Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 810: Chapter 664

Ayimulan said to Zong Zhengxi, "Your Majesty, Ayimulan has brought the most renowned musician from Loulan to the capital this time. Please allow Yuchenglou to perform a piece for Your Majesty."

Yuchenglou stood up holding the ancient zither, bowing gracefully and composedly to Zong Zhengxi.

The incident of Loulan people deliberately showing their might at the city gate to the Imperial Guard and Jinyi Guard had already spread throughout the court.

Civil and military officials secretly cursed the Loulan people as barbarians.

Little did they expect there would be someone with such impressive demeanor, and it was a man.

In terms of appearance, Yuchenglou certainly lived up to the phrase "as handsome as Pan An."

His joints were distinct, and his fingers were long and jade-like, inexplicably evoking a sense of pity.

"This person... is different from the aura just now."

Meng Qianqian said.

While others were drawn entirely to the Princess Consort of Loulan, she observed everyone carefully.

Obviously, Yuchenglou exuded inherent arrogance and wildness but now appeared weak.

"It seems this little musician from Loulan is not simple."

Tan’er nodded seriously: "Yes, not simple!"

The sister is always right!

Meng Lang chuckled: "Tag-along."

Tan’er was about to throw punches, but there were two people in between, especially not wanting to accidentally harm her sister.

She murmured: "Wait for me!"

"Hmph, afraid of you?"

Meng Lang was unafraid.

Getting beaten up later is fine, first indulge in having a sharp tongue.

Zong Zhengxi looked towards Lu Yuan.

But Lu Yuan didn’t look at him, instead, sipping tea.

Zong Zhengxi felt somewhat anxious.

"Intentionally ignoring?"

Meng Qianqian asked softly.

Lu Yuan said, "Even without me, he handles it well."

The young Emperor should stand on his own.

In fact, Zong Zhengxi had long been able to manage state affairs independently, but once Lu Yuan returned, his dependence resurfaced.

Lu Yuan couldn’t always be the one pushing him forward.

Regardless of whether his decisions were right or wrong, he had to take the crucial first step.

Having found no help, Zong Zhengxi took a deep breath, and slowly said, "Since the Princess Consort of Loulan is so gracious, I shall not spoil the mood, permission granted."

Yuchenglou, holding the ancient zither, walked to the center of the grand hall, and said to the Court Musician of Great Zhou, "Excuse me."

The Court Musician lent him his zither stand.

He sat cross-legged on a cushion, casually plucking a few notes, which already sounded like the sounds of nature, lingering melodiously.

The Court Musician was greatly astonished: "What a fine zither."

Yuchenglou smiled politely and distantly, not intending to introduce his zither.

The Court Musician understood that the other party was proud and did not hold himself in high regard, so he did not try to curry favor anymore.

Yuchenglou began to play.

No one had ever heard such a beautiful composition; they were almost unconsciously drawn into a certain state of mind.

In a trance, the candle flames inside the hall were extinguished one by one by inner strength.

Several graceful Loulan beauties, holding pink lanterns, entered with light dance steps, moving in single file.

They formed into a splendid lotus flower.

And when the lotus bloomed, a stunning woman dressed in golden embroidery danced solo within the lotus petals, gliding with grace.

She was barefooted, her feet small and exquisite, with tiny gold bells strung on red cords around her ankles.

With the varying pace of her dance, the little bells emitted a series of captivating and charming rhythms.

Her face was covered with a thin veil, her vibrant and alluring features faintly visible, and her enchanting peach blossom eyes seemed as if they were intoxicated by the Ten-mile Peach Forest.

The civil and military ministers were enthralled.

It was hard to say whether it was the music that moved them more, or the dance that captured their souls.

In any case, they were absorbed in that realm, unable to extricate themselves for a long while.

As Yuchenglou’s zither notes quickened, her dance became vigorous and powerful, and her eyes grew intensely penetrating.

Like a hook, it firmly captured their souls.

She seemed like a spirit, a charm, a fox or an immortal, beautiful as if stepping out of a painting, mesmerically placing people in an illusion.

She slowly danced to Tan’er’s side, reaching out her soft, fair hand to gently lift Tan’er’s chin.

Tan’er stared wide-eyed.

She bowed her slender waist, gently touching Tan’er’s face with her delicate cheek.

Taner’s saliva dripped on the ground: "So, so, so beautiful, sister..."

The Dancing Girl smiled charmingly, lightly tapping Tan’er’s forehead with her fingertip, and gracefully moved away.

Tan’er stretched out her little arms, longingly saying, "Sister, don’t go... sister, love me once more!"

"Pfft—"

Meng Lang spat out a mouthful of tea.

The Dancing Girl danced again to General Zhou, gently encircling his neck with the colorful drapes wrapped around her arm.

With a light pull, though she didn’t exert force, it seemed to carry mana, captivating General Zhou’s soul.

General Zhou rose up, entranced.

The Dancing Girl coquettishly drew near him, but just as she was about to touch him, she took a glass of fine wine from the table and placed it in front of his mouth.

She left the wine glass with the soulless General Zhou, spun around, and tapped his shoulder.

General Zhou sat down abruptly.

Wang Daniu elbowed him in the stomach, "Shame!"

"Ah—"

General Zhou snapped out of it, clutching his aching stomach, whispering through gritted teeth, "What are you hitting so hard for? Trying to kill me?"

The Dancing Girl toasted several nobles with fine wine and returned to Tan’er, stroking Tan’er’s cheeks, kissing her through the veil.

Tan’er was so excited that her eyes turned wide: "Sister is so beautiful!"

The Dancing Girl was graceful and elegant, charming but not tacky, also offering Meng Qianqian a glass of wine.

Lu Yuan took it and drank it.

The Dancing Girl turned her head to cover her face, smiling shyly, and gracefully returned to the center of the lotus.

The lotus closed.

The lanterns went out.

The piece was finished.

The grand hall fell into darkness and silence.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

It was Meng Qianqian’s applause.

Everyone suddenly snapped out of it, as if awakening from a dream.

The Loulan beauties holding lanterns and the leading Dancing Girl had already exited the stage, and everyone looked at the empty center of the grand hall, feeling as if it was all a dream.

Musician Yuchenglou held the ancient zither, stood up, and bowed to the young Emperor.

Then, his gaze unintentionally swept over the Empress and the Imperial Concubine on both sides.

The Empress’s expression remained unchanged, one of the few who were not captivated by the performance.

And the Imperial Concubine’s eyes were full of admiration for the beauty, clear and pure, without a hint of jealousy.

The most enthusiastic one was the little black girl, who seemed to look through everything with longing.

He returned to Ayimulan’s side to report: "The reaction of the Great Zhou people was somewhat unexpected."

Ayimulan took a sip of tea: "Dismissed."

"Yes, Princess Consort."

Yuchenglou, holding the ancient zither, returned to his seat.

Ayimulan asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder if the performance just now satisfied you?"

Zong Zhengxi thought for a moment, then seriously said, "I’m satisfied, it’s just, she wore too little."

The Loulan envoys: "..."

Ayimulan said, "Since Your Majesty is satisfied, Ayimulan wishes to decide on behalf of the Loulan King to present our finest Dancing Girl, Alina, to Your Majesty."

"Hmm?"

Zong Zhengxi was taken aback.

Before he could react, Ayimulan clapped her hands.

Already draped in a cloak, Alina gracefully entered the hall, bowing to Zong Zhengxi, "Alina greets Your Majesty."