Chapter 102 (1/2)
Chapter 102 Cloud Nine: Quarrel
As was known by many at the gathering, Qi Jianqiu could not play music at all. That said, the amount of time she'd spent in zither parlours, teahouses and the like made her a familiar face to the maestros of Chang'an. Compared to the relatively unknown Princess Shangrong who'd invited herself to the gathering, Qi Jianqiu was definitely a much more likeable person.
Her statement was met with murmurs of agreement from some of the guests, while others merely sat in silence, waiting to observe the unfolding events. Jiang Moyin and Feng Luodi exchanged a look. The princess would know very soon what a bad choice it is to garner such negative attention from Jianqiu.
Liu Shang's eyes widened in anger and snorted derisively at Qi Jianqiu. “Well well well, look who's barking – the very sister of Concubine Yao! It's no wonder you're such an annoyance; you must've gotten it from your sister huh?”
Qi Jianqiu's expression darkened. Her mother had died from an early age and her sister had stood in her place to take care of her ever since. In some ways, her sister was her weakness.
“Actually, you're wrong.” Qi Jianqiu shook her head mockingly. “Sisters do not inherit qualities from each other, princess; only mothers and daughters share their traits. It's just like a certain someone who'd arrived at this gathering without invitation – ignorant and full of herself.”
Feng Luodi turned to Jiang Moyin quietly. “Do the two of them have a feud with each other? She'd never told me anything about it before.”
Jiang Moyin raised a cup of tea to his lips. “Although the princess is favoured by the Emperor, her mother, Concubine Hui, is not. Meanwhile, Concubine Yao has been on the rise lately, receiving almost more attention than the Empress from the Emperor.”
Feng Luodi shook her head, muddled by the complicated relations.h.i.+p between them. “This is so confusing…how is Jianqiu able to wrap her head around all of this, when she only has s.p.a.ce in her brain for good food and beautiful girls?”
Jiang Moyin smiled. “Miss Qi is a simple person; I'm sure she's just irked by the ways of the princess.”
Feng Luodi nodded along. “That's what I think as well. But you have to help her if the situation spirals out of control, elder brother!”
Jiang Moyin shook his head knowingly. “If it really comes down to that, I wouldn't be needed to defend her.” Feng Luodi did not understand his comment, but her attention was quickly drawn to Chu Xiaoxiao, who shot to her feet in anger.
She pointed an accusing finger at Qi Jianqiu. “Don't a.s.sume for a moment that you can be disrespectful to the princess just because of your looks, you hear me? You should feel honoured that the princess is even willing to grace you with her presence today. The princess decides who should play the zither, and she also decides who plays well.”
“My G.o.d…is this woman here to clown around?” Qi Jianqiu rolled her eyes and remarked offhandedly to Crystal. Crystal avoided her gaze and hid her smile. Why is this Princess Shangrong and her friend such a…weirdo?”
Chu Xiaoxiao shot a look at Liu Shang and, sensing her approval, continued smugly. “Perhaps some of you here can play a tune or two, but who on earth are you even inviting to this gathering of yours, Gentleman Fang? They are not fit to be here!”
“May I ask what the issue is about, your Highness?” Gentleman Fang was visibly upset.
Chu Xiaoxiao was oblivious to his anger. “Well, many of these guests are scholars of the arts or young masters from various distinguished families, but how are the lowly zither artistes invited to sit at the tables? How can you even allow their presence to taint the gathering?”
She jabbed a finger in the direction of Feng Luodi. “What about this woman here? She is but a mere daughter of an unknown official in court – who let her into the estate? Her very presence brings down the quality of the entire gathering!”
Qi Jianqiu narrowed her eyes and spat the words out of her mouth. “Hmph. I'm sure you're the one who's single-handedly destroying this well-reputed gathering.”
“What did you say?” Chu Xiaoxiao was fuming, angered that she'd been lectured in public. “This is no place for you to speak at all! You're just the daughter of another official, without any royal blood in your veins!”
Qi Jianqiu was about to rebut, but Crystal held her back instead. “Relax; let others have a chance to speak as well.”
As expected, many others stood up against the princess and Chu Xiaoxiao as well.
“I'd a.s.sumed that the gathering was so that the maestros of Chang'an could sit and enjoy music in each other's company. It doesn't matter if you can play or not; you just need to be ready to respect the gathering and the music played.” A scholar stood up. “Your Highness, you are welcomed to leave the estate if you have no intention of respecting the gathering and our rules. If you wish to stay and abide by the rules, I'm sure we can have a very enjoyable night instead.”
Chu Xiaoxiao was about to snap a reply in return, but other voices chimed in as well. The guests quickly comforted Gentleman Fang with their words, allaying the tension in the air. Under the masterful words of these people, the atmosphere quickly returned to an enjoyable one. After all, the guests rather spent their time proceeding with the gathering than arguing with the pompous Chu Xiaoxiao.
Gan Qingjia smiled as he held up a snack to his lips, turning to Linglong. “Don't be mad that Jianqiu stole your limelight.”
“Why will I be?” Linglong covered her smile with an arm. “I'm just glad that you would be thinking for me.”
On the other side, Jiang Moyin smiled at Feng Luodi. “I'm surprised you didn't rise up to that bait.”
Feng Luodi raised a brow at him and jabbed a finger at her temple. “There's definitely something wrong up there for her; I thought it best not to argue with someone like that.”
“HAHA HAHA!” Jiang Moyin roared in laughter, graceful as always despite his action. “That was brutal, Luodi.” Feng Luodi did not reply, too busy nodding apologetically at the other guests who cast inquisitive looks at them. The crowd was surprised, having never seen Grand Tutor in such a state before.
Liu Shang's expression darkened. “Are you mocking me, Grand Tutor?”
Feng Luodi glared at Jiang Moyin and murmured under her breath. “That's your reward for calling me brutal, hmph!”
Jiang Moyin did not even bother wiping the smile off his face. “Why would you even think that, princess? I did not even look your way today, much less mock you.” Liu Shang's expression darkened further upon hearing his words, but Jiang Moyin paid no attention to her.
He turned to Gentleman Fang. “My apologies for disrupting the gathering, Gentleman Fang. I was just too excited when Luodi told me that she was ready to play a song for us, in the spirit of the gathering. We can proceed with the gathering afterwards.”
Gentleman Fang stroked his beard idly as he laughed good-naturedly. “I had heard a lot about your expertise with the zither, Miss Feng. I was even worried that we wouldn't be able to enjoy your music if the cup had not landed in front of you, but now that you volunteer to play for us, my worries are laid to rest. Please, Miss Feng.”
Beside Feng Luodi, Gentleman Cen and Scholar Gao quickly nodded in agreement. “It would be our pleasure to hear you play, Miss Feng.” The rest of the crowd chimed in their agreements as well, ignoring Princess Shangrong who was still glaring at Jiang Moyin.
Although it'd felt good to be respected by the crowd, maintaining such a high profile was not in Feng Luodi's agenda. She rolled her eyes at Jiang Moyin. Did you really have to push me into the spotlight like this?