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Qi was dressed in formal court attire today, a stark contrast to his usual relaxed elegance, exuding an air of authority. On his head, he wore a purple gold crown adorned with jewels, his hair slightly cascading down, giving him a carefree look that set him apart from the kings of other nations.
His eyes were striking, a deep blue like the midnight sea, cold and piercing as the ocean at night. His nose was prominent, lips painted red, and his skin was as smooth as cream, exquisitely delicate; if it weren't for the royal robes, one might think he had descended from the heavens.
He stretched out his arms and called to everyone, "No need for formalities."
Then he sat down and glanced around the hall, suddenly spotting San Chun and smiling at her.
All eyes in the grand hall were still on Yan Wang; wherever he looked or smiled, everyone noticed. Some whispered among themselves, wondering if the king's intended was not the Chief Minister's daughter but rather the Senior Official's daughter.
This was exactly the effect Qi wanted; it was best if everyone knew she was his woman. He raised his cup and gestured towards her. San Chun cooperatively lowered her head; she wasn't shy but rather annoyed with him for being so ambiguous.
Qi turned to Qing and Ji Xun and said, "Your Highnesses have graced our kingdom; I am truly pleased. Today’s banquet is to welcome you both, so please enjoy this drink."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Qing stood up and drank from his cup in one gulp.
Ji Xun also stood up lazily and took a drink. He set down his cup but kept his gaze fixed on San Chun. After not seeing her for days, she looked well; however, it seemed her eyes no longer held only him but also two unrelated individuals. He had witnessed her earlier interactions with Qing and Yan Wang's subtle hints, which left a bitter taste in his heart.
With only Zhong Xue as a rival, he struggled enough; now he would have to face several opponents—perhaps even ones he wasn't aware of.
He silently prayed for his A-Dan, wondering when she would remember their past together, the days they spent in love under the flowers and moonlight.
He was so focused that when the maid poured wine into his cup, it overflowed without him noticing.
"Your Highness, your wine has spilled," the maid said softly with a smile as she gently wiped it up with a cloth.
She was particularly meticulous, carefully cleaning every drop with her fingers.
Having never encountered such an attentive and peculiar maid before—even in public settings—it piqued Ji Xun's curiosity. He asked, "Do we know each other?"
The maid was graceful and elegant, with a striking appearance and eyes as clear as a pond, giving her a somewhat delicate beauty. At this moment, she chuckled lightly and said, "Indeed. Your Highness does not recognize me? I am from the Zhao Kingdom."
Hearing this, Ji Xun suddenly remembered that he once had a maid named "Ying," who accompanied him to the Chu Kingdom as a hostage. She was the only one among his attendants who was of similar age to him. She was always meticulous in her duties, taking care of him with great attention to detail. Now that he thought about it, he felt a sense of concern for her diligence and seriousness.
After he was brought back to his country by Zhao Wang, Ying's whereabouts became unknown. Without anyone attentive to care for him, he felt quite uncomfortable for some time. However, girls change significantly as they grow up; in just three or four years, she had become so beautiful that he could hardly recognize her at first glance.
This was not the place for conversation, so he nodded slightly, indicating that they could talk later.
To others, this brief interaction seemed like a romantic affair—where the young master took an interest in the maid, and the maid had feelings for the young master. This was what they called mutual affection. Qi laughed heartily and said, "It is said that Young Master Ji Xun is charming and refined; seeing him today confirms this. If you are interested, I shall have the generosity to support your desires."
Ji Xun smiled faintly and replied, "Your Majesty's kind intentions are appreciated; however, my heart already belongs to someone else. I will never marry and will not betray that person."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ying's face revealed disappointment. The young master she devoted herself to wholeheartedly still could not forget that other person.
In an era where wealthy families were filled with wives and concubines, it was rare to find such infatuation. For a moment, all eyes were on him, eager to see if this young master from Zhao Wang was sincere or not.
San Chun suddenly felt her eyes moisten and inexplicably wanted to cry. She seemed to have heard such words before—the promise made by a jade-like youth to a girl in a dreamlike state touched her heart.
She shook her head, puzzled about why she kept recalling such unfounded matters lately. She even began to feel vaguely that she was not Dan, not the gentle and lovely daughter mentioned by Ju Rong. Remembering how she had changed compared to before made her increasingly confused. Most of what Ju Dan could do, she could not; yet many things that Ju Dan disliked seemed to be things she liked. Could it be possible that she really wasn't Dan?
With doubts in her heart, she muttered to herself, "This is truly baffling."
Madam Ju's expression darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting today?"
San Chun froze, realizing she had let something slip. She smiled at Madam Ju and said, "Do you think I am different from before?"
Madam Ju snorted and replied, "Of course you're different; you're crazier than you used to be."
Although this statement is harsh, it is mostly the truth. Even Madam Ju feels that she has gone madder; it seems she really is different from before.
Just as he was pondering and feeling a bit of a headache, he suddenly saw Doctor Pang Gui stand up. He bowed deeply and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have a request, and I hope you will grant it."
Qi smiled and said, "Lord Pang, please feel free to speak."
"I have heard that Lord Ju's daughter is skilled in playing the qin. Today, I would like to perform a duet with Noble Lady on the qin and xiao, to fulfill my wish of many years."
Qi looked at San Chun and asked, "Sister Ju, what do you think?"
Calling her sister in front of such a large crowd was enough to make many faces change color. However, San Chun was not troubled by this; perhaps the former Ju Dan could play the qin, but she could not.
She couldn't even remember how many strings were on the instrument, let alone perform together. This was not the kind of embarrassment she wanted to face. Especially with Jingqing and Ji Xun present, how could she let them see her in such a predicament? She would be mocked for being incompetent.
Reluctant in her heart, she tugged at her sleeve, her expression appearing very unnatural. "Um... Your Majesty, there are so many guests today; I would rather not embarrass myself."
Qi chuckled lightly. "But I also want to hear my sister play the qin." She turned to Gongzi Qiulan and Young Master Ji Xun and asked, "What do you gentlemen think?"
Ji Xun smiled and said, "If Noble Lady is willing to showcase her talent, we would be more than happy."
Qing couldn't help but worry. They had lived together for two years, and he truly did not know if she could play the qin. Did she even know how many strings it had?
San Chun really did not know; however, she could at least count. The guqin clearly had seven strings.
Pang Gui presented the guqin and smiled. "This is an ancient famous instrument called Chasing the Moon, once owned by King Wei of Qi. King Wei was a lover of music; at that time, a Qin Master named Zou Jizi visited him. King Wei allowed him to stay in the house on his right side. One day while King Wei was playing the qin, Zou Jizi unceremoniously pushed open the door and entered, which displeased King Wei greatly. However, after Zou Jizi shared some theories about playing the qin, King Wei calmed down. Later on, Zou Jizi was honored with 'Three Months of Receiving the Seal; One Year Enshrined in Xiapi,' which became a well-known story."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but admire; Zou Jizi's name was known far and wide.
San Chun felt her hands tremble as the famous qin of King Wei of Qi was placed in her hands. If it produced any strange sounds, it would be a huge embarrassment.
Pang Gui clearly did not understand what she was thinking; he merely smiled slightly, his handsome face shining even brighter. He brought the xiao to his lips and began to play without any prior greeting. The tune he played was the mournful and plaintive Chu Ge, the sound of the xiao sobbing, as if weeping and lamenting.
Until the piece ended, San Chun sat there in a daze, seemingly not hearing the sound of the xiao, unmoved by it.
Pang Gui felt a bit surprised. "Why does the young lady not join in? Is it that the piece I played does not please your ears?"
"Not at all. As a Yan Ren, to play along with Chu Ge would be a great disrespect." San Chun secretly stuck out her tongue; she truly had no idea what he was playing.
Pang Gui bowed deeply. "Then it is I who have been disrespectful. Why not let the young lady play first? I would be willing to accompany you."
San Chun: "﹠﹉﹡△＃…"
Pang Gui did not understand. "What did you say, young lady?"
"I... just a moment, I need to prepare." San Chun secretly grinned, stood up, bowed to the higher-ranking Qi, and then exited the great hall, glancing at Ji Xun with intention as she left.
She went to prepare, but in reality, she was trying to figure out how to avoid embarrassment and make this situation work out somehow.
Standing before the tall palace steps, looking down at the hundreds of Jade stone steps below, she was quite indecisive. Should she pretend to faint? Or would it be better to accidentally fall from this long high platform?
Thinking about these two ideas seemed unreliable; pretending to faint would likely not convince anyone, while falling could lead to serious injury and would be a greater loss.
In fact, she was not afraid of embarrassment, but losing face in front of Madam Ju was something she truly did not want. This might give her more excuses for future criticisms directed at her.
Why did her former self, Ju Dan, have to learn something like playing the qin?
She was feeling a headache when she suddenly heard someone behind her say, "If you can't think of a solution, let me help you."
San Chun turned around and saw it was Ji Xun, unable to help but smile slightly. "How do you plan to help, Young Master?"
"Just like before."
In the past, she also couldn't play the piano. Once, during a performance at the Chu Palace, the King of Chu asked her to play a piece. The Crown Prince Yan Dan gave off the same impression of being capable of anything; no one expected she couldn't play the piano, just as her dancing seemed extraordinary, enhanced by the atmosphere around her, making it appear as if it were divine dance. That time, she was quite troubled, but he suggested that he hide behind the curtain and play while she merely pretended to perform in front.
San Chun was about to ask how they did it before when he already pulled her toward the main hall.
He stopped in front of the hall door and took a stringed instrument from an attendant, lightly plucking its strings.
She immediately understood and nodded in thanks.
As she turned to walk into the hall, she couldn't help but wonder why he brought a musical instrument to a banquet. However, if Ji Xun heard this, he would probably smile wryly at her lack of appreciation.
Upon entering the hall, she apologized to the king.
Qi took a delicate sip of wine and then elegantly raised an eyebrow. "Have you finished your business?"
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