Chapter 67

Tuo Ba Rou stood up and gracefully bowed.

“Your Majesty, I have a small request. May I be so bold as to ask if you would grant it?”

Yan Yuanhua paused and glanced at her indifferently.

“Oh? Speak freely,” the emperor replied.

“I have heard that the noblewomen of Great Yan are all talented and beautiful. May I request one of your noblewomen to accompany my performance?”

Everyone in the hall looked at Lu Minghua, thinking that Princess Beiyi’s intentions were quite obvious.

“Of course.”

“May I ask the noblewoman beside Prince Rui to accompany me?” Tuo Ba Rou quickly added.

In the hall, Wei Yuntai paused. He remembered that Lu Minghua had never touched a musical instrument. How could this be—

He put down his wine cup, wanting to speak, but Wei Huailiang lightly coughed in front of him, causing him to pause. He wanted to say more.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. She is now Princess Rui,” Wei Huailiang said coldly.

Wei Yuntai froze completely, looking at Yan Yuanhua. He saw them sitting together, smiling intimately, and slowly lowered his head.

Yan Yuanhua frowned, wanting to refuse, but felt Lu Minghua press his hand. He turned his head and saw her gently shaking her head.

The emperor thought his brother would explode, but unexpectedly, Lu Minghua just shook her head, and he calmed down. The emperor looked at Lu Minghua and asked with a smile, “Minghua, what do you think?”

“I am willing,” Lu Minghua stood up and bowed slightly.

“Good,” the emperor nodded and smiled. The empress beside him asked, “Minghua, what instrument do you play? I’ll have it prepared.”

“The pipa. I’ve already sent someone to fetch it,” Yan Yuanhua interjected.

Lu Minghua smiled and said, “That’s right.” She then descended to the hall and smiled at Tuo Ba Rou. “My skills are average, far inferior to other noblewomen. I hope the Princess won’t be disappointed.”

“Miss Lu, if Prince Rui has chosen you and personally sought your hand, there’s no need to be so modest,” Tuo Ba Rou said, her eyes twinkling with a smile.

“Princess, you jest. Marriage is a matter of two families’ harmony and mutual affection. Music and dance are merely for enjoyment and have nothing to do with it. If you like, there are dancers and musicians at home ready to serve. Princess, didn’t you know?”

Since Tuo Ba Rou was impolite, Lu Minghua didn’t hold back either. She smiled warmly, maintaining her manners, but her words were soft and sharp.

Tuo Ba Rou’s expression faltered. Indeed, someone who could catch Yan Yuanhua’s eye was no pushover.

“However, I suppose it’s because of the customs of Beiyi,” Lu Minghua paused subtly and smiled, “that your noblewomen need to study these things. My previous words were a bit rash.”

Her words’ subtle implication caused many in the hall to laugh, with Yan Yuanhua laughing the brightest. The Empress Dowager and the emperor were slightly surprised but found it fitting, their smiles deepening.

“Miss Lu, you’re too kind,” Tuo Ba Rou’s face visibly darkened, but before she could say more, she was interrupted.

“Minghua, are you tired of standing? Let’s start quickly. Empress, please find a cushion for Minghua,” Yan Yuanhua shouted, looking concerned.

With a glance from the empress, a palace servant immediately brought a cushion for Lu Minghua.

Lu Minghua couldn’t help but glance at him, suppressing her embarrassment. She bowed slightly to the empress and took the pipa from the waiting servant. She plucked a few strings to test the sound and looked at Tuo Ba Rou, asking gently what dance she wanted to perform.

Having suffered a setback, Tuo Ba Rou was still unwilling to concede and smiled, “Miss Lu, didn’t you say your skills are average? You choose the piece; I can dance to anything.”

Yan Yuanhua suddenly laughed.

“Since the Princess insists, I’ll do my best. Let’s go with ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water,'” Lu Minghua said with a smile. Today was the grand court assembly, with many small countries paying tribute. It was a time to showcase the nation’s grandeur, and she had no intention of making things difficult.

Hearing this, Tuoba Rou’s expression froze.

Choosing a universally known piece like “High Mountains and Flowing Water” was risky; a poor performance could invite ridicule. Tuo Ba Rou hadn’t expected Lu Minghua to choose this piece. It wasn’t a soft, feminine tune nor a deliberately difficult, intense one.

The reactions in the hall were mixed. The younger generation felt disappointed, thinking a piece like “Ambush from Ten Sides” would have been more appropriate to show the Northern Barbarian Princess their prowess. The older generation, however, nodded in approval. Great Yan would lose face if they deliberately made things difficult for foreign envoys.

Yan Yuanhua smiled broadly, watching Lu Minghua’s every move with focus.

The Empress Dowager, pleased, sipped her tea.

After a brief delay, the clear sound of the pipa began, and Tuo Ba Rou, in a red dress, started her dance in the hall.

The music was smooth and joyful, fresh and lively, evoking images of early spring with blooming flowers, birds flying over willow branches, and a vibrant, rejuvenating scene.

In comparison, the dance seemed slightly lacking. It wasn’t poorly performed, but there was a subtle sense of restraint in her movements. Experienced observers could tell that the dancer was more accustomed to passionate and seductive dances, making her slightly uncomfortable with the elegant music.

Some were surprised, then amused, wondering if Lu Minghua had done this intentionally or unintentionally.

Lu Minghua was also a bit surprised at how things had turned out.

However, Tuo Ba Rou didn’t stop, so Lu Minghua continued playing, closing her eyes slightly, thinking of spring flowers, flying kites, and newborn spring waters.

Tuo Ba Rou adjusted her movements to the music, gradually finding her rhythm. Her dance was naturally excellent, with every move light and graceful, captivating the audience. But the poor start had already cost her half the battle.

As the last note fell, Lu Minghua opened her eyes and saw Tuoba Rou looking at her with a faint smile, saying, “Miss Lu, your musical talent is extraordinary, and your artistic conception is remarkable. You were too modest earlier.”

“Princess, you flatter me. There are many in this hall whose skills far surpass mine. I dare not be arrogant,” Lu Minghua said with a smile, gently handing the pipa to a palace servant and standing up.

Many in the hall felt uneasy, lacking confidence that they could surpass Lu Minghua.

Having failed in her attempt, Tuo Ba Rou didn’t continue with pleasantries. She said a few words and then bowed to the emperor, saying she had made a fool of herself.

“Not at all. Excellent music and dance. It was a pleasure to witness this performance today. Please, have a seat,” the emperor said, smiling with satisfaction.

Tuo Ba Rou returned to her place among the Beiyi envoys, and Lu Minghua also returned to her seat. As soon as she sat down, Yan Yuanhua handed her a cup of tea, his eyes full of smiles.

Taking the cup, Lu Minghua sipped lightly. As she put it down, she saw another bowl of pomegranate seeds in front of her.

“How is there more? There was only one pomegranate on the table, and I ate it,” she asked.

“I just had someone bring another one,” Yan Yuanhua replied.

“I’m full. You eat it,” Lu Minghua said, feeling satisfied after finishing one pomegranate. She picked up the jade bowl and handed it back to Yan Yuanhua.

Seeing that she really didn’t want to eat more, Yan Yuanhua took the bowl without minding and started eating with a jade spoon.

Lu Minghua made a sound of surprise, about to suggest changing the jade spoon, but then fell silent, feeling her face heat up again.

The Empress Dowager glanced over, thinking how this rascal, who never liked sweets as a child, was now eating them so eagerly.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Yuanhua asked seriously.

Lu Minghua, knowing him well by now, realized that continuing the conversation would lead to nothing serious. She just glared at him and turned back to watch the dance, not responding.

Seeing her uncooperative, Yan Yuanhua raised an eyebrow and smiled, finishing the pomegranate seeds in a few bites before setting the bowl aside.

The banquet continued, but Lu Minghua felt tired from sitting and couldn’t help but look outside, wondering what time it was.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Yan Yuanhua, who had been paying attention to her, suggested softly.

“Alright, but how do we explain it?” Lu Minghua’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated.

In such a public setting, the two of them leaving together would surely attract attention.

“Or,” she began to suggest that Yan Yuanhua go alone, but he interrupted, saying to the emperor, “Brother, Minghua and I are going out for some fresh air.”

It was as direct and straightforward as could be.

Lu Minghua swallowed her words.

Knowing his brother’s nature and impatience with such occasions, the emperor was surprised he had stayed this long. He nodded in agreement.

So, the two of them leisurely left.

Stepping out of the hall, they leaned against the railing, taking in the view of most of the capital.

Leaving the bustling hall behind, Lu Minghua exhaled softly, feeling much more at ease.

“Come, I’ll show you where I used to live,” Yan Yuanhua said enthusiastically.

“Hmm?” Lu Minghua unconsciously let him take her hand and walk to the side.

North of the Qingde Hall was the residence of the princes, including the Eastern Palace. Beyond the Eastern Palace was where Yan Yuanhua used to live.

“There is a crabapple tree here that blooms brilliantly every year.”

“That is an old pear tree. When it blooms, it looks like a blanket of snow. It’s beautiful.”

“This is a magnolia tree. I accidentally broke the previous one, so this one was transplanted a few years ago.”

“How did you accidentally break it?” Lu Minghua, listening with great interest, couldn’t help but ask curiously.

Yan Yuanhua laughed, “I got into a fight here.”

Lu Minghua became even more curious but worried it might be an inconvenient topic. She glanced at Yan Yuanhua but didn’t speak.

Yan Yuanhua, seeing her curiosity, didn’t mind and explained directly.

It wasn’t a complicated matter. Once, an older brother tried to sow discord between him and his brother in front of him. He fought back and then dragged the person to the late emperor to complain.

Hearing about the complaint, Lu Minghua couldn’t help but laugh. Who would have thought that the brave and formidable Prince Rui had a time when he complained? But if it was him, she wasn’t surprised at all.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, but only slightly, Yan Yuanhua continued, saying that the late emperor later punished both parties but—

“Father later secretly had someone take me to his private treasury and allowed me to choose ten items,” he said proudly, suddenly feeling a surge of emotion and quickening his pace while holding Lu Minghua’s hand.

Lu Minghua, sensing his excitement, smiled at him. It seemed the late emperor had indeed doted on him.

They soon arrived at Fenghua Palace, a palace that had always been reserved for Yan Yuanhua, with guards still stationed there. Seeing their master arrive, the guards quickly opened the palace gates and invited them in.

Yan Yuanhua, holding Lu Minghua’s hand, didn’t head to the main hall but walked to the back, stopping in front of a storeroom-like building.

The chief eunuch took out keys and unlocked the seven locks on the door, pushing it open.

“This is my private treasury,” Yan Yuanhua said, leading Lu Minghua inside.

The attendants lit the lamps along the way.

“Shouldn’t your private treasury be in the prince’s residence?” Lu Minghua asked curiously.

“This hasn’t been moved out yet,” Yan Yuanhua said, leading her straight to the back. After slowing down and checking each shelf, he finally found the right one and opened a wooden box.

As the lid lifted, a dazzling light spilled out, even in the dim room lit by a few lamps. Inside was a complete set of gold and ruby jewelry, with one phoenix hairpin adorned with two fiery gemstones that seemed almost alive under the light.

Yan Yuanhua continued opening all the boxes on the shelf, revealing exquisite and unparalleled jewelry.

“Good thing I didn’t refuse when Father gave these to me,” Yan Yuanhua said with a smile.

Lu Minghua, though amazed, was curious about what else was in the room.

Seeing she didn’t linger on the jewelry, Yan Yuanhua reluctantly pulled her back, looked at her, and asked, “All these things will be yours in the future. Why aren’t you excited?”

He felt slightly disappointed, having eagerly brought Lu Minghua here, expecting her to be delighted.

“You brought me here just for this?” Lu Minghua asked, laughing.

“These were all given to me by Father. Before he passed, he gave me half of his private treasury,” Yan Yuanhua said, his voice slightly somber, then smiled. “He said women would love these things and to see if I could use them to win someone’s heart.”

“But Minghua, you don’t seem moved at all,” he said, looking at her with mock sadness.

“Don’t play dumb,” Lu Minghua said, pushing his face away with her finger. “Where did you get the idea that I don’t like them?”

Yan Yuanhua, playing along, let her push him away and turned back to smile at her, loving her playful and carefree demeanor.

“Did I see it wrong?” he asked, looking thoughtful.

Lu Minghua glanced at him, ignored him, and turned to look at other things.

Yan Yuanhua followed, and the two of them wandered around, looking here and there like they were on a treasure hunt.

After a while, they left, and Yan Yuanhua showed Lu Minghua most of the palace. He showed her where he liked to read, where he liked to play, his favorite decorations, and what he used to do there.

At first, Lu Minghua felt unfamiliar, but as he spoke, various scenes began to form in her mind.

After each story, Yan Yuanhua would ask Lu Minghua what she thought and how it could be better.

He looked at her with anticipation in his eyes. Lu Minghua naturally shared her opinions.

When they finally finished their tour and left Fenghua Palace, Yan Yuanhua softly said, “Let’s renovate our wedding room according to what Minghua just suggested, shall we?”

Surprised by the sudden mention, Lu Minghua instinctively looked at him.

“I’ve already told the steward to transplant those flowers and trees when it gets warmer. You’ll like it.”

“I’ve found many pipas, each made with different materials and craftsmanship, and also music scores. You can use whichever you like.”

“I’ve ordered large trees to be planted by the lake and swings to be tied to them. When the weather warms up, I’ll accompany you to swing.”