Chapter 48

It happened to be the day when the study was closed. After waking up in the morning, Xiao Lang and Xiao Ming went to the main courtyard to have breakfast with the King of Chu and the Queen of Chu. The two boys, who were usually well-mannered, felt a bit anxious at the moment.

Princess Chu noticed what they were thinking and smiled at her two sons. “When Miss Luo came to our house to play the zither, I was lucky enough to listen to it with your father a few times. I didn’t appreciate my blessings back then. One time, my sisters had to go out for something, and I didn’t get to finish listening to a wonderful piece. Later, I asked other teachers in the mansion to play it, but it didn’t feel the same.”

Xiao Lang looked at his mother, thinking, “You really wasted a great opportunity.”

Even the five-year-old Xiao Ming showed disappointment with his mother.

Princess Chu smiled helplessly and continued eating.

During the meal, Xiao Lang asked a new question: “Will Miss Luo really come to our house to play the zither today?”

He had heard from the Crown Prince that Lady Luo rarely played for others in the past, but now she had become popular with the Emperor’s grandfather. After hearing her play, the Emperor’s grandfather specifically asked her to perform, which meant she had become his personal pianist. Also, since she now worked in the Imperial Music Bureau, ordinary families could not afford to hire her.

The King of Chu puffed out his chest and said, “Of course! Who is your father? No one can compare to him! You two should finish your breakfast quickly and complete your homework. You’ll come over naturally after Lord Luo leaves the government office.”

After hearing this from their father, the two boys happily finished their breakfast and diligently worked on their homework, completing a day’s worth of assignments in just half a day.

Su Heng, who had been scared by the bandit, finally returned to work. Tao Sheng didn’t feel relieved at all; instead, she worked even better with her cousin over the past few days.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much work today, and Tao Sheng got off on time.

Tao Sheng was already quite familiar with the King of Chu’s house, and this time was no exception.

The chief official of the mansion had been waiting since early morning. When he saw Tao Sheng, he greeted her with a smile and led her to the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard, the King of Chu and his wife were casually drinking tea and chatting, while the two young princes sat obediently in their chairs, their little bodies straight. The moment they saw Tao Sheng, they quickly jumped up, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

The King of Chu couldn’t bear to see his son look so unworldly, so he coughed softly and said, “This is Lord Luo.”

Xiao Lang was the first to smile at Tao Sheng and said, “My son has met Lord Luo in the palace before, but it was only from a distance. I have never had the honor of talking to Lord Luo.”

Xiao Ming was even more straightforward: “Sister Luo is indeed as pretty and kind as my mother said. A sister like this must be very good at playing the zither.”

King of Chu: …

I never knew this guy was good at flattering people. What’s the necessary connection between being good-looking and kind and playing the zither well?

If this isn’t a forced association, then what is it?

The chief historian of the palace had sent someone to fetch the zither that Tao Sheng usually used from the zither room. Tao Sheng tried the sound of the zither and then asked the King of Chu what he wanted to listen to.

The King of Chu thought for a moment and said, “The piece of music Ah Sheng played with ‘Autumn Water’ at Father’s place was pretty good, but it’s a pity that I only heard it once. Why don’t you play it again today?”

After hearing this, the brothers Xiao Lang and Xiao Ming opened their eyes wide in surprise.

I didn’t expect that my father was really as he said. He had a very high status in Miss Luo’s place and could even choose the songs he wanted to hear and have Miss Luo play them.

My father is indeed very prestigious!

After playing the piece “Morning” that day, Tao Sheng played two more lively pieces suitable for children, and both brothers were very happy to listen to them.

The King of Chu knew that Tao Sheng usually played only two pieces each time when he was with the Emperor, so he played three pieces in a row to show his respect. After the third piece was finished, the King of Chu stood up and said, “Thank you for your hard work, sir. It’s getting late today, and the wine and food are ready. Why don’t you go and have your meal first?”

Tao Sheng also discovered at this time that the King of Chu became unusually serious in front of the children and spoke like a “normal” prince, but in Tao Sheng’s view, all of this seemed a little abnormal.

Xiao Lang was a studious and motivated boy. During dinner, he asked several questions about music theory, all of which were answered by Tao Sheng.

The princess also smiled and said that Miss Luo was a truly talented person. She was able to teach the King of Chu, who had no basic skills, to play the zither to please the emperor in just a few days. He was the only person who had the ability to do this in all these years.

Xiao Lang’s eyes lit up.

Ever since my father learned the reason why my grandfather wanted to promote rites and music, he has been making more demands on their learning of the Six Arts, especially rites and music.

Miss Luo can teach someone like my father well, so he can definitely teach myself well too.

Xiao Lang has always been very proactive. Once he has determined a target, he will take action in the shortest possible time.

He stood up and toasted Tao Sheng, and during the toast, he expressed his gratitude to Miss Luo for visiting today, his admiration for Miss Luo, and his desire for Miss Luo to guide his studies.

Tao Sheng was originally invited to play at the Prince Chu’s mansion today, but when she left, she was given an additional position as a teacher in the mansion, and had two new students, Xiao Lang and Xiao Ming.

Now she is the music director of the Imperial Music Bureau, the editor of the music for offering sacrifices to heaven in the Ministry of Rites, the emperor’s personal zither player, the King of Chu’s staff member, and the teacher of the prince of the King of Chu’s palace…

It is extremely rare in the entire Great Zhou for one person to work five jobs. This must be the legendary chosen worker, right?