Chapter 298 Jealousy
The sound of stringed instruments lingers endlessly, rippling through the Emperor's Palace.
The main hall is adorned with golden bricks, magnificent and splendid, retaining the dignity and dignity of an imperial power.
After the song ended, Gu Mengzhen still lingered inside, fascinated for a long time and unable to extricate himself.
Her cold and tender jade fingers gently stroked the strings of the zither. When the song ended, she stood up respectfully, with a graceful and charming demeanor.
"Empress Zhenyu composed "Washing Willows". Even though I have invited all the musicians in the world to play it, it is still difficult to reproduce the touching part. The vulgar and dull sound is probably not good enough to offend your ears. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Recalling the old friends, Gu Mengzhen's dragon eyes were bright and he smiled gently.
"This is a tribute to the late Queen. It's enough to show your appreciation. It's not easy for you to have mastered the skills to such a high level. I am very pleased."
Feeling that the sympathy in his words belonged to someone else, Leng Man felt uncomfortable and could only smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your approval."
Gu Mengzhen reveals his deep affection and cares for her.
"Have you finished my poem "The Lady Passes Away"?"
Leng Man's smile concealed bitterness, which turned into a chuckle in her heart.
Her demeanor was graceful, without a single flaw.
"Before, due to the incident with Jing Mo Yin Si Tai, I was late for the piano practice, so I was unable to finish. However, the musicians are all excellent. Is Your Majesty willing to listen to them?"
Gu Mengzhen looked forward to it and responded eagerly.
"Ah."
Leng Man turned to face the musician, with a hint of coldness in her eyes, and waved her sleeves to signal.
"play music."
Fingers danced on the strings of the zither as the musicians played heavenly music. Amid the melodious sounds, a touch of sadness was like a dark cloud covering the entire Disheng Palace, plunging it into dusk.
The beauty goes away with the night, and the clouds fall into the thick fog.
The beauty seems to have no intention but has good intentions, she returns to the secluded forest alone, looking at her reflection.
When the song ended, Gu Mengzhen's clothes were already wet with tears.
Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Shenzi observed the expressions on the faces of the people and started to cry; the other palace ladies understood and started to sob.
The musician felt the sound of the piano and tears fell like rain; even Leng Man was sobbing.
Among them, only one musician had a calm expression and no trace of sadness.
Gu Mengzhen's dragon eyes swept across and quickly noticed this person. Then he became silent and looked solemnly.
"Why are you so calm and peaceful? Isn't it that your sorrow and sadness are not enough to make you feel sorry?"
The musician looked around and saw severe frost and sorrow everywhere. Then he knew who the emperor was referring to.
He took two steps forward and saluted solemnly.
"Reporting to the emperor, I am not worried but happy. My face is solemn and I don't smile. It's because I respect your majesty and dare not neglect it."
Gu Mengzhen's heart was raging with anger, his eyes were stern, yet he managed to remain calm.
"When the song is so sad, why are you not sad but happy?"
The musician responded honestly.
"It is a twisted expression. The man has been infatuated with the woman for several years, but she has no intention. Not only does he cruelly let her down, but he also wants her to marry someone else. Such a heartless person cannot be forgiven. Isn't it a happy ending that Yun died?"
Gu Mengzhen was filled with rage, and his hands in his sleeves gradually clenched into fists. He vented his dissatisfaction and suddenly roared.
"Be bold!"
Everyone knelt down as they were told.
The musician fell to his knees, feeling particularly heavy and uneasy, and hurriedly explained.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. What I said is from the bottom of my heart!"
"I have had a similar experience myself, but fate is not always as we wish. She married in glory and has lived happily ever after; I am single and feel extremely heartbroken. If it is really God's will, as described in the song, that she does not have a good end, I will be able to rest in peace even if I die!"
Gu Mengzhen's brows were grim and he became even more furious. He smashed the teacup in anger and the lightning and thunder could no longer be stopped.
"Ignorant fools, do you know that the woman in the song is the late queen?!"
"How dare you use a heartless woman from the folks to tarnish the innocence of the late queen?!"
"Someone, drag him out and chop him into pieces!"
The musician was shocked when he heard this. He ignored etiquette, looked at the dragon throne from a distance and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Your Majesty is very clear-sighted. I, a humble commoner, really do not know, I really do not know..."
Upon seeing this, the palace ladies and musicians all lowered their voices, held their breath, and lowered their heads.
Leng Man was also trembling with fear, staring blankly in silence.
Gu Mengzhen was dissatisfied and dismissed his attendants, leaving only Leng Man.
When everyone left, he was furious and violent.
"Did you teach him that?!"
Unexpectedly, the emperor was so angry. Leng Man was worried and frightened, and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I respect the late queen and have never taught her such outrageous words!"
Gu Mengzhen's anger temporarily subsided, leaving only his dragon eyes, which were filled with surging thoughts.
"You are singing this song. Have you ever understood the person in the song?"
Leng Man was very cautious and said one thing and meant another, not daring to admit it.
"No. If it weren't for the emperor's enlightenment, I would still be confused."
A bit of doubt surged in his heart, and Gu Mengzhen's dragon eyes dimmed, and the rage of thunder became more intense.
"Now that you know the woman in the song, then who is the man in the song? Are you curious?"
Leng Man's heart was pounding and she was sweating. Her expression was filled with fear and sadness. Her figure was desolate, with her fingertips covering her skirt, conveying a sense of helplessness.
"Your Majesty, please enlighten me."
Gu Mengzhen was furious and slammed the table.
"Leng Man!"
Leng Man shuddered in horror.
"My wife is here."
Gu Mengzhen's anger and menace poured out, his dragon eyes were sharp enough to tear everything apart.
"Don't be narrow-minded and try to guess your intentions. I am not Xu Mingqian, so you can't act wildly or be jealous!"
The cold wind and rain turned into continuous tears. Leng Man was heartbroken silently, and all her jealousy disappeared completely.
"Your Majesty is very clear. I don't have any."
After his angry expression subsided, Gu Mengzhen became cold and indifferent, just like the chilly night.
"That musician died for you. From now on, if you dare to have such a delusion again, I will skin you alive and use your remains as a sacrifice to the spirit of Queen Zhenyu in heaven."
"Did you hear that clearly?"
Leng Man responded with tears in her eyes.
"I obey your command."
At this point, the palace servant reported: "Lord Xu, the Minister of Copper Affairs, wants to see you."
Gu Mengzhen replied in a deep voice.
"See you."
Xu Mingqian walked into the main hall, noticed the lady first, and then bowed respectfully.
"I, your humble servant Xu Mingqian, respectfully wish the emperor good health."
Gu Mengzhen gave him a false help, but his eyes were still cold.
"What's the matter?"
After several days of careful consideration, Xu Mingqian decided to listen to Ning Fengzhe's advice and took the initiative to propose to marry Ning Jiewei.
But seeing his wife here, he secretly felt reluctant and thought for a moment before replying.
"Your Majesty, I have a private thought that may be inappropriate, so I have not dared to speak out."
Gu Mengzhen still looked unhappy, feeling sorry for Lin Ranhua being stigmatized for no reason.
"But it doesn't matter."
Xu Mingqian spoke neither fast nor slow.
"Earlier, Lord Lou bravely went to the front in the plan to chase Dongshan away. Not only did the emperor lose a beloved minister, but Lord An also lost a subordinate. In my humble opinion, this is all because we lacked someone to get the news."
"Ning Jiewei, the fourth Ning lady, is very much favored in the Ning Mansion and is also very close to Princess Yuexi. It would be helpful for the Emperor to use her to plan things. I am willing to humble myself and court her; I will spare no effort to help the Emperor share his worries."
"I wonder if the Emperor would approve it?"
Gu Mengzhen's gloom was gone and he was filled with joy.
"By connecting them with love, they will be reluctant to leave, and maybe they can even help to change the mind of the three Ning girls."
"What you are planning is very appropriate."
As he spoke, Long looked at Leng Man with contempt and playfulness.
"It's just that when you courted her, you only offered her the lowly position of a concubine. As a legitimate daughter, I'm afraid she would not be able to be moved."
Xu Mingqian was unexpected.
"Your Majesty, do you permit me to marry her?"
Leng Man's eyes were filled with shock, she couldn't believe it.
Gu Mengzhen looked at it leisurely and smiled complacently.