Chapter 96: If I Hadn’t Failed To Grab The Suona, Perhaps What’s Playing Now Wouldn’t Be The Erhu

Li Rong turned her head upon hearing the words and saw the sedan chairs of Consort Rou and Hua Le.

The two were being carried in their sedan chairs, draped in fox fur and holding hand warmers. They looked elegant and noble, clearly favored and pampered.

Seeing them, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile.

“So it’s Consort Rou and Sister Hua Le.”

As she spoke, Li Rong looked them up and down. Since Hua Le didn’t salute her, she didn’t salute Consort Rou either. The three of them shared a silent understanding of breaking protocol. After a moment, Consort Rou was the first to smile and reminded Hua Le, “You see your elder sister and still don’t get down to greet her? Who taught you palace etiquette?”

“No need,” Li Rong raised her hand to stop Hua Le from getting down, and said directly, “Since Her Highness Hua Le doesn’t regard me as her sister, there’s no need for such empty formalities. Your Ladyship must have other matters to attend to? I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Li Rong gave a casual wave and led Pei Wenxuan toward the main hall.

As soon as they left, Hua Le turned to Consort Rou, fuming, “Mother, did you see how arrogant she was? You’re a noble consort, and she didn’t even salute you…”

“Didn’t you also not salute her?”

Consort Rou laughed, seemingly unbothered. She simply said, “Hua’er, everything one says or does comes with a price.”

As she spoke, Consort Rou gently patted Hua Le’s hand and said warmly, “Remember that.”

Pei Wenxuan followed Li Rong away. Thinking she must be angry with Hua Le, he chuckled, “Why lower yourself to their level, Your Highness?”

“If I don’t, do you think they’ll stop bothering me?” Li Rong smiled lightly. “The outcome’s the same either way, so I might as well enjoy the moment.”

“Did Your Highness notice the young lady standing beside them?”

Pei Wenxuan suddenly brought up someone else. Li Rong thought for a moment before recalling the woman’s face.

She was elegant and dignified—a beauty in her own right. But standing next to the stunning Consort Rou, she seemed a bit overshadowed. One had to think carefully to remember her appearance.

Li Rong was surprised Pei Wenxuan mentioned her. Just as she turned to ask, he said, “That’s Xiao Wei.”

The same niece Consort Rou had long wanted Emperor Li Ming to marry off to Li Chuan.

At the last palace banquet, Consort Rou had gone to great lengths to make Xiao Wei stand out in the fragrance competition, hoping to give Li Ming a reason to grant the marriage. But Li Rong had disrupted the plan. Now, nearly half a year later, Xiao Wei was still in Huajing.

Thinking of this, Li Rong frowned and turned to Pei Wenxuan. “What was the method you mentioned earlier to help Chuan’er out of this situation?”

“A monk recently arrived at Huguo Temple. They say he knows the past and present and can foresee the future.”

As soon as Pei Wenxuan said this, Li Rong understood. She hesitated for a moment. Seeing her silence, Pei Wenxuan asked, “Is something troubling Your Highness?”

“That monk is a fraud.”

Li Rong exposed the truth directly. Pei Wenxuan didn’t seem to mind. “Are there any mystics in this world who aren’t frauds? Precisely because he’s a fraud, he’s useful. Regardless, in the previous life, he was indeed famous in Huajing and had many followers.”

“But he was eventually driven out of Huajing.”

Li Rong frowned, and Pei Wenxuan reminded her, “That was your doing. In this life, if you don’t personally tear off his mask, he’ll be seen as a sage. Let him make a prophecy that His Highness cannot marry within five years, and then spread that rumor among the people. Once it gains traction, with the Shangguan family now mostly under your control, they won’t be able to offer a crown princess, nor will they allow anyone else to. The internal struggles among the court factions will use this prophecy as an excuse. In this way,” Pei Wenxuan raised a hand, “His Highness’s marriage will be secure for five years.”

“There’s still risk,” Li Rong said slowly, tapping her palm with her fan. “Let me think it over.”

As they spoke, they entered the grand hall. Many officials had already arrived and were exchanging greetings. After Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan took their seats, Li Ming entered with his entourage.

Behind Li Ming were the imperial consorts. Shangguan Yue walked beside him, while Consort Rou led the others behind. As soon as Li Ming entered, everyone knelt. After allowing them to rise, he gave a few auspicious remarks and then announced the start of the banquet.

The New Year’s palace banquet was an annual tradition. The front seats were filled with nobles and high-ranking officials. Everyone was familiar with one another, so the atmosphere quickly became lively. Led by the elder ministers, the officials began to mingle—it was as much a social event as a formal one.

Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong sat to the side. Neither was particularly favored at court, especially Li Rong, so no one approached them. Pei Wenxuan kept her company, chatting and snacking on sunflower seeds.

Together, they observed the others. The older officials grouped by rank, chatting in their own circles, while the younger ones grouped by family background.

The Pei family, being of humble origin but now holding real power, didn’t belong to the aristocratic registries. They were considered newly risen and didn’t quite fit in. Those with higher ranks barely mingled with the elite, while those with lower ranks blended more comfortably with the common-born officials.

Men filled the main hall, while most women were in the rear hall. Aside from the Empress and the Noble Consort, Li Rong was the only woman present in the main hall, making her stand out.

After a while, someone came running from the rear hall and whispered something to Li Ming.

Li Ming listened for a moment, then chuckled, “That girl always loves the spotlight.”

Despite his words, he still instructed Fu Lai, “Have the dancers step down. Bring Hua Le over.”

Li Rong, seated not far from Li Ming, turned her head when she heard this.

Soon after, Hua Le appeared from the rear hall, holding a jade flute. She stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Li Ming. “Father Emperor.”

Compared to Li Rong, Hua Le had always been more gentle and obedient—soft-spoken and delicate, the very image of what Li Ming believed a daughter should be.

As she arrived, the hall gradually quieted. Then Li Ming smiled and said, “I heard you’ve prepared a performance with Prince Su to celebrate the New Year?”

“Yes,” Hua Le replied with a smile, holding her flute. “It was Brother Cheng’s idea. He said we should start the year by bringing good fortune to Father Emperor. He wants to perform a sword dance to celebrate last year’s victory in the northwest and to show the world the spirit of our Great Xia’s men.”

“He’s only eleven,” Li Ming said, seemingly teasing, though his face was full of joy. “Already trying to be a man?”

“Father Emperor,” Prince Su, Li Cheng, who was sitting beside Consort Rou, said proudly, “My swordsmanship improved greatly last year. My master says that although I’m young, I’m no less skilled than any grown man!”

“Oh?” Li Ming asked with interest. “Then can you beat your Crown Prince brother?”

In an ordinary family, this question might be harmless. But in the imperial family, it made everyone’s expressions turn uneasy. Li Rong smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on Li Cheng, waiting to see how he would respond. Meanwhile, Li Chuan remained calm, as if he hadn’t heard anything, maintaining a composed demeanor.

“Of course I can,” Li Cheng replied earnestly. “My Crown Prince brother is good at studying. We’re just different.”

“You hear that?” Li Ming laughed heartily and turned to Li Chuan. “If you don’t work harder, your little brother won’t even respect you.”

Li Chuan smiled slightly and bowed respectfully. “Father is right. Cheng’er will surely become a great general in the future, guarding the borders of Great Xia and bringing glory to our nation.”

Though Li Chuan could be childish in front of Li Rong, he had been Crown Prince since birth and was no stranger to such occasions. He knew exactly how to defuse the awkwardness Li Ming had created.

Still, he couldn’t help but let a bit of youthful defiance slip into his words—just short of outright saying that someone like Prince Su could never become emperor, so Li Ming shouldn’t waste his efforts.

Li Ming caught the subtle jab in Li Chuan’s words, and his expression darkened. Consort Rou quickly stepped in and said, “Your Majesty, don’t just talk—these children have prepared a gift for you. You should take a look.”

“Yes, yes.” Li Ming took the opportunity to change the subject. He turned back with a smile and said, “My dear ministers, Princess Hua Le and Prince Su have prepared a special performance to celebrate the New Year with you all. Go on,” he said to Hua Le, “my little nightingale.”

Hua Le bowed to Li Ming and walked over to stand beside Prince Su. Together, they stepped onto the stage.

Li Cheng removed his outer robe, revealing a fitted martial outfit—the kind worn by soldiers in the northwest—symbolizing that he was now one of them.

He then picked up a sword and performed a flourish. Li Ming immediately applauded and shouted, “Excellent!”

Li Rong tapped her fan and watched with amusement. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the stage. It had to be said—Li Cheng’s sword flourish was impressive. He clearly had talent, and it was no wonder Li Ming was pleased.

Pei Wenxuan leaned over to refill Li Rong’s wine and whispered, “Doesn’t this displease Your Highness?”

“Why would it?” Li Rong turned and smiled, replying in a voice only the two of them could hear, “If this were on the street, you’d have to pay to watch. Now it’s free—why not enjoy it?”

Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong’s sharp tongue well. He chuckled but said nothing. After Li Cheng finished his flourish, he received a wave of applause. He puffed out his chest, clearly proud.

Hua Le stood to the side of the stage and said to Li Ming, “Father Emperor, today I will perform the piece ‘Pingchuan Battle March’. This song was lost for over a hundred years. I found only a fragment in ancient texts. Recently, I heard Minister Su play it for Cheng’er and was able to reconstruct the rest. I offer this piece to Father Emperor and hope you will enjoy it.”

Another one of those “humble brags” disguised as modesty—Li Rong was already tired of it.

She turned her head and whispered to Pei Wenxuan, “Why haven’t they started yet?”

“Be patient. There’s probably something important still to come,” Pei Wenxuan said, patting her hand. Just as he finished speaking, they heard Hua Le say, “But I only have a flute. Without an instrument to accompany me, it might sound too thin. If Minister Su doesn’t mind…” She turned to look at Su Rongqing, who sat calmly among the guests. “Would you be willing to accompany me and offer this piece to Father Emperor together?”

At those words, everyone turned to look at Su Rongqing. Pei Wenxuan instinctively glanced at Li Rong.

Li Rong noticed and gave him a puzzled look. While everyone else was focused on Su Rongqing, the two of them quietly exchanged glances.

Su Rongqing didn’t respond immediately. Hua Le kept her smile and called again, “Minister Su?”

That call snapped Li Rong out of her thoughts. She finally understood Hua Le’s true intention tonight—it wasn’t about the music at all. The wine was just a pretext; her real target was Su Rongqing.

With Hua Le’s status, even as a princess, it was difficult to marry into a powerful noble family. But Consort Rou and Hua Le clearly knew this, so they chose an unconventional path.

And now, among the noble families not rejected by Li Ming, the most eligible bachelor was Su Rongqing—the heir apparent of the prestigious Su family.

Li Rong was momentarily surprised by Hua Le’s ambition. She wasn’t just thinking outside the box—she was aiming straight for the clouds.

But Li Rong couldn’t just let Hua Le marry into such a powerful family. So before Su Rongqing could respond, she immediately stood up and said, “Sister, why trouble Minister Su?”

Everyone turned to look at her. Pei Wenxuan’s expression turned cold as he stared at her.

Li Rong didn’t dare meet his eyes. She stepped out from behind her small table and walked up to the stage, giving Hua Le no chance to object or suggest someone else. She smiled and said, “Actually, Pingchuan Battle March isn’t entirely lost. Many masters simply don’t teach it to ordinary students. As it happens, I once studied under a renowned musician. You need accompaniment? Let your sister help you.”

With that, Li Rong gracefully sat down in front of the guqin. Her red robes were already eye-catching, and with her stunning beauty and commanding presence, she didn’t hold back her aura. Standing next to her, Hua Le looked like a mere maid—barely noticeable.

Realizing that all eyes were on Li Rong and not her, Hua Le instinctively shuffled a few steps away. She knew her own shortcomings and didn’t want the contrast to be too stark.

Li Rong noticed Hua Le quietly moving aside. She looked up and smiled, “Sister, why don’t you step a little farther away?”

“Hm?”

Hua Le looked a bit confused. Li Rong raised her hand and pointed elegantly to the edge of the stage. “A few more steps, and you can step right off. Leave the performance to your sister—it’s no trouble at all.”

As soon as Li Rong said this, faint laughter rippled through the crowd. Hua Le felt embarrassed but forced a smile. “Sister, you’re joking. Let’s begin.”

She turned away and brought the jade flute to her lips.

Li Rong lowered her gaze and plucked the strings of the guqin. A tense opening melody filled the air.

Li Cheng gripped his sword, struck a starting pose, and with a loud shout, began his performance in time with the music.

Consort Rou, despite her humble origins, had a keen sense of taste. Choosing Pingchuan Battle March was a clever move—it suited Li Ming’s preferences and showcased a performer’s musical control to the fullest.

The piece began with tension and gradually built into a fierce crescendo. The melody surged forward without pause, like a warrior slashing through enemy lines, fighting with unrelenting vigor.

A person’s music often reflects their inner world. Consort Rou had chosen well, and Hua Le’s skill was just enough to keep up. Without comparison, she might have seemed impressive. But with Li Rong present, everything changed.

This piece was one Li Rong had learned on the battlefield.

In her previous life, during Li Chuan’s many northern campaigns, Li Rong had gone to the front lines. Su Rongqing had taught her this piece there. She had once played it atop a city wall to rally the troops. Compared to that experience, Hua Le’s flute sounded thin, weak, and lifeless.

Hua Le sensed the difference too. Panic crept into her heart, and her breath faltered. Keeping up with Li Rong’s powerful guqin became increasingly difficult.

Li Rong’s playing grew more intense, as if the battle had reached its climax. Hua Le’s flute, now completely outmatched, could only struggle to follow. The guqin’s melody, though brilliant, began to feel lonely—something was missing at the peak of its power.

Just then, Su Rongqing silently rose from the crowd and walked toward the musicians nearest to him.

At the same time, Pei Wenxuan, seated opposite him, also stood and headed toward the musicians on his side.

As Su Rongqing walked forward, he removed his outer robe. When he reached the large war drum, he placed his robe on the drum stand and said softly, “May I borrow this?”

With that, he took the drumsticks from the drummer and struck the drum with force!

The drumbeats merged with Li Rong’s guqin—intense, rapid, and powerful. In that instant, Li Rong felt as if she had returned to the city walls of the battlefield, playing her guqin while Su Rongqing accompanied her on the drums. She looked up in surprise—and at that very moment, a sharp, mournful sound of the erhu suddenly cut in.

The erhu’s melody was much slower than the guqin and the drum, seemingly out of place. But it was precisely this dissonance that made it stand out even more against the original rhythm.

Li Rong looked up and saw Pei Wenxuan seated among the musicians on the opposite side. One hand pressed the erhu strings while the other drew the bow with smooth, powerful strokes. He looked at her with a rather provocative expression.

Out of the corner of her eye, Li Rong noticed the musician next to him clutching a suona and visibly relieved. She immediately understood—

If Pei Wenxuan had managed to get his hands on the suona, the sound echoing through the hall right now wouldn’t be the erhu.

—

**Suona—is a loud, piercing traditional Chinese wind instrument, often associated with festive or dramatic occasions—sometimes even comedic or chaotic ones due to its intense sound.

**Erhu—is a more melancholic, expressive string instrument, often used for emotional or sorrowful melodies.

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