this was ancient times, and she had to respect the customs here. She followed the crowd in performing the kowtow.
Leng Ruo Li lifted her eyes to glance at the Emperor seated on the dragon throne. His features bore a striking resemblance to Jun Mo Han, with handsome and distinct features, piercing, spirited eyes, and an aura of authority radiating from him.
The Emperor swept his gaze across the hall and said, "Today is the joyous occasion of General Leng's triumphant return. General Leng, you have indeed lived up to expectations by pacifying the Northern Frontier, which greatly pleases me."
"This banquet is a welcoming feast held by me for General Leng and all the generals who have returned from the Northern Frontier. Let everyone eat and drink well."
At this moment, the Empress suddenly said, "Your Majesty, the noble ladies of various households have meticulously prepared talent performances for General Leng and the other generals. May I suggest that the young ladies present showcase their talents to liven up the atmosphere?"
"Mmm~ Then, let it be as the Empress wishes."
Afterward, the Empress addressed everyone present, "Tonight, I have arranged a talent show for this celebratory banquet. Both males and females may participate. Whoever wins first prize will receive a personal reward of a jade Ruyi from me."
With that, the Empress had a young eunuch display the jade Ruyi to everyone.
Instantly, the entire hall erupted in a buzz of excitement...
The crowd below became lively again.
"The Empress's jade Ruyi is no ordinary jade Ruyi. It was a birthday gift presented to the Empress by the Southern Zhao Kingdom last year. It is said that there are only three such jade Ruyis on the entire continent, making it extremely precious."
"Indeed. I also heard that if this jade Ruyi is placed in one's bedchamber, it can also nourish the skin and enhance beauty. It's just a pity that it's impossible for me to win first prize..."
"Alas... me too. I suspect that Qin Xi Xue, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Qin's manor, will definitely win first prize. It's said that her zither playing is unmatched in the capital."
"No, no, no, I think it will be the second daughter of General Leng's manor, Leng Ruo Shuang, who wins first prize, because she is the most talented and beautiful woman renowned throughout the capital."
"..."
As the discussions continued...
Qin Xi Xue, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Qin's manor, was the first to volunteer. She walked onto the open ground, holding her beloved guzheng, and faced the Emperor, playing a piece called "Guang Ling San." Its melody was passionate and heroic, imbued with the atmosphere of battle and conflict, fitting perfectly with the evening's mood.
Upon finishing the piece, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. The Emperor, seated at the head of the hall, praised, "Minister Qin, Miss Qin plays the zither beautifully. Truly, a father's daughter reflects his virtues!"
Following this, the officials began to flatter Prime Minister Qin: "Yes, yes, Prime Minister Qin has truly raised his daughter well, cultivating Miss Qin to be so outstanding..."
Prime Minister Qin sat there, basking in the flattery, his face beaming with smiles.
Next, the daughter of the Grand Scholar presented a painting, and the daughter of the Minister of Personnel performed a sword dance...
With the Emperor and Empress present, everyone was inevitably a bit nervous, and their performances were decent. However, overall, everyone performed quite well.
Finally, it was Leng Ruo Shuang's turn. She had chosen to dance tonight, performing her most skilled dance, "Dance of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress."
She cheerfully shed her outer garments, revealing a pale pink, cinched-waist, wide-sleeved, sheer gauze gown that accentuated her graceful figure. She whispered a few words to the court musicians. Then, the music began, and Leng Ruo Shuang danced gracefully. Her slender, jade-like hands moved with fluid elegance, her body swaying with the music, her sleeves fluttering. Under the accompaniment of the skilled court musicians, she quickly captivated the attention of everyone present.
After the dance, thunderous applause echoed through the hall, especially from the young gentlemen who admired Leng Ruo Shuang, all of them going wild. Even Leng Ruo Li offered her inner praise.
That dance was truly excellent!
Leng Ruo Shuang bowed to the Emperor and Empress and then, amidst the applause, returned to her seat.
The Emperor, seated on the dragon throne, praised Leng Jin Yu without reservation, "General Leng, your second daughter dances quite well." After speaking, he chuckled heartily, "Hahaha..."
Leng Jin Yu's expression remained calm as he replied, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
"Next, is there anyone else who wishes to perform?" the Empress called out loudly.
Silence fell upon the crowd...
Just then, someone reminded, "Your Majesty Empress, the eldest daughter of General Leng's manor, Leng Ruo Li, has not yet performed."
At these words, everyone frowned and muttered, "Is the girl who said that lacking a screw in her head? Everyone in the capital knows that Leng Ruo Li is a notorious, foolish, and ugly woman."
"Uh... let's skip her."
Although the Empress had uttered a brief statement that seemed to offer Leng Ruo Li and Leng Jin Yu an out, anyone with a bit of intelligence could understand the many implications within her words.
Following this, Leng Jin Yu stood up and bowed to the Emperor and Empress, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty Empress, my eldest daughter has been mentally unwell for many years. I apologize, but she is unable to perform for everyone."
Leng Ruo Shuang, sitting in her seat, was furious. She fiercely clutched her silk handkerchief, unwilling to lose the opportunity to humiliate Leng Ruo Li.
She suddenly interjected, "Father, you have just returned and surely do not know, but my elder sister is no longer foolish."
Upon hearing Leng Ruo Shuang's words, Leng Jin Yu's face instantly darkened. He shot a cold glance at Leng Ruo Shuang, startling her into quickly shutting her mouth and hiding in the embrace of Madam Liu.
At this moment, Leng Ruo Li tugged at Leng Jin Yu's sleeve and whispered, "Father, your daughter can do it."
She then stood up and said to the Emperor and Empress at the head of the hall, "This humble daughter has already prepared and wishes to perform a song for everyone."
Following this, she walked out from her seat, took a piece of paper from her sleeve, and handed it to the court musicians. She also instructed them to bring ten cowhide drums. This action confused everyone present; they had no idea what she was doing.
"Sister Shuang'er, what is your legitimate elder sister trying to do?" Ye Mei Qian slowly approached Leng Ruo Shuang and asked.
Leng Ruo Shuang sneered, "Heh... messing around, I suppose."
Jun Mo Yao also looked at Leng Ruo Li's actions with disdain, thinking this fool was here purely to embarrass herself.
Only Jun Mo Han sat calmly, his face filled with anticipation. He had interacted with Leng Ruo Li several times and knew she was not as simple as she appeared, but rather a hidden master whose actions would shake the capital.
At this moment, ten cowhide drums had already been arranged on the open ground in the center. She then called for the nine chosen drummers to stand to the side. She quietly explained the rules for drumming to them, and the drummers quickly grasped the concept.
Next, Leng Ruo Li personally took two drumsticks and sat at the very front, facing the Emperor on the dragon throne.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
Ten drumbeats, accompanied by a majestic song, began.
With arrogant pride, facing waves of hardship,
My hot blood shines like the red sun,
My courage is as strong as iron, my bones like refined steel,
My chest holds vastness, my vision stretches for a thousand miles.
I strive with all my might to be a good man,
To be a strong man, I must strive for self-improvement every day.
A man of hot blood shines brighter than the sun,
Let the sea and sky gather energy for me.
...
Soon, an inspiring rendition of "A Man Should Be Self-Reliant" filled the air, stirring the hearts of everyone present.
Especially the Emperor, who had seen battle, Jun Mo Han, Leng Jin Yu... these individuals were deeply moved by the song.
Moreover, it easily ignited the atmosphere of the venue, exuding immense power and passion, truly uplifting everyone's spirits.
Because of this song, everyone viewed Leng Ruo Li with newfound respect. Thunderous applause echoed, ceaselessly.