Chapter 20: Drunk
“Happy New Year, my Sui Sui.” ……
When the drinking was half done, the songs and dances prepared by the Imperial Music Office had become somewhat boring.
From time to time, some young masters would showcase their talents that had been prepared early on, in order to gain some fame.
Whether singing or dancing, playing instruments or performing, there were indeed some brilliant displays, but it was just the same things over and over again.
For Gu Sui, it was only interesting to watch Mu Jiulu’s reactions.
If she looked at any young master a few more times, he could immediately dig up three generations of that person’s ancestors from Li Fuyu.
“We’ve heard this tune and seen this dance, it’s truly quite dull. It’s not as exciting as Young Master Gu’s sword dance from a few years ago.”
The Empress Dowager suddenly spoke up. The Chen family’s young master, who had just finished playing a tune on stage, curled his five fingers slightly and bowed his head as he walked down.
Many gazes focused on Gu Sui, and his hand gripping the wine cup tightened a bit.
No one had told him there would be this scene before he came!
“Indeed, Young Master Gu’s martial arts are outstanding, and his swordsmanship was personally taught by the General. The last time we saw Young Master Gu’s sword dance was five years ago.
Since then, Young Master Gu has been stationed at the border and we haven’t had the chance to see it again. We truly miss it. I wonder if we could have the pleasure of seeing it today?”
Someone in the hall echoed, and Gu Tingsong’s cold gaze fell on the Empress Dowager.
Even if Sui’s martial arts hadn’t been forgotten, the Empress Dowager’s words were quite venomous.
What did she mean by saying others’ dances were boring, but Sui’s sword dance was brilliant?
Although this wasn’t wrong, it shouldn’t be said in such a public setting.
“Is the Empress Dowager feeling tired?”
Mu Jiulu cast a light glance sideways, her words seemingly concerned, but flat and emotionless, sounding strangely cold.
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes: “The Regent overthinks. Today is New Year’s Eve, and I am in high spirits. I’m just waiting for Young Master Gu to show his skills.”
The meaning was clear – she insisted on seeing Gu Sui dance.
Even though the Regent held high position and great power, if she said anything more at this moment, she could easily be accused of being unfilial.
“Empress Dowager…”
“You’ve all seen me dance with a sword before. If I always dance with a sword, even I find it boring. Why don’t we try something new?”
Gu Sui curved his peach blossom eyes, timely interrupting Mu Jiulu’s next words, and stood up from his seat.
Mu Jiulu looked over, her gaze deep. Gu Sui gave her a look, indicating her not to worry.
He had been through many storms after all, and could surely handle this small matter.
“Do you have any drums?”
Gu Sui asked, and soon three to five palace servants carried in a red-lacquered cowhide sandalwood drum.
Gu Sui walked to the center of the hall, picked up the drumsticks and casually hit a couple of times to test the feel.
“Please dim a few lamps.”
Gu Sui said without looking up, holding the drumsticks with both hands.
“Do as he says.”
Mu Jiulu ordered, and the hall became considerably darker.
Dong–
Dong dong–
The drum sound started, and after two beats, the drumbeats suddenly became more intense, with proper weight and rhythm.
In the slightly dim environment, a scene seemed to float before everyone’s eyes.
Yellow sand filled the sky, a single drum stood on a damaged high platform, blood staining the drum face.
The drumsticks struck heavily, yellow sand rolled up, and banners fluttered.
Something seemed to blur their vision, but the vibration of the drum face was still in their ears, and the fall of the drumsticks was clearly visible.
The powerful and passionate drum sounds penetrated the yellow sand-filled sky, striking the eardrums directly, causing people’s blood to surge and their spirits to tremble.
Gu Sui suddenly slowed the rhythm, and a hint of desolation appeared in the muffled drum sounds.
“Bring the xiao.”
Mu Jiulu raised her hand to beckon Yan Wu behind her and instructed.
Yan Wu quickly brought a white jade long xiao, and Mu Jiulu placed it horizontally at her lips.
The next second, the ethereal sound of the xiao interspersed between the drum sounds.
Misty like smoke, faint and elusive, like the lingering wails of lost souls.
Hearing the xiao sound, Gu Sui looked up and glanced, his gaze colliding with her ink-black eyes, the corner of his lips curling up slightly.
The drum and xiao played together exquisitely, as if in perfect harmony, flawless.
The people in the hall were immersed in this melody for a moment. Those who were drowsy earlier had already awakened, unconsciously clenching their fists.
The drum sounds became heavy again, still not fast, but more passionate.
They seemed to see the shadowy figures in the yellow sand holding long halberds, raising tattered battle flags, stepping forward without a thought of retreat.
They marched forward bravely, even knowing they would eventually be buried by the yellow sand, but still without regret.
The xiao sound gradually stopped, but the drum sound continued, becoming urgent and dense.
The yellow sand completely obscured everyone’s vision.
No one could see where they were going, only the resounding shouts echoed in their ears, mixed with the sound of axes and halberds, humming incessantly.
The drum sound stopped abruptly.
No one knew their final outcome.
This piece had ended.
Gu Sui put down the drumsticks, his clear voice bringing everyone back.
“Is the Empress Dowager satisfied?”
For a moment, no one in the hall responded.
No one went to light the extinguished candles either.
The Empress Dowager, having stayed in the deep palace for years, had never experienced this before. It took him a while to realize Gu Sui was speaking to him.
He adjusted his expression, clapped his hands, his voice a bit hoarse.
“Young Master Gu is indeed talented in both martial arts and music.”
Gu Sui looked at Mu Jiulu again, the corners of his lips curving deeper.
“I must thank the Regent for accompanying with the xiao, giving this piece a soul.”
“No need, it was just improvisation.”
Mu Jiulu handed the white jade xiao to Yan Wu and said indifferently.
“What’s the name of the piece?”
Gu Sui wrinkled his nose at her. They had cooperated so well, yet she insisted on being stubborn!
“The title is ‘Pursuing the Deer’.”
The figure in the hall stood like jade, with beautiful features, but at this moment, no one dared to look at him lightly again.
How could someone who could play such music be an ordinary person?
It was just that he had been idle at home for the past six months, participating in only two grand court meetings each month, which had gradually made some people forget his fierce reputation from the past few years.
Mu Congfeng glanced at the Empress Dowager to the left of the young emperor, sighing in her heart.
She really didn’t know why he dared to cause trouble for the Gu family.
***
Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
Link to read
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
