I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 391 Song Yinzhang Becomes Famous in One Battle

Coming to the main hall from the wing room, Xiao Qinyan first looked towards the position next to the pillar.

When he noticed Gu Qianfan sitting there, his eyes suddenly lit up and a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

Gu Qianfan raised the wine glass and toasted Xiao Qinyan from afar. Xiao Qinyan was in a good mood and drank the glass in one gulp.

Afterwards, Gu Qianfan raised his glass to toast his boss Lei Jing from afar, but nodded to Qi Mu who was above him calmly.

In fact, the reason he went to the banquet today, not only because he had promised Xiao Qinyan last night, but also because Qi Mu had someone bring him a message last night.

If it were before, he would definitely be conflicted, but now he felt no wavering at all.

On the contrary, Xiao Wei looked at Gu Qianfan with jealousy, but unfortunately he could only clench his fists under the table.

Seeing that all the guests had arrived, Xiao Qinyan clapped his hands and said, "Would you like to hear the wonderful voice of Madam Zhang, which the emperor has personally praised?"

The officials present had all heard of Zhang Haohao's famous singing voice to some extent. After Xiao Qinyan asked this question, no one dared not to support her. Only Cao Wei and Qi Mu and other upright people remained silent.

Amidst cheers, Zhang Haohao and Song Yinzhang both walked into the main hall.

Zhang Haohao had seen the world and had even met the emperor and the empress, so she could naturally handle this kind of situation.

As for Song Yinzhang, although she often attended similar occasions when she was in Qiantang, even the birthday banquet of the Queen Mother of Prince Qian was not even a fraction as grand as this one.

Under the gaze of everyone, Song Yinzhang felt her legs and feet go weak and her stomach churning. It was as if she was on the verge of death. She subconsciously looked for the only familiar figure at the table.

Xiang You noticed her gaze and gave her an encouraging smile.

In an instant, an inexplicable power surged from Song Yinzhang's chest. He thought, even if it was just to prove that General Xiang's last evaluation of his piano skills was wrong, he must amaze everyone today.

She straightened her chest, and after Zhang Haohao bowed and sat down, she began to pluck the strings, and Zhang Haohao also sang along.

"The green calyx blooms in the early morning, and the fragrance spreads everywhere..."

Lei Jinggang just heard a sentence, then turned to the people around him and said with a smile: "This is the imperial poem."

This flattery made many officials feel inferior and they secretly thought: There must be a reason why this photo can win the official's praise.

The officials immediately applauded and cheered, only a few upright people frowned.

Xiao Wei was not interested in appreciating the song. She was busy watching the maids serving the dishes. She hesitated for a moment because she wanted to show herself to Xiao Qinyan. She personally carried a plate to Cao Wei and bowed, saying, "General Cao, this is the camel hump that my father brought from the Western Regions with great difficulty."

Xiao Wei's voice mixed with Zhang Haohao's singing. Cao Wei, whose interest was disturbed, looked at Xiao Wei unhappily, nodded listlessly, and waved his hand to let him leave.

Xiao Wei was unwilling to give up and asked, "Would you like to try it?"

Cao Wei said with an unhappy look on his face: "I have been in the northwest for many years. What's so rare about camel humps? As your highness said, dogs wouldn't eat camel humps. Besides, I never eat the people's money. Please don't disturb me while I'm listening to music."

His voice was not small and the guests around him could hear it clearly.

For a moment, they all turned to look at Cao Wei and Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei didn't care about them, but he cared about Xiao Qinyan. Under Xiao Qinyan's cold eyes, Xiao Wei was extremely embarrassed and could only retreat quickly.

Everyone withdrew their gaze and looked at the camel hump meat on the table, and hesitated for a moment.

Don’t eat it, you’re not giving face to the Xiao family.

Eat it. Cao Wei said it was something that even dogs wouldn’t eat. If they ate it, they would be worse than dogs.

Just as they were hesitating, Zhang Haohao finished singing a song, and Xiao Qinyan asked Cao Wei as if nothing had happened: "Envoy Cao, is this song pleasing to the ear?"

Cao Wei looked at Zhang Haohao, then at Song Yinzhang: "Not bad, the song is good, and the pipa is even better."

Zhang Haohao bowed with a smile, and Song Yinzhang's eyes lit up. He couldn't hide his smile at all, and quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Envoy Cao, for your praise."

Before he finished speaking, a shout suddenly came from outside.

"His Royal Highness the King of Han has arrived."

In an instant, everyone stood up and walked to the door under the leadership of Xiao Qinyan.

"Meet His Royal Highness the King of Han."

Zhao Wei waved his hand, looked at Xiao Qinyan and said with a smile: "My father and mother remembered that it was Prime Minister Xiao's birthday today, and insisted that I come to congratulate him. Prime Minister Xiao, am I not late?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern." Xiao Qinyan cupped his hands, made a gesture of invitation, and said with a smile: "Your Highness has come at the right time. Please come in, Your Highness."

Zhao Wei nodded, greeted Cao Wei, Duke Anguo, Prince Anding, and Gu Qianfan before stepping over the threshold.

When he passed by Zhang Haohao and Song Yinzhang, he paused and fixed his eyes on Song Yinzhang: "Why are you here?"

"The Queen asked me to perform for Prime Minister Xiao."

Zhao Wei nodded and said, "Then play well. Xiao Xiang is a great pipa player. If you can get a compliment from Xiao Xiang today, your title as the best pipa player in Tokyo will be firmly established."

"Your Highness, you are joking. I am not a great person at all." Xiao Qinyan smiled and shook his head. He led Zhao Wei to the first seat and then looked at Song Yinzhang: "Next, please ask Madam Song to sing another song."

Song Yinzhang was about to respond but was stopped by Xiao Wei.

Thinking of how Gu Qianfan was treated differently by Zhao Wei, and how he had been busy preparing for the birthday banquet for two days and two nights without sleeping, only to be scolded by his father in the end. However, Gu Qianfan did nothing but received his father's loving gaze, Xiao Wei was filled with jealousy.

Then, he started to trouble Gu Qianfan and asked him to cooperate with Song Yinzhang in performing sword dance.

Comparing the Deputy Envoy of the Imperial City Administration to a musician in front of half of the court officials was a great shame and humiliation.

Xiao Wei's move was to humiliate Gu Qianfan and also to test Gu Qianfan's weight in Zhao Wei's heart.

So when Xiao Wei saw that Zhao Wei did not say anything about this, he couldn't help but feel happy, and he didn't even notice Xiao Qinyan's angry expression.

What happened next was that Song Yinzhang stood up and said that it was inappropriate. His words made Xiao Wei angry and embarrassed, but he did not dare to lose his temper.

After all, everyone could see that Song Yinzhang had a relationship with Zhao Wei.

Just when the situation became awkward, Gu Qianfan spoke.

He first thanked Song Yinzhang, then looked at Xiao Wei and said, "Gu is indeed not good at dancing and music, but when it comes to swordsmanship, I do know a thing or two."

Then, he turned around and asked Uncle Zhong who was serving beside him: "Do you have Yellow River carp available today?"

Uncle Zhong quickly responded: "Yes, yes!"

Gu Qianfan bowed to Xiao Qinyan and said, "In the past, the great ancestor once gave Zhao Pu, the prime minister, a dish of fish slices with golden minced meat. I, a humble person, would like to use this to congratulate the prime minister Xiao on his birthday."

In Xiao Wei's opinion, Gu Qianfan was surrendering to him in disguise, so the expression on his face suddenly became extremely happy.

"Okay!" The fish was placed on the long table in front of Gu Qianfan. After washing his hands in ginger water, Gu Qianfan wielded the sword like flying. After a flash of the sword, large pieces of fish meat had been cut off by him.

Gu Qianfan slapped the table with his left hand, and the fish sashimi, which had been cut as thin as a cicada's wing, bounced into the plate that had been covered with green herb leaves.

Without waiting for everyone to come to their senses, he picked up the kumquats on the table with his sword and strung them on the sword in mid-air. The golden orange juice dripped into the jade bowl, which was extremely elegant.

This series of smooth movements made Cao Wei couldn't help but applaud and shouted excitedly: "Well, Deputy Envoy Gu's swordsmanship really opened my eyes."

"General Cao, you are too kind."

Gu Qianfan clasped his fists to express his gratitude, then stepped aside.

Uncle Zhong, who was dazzled, came back to his senses and hurriedly brought the bowl of fish sashimi and kumquat juice to Zhao Wei and Xiao Qinyan.

Xiao Qinyan tried to hide his excitement, picked up a piece with chopsticks, dipped it in kumquat juice, put it in his mouth and tasted it carefully. After a long time, he said: "Cut the kumquat and serve it with minced meat, and add purple flowers and green leaves to the fragrant wine cup! Good, good, good!"

Uncle Zhong glanced at Zhao Wei and saw that he had no intention of speaking. He then served the fish sashimi to Prince Anding, Duke Anguo, Cao Wei and other distinguished guests in turn.

Gao Hu has always thought highly of Gu Qianfan and intended to have Gao Hui and Gu Qianfan get married. Naturally, he is very supportive now and can't help but praise the "two unique talents of fish and sword".

Qi Mu observed Gu Qianfan meaningfully. Amidst the cheers, Gu Qianfan returned to his seat calmly without even looking at Xiao Wei, who looked ashen, as if nothing had happened.

Instead, Xiao Qinyan glanced at Xiao Wei, then turned to Zhao Wei and whispered, "My son is useless. I am sorry to make you laugh at me, Your Highness."

Zhao Wei shook his head and smiled: "Prime Minister Xiao is wrong. I have always been optimistic about your son."

Xiao Qinyan naturally knew who Zhao Wei was talking about. He glanced at Gu Qianfan inconspicuously and said with a smile, "Your Highness, please take good care of me in the future."

"Naturally, let's listen to the music."

Xiao Qinyan nodded and said in a loud voice: "Madam Song, thank you for your help."

Song Yinzhang immediately walked to the center of the hall holding the pipa and said, "This piece of music is called Liangzhou, to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Xiao."

After he finished speaking, Song Yinzhang casually made a stroke with his hand, and a string of music sounded like pearls falling on a jade plate. Even Xiao Qinyan couldn't help but listen attentively.

The music sounded clear and passionate, first like a sudden rush of spring water, then like the sound of iron cavalry and golden swords. Song Yinzhang played the music with great concentration, as if he had used up all his energy, and became more and more focused as he played.

After playing several brilliant passages in succession, Song Yinzhang ended the whole piece of music with a round of plucking like heavy rain, and then took a light breath.

Except for Zhao Wei who was still eating and drinking, everyone else was completely immersed in the music played by Song Yinzhang. The entire main hall seemed to have fallen into deathly silence.

After a long time, Xiao Qinyan was the first to come back to his senses and started clapping.

Then there was thunderous applause.

Song Yinzhang fell into ecstasy and bowed deeply to everyone. She looked around and saw the guests standing up and applauding one after another. Zhang Haohao in the corner even covered her mouth with her hands, tears and reluctance in her eyes.

"Mrs. Song is frail, but her music is full of the spirit of war. Her pipa skills are probably as famous as Lei Haiqing of the previous dynasty." Xiao Qinyan stood up and walked in front of Song Yinzhang. He was suddenly stunned: "This pipa... could it be the Lonely Moon made of wood struck by lightning?"

Song Yinzhang probably didn't expect Xiao Qinyan to be so sharp-eyed. He was also stunned for a moment, and bowed and said, "Mr. Xiao, you have a keen eye. This pipa is Gu Yue."

"It is indeed Gu Yue. This pipa is in the hands of Madam Song, and it really complements each other." Xiao Qinyan said, taking off the jade pendant from his waist: "It is a great honor in my life to receive a gift from Madam Song. This jade was given by the government, and I will give it to Madam Song today."

A jade pendant given by an official? !
For a moment, Song Yinzhang was so surprised that she could hardly control herself, and her hands holding the pipa were shaking a little.

"This is too precious, my concubine..."

Before Song Yinzhang finished speaking, Zhao Wei, who was at the top of the group, interrupted him and said, "As the saying goes, one cannot refuse a gift from an elder. Since Prime Minister Xiao has given it to you, you should just accept it. Prime Minister Xiao is highly valued by the emperor and does not lack a piece of jade."

According to the original plot, Song Yinzhang should have been awarded the word "character" by Ke Zheng today, but now Song Yinzhang can get a jade pendant bestowed by Xiao Qinyan, which can be regarded as a fame in one battle.

"By the way, you will come with me later."

Hearing this, Song Yinzhang first bowed to Zhao Wei, then bowed to Xiao Qinyan again and said, "Thank you, Mr. Xiao."

"Madam Song, you don't have to be polite." Xiao Qinyan waved his hand and said with a smile: "I'm sorry to bother you today, Madam Song. Take you down to rest."

Upon hearing this, the maid hurried forward, took the pipa from Song Yinzhang, and led Song Yinzhang away.

Afterwards, Xiao Qinyan returned to his seat and sat down. Uncle Zhong immediately clapped his hands, and several jugglers came in and started performing acrobatics.

On the other side, after Song Yinzhang followed the maid for a distance, he suddenly realized that the direction he was heading to was not the side hall he had stayed in before, so he hurriedly asked, "Sister, where are we going?"

Now everyone knows that Song Yinzhang has a close relationship with King Han, so the maid naturally dare not underestimate him and said respectfully, "Madam Song, we are going to the guest room."

"Ah, no need to go to the guest room, please just take me to the previous room."

The maid was stunned for a moment: "Okay, Madam Song, please follow me."

When he came to the familiar room and saw the familiar girls from the music troupe, a relaxed smile instantly appeared on Song Yinzhang's face.

When the girls in the music school saw her come in, they immediately rushed over.

"Sister Song is back!"

"Sister Song, you are so amazing!"

"Sister Song, you have finally become famous in one battle!"

Facing the praises from the girls in the music school, Song Yinzhang waved his hands shyly: "You're too kind. How can I be that great?"

The leading woman immediately laughed and said, "Don't be so modest. I've already said that just now in the hall, Mr. Xiao praised you as the contemporary Lei Haiqing! What's even more rare is that Mr. Xiao also gave you the jade pendant bestowed by the emperor. Just wait, in the future, I don't know how many people will beg to listen to your music!"

Song Yinzhang smiled modestly and found that Zhang Haohao was not among them, so he asked, "By the way, where is Sister Haohao?"

When they heard her question, they noticed Zhang Haohao who was tidying himself in front of the mirror in the corner, and the room suddenly became quiet.

After all, in previous performances, Zhang Haohao had always been the only one to stand out, but today, Song Yinzhang stole the limelight. It’s obvious that he would be unhappy.

But Zhang Haohao smiled and said, "Go on, why don't you say anything?"

Song Yinzhang was afraid that Zhang Haohao would be unhappy, so he hurriedly walked up to her and said, "Sister Haohao, I'm glad you're here to calm things down for me today..."

Zhang Haohao showed a very bright smile and interrupted, "We are sisters, why are we still saying these polite words? I still look forward to continuing to cooperate with you in the future."

Upon hearing this, Song Yinzhang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement quickly, but she didn't notice that Zhang Haohao's lowered hand had already been pinched by herself, leaving bloody marks.

Of course, Zhang Haohao was not jealous that Song Yinzhang had stolen her limelight today, but she resented her own lowly status.

Ever since she came back from her performance, she has been thinking about one question.

If she had followed Zhao Huai'en, would she be like Song Yinzhang today, without having to suffer any grievances?
(End of this chapter)