Page 55

Su Li discreetly surveyed her surroundings. On the surface, everyone appeared cordial and at ease, but beneath the veneer, undercurrents of tension swirled ominously.

Glancing ahead, Su Li noticed her father and a group of ministers seated in solemn anticipation. It was clear that this banquet would not proceed smoothly.

As expected, while Su Mu was serving dishes to the Empress, a soft, sweet voice rang out.

"Your Majesty of Tianqi, during this visit, I have brought along a treasure of unparalleled value—a gift for the Crown Prince of Tianqi."

Out stepped Wanyan Xue, clad in crimson robes, standing poised and unflinching in the center of the hall.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged glances, their thoughts aligning:Here it comes.

The ministers straightened in their seats, sensing the gravity of the moment.

The Emperor raised his hand, signaling the performers to pause.

"Oh? What kind of treasure is this?"

Wanyan Xue clapped her hands, and a diplomat from Beiyan stepped forward, holding a small box no larger than a palm.

Wanyan Xue approached and opened the lid.

"Behold, esteemed guests—this is the treasure our royal family of Beiyan happened upon: a living bone flower."

"A living bone flower!"

"Such a thing truly exists!"

"If the Crown Prince consumes it, his condition will surely improve by half!"

"Beiyan is truly generous!"

Su Li glanced at the wooden box—it indeed contained a living bone flower.

Though the flower wouldn't cure the Crown Prince completely, it could alleviate his suffering and prevent him from being so weak that he couldn't even attend court banquets like this one.

The hall erupted into murmurs. Even the envoys from Liangxuan and Dongxu couldn't help but glance over in interest.

The Empress, visibly moved, exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

If they could secure this living bone flower, her son wouldn't have to remain bedridden every day.

The Emperor, too, desired the flower, but he knew Beiyan wouldn't part with such a precious item without conditions.

True to form, as the chatter continued, Wanyan Xue spoke again. "I've long heard of Tianqi's illustrious culture and refined traditions. I've always admired your land, which is why I begged my father to allow me to visit. I wish to broaden my horizons. If Tianqi can best me, then this living bone flower shall be yours."

One of the ministers blurted out, "What kind of gift is this? This is clearly a provocation!"

Wanyan Xue smirked. "Doesn't Tianqi pride itself on being a land of scholars and a bastion of propriety? Surely you're not afraid of a mere woman like me?"

The crowd internally scoffed:A mere woman?

Everyone knew that Princess Seven of Beiyan was no ordinary woman. Her mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song had no equal in Beiyan.

The Emperor wanted the living bone flower, but since it belonged to Beiyan, he couldn't simply seize it. If he wanted it, he'd have to accept the challenge.

Refusing the contest would be an admission of weakness. With military strength already inferior to Beiyan's, a failure in cultural prowess would be utterly unacceptable.

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor asked, "How does the princess propose we compete?"

Wanyan Xue smiled. "It's simple. Aren't the ladies of Tianqi trained in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from a young age? Let us compete in these arts—it's fair, isn't it?"

The Emperor nodded. "Very well! Everyone, listen carefully. Among the noble daughters of Tianqi present here, who dares to take up Princess Seven's challenge? Whether you win or lose, I shall reward you generously!"

The Empress added, "Whoever secures this living bone flower for me will receive an even greater reward!"

With both the Emperor and Empress having spoken, the noblewomen grew eager to participate. However, Wanyan Xue's reputation was formidable, and none dared to step forward rashly.

At this moment, Princess Five Jun Wan, seated beside Consort Xian, spoke up. "Since Princess Seven wishes to compete, I'll join in the fun."

The Empress and Consort Xian exchanged glances. The Empress's eyes were filled with satisfaction, while Consort Xian's reflected worry.

The Empress whispered softly, "I have faith in Wan'er. Rest assured."

Consort Xian relaxed slightly. Across all of Tianqi, if Jun Wan couldn't win, no one else stood a chance.

Wanyan Xue glanced at Jun Wan. "Princess Five?"

Jun Wan nodded. "Please instruct me, Princess Seven."

Wanyan Xue smiled. "Good. Since I proposed the challenge, I'll go first."

She clapped her hands, and a servant from Beiyan brought forth a box.

"Ordinary musical competitions are dull. This instrument is called the Illusion Zither. If the player lacks mental fortitude, they'll fall into an illusion, where their deepest desires will amplify uncontrollably. A bloodthirsty person might commit murder in the hall; a lustful person might disgrace themselves publicly. Only someone devoid of desire, a blank slate, can resist its effects. Princess Five, do you dare try?"

The crowd gasped. This wasn't just a test of musical skill—it was also a trial of mental resilience.

Jun Wan hesitated. Though she was skeptical of the zither's power, if it were real and she fell under its influence, the consequences would be dire.

Consort Xian's expression darkened. Then, suddenly clutching her forehead, she let out a pained groan.

The Emperor immediately understood Consort Xian's intentions and quickly asked, "Consort Xian, what's wrong?"

While the Emperor desired the living bone flower, a princess's humiliation would become a royal scandal far worse than any noblewoman's disgrace.

This Wanyan Xue clearly harbored ill intent.

Consort Yun inwardly sneered. Consort Xian, who usually aligned herself with the Empress, was now backing down.

Consort Xian didn't care about appearances. She only knew she couldn't let her daughter touch that zither.

"I'm suddenly struck with a terrible headache. I must excuse myself."

The Emperor nodded. "Go ahead. Wan'er, accompany your mother and summon the imperial physician."

Jun Wan cast an apologetic glance at the Empress. Though she wished to win the living bone flower for her brother, the Crown Prince, risking her dignity and the royal family's honor wasn't worth it.

"Yes, Mother. Let me help you. Please take your time."

Though the Empress was reluctant, she dared not show any displeasure after the Emperor's words. Instead, she forced a smile and offered a few words of concern to Consort Xian.

After Consort Xian and Jun Wan departed, the Emperor declared, "What an unfortunate turn of events. But it doesn't matter. With so many talented women here, surely someone can handle this zither!"

Wanyan Xue merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Seeing no one stepping forward despite the Emperor's words, the Empress's expression darkened.

Wanyan Xue chuckled. "In that case, allow me to demonstrate first."

Seated behind the zither, her fingers danced across the strings, producing a soothing melody.

As the music flowed, the listeners' expressions began to change. Some burst into tears, while others laughed uncontrollably...

Only a few remained unaffected by the illusions.

Suddenly, the sound of a wine cup shattering startled everyone awake.

The crowd turned pale, looking at Wanyan Xue with a tinge of fear in their eyes.

Wanyan Xue glanced toward the source of the interruption—the women's section, where all the noble ladies sat. Nothing seemed amiss.

Perhaps it was mere coincidence.

Jun Mo's gaze shifted to Su Li, his eyes deepening slightly.

When the piece ended, Wanyan Xue rose and said, "I've finished. Who will represent Tianqi?"

The Emperor, still shaken, managed to praise her. "Princess Seven's skill with the zither is truly remarkable."

Even he had fallen into an illusion, though only briefly. Thankfully, it hadn't lasted long enough to embarrass him.

The Empress scanned the room of noblewomen. "Who will step forward to play a piece? Regardless of the outcome, both His Majesty and I will reward you handsomely!"

Had it not been for the earlier demonstration of the zither's eerie power, perhaps some might have dared to try. After all, great rewards often spurred brave actions.

But after witnessing the zither's unsettling effects, the crowd lowered their heads in silence.

The Empress's face turned ashen, then red, then black with frustration. Shehadto obtain that living bone flower!

Her gaze swept across the room, her voice cold. "Doesn't Tianqi boast four talented women? Where are Zhao Wangfu's young princess and Su Shangshu's daughter, Su Yue?"

Princess Jun Wan had already left, and General Lan Yu's daughter, Lan Yu, was absent due to wedding preparations. Only two remained.

The other noblewomen sighed in relief, watching with a mix of amusement and pity as Zhao Jingxian and Su Yue were called upon.

Su Li found the situation amusing. This was a classic case of the tall poppy being cut down.

Fame, it seemed, came with its own burdens.