Hua Xifeng looked as if he wanted to say something more, but at that moment the emperor arrived. Everyone sat down at their seats and bowed down in respect. Li Wei had no interest on the current banquet. She pretended to listen, but she wasn't focused on the present. Even as the emperor spoke, her ears were closed. All she did was silently counted to herself, waiting until she could go home.
"Li Wei, pay attention," Li Fahrin quietly scolded. Her eyes sending a strict message towards Li Wei.
Only then did Li Wei blush in embarrassment for getting caught. She finally gave her attention towards the emperor who was currently speaking.
The mighty and powerful emperor was dressed in golden robes today. He sat simply in front of all the guests, the waterfall in the background gently falling behind him. His eyes were cunning and dark. From his body, he carried a strong aura although his words were casual. "Today, the Li family are my guests of honor. Let's all come together and celebrate the joining of our two families. Xifeng, father congratulates you on your engagement. I'm happy today you found someone you love to carry on life with you until old age. Now everyone, let's drink to celebrate!"
Li Wei, along with all the guests, lifted their cup of wine. Once the cup of wine touched her lips, she drank it all. Not bad, the taste is good. Although not as good as Father Xu's special wine...
Once the toast was completed, maids carried in endless plates and bowls of food onto every table. Li Wei felt her mouth watering. She knew palace food was not something she could indulge in everyday, but she only placed an appropriate amount onto her plate. She wasn't only representing herself, but also the whole Li House. If she gave a bad image of herself today, their family's reputation would also be affected.
In the center of the pavilion, there were beautiful dancers dressed in colorful robes. The dancers moved in unison, catching attention from everyone. Not only were their appearances captivating, their movements were light and fun to watch. Even Li Wei watched with amazement, her eyes not leaving the dancers for even a second.
The center of the dancers was a pretty woman dressed in a white dress. Her movements were sharp and light, almost as if she was a fairy dancing on earth. When she smiled, she made all the men swooned. Li Wei felt her heart fluttered and she chuckled to herself. Hehe, what a spectacular woman!
"Miss, it's obvious that you're falling for the dancer. Remember to eat." San'er dutifully reminded.
Li Wei's face flushed red and she quickly ducked her head down to eat.
Next to her, Li Fahrin chuckled at the young girl's honest response. "Li Wei, can you dance?"
"En..." Li Wei pondered whether to be honest or not. Honestly, at this point in her life, she originally didn't have any talent. She previously indulged in spending money and being spoiled. She didn't invest her time in developing a skill to own. But, after losing to Li Zhilan, she spent many years in her last life mastering multiple skills. She was unwilling to lose, thus that became her motivation to learn. But now, even if she possessed talents, she didn't want attention. She could only quickly lie, "I can't."
"Really?" Li Fahrin questioned. She thought for a moment then added, "I thought you could play some instrument. Last night, I already told my brother you would play a song for Zhilan's engagement."
Li Wei almost choked, but she stopped herself in time. Slowly, she turned to face her aunt. By now, her face have lost its flush. "Aunt Rin, you're joking with me, right?"
"Li Wei, I'm not playing with you. I thought you could play, I remember hearing you play the Guzheng the other night in the garden?"
"Uh..." Li Wei couldn't deny it, but she also couldn't come up with a believable excuse. Indeed, she played the Guzheng in the garden. That night, she couldn't fall asleep so she wandered into the garden. Before she knew it, her fingers already moved on its own. What she didn't know was, Aunt Rin also heard it too?
She knew she couldn't get herself out of this one. All she could do was to choose a song to play. Li Wei didn't wait long. Soon, the prime minister stood up to make a proposal. Li Qian rose straight and proud. "Your majesty, to celebrate the joining of our two families, I have a request. I would like to ask my young niece to play a song."
"Go ahead." The emperor smiled happily.
Li Wei felt awkward and slightly uncomfortable, but her movements showed none of her feelings. She walked towards the musicians sitting with their instruments. Because the emperor was someone who highly valued music, he placed high respects on musicians in Na'an. Musicians were well paid and respected. All musicians had the right to keep their identities private. Thus, many of them wore hats with veils to cover their faces.
Two servants quickly brought out a Guzheng and placed it in front of all the instruments. The musicians also retreated to the side. Li Wei walked behind the Guzheng. She looked around and smiled. Then, she took a deep bow before sitting down. She only needed something else. "Your majesty, Li Wei would like to request for a flute player."
The emperor looked with curiosity. He nodded towards the group of musicians and the adjustment was made right away. A musician in black robes wearing a hat with a black veil from the side quickly came and stopped beside Li Wei. The man sat down and whispered a quick exchange, "Miss, if you don't mind, this one will play with you."
Hearing the man's voice brought chills to Li Wei and her heart fluttered in surprised. This man, always surprising her! He said he'd see her soon, but she never imagined his meaning of "soon" was the next day! Li Wei hid her excitement and spoke with a blank expression. "Then, I can only thank you."
Before she turned back to the audience, Li Wei quickly added in a low voice, "Yebai, I also dedicate this song towards you."
"That makes two of us."
Although she had tried to stay calm, Khan Bojing's words caused her to slightly blush. She couldn't help but burst into a bright smile. As her face turned back towards the awaiting audience, she no longer felt uncomfortable. After all, he was by her side. She couldn't ask for more. "Li Wei would like to play a song to give my blessings towards my cousin's engagement. Li Zhilan, I sincerely congratulate you on this happy news. Forgive me for not being able to give you something of high value. I can only give you this song as my heartfelt gift. Your majesty, please forgive this lowly one if it's not to your liking."
With that, Li Wei's fingers moved on the Guzheng. She had practiced and played it for a couple of years. Her experience could not compare to professional musicians, but her natural talent towards music boosted her skills to match those of the best musicians in the country. After she lost Hua Xifeng, she drowned her sadness into music. She locked herself in her room and played all night and day. She couldn't escape from her broken heart, but she could escape from reality in this way.
She became so familiar with every inch of the Guzheng that she could play blindfolded. When it came to playing, her fingers moved as if they were dancing upon the strings. The action was similar to that of a bird lightly landing on a tree branch before flying away into the air. The song she chose to play for Li Zhilan and Hua Xifeng was a love song called "Two Lovers' Flight."
This was a popular song in both Na'an and Hai'an. Many have heard of its legend, but only a few have actually heard it. It was an extremely hard song to play and not many musicians know it anymore. The focus of this song was the back and forth response of the Guzheng and the flute. Just like its name, the Guzheng and the flute represented two lovers. The two instruments played back and forth, almost like two lovers' teasing.
The song was bright and lighthearted, carrying a happy tune. In the beginning, the two instruments played individually, almost flaunting and showing off. It was like the first stage of love, the flirting between two people who are attracted to the other. When two people first met, they would only want the other to know the best of themselves. Then, the pace quickened in the middle of the song, the tune rising up and down, this was like the chase of the man who ran after the woman he loved. The song finally ended with the two instruments joined together, intertwined as one. The harmony between them showed their dedicated and strong love. Thus, it was famously named "Two Lovers' Flight."
As Li Wei's fingers played the first string of notes, Khan Bojing's flute smoothly followed. He wasn't sure of which song she'd play, but once he heard her, he knew immediately. When she found out it was Khan Bojing who had disguised as a flute player, she felt relieved. He probably only wanted to surprise her, never imagining that he would be useful today.
"Two Lovers' Flight" was a song she knew he could play. After all, she first heard him played this song in her previous life. At that time, he played this song to show his love towards Li Zhilan. Li Zhilan didn't know the meaning behind this song, so she could only complimented on his skills. Li Wei hated him at that time and felt jealous of Li Zhilan for being the receiver of such a genuine love, so she learned this song.
Khan Bojing had played this song once to dedicate his love. Although it was towards someone else, none of that mattered. Today, in this very moment, she played this song for him.