Chapter 16
When King Jingchen left the palace, he met King Jing'an who had returned from the palace. King Jingchen already has a residence outside the palace, and he only came to the palace today because of his majesty's summons. Although King Jingchen has been crowned king, he still lives in the palace and will not move out of the palace to his own fief until the New Year.
"Third brother!" King Jing'an took two quick steps to meet him, his words filled with enthusiasm, "Since you moved out of the palace, we have seen each other less!"
At the age of nineteen, he is no longer considered a young man, but King Jingan was born with a pair of bright peach blossom eyes. Not only is he delicate and beautiful, but he also has the air of a young and romantic child.
King Jingchen, who was only two years older than him, seemed much calmer. Although he has the same pair of peach blossom eyes, they don't have the sharpness of a young man, only the handsomeness and nobleness of his body.
King Jingchen's unattainable and cold face suddenly became softer. He said with a smile: "That's a very pitiful thing to say. If I don't invite you over for a little gathering right away, it will seem like my brother is unkind."
"Just wait for what Third Brother says!" King Jing'an threw the scroll in his hand to the young eunuch and followed King Jingchen out of the palace.
Not long after the two brothers left, they heard the faint sound of the piano.
The sound of the piano is melodious and smooth, making people feel relaxed and happy. The two brothers stopped.
"I know, it's the plum blossom appreciation banquet hosted by the imperial sister today. Let's go and see who plays the piano so well that he can be as good as me!" King Jing'an took King Jingchen to the Baiyuan Garden.
King Jingchen smiled helplessly. Among the six arts of a gentleman, King Jing'an had the most trouble with music. He didn't understand music theory at all. To say that the player who plays the piano is equal to him would be an insult to the skill of the piano.
The two brothers stood outside the Baiyuan Garden and saw the figure sitting under the red plum playing the piano.
The small gathering in Baiyuan Garden has come to an end. The first piece Shi Yunlin played amazed everyone. Later, she tried a variety of instruments like a test, and she excelled in all of them, which is amazing.
Shi Yunlin started the performance by plucking the strings and making music, and she also ended the plum appreciation banquet.
Shi Yunlin thought for a while and finally played the song "Bi Bo Yin". The beauties who were chatting and laughing a moment ago stopped talking and listened quietly to this particularly ethereal and melodious piece of music. The melody slipped out of Shi Yunlin's fingertips, and each tune led people away from the bustling plum garden and into a wider world. There are mountains, rivers, flowing clouds and blue waves in front of us. The beautiful scenery of heaven and earth seems to be slowly unfolding in front of our eyes like a picture scroll in the tune after tune.
As the song comes to an end, the sound of the piano gradually becomes more melodious and sad. The magnificent scenery gradually passed back and forth in front of my eyes, and everything returned to calm. When I came back to my senses, a bit of desolation and loneliness lingered in the plum garden for a long time.
Shi Yunlin played the last note of the piano and hung her fingers on the strings for a long time before slowly lowering her hands. She lowered her eyes to hide the moisture in her eyes.
King Jing'an came back to his senses and said: "What an amazing piano skill! Whose girl or wife is this? Not only does the sound of the piano bring to the painting, but she is also as beautiful as an immortal. I can't help but want to throw flowers to express my gratitude!"
King Jingchen withdrew his probing gaze from Shi Yunlin. He half-smiled and said to his younger brother, "Princess Xiang just married Qishanlang last month."
He easily broke off a red plum from a branch and handed it to King Jing'an, smiling and saying, "Go ahead and add a hairpin to express your gratitude."
"No, no, no... Third brother, you are harming me." King Jing'an waved his hands repeatedly and backed away. He looked at Shi Yunlin again with eyes full of regret. "Come on, let's go! Let's not be eavesdroppers."
King Jing'an took his brother and was about to leave.
King Jingchen looked back and gently placed the newly broken red plum in his hand among the snow piled on the stone lantern.
In the Baiyuan Garden, the beauties were still immersed in the music.
Princess Mingci said: "It's a good piece of music with good piano skills, but the tune turns low at the end, and it sounds much sadder. But after the music is over, everyone disperses, and today's plum blossom feast is over, so it's appropriate for the occasion."
Shi Yunlin blinked lightly, suppressing the moisture in her eyes, and when she raised her eyes again, her eyes were clear and bright. She stood up and smiled: "It's embarrassing, just don't spoil the fun."
The ending of this piece should not be so sad, but the melody is so touching. As Shi Yunlin played, she couldn't help but think of the person who taught her how to play the piano, and she felt a pool of tears in her heart. How could she not reveal her sadness through the strings.
Fan Ziying said: "I am stupid, I have never heard this song before."
In addition, several people echoed that they had never heard of it and asked about the composer.
Shi Yunlin said: "My brother made this song."
The Crown Princess suddenly changed her expression, stared at Shi Yunlin, and asked, "I wonder which prince of the Xiang Kingdom is so talented and learned?"
"Eldest brother."
The princess's face turned even colder. She stared at Shi Yunlin and gritted her teeth every word: "Shi Yannian can not only play in battle but also compose music and make music. He is really talented!"
After a slight pause, the Crown Princess sneered and said, "I heard that he died during the encirclement and suppression? It's pitiful that Yun Lin has no brother like me."
Today's already peaceful banquet suddenly fell into silence again.
The Crown Princess brought up the old story again and exposed the hatred of her brother. Shi Yannian killed the crown prince's brother on the battlefield, forcing her to marry far away and live in Qi. When she first heard about Shi Yannian's death, the Crown Princess was not relieved at all and only felt regretful that she could not kill him with her own hands.
There is a deadly feud between Yi Shuzhen and Shi Yunlin, and they will never be able to live in harmony.
A little palace maid came in from the outside, bowed her knees to everyone, and then walked up to Shi Yunlin and said: "The general has arrived at Qiande Garden. Let Madam go there to look for him after finishing here."
Someone laughed and joked: "Surely, they are really a newlywed couple. Even a general like that has to pick them up personally."
Princess Mingci, who never spoke much, said: "Today's banquet should be over. Go ahead and don't keep the general waiting."
The plum blossom feast was held outdoors for most of the day, and Shi Yunlin felt cold even though she was wearing a thick coat. She said goodbye to everyone and followed the little palace maid who led the way to Qiande Garden.
A strange color appeared in the Crown Princess's eyes. She did not expect that Qishanlang would come to pick up Shi Yunlin in person. The distance between here and Qiande Garden is not far. I'm afraid if there is loud chatter and laughter here, the sound can be heard over there.
The Crown Princess quickly gave a wink to the palace maid beside her to stop the plan, and even though the little palace maid trotted to do it, it was already too late.
There is a long narrow road between Baiyuan Garden and Qiande Garden. The road was not narrow at first, but lush flowers and plants were planted on both sides, making the road narrower and narrower. Nowadays, in the cold winter, all flowers are shy, and there are only dead or green branches on both sides of the road.
Halfway through, Shi Yunlin suddenly heard a dog barking. I didn't take it seriously at all, I just thought that some master in the palace was keeping him as a pet. But the next moment, a big brown dog rushed out from behind the grass and rushed towards Shi Yunlin.
"Get away from that mad dog!" The little palace maid who led the way bluffingly stretched out her hand to drive Shi Yunlin away, and at the same time pulled Shi Yunlin towards Qiande Garden.
The big dog showed its long teeth at the little palace maid, who was so frightened that her legs trembled and she fell to the ground. Shi Yunlin was dragged and staggered. Just as she was standing still, the big dog had already pounced on her.
Shi Yunlin stepped back and stretched out her hand to block the vicious dog from attacking.
The vicious dog bit Shi Yunlin on the arm. Shi Yunlin swung away and backed away in panic.
Seeing Shi Yunlin being bitten and falling down, the little palace maid was frightened and shouted for help.
Shi Yunlin was also frightened. She had also raised a puppy before, and she had always liked cute and sensible cats and dogs, but she had never seen such a ferocious dog. The vicious dog had already pounced on her, and its foul-smelling saliva was pungent to her nose.
She didn't dare to fight with her other hand, and she couldn't shake off the vicious dog just by shaking the bitten arm.
She stepped back in panic, with tears in her eyes due to fear, wondering when the palace servants would come to help her fight off the vicious dog.
His back was suddenly pressed. Shi Yunlin had no time to look back, and the bitten arm suddenly disappeared.
Qishanlang stretched out his hand to hold the mad dog's neck and twisted it hard. The vicious dog immediately let go. Shi Yunlin clearly heard the sound of the dog's neck being broken.
Qi Shanlang held the struggling vicious dog with one hand, and then threw it with great force. The vicious dog fell to the ground, and the dog's head hit the bluestone road hard, and blood and brains spattered everywhere.
Shi Yunlin looked at the red and white things on the ground and took a small step back with her heart beating wildly.
Qishanlang turned around and pulled Shi Yunlin's bitten arm. Only then did Shi Yunlin come back to her senses and look at her injuries. Fortunately, she was afraid of the cold and wore a thick coat today. The vicious dog bit through her little yellow coat, and the cotton wool inside flew everywhere.
Qi Shanlang rolled up her sleeves and examined her forearms.
Looking at her smooth and uninjured forearm, Shi Yunlin breathed a sigh of relief. In the frightening scene just now, her whole body was trapped in fear, and she didn't even know if she was bitten. Shi Yunlin's eyes quickly filled with tears of escape. She had heard that people who were bitten by a mad dog would go crazy and die.
It was also at this time that the palace arrived with a dog-beating stick.
Qishanlang picked up the cotton wool of Shi Yunlin's cotton-padded coat that was blown in his face by the wind. He looked at Shi Yunlin's trembling hands and put down her rolled-up sleeves.
He knelt down and pinched open the dead dog's eyelids. This dog obviously didn't go crazy suddenly, but was given a crazy drug.
Qishan Wolf carried the dead dog to Baiyuan Garden, blood dripping all the way.
In the Baiyuan Garden, the beauties were packing up and preparing to leave the palace, when suddenly Qishan Wolf appeared at the door carrying a dead dog that was bleeding.
Some people panicked and immediately covered their mouths. Others slumped back into their chairs.
The Crown Princess looked away.
Qishanlang carried the dead dog through the weak ladies and threw the bloody vicious dog directly onto the first princess's desk.
The majestic Princess Mingci also trembled with fright.
The girls screamed and turned pale, but Qishanlang turned around and left without saying a word.
Qishanlang couldn't immediately know the ins and outs of the matter, and there was no need for him to investigate. Since Princess Mingci is hosting today's plum blossom feast, she should be responsible for the investigation and give an explanation.
Qishanlang strode towards Shi Yunlin and reached out to hold her. As he approached, he walked around to the other side of Shi Yunlin and held her with his bloodless hand.
Shi Yunlin quietly glanced at the hands held by the two people.
Qishan Wolf whistled, and the big black horse ran over through the neatly trimmed grass and trees. The palace people fled in a panic.
Qishanlang took Shi Yunlin on the horse. He suddenly looked back at Baiyuan Garden and asked, "Were you bullied?"
Shi Yunlin quickly shook her head: "No."
Qishan Lang looked away and did not speak again. He took Shi Yunlin back to Baixiang Palace on horseback as he did when he came.
His horse was always very fast, and there was a cool breeze cutting Shi Yunlin's cheeks. She always closed her eyes subconsciously every time she sat on his horse.
Halfway through today's journey, Shi Yunlin slowly opened her eyes.
The cool wind like a knife blows on the eyes, but it is gentle. The scenery receding on both sides was faster than she had ever seen. It was so fast that it became another kind of shocking beauty due to its novelty.
Qishanlang held the horse's reins with his left hand, and his other blood-stained right hand hung by his side. Shi Yunlin hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Qi Shanlang's wrist, pulled his right hand over, and then wiped the blood on his hand bit by bit with a handkerchief. Some of the blood stains have dried and cannot be wiped off.
Qishan Lang glanced at it, let go of the horse's rein with his left hand, took out the water bag from the side of the horse, bit off the plug with his teeth, and poured the water into his right hand.
Looking at the splashing water, Shi Yunlin was stunned for a moment before continuing to rub it.
The big black horse ran smoothly and reluctantly stopped in front of Baixiang Palace.
Qishanlang put Shi Yunlin down from the horse first, and then dismounted.
Shi Yunlin heard the sound of a carriage. When I turned around, I saw the carriage from Baixiang Palace coming back.
This morning Qishanlang sent a carriage to pick up people, and Shi Yunlin was even angry. At this time, I couldn't help but wonder who Qishanlang sent a car to pick up?
The carriage stopped, and under Shi Yunlin's curious eyes, the people in the car opened the door.
Shi Yunlin suddenly screamed.
Qishan Lang on the side was actually frightened. He turned his head to look at her and saw her eyes that lit up instantly.
