Chapter 173: Palace Change

to step forward, but was protected by Xiao Li behind her."You said she's been listening to us the whole time"Yao Feifei looked at Feng Lingxi, seeing her stunning face, a fire surged up in her. She h..."I seem to see myself painting this picture."

The emperor's words made all the civil and military officials look at Feng Lingxi with new eyes. No one had expected that the fourth princess, who had been foolish for over a decade, could actually copy the emperor's calligraphy, and to perfection, even leaving the emperor speechless in admiration.

"Fourth Royal Wife, this is your first time copying it"

The Empress suppressed her anger and asked with a smile, "Feng Lingxi hurriedly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this is my first time copying. I just looked for a while longer because I was looking at the Father Emperor's calligraphy."

Feng Lingxi finished her words, and the Empress looked at the civil and military officials, "My lords, Fourth Princess Consort's imitation of His Majesty's painting is eight points similar. This palace will reward her heavily."

"Your Majesty, it's not eight parts similar, it's ten."

The emperor looked at Feng Ling Xi, his eyes full of admiration.

Feng Ling Xi, hearing the emperor's words and looking at the empress, quickly said, "Your Majesty, my humble self only happened to copy it, please don't blame me."

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess's calligraphy truly opened my eyes. However, I wonder about her qin skills. Perhaps the Fourth Princess could play a piece for us"

The Empress smiled and spoke, her eyes flickering. Feng Ling Xi's gaze shifted, the Empress was indeed going to make things difficult for her.

She has skill in copying calligraphy and paintings, but she's no good at playing the piano.

"Your Majesty, I am ignorant of music theory. May I..."

"This palace sees that you are intelligent and quick-witted. You can even imitate the emperor's calligraphy to eight out of ten similarities. This musical rhythm is natural for you as well, so why not let Yun'er play a piece for you, and you perform one on the spot for this palace What do you think, Fourth Royal Wife"

The Empress' words made it clear that she was deliberately making things difficult for Feng Lingxi. This piece of music wasn't like copying calligraphy, something you could learn in an instant.

Du Gu Cheng stood up, but was motioned to stay back by Shu Fei who was sitting above him.

The Empress seemed intent on making things difficult for Xi'er. If he spoke up, the Empress would likely make things even worse for him. The Empress dared to say in front of the Emperor that the copy was only eight points similar, which basically meant she didn't take the Emperor seriously at all.

"Mother, the Fourth Princess burned her brain before she got married. If you were to teach her how to play music, what if she learned Wouldn't that shame Miss Shen Yun, who has diligently practiced music"

Dugu Yan spoke, her words seeming to be for Feng Lingxi's sake. However, they also angered Shen Yun at the same time.

If Feng Lingxi truly learned this, wouldn't it be slapping her face and saying she's not as good as a brain-damaged fool

"Your Highness, this servant girl is willing to teach the Fourth Princess how to play music. She just wonders if the Fourth Princess would be interested"

Feng Lingxi watched them one by one, no matter how she wanted to, it seemed there was no choice but to accept.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to try, but I'm afraid I cannot play Miss Shen's music as well. I don't want to taint everyone's ears."

"Very well, you may try. This palace will spare you."

Feng Lingxi responded, glancing at Shen Yun beside her. Seeing that she had agreed, Shen Yun stepped forward and stood beside Feng Lingxi. Her voice was slightly cold as she reminded, "Fourth Princess Consort, you better look carefully. I'll only demonstrate once."

Feng Lingxi looked into her eyes, seeing the coldness within. It seemed she would deliberately make things difficult for her soon.

Should she intervene or not

Facing the gazes of everyone present, it seemed like they were all waiting for her to make a fool of herself. If she failed to perform, could the Empress spare her

"Miss Shen, please."

Feng Ling's voice was still as usual, she walked to her side and sat down. Shen Yun looked at the qin in front of her, a cold glint flashed across her eyes.

I could never fight her in my entire life.

Her piano skills were renowned throughout the capital. This time, she was determined to make Feng Lingxi concede defeat, proving her superiority beyond a shadow of a doubt. She wanted to see if Feng Lingxi would still dare to flaunt herself in front of everyone.

"Fourth Princess, are you sure this is your first time playing the piano"

Shen Yun asked, looking at Feng Lingxi's curious and puzzled eyes fixed on her strings, she had already guessed that she really didn't understand.

Feng Lingxi responded with a nod, her eyes remained fixed on Shen Yun's qin. This was the only way she could make Shen Yun feel like she understood nothing.

After all, she had been foolish for so many years. She could claim to have learned medicine from a wandering healer, but her music and calligraphy... she couldn't simply imitate them. If she excelled too much, it would raise suspicion. What she was doing now was simply observing earnestly.

Then I'll teach you a simple song, so that the Fourth Princess can learn it quickly.

Miss Shen, feel free. Whatever kind of music you choose, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it in a short time.

When Shen Yun heard this, she said, "Why not just play that piece we just played The Fourth Princess has heard it once, and only once. Perhaps she could learn it."

Feng Lingxi's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, "Is that just the piece you played just now But it feels so difficult and so long."

"Slow down, Fourth Royal Consort, follow my hand."

Feng Lingxi nodded, watching Shen Yun begin. Her fingers lightly caressed the strings, producing a melodious sound. She mimicked Shen Yun's actions, gently touching the strings herself. The rough sound startled her, and even more people in the audience covered their mouths and snickered at the jarring notes.

Feng Lingxi frowned, "Miss Shen, why does my playing sound different from your qin music"

"The Fourth Princess came slowly, it was like this at the beginning."

Shen Yun's smile was hidden in her eyes, she truly didn't know anything.

Wind Ling gave an awkward smile, noticing everyone staring at her. She quickly said, "Perhaps I should just watch you play first. I'm afraid if I get nervous, I won't be able to play well."

Then the Fourth Royal Consort had better watch carefully.

Feng Lingxi responded with a nod, watching Shen Yun play the piano. Her fingers danced across the strings, her eyes fixed intently on them, not blinking once. She was utterly absorbed in the performance.

"This Fourth Princess seems to be taking this seriously. Do you really think she can learn it"

Some young ladies of wealth couldn't help but voice their doubts in hushed whispers.

"It shouldn't be possible. Miss Shen's piano skills are well-known. If she truly possessed such talent, it would have been known throughout the capital long ago. Besides, the noise we just heard was played by her."

Listening to the murmurs of discussion, Dugu City's handsome face darkened considerably.

Seeing Xi'er handle everything alone, he really wanted to bang the table and leave this birthday banquet. This was clearly bullying his woman, making Xi'er play these worthless tunes and deliberately make things difficult for her.

"My Lord, please calm down."

Yexi whispered, "Keep an eye on the top."

Dugu Cheng suppressed the rage in his heart, his handsome face turning ashen.

If he can handle it, then fine. But if he keeps making things difficult, then he'll have to be dealt with.

The concubine's gaze fell upon Feng Ling Xi as she watched her son.

Although she claimed she couldn't do anything, just watching Shen Yun play the piano with such focus and seriousness, she didn't seem nervous or worried at all.

Maybe, there could be a miracle

The Emperor held the Consort Shu's hand, patting it gently. This scene fell into the Empress's eyes, and the coldness in her eyes deepened.didn't care about Xi'er's life or death at all. This time, Xi'er could stay out of it, he didn't want her to get involved in this matter."Let this King handle it myself, Xier. Don't get involved. The...