Chapter 163: Start the Show
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Then, Mu Weiqing looked at the person beside her. The woman immediately understood and quickly stood up. She said respectfully to the emperor, “Feng Ruo of the Feng family is willing to dance to liven up the banquet.”
“Permission granted!” The emperor’s expression was unreadable. The show was about to begin. He wanted to see what the woman Qiao Yanhui liked was like. If she was competent, he didn’t mind using her for his own benefit!
Hence, all the unmarried women began to take turns performing, and even Mu Weiqing went on stage to perform. They hoped to let their crushes see a different version of themselves. Even if Qiao Yanhui didn’t like them, there were still other princes. No one was willing to pass up on the opportunity to marry a noble…
Mu Weiqing was performing the zither. The people below watched and listened in fascination. She was playing a pleasant tune, and everyone was captivated by the charming music. They stared at Mu Weiqing with even more infatuation.
Mu Weiqing played the zither well, but the atmosphere wasn’t that wonderful. It was supposed to be a soothing song that made one feel as if they had descended into an immortal realm, but the song was tainted with Mu Weiqing’s jealousy and hatred. It was really uncultured!
Seeing that everyone was immersed in the tune played by Mu Weiqing, Xu Qing couldn’t help but marvel to herself that power was really a good thing. As long as the Mu family didn’t fall from grace, Miss Mu’s status would be unchallanged!
However, there were other people who were also discerning, such as Qiao Yanhui, the emperor, and the crown prince.
Qiao Yanhui wasn’t interested in any woman other than Xu Qing, but what about the emperor and the crown prince? The crown prince nodded at her gently, which surprised Xu Qing, but she still nodded back politely.
Then, Xu Qing lowered her voice and asked Qiao Yanhui curiously, “Are you close to the Crown Prince?”
Qiao Yanhui’s eyes kept flickering before he finally nodded.
Xu Qing raised her eyebrows in surprise. Despite Qiao Yanhui’s personality, he was actually… close to the royal family?
“Mother, this woman’s performance is really terrible. Sister Teng Nian is much better.” Xu Hanxue pouted unhappily. She thought that she would be able to enjoy the music, but in the end, this woman was still the same as the last time she saw her. Even her performance was so pretentious.
“That’s because Teng Nian genuinely likes the sound of the zither. Of course her performance is different,” Xu Qing replied with a smile.
When Teng Nian, who was standing behind Xu Qing, heard the mother and daughter praise her, her fair and smooth face instantly revealed a bright smile. This sight made Qiao Er, who was hiding in the dark, smile as well.
Fortunately, Xu Hanxue’s voice wasn’t loud. Otherwise, Xu Qing definitely would have been pushed into the limelight again.
However, it was obvious that even if Xu Qing didn’t speak, she would still be targeted. Just as Mu Weiqing finished playing, a woman said, “The ladies who came to the banquet today have already finished performing. I heard that Miss Xu is talented. I wonder if we have the honor to witness your talent?”
The person who spoke was Feng Ruo. Speaking of which, her family was somewhat similar to the Qiao family. They were both military families. Of course, generals were also divided into ranks, and the Feng family was lower ranked. However, despite this, Feng Ruo had always felt that she was the most suitable for Qiao Yanhui. After all, both families were military families.
Xu Qing’s family background couldn’t compare to that of anyone present, and she wasn’t nearly as gorgeous as the number one beauty, Mu Weiqing. Who could accept that she was Qiao Yanhui’s wife? Therefore, Feng Ruo naturally wanted to see Xu Qing make a fool of herself.
However, this was funny to Xu Qing. These people clearly knew that she was a countryside woman. How could they hear that she was talented? She was just lying through her teeth.
Xu Qing had already expected that she would be targeted, so she didn’t panic at all. She only looked at Qiao Yanhui. As for Qiao Yanhui, he looked supportive. His doting gaze warmed Xu Qing’s heart.
Then, Xu Qing stood up and said, “Since everyone is looking forward to it, I won’t reject it. It’s just that Miss Feng said just now that this is a performance for the young ladies of the various families. I’m already someone’s wife and mother. It’s really too embarrassing for me to compete with you ladies, but it’s okay. My daughter is young and is willing to perform for everyone.”
After Xu Qing finished speaking, everyone’s expressions turned ugly, because they couldn’t refute Xu Qing, and Xu Qing used her daughter as a shield. Was she hinting that everyone’s performances were just child’s play?