I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse
Chapter 910: Pretending (Five updates, one extra after being scolded)

Chapter 910: Chapter 910: Pretending (Five updates, one extra after being scolded)

"Oh, since it is a song form composed by the Former Emperor Wen, could you please share it with us promptly?" Li Shimin was not only a famously benevolent ruler in history but also a poet brimming with talents. Perhaps due to their shared interests, he appeared particularly excited at the moment.

"To create a better atmosphere, please wait a moment, I’ll ask Uncle to call the musician."

"I know how to play some instruments. May I know which one the young master needs?" Zi Yi’s voice was soft and slender, sweet as honey yet light as water; light as the wind, ethereal and melodious.

"The Guzheng."

While the waiter went to fetch the Guzheng, you walked over to Zi Yi. By now, you were as tall as Zi Yi, who was about 165 cm, a standard height, especially her towering chest, immensely majestic, almost making it hard for you to extricate yourself. You cleared your throat and whispered to Zi Yi, "I’ll hum a tune; can you play it?"

"I should be able to play it quite well." At that moment, Zi Yi was incredibly excited inside. She didn’t care about your appearance; she only cared about being able to see you often and being together with you forever!

"Good." Saying this, you hummed softly. Although the sound was very light, everyone in the place heard a bit of it and thought this tune was extremely beautiful, yet it was unlike the typical ’Water Tune Song Head.’

"Young Luo, you are fooling us, even I, a simple man, know this is not the ’Water Tune Song Head’?" Cheng Zhijie’s voice was very loud, and despite the distance, you still felt your eardrums tremble.

"Uncle Cheng, I’ve already mentioned that this is a new song, newly composed for Zi Yi by me."

At this point, the waiter had brought the Guzheng over. After Zi Yi sat down and tuned it, a melodious "Water Tune Song Head, When is the Bright Moon" was sung by your slightly hoarse and rough voice with a hint of vicissitude, echoing in this ancient world from a thousand years ago: "When is the bright moon, as I ask the blue sky, not knowing the celestial palace above, what year is this evening... People experience sorrows and joys, separations and reunions, the moon has its phases of shadow and brilliance, hard to be perfect all the time. But may people wish for longevity, sharing this beautiful moonlight, though miles apart."

After the song, you also showed a trace of reminiscence, while Zi Yi, who played the instrument, had tears washing over her face, as radiant and dazzling as raindrops on peonies.

Cheng Zhijie, the blunt man, directly voiced your feelings: "This lass is truly made of water, but she’s very beautiful indeed, almost a match for my daughter."

Uh, of course, you don’t agree with that last comment from Old Demon Cheng.

"What a line ’But may people wish for longevity, sharing this beautiful moonlight, though miles apart.’" Li Shimin was the first to speak up. His eyes sparkled as he stared at you intently and asked, "Talented nephew, when will you enter the court for an official position like your brother?"

This question, coming from anyone else, might have been alright, but it was Emperor Li Shimin who asked, which was akin to an imperial decree, indicating that Li Shimin approved of you entering the court, much like opening a back door for you.

"Uh, I am still young, let’s talk about it after I come of age."

"Nephew, you are wrong. Your father led troops in battle when he was only seventeen, where is that considered young?"

"Well, please forgive me, Uncle Li, my brothers and I came tonight to find Miss Zi Yi. If Uncle is interested, it’s better to speak directly with my father. The last thing my younger brother would dare to do is go against my father’s wishes," Luo Xin quickly helped you.

"Good! Tomorrow, I shall seek Grand Minister Luo to clear things up! It would be a pity for such talent to remain idle at home."

"As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity. Since young Luo used this song as a token, what does the lass give in return?" Originally, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was about to stand up and speak, but Cheng Zhijie’s words shocked him back down, and Li Shimin also cast a glance at Li Chengqian, causing him to clench his fists tightly, his expression extremely complex.

"Oh, that’s simple, only it might not be appropriate to say here in front of so many people." Even your face, thick as a city wall, turned red!?

"Speak, at this point, it’s not up to you anymore."

"Ha, it would naturally be the most precious thing a girl can offer."

"What!? Have you already pledged to marry each other?" Someone immediately shouted, "That’s somewhat against propriety."

"It’s not possible, I observe Zi Yi is still a virgin, how could..." Once again, a glance from Li Shimin silenced Li Chengqian, though his body was still trembling.

"Tsk tsk, as expected of the Crown Prince, truly experienced with women. But, on the other hand, how can your thoughts as adults be so filthy?" Your face showed utmost helplessness, "What I meant by the most precious thing a girl can have was Zi Yi’s first kiss. I wrote a song for her, and she repaid me with her first kiss."

"Oh."

"So it is."

The crowd could accept this explanation, yet Zi Yi’s cheeks were already covered in a rosy flush, occasionally casting shy glances your way, her actions revealing all secrets to those around.

"Since that is the case, I hereby approve! My dear nephew, you may take Zi Yi back to your residence tonight..."

"Yay!!"

"What!?" Li Shimin was startled by your sudden use of a foreign phrase.

"Uh, nothing, I mean to say ’thank you for your great kindness!’ Hehe."

"Hmph, don’t celebrate too soon. Before that, you still need to pass my final test."

"Ah? There’s more?" You widened your eyes, a helpless smile appearing on your face. "Alright, your elder’s demands, please just be direct. These shocks and surprises are really too much for me, Uncle."

"Actually, it’s not just me, I believe everyone present wouldn’t easily allow you to win the beauty without a challenge."

"Exactly, this young lady has both the looks and the figure, seeing her makes Old Cheng’s heart itch. How can I just let you, a young chap, get her so easily?" Cheng Zhijie gulped down a mouthful of Sanle Sauce, his loud voice carrying far and wide.

"Old buffoon!" you silently cursed Cheng Zhijie. His words were truly crude, almost competing with your own audacity.

"However, as an elder, I shouldn’t make things too difficult for you. Just compose another piece of poetry. Yet for composing, you need a theme of sorts. Hmm, Uncle will pose you a question, and you improvise a poem on that, how about it?"

You steadied yourself, grateful that you had read widely during your free time in the past, and confidently nodded: "Uncle Li, please set the topic, I will accept the challenge."

"Hmm, since that’s decided, I shall announce the topic. Actually, this is not my question, but a challenge proposed by Princess Chang two years ago, which remains unsolved to this date. Today, let’s see your talent, nephew." Li Shimin cleared his throat and said, "The lyrics are from ’The Phoenix Hairpin’: ’Worldly attitudes are fickle, human feelings are harsh, rain hastens the falling of dusk flowers. Dawn winds dry the remaining tear stains, difficult to express thoughts, speaking alone by the slanting rail. Difficult, difficult, difficult! People part ways, what was is now not, the tormented soul often swings like a pendulum. The sound of the horn is cold, as night wanes, afraid to let others ask, swallowing tears while feigning joy. Conceal, conceal, conceal!’"

Hearing this poem, most present wore bitter expressions, while others furrowed their brows. While many here were familiar with the poem and had seen it before, no one had been able to respond. Of course, the Tang Dynasty had no lack of talents; it wasn’t that no one could respond, but those who could were either too old, too timid, or had never had the chance to come across it.

Moreover, the lyrics were filled with such overwhelming sorrow that no one had personally experienced. However, you took a deep breath, well aware that this poem must have been authored by Tang Wan, the wife of the Song Dynasty poet Lu You, although surprisingly it had appeared several centuries early.

You pondered whether to continue, as the only response to this poem was another poem by Lu You himself titled "The Phoenix Hairpin." But doing so might bring about many issues in the future.

Should you continue or not?

"My talented nephew, what do you say?" Li Shimin squinted his eyes, a slight smile on his face.

"Has the young man from the Luo Family run out of ideas? If you cannot respond, how about letting this young lady join my family instead?" Cheng Zhijie was truly a provocateur.

"Ah, to die would be easier."

PS: Got scolded again in the game. Hehe, Lao Zhan, I’ve mentioned in the introduction that this is a book that will provoke you to curse, uh, I immediately delete anyone’s post that curses me, la la la ○(￣︶￣)○...

Furthermore, all my plot arrangements are meaningful, not written out of randomness. This subplot plays a significant role, it will clarify all the entanglements between Zhao’er and Li Muyun, and incidentally, make Zhao’er overthrow Li Muyun...

This update is an extra, but it doesn’t mean Lao Zhan is being cheap oh, oh, oh