First Counterattack

Amid the low murmurs and inquisitive stares, Rong Lian made her way through the tables with incomparably graceful steps, as if a fairy had descended to the mundane world.

Once she reached the stage, she turned to address the audience with a respectful curtsy.

"Prime Minister Manor's Rong Lian greets Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, and the venerable guests. This official's daughter wishes to share with you all a song of my own creation to honor Prince Jing's tireless efforts in aiding the people of Xiyue."

Her voice was sweet and clear like the call of an oriole, her demeanour neither humble nor haughty. There was no trace of anxiety to be detected on her face. Only a gentle smile that shone with inner confidence.

Like a blooming orchid, delicate yet resolute, Rong Lian held her ground before all of Xiyue's nobility.

"Excellent bearing, as expected of the niece of zhen's¹ beloved empress!"

The Emperor suddenly laughed, brightening his sharp, handsome features that greatly resembled his son's. He even waved one hand with a grand flourish.

"Continue, Miss Rong. Zhen is very eager to hear the song created by the capital's most talented young lady."

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¹zhen (朕): how Emperors refer to themselves; the equivalent to the royal "We".

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His Majesty's rare praise sparked both envy and admiration amid the young misses present. But none of them could deny that Miss Rong, having shown her proficiency in the four arts over the years, deserved it.

Even Long Yitian couldn't help taking a second look at her.

Yet Rong Lian's expression remained steady as she curtsied once more. "Rong Lian is honored by Your Majesty's words, this official's daughter will certainly do her best."

She gracefully brushed down her robes and sat at the prepared stand, where her most beloved zither was already placed.

After taking a deep breath, Rong Lian began to play.

Clear, mellow notes rose into the air like swirls of mist, creating a poignant melody with high and low tones. It brought to mind the flickering of a candle or a leaf fluttering in the wind. As if expressing the fragility of hope in tumultuous times.

While she played, Rong Lian peeked at Long Yitian with shining eyes and a bashful smile. It was clear to everyone present that Miss Rong was truly in love with her fiancé.

But only she knew how hard she'd had to practice this lovestruck appearance in the last few weeks.

One that used to come naturally years ago.

Her dancing fingers quickened, and the song gradually unfolded from its hesitant beginning to a more passionate, euphoric tune. It soared over the hall like a flying crane, causing the listeners' hearts to surge with buoyant emotion.

Not only in celebration of Prince Jing's success, but with pride of their country's magnificence.

Soon, the song came to a close, ending on a blissful sigh. Everyone remained in a daze until Rong Lian stood up and bowed.

The Emperor clapped a few times, his booming laugh resonating through the hall once more.

"A splendid performance, Miss Rong! Truly a model for all the capital's young ladies to follow."

Rong Lian smiled as she properly thanked His Majesty. Her every action was filled with respect, no arrogance to be found at all. Even as the audience followed the Emperor's lead with even more effusive praise, she maintained her composure.

"Lian'er, it's amazing you've composed such a brilliant song at your age," the Empress chimed in with the rest, a pleased smile on her lips. "Why don't you explain to us the meaning behind it?"

The Emperor gave his wife a fond glance, nodding. "Yes, zhen is also curious about this."

With a soft smile, Rong Lian started to explain, her voice filled with an almost palpable warmth.

"Answering Your Majesties, the song is titled 'Sunshine After The Rain'². Like this name implies, Rong Lian wanted to express the idea of a bright future after times of hardship."

She looked at the ice-faced Long Yitian with another one of her starry gazes.

"His Highness brought relief to the vulnerable people of the disaster areas, and gave them new hope after such a devastating period in their lives. As his fiancée, there's not much Rong Lian can do other than honor His Highness. Hopefully, this song was able to pay tribute to His Highness's selfless actions as well as transmit our infinite gratitude."

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²Sunshine After The Rain (雨过天晴): An idiom meaning '(of things or a situation) change for the better', similar to 'every cloud has a silver lining'. The song itself is invented, however.

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Once she finished, a hush settled over the surroundings for a few moments.

Her pure and sincere appearance paired with such heartfelt words was simply too dazzling!

Many of the guests even shot incredulous looks at Prince Jing, whose chilly expression frightened them into looking away almost instantly.

They complained in their hearts, His Highness had to be made of stone if he wasn't moved by this heaven-sent beauty!

Rong Lian lowered her gaze in a show of modesty, hiding the glint in her eyes. The song she'd supposedly composed was in fact stolen from the female lead.

In her dreams, Mu Lingxue had performed it during the Empress Dowager's upcoming birthday, completely outshining her.

And with a few slight changes, she had managed to make the song fit her own purposes.

Her lips slightly curled. Was it petty of her? Sure. But she had never claimed to be a saint, and the female lead wasn't one either, for that matter.

In the first place, the song came from a talented musician in her original world.

If Mu Lingxue could steal others' works and be praised for it, then why couldn't she do the same to protect herself?

"You have picked out a worthy fiancée for our son," the Emperor said, taking the Empress's hand with a blatantly doting look in his eyes. "In fact, why doesn't zhen set a date for their wedding? It's about time they've married."

Startled, Rong Lian looked up with wide eyes, her cheeks reddening. Various young misses in the crowd wrung their handkerchiefs and gritted their teeth. Would their idol Prince Jing now be out of their reach forever?

The Empress glanced at her son before giving a slightly shaky laugh. "Your Majesty is right, of course. But Tian'er..." she mustered a helpless smile, "Tian'er doesn't seem to agree."

Tears glistened in the Empress's exquisite eyes before she looked away, the very image of a mother troubled by her wayward son's actions.

Rong Lian wanted to applaud her. What a performance! She'd really been too prideful all these years to not have relied on her aunt to pressure that bastard.

Patting her hand in a reassuring manner, the Emperor also took in Long Yitian's frigid appearance. A deep frown creased his forehead.

"Tian'er, your Imperial Mother carefully chose Miss Rong as your fiancée a long time ago. But seeing you were still young, zhen permitted you to run free all these years. Now you're already twenty-two, with what reason are you still refusing?"

A heavy atmosphere pressed down on all the guests as the Emperor spoke, despite the fact his voice never rose in anger. But they could still detect the signs of danger hidden in that even tone.

Knowing people were looking, Rong Lian clasped her hands to her chest as Long Yitian stood up and bowed towards his imperial father.

Every single one of the guests held their breaths, how would Prince Jing answer His Majesty?

It wasn't the first time the two had publicly gotten into conflict, but they had never seen the Emperor react quite like this.

"Imperial Father, forgive this son's impertinence..."

Her heart trembled at these too-familiar words. Had everything she planned been for naught?

"...But this son still wishes to prolong my marriage with Miss Rong."

Exactly like her vision, absolute silence reigned in the hall after Long Yitian's words fell. But this time she didn't faint. Instead, she watched with 'teary eyes' as the Emperor's face darkened, plunging the previously bearable atmosphere into freezing temperatures.

No one dared to whisper or even so much as move as they awaited their ruler's reaction.

Forming a fist on the throne's armrest, the Emperor asked in a barely restrained voice, "For what reason is Tian'er disgracing your Imperial Mother's kind intentions? If you can't give zhen an appropiate answer, zhen will decree your marriage right now!"

Rong Lian froze a little. She didn't want that! She'd only wanted to extend the engagement for a little while longer!

But who would've thought His Majesty would get this angry on the Empress's behalf. Even if her aunt was said to be his true love, Long Yitian was his favorite son after all³...

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³The implied meaning is that even if the Emperor loves the Empress (or any other consort), usually he would still care more about his son, with how valued sons were back then.

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Thankfully, Long Yitian wasn't going to give up so easily.

"Answering Imperial Father, what this son is opposed to is not marriage but squandering."

Each word contained an unyielding air, as he directly stared at the Emperor with icy indifference. As if no matter what happened next, he would never bow down to the pressure!

"While being in a much better state, many parts of our nation are still recovering from the recent floods. In this son's humble opinion, it is more important to use our precious time and resources to better the lives of the people of Xiyue than on unimportant events."

Several people couldn't help gasping. Rong Lian's mouth was also slightly open. His words sounded lofty and well-intentioned, but wasn't His Highness insulting His Majesty for not thinking of the people?!

'And how dare he call our wedding', she fumed inside, 'an 'unimportant event' in front of everyone!'

"It seems zhen has spoiled you too much, now you even dare imply zhen doesn't care about his subjects!" The Emperor slammed his fist down, a vein bulging out on his neck. "Someone come---"

"Your Majesty!"

The Empress cried out at this opportune time, draping herself at His Majesty's side. She looked up at him with tears spilling down her cheeks, imploring, "Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. Tian'er spoke rashly in his fervor to help the people of Xiyue. Please forgive our son on account of his meritorious deeds." She blinked weakly at him. "Your Majesty..."

Looking at this lovely and virtuous face he adored, the anger in the Emperor's heart instantly dissipated. As he calmed the Empress down he regarded Long Yitian for some time. He sighed.

This child of his had always been the most brilliant of his sons, yet the most rebellious as well. Even so, he never had the heart to truly punish him.

"Since beloved empress has spoken for him, zhen will allow this to pass." He sent Rong Lian a somewhat apologetic smile. "You may go back to your seat now, Miss Rong."

Her face nearly bloodless, Rong Lian bid them farewell. Even as she made her way back to her table, it was like all her previous confidence had been sapped away. This fragile appearance of the usually poised Miss Rong stirred everyone's hearts to overflow with pity.

Such an excellent young lady didn't deserve to be disregarded like that, much less in public!

The banquet soon resumed its course, distracting everyone from the previous unpleasantness with stunning dancers, jubilant music, and delicious food. Rong Lian kept her head down while ignoring the pitying stares sent her way. She barely even responded to Lin Wanyue's taunts.

What no one saw was the cold smile hidden at the corners of her lips.

There was no need to look at Long Yitian to know he was seething in his seat. The glare burning the back of her neck was indication enough. After all, she had obstructed his plans. Now, with all the nobility on her side and even His Majesty feeling sorry for her, breaking the engagement he so detested had to be left for another day.

At least, not if he wanted to avoid enraging the Emperor into decreeing their wedding date.

Rong Lian slowly ran a finger over her jade bangle, her smile widening. The humiliation she received today, it was worth it if her and her little brother could remain safe for a while longer.

But that didn't mean she would continue to bow her head and accept his disdain for her.

Soon enough, His Highness Prince Jing would get a taste of his own medicine.