Chapter 22: With Such Stunning Beauty, What Has She Been Through?

When the Empress heard the mention, she turned to look at Tang Mi and was instantly astonished.

She had never met this eldest Miss Tang before and had assumed the second Miss Tang was already quite beautiful. She hadn’t expected that the elder sister was even more stunning.

Even the Empress Dowager and Consort De were visibly amazed.

Speaking of beauties, the palace had no shortage of them, but such a beauty was rare. Her serene and quiet charm was soothing to behold. Perhaps only one other person in all of Dongxu could compare.

The Emperor looked at Tang Mi and was momentarily dazed.

This child looked far too much like Yishi and Zhuxuan.

Not just the Emperor and Empress, but Princes like Ye Junyu and all the ministers present were also captivated.

“What does the eldest Miss Tang think?” the Empress asked, turning to Tang Mi.

Under everyone’s gaze, Tang Mi stood and curtsied to the Empress. “This humble girl would be glad to perform with my younger sister. However, I’m not skilled in dancing. I’ve practiced the zither and can accompany her.”

Upon hearing that Tang Mi would play the zither, Tang Ying’s expression darkened. “Elder sister is too modest. My dancing can’t compare to yours. Let’s dance together instead.”

She had planned a dramatic performance with a hidden agenda. If Tang Mi didn’t dance, how was she to execute it?

Tang Mi’s face turned cold. “You jest, dear sister. We’ve never practiced together. I don’t even know what dance you’re performing. I certainly can’t improvise one. My playing the zither will highlight your dancing just as well.”

Her words were so blunt they immediately stirred a commotion.

“What does she mean by not practicing together?”

“It’s clear the second Miss Tang set her up to embarrass her during the banquet!”

“This second Miss Tang is just as vicious as her mother and sister, using the banquet to sabotage her own kin. Shameless!”

No one expected the two sisters to openly clash like this. The Empress frowned.

Tang Ying hadn’t expected Tang Mi to be so bold, openly ruining her plan in front of the Emperor and Empress. Her face turned sour, and she was just about to speak when Prince Ye Junyu interrupted from his seat up front: “One plays the zither, the other dances. Each showcasing their strengths, sounds good to me.”

“I want to hear the zither too,” Ye Chenxuan chimed in.

Ye Shengling looked at them both with a puzzled expression before turning his gaze to Tang Mi.

Not just him the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager also cast meaningful glances at Tang Mi.

“Then let the eldest Miss Tang play the zither,” the Empress declared.

Tang Mi bowed.

Tang Ying stared resentfully at Ye Junyu, clenching her fists.

He had promised to help her deal with Tang Mi. Why was he sabotaging her now?

As she looked at Ye Junyu, his gaze was fixed on Tang Mi.

Tang Mi glanced subtly at Ye Chenxuan, her heart in turmoil.

Why was he helping her again? Did he have the same ulterior motives as Ye Junyu?

Palace maids brought forward a guqin. Tang Mi sat before it, tuning the strings. Without waiting for Tang Ying to begin dancing, she started playing.

Seeing this, Tang Ying had no choice but to suppress her irritation and begin dancing.

Her outfit today was well-suited for the dance, and with years of practice, her performance was decent. However, since she had frequently performed before, the audience had grown bored of her familiar routines.

Tang Mi, however, was a fresh face and piqued everyone’s interest.

Despite the burning gazes, Tang Mi remained composed, fully immersed in her music.

The piece began gently, the light and cheerful melody lifting everyone’s spirits. Just as the hall basked in this pleasant atmosphere, the music suddenly took a sharp, sorrowful turn. The previously uplifting tune transformed into overwhelming grief, bringing some to tears.

Then the melody shifted again, deep despair took over. The suffocating sadness left everyone breathless. Even Tang Ying could no longer keep up her dance under such emotional weight.

At the moment when everyone seemed consumed by their inner turmoil, the music shifted once more, into raging hatred. The soaring wrath in the music made even the birds outside cry out in agitation.

In that moment, everyone’s repressed emotions exploded.

Clang! The music stopped abruptly. Silence enveloped the hall as if no one remained.

The world stilled. Tang Mi sat quietly before the guqin, lost in thought.

Ye Chenxuan was the first to recover, staring blankly at Tang Mi.

What had she gone through? What sorrow had she experienced? What despair? Whom did she hate?

Sensing his gaze, Tang Mi looked up.

Their eyes met, and her gaze dark as a black hole instantly stirred his heart.

Feeling his emotion, her heart raced uncontrollably.

Why did he pity her?

What was this man truly after?

Tang Mi quickly looked away, masking her emotions, and bowed to the Empress.

The hall awakened from its trance. Applause broke out.

“Miss Tang’s guqin playing is truly otherworldly!”

“Yes! I broke into a cold sweat just listening to it!”

“To think someone so young could play with such emotion and depth.”

“That was the most immersive performance I’ve ever heard.”

The Empress nodded in praise. “The applause is the highest reward. Miss Tang, your talent is extraordinary.”

She then added, not forgetting Tang Ying, “Second Miss Tang’s dancing was also lovely.”

Tang Ying blushed with shame. She hadn’t even finished her dance. No one had paid attention to it. She had completely lost utterly, and publicly.

Everyone would remember Tang Mi’s performance, not hers.

Tang Ying glared at her resentfully. She had humiliated her again in front of so many people.

If Mi exists, why was Ying born at all?

She would destroy her. The Tang family only needed one outstanding daughter.

“The lingering melody echoes, ceaseless for three days. I finally understand the meaning of those words. Yishi and Zhuxuan have birthed a remarkable daughter,” the Emperor nodded in admiration.

Tang Mi’s nose stung. She knelt and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for remembering my father and mother.”

Her words were like a slap to the Emperor’s face, humbling and shameful.

“Yishi dedicated his life to our country, and in the end, gave his life for Dongxu. I will remember him always,” the Emperor said solemnly.

Tang Mi’s eyes reddened. She said nothing more, just kowtowed three times.

Her younger brother Tang Feng’s eyes also reddened. Though still young, he understood the weight of her words.

Looking at her, the Emperor felt a deep sense of guilt. “Your performance today pleased me greatly. I’ll grant you one wish. What is it you desire?”