Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 159 - 157: Piano Competition

Chapter 159: Chapter 157: Piano Competition

The ladies all quickly rose to their feet upon hearing this.

The Empress pays two visits every year: one for Marquis Zhongyong’s birthday, and the other, rain or shine, is today!

On occasion, the emperor would accompany the Empress on these visits.

That is to say, if both the Emperor and the Empress go to wish Marquis Zhongyong and the old lady a happy birthday, which officials from all levels in the Imperial City wouldn’t come?

Because of this action by the Emperor and Empress, the common people hail them as the most filial Emperor and Empress in history.

In all dynasties, which emperor or empress had ever done such a thing? They always say that the harem rules are important! The females in the harem are not free to leave the palace, but the common people believe otherwise. Who established the harem rules? Who needed to agree for the rules to be set?

If it was not the Emperor, it had to be approved by him before being implemented.

After all, the harem is just the home of the Emperor and Empress! What does it have to do with others?

The front yard of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion was filled with people wishing the Empress peace.

After welcoming the Empress, the ladies happily followed her back into the room from earlier.

So many wives and daughters had been looking forward to the Empress’s arrival! They hoped to be able to have a conversation with the Empress and gain her approval.

The royal sons were now grown up, and several had reached an age when they could get married.

Which family wouldn’t want to ascend and become a phoenix? A chicken that doesn’t wish to become a phoenix is not a good chicken!

When the Empress and Emperor got married, her family was very ordinary. To be courteous, ordinary would be an understatement. If it was not for Marquis Zhongyong’s victories in every battle, his remarkable achievements in two decisive wars that sealed the fate of the Minze Dynasty, the marquis’s mansion’s social status in the Imperial City could never be elevated!

This shows that when the emperor of this dynasty chose his empress, he valued character more than family background!

The dynasty is young and has passed through two emperors. They all had one thing in common: they were faithful! Such genetic traits in princes make them irresistible, and everyone wants a taste!

Everyone was waiting for the Empress and the old lady to finish their conversation, start talking to everyone, or rather, start talking to a certain lady.

And then find the opportunity to introduce the daughter by their side.

After exchanging just a few familiar words with the old lady, the Empress began to greet the ladies of the court.

"I recognize most of the ladies here, but this one lady is unfamiliar to me. I presume that you must be Lady Marquis Shengping." The Empress said softly, looking at Mrs. Liu.

She first subtly hinted to the ladies present that she saw them all and did not overlook any of them, and then led the conversation towards whom she really wanted to talk to.

"Your Majesty, indeed, it’s me," Mrs. Liu quickly stood up and replied.

"You can sit and talk, no formalities are needed. Don’t think of me as the Empress here, just treat me as your long-lost good sister." The Empress gestured for her to sit down, speaking in a gentle tone.

Mrs. Liu smiled and agreed, sitting down. Of course, she only dared to sit halfway.

She was not foolish enough to not treat the Empress as the Empress and treat her as a good sister.

The faces of the ladies changed upon hearing this, and some even exchanged glances.

A good sister? The number of ladies who could be called good sisters by the Empress could be counted on one hand.

The Prime Minister’s wife, who was a first-rank lady, had never been praised this way!

Some people surreptitiously glanced at the Prime Minister’s wife. As expected, she looked unhappy!

Did the Empress misspeak?

Apparently, the Empress wasn’t content with just subtly throwing shade at the seated ladies. She then continued, "A few days have passed since I last saw Lady Rui’an. It seems she has grown taller, and her appearance is increasingly charming. She must come to the palace when she has time for a chat and to play with the princess."

"Empress, you flatter me, I don’t deserve your praise. My mother often says that I’m just a mischievous little ghost. I wouldn’t want to lead the Princess astray," Xiao’er mischievously joked.

This wasn’t the palace, and the Empress had said there was no need for formality. Having had an interaction with the Empress before, she felt it was okay to make this kind of joke in front of her.

"I wouldn’t worry about that at all. If you could teach that girl to possess half of your good traits and talent, I would be very grateful!" The Empress sighed as she mentioned the princess.

The princess was a headache for the Empress. She was spoiled by the men in the family and behaved recklessly, even daring to turn the palace upside down!

What are the good traits of Lady Rui’an? The ladies all had a question mark in their hearts.

The Prime Minister’s wife dismissed it. What positive traits could a country girl possess? Is she beautiful? She’s so flashy at such a young age; won’t she become a troublemaker when she grows up?

As for talent, isn’t that a joke?

She guessed that it must be because she behaved well in etiquette, and that’s why there’s such praise. That’s thanks to having a good teacher - she had seen Nanny Rong earlier. Is this considered talent?

"Empress, we didn’t know that Lady Rui’an is also talented. As Yun Ning mentioned that she planned to play a piano piece for the old lady, the other girls expressed their willingness to participate. Perhaps Lady Rui’an could join us?"

The Prime Minister’s wife thought that Xiao’er probably didn’t even know what a piano was.

"Yes, I think we should let the girls compete, and the Empress and the old lady could be the judges!" The Duke’s wife, having heard the Prime Minister’s wife’s words, was delighted. The piano played by her own daughter was praised by the Master.

The piano started being sold at the toy store last year, which was an idea Xiao’er got after seeing Ming Zhijie give a piano to Shen Nirui.

In her previous life, when she had worries, she would play the piano. Now, when she occasionally has time, she also practices with Shen Nirui.

"Sure," Xiao’er responded with a smile.

The Prime Minister’s wife was taken aback at hearing this. Does a country girl like you even know what a piano is? How dare you agree?

Fortunately, she came to her senses in time not to blurt out the question.

Unable to afford a piano given the financial state of Marquis Shengping’s family, even if they can buy it, can they afford a teacher?

She thought that Xiao’er was just a child who didn’t understand the world, so she stubbornly agreed.

"That’s a good idea. However, it would be better to select a few more referees."

The Empress was also interested in Xiao’er’s response. She ordered some servants to arrange everything in the pavilion by the lake, inviting the princes and sons from the front yard to come over and enjoy it too.

She was well aware of the underlying intentions of these ladies, but the children were already grown up and it was time to start looking for a suitable woman.

The participating girls were secretly overjoyed when they heard this, while those who could not play the piano were filled with envy and jealousy.

----

The pavilion was decorated cozily and beautifully. Pink muslin was hung on all four pillars, and a piano placed inside, slightly hidden from view. Yun Ning sat inside, gently playing the piano.

The scene was beautiful, the girl was beautiful, it all felt dreamy and unreal...

The light and soothing music began...

Xiao’er thought for a beginner, it was quite good.

The other girls who had played before her were not as good, but they were not bad either.

Xiao’er gave an objective evaluation.

When it was Xiao’er’s turn to play, many ladies and daughters were ready with cotton to stuff in their ears.

Only a few people who knew Xiao’er well were beginning to pay attention to the matter for the first time.

Xiao’er went to the pavilion, announced the name of the piece she was going to perform as both the presenter and the performer in a clear and melodious voice, gave a bow, then sat down gently and began to play.

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