Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Jiang Mo noticed that the silk ribbon covering Chen Yingchou's eyes had a small damp patch.

Father and son did not exchange a single word, yet it felt as if thousands of words had been spoken.

The music stopped, Princess Jing's dance came to an end. She stepped forward and performed a courtesy salute, saying, "Your daughter-in-law has performed poorly."

The Emperor, who had hardly appreciated the dance, now shifted his gaze from Prince Yu to the woman in the center of the hall. "Reward her."

Princess Jing withdrew, and Prince Kang, pushed in a wheelchair by an attendant, arrived at the center of the marble platform. He bowed to the Emperor and Empress. Two more attendants brought forth an object and stood beside him. Prince Kang lifted the red cloth covering it. "Your son has found this South Sea red coral, vibrant and pure in color, rare in the world. Your son wishes my father and mother boundless longevity and Great Qi everlasting prosperity."

"Well done, well done, Old Six is very thoughtful." The Emperor looked at the Noble Consort. "You have put much effort into this."

The Noble Consort rose and performed a salute, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your humble wife has prepared..."

"No need, keep it," the Emperor interrupted. "Old Six now looks in good health—that is the best gift you have given me. Since you've given me such a fine gift, I should reward you. You may go to my private treasury and select any item you like."

The Noble Consort came to Prince Kang's side, and they bowed together to the Emperor.

"Your humble wife thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

"Your son thanks Father for the reward."

Subsequently, the Tenth Prince and An Zeyou presented a double sword dance, and the consorts from various palaces also presented their talents or offered gifts.

After the last consort had been dismissed and expressed her thanks, Prince Rui rose and said, "Father, I've heard Princess Yu is skilled at the zither. Coincidentally, my own consort is also adept at the seven-stringed qin. Why not let them play together today as a tribute to Father?"

The Empress's expression darkened. "Even if both are skilled in the seven-stringed qin, they must each have their most proficient pieces. In my opinion, let them perform separately."

Prince Rui smiled, exuding confidence and composure. "Today's duet will center on Princess Yu's choice of piece. Whatever piece she decides to play, my consort can accompany her—not merely in rhythm, but in harmony of melody. I humbly ask for Your Majesty's approval."

Hearing this, the crowd began to murmur. To harmonize in melody with any piece requires both musical knowledge and a vast repertoire. Common pieces were manageable, but a rare tune would demand not only superb skill but also deep rhythmic understanding and quick thinking.

Jiang Mo grumbled to herself. This was a real challenge. Choosing a common piece would appear deliberately modest, while selecting a rare one would seem intentionally difficult.

Prince Rui had calculated his move well. No matter what she chose, she would lose this round.

Jiang Mo instinctively looked at An Zeyou.

An Zeyou seemed to have been waiting for her to look. He raised his eyebrows slightly with a nonchalant air, as if now that things were coming to a head, he didn't care anymore.

Everyone in the hall was guessing what piece Princess Yu would choose, but only Jiang Mo knew she had no choice at all.

An Zeyou slowly rose and bowed. "Your Majesty, I am skilled in the bamboo flute. Since there's going to be a duet, let me join in."

The original plan was to play together to get closer to the Emperor. Unexpectedly, Prince Rui's words had made it seem natural.

Flute in hand, he walked slowly over to Jiang Mo. "Has Princess Yu chosen a piece?"

An Zeyou's gaze was calm and composed, as if it didn't matter if she chose another piece.

Jiang Mo hadn't expected An Zeyou to do this. With doubt and unease, she rose and walked to the center of the marble platform, with An Zeyou by her side. They stood side by side.

Jiang Mo performed a courtesy to the Emperor. "As the old year departs the cold and the new year welcomes the spring, your daughter-in-law presents the piece 'Spring Sunshine.' May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and eternal peace, may Her Majesty the Empress have prosperity year after year, and may Great Qi be peaceful and harmonious, bathed forever in spring sunshine for countless generations."

How could she dare to choose another piece?

The Empress nodded with satisfaction. "Ya Lan, you are truly thoughtful."

The Emperor's expression shifted slightly. After letting his gaze rest briefly on An Zeyou, he looked at Chen Yingchou. "Old Nine, you and Zeyou are the same age, childhood friends with a bond from youth. For this 'Spring Sunshine' piece, let the two of you perform a duet on the xiao and flute."

...

The crowd exchanged glances. Wasn't Princess Yu supposed to perform? Then Princess Rui was to join in a duet? Afterwards, Master An also wanted to join? In the end, it had become a duet between Prince Yu and Master An?

And what about Princess Yu and Princess Rui?

Chen Yingchou rose. "Father, Lan'er has practiced the zither for several days to present this piece. Her sole sincerity is to please Father and Mother, and I am deeply moved. Moreover, I have not touched the xiao for a long time; the instrument has gathered dust, and if I play poorly, it would be embarrassing. I beg Father to allow Lan'er to play this piece solo."

An Zeyou immediately said, "Your Majesty, you may not know that Princess Yu happened to hear me play this piece and liked it very much. Finding its meaning fitting for the occasion of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, she asked me for the score. Although the xiao and flute cannot be played together, the bond between Zeyou and Prince Yu is eternal. It was fate that led Princess Yu to hear me play this piece. Let Princess Yu take Prince Yu's place, and let the seven-stringed qin take the place of the jade xiao, to perform this duet, fulfilling the spirit of 'Spring Sunshine'—the flourishing of all things, the joy of youth, and shared friendship."

An Zeyou dared to say this because he sensed the Emperor's thoughts.

The Emperor was using him and Prince Yu to allude to the youthful bond between himself and An Zeyou's father. In those days, they had trusted each other, and the father had helped the Emperor secure the throne. But power was never a good thing; suspicion breeds easily, and trust is hard to rebuild.

In An Zeyou's view, the Emperor was not really nostalgic for old friendships. Perhaps, at his age, he wanted to reminisce about that era and mourn the person he once was.

Even Prince Rui, dull as he was, picked up on the nuance. He knew the piece held special meaning for the Emperor and said no more.

The Emperor tilted his head slightly toward the hall outside, his eyes distant. No one knew what he was thinking.

After a long while, the Emperor let out a soft sigh, adjusted his sleeves slightly, and said, "Approved."

Immediately, attendants placed a qin in the center of the lowest marble step. Jiang Mo performed another courtesy to the high seats and walked toward the seven-stringed qin.

At this moment, An Zeyou did not hesitate to follow Jiang Mo's figure with his gaze. As she passed him, he extended his hand in a gesture of "after you," showing his respect as a fellow performer.

Jiang Mo stopped and nodded politely in return, but her eyes were full of apprehension.

An Zeyou raised his eyebrows with a smirk, his expression one of complete control.

With an uneasy heart, Jiang Mo sat before the seven-stringed qin, slowly raised her hands, and plucked the strings.

The moment the qin sounded, An Zeyou's flute followed closely.

The gentle, soothing qin tones spoke of spring's warmth and generosity; the clear, melodious flute notes depicted the vibrant vitality of the season.

The instrumental harmony touched the heart, making one feel as if they were in a wilderness where the ice had melted, spring water gurgled, the soil was soft, and green grass spread out, sensing the power of all things poised to sprout.

Jiang Mo played cautiously, afraid to make a single mistake.

An Zeyou played lightly and casually, following the tune as he blew his bamboo flute. He occasionally looked at the crowd below, sometimes at the high seats, and even took a few steps upward.

The melody gradually rose in pitch. The next passage was extremely challenging. Jiang Mo focused all her concentration on the strings.

Thus, when a sharp breeze rushed past her ear and a sharp pain struck her earlobe, she was completely unprepared. She started, her whole body jolting, and snapped a string.

A few strands of hair from her temples fell onto the strings.

She looked up, following the gust of wind. A sleeve arrow grew larger then smaller in her vision, speeding straight toward the Emperor.

In the next moment, An Zeyou appeared before her, easily blocking the arrow's path.

The qin string broke, and the arrow embedded itself directly into An Zeyou's right chest. Blood immediately seeped out.

"Assassin! Protect His Majesty!" the old eunuch shouted.

Among the musicians in the rear, one leaped out, using his lightness skill, and escaped through the hall's entrance.

The two guards beside the dragon throne shielded the Emperor, while the Yulin Army outside the hall split into two groups—one entered the hall to surround everyone, and the other pursued the musician.

Everyone scrambled to take cover, some hiding behind palace maids, others under tables.

Amid the chaos, An Zeyou's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Mo's face, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth; his expression showed pain but also triumphant gloating, as if telling her his goal was achieved.

Jiang Mo stared blankly at the sleeve arrow lodged in his heart, her expression complex.

Why on earth would he gamble his own life? What a madman!

The Emperor stood up, looked at the fallen An Zeyou, and barked, "Summon the imperial physician at once!"

"Your Highness, are you unharmed?"

Xingchun's voice came from beside her.

Then she heard Prince Yu calling her, "Lan'er, Lan'er, are you all right?"

Jiang Mo, still dazed, turned her head dazedly and saw Qiao Yun supporting Prince Yu, who walked toward her.

She wanted to go to him, but her legs trembled so violently she couldn't stand.

Chen Yingchou hurried to her side, touched her shoulder, crouched down and took her hand. "Lan'er, are you hurt?"

Jiang Mo's gaze remained fixed toward An Zeyou, though several eunuchs had gathered around him, pressing down on his chest; his face grew paler, the blood on his chest spread, and his eyes glazed over and then closed.

She shook her head, her voice uncertain. "My lord, it seems Young Master An is dying."

Chen Yingchou turned back, then shook his head in frustration—blind as he was, what could he see?

"Don't be afraid, Lan'er." He raised his hand and covered Jiang Mo's eyes.

His Lan'er had grown up in the inner chambers, unused to bloodshed. Though he couldn't see how badly An Zeyou was hurt, he could tell from Lan'er's trembling voice that the wounds were severe and horrifying. Lan'er must have been frightened.

The Emperor, his face dark with rage, looked at the panicked crowd. "All ministers, return to your homes." He sighed and then turned to the consorts. "Empress, all of you may retire as well."

"Yes."

Everyone rose to leave. Chen Yingchou scooped Jiang Mo up into his arms and carried her out of the hall.

After just two steps, Qiao Yun quickly reminded him, "Your Highness, mind the steps."

Chen Yingchou frowned and stopped.

Jiang Mo had calmed down considerably. "My lord, I can walk on my own."

After Chen Yingchou set her down, his expression soured.

Qiao Yun immediately stepped forward to support him and walked out of the hall, passing the imperial physicians rushing in.

Jiang Mo looked back. An Zeyou lay motionless on the marble dais, blood spreading from his chest, more and more streaming from the corner of his mouth. The bamboo flute was stained red, the seven-stringed qin had been knocked over, tables and chairs were askew, plates, food, and wine were spilled everywhere, and the attendants scrambled to clean up—the entire hall was in disarray.