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From a strategic point of view, there was nothing wrong with the Crown Princess’s approach of using Rui Wangfei as a match to let the State of Liang musician be in the limelight. This wasn’t only a way to show their hospitality, but also a way to protect their rights and interests.
After all, if the State of Liang was happy, wouldn’t the subsequent negotiations become easier?
Only, Rui Wangfei would be wronged.
But as an imperial daughter-in-law, she should also have the awareness that this sense of sacrifice was sometimes necessary.
It was just that no one expected Rui Wangfei to take out a damaged guqin, which was undoubtedly an act of humiliating the other party—— you want me to be your match, right? Well, you’re only worthy of this broken guqin!
This reversal was not expected by anyone.
However, the bigger reversal actually came later.
The heart of the State of Liang’s envoys were filled with ups and downs. What a marvelous welcoming banquet!
As for the guqin overshadowing the flute, it was something only people proficient in music such as Rui Wangfei and Wu Ming could understand. In the eyes of the rest, the State of Zhao had prepared such an excellent performance, which showed that they attach great importance to the State of Liang ah!
What was a top-notch feast? This was it!
……
After the banquet.
Rui Wangfei, accompanied by Court Lady Xu, made her way outside the palace. The Emperor had a good time tonight and inevitably drank a little too much, so Rui Wang sent him back to his chambers first before going to meet Rui Wangfei outside the palace gate.
Just as she stepped out of the Qilin Hall, a familiar voice called her, "Rui Wangfei, please stay."
Rui Wangfei turned around.
Court Lady Xu, who was holding the guqin case, also stopped in her tracks.
The one who called was Wu Ming.
Wu Ming looked younger than when he was under the candle light inside. Probably because it was his first time here, he was very careful to act poised all the time at the banquet. After the banquet ended, he was much more relaxed.
He made a salute to Rui Wangfei.
Among the six states, the etiquette of the State of Liang and the State of Zhao was quite similar, which might be due to the fact that the State of Liang exported a lot of culture to the State of Zhao.
Rui Wangfei nodded slightly, which counted as a return courtesy, "Does Lord Wu Ming have any business with this Wangfei?"
Wu Ming’s arrogance before the ensemble couldn’t be found at this moment as he cupped his hands politely and said, "Rui Wangfei can just call me Wu Ming."
Rui Wangfei nodded slightly.
She could listen, but whether she would really call him that was up to her.
Wu Ming looked at the guqin in Court Lady Xu's hand, "May I ask Rui Wangfei if she can sell this guqin to me?"
Rui Wangfei was stunned by his sudden request. She looked him up and down and said, "As I said earlier, this is my friend's guqin."
How could she sell her friend's guqin?
Did this man not even understand this truth?
What a rude request!
It wasn’t that Wu Ming didn’t understand that his request was unreasonable, but he really wanted this guqin. He said, "Then may I trouble Rui Wangfei to tell that person that the price is negotiable."
Rui Wangfei looked at him as if she was looking at a fool before turning away.
Wu Ming looked at her back and persisted, "Rui Wangfei, I sincerely want to buy the guqin, may Rui Wangfei help me accomplish my aim!"
Rui Wangfei wouldn’t do anything that would make things difficult for Gu Jiao. It was an amazing guqin. If Gu Jiao wanted to sell it, she would have sold it long ago.
The women's academy, which was full of young ladies of high background, was just next door to their medical hall. Gu Jiao wouldn't encounter any problem selling the guqin if she wanted to.
"This Wu Ming is really annoying!" Rui Wangfei walked away in a huff.
Wu Ming stared at her departing back unreconciled.
The State of Liang’s Yu Qinwang and his wife also came out of the hall, and when they saw Wu Ming yelling at Rui Wangfei, they frowned slightly.
Wu Ming was a court musician of the State of Liang, and he was deeply favored by the monarch of the State of Liang, so he was qualified to accompany them this time. However, establishing relationships with him with politics in mind wouldn’t help you in any way.
He was someone who purely wanted to play instruments.
Yu Qinwang said with a firm voice, "Wu Ming, pay attention to your identity, this is not in the State of Liang."
Wu Ming turned around and saluted, "Wangye, Wangfei, please forgive this lowly official for his impropriety."
"What were you talking about with Rui Wangfei just now?" Yu Qinwang asked.
Yu Qinwangfei was a demure and gentle woman, and her temper was not as cold as Yu Qinwang's.
[T/N: Qinwang: prince of the first rank | Qinwangfei: prince’s consort of the first rank]
Wu Ming replied, "I’m interested in buying the guqin in Rui Wangfei's hand."
Yu Qinwangfei didn't ask him how he could make such a rude request, but instead asked, "Why do you want that guqin?"
Wu Ming said, "I suspect that it is the real Fuxi guqin, but judging from Rui Wangfei's reaction, she doesn’t seem to know it herself."
If she knew that it was the real Fuxi guqin, would she let her servants hold it?
She obviously treated it like an ordinary guqin, without the slightest intention of showing it off.
Other people of the State of Zhao must not know it either.
"Are you sure?" Yu Qinwang asked.
Wu Ming nodded, "I'm sure of it. The reason why my Master can make the best Fuxi guqin imitation is because he has seen the real Fuxi guqin and heard the sound of the real Fuxi guqin. I was still young at that time and could only stand outside the curtain and listen to the sound. It’s a sound that I’ll never forget."
Yu Qinwangfei wondered, "But how could the Fuxi guqin be burnt? There’s also the word Fuxi. "
Wu Ming thought for a moment, and speculated, "The word should be engraved on the back. As for why it is burnt… I don't know either."
Did someone use the Fuxi guqin as a firewood?
It couldn’t be that ridiculous, right?
Yu Qinwangfei looked at Yu Qinwang, asking, "Does Rui Wangfei know the real owner of the Fuxi guqin?"
Yu Qinwang frowned, "I don't know."
He looked at Wu Ming, "Have you met the original owner of the real Fuxi guqin?"
Wu Ming shook his head with regret, "I haven't seen them. Master has seen them and painted many portraits of the other party. It's just that Master always regards those portraits as treasures and doesn't allow any of us to peek at them."
Yu Qinwang: "You don't know whether it's a man or a woman?"
Wu Ming spread his hands, "I don't know."
Yu Qinwang felt a headache.
If it was the real Fuxi guqin, then he was also very interested.
Everyone knew that the State of Liang’s monarch was good at music. If he could get the real Fuxi guqin, he would certainly win the monarch's favor.
Yu Qinwangfei looked at her husband, held his arm, and shook her head gently, "You mustn't use force."
Yu Qinwang's expression softened in an instant. He smiled and said, "I know, I know, Madame, don't worry, I will not."
Yu Qinwangfei thought about it but still felt it was inappropriate, "To be able to hear the real Fuxi guqin is also a good fate. Let’s not trouble other people."
"Don't you like that guqin too? I’ll buy it for you! Not for the monarch! Yu Qinwang was well-known for his love for his wife.
Yu Qinwangfei shook her head, "A gentleman doesn't take advantage of others."
Yu Qinwang took his wife's hand and said, "All right, whatever you say!"
Wu Ming was dumbfounded. Wangye, is it really fine for you to be so unprincipled?
Yu Qinwangfei nodded and added, "It's getting late. Let’s go back and see how Ming’er is doing."
Ming’er was the son of Yu Qinwang and Qinwangfei who was ten years of age. He also came to the State of Zhao with his parents.
In fact, this wasn’t the first time that Yu Qinwang and Qinwangfei had visited the State of Zhao. They had been here five years ago when Yu Qinwangfei was pregnant.
They found out that she was pregnant halfway through their journey but by that time, it was too late to send her back. Moreover, Yu Qinwang didn't feel at ease with her going back alone.
Thus, they stayed in the State of Zhao for a short period of time. After the envoys left, they still lived there, intending to return to the State of Liang after the one month confinement period upon giving birth to their child.
Four years ago, Yu Qinwangfei gave birth to a son in the State of Zhao, but the baby reportedly died at birth.
This child named Ming’er was the current youngest son of the couple.
Having already lost a child, they doted on this child very much.
They didn't bring him to the State of Zhao last time, but they did this time.
This child was a brilliant kid. Despite being only ten years old, he was a child prodigy. He had learned the Four Books and Five Classics, and he was also very excellent in arithmetic.
The only thing was that he was too delicate and weak. When Yu Qinwang took him for a horse-riding outside a few days ago, Yu Qinwang just turned around for a moment and he already started coughing.
Yu Qinwang: "Don't worry about Ming’er, he'll be all right soon."
Yu Qinwangfei: "You’re not allowed to take him for a horse-riding in the future. Look at how windy it is."
Yu Qinwang: "I know, I know!"
The couple's voice drifted away. Wu Ming let out a sigh and followed them out of the palace.
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