The Guzheng and The Xun
One note from the Guzheng... Then silence... Another one, then another... More slow notes come from the instrument as the long and slender fingers of Ying SheGu play the strings. He's in a pagoda over a small lake in the gardens of the palace, the now Emperor stays at one side with his Erhu in hand... The melody of the Guzheng grows bit by bit into a proper music and soon after a note from the Erhu echoes, long and constant. The Guzheng start giving rythm as the Emperor's leads the melody with long and languid notes, SheGu smiles at his instrument as the melody comes graceful to the ears.
A Dixi adds to the music, a relative of the emperor plays that, he is very young... Probably around 13 or 14, yet he masters the musical instrument perfectly and switch turns with his cousin in taking the lead of the melody, the Guzheng rises his intensity and that allows the Dizi to go wild playing note over note with an intense rythm turning the initial slow song into a very powerful melody. With one last harsh note the little boy calls the performance to a stop, he lowers his flute and smiles brightly -Your Majesty you were amazing! Your ability with the Erhu has become perfect, I'm sure the Mother Queen is so proud of having a successful son like yourself!-
The young emperor lowers his fiddlebow and welcomes the compliments of the other boy with a prideful expression -It's not everyday that a good strategist is born with good musical abilities and a kind heart-
SheGu distance him from his Guzheng, pushing aside his captivation for that instrument, and coats with praises the emperor too -It is indeed a blessing from heaven what Your Majesty has-
The emperor rises his hand, shaking off the words as if he did care much while still smirking proud -Now young man, go and finish your studies... Or you will never be able to serve me, leave us adults to talk about serious topics instead of playing here with you as you waste time away- the little man bows in respect and hops away happily.
Ying SheGu crosses his arms behind the back -What does Your Majesty wishes to talk about so secretly to mock a little boy and send him away?-
The Emperor smirks -You're quick! Anyway have you found yet my brother? The 4th prince- the other man shakes his head -Ahz! You assassins are of no use! Anyway, I am bored since everyone is focused on war and nothing is happening... What if I make you kill someone in the meantime?-
-Who is Your Majesty thinking about?-
-Mmhnnn... Maybe that woman's brother? I wonder what I could charge him of to make it believable...-
-I'm afraid that it is a bad move for Your Majesty, currently it is better not to touch the Ying family. The daughter is considered the most rightful person in the country right now, having saved the throne and refused any reward, It would be like openly admitting your crimes toward the Empire and your father... Not to mention how PeiZhi has served the Royal Family for years now and gained the trust of many Nobles and Ministers, beside, If anything was to happen to that man... Miss Ying will come back herself to drag you off the throne by the hair and then throw you down a balcony... And I'm pretty sure nobody would object. Your position is already quite unstable, but getting involved with her means that you will lose everything and your own life too Your Majesty-
The young emperor scoffs annoyed -The what about that little guy who always follows him behind like a dog? Surely I can kill him? I'm bored and want to spice things up-
-PeiZhi will come seek revenge himself, and right behind will be the sister... I'm afraid Your Majesty will have to deal with the boredom untill his position becomes stable- advise him the man -I would like to remind you that you just recently killed your father, all your brothers and sister along many high ranked nobles... It is better to keep a low profile from now on-
-Ah whatever! I'll go drink something and waste the night away with some woman, at least that should keep me entertained!- the emperor stands up yelling and storms out of the pagoda
-And he calls himself a strategist, wasn't it for me he would have been caught ages ago... What a stupid kid is the man seating on that throne, yet that is absolutely perfect for my plans...- he whispers smiling and proceeds to leave the place too.
...
The red doors of main hall open and Ying SheGu enters the core of his own Palace, he walks down the red carpet as assassins dressed in black greets him at the sides. He reaches the end and rises the stairs toward his own seat, with one movement of the hand he sends everyone away. Guan
Gui kneels beside him, waiting for orders -Being that goddess here and leave us alone- -Sure!-
...
With one poisonous stare toward the woman, Guan Gui leaves the room and closes the heavy doors behind her.
-Come forward, Qiao ZhingXin...- he whispers and the woman obeys -Aren't you too submissive? I can see why Miss Ying let you off so easly, she must really despise someone like you. You can never dream to be like her-
The woman looks away, definitely feeling offended yet trying not to show that in front of her enemy -What now? Can't speak? I don't recall giving out an order to cut your tongue off... Are you really just gonna stay there there and accept any horrible word I throw on you, only to cry on your pillow later?- he tilts his head curious
She gulps down, rising his head just barely to look at his feet -My Lord called for me... Is there anything you wish to talk with me about?-
-My Lord...?- he holds back a little laugh -Indeed there is, do you see that over there?- he points to his own Guzheng, resting on one side of the hall -Bring it over here- the woman rises from her bowing position and goes to grab the heavy instrument, she drags it with fatigue toward the stairs as SheGu looks at her without bating an eye. She them tries to rise it and carry it over the stairs but only manage to rise the instrument one or two centimeters from the ground, she sighs in defeat but tries again... Knowing very well that she can't disappoint that man or it will only bring more shame to herself, yet she fails again. She lays the instrument on the ground and reaches to the fabric of her skirt, she rips one piece off and uses it to tie her long sleeves out of the way, SheGu widens his eyes just barely and keep observing her as she tries to rise the instrument again, losing balance under its weight.
-You are called the goddess of beauty and submission for a reason afterall, you're as weak as a child- he says now behind her, one hand grabbing the Guzheng an the other on the woman's back to stop her from falling -Leave it, I'll take it myself- he brings the instrument, along its support, by his throne and begins getting ready to play -Are you capable of playing any instrument?-
-I can play the Ruan, the Pipa, the LiuQin, the Erhu, the Guzheng, the GuQin and the Xun- she nods
-The Xun? Can that even be counted as s musical instrument?- his pride asks -Then show me what that little clay pot can make in your hands- he gesture her to take that instrument from where the Guzheng was placed and so does she.
She takes a deep breath and beging playing a tune, the melody is slow and melancholic... Perfectly fitting for a delicate woman stripped of her freedom. The sound of the music mimics the emotions in her, one could almost believe it was her heart echoing inside that Xun instead of air... She wants to cry but can't, so holding back the tears she pushed it all onto that little instrument to create an heart breaking melody.
After some time a note from the Guzheng echoes, she gets taken aback yet doesn't interrupts her performance and keeps going as the other man joins her in that veiled call for help... The Guzheng complements the Xun, giving it that bit of soft harshness that the more frail instrument misses and they come out as one perfect song...
As the music comes to an end a tears still win over her will and make it past her eyes, rolling down her cheek as she lowers the musical instrument -Mhn... It was enjoyable afterall, you can go back to your room now- says the man and she takes the offer by leaving as quickly as possible, yet keeping the Xun for herself...