The Lazy Life Of Raine

Reunion (13)

Linqin stood up slowly and bowed to the royal couple and spoke.  

“Please excuse this subject’s behavior.  If it came off unmannerly, it was not my intentions.  It is just that this subject cannot consume wine and eat any meat dishes, thus why this subject has not touched the dishes nor drank the celebratory wine.”  Linqin told everyone.

“If that is so, you could have told the servants of your particular needs.”  Empress Xinyue told her.

“Because this subject did not want to cause more trouble for the servants, this subject instead caused a misunderstanding between this subject and Empress.  Please forgive this subject.”

“There is no misunderstanding between Zither Master and this Empress, so there is nothing to forgive.  This Empress was just making sure Zither Master’s needs were being met.”

With a quick word, Linqin’s dishes were replaced with only vegetables dishes and hot tea.  Linqin bowed towards them once again before sitting down and the party began again. However the Empress was not willing to let the Zither Master off so fast.  

“This Empress has heard many tales about Zither Master’s artistry and talent.  It gives this Empress great pleasure that Zither Master made time today to attend Crown Prince’s birthday.  It would also bring this Empress great joy if Zither Master would share your artistry and talent with everyone here.”  

Linqin was in the middle of holding the teacup in her hand while her other hand gently lifted the teacover, letting the floral scent from the tea hit her nose.  The gentle scent caused Linqin to slightly frown for a moment before recovering her features. No one saw her slight change except the Empress.

The Empress looked down at the little Zither Master and wanted to speak again, however the Zither Master placed the teacup on the table and spoke.  

“This subject has long prepared for this honor of gracing the Emperor and Empress of my music.  Although it may be unbefitting for Royal ears, this subject will try my best.”

From behind Linqin, her servant brought out Linqin’s personal zither and placed it in the middle of the hall.  The dancers moved to stand to the side as the Zither Master took center stage.

Her white dress moved around her like waves and her steps looked as if it was gliding across the floor.  Everything about her was elegant as she sat down. Her hands hovered above the zither for a moment, letting the silence surround them and bury their thoughts before she stuck the first note.  

When the first note sounded, the crowd somehow became even more quiet as the sound carried several meanings to the audience.  Each person interpreted that first note that recalled their long lost memory of an innocent love. One that was first felt as a youth, growing up with unknown worries.  As Linqin played, she weaved a story of the happiness of first love, the beauty of it and the crushing feeling of losing it before ending the song with the calm notes of a hopeful future for growth.  

When her last note ended, the whole crowd stood up in one motion, clapping and cheering for her master piece.  They had forgotten where they were and lost perprioty.

Raine looked up from her performance and could see her future would be filled with obstacles.  The Emperor was looking at Raine with a lustful and arrogant look, while the Empress was looking at Raine with a angry and hateful look.   

Raine stood up and bowed to the two, pretending that she didn’t see how the two of them looked at her.  One wanted to own her, the other wanted to kill her. In the end, they both wanted to do something to her, but Raine would never let them have it their way, even if one was Emperor and the other was Empress.  

Raine walked back to her seat and her servants came forward with her gift for the Crown Prince.  The zither she customized for the Crown Prince was priceless, because there was only one in the world.  

Made from white jade, the zither was intricately carved with a dragon and a phoenix flying over the sun and moon.  When the zither was looked upon, a sense of peace would overcome them. When touching the zither, a sense of inspiration would overcome them. When plucking the zither, a sense of happiness would overcome them.  

The magical zither made by the Zither Master made everyone want to own such a fine piece of art and they were envious of the Crown Prince for owning it.  The Empress could only force her smile and accept the beautiful zither on behalf of her son.

After that the rest of the gifts were presented one by one as the celebration continued.  The celebration did not end until late at night and there were no more incidents afterwards.  However everyone there could see that the Zither Master had caught the eye of the Emperor. As he kept looking over to the Zither Master and sending his little Eunuch to ensure that the Zither Master’s needs were being met.  

Every time the little Eunuch ran over to the Zither Master, the Empress lost her tranquil features more and more.  By the end of the celebration, the Empress stomped out of the hall with her servants following behind her. While the Emperor slightly stopped in front of the Zither Master’s table, before continuing on out of the hall.  

That night, everyone could only speak upon the Zither Master’s skills and how her one song that she played, due to the request of the Empress, completely made the Emperor fall in love with the Zither Master.  Due to the Empress’s short sightedness, she opened the back palace doors wide open for the Zither Master to waltz into. Had she not ask the Zither Master to play her music, the Emperor would not have noticed her.  The Empress had pulled out a huge rock and slammed it down on her own foot.

“Retire.  All of you.”  Xinyue shouted at the maids once she entered her Empress quarters.  

The white zither laid on top of the table, shining brightly in the well lit room, taunting her.  Her eyes blazed down at it, wishing she could destroy it. But if she did, word would spread of her temper and more gossip will spread about her.  

“What are they saying about me now, system?”  Xinyue asked as she sat in front of the hateful zither.  

From behind a folding screen, a little boy, about the age of four, stepped out and shrugged his shoulders.  

“You already know what they are saying about you.  Why do you need me to tell you what you already know.”  The Crown Prince answered as he jumped into bed and sat down in it.

“Tell me anyway.”  Xinyue ordered.