Chapter 16: She Outshines Them All!

In ancient times, dining was about three major competitions: clothing, sons-in-law, and talents. Why can't people just enjoy some sunflower seeds and have a nice chat?

In this kind of weather, if everyone could gather around to eat hotpot and drink beer, that would be truly satisfying.

Feng Bailing sighed, being pulled by the Empress Dowager to sit beside her.

Her seating position attracted quite a few sideways glances.

At the Spring Banquet, sitting beside the Empress Dowager was an absolutely prime spot, one even the Empress couldn't reach.

In past years, it was Nalan Yan'er who sat beside the Empress Dowager.

Feng Xiangxue was also feeling uneasy at the banquet. Seeing Feng Bailing favored by the Empress Dowager, her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Feng Xiangxue comforted herself, knowing her talent performance was coming up soon and that it might turn the tables in her favor.

"Crown Princess Consort, I hear you've prepared a special talent this year?"

Feng Xiangxue, seeing a young lady from a Marquis Mansion writing some characters, actively asked Nalan Yan'er by her side.

Nalan Yan'er stood up.

"Your Highness, I shall not embarrass myself. Instead, Xiaojin and Xiao Xiu have prepared some calligraphy to present to you."

She took out a brocade box containing a painting. On it were many 'longevity' characters of various sizes and shapes, a total of hundreds, a remarkable Hundred Longevity Diagram.

The women all chattered incessantly, showering flattery upon her.

The Empress Dowager, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and rewarded Nalan Yan'er with several bolts of brocade.

Feng Bailing, overhearing whispered discussions around her, also learned that three years ago, the Crown Princess Consort gave birth to twin children. On the night of their birth, the sky suddenly brightened with a brilliant glow, and the aurora took the form of a dragon and a phoenix, descending over Chu City until dawn.

Three years ago, the Crown Princess Consort's children were born the same year as Xiao Li.

However, the handwriting was forceful and despite simulating a child's style, it clearly looked as though someone else with ulterior motives had written it.

This was clearly setting up a prodigy image.

As Feng Bailing was internally criticising, Nalan Yan'er and Feng Xiangxue exchanged glances, and Nalan Yan'er was about to say something.

"Your Highness, the Empress, this humble girl wishes to perform."

A tentative female voice, difficult to reject, silenced the flatterers upon seeing who it was.

Nalan Yan'er slightly opened her mouth, experiencing being interrupted in such a setting for the first time.

Feng Xiangxue's eyes almost bulged out, the one preempting to perform was none other than Feng Bailing.

The time for the Spring Banquet was limited, each household had only one performer, and Feng Bailing was snatching her moment to shine!

"Ah Ling also wants to perform, good. However, no more writing this year due to cold hands," the Empress Dowager remarked with a forced smile.

Feng Bailing looked around, seeing that all other households' performances involved music, painting, or calligraphy. Her piece, no ordinary instrument could do it justice.

Her gaze shifted and spotted someone approaching.

The person came alone, without attendants, holding a White Jade Flute, apparently a court musician.

"I won't write then. Since no one has sung yet today, I shall sing and dance, but I need someone to accompany me on music. Please trouble that musician."

Feng Bailing spoke crisply.

The "musician" had already walked over and paused in his steps upon hearing Feng Bailing.

Stunned by his appearance, Feng Bailing gazed intently.

The man was slender as a bamboo, dressed in a cyan robe with soaring cloud patterns, a white jade belt around his waist, his black hair silky, eyebrows arching as if flying, his eyes beneath the brows soft and enchanting like a fox, his gaze foggy as if the haze in March. Such a handsome man was actually blind.

Heaven envies the handsome!

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager burst into laughter, thrilled that Feng Bailing wanted him as the Moon Master.

"Mosheng, since Ah Ling has requested you to accompany the music, play a tune."

"Your grandson obeys."

The man's mouth curved slightly, and the teardrop-shaped mole by his eye gave a fleeting impression of taking flight. He nodded slightly towards Feng Bailing's direction; he couldn't see, but his hearing was excellent.

Yi Garden was next to Lian Garden, connected by an artificial lake.

By the lakeside, Emperor Yongye stood with a host of royal relatives, still visibly angered.

The council had ended, and Emperor Yongye had only learned of the annulment last night.

He fiercely scolded Dongfang Li and Dugu Wu in front of all the princes and lords.

"Father Emperor, this matter truly isn't this son's fault. Feng Bailing is ugly, mediocre, and dull-witted. How could such a person be your daughter-in-law? A few years ago, that couplet she wrote at the Spring Banquet nearly made the Imperial Grandmother ill. Recently, my internal Gang Qi has been restless and might soon condense into the Wuji Seal. How could I marry such a woman?"

Dongfang Li was visibly dissatisfied.

Emperor Yongye had heard, of course, but Feng Bailing's mother was Princess Yong'an, who had been ill these past years. If she heard this bad news, it might worsen her condition.

Now was not the time for her to die.

Dugu Wu was among the officials, listening to Dongfang Li's words with a mocking smile.

Dull-witted?

Was the Feng Bailing he knew the same as Dongfang Li's?

The princes who heard this all showed envy.

Seventh, this boy, to have such an opportunity to condense the Wuji Seal?

It requires literary talent to achieve the Wenhua Seal and supreme martial skills to obtain the Wuji Seal.

Among nations, very few possess either the Wenhua Seal or Wuji Seal. If the military represents a country's hard power, then those with Wenhua and Wuji talents represent soft power, which royal families pay special attention to; securing a seal is like a fish leaping over the dragon gate, an extraordinary feat.

Emperor Yongye thought, if Seventh really could secure a seal, then Feng Bailing, being ugly and devoid of virtue, truly was worthless and indeed did not match his Seventh.

Dongfang Li felt pride and even walked with more vigor.

"Forget it, what's done is done. You two acted on your own, a month's salary will be forfeited."

Emperor Yongye flung his sleeve and had already reached the entrance of Yi Garden.

A melodious flute sound came, flowing like water, now resembling a mountain stream, now a plummeting waterfall, with highs and lows in pitch, extremely pleasant to hear.

"It must be Xiao Jiu playing the flute; his skill has improved again."

Emperor Yongye's expression softened slightly; it was a pity that the Ninth Prince was blind, otherwise, with his intelligence, he would certainly achieve great things, no less so than Dugu Wu.

"The flute sound of the Ninth Prince is truly unparalleled in Great Chu."

As soon as Dugu Wu finished speaking, a melodious singing voice reached their ears.

The singer, naturally gifted with a beautiful voice.

The voice was sweet and smooth, and the lyrics were extraordinary.

"A solitary cold plum defiant in the snow

Only for its fragrance to drift to my beloved

Loving what I love without regret or resentment

..."

If the flute playing is unparalleled in Great Chu, then this song is rare in the world.

Everyone stopped in their tracks, compelled to look towards the source of the singing.

In the fiery Plum Forest, a woman stood, her red attire brighter than flames, her figure gracefully elongated, and wherever her singing reached, the most vibrant red plums on the branches instantly paled in comparison.