The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, the side hall fell silent for a moment. Then, the ladies and young women of each family stood up, straightened their clothes, and filed out under the guidance of the palace servants.

Yun Jin, Chen Mengyao, and Zhou Yuerong stood up together, and Chu Wanqing walked over side by side with Wang Shi, Li Shi, and Chen Shi.

Yun Jin looked up and saw Old Madam Yun being supported by Liu Zhixue and Yun Xiu on either side as she walked out from the side hall of the female relatives.

The old lady's complexion was much rosier than when she entered the palace, probably because she had been flattered by several wives of the imperial relatives in the side hall. She couldn't hide her smile, and even her back was straighter than usual when she walked.

Liu Zhixue and Meixiang followed behind them, their heads bowed and eyes lowered, making them look like servants.

Yun Jin turned around without making a sound and followed behind Chu Wanqing, blending in among the ladies of noble families and young ladies of high rank, trying to minimize her presence.

She has already garnered enough attention today; any further attention would only invite trouble.

The emperor and empress's thrones were placed directly in front, with the seats for the concubines, princes, and other imperial relatives arranged in order on both sides.

Following the palace attendants' instructions, everyone entered the hall in turn, took their places, and then, as the eunuch announced the order, they all knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

The emperor took his seat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the court officials and women in the hall. With a warm smile on his face, he raised his hand and said, "Rise." He then said a few polite words about "celebrating the New Year's Eve festival together with his subjects," raised his cup and drank with everyone before announcing the start of the banquet.

As the drums and music began, a troupe of dancers filed in, their flowing sleeves fluttering, their movements graceful and enchanting.

Yun Jin sat at her seat, eating her meal at a leisurely pace, occasionally exchanging a few words with Chen Mengyao beside her in low voice, and sometimes subtly scanning the various parts of the hall with her gaze.

Seeing Yun Lang sitting with the two young masters of the Zheng family, he raised his glass to her.

Xiao Jingyan sat in his seat, his gaze falling on Yun Jin. He frowned when he saw that she wasn't wearing the clothes he had made for her.

Yun Jin felt a gaze fixed on her. She looked up and met Xiao Jingyan's gaze, then looked away expressionlessly.

Xiao Jingyan's lips unconsciously curved into a smile, and he turned back to speak to the Sixth Prince beside him.

She suddenly realized that Prince Yi and his wife were not there, and wondered why they hadn't come.

After several rounds of singing and dancing, the performance by the noble ladies began.

Several young ladies took turns on stage, some playing the pipa, some performing a sword dance, and some painting on the spot, each displaying their talents, making the atmosphere in the hall increasingly lively.

The emperor or empress would bestow rewards.

When it was Xiao Ya's turn, she stood up, but instead of rushing onto the stage, she stood in the hall and bowed deeply to the Empress, requesting, "Your Majesty, Miss Yun's musical skills are exceptional. Today, I would like to humbly request to play a duet with Miss Yun, with me playing the xiao (vertical flute). I wonder if Miss Yun would be so kind as to grant me this honor?"

Yunxiu glanced in the direction of the Fifth Prince and saw that she was looking at her. She pursed her lips, quickly stood up, and said softly, "How could Yunxiu refuse Miss Xiao's invitation?"

Consort Shu, seated among the concubines, smiled upon hearing this and said, "I know of Miss Yun's skill with the zither; it is indeed remarkable. A duet between the two is quite novel, and I would also like to hear it."

The Empress nodded, which was taken as her agreement.

The palace maids brought up the zither, and Yunxiu sat down in front of the zither table. With her fair hands, she gently plucked the strings, and the melody "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate" flowed through the hall.

Her piano skills are indeed remarkable; her fingering is skillful and her tone is clear and melodious.

Xiao Ya then joined in with her flute playing, and the performance was quite harmonious. When the piece ended, a round of enthusiastic applause rang out in the hall.

Everyone praised her, saying that Miss Yun was indeed beautiful and intelligent, and that the Fifth Prince was a match made in heaven, and so on.

The emperor nodded and said, "Reward him!"

Yunxiu secretly glanced at the Fifth Prince and saw him smiling at her. She quickly blushed and thanked him.

Xiao Ya thanked the emperor but did not leave. Instead, she suddenly turned to Yun Jin and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I still vividly remember the war drum performance by the Princess of Ninghai at the last palace banquet. The drumbeats were so stirring and inspiring, they still leave a lasting impression. I wonder if I might have the honor of hearing the Princess perform another piece today?"

Upon hearing this, all eyes in the hall once again turned to Yun Jin.

Yun Jin put down her teacup and cursed inwardly, "You're a persistent ghost."

The last time we beat the war drums was out of necessity. Beating something so stirring and passionate once is novel, but beating it twice seems crude and uncouth.

Today's New Year's Eve banquet emphasizes joy and peace; the heavy atmosphere of war drums and killing is too inappropriate for the occasion.

The Emperor, intrigued, raised an eyebrow: "I also have some impression of Ninghai's war drum performance last time; it was indeed unique. On this auspicious New Year's Eve, would Ninghai be willing to perform another piece?"

Yun Jin stood up, bowed to the Emperor and Empress, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, today is New Year's Eve, and the atmosphere of war is too heavy, which is perhaps inappropriate. If Your Majesty does not mind, I would like to sing a song to entertain Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, and all the officials."

The emperor had only mentioned it casually, but after hearing her reasonable explanation, he nodded and said, "Very well, then sing it for me."

Yun Jin walked into the hall and bowed slightly to Yun Xiu: "Sister, may I borrow your zither?"

Yunxiu was extremely unwilling, but in front of the emperor and his ministers, how could she dare to utter a single word of "no"?

She forced a gentle smile and said softly, "Please, sister."

Yun Jin sat down in front of the zither and began to sing a song she had adapted herself, "Prelude to Water Melody".

The melody remains the same, but the lyrics have all been changed.

"The bright moon shines over the golden palace, we raise our cups to celebrate the imperial court. All nations rejoice on this auspicious night, auspicious air fills the palace. We look up at the majestic imperial banners, overlooking a thousand miles of mountains and rivers, the world bathed in a serene coolness. The music of the sheng and the graceful dance of cranes and sheng fill the air, a magnificent scene surpassing even the heavens. The carved banquet is open, the palace lanterns shine brightly, and we cannot sleep through the night."

A wise and benevolent ruler, with blessings extending to all corners of the land year after year. The nation prospers throughout the four seasons, the people enjoy peace and happiness, and good fortune abounds. We remotely wish for a thousand years of longevity, so that all under heaven may gaze upon his countenance.

After the song ended, the hall was silent for a moment, then the emperor laughed loudly and said "Good!" twice: "What a wonderful 'All under Heaven gaze upon your countenance'! The lyrics are grand and majestic, not those flowery and clichéd phrases, but rather possess a genuine meaning. A reward!"

The Empress nodded with a smile: "This song is not only sung well, but the lyrics are also well written. They capture His Majesty's heart for the world and his benevolent rule. He truly deserves a reward."

Yun Jin quickly knelt down, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, this poem was not actually written by me. It was written by my younger brother, Yun Lang, in his spare time. I merely borrowed it for my own use."

Yun Lang sat down next to the two young masters of the Zheng family. He had just been admiring his sister’s talent when she suddenly called on him. He was taken aback. Where had he written this poem?