allonlinenovel Chapter 30 I'll Show You My Skill
Chapter 30 I'll Show You My Skill
Jun Ce, dressed in a simple, dark-colored robe that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, stepped into the hall. A wide jade belt cinched his waist, from which hung a jade pendant of emerald green. His long legs, clad in black boots, were shod as he entered.
His expression was as indifferent as his attire, yet it exuded an indescribable air of authority.
"Please sit down," he said calmly.
His sharp eyes swept across the room, lingering briefly on one spot before moving away. He said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, please take a seat."
"Your Majesty the Regent is very kind." The Empress walked to the main seat and took her seat.
Zhai Rongyu felt a burning gaze from above her head and inexplicably felt guilty.
You can't see me, you can't see me...
Zhai Muling felt puzzled.
Rong'er is fearless, so why is she a little scared when facing the Regent?
Consort Shu followed the Empress to her seat. As she passed Zhai Rongyu, she exchanged a glance with Wen Yin almost imperceptibly.
The sounds of string and wind instruments once again resounded throughout the main hall.
Zhai Rongyu breathed a sigh of relief.
Those who eat are heroes; excessive thinking is useless. Eat your rice!
She lowered her head and began to eat voraciously.
As the meal progressed, Zhai Rongyu reached for the wine on the table and drank it all in one gulp.
He then frowned and stuck out his tongue.
Ugh! What kind of wine is this? It's absolutely awful.
[It can't even compare to my senior brother's burning moonlight.]
Wen Yin glanced at her without making a sound.
He lowered his eyes, picked up a grape, and put it in his mouth.
It's unclear who started it, but suddenly the women on stage began to compete to perform their talents.
Although it was a grand ceremony to pray for the Emperor's well-being, it unusually brought together prominent families and imperial relatives from the capital. The wives of high-ranking officials meticulously prepared, hoping to showcase their talents and gain widespread fame. Being selected by a member of the royal family would be an even greater surprise.
Ah~ Dead memories suddenly started attacking me!
[It seems the older sister was inexplicably called upon at this banquet, where her amazing piano skills astonished everyone. She was then noticed by the belated male lead, which marked the beginning of her tragic and unfortunate life!]
Upon hearing this, Zhai Muling's eyes flickered.
I absolutely cannot perform any talent later.
Sure enough, someone in the crowd suddenly said, "I've heard that Minister Zhai is very good at educating his daughters. Both of them are beautiful and talented, especially the eldest Miss Zhai, who plays the zither exceptionally well! Would you be so kind as to let us see her?"
"Is that so? Then I am in for a treat today," the Empress said with a smile. "Where are Minister Zhai's two daughters?"
Zhai Muling and Zhai Rongyu stood up and bowed.
Zhai Rongyu looked completely bewildered.
[Wasn't the focus supposed to be on the older sister's performance? Why bring me up?]
[Trying to make me a background character, huh...]
Zhai Muling curtsied and apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was supposed to play a tune on the zither today, but my father was worried about His Majesty's safety and couldn't sleep day and night. I felt the same way, so I worked through the night to embroider a peace sutra to pray for His Majesty's good health."
One reason is to pray for the Emperor's well-being and to hope that the Longyan Kingdom will enjoy lasting prosperity.
Secondly, it was to share the burden of their father and fulfill their responsibilities as children.
Unfortunately, I injured my hand and I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain everyone today.
It was truly my daughter's fault; please forgive her.
He then presented the prepared prayer book.
Zhai Rongyu was stunned.
[As expected of the female lead, her rejection was impeccable!]
[They are truly well-educated and reasonable, a model of a distinguished family!]
But why is she acting so unpredictably?
[If she stops playing the zither, how will the plot progress?]
[Ugh! It crashed again! This lousy book!]
The palace maids unfurled the Scripture of Peace, and the text embroidered with gold thread on the silk scroll shone brightly, like the halo of a female protagonist.
The Empress nodded in approval: "Minister Zhai has indeed taught his daughter well. Reward him!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhai Muling curtsied and sat down.
Zhai Rong was left alone, bewildered in the wind.
[I hope I'm not being blamed for this talent show performance...]
Sure enough, another clueless person spoke up: "Is Miss Zhai injured? She is the daughter of Minister Zhai, so she can't be too bad. Why don't we invite Miss Zhai to perform?"
【…】
Are you a student who got a perfect score on the "Idiot Exam"?
Consort Shu agreed, "Today in the Imperial Garden, Miss Zhai Er truly surprised me. I never imagined that Miss Zhai Er was such a hidden talent. Her mere talent performance was naturally beyond her capabilities. I am actually quite looking forward to it."
Thinking about what happened today, the Empress began to look at Zhai Rongyu in a different light.
He then added, "I wonder what Miss Zhai is good at?"
Jun Ce sat up slightly, his gaze falling on Zhai Rongyu along with everyone else's, a hint of interest in his eyes.
Believe me, knowing what I am isn't a pleasant thing.
After all, her talents were probably meant to be displayed to demons and monsters.
Since you're all so eager to see, I'll show you a trick.
She tilted her head, a mischievous smile on her face: "As you all probably know, I grew up in the countryside and know absolutely nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. The only refined art I've ever learned is this one, and I'll make a fool of myself with it today!"
Jun Ce rested his elbows on his knees, leaned forward slightly, and asked with some curiosity:
"Oh? What is it?"
"Wooden fish".
……
The entire hall fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
"Pfft hahahaha!"
After a long while, the Third Prince burst into laughter.
This Miss Zhai is quite interesting.
【San San, it's impolite of you to keep laughing like that.】
Zhai Rongyu gave him a look.
Three three?
Jun Ce paused slightly, his deep, pool-like eyes reflecting the dark green jade pendant at his waist.
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone burst into laughter.
“Miss Zhai, if you really don’t have any other talents to offer, that’s fine, but how can you try to fob us off with a wooden fish?”
Something even a three-year-old can bang on.
"That's right, a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, Miss Zhai, there's no need to force yourself."
The murmurs among the crowd grew louder.
After today, the second young lady of the Zhai family will likely become the laughing stock of the entire capital.
Ignoring the mocking gazes of the crowd, Zhai Rongyu untied the cloth bag at her waist, took out a wooden fish, and walked into the hall.
She casually sat cross-legged, holding a wooden fish in her left hand and a mallet in her right, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, exhaling the stale air from her chest.
"quiet."
Jun Ce stared at the earnest girl before him and spoke sternly.
The hall fell silent instantly.
The girl's long eyelashes drooped slightly, her cherry lips parted gently, and a clear and melodious chanting voice flowed softly through the hall along with the sound of the wooden fish being struck.
Zhai Rongyu sang the Taoist "Chengqing" rhyme.
Her master taught her the rhythm of clearing her mind and purifying her true nature.
The mocking laughter of the crowd gradually dissipated, and following the girl's chanting, they seemed to enter a misty, ethereal, and selfless realm.
The song is over.
The crowd seemed oblivious.
Zhai Rongyu stood up, put the wooden fish back into her cloth bag, and her dimples appeared slightly: "I've made a fool of myself."
He turned and walked back to sit down next to Zhai Muling.
Jun Ce's eyes were filled with a gentle light as he looked at the smiling girl.
"Excellent! Excellent!" The Empress stood up excitedly. "I never imagined the Zhai family would have such a remarkable person! I have truly broadened my horizons today!"
Everyone snapped out of their daze and burst into applause.
The lone figure hidden in the shadows could no longer contain his amazement: This Miss Zhai is truly amazing...
The banquet continued.
Suddenly, Zhai Rongyu felt a surge of heat rising from her dantian, a tingling sensation spreading throughout her body.
She glanced at Wen Yin, who quickly looked away after meeting her gaze.
Zhai Rongyu raised an eyebrow, thinking about the wine she had just drunk.
"Sister, I'm going out for some fresh air."
She shook her slightly dizzy head, got up, and walked out of the main hall.
Wen Yin stared at her retreating figure, a shadow of gloom flashing in her eyes.