At the male side of the banquet, other than Prince Ding, there were only two other princes who attended, Prince Zhuo, Fu Xiu An, and Prince Jing, Fu Xiu Xuan. The Crown Prince's health was not good and would not participate in such an event. Consort Xu Xian gave birth to Prince Zhuo and Prince Jing and both of their abilities were outstanding. Prince Zhuo was much more arrogant, whereas Prince Jing was introverted. Both of them were eyeing the throne as everyone knew that the Crown Prince's health was poor and there would eventually be a day when the Emperor would change the Crown Prince and Consort Xu Xian had the favour of the Emperor. By contrast, Prince Ding's mother, Consort Dong Shu, had a much lower profile. If Prince Ding was not somewhat outstanding, she would not be able to sit in the position of the four consorts.
In the previous life, Prince Zhuo and Prince Jing were entangled in the fight for the throne but relaxed their vigilance on Prince Ding, the first reason being Fu Xiu Yi was in good relations with the Crown Prince and would always walk the same path as the Crown Prince and personally find precious medicinal herbs for the Crown Prince that even the Empress was quite satisfied with Fu Xiu Yi. This made the rest of the people think that Prince Ding was a lackey of the Crown Prince. The second reason was that Fu Xiu Yi was usually aloof from politics and material pursuits and would disdain from participating in the affairs of the court. In addition, Consort Dong Shu had a cautious nature and would spend all day reciting Buddhist scriptures. Without strong maternal support, it was expected that Prince Ding was unable to make any waves.
But in fact, the final one who would sit on the Dragon seat was Fu Xiu Yi, whom they thought was unable to make any waves.
Shen Miao picked up the zhǐpái. Just like these zhǐpái, the cards in Fu Xiu Yi's hand was rotten since birth and everyone thought that he would be eliminated at the beginning but not one dreamed that he had never thought of using the cards at his hands. His cards are all in other people's hands and what he needed to do was to snatch them.
"Why do you have no reactions?" Seeing her remain silent and not even seeing a trace of admiration to Fu Xiu Yi in her eyes, Feng An Ning felt somewhat strange, "Don't you like him?"
Shen Miao raised her head and looked at her.
Feng An Ning was shocked. That one look made her heart freeze and she felt the sudden urge to kneel down. She did not know where the feeling came from but she knew that Shen Miao was not happy with what she just said. She paused and spoke, "Actually, I also do not like him. How can a person be so perfect in the world? It is just unreal."
This time, Shen Miao took a serious look at Feng An Ning. She did not expect that this proud Young Lady would see it that way. There were a number of people who were in love with Fu Xiu Yi and if Fu Xiu Yi was willing, the entire field of young ladies would fall for him. How would there be someone who was able to be that unconventional?
She slowly said, "It seems that you have someone in your heart."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Feng An Ning's little face suddenly reddened, "Don't falsely accuse a good person."
Shen Miao did not continue to speak to her. She was not inclined to listen to a little girl's troubles.
Naturally, she had her own things.
After much coming and going as there were many invitations sent out for the Chrysanthemum Banquet, almost everyone had arrived.
Below the Yan Bei Tang Chrysanthemum field, a tall huge stage was built. The stage was decorated plainly but no one felt that it was vulgar as the late Emperor used it to pray to the Heavens. It was a stage that had the air of dragons. Both sides of it were inscribed with chess pieces, and there were soldiers in formal wear tied with red scarves on their heads beating the drums loudly.
The sound of the drums rumbled straight throughout the skies as the musician plucked their qin. It's 'Song of a Virtuous Gentleman'; which meant to portray the Imperial family's request and yearn to pick the true talents for the country in today's academy for the empire of Ming Qi.
The music entered everyone's ears and due to the unique magnificent sound, one would not be able to help but feel the surge in emotion. Most of those present were youth and they were in a moment where they were hot-blooded thus the music made them feel it and they could not help but show off all their talents to everyone and fight for a good future for Ming Qi and Ming Qi's Imperial family to leave being a stroke in history.
Even a female could not help but reveal a look of excitement. Although they were unable to become a court official like males, their fathers and brothers were pillars of the country. Their own family clan had an indomitable spirit and with the glory and honour, they would be bathed in the Imperial family's favour and fill their hearts full of gratitude.
The entire audience was enveloped in the vast might of the Imperial benevolence and was moved but there was one person who had a look of indifference and not a single trace of being moved.
Shen Miao's eyes landed on the person who was in the centre playing the qin. This is the favourite thing the Ming Qi Imperial family love to do. To incite the hearts of the youth to dedicate themselves to the service of the country and the rotten Imperial family but in the end, once the country was stabilised, these hot-blooded youths that shed blood and sweat would rarely get a good ending.
Boil the hound once the rabbit is caught. When every Emperor takes over the throne, they would eradicate the older generation of people. Especially those officials who had experienced the dark nature of the fight for the throne. After gaining knowledge of the filthy arrangements and bloody events, how could the royal family let them rise with confidence?
These inspiring music will only become their mourning songs in the future. And these young men who are immersed with the patriotic heart at the moment, will only die under the treacherous strives of the Imperial family and become innocent sacrifices.
She could not save everyone in the world but could save her own people.
Shen Miao raised a hand lightly and her right sleeve brushed past the edge of the table. That bright teacup was whisked to the ground with a 'pa' sound. The crisp sound resonated in the venue which should have been inaudible, under the rich rhythm of the music, it sounded just at the right time where the thread was in the midst of being pulled up and that messed up the other strings too.
With a 'pa', the rhythm of the music was wrecked.
Just like waking from a dream, Feng An Ning suddenly recovered and saw Shen Miao pick up the teacup from the floor as she smiled, "Pardon me. A slip of my hand."
Those musicians who were up on stage playing with intensity had their minds almost blown and were in so much pain that they almost fainted.
Ming Qi had learnt this music from the hands of a western foreigner and it had some intention of confusing others. It could instigate the small emotions in one's heart. This piece was a war song and could amplify the feelings of conviction and allegiance greatly, thus, if this piece was played fully, those who had a loyal heart would become foolishly devoted.
It was only when Shen Miao became the Empress that she became aware of the hideous nature of the music. The Imperial family of Ming Qi used this music to confuse the younger generations and make these younger generations bleed for them. When the Xiong Nu attacked, the Imperial family had the Lin Yu army defend the capital and recruited a new army to the frontier. They made these musicians go up on stage to play the music and most of the youths left for the army without looking back and some of them did not even reach the marriageable age.
After such an interruption from Shen Miao, those musicians were unable to focus their energy on their hands and at the final qin part, it had lost the passion that it previously had and was just played like an ordinary song. The hot-blooded sentiment that was stirred gradually dissipated and everything returned to calmness.
But in the end, Shen Miao's move had attracted some people's attention. Over at the dedicated male area, Fu Xiu Yi and Pei Lang looked over at the same time.