Chen Leran watched her younger brother wearing a mischievous smile and wondered what bad idea he was up to. She nudged Yao Yao's arm. "What's that brat Chen Lanyu up to this time?"
Hearing this, Yao Yao looked over. Chen Lanyu was twirling her braid around his hand. His fingers were long, with distinct and strong joints.
She slowly turned her head and let out a soft "hmm", a strange look flashing across her eyes.
At such a banquet, it was natural for the young ladies from noble families to perform astonishing shows to gain a good reputation.
Shi Muyuan had been bored lately, so she was quite happy to watch these authentic ancient - style performances.
Naturally, Jiang Qiong took the lead. Many young ladies were cheering her on to perform. After feigning some reluctance, she blushed and walked to the center.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I'm Jiang Qiong. Playing the flute is not really my forte. Today's plum - viewing banquet is supposed to be a happy occasion. I thought the tune I newly learned the other day was suitable for this scenery. I'm daring enough to present it for everyone's amusement. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Well, this was a high - level move.
Once she said this, which girl would dare to show her full talent later? Since it was said to be for fun, showing real skills would only make one unpopular.
Shi Muyuan thought to herself and put on a smile. "It doesn't matter. Today is all about having fun. Just play for us."
Jiang Qiong shyly lowered her head. "Then I'll make a fool of myself."
Hearing the commotion, some men from the other side of the venue stood up one after another and looked over. Then the gentle and elegant sound of the flute wound its way into everyone's hearts.
When the tune ended, there was a round of applause.
Jiang Qiong's cheeks were flushed. Shi Muyuan looked at the men on the other side with stars in their eyes. Remembering what Xiao Xiao had whispered in her ear earlier, she couldn't help but sigh. Truly the most talented young lady. She was really seeing it now.
This was hardly making a fool of herself!
The noble ladies in the audience all changed their expressions. You said you were making a fool of yourself and told everyone not to steal the limelight, but then you showed off so well yourself.
Shi Muyuan guessed there would be more to watch next.
"Very good, very good. Miss Jiang truly lives up to her reputation as the most talented young lady in Changjing! Do you have any rewards you'd like?" Shi Muyuan was like a spectator watching a fire from the other side of the river. She had no fear at all and was pushing the situation forward.
Sure enough, Jiang Qiong's hesitation about whether to speak up was too obvious. Shi Muyuan took the opportunity to ask her, "What? Do you have something to say?"
"I've heard that the Yao sisters have a special skill. I've never seen it before. I'd like to take the opportunity of Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's kindness to have a look."
Shi Muyuan raised an eyebrow. Well, this fire had actually burned to those around her.
She quietly glanced at the well - behaved Yao Kun beside her and asked, "Oh? Really? I've heard that the Yao girls are good at martial arts, and only the embroidery of the eldest Miss Yao is well - known. Could it be that Miss Jiang Qiong wants to see Miss Yao embroider something on the spot?"
"Of course not. I just happened to hear about this. I don't know exactly what this special skill is, so I just want to take a look."
Shi Muyuan was a bit annoyed. She had just asked what Jiang Qiong wanted, and now that she had said it, she couldn't refuse. She didn't expect that while watching a show, she had involved her own people. She had even happily handed over the knife. She instantly felt extremely regretful.
The men on the other side were also looking forward to it after hearing this. After all, the Yao girls were extremely beautiful. One of them was a bit silly, but it would still be nice to feast their eyes.
Only the mischievous Chen Lanyu seemed to have restrained his expression a bit, with an obscure look in his eyes.
Jiang Qiong looked at Yao Yao with a gentle smile on her face. Chen Leran was so angry that she wanted to go up and tear that fake face off.
If you can't deal with me, you go after the Yao sisters. It's disgusting!
Yao Yao nodded slightly and smiled. Under the table, she quietly comforted Chen Leran.
"Thank you, Miss Jiang, for your over - praise. This is hardly a special skill. It's just a little trick my sister and I play when practicing martial arts. There are so many people here. It would be bad if someone got hurt. The faces of all the young ladies are very precious. Even if you were to raze my General's Mansion, it wouldn't be enough to compensate." Yao Yao stared at Jiang Qiong with an unfriendly look in her eyes.
Hearing this, some girls carefully moved backward.
Jiang Qiong was not willing to let it go like this. Just as she was about to say something more, she saw Yao Yao stand up, walk beside her, and bow to the Empress Dowager.
"I'm not very talented, but I do have some fun little tricks to show everyone so as not to spoil everyone's mood. However, I hope Miss Jiang can cooperate with my sister and me to complete this performance. Since you want to see it, it would be better if you participate, right?"
Jiang Qiong had a bad feeling. She had wanted to set them up, but unexpectedly, she had fallen into her own trap.
Shi Muyuan couldn't help but laugh secretly. This was definitely a scene of retaliation. She was a simple person who loved this kind of show.
"In that case, I approve."
Yao Yao waved to the palace servants to prepare the props. At the same time, she told Jiang Qiong, "Miss Jiang, you just need to stand here and don't move later. If you move, you might get hurt."
Jiang Qiong looked at the sharp daggers and two scarecrows that the palace servants had brought and placed on both sides of her. The blush on her face from earlier was long gone.
She pointed at the daggers with a hoarse voice. "Yao Yao, you said this was a fun little trick. Who are you kidding!"
"Of course it's a little trick. Miss Jiang, don't worry. I definitely won't hurt you. You can rest assured, definitely."
Seeing that Jiang Qiong wanted to back out, Yao Yao wasn't going to let her go. She leaned close to her and whispered, "Miss Jiang, this is the favor you asked for from the Empress Dowager. Could it be that you don't want it anymore?"
Jiang Qiong's heart sank. She could only stand there stiffly without moving. Yao Yao even had the mood to tease her, saying, "It hasn't started yet. There's no need to be nervous."
Jiang Qiong gritted her teeth tightly and cursed Yao Yao in her heart. If she didn't avenge this, she wasn't worthy of being a human.
Yao Yao picked up a green silk ribbon and wanted to blindfold Yao Kun, but unexpectedly, the little girl took the ribbon and ran straight to the Empress Dowager, stuffing it into her hand. Everyone was shocked.
Shi Muyuan touched her nose. She didn't know how to react at this moment. Yao Kun pulled on her sleeve and shook it. Shi Muyuan immediately stood up and started to do it. Sorry, she couldn't refuse.
Yao Kun just wanted the beautiful sister to blindfold her. Even after being blindfolded, the smile on Yao Kun's face wasn't hidden.
Yao Yao was also surprised. She immediately turned around and blindfolded Jiang Qiong, causing her to scream and attracting everyone's attention.
"What are you doing!" Jiang Qiong couldn't stop backing away, but Yao Yao was so strong that she pulled her back. Her actions didn't allow Jiang Qiong to refuse.
"It's for the sense of participation, Miss Jiang. Don't you remember?"
"Is it necessary to blindfold me!" Darkness enveloped everything, and the fear in her heart was magnified infinitely. Jiang Qiong stood there trembling.
"Miss Jiang, stand still and don't move. My sister and I are also blindfolded and can't see. If you move, it will be troublesome."
Jiang Qiong was crying in her heart. Her red lips were bitten through by her teeth, and she stood there motionless, not daring to move an inch.
Yao Kun happily stood in front of the scarecrow on one side and picked up the dagger from the plate of the palace servant. Yao Yao also picked up a dagger and stood in front of the scarecrow on the other side.
Everyone present was shocked by this situation. The men on the other side were also a bit surprised. Were they playing this big?
Some nosy young masters had already walked over, and then more and more people came to the women's side.