The Rebirth of the Empress

Perplexities

On the male side of the banquet, other than Prince Ding, there were only two princes present, Prince Zhuo, Fu Xiu An, and Prince Jing, Fu Xiu Xuan. The Crown Prince's health is not good and will not participate in such an event. Consorts Xu Xian gave birth to Prince Zhuo and Prince Jing and both of their abilities were outstanding. Prince Zhuo was much more arrogant, whereas Prince Jing was closed off. The two were eyeing the throne because everyone knew that the Crown Prince's health was poor and there would eventually be a day when the Emperor would replace the Crown Prince and Consort Xu Xian had the Emperor's help. In contrast, Prince Ding's mother Consort Dong Shu had a much lower profile. If Prince Ding did not stand out too much, he would not be able to sit in the position of four concubines.

In his previous life, Prince Zhuo and Prince Jing were entangled in the usurpation of the throne but loosened their vigilance on Prince Ding, the first reason was that Fu Xiu Yi had a good relationship with the Crown Prince and would always walk the same path as Prince Ding. The Crown Prince and personally found the medicinal herbs earlier for the Crown Prince that even the Empress was quite satisfied with Fu Xiu Yi. This made others think that Prince Ding was the Crown Prince's henchman. The second reason was that Fu Xiu Yi usually distanced himself from politics and material pursuits and would be disdainful to participate in court affairs. In addition, Consort Dong Shu has a cautious nature and will spend the whole day reading the Buddhist scriptures. Without the support of a strong mother, it was expected that Prince Ding would not be able to make any waves.

But actually the last person to be sitting on the Dragon chair was Fu Xiu Yi, who they thought could not make waves.

Shen Miao took the leaf card. Just like this leaf card, the card in Fu Xiu Yi's hand was rotten from birth and everyone thought that he would be knocked out at the beginning, but no one dreamed that he never thought of using the cards in his hand. All his cards are in the hands of others and all he needs to do is snatch them.

"Why don't you react?" Seeing him remain silent and not even seeing a trace of admiration for Fu Xiu Yi in his eyes, Feng An Ning felt a bit strange, "Did you not like it?"

Shen Miao raised her head and looked at him.

Feng An Ning was surprised. That one look made his heart freeze and he felt a sudden urge to kneel. He did not know where the feeling came from but he knew that Shen Miao was not happy with what he had just said. He stopped and spoke, “Actually I don't like him either. How can anyone be so perfect in the world? It's not real.”

This time Shen Miao looked at Feng An Ning seriously. He had not expected that this arrogant Young Miss would see him like that. There were a number of people who fell in love with Fu Xiu Yi and if Fu Xiu Yi was willing, the entire young woman would fall in love with him. How could there be someone who could become such an unusual person?

He slowly said, "It seems like you have someone in your heart."

"What empty muzzle are you talking about?" Feng An Ning's small face suddenly flushed red, "Don't get me wrong accusing good people."

Shen Miao did not continue to talk to him. He was not inclined to listen to the matter of a little girl.

He naturally has his own things.

After many had come and gone due to the many invitations sent for the Chrysanthemum banquet, almost everyone had arrived.

Beneath the Chrysanthemum fields of Yan Bei Tang, a large, tall stage was built. The stage was decorated simply but no one felt it was vulgar because the late Emperor used it to pray to Heaven. It was a stage that had a dragon aura. On both sides were private writings and some of them were wearing army uniforms with red headbands, beating the drums violently.

The sound of drums rumbled straight across the sky as musicians plucked their qin. This was the 'Song of a Virtuous Gentleman', meant to describe the request of the Imperial family and the desire to choose the true talent of the country in today's academy for the Ming Qi empire.

Even a woman could not help but express an expression of joy. Although they cannot be court officials like men, their fathers and brothers are pillars of the country. Their own family clan had an indomitable spirit and with glory and honor, they would be bathed in the kindness of the Imperial family and feel their hearts full of gratitude.

The entire audience was enveloped by the Empire's vast and powerful and moved virtues, but there was one person who looked indifferent and not a single trace was moved.

Shen Miao's eyes were fixed on the person who was in the middle of playing the qin. This was a favorite thing that the Ming Qi Imperial family liked. To incite the hearts of the youths to dedicate themselves to serving the country and use it to do rotten things for the Imperial family but in the end, once the country stabilized, it was stable, these hot-blooded youths who shed blood and sweat will rarely get it.

Boil the dog after the rabbit is caught. When every Emperor took over the throne, they would exterminate the older generation. Especially the officials who have experienced the dark struggle for the throne. After gaining knowledge of the dirty arrangements and bloody events, how could the Imperial family convince them to rise in their careers?

This exciting music will only be known as funeral music in the future as it pushes people to their deaths. And now drowning in the hearts of the youth who serve the country, will die under the dangerous efforts of the Imperial family and become innocent victims.

He could not save everyone in the world but could save his own people.

Shen Miao raised his hand lightly and his right arm swept over the edge of the table. The bright tea cup was brushed to the ground with a 'pa' sound'. A crisp sound echoed in the venue and should not be heard, but under the rich rhythm of the music, it sounded right at the moment the thread was being pulled up and it also messed up the other strings.

With 'pa', the rhythm of the music was shattered.

Just like waking up from a dream, Feng An Ning suddenly accepted and saw Shen Miao taking a teacup off the floor while smiling, “I'm sorry. A piece of my hand.”

The musicians who were on stage were playing intensely, their minds were about to explode and were in so much pain that they almost fainted.

Ming Qi had studied this music from the hands of western foreigners and had the intention to confuse others. It could trigger a small emotion in one's heart. This work is a war song and can greatly reinforce feelings of faith and loyalty so that if this song is played out fully, those with a loyal heart will be foolishly faithful.

It was only when Shen Miao became Empress that she realized the terrifying nature of music. The Ming Qi Imperial Family used this music to confuse the younger generation and make this younger generation bleed for them. When Xiong Nu attacked, the Imperial family asked Lin Yu's army to defend the capital and recruit new soldiers to the border. They made these musicians go on stage to play music and most of the young men went to the army without looking back and some of them did not even reach the age of marriage.

After such an interruption from Shen Miao, those musicians were unable to concentrate their energy on their hands and on the last qin part, either, it had lost the passion it previously had and was only played like a regular song. The stirred warm-blooded sentiment gradually disappeared and everything calmed back down.

Yet in the end Shen Miao's move had attracted the attention of quite a few people. In the male-only area, Fu Xiu Yi and Pei Lang looked at it at the same time.