At this moment, Ji Yuqing glared at Zi Su, who was kneeling on the ground and trembling. She was such a good maid and confidant of hers, but she didn't expect that she actually raised such an ungrateful person.
The tear marks on Ji Yuqing's face had not yet dried, and a hint of hostility flashed in her red and swollen eyes.
Zi Su looked up at Ji Yuqing with trembling eyes and explained: "Master... things are not what you think..."
Bang! A crisp slap landed on Zi Su's cheek, interrupting her words.
Ji Yuqing sneered, "I won't listen to your hypocritical explanation. You have turned over a new leaf and become the prince's concubine. I should congratulate you, but our relationship as master and servant is over now. You have to take care of yourself." After saying that, she turned around and left.
Zi Su opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end she just watched Ji Yuqing's back disappear through the door and blend into the night.
Zi Su lowered her head and wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, then slowly stood up. She was no longer a maid, and no longer had to look at Ji Yuqing's changeable expression, nor did she have to be servile and subservient to anyone.
Zi Su smiled. Ji Yuqing already regarded her as an enemy. The days ahead would not be easy, but she was not afraid.
In the banquet hall, Ji Yuqing arrived late and sat on Xiao Yichen's left, while Ji Lingxue sat on Xiao Yichen's right.
Xiao Yichen, who was accompanied by beautiful women on both sides, became the focus of everyone's attention. Even the emperor Xiao Yimo couldn't help teasing Xiao Yichen.
Xiao Yichen stood up and poured three cups of penalty wine and drank them in one gulp, only then did he appease the emperor.
The banquet began, dancers came on stage and started dancing, everyone toasted the Emperor and Prince Chen before starting to eat.
Ji Yuqing was eating absentmindedly, glancing at Ji Lingxue from time to time.
Ji Lingxue's eyes were fixed on the dancing girl, completely ignoring Ji Yuqing's sharp eyes. Xiao Yichen, on the other hand, was drinking silently.
After three rounds of drinking, Emperor Xiao Yimo said, "I'm tired of watching singing and dancing every year. My brother, I heard that you, the concubine, are good at singing and dancing. Why don't you sing a song to liven up the atmosphere?"
Ji Yuqing rolled her eyes, stood up and saluted towards Xiao Yimo, saying: "Your Majesty, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I dare to play a piece of music for Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty all the best, and a harmonious and beautiful life, but..."
Xiao Yimo raised his eyebrows and asked, "Just what?"
"It's just that I entered the palace in a hurry and didn't bring my zither with me." Ji Yuqing said distressedly. She deliberately showed herself today to let Xiao Yichen understand that she was the one who could make him even more happy. A fool like Ji Lingxue would only bring shame to him.
Xiao Yimo waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's not difficult. I have a Xuanbing Qin in my palace. The body of the Qin is snow-white and the sound is like jade beads falling to the ground. I will lend it to you to play it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ji Yuqing kowtowed quickly to express her gratitude. When she looked up, she glanced at Ji Lingxue provocatively from the corner of her eye. She wanted to become famous with this song and make Xiao Yichen look at her differently. Her status as a concubine would not be shaken because of Zi Su's promotion.
Ji Lingxue grabbed a handful of melon seeds and cracked them, then turned her gaze to Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen's face was stiff, and it was unclear what he was angry about.
The palace maid quickly went to the storehouse and fetched the Xuanbingqin that Xiao Yimo mentioned and presented it to him with both hands. As soon as the cover was opened, the whole place fell silent. The snow-white qin was lying quietly in the palace maid's hands. The light from the night pearl in the room shone on the qin, reflecting five-colored light.
Xiao Yimo said: "Prince Chen's concubine, if you play well, I will give you this zither."
Ji Yuqing thanked him happily, carefully took the zither from the palace servant, sat cross-legged, and placed the zither on her knees.
Ji Lingxue spat out the melon seed shells in her mouth, and a gleam of light flashed in her eyes.
(End of this chapter)